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

Home , Alma Sonne, David Lawrence McKay, John Longden (Mormon), Joseph Anderson (Mormon), Matthew Cowley, Preston Nibley

OnsL dhmdhsd, Jwenty-Mcond. ANNUAL COnf£R€nC€ OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Held in the Tabernacle

Salt Lake City, Utah

tiphiL bt 5and. 6, 1952

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44 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City 10, Utah The One Hundred Twenty-second Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints

The One Hundred Twenty-second An- President David O. McKay presided nual Conference of the Church of Jesus and conducted the services at each of Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the sessions of the conference, including

: Lake City, Utah, ' the Tabernacle, Salt the General Priesthood meeting. ; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 4, Included in this record is also a full 5, 6, 1952. report of Columbia Broadcasting Com- The general sessions of the confer- pany's Church of the Air, Sunday morn- ence were held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 ing, April 6, from 8:30 to 9:00, and the p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Tabernacle Choir and Organ broadcast the General Priesthood meeting was held from 9:00 to 9:30. in the Tabernacle Saturday evening, April 6, at 7:00. General Authorities of the Church The proceedings of the general ses- Present sions were broadcast over Station KSL, and by arrangement through KSL over The First Presidency: David O. the following stations: McKay, Stephen L Richards, and J. In Utah: KSUB at Cedar City, KSVC Reuben Clark, Jr. at Richfield, KJAM at Vernal, and The Council of the Twelve Apostles: KVNU at Logan. Joseph Fielding Smith, John A. Widtsoe, In Idaho: KGEM at Boise, KID at Albert E. Bowen, Harold B. Lee, Spencer Idaho Falls, KEYY at Pocatello, KBIO W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, Mark at Burley, KVMV at Twin Falls, and E. Petersen, Matthew Cowley, Henry KRXK at Rexburg. D. Moyle, Delbert L. Stapley, Marion In Colorado: KEXO at Grand Junc- G. Romney, and LeGrand Richards.* tion. Patriarch to the Church: Eldred G. In Arizona: KTYL at Mesa. Smith. In Nevada: KLAS at Las Vegas. Assistants to the Gouncil of the The proceedings of the general ses- Twelve Apostles: Thomas E. McKay, sions were also televised over KSL tele- Clifford E. Young, Alma Sonne, George vision station, channel 5. Q. Morris, **, EIRay L. Christiansen, All general sessions of the conference and John Longden. and the General Priesthood meeting The First Council of the Seventy: were broadcast in the Assembly Hall, Levi Edgar Young, Antoine R. Ivins, on Temple Square, and in Barratt Hall Richard L. Evans, Oscar A. Kirkham, S. (60 North Main Street), over a loud- Dilworth Young, Milton R. Hunter, and speaking system and by television. Thou- Bruce R. McConkie. sands in addition listened to the services The Presiding Bishopric: Joseph L. on the Tabernacle grounds by means of Wirthlin, ***, Thorpe B. Isaacson, amplifying equipment. **** and Carl W. Buehner. *****

LeGrand Richards was sustained as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles at this confer- ee. **Stayner Richards ^vas in England, presiding over the British Mission. ***Joseph L. Wirthlin was sustained at this conference as Presiding Bishop of the Church. ****Thorpe B. Isaacson was sustained at this conference as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. *****Carl W. Buehner was sustained at this conference as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. GENERAL CONFERENCE

General Officers and Other Temple Square, Salt Lake City; Delbert

Authorities Present G. Taylor, Eastern States; J. Howard Maughan, New England; Waldo M. Church Historian and Recorder: Andersen, Northern States; Carl C. Joseph Fielding Smith, and A. William Burton, Great Lakes; John B. Hawkes, Lund, Assistant. North Central States; John B. Matheson,

Members of General Welfare Com- East Central States; J. Orval Ellsworth, mittee. Church Welfare Program. Central States; Peter J. Ricks, Southern Members of General Board of Edu- States; Bryan L. Bunker, California; cation, Commissioner of Education, Thomas W. Gardner, Northern Cali- Seminary Supervisors, and Directors fornia; Benjamin L. Bowring, Texas- and Associate Directors of Institutes. Louisana; Ray E. Dillman, Western Presidents of Stakes and their Coun- States; James A. McMurrin, Northwest- selors, Bishops of Wards and their ern States; J. Melvin Toone, Canada; Counselors, Presidents of Temples, Scott Zimmerman, Western Canada; Patriarchs, High Priests, Seventies, Lucian M. Meacham, Jr., Mexico; Lorin Elders; General, Stake and Ward offi- F. Jones, Spanish-American; Golden R. cers of Auxiliary Associations, etc., from Buchanan, Southwest Indian; Hilton A. all parts of the Church. Robertson, Chinese; Ernest Nelson, Mission Presidents: Richard L. Evans, Hawaii. FIRST DAY MORNING MEETING

The conference commenced Friday These services, and all general sessions morning, April 4, at 10 o'clock, with of Conference, will be broadcast in the President David O. McKay presiding Assembly Hall, and in Barratt Hall, and conducting the services. The over a loud-speaking system and by Tabernacle was crowded to capacity as television, and we might announce at time came for opening the first session, this time for the benefit of our listeners and the Assembly Hall to the south of that in addition to all these sessions the Tabernacle, as also the Barratt Hall, being given over television, the Church was crowded with people, and many of the Air Service from 8:30 to 9:00 others assembled on the grounds. a. m. next Sunday morning, and also the Choir Broadcast from 9:00 a. m. to President David O. McKay: 9.30 a. m. next Sunday morning may be seen over the television. This is the opening session of the One All other sessions will be broadcast Hundred Twenty-Second Annual Con- over the following stations: ference of the Church of Jesus Christ In Utah: KSUB at Cedar City, KSVC of Latter-day Saints. We are convened at Richfield, KJAM at Vernal, and in the Tabernacle on Temple Square KVNU at Logan. in Salt Lake City, Utah. In Idaho: KGEM at Boise, KID at All of the General Authorities of the at Idaho Falls, KEYY at Pocatello, KBIO Church are in attendance, excepting Burley, KEEP at Twin Falls, and KRXK President Stayner Richards, one of the at Rexburg. Assistants to the Twelve, now presiding In Colorado: KEXO at Grand Junc- over the European Missions, from whom tion. we have just received the following In Arizona: KTYL at Mesa. cable: In Nevada: KLAS at Las Vegas. "Greetings for a wonderful General We express appreciation to the sta- Conference. Trust that you shall be tions named for their cooperation in be abundantly blessed, and sustained in broadcasting the proceedings of this con- health. You are constantly in our pray- ference. We thank them for their ser- ers. President and Sister Stayner Rich- vice which will continue throughout ards." the conference. However, in the interest We are pleased to note the presence of time, we shall not repeat this an- of the following state and educational nouncement at every session. officials, whom we welcome cordially to All general sessions will also be tele- this session of Conference; Governor vised over KSL Television Station, chan- and Mrs. J. Bracken Lee; Mayor and nel 5.

Mrs. Earl J. Glade; Dr. A. Ray Olpin We are pleased to inform you that the president of the University of Utah; singing of this morning's session will Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson president of be furnished by the Brigham Young the Brigham Young University; State University Combined Choruses, with Superintendent of Schools, Allan Bate- Norman Gulbrandsen and Crawford man; Heber Bennion, Secretary of State; Gates conducting, and Brother Frank and undoubtedly others whom we have W. Asper at the organ. not recognized, to all of whom we extend We shall begin this session by the cordial welcome, as to all of you here Brigham Young University Combined assembled and listening over radio or Choruses singing, "The Heavens are television. Telling," conducted by Elder Norman Elder Joseph Anderson is the Clerk of Gulbrandsen. the Conference. The opening prayer will be offered by GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day Elder Castle H. Murphy, formerly twice dent of Western Canadian Mission to president of the Hawaiian Mission. succeed Glen G. Fisher. The Choir will now sing. LeRoy R. Mallory released as president of the Tahiti an Mission. The Brigham Young University Com- bined Choruses sang, "The Heavens Are NEW STAKES ORGANIZED Telling." Elder Castle H. Murphy, formerly Bountiful Stake organized March 23, president of the Hawaiian Mission, of- 1952, from South Davis Stake. fered the invocation. Columbia River Stake organized De- cember 2, 1951, from Portland Stake and President David O. McKay: Northwestern States Mission. East Lethbridge Stake organized Oc- The Brigham Young University Com- tober 28, 1951, from Lethbridge Stake. bined Choruses will now sing, "Come, Gooding Stake organized March 9, Sweet Death," conducted by Brother 1952, from Blaine Stake. Norman Gulbrandsen. Willamette Stake organized Decem- Following the singing, Elder Joseph ber 2, 1951, from Portland Stake and Anderson, clerk of the Conference, will Northwestern States Mission. read the vital statistical data, changes in the ward and stake organizations, the STAKE PRESIDENTS CHOSEN obituaries of the Church, and financial expenditures. Dee Lloyd Andreasen, president of Bannock Stake to succeed Milton F. The Combined Choruses sang "Come Hartvigsen. Sweet Death." Valdo D. Benson, president of Blaine Stake to succeed Ferrin L. Manwill. Thomas A. Briggs, president of Bounti- Elder Anderson read the Joseph ful Stake. following reports: Royle Spencer Papworth, president of CHANGES IN CHURCH OFFICERS Columbia River Stake. STAKE, WARD AND BRANCH Clarence A. Hurren, president of East ORGANIZATIONS SINCE OCTOBER Cache Stake to succeed EIRay L. CONFERENCE 1951 Christiansen. Grant Goddard Woolley, president of MISSION CHANGES AND NEW East Lethbridge Stake. PRESIDENTS APPOINTED Ross C. Lee, president of Gooding Stake. Claude Nalder appointed presi- W. Roy D. Olpin, president of Millard dent of Central Atlantic States mission Stake to succeed Preal George. to succeed Robert Price. J. Thomas Gay Myers, president of Delbert G. Taylor appointed president Moapa Stake to succeed Bryan L. Bunker. of Eastern States Mission to succeed C. Bryant Whiting, president of St. George Q. Morris. Johns Stake to succeed Albert F. Ander- Donovan H. Van Dam appointed son. president of Netherlands Mission to suc- Ward C. Holbrook, president of South ceed John P. Lillywhite. Davis Stake to succeed Thomas A. Peter J. Ricks appointed president of Briggs. Southern States Mission to succeed Al- bert Choules. Ralph B. Lake, president of Willam- D'Monte W. Coombs appointed presi- ette Stake. dent of Tongan Mission to succeed Evan Alonzo F. Hopkin, president of

W. Huntsman. Woodruff Stake to succeed Joseph I. R. Scott Zimmerman appointed presi- Williams. NEW WARDS ORGANIZED 5

NEW WARDS ORGANIZED Provo Sixteenth Ward, Provo Stake, formed by division of Provo Tenth Concord Ward, Berkeley Stake, formed Ward. by division of Martinez and Walnut Mt. Rose Ward, Reno Stake, formed Creek Wards. by division of Reno Ward. Shoshone Ward, Blaine Stake, former- St. Johns Second and Eagar Second ly Shoshone Branch. Wards, St. Johns Stake, formed by divi- Kelso-Longview, St. Helens, Vancou- sion of St. Johns and Eagar Wards. ver and Washougal Wards, Columbia Encino Ward, San Fernando Stake, River Stake, formerly of Portland Stake formed by division of Reseda Ward. and Northwestern States Mission. Bountiful Seventh Ward, South Davis Garden Grove Ward, East Long Stake, formed by division of Bountiful Beach Stake, formerly Garden Grove Fourth Ward. Branch. Idaho Falls Eleventh and Twelfth Jacksonville Second Ward, Florida Wards, South Idaho Falls Stake, formed Stake, formed by division of Jacksonville by division of Idaho Falls Third and Ward. Sixth Wards. South Highland Park Ward, Highland Downey Second Ward, South Los Stake, formed by division of Highland Angeles Stake, formed by division of Park Ward. Downey Ward. Morningside Park Ward, Inglewood Coeur d'Alene Ward, Spokane Stake, Stake, formed by division of Inglewood formerly Coeur d'Alene Branch. Ward. Pullman Ward, Spokane Stake, formed South Harvard Ward, Liberty Stake, by division of Moscow Ward. formed by division of Harvard Ward. Sandpoint Ward, Spokane Stake, Rawlins Ward, Lyman Stake, former- formerly Sandpoint Branch. ly Rawlins Branch. Driggs Second Ward, Teton Stake, Coolidge Ward, Mesa Stake, formerly formed by division of Driggs Ward. Coolidge Branch. South Thirteenth and West Twelfth Murray Seventh Ward, Murray Stake, Wards, University Stake, formed by di- formed by division of Grant and Murray vision of Thirteenth and Twelfth Sixth Wards. Wards. Payson Fifth Ward, Nebo Stake, Pocatello Sixteenth Ward, West Poca- formed by division of Payson First and tello Stake, formed by division of Poca- Park Wards. tello Fifth Ward. Ely Second Ward, Nevada Stake, Imperial West Ward, Wilford Stake, formed by division of Ely Ward. formed by division of Imperial Ward. Kearns Ward, North Jordan Stake, Corvallis, Springfield and Roseburg formerly Kearns Branch. Wards, Willamette Stake, formerly Kahala Ward, Oahu Stake, formed by branches in Northwestern States Mis- division of Waikiki Ward. sion. Magna Second and Pleasant Green Second Wards, Oquirrh Stake, formed WARDS AND BRANCHES by division of Magna and Pleasant TRANSFERRED Green Wards. Spanish Fork Sixth Ward, Palmyra Jerome First, Jerome Second, Wendell, Stake, formed by division of Spanish Gooding, Hagerman and Fairfield Fork Third Ward. Wards, Gooding Stake, formerly of Pocatello Fifteenth Ward, Pocatello Blaine Stake. Stake, formed by division of Pocatello Bountiful First, Second, Third, Fifth, Eighth Ward. Sixth and West Bountiful Wards, Boun- Gresham and Oregon City Wards, tiful Stake, formerly of South Davis Portland Stake, formerly branches in Stake. Northwestern States Mission. Barnwell, Lethbridge Second, Rose- GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day mary, Taber First and Taber Second Southern California Branch for the Wards, Burdett and Brooks Branches, Deaf, Los Angeles Stake. East Lethbridge Stake, formerly of Leth- San Tan Branch, Mesa Stake, bridge Stake. Pegram Branch, Montpelier Stake, Hood River, Irvington, Laurelhurst formerly part of Wardboro Ward. and University Park Wards, Columbia North Jersey Branch, New York Stake, River Stake, formerly of Portland Stake. formerly part of East Orange, Manhattan Eugene and Salem Wards, Willamette and Westchester Wards. Stake, formerly of Portland Stake. Centerville Branch, Oakland Stake, formerly part of Hayward Ward. WARD NAME CHANGED Beaverton, Hillsboro, McMinnville and Newberg Branches, Portland Stake, Logan Twentieth Ward, East Cache formerly of Northwestern States Mission. Stake, formerly College Hill Ward. Corona Branch, San Bernardino Stake, Jacksonville First Ward, Florida Stake, formerly part of Arlington Ward. formerly Jacksonville Ward. Simi Branch, San Fernando Stake, East Stratford Ward, Highland Stake, formerly part of Reseda Ward. formerly Park Avenue Ward. Lompoc and Paso Robles Branches, Ely First Ward, Nevada Stake, form- Santa Barbara Stake, formerly part of erly Ely Ward. Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo Magna First Ward, Oquirrh Stake, Wards. formerly Magna Ward. Fort Bragg Branch, Santa Rosa Stake, Pleasant Green First Ward, Oquirrh formerly part of Willits Branch. Stake, formerly Pleasant Green Ward. Imbler and Elgin Branches, Union Eagar First Ward, St. Johns Stake, Stake, formerly Imbler-Elgin Ward. formerly Eagar Ward. Albany, Cottage Grove, Junction City, St. Johns First Ward, St. Johns Stake, Lebanon and Sweet Home Branches, formerly St. Johns Ward. Willamette Stake, formerly of North- Vallejo First Ward, Santa Rosa Stake, western States Mission. formerly Vallejo Ward. Vallejo Second Ward, Santa Rosa BRANCHES DISCONTINUED Stake, formerly Carquinez Ward. Downey First Ward, South Los Ange- Lone Star Branch, Blaine Stake, dis- les Stake, formerly Downey Ward. continued, membership transferred to Driggs First Ward, Teton Stake, form- Shoshone Ward. erly Driggs Ward. East Twelfth Ward, University Stake, CHANGES IN TEMPLE PRESIDENTS formerly Twelfth Ward. North Thirteenth Ward, University A. George Raymond president of Stake, formerly Thirteenth Ward. Logan Temple to succeed EIRay L. Christiansen. INDEPENDENT BRANCHES ORGANIZED THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY

Deaver-Frannie Branch, Big Horn Elder Joseph F. Merrill of the Council Stake, formerly part of Cowley and Pow- of the Twelve. ell Wards. Martha J. Ballard, widow of Elder

College Hill Branch, East Cache Melvin J. Ballard, former member of the Stake, formerly part of College Hill Council of the Twelve. Ward. Preston D. Richards, whose gratuitous Paradise Branch, Gridley Stake, form- contribution to the acquisition of the erly part of Chico Ward. Los Angeles Temple site and the clear- High River Branch. Lethbridge Stake, ing of all legal details connected with formerly a branch in Western Canadian the erection of the temple, has been Mission. outstanding. FINANCIAL REPORT 7

PART I—BUDGET EXPENDITURES FROM CHURCH GENERAL FUNDS 1951 Budget Funds Spent

1. Administrative Expenses

Office of the Corporation of the President For salaries of employees and living allowances and traveling expenses of the General Authorities; and for equipment and expenses of offices.... $ 454,106 Office of the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop For salaries of employees; for equipment and expenses of offices; for traveling expenses of the Presiding Bishopric, of building super-

visors, and of auditors, etc.; and for Aaronic Priesthood supervision. ... 517,711 Miscellaneous Committees For expenses of General Priesthood, General Music, Servicemen's, No- Liquor-Tobacco, and Statistics Committees; and salaries of the Taber- nacle choristers and organists 85,080

Total administrative expenses, all of which are covered by non-tithing income 1,056,897

2. Stakes and Wards

For expenses of 191 stakes and 1,666 wards and independent branches, including the maintenance of buildings; expenses and mileage allowances of stake presidents and bishops; furnishings for stake and ward offices; erection, remodeling and repairing of stake and ward buildings $ 8,420,348

3. Missions and Missionary Work

For maintenance and operation of the established missions of the Church; living and traveling expenses of mission presidents; return fares of missionaries; free literature, radio and publicity expense; erection, remodeling, purchase, maintenance and renting of meeting houses and other buildings; for expenses of bureaus of information and of the Missionary Home in Salt Lake City. $ 3,894,826

4. Temples

For expenses of the eight temples now in operation and for construction work, repairs and maintenance of temple buildings, outbuildings, and grounds 499,042

5. Welfare

For the purchase of equipment, commodities and containers; for operating expenses of bishops' storehouses, and for the transportation of commodities; for the purchase, construction and remodeling of bishops' storehouses and other general welfare properties; for General Church Welfare Committee administrative expenses; and for the care of the needy—rents, light, fuel, hospitalization, burials, etc 1,947,653

6. General Buildings and Grounds

For maintenance of and repairs and improvements to general Church buildings including the Church Administration building, Tabernacle, and Assembly Hall, and grounds, and of buildings situated immediately adjacent to the Temple Block, and $654,596 allowed to hospitals for new construction and for improvements 1,090,561

7. Schools and Educational Activities »

For operating expenses of the Brigham Young University, Ricks College, Juarez Stake Schools, 18 institutes, 135 seminaries and 37 junior semi- —

8 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 first Day

; '

' . • - i . • ' . ' . . (Calendar year , Basis)

' naries, the McCune School of Music and Art, the Deseret Gymnasium, and the L.D.S. Business College, including the salaries of administrative officers and teachers; for the erection and repair of buildings; and for purchase of building sites $ 2,627,430

8. Genealogical Society

For the maintenance of the genealogical library, archives, temple index bureau, and allied departments; for recording, indexing, photograph- ing and filing genealogical and temple ordinance data, including the names of 515,145 persons forwarded to the temples for ordinances; and for microfilm copies of genealogical records from 7 states and 9 foreign countries equivalent to 57,805 printed volumes of approximately 385 pages per volume 773,244

9. Other Expenses

For taxes and assessments; insurance; contributions to civic and educational institutions; for maintenance and repair of historic properties and monuments; for expenses of the Papago Indian Project; for restoration of the Church Insurance Fund; and for other purposes 269,821

Total (Church General Funds Spent) $ 20,579,822

PART II—EXPENDITURES OTHER THAN FROM CHURCH GENERAL FUNDS 1951

The expenditures budgeted from Church General Funds and paid principally from the tithes are detailed above. The following expenditures were made from further contributions by members of the Church:

For construction and repair of meeting houses and other buildings and for purchases of sites, buildings and furnishings $ 6,502,423 For Stake, Ward and Mission Maintenance purposes (including auxiliaries recreation expenses) 4,473,942 For assistance to needy from Ward and Mission Fast Offerings 1,447,540 For acquisition of Storehouses and Budget Production Projects (including the operation of these projects) 1,307,251 For assistance to Missionaries from contributions received by Wards and

Stakes ...... 271,108 For operation of the Primary Children's Hospital, of the auxiliary general boards, and of the temples 283,056

Total spent from contributions (other than tithes) $14,285,320

Also the following expenditures have been made from income of Church Organizations: Educational Institutions—from tuitions and dormitory and other service income $ 2,520,771 Hospitals—for care of sick in addition to amount paid from tithes and included in Part 1 21,238 Auxiliaries—from publications, sewing projects, and other business income 1,092,135 Temples—from clothing rentals and other receipts 142,207 Deseret Industries, Deseret Clothing Factory, and group canning projects from operating income 554,492 Welfare budget production projects—from operating income 1,056,700

Total spent from operating income of Church organizations.... $ 5,387,543

i : GRAND TOTAL—cash expenditures of the Church, from general funds, local contributions and other income, for the year 1951 $ 40,252,685 FINANCIAL REPORT > 9

PART III—THE CHURCH WELFARE PROGRAM—1951

for Welfare (All Included in Figures Given Above), j, - Cash Expenditures , : — ::

Expended from stake and mission fast offerings and welfare contributions for the care of the needy—food, clothing, rents, light, heat, hospitalization, burials, etc $ 2,588,742 Disbursed for the operating cost of Bishops' Storehouses and for the over- head expenses of the General Committee 377,296 Disbursed by the Corporations of the President and of the Presiding Bishop for direct assistance to the needy, and contributions to civic and educational institutions 589,746 Charity expenditures by Hospitals for the care of the sick 21,238

Total Cash Relief Expenditures $ 3,577,022 In addition to the foregoing cash expenditures of Church general funds, Welfare contributions and fast offerings, there were distributed to the needy, welfare commodities to the value of over $ 1,091,000

This makes a grand total distributed under the Welfare Program in 1951 by the various agencies involved, of S 4.668,022

Welfare Report

The General Church Welfare Committee makes the following further report for the year 1951:

Distribution of Commodities from Bishops' Storehouses

Distribution of commodities amounted to 7-% million pounds of food and 420,000 items of household supplies, clothing and other articles. This distribution is 9% lower than during 1950.

Assistance Rendered

There have been from 17,913 to 55,460 persons assisted through the Bishops* Store- house Program each year since 1938. In 1951 there were 35,128 persons so assisted in the United States and Canada. This is a decrease from 1950 of 4,409 persons.

From 1938 to the end of 1951 more than 3,232 families have been helped to become self-supporting and 20,191 families have been assisted in other ways. During this same period the Deseret Industries has provided continuous work for hundreds of handicapped and aged persons. During the year 1951 they had an average of 321 persons working in their plants, 65% of these were handicapped persons. The Deseret Clothing Factory, another branch of the Welfare Plan, has provided continuous employment for from 30 to 60 individuals, many of whom were widows and ' elderly persons. '

Contributed Work and Construction Projects

During the year, 91,600 man days of work and the use of equipment amounting to approximately 4,000 unit days were donated in the production of the budget, 15,300 man days of work were donated in operation of bishops' storehouses, and 8,200 man days of work were donated in the construction of buildings for the\ operation of the Welfare Plan. In addition to these, 107 construction and remodeling projects were completed by the brethren, 47 of which were for the benefit of less fortunate members. '

Placement and Counseling Service

During 1951, 3,693 persons were given occupational counseling, resulting in the solution of their employment problems, and 5,849 other persons were placed in re- munerative employment. Reported unemployment has decreased to one-third the

figure of a year ago. , • . , . . 10 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Friday, April 4 First Day STATISTICAL REPORT—195)

Number of Stakes of Zion, at end of year 191 Number of Wards 1491 Number of Independent Branches 175

Total Wards and Independent Branches, at end of year 1666

Number of Missions _. 43 Church Membership: Stakes 933,792 Missions 213,365

Total Membership (at end of year) 1,147,157 Church Growth: Children blessed in Stakes and Missions 39,658 Children baptized in Stakes and Missions 23,205 Converts baptized in Stakes and Missions 17,175

Social Statistics: Birth rate per thousand 37.81 Marriage rate per thousand 9.01 Death rate per thousand 5.93 (These data on births, marriages and deaths are computed from stake reports and do not include the missions)

Missionaries: Number of missionaries in the missions of the Church (including those enroute to or from their fields of labor) 5,065 Number engaged in missionary work in the stakes 5,587

Total missionaries—December 31, 1951 10,652 Number of missionaries who received training in the Missionary Home in

1951 , 1,800

President David O. McKay: reviewed the annual financial report of the Corporation of the President of the Elder Joseph Anderson just read the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day statistical and financial data relating to Saints for the year ending December 31, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 1951. Saints. The accounting system and records Elder Harold Bennett will now read were found to be adequate and meticu- the report of the Church Auditing Com- i ous i y maintained. Disbursement of mittee. Brother Harold Bennett: Church funds is controlled through a REPORT OF CHURCH AUDITING comprehensive budget system, which COMMITTEE properly safeguards expenditures The funds are being carefully con- Elder Harold H. Bennett read the served, expenditures being less than re- following report: ceipts. The following letter was sent to the The Church is in strong financial First Presidency under date of March position, and free from debt. 31, 1952. Respectfully submitted, President David O. McKay and Albert E* Bo^ ^.ounse ors. George S. Spencer Dear Brethren: Harofd H The Church Auditing Committee has Church Auditing Committee PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 11

President David O. McKay: General Funds, and $6,912,000 from local funds. In addition to what has already been You will be interested also to know given, I may add the following items, that there are now 392 buildings under submitted by Brother George Jarvis, who construction. is very efficient, with his associates, in taking care of the finances of the Church. The listening audience will be Sixteen million, two-hundred and pleased to be informed that the Taber- eighty-seven thousand dollars have been nacle is crowded to capacity. We have spent for construction of buildings in not received word from the other build- 1951. This item, of course, has been in- ings, but I suppose they also are filled. cluded in the various headings given In the audience, as you have already already. But this is interesting, and this heard, are mission presidents from Can- total—$9,375,000 has come from Church ada, United States, Mexico and Hawaii.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

is truly a joy to meet with you, my harmony with the spirit of a glorious Itbrethren and sisters. Another six vision given to the Prophet Joseph months have passed since the Church Smith: "Hear, O ye heavens, and give met in general conference. How the time ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants flies 1 There is an old hymn, now un- thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside published, which could be sung appro- him there is no savior. priately: "Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings How swift the months have passed away, none can find out. again. Tis conference "His purposes fail not, neither are And Zion's untold thousands come there any who can stay his hand. To swell the joyful strain. "From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail." (D. & C. A seat occupied six months ago is va- 76:1-4) cant this morning—a voice valiant and vigorous then in defense of the restored Encouragement Justified gospel is silent today. We miss Dr.

Joseph F. Merrill, member of the Coun- It is a source of real encouragement to cil of the Twelve, and make loving ref- contemplate the loyalty and energetic erence to his noble character and dis- efforts of the priesthood of the Church, tinguished service. including of course the General Author- And now, my dear fellow workers, it ities, stake and ward officers, presi- is with mingled feelings of gratitude, dencies of missions, missionaries, officers, satisfaction, and apprehension that I and members of branches throughout greet members of the Church assembled the world. I believe I can say in truth in this opening session of the 122nd that the standard of efficiency in mis- Annual Conference. sions and in organized stakes has never been so high. A hasty glance at what Gratitude quorums and auxiliaries have achieved during the past year will confirm this. We are grateful for the blessings of the Lord to his Church in all the world, First: Quorums of the Priesthood and for the assurance of his divine guidance and inspiration. With deep According to reports that have been gratitude we acknowledge in your pres- received, the Melchizedek Priesthood of ence, his nearness and his goodness; the Church (and that includes all and in that spirit of prayerful apprecia- worthy adult members) is showing an tion proclaim that our souls respond in increase in the number who pay a full —

12 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day tithing, who observe the Sabbath day, opening exercises and in class work has who attend sacrament meetings, and been a most commendable aim. who hold regular family prayers. Enlistment, or Sunday School mission- There has also been an increase in ary work, has been stressed. There has the average attendance at weekly priest- been an increase of 12% in the enrol- hood meetings. In a five-year period ment. The average attendance at Sun- (1947-51) the following increase is day Schools has increased 13%. It is shown: estimated that about one-third of the 1947 1951 entire membership of the Church now participate in Sunday School. High Priests 46% 48% Seventies 39% 44% Fourth: Y.M.M.I.A. Elders 18% 20% In the 183 stakes, 10 missions report- In participation in all phases of the ing, including 1,638 wards and branches, Church program, the following marked the Young Men's Mutual Improvement increase is shown in the same five-year Association reports a total membership period: of 104,383, with an average attendance 7947 1951 of 53%. In participation in joint Y.M. and High Priests 67% 91% Y.W.M.I.A. stake recreational activities Seventies 54% 89% there has been an increase. Departments Elders 31% 70% averaged an increase of 20% to 50%, the greatest increase coming in the M Men- Second: Relief Society Gleaner and Scout-Beehive Departments. A memorandum from Sister Belle S. The general board of Y.M.M.I.A. is Spafford, president of the Relief Society, endeavoring to have every boy in the indicates that there has been an increase ward attend M.I.A. regularly, with a in membership in that organization of result that the enrolment has grown from 126,550 in 1950 to 132,451 in 1951, from 81,253 four years ago to 104,383 or an increase of 5,901. this last year. Teachers have made visits 2,055,803 Fifth: Y.W.M.I.A. an increase of 145,141 over last year. Visits to sick and homebound— 193,- The Young Women's Mutual Im- 558, or an increase of 11,200 over last provement Association had an enrolment year. in 1951 of 110,095 as compared with Choruses of the Relief Society Singing 105,309 the previous year. Mothers are increasing, thus furnishing In December 1949, there was an all- the sisters with an opportunity for spir- over Church average for the girls 12 to itual expression through choral singing. 19 years of age of 48% attendance at sacrament meetings. This is a very com- Third: Sunday School mendable feature. Also 61% attended Sunday School, and 59% M.I.A. In The general board of the Deseret Sun- December 1951, the average had in- day School Union has been emphasizing creased to 53% at sacrament meetings; during the year 1951 the importance of 63% at Sunday School; and 64% at proper spiritual teaching in our Sunday M.I.A. This substantial increase shows Schools. As a result there has been a a great spiritual growth, for it means notable increase in teacher training that our girls are attending more Church classes and enrolled teacher trainees over meetings and hence gaining a greater the previous year. knowledge of the gospel. Reports indicate an increase of 67% in Sixth: Primary Association the number of classes held, and an increase of 13% in number of trainees. Last year marked the completion of Better order and more reverence in the Primary Children's Hospital, the PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 13 dedicatory service having been held on was held. President Waite and his as- March 2 of this year. sociates and the committee presented to A most commendable project for 1951- those brethren a suggested plan whereby 52 stressed four phases of reverence for the stakes and wards of that region boys and girls. I will read those: might raise a million dollars to assist in the construction of the Los Angeles 1. We will act as we should in our Temple. Three weeks later, as the First Heavenly Father's house. Presidency sat at the table in their regu- 2. We will greet our friends quietly. lar daily meeting, they read a telegram 3. We will not take the name of the that came that morning from President Lord in vain. Russon of the Los Angeles Stake, stating, 4. We will respect those chosen by "We have already canvassed the wards our Heavenly Father to lead us. in our stake, and they have subscribed 256% of their quota." And while we feature is Another very commendable were reading that, the telephone rang to Animals Club" being the "Kindness and President Waite of the South Los sponsored by The Children's Friend. I Angeles Stake at the other end said, "I that to your attention, espe- commend thought you would like to know that the the reports that cially when we sense Los Angeles Stake has gone over the top had recently regarding some we have 256%. We were a week later starting sadist young boys who have been going our canvass in the South Los Angeles around with "22's" shooting, just for Stake, so we have reached only 10% of mere sport, the starving deer. the people, but we have 90% of the quota subscribed from the 10%." Last Genealogical Society evening the presidents from those stakes In 1951 there were 31,726 persons who met with the First Presidency and re- undertook research through the books ported $1,666,000.00 subscribed, and of the library, and approximately 13,000 more subscriptions coming in. individuals who used the records in the Now that is indicative of the spirit Archives Department. At the close of that animates the members of the 1951 there were sixteen million cards in Church in their efforts to further the interest the Index Bureau files. The records of of establishing the kingdom of two hundred thousand separate family God. Well, we commend you and bless units were examined at the Index you, and God will bless you. Bureau. Causes of Apprehension A total of between twenty-five and thirty million pages of records were But now, brethren and sisters, we have placed in the files of the microfilm li- cause for apprehension. I refer to the brary during the year 1951, and a total efforts to deprive man of his free agency of 2,334,058 lineal feet of film were de- —to steal from the individual his liberty. veloped in the laboratory in Salt Lake Next to life itself free agency is the City during 1951. greatest gift of God to man. These are just a few highlights giving The two most important documents cause for satisfaction. There is a gen- affecting the destiny of America are the eral response, as the figures and reports Declaration of Independence and the indicate, on the part of the people of Constitution of the United States. Both the Church everywhere. The responsi- these immortal papers relate primarily bilities they carry, the undertakings that to the freedom of the individual. they adopt and employ to raise 50% of Founded upon that principle of free the cost of their houses of worship are enterprise fostered by these documents, most remarkable. the United States of America in less I think I will give you an instance. than two centuries has achieved a great- Last February a meeting of all the presi- ness that exceeds that of any other coun- dents of the stakes of southern California try in the world. —

14 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Friday, April 4 First Day The deep concern of every loyal citi- "The man (or nation) who has a zen regarding this threatened loss of our plan—a way of life—in which he be- freedom has been well expressed by a lieves, has mental security. Mr. Fred G. Clark, Chairman of the "To destroy this security, one must American Economic Foundation, where- destroy that man's faith in his plan. in he expresses the fear that the code "Reliance on a code of life which, if of the people is replacing the code of held in common with one's fellow men, God. Here are his own words. I shall brings peace of mind, develops the abil- tell you when I end the quotation: "The ities of the group. . . . American giant towers over the world "The degree to which the American in its physical strength, greater than code of life has been weakened can best that of all the rest of the nations put be demonstrated by simply calling at- together. tention to the degree to which the "But something is wrong with Amer- foundation of that code has been weak- ica. ened. "At this high moment of history when "Many people become self-conscious the task of world leadership has been when discussing this foundation: I am thrust upon us, we stand confused, re- not one of those people. luctant, hesitant, and ineffectual. "That foundation (and of this there "We are no longer certain what we cannot be the slightest shadow of a stand for, and this, I believe, is because doubt) is made up of the Ten Com- we have forgotten the circumstances mandments and the Golden Rule. surrounding the birth of our nation. . . . "Within this moral code, we have a "For decades it has been popular in complete way of life. America for the cynical intellectuals to "Acceptance of these precepts takes sneer and scoff at what we call the tra- care of every phase of human life ditions of Americanism. spiritual, political, social, and eco-

"The instruments of this sabotage nomic. . . . were words and thoughts — plausible "America was a nation of people who half-truths, sly appeals to that spark of had faith in their political and economic larceny that lurks in every human heart, systems because they had faith in God, subtle suggestions of an atheistic nature, and had built those systems around the and the careful nurturing of a patroniz- teachings of God. ing attitude toward everything America "Every collectivist from Karl Marx to has held to be fine and sacred. Stalin has agreed that faith in God must "The people who planted these words be destroyed before socialism can take and thoughts may have been either over. stupid or vicious, fools or foreign agents, "Therefore, it was obvious that the smart-alecs, or smart organizers. problem of sabotaging America's faith "What they were does not now mat- in America was the problem of trans- ter: the thing that does matter is to ferring the people's faith in God to counteract what they have done. faith in the State. "Everybody in every position of leader- "That thing called morality in pol- ship has to get into this act because the itics, business, and private contracts, had damage has affected every phase of our to be broken down. life. "To an increasing extent the people "The places in which this sabotage have come to look upon morality as an occurred were the schools, the churches, old-fashioned superstition. the communist-dominated labor halls, "Religion has for many church mem- the lecture platforms, the motion pic- bers become a safe way of dying rather tures, the stage, the pages of our news- than a good way of living." papers and magazines, and the radio. Every means of communication has been I commend his entire speech, from utilized against us. . . . which I have taken these extracts. PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 15

Add to this threatening upset in na- common to note an apologetic attitude tional standards the increasing tendency on the part of men when they refer to to abandon ideals that constitute the the need of God governing in the af- foundation of the American home, and fairs of men. Indeed, as has already you will agree with me that there is been said, the success of communism cause for apprehension. depends largely upon the substitution of Now what shall we do about it? That the belief in God by belief in the su- concerns us. premacy of the state. When Paul was a prisoner in Rome, Preach in season and out of season he sent a letter to Timothy, saying in belief in God the Eternal Father, in his substance: Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. "Preach the word; be instant in sea- Bear witness that "God and the un- son, out of season; reprove, rebuke, ex- seen world," to quote a leading thinker, hort with all longsuffering and doctrine. "are not mere objects of surmise. . . . "For the time will come when they Religion standing on the known expe- will not endure sound doctrine; but rience of the race makes one bold and after* their own lusts shall they heap glorious affirmation. She asserts that to themselves teachers, having itching this power that makes for truth, for ears; beauty, and for goodness is not less per- "And they shall turn away their ears sonal than we. This leap of faith is from the truth, and shall be turned unto justified because God cannot be less than fables." (II Timothy 4:2-4.) the greatest of his works. . . . When, It is as important today as when Paul therefore, we call God personal we have wrote that farewell message to Timothy interpreted him by the loftiest symbol that officers and teachers in the Church we have. He may be infinitely more. "preach the word; be instant—that is, He cannot be less. When we call God eager, earnest—in season and out of a spirit, we use the clearest lens we season." have to look at the infinite." (Charles Today, in the midst of the world's Dinsmore of Yale.) perplexity, there should be no question in the mind of any true Latter-day Second: Latter-day Saints proclaim Saint as to what we shall preach. The that fundamental in this gospel plan is that answer is as clear as the noonday sun the sacredness of the individual, in a cloudless sky. God's work and glory is "to bring to pass In the year 1830, there was given to the immortality and eternal life of the people of this land and of the world, man." a divine plan whereby individuals can Under this concept, it is a great impo- find security and peace of mind and sition, if indeed not a crime, for any live in harmonious accord with their government, any labor union, or any fellow beings. In all man's theories and other organization to deny a man the experiments since history began, human right to speak, to worship, and to work. intelligence has never devised a system Third: Preach that the plan involves which, when applied to the needs of the belief that governments were insti- humanity, can even approach this plan tuted of God for the benefit of man. in effectiveness. Man was not born for the benefit of the In simple words, then, this is the state. Preach that no government can Word which we should preach — the exist in peace, and I quote from the gospel plan of salvation. Doctrine and Covenants, except such laws are framed and held inviolate, as Faith in God will secure to each individual the "free The founders of this great republic exercise of conscience, the right and con- had faith in the economic and political trol of property, and the protection of welfare of this country because they life." had faith in God. Today it is not un- Fourth: Preach the sacredness offam- .

m ' GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day ily tics—the perpetuation of the family on the Prophet Joseph Smith and others as the cornerstone of society. • associated with him divine authority. Fifth: Proclaim the necessity of hon- Preach that the responsibility of de- esty and loyalty, doing an honest day's claring this plan of life, this way of work for an honest day's pay. Preach life, this plan of salvation rests upon that honesty in government is essential the entire membership of the Church, to the' perpetuation and stability of our but most particularly upon those who government as it is necessary to the sta- "have been ordained to the priesthood bility of character in the individual. and who have been called as leaders "We believe in being honest, true, and servants of the people. chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in do- To them today, as Paul said to

all . . If is Timothy, we give the admonition: ing good to, men. } there anything virtuous, lovely, or of good "Preach the word; be instant in sea- report, or praiseworthy, we seek after son, out of season; reprove, rebuke, these things." exhort with all longsuffering and doc- To- summarize: Let us be instant in trine." » season, and out of season, declaring that a kind and loving Heavenly Father is In Zion let God's name be praised has feast prepared, as ready and eager today as ever to bless Who a The glorious gospel standard raised, and to guide all his children who will The ancient faith restored. sincerely seek him, and I bear you wit- Swift heralds, the glad news to bear that truth. ness to . i: O'er land and ocean fly; Proclaim that his Beloved Son, the And to the wondering world disclose Redeemer and Savior of mankind, stands The message from on high. at the head of his Church that bears his name—that he guides and inspires those God give us power to fulfil this destiny who are authorized to represent him here of the Church, and to perform our on earth—authorized by the priesthood duties, I pray, in the name of Jesus when heavenly messengers bestowed up- Christ. Amen.

BISHOP THORPE B. ISAACSON

First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

President McKay, President Richards, conference in rich and great abundance President Clark, my dear brothers if the thousands who assemble here can and sisters, and friends: come with their hearts turned toward This is always a very difficult assign- our Father in heaven. ment for me, one which nearly over- Yesterday, in a meeting in the temple whelms me, and I do feel very weak of the General Authorities of the and very humble today. Personally, I Church, there was in evidence a beauti- am very grateful for the beautiful ful and great spirit, one that I ques- prayer that was offered at the begin- tion whether anyone can absolutely and ning of the conference. Prayers always accurately describe or explain. It was give one needed strength. Yes, "Prayer the spirit of peace and love and is the : soul's sincere desire, uttered or harmony and unity. Yes, that was the

' unexpressed." Surely today, prayer is spirit of our Father in heaven. my soul's sincere desire. I know that there is great love and We have all been greatly touched, harmony and unity among the breth- blessed, and inspired by the words of ren of the General Authorities of the tlit: President of the Church, President Church. No one should ever infer that David O: McKay, a prophet of the true there is any lack of unity or harmony or and Living God. love or brotherhood in the Church. The: Spirit of the Lord: will be at this I only wish that all of us, one to another, BISHOP THORPE B. ISAACSON 17

could exhibit the same friendly love and have all they that do keep the com- unity that we saw in existence and that mandments of God. Faith in God, our we experienced yesterday. Eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus There is no place in the Church for Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the lack of harmony, or lack of unity; there Savior of mankind, is essential to every is no room for criticism in the Church. one of us if we are to have happiness You may not agree with what indi- and partake of the blessings of the viduals do or say, and none of us pro- Lord. fesses to be perfect. We shall be grate- It has been an inspiration to me to ful to you if you will come to us and travel around the Church and through- tell us of our shortcomings. But I am out the wards and stakes and see these sure that you should not criticize those beautiful new meetinghouses being who serve in your bishoprics and stake built and to see the enthusiasm and the presidencies, your auxiliaries and your contribution of the members of the quorum offices. I remember a state- Church. The Lord has truly blessed us. ment that my little old grandfather Sometime ago I was in a ward, and I once made to me, and I shall always met the bishopric and their wives. It try to remember it, when he said, "It was not a large ward nor a rich ward. does not take much brains to criticize." The people were trying to raise their I am sure if we shall only stop to think portion to build a meetinghouse. They of that, we will be more careful when were having some difficulty. But a we exhibit any degree of disunity. member of the bishopric told us that I confess that I have humbly prayed he and his wife decided to kill one of to the Lord to forgive me for my short- their cows. They did not have many; comings and imperfections. I have they were not in the dairy business; but prayed to him daily to help me when my they killed one of their choicest cows call should come to stand before you. and had it slaughtered and the meat I prayed, first, because I believe in cut up. They made that meat into prayer, and second, because I need the sandwiches and sold those sandwiches blessings of the Lord as one of the at basketball games and other func- weakest among you. tions to raise money so they could build The beautiful music today has caused a meetinghouse where they could as- us to put ourselves in tune with the semble and renew their covenants with spirit of the Lord, that we could come the Lord and worship God, their Eternal here and be truly strengthened and Father, according to the dictates of their built up in our faith. Yes, faith in own consciences. God is a requisite for the salvation of I heard a man bear testimony re- each of us. Oh, Israel, trust thou in cently of a time when he had been the Lord, he is thy help and thy shieldl out on strike for two or three months; A testimony of Jesus Christ should be he was not a rich man; he had a large the desire of every individual here. It family; and his savings were nearly all may be necessary for each of us to make gone. He did not have a job. One a right about change in our own life Sunday afternoon two of the brethren and turn our energy and our thoughts of his ward came to his house, since and our ambitions to our Heavenly they were trying to finish their meeting- Father. It may be necessary for a na- house, and they said to him, "We are tional crusade so that we can turn back here to collect money to help finish to God, our Father; this may be an im- our meetinghouse." They did not know mediate essential, because of our ap- his circumstances, and they said, "Your parent drifting, as individuals and as a assessment is forty dollars." nation, away from the teachings of our He smiled, went in the bedroom, Father in heaven. fulled out a drawer, and there was The fear of the Lord is the beginning )rty dollars, his last forty dollars. He of great wisdom. A good understanding looked at it and wondered if Tie should 18 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday. April 4 First Day go back in and tell the brethren that He said, "Yes, we would like it very he would pay half of it now, or if he much." should go back and beg off and tell And the stranger then told him the them that he would pay part of it later; salary, it was twice as much, nearly, but then the thought came to him that as he had ever been able to make before he and his family had been blessed in his life. abundantly, and he took the forty dol- He accepted the position; they shook lars, buckled up his belt, went out hands; and the man said, "We will into the room smiling, and said to make that retroactive to the beginning the two brethren, "Here, I am glad of the year." to give you my assessment of forty Well, some people may call that a dollars." coincidence, but not that good brother. They gave him a receipt, not know- That was the blessing of the Lord that ing the sacrifice that he had made, came to him because of his faithful- and bade him good-bye. Of course, he ness. wondered how he was going to meet These beautiful new meetinghouses his current bills, but he is a man who will be a power of strength to the prays diligently. And, of course, that membership of the Church. There are night, in his family prayer, he asked no such things as great sacrifices in the Lord to open up the way where this Church. There may be great re- material things could come to him, so sponsibilities, but with them come great that he could provide for his family. blessings. These meetinghouses will be He testified that the next morning be- a great value to you and your children, fore breakfast a stranger knocked at his if you will only go there and partake door and introduced himself to him. of the sacrament. Sometimes I wonder They had never heard of each other if our people really understand and nor met before, he said, but this man appreciate the value of the sacrament. introduced himself and said, "I have Some of our wards are satisfied with learned that you are a mechanic. Can 20% and 25% attendance at sacrament you operate one of our machines (and meeting. With these new, beautiful named it)?" He said he thought he meetinghouses, we ought not to be could. Then the stranger said, "We satisfied with less than 50% attendance would like to employ you; we need at sacrament meetings. such a man as you. The job isn't in Oh, parents, if we would only take this community, but we will have our our children and go to sacrament meet- company vans move you to the ad- ing! If there were nothing else there joining community where we need your but the singing of those hymns, and the services. We will furnish you with a prayer, and the beautiful administra- modern house." tion of the sacrament, we would be He was so anxious for that job that abundantly blessed and strengthened, he hardly knew how to answer him. if we would assemble in the house of his holy partake of But he put him off for a moment and the Lord on day and said, "Let me go into the kitchen and the sacrament and renew our covenants with the Lord. ask my wife how she feels." He went in there and told his wife of the visit And when we partake of the sacra- of this gentleman who, by the way, was ment, we make three covenants with not a member of the Church. the Lord: First, we covenant with the Lord that we will take upon us the He rushed back to the man and said, name of his Son, Jesus Christ. And "Yes, we will consider that position. it means that we will endeavor by our Would you mind telling us the salary?" works and our deeds to be in accord The man said, "No, I hesitated doing with him, whose name we have taken that because I wanted to know if you upon us. Second, we make a cove- would really like the job." nant that we will remember him, BISHOP THORPE B. ISAACSON 19

Christ, the Savior of the world, who died no one will get an opportunity to shock that we might live; to call to our mind their faith. the sacrifice and the suffering, that we A father just handed me a letter that remember his body, and that we re- he received from his son and I want to member his blood that was shed for read it to you. He received it just before us, that we might have eternal life and Christmas. the remission of our sins. And then Thanksgiving is just over, Father, and we covenant, and we promise that we Christmas will soon be here, and it has will keep the commandments of God, turned my thoughts toward you and my Eternal Father. our home, but the thing that has been most Oh, if we could only accept the in my mind is the gratitude that flows blessings of the sacrament and partake of in my veins for the wonderful family that it regularly, filling those meetings to I have at home, and for the teachings that you have given Remember, Father, overflowing, I believe we would do bet- me. when you and I worked side by side, ter. I think we would be more blessed. I and while working, you were constantly think we could overcome our short- giving me advice. I never said very much comings more successfully than where about the things you told me nor ex- stay weeks we away weeks and without pressed my gratitude which I had for the sacrament. Every Latter-day Saint your companionship. I was more or less should assemble there on the holy day hoping that you could tell the way I felt and take his children there for the by my actions and by my conversation. sacrament. But I guess, Dad, my actions proved to you just the opposite sometimes. But now, Recently I read a statement by the Father, I want you to know that all you American Legion and its auxiliary, and have taught me and all that you have done I thought it was a very worthy aim: for me have not been taken as just some- "Finding their way back to Almighty God thing you owed me. Quite the contrary, and his ideals," and an aim to "attend Father. I am so happy that you have Church, not only today, but every Sabbath given me the chance to enjoy the beauties day." of this world. I am grateful for the testi- "Yes, parents, it would be well if we mony that you have given me, and espe- would not let a Sunday go by unless we cially I am grateful for being able to come assemble in our houses of worship which on this mission. This is one of the many have been dedicated to the Lord, and there things I will never be able to pay you for, renew our covenants with our Father in Dad. I have never seen such a change heaven." come over a person as I saw in you when Mother passed away. But I am sure the Oh, we may have to change our atti- change was not in you- but in me. I found tude a little bit about the Sabbath day, that you weren't the person I thought you and really keep it holy. We may have were. You had seemed cross with me, to read those beautiful prayers again. sometimes, and I misunderstood it. I don't If we would only read them and follow see now, how I could ever have thought the prayer in our sacrament meeting, any different of you, Father. I have a I am sure we would be glad and grate- great love and affection for you, not only ful that we have been in attendance. as my father, but as my companion. I guess I am going to have to get new I hope, fathers, that we can be close glasses, Dad; I can't write this letter with- to our sons, yes, that we can help them out my eyes getting full and blurry with increase their faith, that their testi- tears. monies may be strong. There are some today who would shake the faith of a Yes, boys will be grateful for the faith boy or girl. There are some who would that we help them maintain, for the tend to destroy, perhaps innocently, testimonies that they have. I want to but there are those who profess to know bear you my testimony. I know that more than the boy who has faith, and God lives. I know that he has heard therefore, as fathers and mothers, we and answered my prayers. I acknowl- should be close to our sons, so that edge his hand because without his help 20 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day

I could have done little or nothing. I as we might. We do have to make an know that Joseph Smith was a prophet adjustment in our lives, often, so that of God. I know that he went into we can be in tune with our Father in the Sacred Grove, and I know that God heaven. and his Son appeared to him, and spoke May God bless us that we may be to him, and I know he received heaven- grateful for our membership in this ly messengers on many occasions. I Church, that we may have his Spirit know that President David O. McKay always to be with us, I humbly pray, is a living prophet of God, a spiritual in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. prophet. I know that these men are prophets, seers, and revelators, and serv- The Brigham Young University Com- ants of the true and Living God. I know bined Choruses and the congregation that he inspires them and reveals his arose and joined in singing one verse messages to them. Sometimes, I will of the hymn, "For the Strength of the admit, it is hard for us to be as humble Hills We Bless Thee."

ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

pray for the Spirit of the Lord to who do the least in the building of the accompany my remarks. My broth- kingdom seem to prosper most? We drive I ers and sisters, my heart goes out a Ford; our neighbors drive a Cadillac. to you who are attempting to live the We observe the Sabbath and attend our commandments of the Lord. The meetings; they play golf, hunt, fish, and "strength of the hills" is with you. play. We abstain from the forbidden It is a great joy to me, and my heart while they eat, drink, and are merry is overflowing with gratitude, to shake and are unrestrained. We pay much as your hands, to look into your smiling tithing and for other Church donations; faces, and to feel your spirit. they have their entire large income to We heard this morning that seventeen lavish upon themselves. We are tied thousand newly converted people are home with our large family of small today enjoying the blessings of the gos- children, often ill; they are totally free pel of Jesus Christ, are pointed in the for social life—to dine and to dance. right direction, and are on their way We wear cottons and woolens, and I toward eternal life and exaltation. Ten wear a three-season coat, but they wear thousand foreign and stake mission- silks and costly apparel, and she wears a aries have been instrumental in bring- mink coat. Our meagre income is al- ing the message to them. These new ways strained and never seems adequate members are here because these thou- for necessities, while their wealth seems sands have borne witness and testimony inexhaustible and wholly adequate for to them. every luxury obtainable. And yet the To all the millions of good, honorable Lord promises blessings to the faithful! people who live among us, we extend It seems to me that it does not pay to an invitation to investigate the gospel live the gospel—that the proud and the of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of covenant breakers are the ones who God unto salvation and to exaltation. prosper."

It is the pearl of greatest price. It is Then I said to her: "As I remember, the most glorious, the most far-reaching, Job in his great distress made a state- the most wonderful program in the ment which parallels yours." world. It is not conceived by men, but is conceived our Eternal Father. by God, But Job answered [Zophar] and said. . . . Sometime ago a sister said to me, Wherefore do the wicked live, become "Why is it, Brother Kimball, that those old, yea, are mighty in power? ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL 21

Their seed is established in their sight He said unto them, An enemy hath done with them, and their offspring before their this. The servants said unto him, Wilt eyes. thou then that we go and gather them up? Their houses are safe from fear, neither But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up is the rod of God upon them. the tares, ye root up also the wheat with Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; them. their cow calveth and casteth not her calf. Let both grow together until the harvest: They send forth their little ones like a and in the time of harvest I will say to flock, and their children dance. . . . the reapers, Gather ye together first the They spend their days in wealth, and in tares, and bind them in bundles to burn a moment go down to the grave. them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Therefore they say unto God, Depart (Matt. 13:24-30.) from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. And the interpretation of the parable What is the Almighty, that we should given by the Lord himself makes clear serve him? and what profit should we have, that the books are not balanced daily if we pray unto him? (Job 21:1, 7-11, 13-15.) but at the harvesttime. The time of And the Prophet Jeremiah asked the reckoning is as sure as is the passage same question: of time and the coming of eternity. All who live shall eventually stand before Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead the bar of God to be judged according let with with thee: yet me talk thee of thy to their works. The final assignments judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the will constitute rewards and punishments wicked prosper? wherefore are all they according to deserts. Read Malachi happy that deal very treacherously? . . . further: How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wicked- they that feared the Lord spake ness of them that dwell therein? (Jeremiah Then often one to another: and the Lord heark- 12:1, 4.) ened, and heard it, and a book of remem- And again Malachi quotes the Lord brance was written before him for them as saying: that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. Your words have been stout against me, And they shall be mine, saith the Lord saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have of hosts, in that day when I make up my we spoken so much against thee? jewels; and I will spare them, as a man Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and spareth his own son that serveth him. what profit is it that we have kept his Then shall ye return, and discern between ordinance, and that we have walked mourn- the righteous and the wicked, between him fully before the Lord of hosts? that serveth God and him that serveth him And now we call the proud happy; yea, not. (Mai. 3:16-18.) they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. For behold, the day cometh, that shall (Malachi 3:13-15.) burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: The parable of the wheat and tares and the day that cometh shall burn them is the Lord's answer: up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

. . . The kingdom of heaven is likened unto But unto you that fear my name shall a man which sowed good seed in his field: the Sun of righteousness arise with healing

But while men slept, his enemy came in his wings; . . . (Ibid., 4:1-2.) and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. The Lord admonishes his servants to But when the blade was sprung up, and remain faithful always and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Watch therefore: for ye know not what

So the servants of the householder came hour your Lord doth come. . . . and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow But and if that evil servant shall say in good seed in thy field? from whence then his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; hath it tares? And shall begin to smite his fellow- 22 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day servants, and to eat and drink with the Again, the kingdom of heaven is like drunken; unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and The lord of that servant shall come in a gathered of every kind: day when he looketh not for him, and in Which, when it was full, they drew to an hour that he is not aware of, shore, and sat down, and gathered the And shall cut him asunder, and appoint good into vessels, but cast the bad away. him his portion with the hypocrites: there So shall it be at the end of the world: shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. the angels shall come forth, and sever thp (Matt. 24:42, 48-51.) wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace o\ And the Prophet Zephaniah interprets fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing the way of the Lord: of teeth. (Matt. 13:47-50.)

And it shall come to pass at that time, No one will escape the reward of his that I will search Jerusalem with candles deeds. No one will fail to receive the [speaking for the Lord], and punish the blessings earned. Again the parable of men that are settled on their lees: that say the sheep and goats gives us assurance in their heart, The Lord will not do good, that there will be total justice. neither will he do evil.

Therefore their goods shall become a When the Son of Man shall come in his booty, and their houses a desolation: they glory, and all the holy angels with him, inhabit shall also build houses, but not then shall he sit upon the throne of his them; and they shall plant vineyards, but glory: not drink the wine thereof. And before him shall be gathered all The great day of the Lord is near, it is nations: and he shall separate them one near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of from another, as a shepherd divideth his the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall sheep from the goats: cry there bitterly. And he shall set the sheep on his right

That day is a day of wrath, a day of hand, but the goats on the left. trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and Then shall the King say unto them on desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for a day of clouds and thick darkness. . . . you from the foundation of the world: And I will bring distress upon men, that Then shall he say also unto them on the they shall walk like blind men, because left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into they have sinned against the Lord: and everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and their blood shall be poured out as dust, his angels: and their flesh as the dung. And these shall go away into everlasting Neither their silver nor their gold shall punishment: but the righteous into life be able to deliver them in the of the day eternal. (Ibid., 25:31-34, 41, 46.) Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. (Zeph. If can walk faith, if 1:12-15, 17-18.) we now by we can believe in the rich promises of Then I said to the disconsolate sister, God, if we can obey and patiently wait, "You have many blessings today. For the Lord will fulfil all his rich prom- many rewards you need not wait until ises to us: the judgment day. You have your fam-

. . . Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, ily of lovely children. What a rich neither have entered into the heart of man, reward for the so-called sacrifices! The the things which God hath prepared for great boon of motherhood is yours. With them that love him. (I Cor. 2:9.) your limitations, a great peace can fill your soul. These and numerous other The blessings following righteousness blessings which you enjoy cannot be are enjoyed both in mortality and in purchased with all your neighbor's eternity. Hear the words of the Savior: wealth." Then I reminded her of the parable And every one that hath forsaken houses, of the net and the fishes: or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, —

ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL 23 or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's And shall run and not be weary, and shall sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and walk and not faint. shall inherit everlasting life. (Matt. 19:29.) And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by And ponder upon the great promises them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. (D. & C. 89:19-21.) made for us even in this life:

i Think of itl Knowledge—testimony Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, spiritual strength physical vigor and that there may be meat in mine house, — and prove me now herewith, saith the immunity from the destroying angel! Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the Remember also that here comes pro- windows of heaven, and pour you out a tection from that more deadly destruc- blessing, that there shall not be room enough tion: to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your And fear not them which kill the body, sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits but are not able to kill the soul; but rather of your ground; neither shall your vine fear him which is able to destroy both soul cast her fruit before the time in the field, and body in hell. (Matt. 10:28.) saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: But the Lord knows the weakness of for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith men, and he says in the 58th section the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:10-12.) of the Doctrine and Covenants:

are offered. Extravagant rewards I command and men obey not; I revoke Blessings beyond one's understanding and they receive not the blessing. will come. The land will yield bounte- Then they say in their hearts: This is ously and peace shall abound. The un- not the work of the Lord, for his promises faithful, proud, and wealthy can never are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for enjoy the sweet savor of the rewards for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above. (D. C. 58:32-33.) fasting and dispensing to the poor: & The Lord promises again: Then [if you live these commandments] shall thy light break forth as the morning, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of and thine health shall spring forth speedily: God, that giveth to all liberally, and and thy righteousness shall go before thee; men upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. (James 1 :5.) Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Great shall be their reward and eternal Here I am. . . . shall be their glory. (D. & C. 76:6.) . . . then shall thy light rise in obscurity, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and thy darkness be as the noon day: and his righteousness; and all these things And the Lord shall guide thee continually, shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:33.) and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a To those who live for tomorrow, the watered garden, and like a spring of water, rewards are beyond their conception. whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:8-11.) And even though some of the blessings for enjoyment, is it far What more could one ask? The are future not better the spiritual luxuries companionship of the Lord, light and to enjoy of tomorrow, which is eternity, rather knowledge, health and vigor, constant an than to revel in the physical comforts guidance by the Lord as an eternal of today? never-failing spring. What more could Peace, joy, satisfaction, happiness, one desire? growth, contentment, all come with the Again rich promises: righteous living of the commandments And [they] shall find wisdom and great of God. The one who delights in all treasures of knowledge, even hidden treas- of the worldly luxuries of today, at the ures; expense of spirituality, is living but for 24 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day

the moment. His day is coming. Retri- the Lord promises to bestow upon his bution is sure. faithful, it is worth all it costs in pa- The Lord gave us the impressive para- tience, faith, sacrifice, sweat and tears. ble of the prodigal son. This squanderer The blessings of eternity contemplated "all" immortality lived but for today. He spent his life in this bring to men in riotous living. He disregarded the and everlasting life, eternal growth, di- commandments of God. His inheritance vine leadership, eternal increase, per- fection, and with it all Godhood. was expendable, and he spent it. He — bless us all that was never to enjoy it again as it was May God we may irretrievably gone. No quantity of tears live his commandments more faithfully, perfectly day, I in the or regrets or remorse could bring it more day by pray back. Even though his father forgave name of Jesus Christ. Amen. him and dined him and clothed him President David O. McKay: and kissed him, he could not give back to the profligate son that which had We have just listened to Spencer W. been dissipated. But the other brother Kimball. Brother Thomas E. McKay, who had been faithful, loyal, righteous, Assistant to the Twelve, will now ad- constant, retained his inheritance, and dress us. While he is coming we will the father reassured him: "All that I just say that any important messages or have is thine." calls that come to us from persons who When one realizes the vastness, the are supposed to be in attendance will richness, the glory of that "all" which be broadcast over the loud speaker.

ELDER THOMAS E. McKAY

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

President McKay and Counselors, Father to recover from this loss, and then President Smith, and other General this call came from Box B to go on a Authorities, and brethren and sis- mission. It worried him. He could ters: Never before in my life have I felt not eat or sleep. He loved my mother so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, with all his heart, of course; and out and for the testimony that I have that of consideration for her and her condi- it is true—a great plan of life and salvation, he finally decided that he would tion. I have felt very much impressed ask for a postponement of that mission this morning with all that has been said, call. He told Mother of this decision. especially about the gospel, which is the She appreciated that love and considera- great plan of life and salvation as re- tion, of course; but she looked at him vealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. and said, "David, you go on that mis- I have felt the nearness of our angel sion. You go now. The Lord wants mother, especially during the time that you now, not a year from now, and he President McKay was speaking. Her will take care of me." My father ac- great faith and courage have had much cepted the call. to do with his being where he is today. Of course, it was a trial for him to When my father was called on a mis- leave, as he left on the nineteenth of sion in 1881, it was just a few weeks April in the spring of 1881, and ten after they had buried my two older days later, on the 29th, my sister Annie sisters. It was a very hard blow for was born. That made four of us—my my father, since they were just at the brother, President McKay, seven years age, eleven and nine, where they could old; I was five; my sister Jeanette, three; be of much help to my mother; and my and that sweet little darling baby, father was always very kind and con- Annie, just born.

siderate of her. It was difficult for . I am going to take time to refer to ELDER THOMAS E. McKAY 25 this incident in connection with the teach and help pay the debts, and keep wonderful sermon that was delivered my sister, that missionary baby girl, by President McKay this morning to and myself in school. Just before school illustrate how the great gospel plan oper- closed in June, another letter came from ates. Box B. It was forwarded from Hunts- In order to get a little ready cash to ville to Salt Lake City where we were send to my father, my mother planned living. The girls had already gone to for that next winter. We were greatly school that morning. I was writing a blessed with good crops—more than the composition. The doorbell rang, and sheds would hold of the hay—so we David O. answered. The mailman stacked the surplus just outside of the handed him the letter, and as he read, stables. Instead of selling that hay, I glanced up and saw that he was quite Mother decided to take a few cattle agitated. I said, "What is the matter? from others to feed, among them a big Is somebody sick at home?" yoke of oxen, and the owners were to He threw the letter across the table pay monthly. In that way she got the in disgust and said, "Isn't that heck?" money to send to Father. My mother He used a stronger word. never did the chores. We hired a man. He was deeply concerned for several fact In she was very much frightened of days. The rest of us were a little wor- cattle, especially of these oxen. the But ried. I know my parents were worried, she was a little worried. She was getting but they did not interfere; they did not a good cash payment, and she wanted write. But because of that angel mother to see that they were taken care of. I who told my father to go on that mis- remember one evening after the hired sion, David O. did not turn that call man had gone, she took us boys and down. God bless the memory of that slipped out to the barn to that stack angel mother. of hay. We had a homemade hay puller God bless this gospel plan, that gives of maple, and she pull the would hay us so many opportunities. May we, out of that stack, and David O. would brethren and sisters, live in accordance it in his little carry it put arms and with the gospel, the gospel of the Lord into the oxen. He wasn't afraid. I Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salva- was. I stood right by Mother, and I tion, and from this time on resolve to would pull out a little hay. After mak- "Do unto others as you would have ing about five or six trips feeding those others do unto you," I pray in the name oxen, he put a little extra in his arms of Jesus Christ. Amen. about the sixth trip. He hurried in and then ran out and said, "Come ori, Mama, let's run now before they eat President David O. McKay: that." You have just listened to Elder Thom- Brethren and sisters, it was because as E. McKay, Assistant to the Council of the decision of that angel mother that of the Twelve. my father went on that mission, and The Brigham Young University Com- went on it then, not a year from then, bined Choruses will sing, "An that we are here today. That set the now example. Angel From On High," conducted by Crawford Gates. In 1897 the test came again. There will offered were four of us, those four that were The closing prayer be by the babies in 1881, were then at the Floyed G. Eyre, formerly president of after which this university. We had borrowed money, the Canadian Mission, conference will be adjourned until 2:00 of course, but we had it all planned. David O. and Jeanette had been there this afternoon. two years before, and Father sent us The proceedings of that session will down to get acquainted before they be broadcast over KSL and by arrange- graduated. They were to graduate and ment through KSL over the other sta- 26 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day tions named at the beginning of this Singing by the Brigham Young Uni- session. versity Combined Choruses, "An Angel The music for this session, as you From On High." know, has been furnished by the Com- The closing prayer was offered by bined Choruses of the Brigham Young Elder Floyed G. Eyre, formerly presid- University. Frank W. Asper is at the dent of the Canadian Mission. organ, Brothers Norman Gulbrandsen and Crawford Gates conducting. Conference adjourned until 2:00 p.m.

FIRST DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

The second session of the conference furnished, as this morning, by the Com- convened at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 4, bined Choruses of the Brigham Young in the great Tabernacle. University, with Newell Waite and Crawford Gates conducting, and Frank President David O. McKay: W. Asper at the organ. We shall begin the services by the Combined Choruses of the Brigham This is the second session of the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Annual Young University singing, "He Watch- Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ ing Over Israel," conducted by Newell of Latter-day Saints. Waite. We are convened in the Tabernacle on The opening prayer will be offered by Temple Square, Salt Lake City. There Elder W. Ernest Young, formerly presi- are present on the stand this afternoon dent of the Argentine Mission. all the General Authorities, excepting Selection by the Brigham Young Uni- President Stayner Richards in Great versity Combined Choruses, "He, Britain, and Elder Thomas E. McKay. Watching Over Israel, Slumbers Not services all general These and sessions Nor Sleeps." of the Conference will be broadcast in The opening prayer was offered by the Assembly Hall, and in the Barratt Elder W. Ernest Young, formerly presi- Hall, 60 Street, North Main over a loud- dent of the Argentine Mission. speaking system and by television. The proceedings of this session will President David O. McKay: be broadcast over KSL of Salt Lake City and by arrangements through KSL over We shall continue by the Combined the stations named in the first session Choruses singing, "God of Our Fathers," of this Conference, including those of conducted by Elder Newell Waite. surrounding states. After the singing, Elder Joseph Field- ing Smith, president of the Council of This session will be televised also the Twelve, will address us. over the KSL Television Station, Chan- nel 5. The Combined Choruses sang 'God The singing for this session will be of Our Fathers." PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH

President of the Council of the Twelve

1am very grateful for the meeting that we will heed it and remember that we was held this morning and for the are living in a wicked world where good counsel that was given to the men's hearts have turned from truth to members of the Church. I pray that untruth, from righteousness to wicked- PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH 27 ness; when men are unrighteously am- have become enemies to God. They are bitious, seeking for power; when the seeking for their own advancement and liberties of the people are in danger. not for the advancement of the king- It behooves us as members of the Church dom of God. to heed the counsels that are given by Let me call your attention to this those who stand as our leaders under fact which you, of course, all know, Jesus Christ. that we are living in the last days, the I am grateful for the gospel, for all days of trouble, days of wickedness, the privileges which are mine to give spoken of as days of wickedness several service, for the privilege that is mine to hundred years before the coming of honor my Maker and be a true servant Christ by Nephi, as it is recorded in the to our Master, the Savior and Redeemer twenty-seventh chapter of Second of the world. Nephi. We are all aware that we are in imminent danger—danger because Satan But, behold, in the last days, or in the rages in the hearts of the people. This days of the Gentiles—yea, behold all the has all been predicted, and the pre- nations of the Gentiles and also the Jews, dictions are coming true. Antichrist both those who shall come upon this land and those who shall be upon other lands, is gaining power, and Satan has put into yea, even upon all the lands of the earth, the hearts of the people the majority — behold, they will be drunken with iniquity of them greed, and the desire to domi- — and all manner of abominations. nate and take advantage of those who And when that day shall come they shall are weak. be visited of the Lord of Hosts, with thun- Our duty is to keep the command- der and with earthquake, and with a great ments of the Lord, to walk uprightly, to noise, and with storm, and with tempest, defend every principle of truth, to sus- and with the flame of devouring fire. (II tain and uphold the Constitution of Nephi 27:1-2.) this great country, to remember the That was said many hundreds of Declaration of Independence, for, as years before the birth of Christ. we heard this morning from our Presi- We living in the days of Gentiles dent, upon these principles our country are the this prediction was to be fulfilled. was based. They stand at the founda- when see it being fulfilled, and we must tion, the cornerstones of the liberty that We remember, good brethren and sis- our fathers fought for, and which my ters, that members of the Church are brought to pass according to the word not of, and do not belong to of the Lord, the redemption of this members the world. land by the shedding of blood. of our There is no other course for us to In the wonderful prayer Re- take but the course of righteousness and deemer, as recorded in the seventeenth truth. An ancient prophet on this chapter of John—I can hardly read continent said, "... the natural man this chapter without tears coming to my praying to is an enemy to God." (Mosiah 3:19.) eyes—wherein our Lord, in The world today has become carnal, as his Father in the tenderness of all his much so now as in the beginning when soul because he knew the hour had Adam attempted to teach his children come for him to offer himself as a the principles of eternal truth, and sacrifice, prayed for his disciples. In Satan came among them and com- that prayer he said, manded them to believe it not. I pray not that thou shouldest take them And we read, "From that time forth out of the world, but that thou shouldest man became carnal, sensual, and devil- keep them from the evil. ish." (Moses 5:13.) They are not of the world, even as 1 Surely we see these indications preva- am not of the world. lent in our own land and in foreign Sanctify them through thy truth: thy lands. Men bave become carnal. They word is truth. (John 17:15-17.) 28 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day

If we are living the religion which disturbed. I will turn to Sister Smith, the Lord has revealed and which we and I will say something to her, and have received, we do not belong to the she will say, "Well, now, you know what world. We should have no part in you have taught me. You are in their all its foolishness. We should not par- world. This is their world." And that take of its sins and its errors—errors sort of brings me back to my senses. of philosophy and errors of doctrine, Yes, we are in their world, but we do errors in regard to government, or what- not have to be of it. ever those errors may be—we have no So, as this is their world we are living part in it. in, they prosper, but, my good brethren The only part we have is the keeping and sisters, their world is coming to of the commandments of God. That is its end. It will not be many years. I all, being true to every covenant and can say that. I do not know how many every obligation that we have entered years, but Elijah said when he bestowed ". into and taken upon ourselves. his keys: . . by this ye may know that Brother Kimball in his remarks this the great and dreadful day of the Lord morning spoke of a man who could not is near, even at the doors," (D. & C. quite understand when he paid his 110:16) I am sure that over a hundred tithing and kept the Word of Wisdom, years later I can say that the end of this was prayerful, and tried to be obedient world is drawing to its end. to all the commandments the Lord had The day will come when we will not given him, and yet he had to struggle have this world. It will be changed. to make a living; while his neighbor We will get a better world. We will violated the Sabbath day, I suppose he get one that is righteous, because when smoked and drank; he had what the Christ comes, he will cleanse the earth. world would call a good time, he paid no Read what is written in our scriptures. attention to the teachings of our Lord Read what he himself has said. When and Savior Jesus Christ, and yet he he comes, he will cleanse this earth prospered. from all its wickedness, and, speaking You know, we have a great many of the Church, he has said that he members of the Church that ponder that would send his angels and they would over in their hearts and wonder why. gather out of his kingdom, which is the Why this man seems to be blessed with Church, all things that offend. Then all the good things of the earth—inci- we are going to have a new earth, a dentally, many of the bad things that new heaven. The earth will be renewed he thinks are good—and yet so many for a thousand years, and there shall members of the Church are struggling, be peace, and Christ, whose right it is, laboring diligently to try to make their shall reign. Afterwards will come the way through the world. death of the earth, its resurrection, its

The answer is a simple thing. If I glorification, as the abode of the right- sometimes, and once in a while I do, eous or they who belong to the celestial go to a football game or a baseball kingdom, and they only shall dwell game or some other place of amuse- upon the face of it. ment, invariably I will be surrounded Let us be true and faithful, keep our by men and women who are puffing covenants, be true to every obligation on cigarets or cigars or dirty pipes. It the Lord has given us. I humbly pray gets very annoying, and I get a little in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

ELDER S. DILWORTH YOUNG

Of the First Council of the Seventy

lny years ago I walked into liver an address. I have not the least Richards Ward of this city to hear idea about what he intended to speak, M President Charles W. Penrose de- but I saw before us the text upon which a

ELDER S. DILWORTH YOUNG 29 he did speak. Someone had placed own devices on things about which the upon the rostrum for the benefit of prophet of the Lord has spoken. those who, I suppose, needed it—the I believe that all of the crises through youngsters of Sunday School age— which the Church has passed have been sign which read, "Order is the First safely weathered by the application of Law of Heaven." the principle of obedience, voluntarily expressed. Even in the sharp days at I suspect that Brother Penrose was impatient for the preliminary exercises Nauvoo when men did not know whither to or to do, President Young to be finished because immediately after- turn what did not tell the people they had to wards he took the floor and spent the leave. If I remember history correctly, whole evening explaining why order is he is reported to have said to his not, but that obedience is, the first law of people: heaven. I cannot remember what he "I am going to cross the river and said. I do remember that this was the start west with my family and my first time in my life that I had heard teams. All those who wish to follow this principle explained thoroughly. me, do so." this I recognize the fact that Church Well, the majority wished to follow is a Church of revealed principle. From him, and the majority did so. We have revelations the Lord come the which never heard what happened to those establish the principles. I should like who did not come, except for a very bear witness that there must be to my few about whom the Church was vitally an interpreter for the Church of those concerned. Those who came, who were principles. obedient,, did not live to see it, but their If we had no revelator to do it for children's children are the faithful of us, each man and each woman would today. And those who did not come, interpret, explain, and take into his own where are their children, may I ask? life only that portion of each principle one never hears of them. which he would wish for himself, and When the Church moved south at this people would be disunited and di- the coming of Johnston's Army, Presi- vergent in its views. I do thank my dent Young again said: "I am going Lord that there sits on this stand a south. Those who want to come may Prophet of the Lord, who, with his come." Nearly all of them went with Counselors and the Twelve, are em- him, and at Provo when the crisis was powered to tell us how as a united body over, he stood up on a wagon tongue we are to explain and entertain the and said to the people: principles. "I am going back to Salt Lake City. of care to follow Now, the matter of having a principle Those you who may do so." explained is one thing, teaching its ap- I have observed that never do the plication is another thing, but getting prophetic leaders tell the people what obedience to it is a third thing. As I they must but rather advise have gone through my life, I confess do them what it is wise and expedient to do. to you folk that I have never been coerced. The obedience I have chosen More recently, in our day, when the to render to the principles has been welfare program was announced, and entirely my own, and completely volun- the brethren from this pulpit explained tary. I have always been able to choose to those assembled how they wanted to whether I would accept the interpreta- work it, from my position among the tion of the Presidents of the Church rank and file I heard a great deal from or whether I would figure out my own certain people who wanted to do it interpretation. I have found that the differently. They did not want to in- interpretation of the Church has had terpret it the way the brethren wanted safety for me. I have found myself to interpret it. wandering far astray when left to my Where are they today? I do not 30 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day

are in positions of re- know. They not I think that we have come to a time sponsibility, certainly. Those who were now when we are going to see some willing to follow the lead voluntarily, changes. Times are ripe for changes. faith, believing that their leaders with The world is changing. The Prophet spoke with inspiration from Almighty Joseph Smith changed the missionary God, are those in whom the responsi- system two or three times in his own bility is rested. life. At one time he told the mission- So I suppose it must always be. As aries to go out two by two. Shortly we come to crisis after crisis, as the after he told them they might now go events of the world make changes neces- one at a time and alone. Other changes sary in policy, the leaders will speak, and have been made. I am for the changes. those who are wise will give unques- May I close by reading you a verse of tioning obedience. I did not say un- scripture which I think applies to me intelligent obedience. I said unques- personally. Maybe you can apply it tioning obedience. to yourselves. It was said by Samuel on I should like to make an application an occasion which I think justified the of what I have been saying today. We saying. have now come to a time, I see by the newspapers, when we are to have an- . . . Hath the Lord as great delight in nounced this evening, a missionary burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying policy. the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is Now I confess to you people here better than sacrifice, and to hearken than that I do not know personally much the fat of rams. (I Samuel 15:22.) more about that than you do. Suppose There I stand. we all do like- that the policy is not in harmony with May wise, I pray, in the of what you had thought to be the direc- humbly name Christ. Amen. tion in which it ought to go; suppose it to embody detail which I should like to see done some other way. Ap- President David O. McKay: plying the principle of obedience to myself, I stand here now and say to you You all remember Elder George Q. here assembled that it is my intention Morris as General Superintendent of the to follow, as nearly as the Lord will Young Men's Mutual Improvement As- give me light, those plans and policies sociation. This is the first opportunity regarding missionary work that are to you have had to hear him since his re- be announced by my file leaders. lease as president of the Eastern States I shall not want to improve on their Mission, and the first time since he was ideas, but I shall give all my strength, ordained and set apart as an Assistant and all my courage, and any talents to the Twelve. with which the Lord may have blessed Elder George Q. Morris will now speak me, to doing what will be announced. to us.

ELDER GEORGE Q. MORRIS

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

dear brethren and sisters, I am wish to express my gratitude to my very thankful for the privilege of Father in heaven and to my brethren Mybeing with you here today. I for the privilege I have had of laboring have thrilled with the spirit and in- in the missionary field. I know of no structions of this great conference. work that gives greater joy and satis- Having now been released from mis- faction. sionary work, as has been explained, I The work has been progressing in the ELDER GEORGE Q. MORRIS 31

Eastern States Mission because of the come into their lives. They just do not faithfulness of the missionaries and the at once realize what it is, but they grow Saints who are there; to whom I pay in a knowledge of the truth, and they tribute. More branches are being estab- are converted to the gospel of Jesus lished; chapels are being erected; the Christ. Then they enter into a new life. Saints are increasing in their faith and The Bible is a new book to them. Their in their understanding of the gospel, and homes are new homes to them. Rela- in their devotion to it; and they are en- tions with the family are new relations, joying the fruits of the gospel—joy and and the world is a new world. happiness and peace. Their hearts are The power of God unto the salvation this center in turned toward us here in of his children is here in the world to- the west. day; and through the ministrations of It has been a great privilege to labor these young men of the Church, in their with the young men and women who humility and their faith, the heavens sent out as missionaries. It is have been are opened; and the power of God is one of the marvels of this Latter-day manifest for the healing of the sick as work to see them in action. They come well as for the healing of sick souls quite inexperienced and untrained. They and the giving of light to people in dark- have lived the gospel as children and ness. youths but have been engrossed with I rejoice in their labors. The Lord has school and occupations, and other mat- blessed and prospered them. I have been ters that have filled their lives; then standing on the sidelines, but I have they are suddenly sent into the field to been made a partaker of their blessings, preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the I thank the Lord for it. world. and Many of them do not know just what Now I am called to a new position. it is. Many of them cannot quote you You know how humble I feel and how a scripture, but their hearts are right. small I feel. We have a wonderful age Most of them have looked forward to a retirement plan in this Church. I have mission and are joyous in having come never believed in arbitrary age retire- into the missionary field. Being there, ment. We grow younger in this Church they get down on their knees and get as we work in it, and the age retirement into the scriptures, and they become plan goes in reverse. The older we get humble and contrite. The Lord takes and the longer we labor in the Church hold of them, and in a few weeks they the more there is that we can do. There are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, is no need for any person in this Church no other gospel. They are not taught of to have an empty mind, an empty hand, men. They are not sent out to be taught or an empty heart. God has provided that of men. They are sent out to be taught our lives may be full and rich as long from on high the revealed word of God, as we live, and as we live the gospel, taught through the priesthood of God; then our lives become glorious, and we and the Lord is close to them; and they enter into a fulness of life. grow in power and faith; and the gospel I thank the Lord for the gospel of is preached—the gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ. With joy and gratitude I Jesus Christ preached, that Peter, James, go into this new work, and meager as and John preached—the identical prin- my services and ability may be, they ciples. will be given with all my heart. I love Its power is effective today. Men and this cause. I have admiration and love women are being changed in their lives. for my brethren under whom I have After a short association with these been laboring, and with whom I have young people, many of them drop habits long been associated, more or less. I have that are harmful to them. They have loved them and appreciated them for found a new spirit, a new type of man- the examples they have set me, for the hood and womanhood. A new power has teachings they have given me, for the —

32 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day kindness they have manifested towards world. The keys of the kingdom of me. God are here in our presence. These So, my brethren and sisters, I am operate and will operate throughout all happy to find myself in full accord with the world among all mankind, through all that this Church is and all that it the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which does. Its divine leader, Jesus Christ, is is always present when the Church of my leader and my Lord. Its leaders on Jesus Christ is upon the earth. And this earth are my leaders. The princi- when this power is not upon the earth ples of this Church are my principles. and where this power does not exist The objectives of this Church are my among men, the Church of Jesus Christ objectives. The welfare of this Church does not exist. is my welfare. Thank God for the great revelations I give myself to it with all my heart key revelations—that point the way for and pray that God may enable me to us and enlighten us and preserve us. do some good in the sacred ministry May God help us to be true and unto which he has called me. faithful, and devote ourselves with all This is the Church of Jesus Christ, our hearts to this work, I humbly pray the Creator and the Redeemer of the in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

ELDER JOHN A. WIDTSOE

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

dear brethren and sisters: It is tion from the Canadian government to good to be here. The ancient assist in solving some of their problems Mywords of those who dwelt in the relating to the reclamation of the dry presence of the Savior are our words lands of the Dominion. Canada is much today. like the United States, with two sea- Six months ago circumstances com- boards, one on the Atlantic and the bined so that I was not here, and I other on the Pacific, with ample rain- have felt since a sense of loss, loss of fall, and a dry section between, in the the spiritual power, the spiritual sup- interior, such as we have here. The port and elevation that come to all prairie provinces of Canada offer only Latter-day Saints who attend Church scant and difficult living to those who gatherings in the name of the Lord, attempt to cultivate them because of the whether in general or stake or ward lack of the plentiful rainfall on either capacity. coast. So the practice of irrigation has With you, I have been thrilled to gradually grown in the province of note that the Church of Jesus Christ is Alberta, where many of our people live. not standing still but, guided by heav- It has been found that the enlivening enly forces, is growing and increasing power of water used in irrigation in- and becoming mightier in the service creases the crops many-fold, and what of God's children here upon earth. With is better, permits a close settlement, and you, too, I enjoyed the spirit of the ser- in time the building of a state. There mon of the man who has been called is water aplenty in the land of our by God to preside over the Church. It .neighbors to the north. Great streams, is well for me, it is well for you, and it filled with water to overflowing, usually, is well for all in the world to listen to roll into the oceans on both sides of the the chosen head of the Church as he Dominion, and the problem is how to speaks from time to time. Therein lies use that water on the dry lands of the path to safety. Alberta," Saskatchewan, and other Six months ago I was not here be- neighboring provinces, to build the cause, with the approval of the First Dominion of Canada, now great, into Presidency, I had accepted an invita- a greater country. ELDER ]OHN A. WIDTSOE 33

The commission to which I was ap- before the great nations of the world, pointed was given the responsibility of how their resources may be utilized passing on one of the huge projects more fully and more completely and proposed by the country, one that will how the needs of humanity may be redeem and bring into cultivation nearly more fully met. half a million acres of land and in- It has never seemed to me a mere volve an expenditure running from chance that the Lord brought us here. $100,000,000 to $200,000,000. Sometime There seems to lie in that part of our it has to be done, for these dry lands history a distinct evidence of the divine when irrigated offer future possibilities guidance of this people. It may be of of happy homes for thousands of fami- interest to us here today, as many of lies, not to be overlooked in the process you know, that not only did we as a of statesmanship. people begin to show how a modern, It has always been a curious thing to civilized group of people could live me, curious is not really the right word, under irrigation, but that here, also, when I reflect upon the history of our beginning in our own Utah State Agri- own people, how we were led by the cultural College at Logan, experiments hand of God, as a people, and were and tests were and are made to place brought over the deserts and over the this art of irrigation on a scientific, mountains to be settled in this country. orderly basis. This is not the place to We did not know at that time, and the discuss that, perhaps, but we do have world did not know, that one-half or the honor of being not only the genera- more of all the land surface of the tors of modern-day irrigation, but also earth lies under low rainfall. These of placing that ancient art on a modern, vast stretches of land can be reclaimed scientific basis. only by the twin arts of dry farming Some very remarkable things have and irrigation, best of all by irrigation, been discovered from time to time in for dry farming at its very best is only this field that are tremendously interest- a minor practice to be followed by ing. Our farmers are gradually learn- people who live near the cultivated ing more and more about these precious areas. But our people came here and truths. The farming people, you know, for the first time in the history of move slowly. They want to know be- civilization demonstrated that a suc- fore they do anything, but little by cessful manner of community living little that which we have garnered and might be built with the irrigation ditch. gained throughout the years will be The Lord guiding us took us to a pro- used. tected home, but not only that, he And so a Latter-day Saint, working made us teachers of the world in these as I had to work last fall in behalf of twin arts of successful soil conservation. a great agricultural, irrigation project, is In this state, from which we have spread stirred in his feelings when he looks over the west and are spreading over back upon what the Lord has asked the world, has come the birth of modern his people to do—to toil, to struggle, irrigation. Most countries which lie to compel the desert to yield; and also in part under low rainfall have to teach all the world that which the sent agents or representatives here world is hungry to know. to find out what we did and how Well, perhaps that is all I should say we did it, and whether they can do it about my irrigation work and why I also. We have a worldwide reputation was not here in attendance six months in reclaiming desert lands by the use ago. But you know there is a great of water. Our work has served human- symbolism in irrigation. As a lifelong ity greatly. We have preached the student of the subject I have always everlasting truths of the gospel by been impressed by the fact that the dry thousands of missionaries, but we have desert soil contains nearly all the ele- also preached by our example here, ments of fertility. All that it needs is 34 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day the enlivening power of a stream of from the irrigation ditch onto the thirsty water to flow over that soil. Suddenly land. the land begins to yield, and it be- It is a comparison worthy of our comes powerful. Is it not so in our thought, because we are the bearers of spiritual lives, I wonder? Men accord- the irrigation message to all the world. ing to our theology are children of God, I remember the man who baptized not created under the old idea, but being me into the Church, a very common, literally children of Almighty God, con- ordinary man to begin with, a rope- tain all the elements under the law of walker with a jug of beer two or three eternal progression that will lead them times a day, a glass of whiskey a little into the likeness of their Father in later, and a cud of tobacco mostly all heaven. When this being, this divine day long, living a useless, purposeless being, because in one sense we are all life, except for three meals a day, and divine, is touched by the power of the the satisfaction of some of the carnal Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the power appetites. He heard the gospel and that flows from God, suddenly a man accepted it. It was good. It was some- blossoms into a new life, new possibili- thing he had been longing for. The ties arise, new powers develop. As I man grew in power and stature in the have lived in the Church of Jesus Church. As I recall it, he filled five Christ of Latter-day Saints as a member or six missions and presided over one since my very early boyhood, I have of the missions of the Church. He was come to understand that perhaps the the same man, with the same arms, greatest miracle in the gospel of the same feet, same body, same mind, but Lord Jesus Christ is the transformation changed because of the Spirit that that comes to a man or a woman who comes with the acceptance of eternal in faith accepts the truth of the gospel, truth. Have not we seen this in our and who then lives it in his or her own families and friends, in the little life. That transformation is marvelous. towns in which we live? Have not we I have seen it in the mission field, where felt our own strength grow mightier I first heard the gospel. I have seen it in love for our fellow men, in love here at home. I see it every day. Every for our daily tasks, in love for all the person has a measure of God's Spirit good things of life? If you question given to him. We are all in God's yourself or question us here who have presence through his Holy Spirit. As the responsibility of conducting this con- the new and greater truths come, as ference, we will all bear witness to it. understanding of them develops within But remember, when irrigation began are us if we accept and live them, we in Utah, it was a struggle with the transformed from ordinary men into earth. It required toil. The water new powers and possibilities. did not flow down these canyon streams The weavers of the midlands in Eng- to the farms just by asking it to do so, land, the coal miners of Wales, the but men dug and drilled and shoveled fishermen in Norway, the trudging and made canals. We have a remark- farmers of Denmark, very common, ordi- able illustration of that in one of our nary' people, who accept the gospel from enterprises in Utah. It was called the the lips of some humble Mormon mis- Hurricane enterprise. The story of that has never been told quite fully, but sionary become so changed by those it is stirring and thrilling. And to enlightening truths of the gospel that some degree in every enterprise in the they are not the same people any building of this state toil had to be longer. They have been fertilized, so faced and used. And so to get that to speak, by the Spirit of that God spiritual stream that I have been talk- flows eternal from truth, just as in ing about, it must be sought for; it irrigation the barren, dry soil is ferti- must be fought for; it must be labored lized by diverting the stream of water for. It will come, but we must ask ELDER HENRY D. MOYLE 35

for it and seek it and labor for it. we all be blessed according to our needs. Then comes that great change—an over- Let us determine to cling to our whelming change. It changes men to heritage here in this land where we a Godlike phase of life and living. were led by the guiding power of God, Well, you know the comparison as and may the descendants of our pioneer well as I do. I must not take any more fathers refuse to sell their birthright of your time. It is good to be a Latter- for gold lest it turn to a "mess of pot- day Saint. It is good to be here. It tage." May we remember our heritage is good to hear the words of inspira- in this Church of land, of water, and tion that come from the mouths and of spiritual power, I pray in the name lives of these inspired men. I am glad of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. to feel the responsive spirit from the thousands of people who are here and who listen over the radio. The Combined Choruses and the May we all so live as to have a great congregation joined in singing the hymn, measure of the enlivening, spiritual, "The Spirit of God Like A Fire Is Burn- fertilizing stream that comes from God ing." The singing was led by Richard because of our virtuous lives, our earn- P. Condie, Assistant Conductor of the est actions in seeking after truth. May Tabernacle Choir.

ELDER HENRY D. MOYLE

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

1am very grateful unto my Heavenly for President Joseph Fielding Smith as Father for the opportunity which is President of the Council of the Twelve mine to meet with you, my brethren and all my associates in that Council, and sisters, in this great conference and and all of the General Authorities. In to partake of the Spirit of the Lord that fact my affection extends to all of my is here with us in such rich abundance. brethren and sisters. No man could I feel indebted to the Lord for the have a richer heritage on the face of health and strength which is mine, and this earth than to be really worthy to I am certain that he has blessed me be numbered among the Latter-day with this health and strength in answer Saints. not only to my own prayers but also The statistics that we heard read this to the prayers of my brethren and sisters morning demonstrate the results of great in the Church. inspiration and leadership. I say that I have had a great affection for the my affection for my brethren in the leaders of the Church as far back as Church creates within me a further I can remember. I have always desired and similar desire that we might have of the Lord that he would give me the governmental leaders in our nation and strength to honor and to sustain those in our state and in our counties and in who presided over me in the priest- our cities of the same calibre. hood with all my heart and soul, and I I am always impressed when I read do that today. I am grateful for the the 134th section of the Doctrine and leadership of President David O. McKay, Covenants: and of President Stephen L Richards We believe that governments were insti- and President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. I know these men receive from our Father tuted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their in heaven his inspiration and direction acts in relation to them, both in making in the work which they are called upon laws and administering them, for the good to perform for for you and me. I have and safety of society. this great affection and love not alone We believe that no government can for the Presidency of the Church but exist in peace, except such laws are framed 36 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day and held inviolate as will secure to each take these principles, these characteris- individual the free exercise of conscience, tics, the ability which we thus create the right and control of property, and the within ourselves, and give ourselves to protection of life. the benefit of our city and of our coun- We believe that all governments neces- ty and of our state and of our nation. sarily require civil officers and magistrates This year there will probably be no to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity more than fifty percent of the qualified and justice should be sought for and up- voters in this great nation who will held by the voice of the people if a repub- exercise their franchise. The officers

lic, or the will of the sovereign. . . . who may be elected in the great elec- We do not believe it just to mingle tions to be held this year will be elected religious influence with civil government, by minorities and will not represent the religious society is fostered whereby one vote or the will of the majority. You and another proscribed in its spiritual know there are two kinds of offenses in privileges, and the individual rights of its the world offenses of commission and members, as citizens, denied. (D. & C. — offenses of omission. sometimes do 134:1-3, 9.) We things that we should not do, and then But that does not mean, because we again, we do not do some things that have within our hearts a deep-seated we' should. I hope that Latter-day religious conviction, that we are at the Saints will not permit themselves, same time not qualified to participate political-wise, to fall into this latter in government. Unless we have faith category and be classed among those in God and fear him and keep his who give offense because they fail to commandments, we can hardly be do that which they should do. I would worthy to hold high positions in gov- like to know if a reason exists that ernment. The Prophet Joseph has told would justify a Latter-day Saint in not us in this statement through the in- exercising his franchise for the party and spiration of the Lord that we must have- the man of his own choice. righteous men in order to have righteous No political party is justified to con- government. If we are to be a God- tinue in existence unless it clearly states fearing nation and enjoy the blessings of the principles which it advocates, the peace, then each one of us who has a platform upon which its candidates faith in God must do our duty, take stand, and then with integrity, when our part to accomplish our purpose in and if elected, carry out those principles government. We should become inti- and live up to that platform. Except that mately familiar with those who are ac- be the case, we as Latter-day Saints tive politically; we ought to be part and should not align ourselves to any party, parcel of them. They should not be because we do not have the basis upon strangers to us. We should see to it which we can make an intelligent de- that those men who have true qualities cision. We must know what they stand of leadership are placed in positions of for before we can favor them with our trust and responsibility in the gov- vote. I do not ask you, my brethren ernment; these fundamental principles and sisters, to go to the polls and just of truth apply to every political party vote, important as that is; but that alike. There is no hope and can be when you vote, you vote intelligently no hope for our government, or any for those principles and those things government, to which this principle and those men which will give to you does not apply. the kind of government you want, the I think a good place to start is always kind of environment that you desire at home. Each one of us should re- for yourself and for your posterity. solve that we in and of ourselves will We have received a great deal of develop qualities of leadership and of light concerning the things of life from honesty and of integrity and of justice our Heavenly Father through the reve- and equity. We should be willing to lations which he has given us. We are ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH 37

told once again in the Doctrine and I hope and pray, my brethren and Covenants in the 101st section: sisters, that we will not feel that politics has become so degraded that we According to the laws and constitution of are too good to participate. If any of the people, which I have suffered to be us believe politics to be in that kind established, and should be maintained for of state, need only to enter into the rights and protection of all flesh, ac- we cording to just and holy principles; politics, go into it with our honesty and That every man may act in doctrine and our integrity and our devotion to truth principle pertaining to futurity, according and to righteousness, and the standards to the moral agency which I have given will be raised. We cannot expect in unto him, that every man may be ac- this country a better government than countable for his sins in the of own day the leaders are good, and so if we judgment. want a good government we must have Therefore, it is not right that any man good leaders. Let us participate in our should be in bondage one to another. mass meetings, in our party organiza- And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands tion meetings, in our conventions; then of wise men whom I raised up unto this when we go to the polls, we may have very purpose, and redeemed the land by somebody worthy of our vote on our the shedding of blood. (Ibid., 101:77-80.) tickets.

Can we accept that as one of the May the Lord bless us to uphold and sacred tenets of our faith and be dere- sustain the great Constitution of this lict in our duties toward our nation? nation and to maintain ourselves pure The answer to me seems to be self- and unspotted from the sins of the evident. The Apostle Paul of old said, world in all of our undertakings, and call down the blessings of our Heavenly For if the trumpet give an uncertain Father upon us and upon our neighbors. sound, who shall prepare himself to the This should be a challenge to us as battle? (I Cor. 14:8.) members in the Church of Jesus Christ We must have leadership in this and to all our friends and our neighbors nation whose voice will be clear; whose and all people throughout the earth who virtue, clarity, and certainty will give stand in favor of good government, for us the assurance that the course the righteousness in government; who have government pursued under their leader- and foster the same ideals that are so ship is right. Then we can put our close to our hearts. I hope and pray that whole heart and soul back of our gov- the Lord will thus bless us all that we ernment and sustain those who preside may fully accomplish the purposes of our in government and feel toward them creation, and be grateful to him day by even as we do toward those who have day for the blessings he bestows upon been divinely chosen to guide and us, and this I ask humbly in the name direct the affairs of the Church. of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH

Patriarch to the Church

pray that I shall have your faith I truly am very grateful for the bless- and prayers, my brothers and sisters, ings of the Lord; the blessings that I while I occupy this position, as has have come to me personally. I am grate- been the case with those who have ful for the blessings which have come preceded me. And I thank my brethren to this people as a group, individually who have offered prayers at the begin- as well as collectively. I am grateful ning of these meetings in behalf of all for the privilege of living in this age, who have to talk to you, that the Spirit which is a choice age—a choice dispen- of the Lord will be with us. sation. 38 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day

It seems it is an inherent desire for gave them each a blessing suited to all of the faithful children of God to their individual rewards and pro- receive a blessing from him. It has nounced promises that should come to been so since the very beginning. Adam them. Joseph received a special bless- called upon God and received blessings; ing which we are most interested in and then in his turn he called all of because we are his descendants, the his righteous descendants together at most part of us, and the blessings of the Adam-ondi-Ahman and blessed them; gospel have come through this line, for and they, in turn, blessed him. Joseph Smith, Senior, was a true de- Noah, in his turn, received the bless- scendant, through Ephraim, the younger ings of the Lord, and then after the son of Joseph. waters of the flood had receded and he You know the story of how Jacob came forth from the ark, he blessed blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, how his children. he crossed his hands and gave them Abraham, in his turn, received bless- each a blessing and gave unto them ings from the Lord and blessed others. promises. The history of blessings is We today are receiving the benefits of meager from then until now. In the the great blessings which were given to Book of Mormon we are given the Abraham in fulfilment of the promises information, definitely, which declares given to him. that a descendant of Joseph should be As Abraham was departing with Lot, raised up in these the last days. (See II the Lord said to him: Nephi 3:14-15.) It has been made known that Joseph Smith, Senior, was And I will bless them that bless thee, that descendant, and he received the and curse him that curseth thee: and in blessings of Ephraim. thee shall all families of the earth be in this age, I blessed. (Gen. 12:3.) Then day and and think if our records were more complete, we And today we are realizing the ful- would probably find something similar filment of that promise, for all the with those of ancient times, the Lord families of the earth are receiving the tells us in the Doctrine and Covenants blessings of the Lord, through Abraham, that more than they have ever done before. It is the duty of the Twelve, in all large Isaac, in his turn, also pronounced branches of the church, to ordain evangeli- the blessings of the Lord upon his cal ministers, as they shall be designated descendants. There is the very inter- unto them by revelation. (D. & C. 107:39.) esting story of the blessing of Jacob and Esau. When Isaac was old, he felt the Thus today we have more than one need to give his sons blessings. He called patriarch; we have one or more in each

• Esau, telling him to go out and kill and of the stakes of the Church; and they prepare venison for him. He said "... are represented in the group here on make me savoury meat, such as I love, my right. We always have a section and bring it to me, that I may eat; here reserved for the stake patriarchs. that my soul may bless thee before I They are outstanding, faithful members die." (Ibid., 27 A.) And Rebekah, mother of the Church, who have been given of Esau and Jacob, heard him and the responsibility of blessing the people knowing that Jacob was divinely called in their stakes, blessing those who de- to receive the birthright blessings, called sire blessings. And just as it was in Jacob and sent him to fetch two kids, ancient times—today, too, the Lord's saying that she would prepare savory people desire his blessings. And as a meat for her husband such as he loved, Church we have the priesthood and for she knew how to prepare it. And the authority through which these bless- thus Rebekah assisted Jacob to receive ings may be given. These blessings the blessings of birthright. given today are more formal than those Jacob blessed his twelve sons and given in ancient times, that is, judging ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH 39 from the meager records which we have. of God, which includes the laws of A patriarchal blessing today, given by nature. Patriarchal blessings have been an ordained patriarch, should contain a source of guidance and comfort to a declaration of lineage, that is, the tens of thousands of members of the tribe of Israel through which the prom- Church. Their faith has been quick- ises of inheritance shall come, even as ened and strengthened through them. assignments of inheritances were given An example of what a patriarchal in ancient Israel. blessing can do came to me in a story Now we know that some of the in- which I have repeated many times, habitants of the earth are not descend- which a woman told me. As a young ants of Israel. We know that some of woman she lived in a small town. the inhabitants of the earth who join When she finished high school, there the Church are not direct descendants was no further opportunity to continue of Israel. It is given to us that the her education; there was no further op- descendants of Shem and Japheth, sons portunity to get work so that she could of Noah, if they receive the gospel, are be independent; so she came to Salt entitled to the priesthood. Only' the Lake City where she found herself a sons of Cain are not entitled to the job. As time came for registration at priesthood, and you can read why in the university, she became very anxious the Pearl of Great Price. So all the to go to school again, and knowing that descendants of Shem and Japheth, as there was not a possibility, under they accept of the gospel of Jesus Christ, present conditions, she felt quite dis- are entitled to the blessings of Israel, heartened. She went to the patriarch because that was the promise given to and received her patriarchal blessing, Abraham, that through him all the and in the blessing he promised her families of the earth should be blessed. that she should receive a good education. And so, as these patriarchal blessings She was elated, and she went out of are given, there is given a declaration the office feeling very happy. Before of lineage, or an assignment; for a pure she had gone half a block, she said, Gentile who joins the Church becomes she fell to earth out of her cloud with by adoption of the seed of Abraham a realization that going to college cost and of Israel. (Gen. 12:3; Abr. 2:11.) money, and she did not have any, nor We have people on the earth who the means to get it. The opportunity we know are not descendants of Israel, and possibility of going to college at yet in the acceptance of the gospel of present did not seem to be at all possible, Jesus Christ they are entitled to the which made her very downhearted again. blessings of Israel, and through the And the thought came to her to go power of inspiration the patriarch will visit her aunt, who was living in Salt assign them to Israel. Lake City. Without stopping to ana- It is required that patriarchal bless- lyze that impression she turned, and ings be recorded in the Church records. instead of going back to work, she The body of the blessing usually con- went to visit her aunt and told her tains sacred promises for comfort or aunt of her experience, cried on her for counsel or warning, according to shoulder, and her aunt said to her, "I certain possibilities of blessings. All know an elderly woman who lives is predicated upon obedience to divine down the street a few blocks. She has laws and faithfulness. The closing of at various times helped young girls get a blessing is the sacred sealing of the through college in return for the help Holy Melchizedek Priesthood. The the girls can give to her. I do not know blessing pronounced, with all it con- whether she has help now or not, but," tains, should serve as a comfort and she said, "this woman knows who I guide through life according to faith- am. Go down and see her and tell fulness and is sealed forever upon the her I sent you." conditions of faithfulness to the laws She went on the run to this elderly 40 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Day woman's home, and within two weeks has been discontinued. After a person from the time she received her patri- has received a patriarchal blessing archal blessing, she registered at the through an ordained patriarch, in which University of Utah, signed a promissory his lineage is declared, he is in posses- note to pay for her education, and sion of his patriarchal blessing, and to eventually paid for it. She said if she repeat the lineage is superfluous. We had stopped to question the first im- are asked, what about additional bless- pression she got to go visit her aunt, ings? These additional blessings need she would have said to herself, "Why not be given by an ordained patriarch. should I go visit my aunt and tell her Through the patriarchal order of the my troubles? I came to Salt Lake City priesthood it is the right and duty of to be independent; why not be inde- a father to minister unto his own indi- pendent? She cannot help me with my vidual family. That is, the father in troubles; she has enough of her own. the home has a perfect right or duty to She doesn't have space in her home to bless his children. That is, if the let me sleep there, let alone board me, ' father holds the priesthood which nor help me. Why need I go and authorizes him to do so, he may bless bother my aunt?" But she did not stop his own children, and also baptize them, to analyze that impression; she acted and confirm them, with full consent on it. As a result she met the woman and appointment from the duly author- who gave her the opportunity of re- ized officers in charge. ceiving her education. I was at a fast and testimony meeting Similarly, many experiences have one day, and the bishop received a come to people in making decisions. baby in his arms, from a woman in I have had many experiences myself the congregation, and as he did so, he of giving patriarchal blessings, and looked around the room. Finally he then afterwards the individual would said hesitatingly, "This is the child of comment to the effect that he had now Brother and Sister Brown." After paus- made up his mind and knew what ing a minute he said, "Brother Jones course to follow. Often I ask whether will bless the child." A man who was individuals have any particular problem standing in the group of officiators or worry. Just recently, a young spoke up and said, "No, Bishop, that is woman said, "Well, Tom is com- my child, I will bless him." And so the ing home in a few months, and I am bishop recognized the father. He had going to wait for him, and then we been looking around the audience to will get married in the temple." She find the father and not seeing him was said another young man had been want- under necessity to appoint someone else. ing her to marry him, but she said, But the father spoke up and said, "I "That would not be a marriage in the will bless the child," and he did. That temple; I am going to wait for Tom." was correct. Many times these experiences come to Bishops should not only invite a patriarchs. father to administer to his own family Many men and women have been but should also seek permission before given courage to carry on, in battle and substituting for the father. Naturally, at home, in positions of responsibility if a child is going to a meeting, say in Church work, and even the will to for instance, a young man is going to a live in times of sickness through which meeting where he is to be ordained a they have been raised from the grip of deacon, and the family knows that he death by means of administration is to be ordained a deacon, the bishop through the priesthood. It is the right should invite the father, if he is a and privilege of every baptized member faithful man, to ordain his son. The of the Church to receive a patriarchal bishop is the father of the ward. It is blessing. In the past many received his duty to be the father of those families more than one blessing. This practice who do not have fathers in their own ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH 41

homes or where fathers do not exercise you will get more instructions regarding their priesthood; and it is the right of that priesthood. the bishop to ordain or to appoint some- Brethren, magnify the callings of your one to ordain boys in these families. It priesthood, and the strength of the Lord is a courtesy for the bishop to invite a will be with us all, which I pray in the father to ordain his own son. name of Jesus Christ. Amen. An ordained stake patriarch has the privilege, by the same token, of bless- President David O. McKay: ing his own family, wherever they are. He is also the father or patriarch for We have just listened to Elder Eldred the other families in his stake who do G. Smith, Patriarch to the Church. not have a father who is an ordained Tonight, in this building, there will patriarch. A stake patriarch, then, is be held a meeting at which special a stake officer, and he does not have instruction will be given regarding new authority to officiate outside of his plans for missionary work. Presidencies stake, only as he may give blessings to of missions, the Missionary Committee, his immediate family. Those who need General Authorities, stake authorities, or desire additional blessings may reward authorities, are all invited. And ceive a blessing from any elder in the undoubtedly there will be room for the Church but not to be recorded. public. The sisters are invited as well. I have an example in my mind, and I did not imply by that that the sisters there are many families in the Church are not part of the public, the better that do likewise, where the father part. blesses the children when they are For the benefit of those who have named; he baptizes them when they been listening in, I should like to say are of age; he confirms them and or- that the members of the congregation dains them to the various offices of here in the Tabernacle, have been look- the priesthood as they grow in position ing all day at some very magnificent to be so ordained, but always with the bouquets of lilies, calla lilies. They consent and approval of the bishop. stretch from the left of the top pulpit When children start out to a higher to the right an equal distance, and school of learning, when they leave bouquets of three each are extending home to go on a mission, when they from the top pulpit down to the first leave home to go into the service, and seat in the audience. Silent messengers at the time of their marriage, a father of love. These flowers are particularly may bless his children and place the associated with one of the two greatest blessings in his family record, rightly, events in the history of the world—the for the benefit of the family, and the resurrection of our Lord. family reflects the spirit of those bless- You will be pleased to know that ings. these lovely flowers have been raised Now, may the blessings of the Lord and furnished to us by the High Priests be with all of us and help us to magnify of the Berkeley Stake of California. In our callings in the priesthood. The your behalf we extend sincere thanks Lord has told us in the Doctrine and and appreciation for this contribution Covenants, section 84, verse 33, to our conference. We are indebted, not for the silent For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining message, but for the inspirational mes- these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, sages that we had from the members of are sanctified by the Spirit unto the re- the Combined Choruses of the Brigham newing of their bodies. Young University. I do not know how you have been impressed today, but just And if you will continue reading in the presence of these young people in section eighty-four, the next few verses, such large numbers has been an inspira- 42 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, April 4 First Doj) tion to me. I am sure it has to all, and bless these young people. We are proud their singing has been truly of the high- of them, and of all whom they represent. est quality. After the singing by the Combined of Lord," arranged Music, it is said, is the fourth great Choruses "Praise the need of the human soul. You members of and conducted by Brother Crawford this great chorus, have supplied that Gates, Elder Alma L. Petersen, formerly Mission, today. We hope you will feel as proud twice president of the Danish and thankful of your school that you will offer the benediction, and this Con- have represented today so ably, as these ference will be adjourned until tomorrow men and women whom you have in- morning at ten o'clock. spired by your singing are of you. And to you directors, we extend thanks The Brigham Young University Com- and appreciation. We are sure that the bined Choruses sang "Praise the Lord," members of the faculty who are here, after which the closing prayer was of- largely in a body, and President Wilk- fered by Elder Alma Petersen, formerly inson, are more than thankful and president of the Danish Mission. pleased for the rendition of these excel- Conference adjourned until 10:00 lent singing numbers today. The Lord a.m., Saturday, April 5. SECOND DAY MORNING MEETING

The conference reconvened Saturday under construction, and as a suggestion morning, April 5, at 10 o'clock a.m., that careful inspection be made of our with President David O. McKay presid- present buildings. ing and conducting the services. For the information of the radio and television audience, we announce that President David O. McKay: this is the third session of the one hundred twenty-second annual conference I will report to you a telephone mes- of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- sage, which has just been received, not day Saints. We are convened in the to cast a damper on, our conference pro- Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt ceedings, but by way of a warning to Lake City. our bishops and presidents of stakes, These services and all general sessions particularly, providing what is said is of the Conference will be broadcast in fact. the Assembly Hall and in Barratt Hall "President Schwendiman of the Wells over a loud speaking system and by Stake just called us, reporting that the television. Belvedere Ward Building is on fire. The The proceedings of this session will chapel is almost completely destroyed, be broadcast over Station KSL of Salt the roof gone, and the west wall has Lake City, and by arrangement through caved in. They may be able to save KSL, over the stations named in the the recreation hall. We want you to first session of the Conference. This know we are doing everything possible session will be televised also over the to save part of the building. The fire- KSL television station, channel five. men are doing a good job. This is one The singing for this session will be of our nicest chapels, dedicated in 1928. by the congregation, with Elder Richard The cause of the fire was probably de- P. Condie conducting, and Elder Roy fective wiring." M. Darley at the organ. We shall begin Now, we read this announcement as these services by the congregation sing- a word of caution to those who are ing, "High On the Mountain Top," building the nearly 400 chapels now conducted by Elder Richard P. Condie. PRESIDENT STEPHEN L RICHARDS 43

The congregation will please remain Singing by the congregation, "Re- seated during this singing. deemer of Israel." The opening prayer will be offered by Elder E. Bentley Mitchell, formerly president of the Tahitian Mission. President David O. McKay:

The congregation, with Richard P. Our first speaker this morning will be Condie conducting, sang the hymn President Stephen L Richards of the "High On the Mountain Top." First Presidency of the Church. Presi- Elder E. Bentley Mitchell, former dent Richards will be followed by Elder president of the Tahitian Mission of- Delbert Leon Stapley, of the Council of fered the invocation. the Twelve. PRESIDENT STEPHEN L RICHARDS

First Counselor in the First Presidency

sat in the Tabernacle a short time ago conference, the seats in the great Taber- listening to beautiful music. After nacle were filled, the aisles and door- I the concert was over I was a little ways were crowded, and many were left embarrassed inwardly to recognize that outside. The stand was filled with the I had heard but very little of what went Church officials and the various choirs forward, for almost at the beginning of who were present to take part in the the program my thoughts turned to this service." great building in which we are met The conditions here described are today. Somehow or other, its place in not difficult for the present generation our history and its connotations assumed to visualize. such proportions in my thinking that I The organ was only one-third com- decided that it might be worthy of a pleted by this time but was used to little of our attention as we ponder the accompany the singing. Temporary progress and mission of the restored seats were used since the installation of Church of our Lord. permanent seats was not completed This Tabernacle of the Church of until sometime during the summer of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, erected 1868. The gallery was not completed on what we designate as Temple Square until later, and was first used at the in Salt Lake City, Utah, has come to be postponed general conference of the one of the most interesting and widely Church on May 5, 1870. It is recorded known buildings in western America, that this additional seating capacity was and perhaps in all America, excluding much appreciated, and that the installa- structures at the national capital and at tion of the gallery improved the points of great historic interest in the acoustics of the building. formation of the republic. The Tabernacle was not dedicated The first work on the Tabernacle was until October of 1875. I shall speak of begun in the spring and summer of the dedication later. 1863. The first foundation stone was Perhaps one of the first significant laid July 26, 1864. The Tabernacle was items about the building is its size. It completed, so far as to be usable, by is 250 feet long by 150 feet wide; 65 October 6, 1867, when the first con- feet to the ceiling, 75 feet to the top of ference was held in the building. The the roof, standing upon 44 stone pillars, following is a quoted notation in the with 16 doors 10 feet wide, and 4 doors record: 4y2 feet wide, allowing the exit of "The gates to the Temple Block were 13,000 persons in 5 minutes. Its archi- opened at nine o'clock, and the people tect, Henry Grow, claimed that it was flooded in. Long before ten o'clock, the largest hall in the world unsup- the time for the commencement of the ported by columns. I have made no 44 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day research to determine for how long a young people, and adults, developing time the architect's statement may have talent and artistic appreciation wholly been true. beyond our power to measure. Through- The huge capacity of the building is out the years the building has generally most tangible evidence of the firm con- been contributed to almost every conviction of the builders in the growth ceivable cultural project which has come and destiny of the cause they upheld. our way. Without its great size it never could In thus extending the use of the have served its mighty purpose. In the building, the Church has had what I early days of our settlement in these believe to be a unique experience. I valleys of the mountains, communica- don't know that there is a comparable tion was very difficult. Even after the situation in the country. It has always coming of the telegraph and the rail- been the effort to maintain standards roads, people had to come and see and of conduct in this building and on the hear to get correct impressions and in- grounds roundabout which comport with formation. Had the building been the beliefs and standards of the Church. smaller, countless thousands would have Those who come here are asked not to been deprived of opportunities and smoke or drink or use profane language, blessings they have most highly prized. and I think that, with few exceptions, Then, too, it seems to me worthy of they who are not of our faith, and who note that the building was built just do not practise our standards, have been about as large as it could have been sufficiently respectful of our views to built so that an audience within it observe the decorum of this building. could be made to hear, long before the We appreciate their consideration. day of electrical magnification of sound. This Tabernacle has been, in some The acoustics of the Tabernacle have respects, a civic center. It has been a been the subject of comment by scien- forum for Presidents of the United tific persons and others for many years. States, candidates for the Presidency, I don't know that a full treatise has notables from foreign countries, and ever been written, but it would make a lecturers, and for the discussion of some deserving and interesting thesis. This of the most important issues which have great structure, enormous at the time ever confronted the nation. It has been of its building, is the physical embodi- used as a gathering hall for great na- ment of a mighty concept that the work tional conventions, and it has played of God is expansive, all-embracing, with a part in the advancement of important room for all who will come and listen civic causes. It has paid tributes of and receive. homage and honor to our national The Tabernacle has been a great heroes; it has met the demands of cultural center. For eighty years it has emergency; it has been through the housed substantially all of the major years an invaluable asset in our com- concerts, symphonies, bands, choirs, and munity life. vocal and instrumental artists who have More important than any of these, come to this section of the country. however, in the history of this great It is safe to say that without it the com- Tabernacle, is its place and function as munities in this area would have been a house of worship. deprived of innumerable opportunities Since singing usually begins our pub- to see and hear the outstanding talent lic worship, at this point I would like of the world. It has been the scene to speak a little of the choirs of the of great pageants that will long live in Tabernacle. Here is and has been for our memories; and in addition to being over seventy-five years the home of the the greatest stage for artistic presenta- Tabernacle Choir. I would not ven- tions in our community, it has been a ture to say whether the Tabernacle place of instruction and rehearsal for has made the choir or the choir has thousands upon thousands of children, made the Tabernacle famous. It is PRESIDENT STEPHEN L RICHARDS 45

sufficient to know that all through the art serve its Author, the Lord of the years we have had a great choir in a universe. God bless our Tabernacle great setting. As many as sixty years Choir, from the beginning through the ago the Tabernacle Choir had a na- generations, as an emissary of art and tional reputation. Through eisteddfods, truth in the earth. its high placement in contest in the Housed within the building is the World's Fair, and through concerts in great organ. Its impressive facade of big cities, east and west, it early at- colossal pipes and ornamental columns tained renown in musical circles. In and caps makes it appear as an ornate recent times, through national and in- temple within the auditorium, beautiful ternational broadcasts, the Tabernacle and intriguing to behold. The history Choir and the Spoken Word are house- of its initial construction is itself a hold words throughout the land. Dur- glorious record of pioneer achievement. ing its history, both before and after Its melodic voice now heard in nearly enlarged facilities became available, two all civilized portions of the globe has aspects of its work have been out- been a thing alive, proclaiming in standing and conspicuous: First, the de- sonorous and tender tones the solemn votion of the members; and next, the and the sweet message of the Savior's excellence of its leadership. I doubt gospel to all who have the heart and if any comparable volunteer organiza- the ear to interpret and apply. Just as tion of its size and responsibilities can the choir is integral with the Taber- present as fine a record for as long a nacle, so is the organ with both. time. The Church is and has been for I stand today in a pulpit sanctified these many years proud of this great by its history. When I recall the noble organization, and I believe we all feel servants of our Heavenly Father who a lasting debt of gratitude to the great have stood here and given inspired conductors, the great organists and tech- counsel to the people, and borne testi- nicians, and the great members of this mony with such power and conviction illustrious organization. I attribute their and spirit as to electrify every soul who greatness, in large measure, to the deeply heard; when I contemplate the opera- religious fervor which has always actu- tion of the still, small voice, which has ated them. I know that with their come from simple and lowly words artistic temperaments they have loved given here, which have touched the to sing, but the consistency of their hearts and sympathies of the people; performance has come out of a sense of when I think of the vast volume of conscientious duty and opportunity to precious truth which has been pro- serve the Lord and advance his king- claimed from this stand, I feel very dom. From that sentiment have come small and weak within it. My only some of the great contributions which comfort comes from the realization that the choir has made—contributions the noble ones who have graced this which breathe the spirit and essence pulpit have been called to speak here, of the latter-day work, contributions as I have been called, and that they which have inspirited the missionary were common men, so far as the aristoc- for his work, which have honored and racy of the world is concerned, drawn venerated the pioneers who laid the from all walks of life, just as my breth- foundations, which have extolled the ren and I are today. glory and virtue of Christ our Lord, What a difference in the history of his prophets, and honored and which the Tabernacle it would have made had have brought comfort and solace to the the building come to be merely a great poor, the discouraged and bereaved. preacher's church. We have had in Here is a choir which, through the America such preachers and such generations, has seen purpose in its churches. For periods of time eloquent work, which has striven steadfastly to men have enthralled audiences, achieved advance a great cause, which has made wide distinction, and have undoubtedly 46 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April S Second Day done much good. In the providence nacle hear the same message as did the of the Lord, this pulpit has never been people in Kirtland and Nauvoo. any one man's forum. Rather it has It is true that methods and practices been the oracle of a divine dispensation change. They have done in the past, where the cause has overshadowed the and they may be expected to in the man, where humility has higher rating future. It is within the province of a than self-assurance, where worship is receptive priesthood, obedient to the measured in deeds rather than protesta- inspiration of our Father, to adopt and tions. adjust methods, looking toward the Ponder for a moment, my brethren advancement of his kingdom. It is also and sisters, and all who listen, the within the province of his chosen serv- glorious and vital truths which have ants to interpret and apply the law, but been proclaimed in this building—the they will never change it, for the law nature and composition of the God- of God is eternal. head, the organization of the universe, I wish to say a word about the com- the history and placement of man in fort and solace which have come to the earth, his purpose in living, and the our Father's children in this great build- divine destiny set for him, the laws ing. Funeral services have been held governing his conduct and his eligibility here for many noble men and some for exaltation in the celestial presence, women. Heavenly music has been ren- the true concept of family life in the dered, so inspiring and touching that it eternal progression of the race, the truth seemed as if those from the other world about liberty and the place of govern- could have joined in the singing. Ser- ments in the earth, the correct concept mons depicting the transition into im- of property, its acquisition and distribu- mortality, and expounding the atone- tion, the sure foundations for peace, ment and redemption wrought by our brotherhood, and universal justice. All Savior, have been given with such con- these elemental things, and many others vincing assurance as to elevate the ag- incident thereto, have been the burden grieved and despondent to the sublim- of the message of truth which has come ity of resignation, hope, and firm faith. from this building through the genera- Within these sacred walls have the great tions. of our community found opportunity These messages have not changed for the expression of their noblest with the passing of time. The Lord re- thoughts and convictions, and from here vealed these enduring principles. They they have been laid to rest in the clos- are part and parcel of eternal truth. ing of their lives. All the life dramas Man may, by his faithful research and that have here been enacted, all the study, discover more about them, but vital episodes in this historic setting he will never change them. I would will never be recounted; but they are not discourage the inquiring mind in its all known to one who keeps the record, exploration of the universe and quest and every resolution, every change of for truth. My only caution is to begin heart, every contrition arising out of the with recognition of the divine source service rendered in this building, will of truth and the revealed word of God. be a fitting tribute to the purposes it What confidence and assurance it has served. brings to us to know that our men and In some respects the Tabernacle may women of today, surrounded by an en- appropriately be designated as the center vironment radically different from that of our missionary work. More sermons of our forebears who brought this great expounding the doctrines of the Church building into existence, proclaim the and calling the world to repentance and same doctrine as did they. How up- defining the way to life eternal have setting it would be if we had to choose been preached from this pulpit than between the principles and doctrines of from any other place in the Church. their time and ours. We in this Taber- These sermons, testifying to the divine PRESIDENT STEPHEN L RICHARDS 47

calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; the restoration of the holy gospel, have and he will teach us of his ways, and we been heard not only by the vast con- will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall gregations who have assembled here, but go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3.) also they have been printed, translated into various languages, and circulated Can we doubt, my brethren and in many countries throughout the earth. sisters, that these things have been The pronouncements from this very wrought by the hand and power of the stand have furnished to our armies of Lord? In all humility I bear witness missionaries, in large measure, the mate- that here is the seat of the government rial for their work the among peoples of the kingdom of God, here is the to whom they are sent. In the earlier place where the authorized servants of days the missionaries were personally our Lord are sustained and confirmed called from the stand in this Taber- by the voice of the people. Here in nacle. One can well imagine the this venerated Tabernacle has every thrill and deep impression made by such President of the Church, save only one, procedure. Here the courses of life been upheld as prophet, seer, and reve- were changed by assignments from the lator, and President of the Church of Presiding Brethren. Here the spirit of {esus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From sacrifice chastened the soul, and men tere has gone forth the law out of and women were dedicated to the work Zion, and the blessings, the love and of God. Here was the true spirit of compassion of the servants of the Lord missionary work—love and sacrifice for for his children. fellow man—developed and fostered. For nearly half a century I have been In more recent times the Tabernacle, the beneficiary of the teachings and the with its wonderful Sunday morning pro- influence coming from this historic gram, has made an invaluable contribu- building. I thank God for it. I do tion to our missionary endeavor in not wish to worship things material, bringing to our missionaries a more but I bow before the inspired vision kindly and considerate reception as they and the lofty aspirations which brought bear the message of the gospel from this sacred edifice into being. If my door to door out in the world. Also in regard for it, and my meager recital of later years, with visitors to Temple the part it has played in the advance- Square reaching more than a million a ment of beauty and righteousness and year, this historic structure has achieved truth in the earth shall bring any a position subordinate to but few places measure of increased deference and re- in the country in tourist interest. Thou- spect for the Tabernacle and the holy sands there are who come here every cause it represents, I shall be profoundly year, whose unfavorable preconceptions grateful. are altered, and who must go away with I said I would refer again to the unforgettable impressions emanating dedication of this building. The nota- from the teachings and influences com- tion in the record is that the dedicatory ing from this building and the grounds prayer of the "New Tabernacle in Salt round about. Surely a large part of Lake City was read by Elder John Isaiah's prophecy has been realized. Taylor" on Saturday, October 9, 1875. The Lord's house has been established In my opinion the prayer is a master- in the top of the mountains, and many piece in composition, and in its compre- nations flow unto it. We await the hensive recital of the conditions and day which will surely come when the aspirations of the people at that time. remainder of this great prediction shall It breathes a spirit of humility, repent- be fulfilled, when ance, deep gratitude, and a faith so realistic and compelling as to over- all obstacles . . . many people shall go and say, Come come in the achievement ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the of the mighty destiny conceived for 48 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day

God's work in the world. I wish every Apostles; fill them with the spirit of member of the Church could read it. their office and calling, clothe them The Deseret News printed it three- with the intelligence of heaven, the quarters of a century ago. Perhaps they light of revelation, and the gift and might care to do it again at some power of God." convenient time. This remarkable Then followed prayers, in the order prayer went into great detail. In it were indicated, for the Patriarch to the dedicated not only the usual components Church, for the seventies, the high of a great building, but also "the mortar priests, the high councils, the elders, the which binds the foundation stones to- Presiding Bishop, the priests, teachers, gether," the "nails, bolts, and straps of and deacons. There were prayers for iron, of copper, and the brass, the zinc, the Jews, for the Lamanites, and for all the tin, and the solder wherewith the who desire to do good in this and all metal is soldered together," the plaster other nations. There were prayers also of the building, even "all the lath and for the cooperative institutions, for those the nails and the sand and the lime," who entered into the United Order "ac- the locks and the hinges on the doors cording to thy word," the Relief So- and windows, and the paint and the cieties, the Retrenchment Societies [the varnish "and all the ornamentation of Mutuals], the Sunday Schools, and then this building, both within and without." this mighty appeal: "Let the comfort- All these minute things represented ing influence of thy Holy Spirit rest work and sacrifice which made them upon the Saints, and the quickening sacred. power of the Holy Ghost unite thy Every portion of the building was people in sympathy, affection, kind- dedicated that it might fulfil its sacred ness and interest. May thy people, purpose. Listen to the words regarding God, be one—one with Jesus as he this historic rostrum, where my asso- is one with the Father . . . one in ciates of the General Authorities of the spirit and feeling and interest; one in Church now sit in your presence: "And temporal and one in spiritual things, we dedicate and consecrate that por- a band of brethren; one in rolling forth tion of this house where our president the kingdom, united together by eternal, and thy servants now are, to be a holy indisputable ties; one in gathering thine and sacred place wherein thy servants elect, in building Temples and ad- may stand forth to declare thy words ministering to the living and for the and minister unto thy people in the dead; one in building up the Zion of name of thy Son forever. . . . our God; one with all the redeemed "May thy holy angels and minister- and all the angelic hosts, in introducing ing spirits be in and round about this the principles and laws of life to all of habitation, that when thy servants are Adam's race and ushering in the mil- called upon to stand in these sacred lennial reign." places, to minister unto thy people, My brethren and sisters, I re-utter the visions of eternity may be open to that prayer in your presence today. It their view, and they may be filled with is the supreme desire and ambition of the spirit and inspiration of the Holy my life that this glorious destiny for Ghost and the gift and power of God; our people and God's work be realized. let and all thy people who hearken 1 testify that Jesus the Christ lives, to the words of thy servants drink freely that he is the Lord of the earth, and at the fountain of the waters of life, the Author of our salvation, that his that they may become wise unto salva- precious gospel and his Church have tion, and thereby overcome the world been restored and reestablished through and be prepared for an everlasting in- his chosen servant, the Prophet Joseph heritance in the celestial kingdom of Smith, and that the Holy Priesthood, our God. . . . and the authority to represent the Lord "We pray thee to bless the Twelve have descended upon our present leader ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY 49

in authentic succession, and that he all of which are in conformity with the stands before us today in humility, in pronouncements and principles given heart and mind receptive to the divine in this sacred Tabernacle for nearly a Spirit, to lead us in the greatest cause century of time, there will be fulfilled ever committed to men. I give you every prophecy and glorious promise also my firm conviction that if we will ever made to Zion. God bless us to but follow the teachings and the coun- this end, I humbly pray in the name of sels of our President and his associates, Jesus. Amen.

ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

sincerely ask for an interest in your the attainment of our divine heritage faith and prayers, my brothers and and blessings. 1 sisters, and hope that part of the The Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Tabernacle dedicatory prayer pertaining Smith: to the speakers, may also be enjoyed . . . men should be anxiously engaged in a by me. good cause and do many things of their important duty of the Church of An own free will, and bring to pass much Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to righteousness; assist its members to attain the full For the power is in them, wherein measure of their possibilities and powers. they are agents unto themselves. And This would give great strength to the inasmuch as men do good they shall Church and bring joy and happiness in nowise lose their reward. (D. & C. 58:27-28.) to the membership of the Church. As sons and daughters of God, created The right of free agency and choice in his image and likeness, possessing, belongs to all of us, but God holds us however imperfectly, his characteristics accountable for our individual acts. and attributes, we should nevertheless The Lord has placed Prophets, Apostles, be inspired to perfect ourselves and and teachers in his Church to interpret become like him. The duty therefore and point the way for his people and of each of us is to develop and prepare all the world in spiritual and temporal ourselves to become worthy children of matters. Safety is in following divinely an Eternal Father. appointed leadership and counsel. The The Church provides every oppor- rights and powers of these leaders stem tunity for us to use our God-given from the Savior himself, and each can talents, gifts, and powers. However, trace his priesthood and authority we must learn obedience to authority through an unbroken chain to this di- and to keep all the commandments of vine source. God. The keys of this power and authority The Prophet Joseph said of the center in the president of the High Savior, that he suffered temptations but Priesthood of the Church. It is not gave no heed to them. And Paul, given to any other man to so represent writing to the Hebrew saints said that God here upon the earth. The Lord in all points he was tempted as we expects his people to unite and follow are, yet without sin. The Savior per- under this leadership and not permit fected himself through obedience and themselves to be tossed about by those by obedience became the author of who would find fault or would claim eternal salvation. revelation and teach contrary to what There must be on our part a willing- God has revealed to his chosen prophets. ness to accept responsibility in all faith- The Latter-day Saints need to be fulness and devotion; it makes possible careful that they do not become per- 50 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day suaded to false ideas and teachers. There Every person who goes contrary to are some among us who seize upon one the Church and says that the brethren or more appealing principle, truth, or are fallen or are out of the way or are law, then twist it to their own desire teaching false doctrines, unless he re- or profit until they become all-consum- pents will never in this life or eternity ing obsessions with them. They are not realize the full measure of his possi- satisfied or content to hold these views bilities and powers. God will not suffer to themselves, but with Satan's en- his Church, established for the last time couragement, desire to entice others to in this the Dispensation of the Fulness their way of thinking; they seek fol- of Times when a restitution of all things lowers and persuade not only those who is to be accomplished, to be led by a are weak and unfaithful, but also many fallen prophet, or by someone whom he of the faithful are deceived. Somehow does not want. they forget or fail to understand that The Prophet Joseph Smith, in a letter this Church is not built upon one to William W. Phelps, quoted Section principle, or one law, or one truth, but eighty-five of the Doctrine and Cove- the true gospel is built upon many nants, and, commenting upon the mis- principles, laws and truths, complete sion of the one mighty and strong, acceptance and obedience to which is said: necessary to give us joy, happiness, Now Brother William, if what I have satisfaction, and eternal glory. said is true, how careful men ought to be Many of these people pledge alle- what they do in the last days, lest they giance to the Church, yet they sepa- are cut short in their expectations and rate themselves from Church meetings they that think they stand, should fall, and encourage others to do like- because they keep not the Lord's com- wise. Those who follow them become mandments. children of evil, lose their faith and In The Deseret of November testimony, and the history of such fol- News 13, 1905, President Joseph F. Smith and lowers is that if they do not repent, his Counselors, commenting on this they are excommunicated from the Church. statement, said: Satan is employing every method to Perhaps no other passage in the revela- deceive not only non-members of the tions of the Lord in this dispensation has Church, but also particularly those who given rise to so much speculation as this are members. Each of us must be care- one ... the Church of Christ and of the ful that we are not out of harmony, that Saints is completely organized, and that we enjoy daily the guidance of the when the man who shall be called upon Holy Spirit of God in our lives. to divide unto the Saints their inheritances The Lord has said, comes, he will be designated by the inspiration of the Lord to the proper authorities

. . . the day cometh that they who will of the Church, appointed and sustained not hear the voice of the Lord, neither according to the order provided for the the voice of his servants, neither give heed government of the Church. to the words of the prophets and apostles, So long as that Church remains in the shall be cut off from among the people; earth—and we have assurance from the For they have strayed from mine ordi- Lord that it will remain in the earth nances, and have broken mine everlasting forever—the Saints need look for nothing covenant; of God's appointing that will be erratic They seek not the Lord to establish his or irregular, or that smacks of starting righteousness, but every man walketh in over afresh, or that would ignore or over- his own way, and after the image of his throw the established order of things. The own God, whose image is in the likeness Saints should remember that they are liv- of the world, and whose substance is that ing in the dispensation of the fulness of of an idol, which waxeth old and shall times when the Church is established in the perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, earth for the last days and for the last time which shall fall. (Ibid. 1:14-16.) and that God's Church is a Church of ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY 51 order or law, and that there is no place they are doing all within their power for anarchy in it. to set forward the interests of the Church, and the interests of the people And then in Gospel Doctrine, Presi- of the Church. And this leadership, dent Joseph F. Smith says: my brothers and sisters, must stand firm, If any man in that position [speaking of and teach all truths, and all principles the one who holds the keys of the high and all laws that God has revealed. priesthood of the Church] should become God has not given to man the authority unfaithful God would remove him out of to change eternal truths, principles, or his place. I testify in the name of Israel's laws. If people are honest, and surely God that he will not suffer the head of no person can be honest unless he the Church, whom he has chosen to stand of at the head, to transgress his laws and keeps the commandments God, they apostatize; the moment he should take a will expect their leaders without equivo- course that would in time lead to it, God cation to defend and teach the com- would take him away. Why? Because to mandments of God as revealed; other- suffer a wicked man to occupy that posi- wise they would not accept them as tion would be to allow, as it were, the leaders; they would not follow them; fountain to be corrupted, which is some- they would not respect them, for such thing he will never permit. {Gospel Doc- vacillating leadership would not be ac- trine, pp. 44-45.) ceptable to the body of the Church. The Prophet Joseph Smith made this There are those who might say: important statement: . . . Eat, drink and be merry; nevertheless, fear God, he will justify in committing a I will give you one of the Keys of the little sin; yea, lie a little, take advantage mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal of one because of his words, dig a pit for principle, that has existed with God from thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; all eternity: That man who rises up to and do all these things, for tomorrow we condemn others, finding fault with the die; and if it so be that we are guilty Church, saying that they are out of the God will beat us with a few stripes, and way, while he himself is righteous, then at last we shall be saved in the kingdom know assuredly, that that man is on the of God. (II Nephi 28:8.) high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. (D.H.C. Do we, my brothers and sisters, want Vol. 385.) 3, p. to belong to that kind of Church or accept those who teach that kind of In Section 121 of the Doctrine doctrine? Is there hope, is there satis- and Covenants, the Lord said to the faction in following Prophet, such teachings? Surely God would not rob justice. Cursed are all those that shall lift up Those who break his laws must suffer the heel against mine anointed, saith the the penalty for broken law. The Lord, Lord, and cry they have sinned when they we are told, does not look upon sin have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, with the least degree of allowance. If but have done that which was meet in God cannot, can we—and justify our- mine eyes, and which I commanded them. selves or others for such doings? But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are The Lord said to the Prophet in the children of disobedience themselves. Section 132 of the Doctrine and Cove- (D. & C. 121:16-7.) nants:

I testify to you, my brothers and For all who will have a blessing at my sisters, that your leaders are doing that hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, which is meet in the eyes of God. They and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before may have their faults and their fail- the foundation of the world. (D. & C. ings, but when it comes to devotion to 132:5.) their high calling in this Church and kingdom, there is no question but what And those who fail to obey set them- 52 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day

selves up for temptation and evil. Again If we attain, therefore, the full measure Satan is ever alert to his opportunities of our possibilities and powers, we must to deceive and to lead the people of this obey and follow leadership and keep all Church astray, for he knows the power the commandments of God. If we can of this Church, its destiny and purpose keep with us the spirit of the gospel, in the earth, and he will do all that which is light and truth, then it will he can to see that the work does not not be too difficult for us to obey and prosper. follow the leadership that God has Therefore, my brothers and sisters, called and appointed to direct his peo- we need to be faithful, we need to sup- ple. port our leaders. And when we go to May our Heavenly Father bless us, our bishops and our stake presidents for give us the strength that we require, counsel, let us accept it, for God will keep us true to the faith and faithful prosper us as we follow the leadership in our responsibilities, I humbly pray, of those appointed to preside over us. in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

ELDER LEVI EDGAR YOUNG

Of the First Council of the Seventy

n the thirteenth chapter of First the third signer of the Mayflower Com- Nephi, we have the words of the pact, recorded the following parting I Prophet who writes: words of Pastor Robinson, as the Pil- grim fathers left the shores of Holland And I looked and beheld a man among on their long journey into the un- the Gentiles, who was separated from the known West. He said: seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God that it came Brethren, we are now quickly to part down and wrought upon the man; and he from one another, and whether I may ever went forth upon the many waters, even live to see your face, on earth any more, unto the seed of my brethren, who were the God of Heaven only knows; but whether in the promised land. the Lord hath appointed that or not, I And it came to pass that I beheld the charge you before God and His blessed Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other angels that you follow me no farther than Gentiles; and they went forth out of cap- you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus tivity, upon the many waters. . . . Christ. If God reveal anything to you, by And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld any other instrument of his, be as ready that the Gentiles who had gone forth out to receive it as ever you were to receive of captivity did humble themselves before truth, by my ministry; for I am fully per- the Lord; and the power of the Lord was suaded, I am very confident, that the Lord with them. (1 Nephi 13:11-12, 16.) has more truth yet to break forth out of I have always recalled with joy in his holy word. reading these words that they referred Columbus was inspired and led by to Christopher Columbus and the Pil- the power of to these shores of grim fathers. When Columbus stepped God America, and the Pilgrim fathers and upon this western land in 1492, he ut- others likewise, for believe that the tered these words in prayer: we time had come for the American In- O God, our Father, eternal and omnip- dians to be found, for they are the otent, creator of heaven and earth and remnants of Joseph. It is interesting sea, we glorify Thy Holy name, praise Thy to note that many of the early adherents majesty, serve in all humility, whom we to the gospel of Jesus Christ, as received we give unto Thy Holy protection this new in the early part of the nineteenth cen- part of the world. (Quoted by Washington tury, were descendants of the old Puri- Irving in his Life of Columbus) tan stock who came from England. Such We are told that Edward Winslow, men were the Prophet Joseph Smith, ELDER LEVI EDGAR YOUNG 53

Brigham Young, and many others of add a thought concerning the teaching that early day. And thus began the of the gospel to the people of the world. great work of occupying the whole coun- It has been said in many different try of America by different peoples of ways that "In our children lies the the world. We have become a rich future of our world." If we believe this, and powerful nation, potentially the and we do, then the education of our richest and the most powerful upon the children deserves our foremost careful earth. attention. Every father and mother, As President Richards spoke about the every mature person in our land should building of this Tabernacle in which be profoundly interested in the educa- we are worshiping God, I recalled that tion of our youth. Our honored Presi- it is just one hundred years ago that dent, David O. McKay, has during the President Brigham Young stood before last year given to us and our nation the two thousand people and more who more than one great talk on the aims had assembled for the same reason and ideals and the far-reaching im- that you and I have done, to worship portance of education. He has told us God and Jesus Christ our Redeemer. that it flourishes on character, and with- They had a Tabernacle which had just out character it lacks any strength. There been built of adobes and could seat must be character and goodness as its two thousand people. The seats were chief obligation—goodness is its real mostly of logs, although a few chairs power. True affection in those taught had been made for the brethren who and in those who are teachers must sat in front. People came from all parts never be wanting. In all good teach- of the territory, some by ox team and in ing there are things that survive, and wagons drawn by horses. Many of them have survived, strong and unshaken, walked long distances to attend the from the earliest times. The master conference. At the close of the last Teacher who lived two thousand years meeting on Sunday afternoon President ago said love is the foundation on which Young arose and announced that he to build all growth, all progress, all had called approximately one hundred faith—love of God, love of neighbor. of the brethren to go on missions to Teaching is an art, and an art has different parts of the world. The na- to be learned. Our missionaries must tions mentioned were those of Europe, be taught better how to teach the gos- and China, India, Persia, and Siam in pel. Our seventies at home must be Asia, and then the Islands of the Pacific. taught how to teach the gospel, re- One cannot conceive what this meant membering always that we can teach in those days when the missionaries only that which we know. We are walked to the Pacific Coast to take a admonished to seek, to knock, to ask, boat to the countries of the Pacific. to search diligently with faith un- Then think of the long journey by way wavering, and we shall be rewarded. of the Atlantic Ocean as they set out We are told by the Prophet Joseph for India, Siam, and Persia. The his- Smith to "Seek ye out of the best books tory of these men will be written some words of wisdom." (D. & C. 88:118.) day by a master historian, and the If our schools and colleges teach the world will stand amazed at their cour- things that are really important, the age and faith in God. Many of the mind is required to do hard work, to journals of those missionaries have been attack a difficult problem and think to preserved. President Lorenzo Snow was a correct answer. One of our well- already in Italy, and President John known writers has said, Taylor was president of the French Mis- sion. We have heard during the con- There are only a very few youthful years ference much about the subject of teach- in every human life when the mind is ing which the missionaries experienced, fresh and plastic, and the memory able to and in a few words, I should like to retain. These years should be used to 54 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day

teach the best and most beautiful things do what we could not do without his man can know—power over language, a help. We can raise ourselves on the mastery of pure science, exposure to great shoulders of those who have walked on literature and art, a basic knowledge of higher levels. There is a profound wis- history, philosophy, and religion. No mat- dom in the saying, "Let us now praise ter what a young man or woman does to famous men." This is what is earn his living, his education will have meant by been worthless unless he has learned to the warning of the prophets, "Lift up know and to use the first-rate in whatever your hearts." Learn of the greatness and line he pursues—and also learned to love it. goodness of prophets and leaders in trying to follow their teachings. It is in the realm of religion that most Religion holds up to us all the noblest of us teach. want our children We examples of living. Disraeli said, "Nur- to the gospel, and to live it to know ture your minds with great thoughts: To the very best of their ability. We want believe in the heroic makes heroes." righteousness to be made practical in Read the Bible to get not only great every phase of life. We hope to direct truths of living but also great feeling our youth into a pattern of life that and enlarged vision. Read it to get the is eternal, founded on a sure and firm depths of life. Make it your companion belief and faith in the teachings of the through life so that you may not live Savior, and the prophets of old and of only on the surface, but on permanent the new and restored gospel. Our aim effect. Do likewise with the Book of is to teach our children to carry for- Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, ward the purposes of God. In doing and the Pearl of Great Price. Religion this we follow the words in Section 4 is the greatest instrument for raising us of the Doctrine and Covenants, to the best of the highest life. ... ye that embark in the service of We have had great teachers in our God, see that ye serve him with all your day. I think of one: Dr. Karl G. heart, might, mind, and strength. (D. & C. Maeser, who came to America from 4:2.) Germany as a convert to the Church, and who was for many years a teacher We must begin to teach our children in Brigham Young University in the while they are very young, for it is early days of that institution. It is written, "The things that thou hast not only recently that Dr. Francis Paschal gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou Joel of Princeton University has written the find them in thy old age?" Life of Justice George Sutherland, who And Jethro counseled, "And thou first was elected congressman and then shalt teach them the way wherein they senator from the state of Utah. Dr. must walk, and the work that they must Paschal tells about the influence that do. They must be patiently, gradually Dr. Maeser had on the life of Senator taught. Being God's people, they must Sutherland, and says: live his laws, they must worship in his ways." (See Ex. 18:20.) Dr. Maeser's knowledge seemed to reach needs long vision in life Man a that into every field. Of course there were limits; he may fulfil a pattern of eternal pro- but they were not revealed to me during gression and salvation although the my course at the Academy. That he was strains and tenseness of daily living an accomplished scholar I knew from the favor short sight. Perhaps both are first. But the extent of his learning so necessary, but the one should not crowd grew before my vision as time went on that constant emotion out the other more realistic and basic my was one of amaze- ment. I think there were days when I one. The man who is trying earnestly would have taken my oath that if the and with all his strength to catch sight Rosetta Stone had never been found, never- of the vision of a better world, and to theless he could have easily revealed the incorporate what he can see in the life meaning of the Egyptian hieroglyphics. He of himself and his society, helps us to spoke with a decided accent; but his mastery ELDER BRUCE R. McCONKIE 55 of the English language, of English litera- teaching. Remember, too, that a mas- ture, and of the English way of thought, tered subject, and a person committed superb. was heart and soul to teaching it, with the spirit of God, will be near to the dis- Maeser's influence was not merely course of and angels. that of an instructor. Says Sutherland, men We need not be graduated of schools He was a man of such transparent and and colleges to know these truths of natural goodness that his students gained religion and teach them to our children. not only knowledge, but character which The Savior has told us that if we ask is better than knowledge. it shall be given to us: If we knock, it us, I like to remind myself of the saying shall be opened unto and we need of Emerson, only to pray and work earnestly and with faith to receive the blessings we God offers to every mind its choice be- desire to become teachers of the gospel. tween truth and repose: take which you Sir Richard Livingston, an educator please, you can never have both. and classicist, and president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, tells us in a The mothers of Zion begin the teach- lecture at Springfield, Massachusetts, "It ing of their children when they are in is amazing that a person not intellectual- the cradle. They remember always ly bright, perhaps not even educated, that "Love grants in a moment what is capable of grasping and living by toil can hardly achieve in an age." something so advanced as the principles The very first thing every child should of Christianity." be taught (and as always example, not precept, is the best teacher) is respect The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness for every human being. We should thereof; the world, and they that dwell learn to have a great and good opinion therein. of human life, for all are made in the For he hath founded it upon the sea, and image of God and have a dignity and established it upon the floods. (Psalm 24.) a destiny. This will lead naturally to the principle of the Golden Rule, "Do May our faith be strengthened and we have power to teach our chil- unto others what I would that others may should do unto me." dren the truth and the beauty of the gospel, I pray in It is extraordinary how many kinds humbly Jesus' name. of men and women make desirable Amen. teachers because the pupils display a variety of human traits and cannot all The congregation sang the hymn, "O be moved and reached by the same Say, What Is Truth?" -

ELDER BRUCE R. McCONKIE

Of the First Council of the Seventy

believe that God has revealed The Master gave the key to this Wehimself in our day that men again principle in his great intercessory prayer may be able to gain eternal life when he said, in his kingdom. The knowledge of God, the knowledge as to the nature and And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus kind of being that he is, is the rock Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3.) foundation upon which all true religion is based, and without that knowledge The Prophet Joseph Smith said, and without revelation from him, it is for for not possible men to hope or It is the first principle of the Gospel to gain the blessings, honors, and glories know for a certainty the character of God, of eternity. and to know that we may converse with —

56 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April S Second Day him as one man converses with another. . . . When the light rested upon me I (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, saw two personages, whose brightness and page 345.) glory defy all description, standing above me in the air: One of them spake unto This knowledge of God, always com- me, calling me by name, and said, pointing ing by revelation, has been had in to the other. This is my Beloved Son. Hear every age of the earth's history when Him! (Joseph Smith 2:16-17.) the gospel has been here. The prophets From that moment the knowledge of have known of him and have borne God began to roll forth in the world, witness to the people concerning his and we expect to see a day, eventually, attributes and his laws. He created when the knowledge of God will cover Adam "in the image of his own body" the earth, as the waters cover the deep, (Moses 6:9) and then walked and when it will no longer be necessary for talked with him, with the very man any man to say to his neighbor, "Know whom he had created in his own like- the Lord," for all shall know him from ness. He sent his Firstborn spirit Son, the greatest to the least. Jehovah, to commune with Moses "face a scripture that says, to face, as a man speaketh unto his We have friend." (Exodus 33:11.) And then in The Father has a body of flesh and bones the Meridian of Time he sent this same as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the other reasons, to manifest Son, among Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and to the world the nature and kind of bones, but is a personage of Spirit. (D. & C. being that he is, so that men might know 130:22.) him and worship him and keep his commandments and thereby be entitled If we had lived in the beginning, in to come back into his presence again. Adam's day, and had received the Christ said that he was the Son of knowledge of God as taught by revela- God. He said that he came forth from tion from the mouth of Adam, the pre- the Father, that he came to bear witness siding high priest in the Church, we of the Father. It is written of him that would have seen that the very name of he is the express image of his Father's the Father, literally interpreted, meant person, and this knowledge was had in Man of Holiness, for as the scripture all ages. And yet when the period of says, dark apostasy set in, men without revelation, without the Spirit of the Lord, ... In the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his sat down in conventions and conclaves Only Begotten is the Son of Man. (Moses and wrote creeds which attempted to 6:57.) define what kind of being he was. They said that he was in some mystical When Christ repeatedly referred to way three in one, that he filled the himself as the Son of Man, he was immensity of space, that he was every- certifying that Man of Holiness, God where and nowhere in particular pres- the Eternal Father, was his Father, and ent, that he was incomprehensible, un- he had no reference to his mortality, knowable, uncreated, incorporeal, and his birth as the son of Mary. all the rest. And that is the understand- All of us who have received the gos- ing that prevailed in the world in the pel have power given us to become the spring of 1820 when the Prophet went sons of God. We can do that by faith. into that secluded place in a grove of And Paul says those that become, by trees to ask the Lord which of all the adoption, sons of God are joint heirs churches was right and which he should with Jesus Christ, entitled thereby to join. The Prophet said, receive, inherit, and possess, as Christ has inherited before. The Apostle ... I saw a pillar of light exactly over my John, head, above the brightness of the sun, which beloved disciple of the Lord, wrote these descended gradually until it fell upon me. words: ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 57

Behold, what manner of love the Father eternal life and eternal lives, a doctrine hath bestowed upon us, that we should be of joint heirship with Christ the Son. called the sons of God: therefore the world And this knowledge has been given knoweth us not, because it knew him not. again, with more particulars, by revela- And now note particularly what he tion in this day. We are taught that says: Christ received not of the fulness at the first but went from grace to grace,

. . . Now are we the sons of God, and it until he received a fulness, and that he doth not yet appear what we shall be: but finally received all power both in that, he shall appear, we know when we heaven and on earth. After having this shall be like him; for we shall see him as truth recorded in the revelation, the he is. Lord says that he is doing it so we may And every man that hath this hope in worship him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. know what we and know how (I John 3:1-3.) to worship, and that if we keep his commandments, we can go from grace that To same John, who had written to grace until, one in him as he is in these words as moved upon by the the Father, we may inherit a fulness of Holy Ghost, the Lord said: all things.

He that overcometh shall inherit all Now the knowledge of God is the things; and I will be his God, and he shall beginning of true religion. Without it be my son. (Rev. 21:7) there cannot be faith in God. The And then again: knowledge of God is the end of all true religion. If we have that knowledge To him that overcometh will I grant to and seek, as John says, to purify our- sit with me in my throne, even as I also selves as he is pure, we can go on in overcame, and am set down with my Father eternal progression, having reached the in his throne. (Ibid., 3:21.) blessings of peace and happiness here, These New Testament scriptures, and and being assured of an eternal reward many others that could be cited, teach in the mansions that are prepared, in the doctrine of exaltation, a doctrine of the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

beloved brethren and sisters, in its achievements, and its needs, I have Mrhumility I invoke the inspiration felt that I could characterize best what of the Lord and seek an interest he said in two words: Spiritual States- in your faith and prayers as I stand for manship. With you I love this land in a few moments in this pulpit. I should which we live. I am proud of our like, if the Lord will bless me, to give heritage; I am grateful for the American vent to some thoughts that have been tradition; I am thankful that the Lord deeply impressed upon my mind for has given through his prophets informa- several weeks now. I hope I shall not tion regarding this great nation. be misunderstood. It seems to me that However, it seems to me that there the day in which we live demands a are certain tendencies, trends, and prac- frank and forthright consideration of tices which endanger very greatly our some of the problems which face us, way of life and strike at the very founda- not only as a Church but also as a tion of much that we hold dear as a great Christian nation. great Christian nation. Of course, the With you I thrilled at the opening conditions of the world generally give address of our great leader, President us cause for concern. We seem to live McKay. As I have thought of his re- in a world of conflict, insecurity, uncer- marks regarding this land of America, tainty, and almost bewilderment. We —

58 GENERAL CONFERENCE Satwdmy, April 5 Second Day appear to be groping blindly, aimlessly, The prophets of God foreshadowed unable to find the way. Were it not these achievements when they predicted for our faith in the prophecies of God, that this would be a land choice above I fear sometimes we would almost be all other lands and that it would be tempted to give up. preserved for a righteous people. Those We are in the midst of continuing who were to dwell here, if they served international crises. The outlook for the God of the land, should be free world peace and security is dark indeed. from bondage and captivity. Lehi, who The gravity of the world situation, it led the second colony which came to this appears, is increasing almost daily. The great land, was told that he was leading United Nations seems unable to settle that colony to a land of promise and the troubles of the world. In truth, that none should come here save those we are faced with the hard fact that who would come here under the influ- the United Nations, it seems, has largely ence of heaven. This land would be failed in its purpose. Yes, the days consecrated unto those whom the Lord ahead are sobering and challenging would guide here. It would be a land ones. We might well ask, America of liberty. Lehi's son, Jacob, said there what of the future? should be no kings upon this land, that

I never travel across this great land the God of heaven would be their king, and note its broad, fruitful farms, its that this land would be fortified against humming factories' and gleaming cities all other nations, and that he who would but what I am impressed with the mar- fight against Zion should perish. vels of this great nation. Yes, we have Reference has been made by Presi- made unequaled material progress. We dent Young to the coming of Columbus. have become the greatest and the rich- The scriptures tell us that the Spirit est nation in all the world. This has wrought upon Columbus, and upon been done on about 6% of the land those who followed him, and that they area of the world by a relatively small came here under the inspiration of group of people, only 7% of the world's heaven. Nephi predicted that when population. Yet it is reported that they arrived, they would humble them- this small group of people produce today selves before God, that the power of approximately half of the world's total the Lord would be with them, and wealth in usable form to satisfy human that they would prosper. Our history needs. It is reported that in the year clearly records that the early peoples 1950 almost half of the food and fiber who did come were humble, God-fear- of the world was produced here in the ing men and women. Bradford records United States. Our productivity has that their first act upon arriving here increased one-fifth every ten years since upon American soil was to go upon 1850. Through the use of machines, their knees in humble prayer and bless much of the drudgery and toil so com- the God of heaven. mon in many other nations has disap- The impelling force in their hearts, peared. Our engineers have estimated it seems to me, was a love for basic that the average worker today has the ideals and principles, which were dearer equivalent of 99 mechanical slaves work- to them than life itself. Among these ing for him. The Twentieth Century were their love of God, faith in his Fund recently predicted that by 1960, divine purposes, their love of freedom, 96% of all the energy going into physical industry, thrift, decency, and honor. work in America would be performed Yes, this nation had its beginning in a by machines, 1% by horses, and 3% by high-minded manner. The rules of men. The average American worker conduct established by the early has an output per hour six times his colonists and our founding fathers were output in 1850. Yes, we have made taken from the scriptures. They were unprecedented achievements in mate- embodied in the Decalogue and in the rial things. gospel. The Sabbath was set aside as ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 59 a sacred day. Profanity and other vices And for this purpose have I established were condemned, and gambling was the Constitution of this land, by the hands forbidden. People were encouraged to of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by keep good company and to repeat no the shedding of blood. (D. & C. 101:79-80.) grievances. They emphasized the spiritual virtues. We have enjoyed divine favor through general Washington but echoed the much of our history, but what of the feeling of the early colonists he when future? It seems to me, my brethren acknowledged direction and em- God's and sisters, that the lessons of history, phasized of spirituality, the importance many of them very sobering, ought to honor, and moral courage. He said: be turned to during this hour of our No people can be found to acknowledge great achievement because I feel in my and adore the Invisible Hand which con- own heart that during the hour of our ducts the affairs of men more than the success is our greatest danger. I feel people of the United States. Every step firmly that even during the hour of great by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to prosperity, a nation may sow the seeds have been distinguished by some token of of its own destruction. This may hap- providential agency. pen even during a period of great income, relatively full employment, and Then as to the place of religion and high business activity. History reveals morality, the Father of our country that rarely is a great civilization con- stated: quered from without until it has weak- Of all the dispositions and habits which ened or destroyed itself within. lead to political prosperity, religion and I read recently volume three of that morality are indispensable supports. . . . Reason and experience both forbid us to monumental work by Will Durant, expect that national morality can prevail The Story of Civilization. This volume, in exclusion of religious principle. entitled Caesar and Christ, covers the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and His successors spoke in similar vein. the coming forth of Christianity. It Lincoln emphasized the same thought covers a period of 1125 years, from when he acknowledged that "God rules 800 B.C. to 325 A.D. At the end of this world," and that "It is the duty of this six-hundred-page volume, the au- nations as well as men to own their thor writes an epilogue under the cap- dependence upon the overruling power tion "Why Rome Fell." It is generally of God, to confess their sins and trans- agreed that not infrequently history gressions in humble sorrow. . . . ," and repeats itself. The author lists the then quoting from the scriptures, "and major causes why this great civiliza- to recognize the sublime truth that tion fell apart. I wonder if there is those nations only are blessed whose anything in what he says for us to take God is the Lord." Yes, my brethren note of today. As a read this volume, and sisters, they spoke of self-evident I was caused to reflect on the similarity truths—inalienable rights. of conditions and practices then and When the Prophet Joseph came upon now. May I give you briefly his sum- the scene to open a new gospel dis- mary: pensation, he shed even further light upon the establishment of this great The first group of causes he termed nation and the coming forth of the biological, and no doubt most funda- Constitution, which he stated was a mental. They had to do with the glorious standard, founded in the wis- limitation of families, the deferment dom of God. Through revelation the and avoidance of marriage, the refusal Lord said to him, as was quoted by of men and women to shoulder the Brother Moyle yesterday, great responsibilities, God-ordained, of honorable parenthood. He mentioned Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. that sexual excesses were indulged in —

60 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day commonly, both in and outside the tions up to six years ago— 156 years marriage covenant. The operation of 248 billion dollars. In the last six years contraception and abortion was com- we have taken in taxes 260 billion, and mon. This, together with other things, still we seem not to have enough to resulted in reduced fertility. Sex ran pay our current bills. With a debt of riot, and moral decay resulted. over one-quarter of a trillion dollars, He mentioned as another cause of the annual interest payment is 6 billion Rome's decay, the waste of natural dollars plus, more than all government resources in mining, deforestation, ero- expenditures in 1933. sion; the neglect of irrigation canals, Now, my brethren and sisters, this but most important of all, the negli- author lists other causes. Political gence of harassed and discouraged men, causes, he says, were rooted in one fact, the failure to teach high moral princi- that through centralized control and the ples so necessary for the building of increasing despotism of the state, the real character. citizens' civic sense was destroyed and Then he lists with great emphasis dried up, thus destroying statesmanship the rising costs of government because at its source. Men felt powerless to of armies, doles, public works, expand- express themselves and lost interest in ing bureaucracy, a parasitic court, de- government. Yet, I presume, Rome has preciation of currency, absorption of had no equal in the art of government. investment capital by confiscatory tax- She achieved a democracy of free men ation. and then destroyed it with corruption Is there anything suggestive in this and violence. summary? With you, I love this great land in May I give you the following figures which we live. I pray for the chief on this last grouping particularly, taken executive and his cabinet and the legis- from what seem to be reliable sources? lative and judicial branches, the of- According to projected estimates, our ficials of our states and our cities. But federal government will spend during I wonder sometimes, my brethren and the coming fiscal years, 1952-53, more sisters, what our founding fathers, our than the total income of all the people pioneer fathers, would do and say if west of the Mississippi River—22 states. they were here today. I'm sure they The federal payroll in 1952 will top would give serious reflection to present 22 billion—4 billion above last year conditions. I wonder if they would not and 16 times the 1929 total. Nearly recognize that our liberties have already one out of every four adult Americans been abridged, that there has been too is receiving regularly federal checks. At much of a tendency for us to call upon the present rate, by 1953 the govern- our federal government every time we ment will be spending approximately felt the need for the accomplishment of 38% of the national income. During any particular objective. I wonder if only three of the last twenty years has we haven't had a tendency to call for our federal budget been balanced. It help for those things which our fore-

l requires today approximately 2 /2 mil- fathers would have done willingly for lion civilians to staff the federal themselves. Yes, I presume as a people bureaucracy. we are to blame, but I feel that if In the matter of the depreciation of they were here today, they would apply the currency, it is reported that the some very definite tests before any new present dollar is worth only 38 cents service or new program were approved. compared to the 1913 dollar, and that May I just mention three: the dollar today will purchase only First, I think they would ask the ques- about half as much as it did in 1935- tion: Can this service, assuming it is 39. needed, be done more efficiently, more As to taxation, the federal government effectively by our federal government, took in taxes during all past administra- or should we do it ourselves on the —

ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 61

local level? They believed that govern- I wonder if we have forgotten the ment is best which governs least. Gov- counsel of the prophets, the founding ernment seems to be inherently wasteful fathers, and our great statesmen. Surely and inefficient. Possibly it is because we need a nationwide return to these the profit motive and competition—the fundamentals. We need a nationwide very life of private enterprise—are large- repentance to rid this land of corruption. ly absent. We must return to the fundamental Second, How will it affect the mor- virtues that have made this nation ale and the character of the people? great. There is a force in the universe This seems to me to be of great im- which no mortal can alter. This na- portance. They were interested in the tion does have a spiritual foundation. building of character. They recognized It has been established in keeping with that character, not wealth or power or great spiritual and moral principles, position, is of prime consideration. but there seems to be a tendency for Third, they would possibly ask: How us to lose our sense of uprightness and will it affect our free institutions to do wilfully those things which we the church, the school, the home, and must know to be wrong. This cannot our local form of government? be done with impunity. I believe if they were here, they would God help us to raise our sights beyond look for the answers to the decline of the dollar sign, beyond material things. public morals. As they looked search- May we have the courage to stand up ingly for the answers, they would prob- and be counted, to stand for principle, ably observe evidence of weak and for those principles and ideals which vacillating leadership in many places, guided the founding fathers in the es- not confined to one group or one party. tablishment of this great land. Thank They would find a tendency for men God for the promises that have been in high places to place political expe- made regarding the future of America. diency ahead of principle. They would I hope and pray we shall realize the be concerned with the alarming growth fulfilment of these promises because we of a something-for-nothing philosophy, merit their fulfilment. I am grateful a failure of people to stand on their that the Lord has said through his own feet. They would probably find prophets that this nation unto the bad examples by unscrupulous politi- righteous shall be blessed forever, and cians and by delinquent parents, and that he will be a light unto them for- possibly a weakening of religious train- ever that hear his words. ing, and the substitution therefor of a God help us that we may not drift faith-destroying materialism. farther from the principles of faith I think, my brethren and sisters, as and honor established by those noble Latter-day Saints, and as American citi- founding fathers and the pioneers who zens, we need to rouse ourselves to the settled these valleys. We need this problems that confront us as a great faith, we need a close adherence to these Christian nation. We need to recog- basic principles. It is my conviction, nize that these fundamental, basic my brethren and sisters, that this na- principles, moral and spiritual, lay at tion or no other nation will be saved the very foundation of our achievements materially unless in some way it is in If are continue to the past. we to strengthened, redeemed, and regenerated enjoy our present blessings, we must spiritually. God bless us in that re- have a return to these basic and funda- demption, that we may go forward and mental principles. Economics and live the principles that have been morals are both parts of one inseparable basic body of truth, and they must be in so and so fundamental in bring- harmony. We need to square our ing this great nation to its present actions and our policies with these standing in the world, I humbly pray eternal principles. in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 62 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day President David O. McKay: conducting, and Brother Roy M, Darley at the organ. congregation will sing, The now "How We will all join in singing "How Firm A Foundation." Firm A Foundation." The closing prayer will be offered by Elder Melvin A. Weenig, formerly president of the Central Pacific Mission, The congregation joined in singing after which this conference will stand the hymn, "How Firm A Foundation." adjourned until 2 o'clock this afternoon. Elder Melvin A. Weenig, former presi- The singing for this session has been dent of the Central Pacific Mission, of- furnished by the congregation, as you fered the closing prayer. know, with Brother Richard P. Condie Conference adjourned until 2:00 p.m.

SECOND DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

Conference reconvened Saturday after- zona, and New Mexico. The session noon, April 5, at 2:00 p.m. will be televised also over KSL television station, channel five. President David O. McKay: The singing for this session will be furnished by members of the Tabernacle

Notwithstanding this is a glorious day, Choir, with Elder J. Spencer Cornwall, inviting people to stroll in the sunshine, conducting, and Elder Alexander the Tabernacle is crowded to capacity, Schreiner at the organ. as we begin this, the fourth session We shall begin the services by mem- of the 122nd Annual Conference of the bers of the Tabernacle Choir singing, Church. "Father, O Hear Me." The opening For the information of the radio and prayer will be offered by Elder Selvoy J. television audience, we will say that Boyer, formerly president of the British we are convened in the Tabernacle on Mission. Temple Square in Salt Lake City. There are present on the stand this afternoon, Singing the Tabernacle Choir all of the General Authorities, excepting by Chorus, "Father, President Richards in Great Britain, and O Hear Me." I believe that the doctor prohibits The opening prayer was offered by

Thomas E. McKay from attending any Elder Selvoy J. Boyer, formerly presi- more than one session a day. dent of the British Mission. Tabernacle Choir chorus then These services and all general ses- The sions of the conference will be broad- sang "God So Loved the World." cast in the Assembly Hall and in the Barratt Hall over a loudspeaking system President David O. McKay: and by television, and the proceedings of this session will be broadcast over We commend our Choir leader for Station KSL of Salt Lake City, and by those most appropriate opening hymns. arrangement through KSL, over the sta- Our first speaker this afternoon will tions named at the opening session of be Elder Albert E. Bowen, of the Coun- the conference, including surrounding cil of the Twelve, who will be followed states, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Ari- by Brother Richard L. Evans. ELDER ALBERT E. BOWEN

ELDER ALBERT E. BOWEN

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

almost two days now I have been of Jesus of Nazareth. That constitutes Forlooking out over the faces of those our religion. who have congregated here, noting It all centers in Jesus the Christ. So the evidence of devotion to the purpose far as I know, in all the reading I have which has brought them together. Every been able to do, all the research made, aspect of their features has indicated there is no principle of right action, that they have come with solemn intent. no ethical principle, recognized in the Not that there is sadness, there is a world today that is not comprehended in joyous sobriety manifest in their coun- the teachings of Jesus Christ. I believe tenances. that if all the books on ethics were I note, too, a manifestation of ex- burned today, and we had left the ut- pectancy written all over your faces, terances of the Christ and the teachings and that is very sobering because I of the Apostles whom he commissioned realize that you expect something from to carry his message to the world, we those who assume this position. The should have a perfect and concrete purpose, I have no doubt, is that you guide to human conduct. might draw some fortification for your Our religion comprehends more than faith, and some strengthening help to just the ethical code. It contains a face the issues of life and wrestle with body of principles, through the ob- its problems as they come to you day servance of which we are promised the by day. great reward of eternal life and salva- We very rarely pick up a magazine tion in the kingdom of God. now or a newspaper, that does not advise I want to turn here to the words of us somewhere along the line that some- Peter, as recorded in the Acts, body has said that the great need of this world today is increased spirituality. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said them, Ye That idea is voiced in varied forms. unto men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Sometimes it is expressed as a greater Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and dedication to religion, a more complete hearken to my words: incorporation of principles of re- the For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, ligion into our lives, and that is heralded seeing it is but the third hour of the day. as one of the things that could cure the ills of the world. (He was referring, of course, to the But as I listen to further expositions, supposition that the Apostles must be I find a great deal of vagueness in those drunken because of the manifestations expressions. I am not sure that I know of the Holy Ghost that they were actu- just what those who use them mean. ated by.) I am not sure that I know just what, in their minds, religion signifies. But this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel; There are a great many learned And it shall come to pass in the last disquisitions about what religion is, days, saith God, I will pour out of my the features that constitute it, and, what Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your the essential factors in it are. daughters shall prophesy, and your young shall see visions, It is not my purpose here to go into men and your old men shall dream dreams: . . . any of those discussions. This is neither Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the time nor the place for that. But I of Nazareth, a man approved of God among going to assume that I can tell you am you by miracles and wonders and signs, what our religion is, and I intend to which God did by him in the midst of you, say and do say that our religion com- as ye yourselves also know: prises the teachings and life and actions Him, being delivered by the determinate 64 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have the omnipotent power of the God of taken and by wicked hands have crucified heaven. and slain: As he directed his messengers to go Whom God hath raised up, having loosed out, he told them that they should the pains of death: because it was not pos- carry his message and teach it to all sible that he should be holden of it. . . . Therefore let all the house of Israel nations, baptizing them in the name of know assuredly, that God hath made that the Father and of the Son and of the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Holy Ghost, and teaching them to ob- Christ. (Acts 2:14-17, 22-24, Lord and 36.) serve all things "whatsoever I have commanded you." That is all that is re- That is the kind of teaching that quired of any man. introduced the gospel of Jesus Christ If we would do all the things what- in the ancient day. There is no equivo- soever God commanded, or his Son, cation, no temporizing, there is no dodg- Jesus Christ, which is the same thing ing of the issue. There is the straight- authoritatively, we would have forward declaration that this man who no troubles in this world. There would had lived among them was recognized be peace and harmony and good will. of God, that they had taken him in War would be impossible. All the foul hands and had destroyed his life, ugliness of life, everything that destroys but that he was raised up and had be- beauty and desirability would come and was recognized of God as be cleansed out from the earth. In both Lord and Christ. that instruction is comprehended the whole That is our religion. That is what sweep of the gospel teaching. we believe. Wipe that out, and we have nothing left upon which to rest He taught that man has a destiny, our faith. It is basic to every principle what that destiny is, and how to achieve that is acknowledged in our teaching or it; that it is all dependent upon con- in the teaching of those who, under formance to the plan given. We have guidance of the Christ, were his mes- heard something in this conference sengers to establish his work. about a plan. It is a designed plan. It is the only plan This is a great teaching Church. Its that assures salvation to the children of business is to teach. Men can be per- men, the promise is suaded, their lives reformed through predicated upon the assumption that persuasion. No man may be coerced, we obey the teachings of that plan. and no belief was ever established by All that we know of record about the attempted coercion or force. Jesus re- earth life of the Son of God is con- sorted to the method of persuasion, and tained in the books of the New Testa- our business as his representatives is to ment—the Gospels, the Acts of the persuade people over whom we may Apostles. It has been said that if you have influence to accept the doctrine, blot out the books of the Acts, you would and when they have accepted it in their leave a great blank covering a: very hearts, they are born again. They do important period in the life and min- not want to resort to the evil practices istry of Jesus prior to his death and from which they have been converted. resurrection, as well as occurrences after They want to order their lives accord- that period. ing to the purity of his teachings. We turn to those books as the authori- Foremost among the teachings that tative source of our information, accept- Jesus uttered was his recognition of God ing them as the word of God for the the Father. To him he prayed. He said guidance of his children. And that that he was come to do the Father's same fidelity of purpose, the same cour- will, not his own. He told his disciples ageous conviction and declaration of it, that he had done nothing except what as was voiced by Peter on that Pente- he had seen the Father do, putting costal day, has rung down through the himself into humble submission before ages since that time. —

ELDER ALBERT E. BOWEN 65

Paul was not of those who had lived That by him, and through him, and of with the Christ, walked with him. He him, the worlds are and were created, and was rather a persecutor of his saints the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. (D. C. 76:19- by his own account he had viciously & 24.) persecuted them, but he became a great expounder of the faith. This is how Here is a sober declaration of men it happened. just as those who had been associated Standing in bonds before Agrippa to with the Christ gave their testimony of answer the charges made against him, what they had seen and heard, and he said: those testimonials may not be idly At midday, O king, I saw in the way a brushed aside. They are entitled to light from heaven, above the brightness of every credence that is normally ac- the sun, shining round about me and them corded to the words of any honest man which journeyed with me. whose integrity has not been impeached. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and That is the foundation of our religion. saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, That is the kind of teaching that won why persecutest thou me? it is hard for its way until it had established itself thee to kick against the pricks. as a recognized religion of the great And I said, art thou, Lord? And Who empire of Rome after a period of perse- he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecution. That is the only kind of faith cutest. (Ibid., 26:13-15.) that will keep men safe in the course It is the testimony of those who walked that leads to eternal salvation. with him during his mortal life. It is It did happen. It happened by slow the testimony of those who received degrees. Nobody can tell just when it their testimony and became convinced first began, but these sober declarations in their own souls. It was the testi- began to meet with some doubt, and mony of Paul. It is the one sure way to men began to philosophize about these live by the teachings which he ex- sober declarations. Gradually question- pounded, and that same authoritative ings began to have their effect by in- declaration of personal knowledge has filtration and dilution, until this pro- come down through all the ages of time found faith was sadly shaken. and has been repeated in our day, and By the third or fourth century it was thus we read that the Prophet Joseph almost blotted out as a simple declara- Smith and Sidney Rigdon, in the tem- tion of faith through an attempted ad- ple, declare this: mixture with Greek and other philosophies. Such is the inevitable consequence And while we meditated upon these try things, the Lord touched the eyes of our when men to rationalize the word understandings and they were opened, and of God, the testimony of his servants, the glory of the Lord shone round about. to accommodate it to the teachings of And we beheld the glory of the Son, their philosophies, and make it more on the right hand of the Father, and re- palatable to their understanding or their ceived of his fulness; likes. From that day to this, the Church And saw the holy angels, and them who has been derelict in its duty to proclaim are sanctified before his throne, worshiping the undiluted word so that now when God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever. men say to us, "We need a revival of And now, after the many testimonies religion," a lot of them who use those which have been given of him, this is the phrases do not even believe in the ex- testimony, last of all, which we give of istence of God. him: That he lives! They do not believe that Jesus was For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing the Son of God nor that he was resur- record that he is the Only Begotten of the rected from the dead. They are using Father- idle phrases. If men really believed, 66 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day they would do something about it, and the earthly task of the pastors to hear this voice, us to hear it, to tell if that belief were implemented into the to cause and us what it says. If they cannot hear it, or if lives of men in this world, it would they fail to tell us, we as laymen are en- cure the ills under which the world is tirely lost. Without it we are no more groaning. capable of saving the world than we were During the war, the editor of a na- of creating it in the first place. tional magazine, the magazine Fortune, to be exact, wrote out a series of ques- That is a penetrating analysis of the tions that he distributed to a large body cause for the ills of the world. To gain of the clergy, asking their opinions favor, to enhance our popularity, to about certain beliefs. Their answers avoid giving offense, we have adopted disappointed him by their wordy cir- the theories of men and tried to inte- cumlocutions and avoidance of positive grate them with the teachings of the commitments. Son of God, and they will not mix. He wrote a most penetrating editorial The result is that the church, instead about it. This, among other things, is of setting the pattern, marking out the what he said: path, has been adopting what has been adopted as practice among the men of A Christian leadership has passed from business—the laboring men, the laity the hands of the church to the hands of of the world—and the voice of the the active and practical laity—the states- laymen, modified and given essence by men and educators, the columnists and the things they want to do and like pundits, the scientists and great men of to practise, guided by their selfish inter- action, and this is only another way of say- ests, has of ing that there is no true Christian leadership drowned out the voice the at all. So far as the record goes, the church, and the leaders of the church American people would do as well by their have lost their powerful, guiding influ- souls to follow the advice of the industrial ence. Men refused to heed its words, leaders as to follow the advice of the finding in them only the echo of the spiritual leaders. the flock is leading Thus words of the laity that are spoken about. the shepherd. So long as the Church pretends or as- In my view there is only one safety; sumes to preach absolute values, but actually there is only one cure; and that is to preaches relative and secondary values, it take the pure and unadulterated word will merely hasten the process of disinte- of God and set that up as our standard gration. We are asked to turn to the of measurement, and measure every church for enlightenment, but we do when creed and doctrine and dogma by that so we find that the voice of the church is yardstick. That which will not square not inspired. The voice of the church with the declarations of Almighty God today, we find, is the echo of our own voices, and the result of his experience is we can lay aside as unsuited for the disillusionment. need of man, and orient ourselves again

This is the profound and absolute spirit- in that declaration of Peter, re-echoed ual disillusionment arising from the fact by Paul, by all the disciples of the that when we consult the church we only Christ, so long as his teachings remained hear what we ourselves have said. The undefiled and uncorrupted, and set that effect of this experience upon the present up as the guide to our course of life. generation has been profound. It is the effect of a vicious spiral like the economists Then we shall not have these appeals, talk about that leads into depressions, but we shall not need these appeals to men in this spiral there is at stake not merely to modify their governments because prosperity, but civilization. their governments will be founded in There is only one way out of that righteousness, and righteousness will spiral. The way out is the sound of a prevail. voice. Not our voice, but a voice coming from something not ourselves, in the exist- God grant it may be, I pray in the ence of which we cannot disbelieve. It is name of Jesus. Amen. ELDER RICHARD L. EVANS 67

ELDER RICHARD L. EVANS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

am sure that the sense of expectancy, there was enclosed this series of simple of which Brother Bowen spoke, is in- suggestions: I deed overpowering to all of us, jmd that we are all well aware that of our- Learn to like what doesn't cost much. selves it will not be satisfied. I pray that Learn to like reading, conversation, music. it may be satisfied through the direction Learn to like plain food, plain service, and blessing of him in whose name we plain cooking. Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, are met here. hiking, rowing, climbing hills. There has been running through my Learn to like people even though some of

mind a sentence spoken by President them may be . . . different from you. . . . McKay during the last few days: "Give Learn to like to work and enjoy the satis- encouragement to the people." It came faction of doing your job as well as it can before me again as the combined be done. Learn to like choruses of Brigham Young University so the songs of the birds, the companionship of dogs. beautifully sang here yesterday, "He Learn to like gardening, puttering around watching over Israel, slumbers not, nor the house, and fixing things. sleeps. Shouldst thou walking in grief Learn to like the sunrise and sunset, the languish, he will quicken thee." beating of the rain on the roof and the The adverse and long winter; the un- windows, and the gentle fall of snow on a certainties of the times and seasons, the winter day. perplexities and problems of our young Learn to keep your wants simple, and people have suggested another long- refuse to be controlled by the likes and dis- likes cherished passage of scripture found in of others. Genesis in a promise to Noah: We are reminded of another beautiful thought accredited While the earth remaineth, seedtime and to H. G. Wells by a harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and contemporary writer, and which suggests winter, and day and night shall not cease. that man should not allow "the watch (Genesis 8:22.) and the calendar to blind him to the fact that each moment of his life is a I am sure that there are many other miracle and a mystery." things also which shall not cease includ- I think we can take encouragement ing truth, association with those we love, in the many marvelous things there are the possibilities of progress, and a glori- to enjoy regardless of other physical ous future to work for and to live for, facts that we may face. and I am indeed grateful. I think we can take encouragement in We can find encouragement despite some other things also. Some of the pon- some of the physical facts that we face. derable problems, the unanswered ques- A thoughtful person who lives tions, the seeming injustices and discrep- across the mountains to the east (George ancies and uncertainties, some of which W. Olinger) has sent within the last President Smith and Brother Kimball two or three days a statement or two spoke of yesterday, which we often have that I should like to read briefly into a difficult time in reconciling, will find the record. I wish I knew who wrote answer and solution and satisfaction if them so I could give credit. One sen- we are patient and prayerful and willing tence carried this thought: We may be to wait. Part of them are the price we faced with a lowered physical standard pay for our free agency. We pay a great of living, but we need not be faced with price for free agency in this world, but lowered standards of thinking. And it is worth the price we pay. One of the I

68 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day

cherished sentences I recall from the some permanent, worth-while goal, look utterances of the Prophet Joseph Smith a decade or two ahead, pay the price is that one which says that "an hour of they have to pay to achieve it, accept virtuous liberty on earth is worth a the interruptions as they come, and whole eternity of bondage." So long as have faith, to work, to prepare, to pray, men have their free agency, there will to keep the commandments of God, to be temporary injustices and discrepan- pursue their lives with calm, quiet pur- cies and some seemingly inexplicable pose. If they will do this they will be things, which utimately in our Father's blessed; they will find great, rich treas- own time and purpose will be reconciled ures in life, of knowledge, and of other and made right. things also; they will surmount all the There are many other things that give difficulties and discouragements of the us cause for encouragement—and I day, and all the interruptions, and all shan't take time to name them now— else, if they will continue in faith. know that President McKay is under the It is, after all, a wonderful world that pressure of time but I shall pass over to our Father has given us, in which everyone last one quickly: Encouragement to thing is possible on the basis of repent- our young people in the uncertainties ance and obedience, and on observance they face. I should like to say to them of the principles on which the blessings before I close that our Father in heaven are predicated. fail succeed, sent us here not to but to Life passes quickly. I pray that we and he has made it possible for us to may all endure to the end, and keep succeed. He knows us better than we the spirit of encouragement, many more know ourselves, and he knows the cir- reasons for which we might have men- cumstances and uncertainties we face. tioned and all of which are contem- It is his declared purpose to bring to plated in our Father's plans and pur- pass our immortality and eternal life, poses for us and are within our reach, and to give us joy, if we will, and he according to our obedience and our de- hasn't presented any impossible set of votion to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not- circumstances or any impossible plan or withstanding what environment or what purpose for us to achieve. companions or what conditions we find Despite all the uncertainties and dif- ourselves faced with. May God be with ficulties, there is a glorious and worth- us and bless us and give us the courage while future for all of these young people and the wisdom to endure to the end of ours, if they will set their sights on in faith, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

ELDER CLIFFORD E. YOUNG

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I awoke this morning and looked earth, and their words to the end of the As out over this beautiful valley, con- world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. L scious, as no doubt all of you are, of Which is as a bridegroom coming out of the hard winter that we have had, I his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man opened the Bible, and read the nine- to run a race. teenth Psalm: His going forth is from the end of the heaven, his The heavens declare the glory of God; and and circuit unto the ends of it: there is the firmament sheweth his handywork. and nothing hid from the heat Day unto day uttereth speech, and night thereof. unto night sheweth knowledge. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting There is no speech nor language, where the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, their voice is not heard. making wise the simple. Their line is gone out through all the The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoic- ELDER CLIFFORD E. YOUNG 69

ing the heart: the commandment of the •if she ever had any pleasures out of life. Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. She replied, "Yes, I have great pleasures The tear of the Lord is clean, enduring in life." And then she related this inci- the of the Lord are true for ever: judgments dent. She said, "You know in our Church and righteous altogether. our men have a special blessing known More to be desired are they than gold, yea, as the Holy Priesthood. By right of that than much fine gold: sweeter also than they are able to bless their children, and honey and the honeycomb. in the authority of that power, it Moreover by them is thy servant warned: may and in keeping of them there is great re- be to rebuke disease; and the Lord ward. hears those prayers." And then she went Who can understand his errors? cleanse on to tell of this experience on the ranch thou me from secret faults. where one of their little ones had been Keep back thy servant also from pre- ill, and how her husband had blessed it sumptuous sins; let them not have domin- by the power that the Lord had given ion over me: then shall I be upright, and him. She said, "Those are our pleas- I shall be innocent from the great transgression. ures; those are our joys." Let the words of my mouth, and the And so it is, my brethren and sisters, meditation of my heart, be acceptable in in our lives. Sometimes the shadows thy sight, Lord, strength, and O my my overwhelm us, but behind them all redeemer. (Psalm 19.) comes the sun, with its glory, as we saw today, and it radiates into our souls the As I contemplated these lines, and reality of God, the consciousness of his thought of the beauty of this day in con- great blessings, and the assurance that trast to our severe winter, I thought how he is our Father, and that we are his much it is like life. We have difficulties, children. hardships, struggles. We have the storms and the clouds, and then we have the Job the prophet taught this lesson warmth of the sunshine to gladden our forcibly. Probably no man suffered more hearts, to give us renewed hope and than he. All of his friends had deserted faith. They are all necessary — these him; he had lost his crops; he had lost changes. It is all in keeping with the his flocks and his herds; and even his providence of the Lord. He never in- own children had gone. Then when tended that we should have things easy. someone said to him that there was He intended that through sacrifice and nothing left for him to do but to curse struggle we should learn these great God and die, there came to him a con- lessons of life and be able to adjust sciousness of the reality of God. And ourselves to them. he said, one time listening to Sis- I remember Oh that my words were now written! oh ter Elsie Talmage Brandley relate an that they were printed in a book! incident that happened as she traveled That they were graven with an iron pen about for the Church. She was a mem- and lead in the rock for ever! ber of the general board of the Mutual For I know that my redeemer liveth. Improvement Association, and at one He knew notwithstanding all these time associate editor of The Improve- things, ment Era. Sister Brandley had a fine mind and a great faith. She told of her and that he shall stand at the latter day experience in Canada, how she and her upon the earth: husband living on a ranch had had sick- And though after my skin [that is, after' the of the all ness come to their home; they were too way flesh; after of these tribulations] worms destroy this body, yet far away for medical help, and there in my flesh shall I see God: was no way to summon help. She had Whom I shall see for myself, and mine related this incident to a friend who was eyes shall behold, and not another; though not in sympathy with the tenets of our my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:- faith and who had asked Sister Brandley 23-27.) 70 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day

Seeing beyond the shadows—what a tions that had come to him in the St. blessed faith it is, my brethren and sis- George Temple, he promised the people ters that we can do that, that we can that if they would be true and faithful adjust ourselves to the problems of life to their trust, the Church would be as they come. Our people have been relieved of bondage, and that promise very much concerned, especially our was verily fulfilled. agricultural people in these mountain When President Joseph F. Smith areas, during the last few weeks. Our became the President of the Church he livestock men fear that they can't made certain sound investments for get their flocks on the lambing grounds; the benefit and blessing of this Church. feed is very short. It is a disturbing And I recall that those not of our faith time. It is difficult. We have had and who had no right to criticize, went these difficulties before. Our people up and down this land, in print and have always had them. But in these otherwise, maligning the Presidency of struggles, in these economic adjust- the Church, accusing the Church of a ments we have to make from time to materialistic attitude, of not being a time, there come to us greater blessings, spiritual organization, of misleading the just as they come spiritually, and greater membership of the Church. That didn't powers come to us. The Lord seems to make any difference. The leadership have understood that as he endowed us carried on just the same, and we have and placed us here in the earth. And so seen the benefits and blessings of that there is a great ray of hope. The Lord great leadership, and today we see that declares his goodness. Everything about leadership, the spirit of it, the inspira- us proclaims his blessing, the proclaims tion of it manifest. reality of him in whose name we are And when I heard, I think the first met here. time perhaps four conferences ago, when We heard so much yesterday, so much President Clark read the report, was to inspire us about the growth of this thrilled when I heard him make the Church, its great power, and how the statement, "From non-tithes of the stakes in California are responding to Church," are the expense of administra- this great trust incident to the erection tion paid. Think of the wisdom, the of the temple. These things perhaps are inspiration of your leadership, the regarded by those not of our faith as very leadership of this Church. And so material; they think that we judge our in these things that are regarded works by the material things. That is as material, there is a great spirit- not true. They are the symbols of a ual power. There is evidence of magnificent faith in this great work. I the inspiration of the Almighty. There

don't know whether you noted it, is evidence of the Lord directing his but for the last three or four con- work, giving power and strength to the ferences, we have been told of the leadership thereof, and that is the way expenditures for the administration of it will always be, because this is God's this Church that come from non-tithing work, and it will not fail, no matter how funds. I don't know whether you know the shadows may come, how the diffi- the significance of that, but I recall as a culties may come, no matter what sacri- young man, when this Church was in fices, seeming sacrifices; in the end they debt. It had lost much of its property at are not sacrifices; they are blessings.

• one time; it had been escheated by the They are the accumulation of great pow- government; and on its restoration to the ers that come to the members of this Church, about 1896 it was, the Church Church, and they become a sustaining was heavily in debt. And then when force. President Snow came into the Presidency May God help us to appreciate these on the death of President Woodruff, things and be true to our obligations. through the inspiration and the revela- The Lord is in the heavens. Every- —

ELDER ANTOINE R. WNS 71

thing proclaims his goodness. Every- of our day of the divine mission of Jesus thing about us proclaims the divinity of Christ. God bless you. Amen. this great work in which you and I are engaged, and the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the prophetic mission of the Prophet The congregation and members of Joseph, whose name we praise, he who the Tabernacle Choir joined in singing communed with Jehovah, and talked "Now Let Us Rejoice In the Day of with God, a reality, the greatest evidence Salvation."

ELDER ANTOINE R. WINS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

beloved brethren and sisters, I why? Because the waters of that river stand before you with a good deal were beyond control. Myof timidity and trepidation. Al- Now, when we can bring water under though I have been doing this for a control, and through our faith and good many years now, I never get quite works bring it onto the arid lands, those used to the feeling. I hope that you lands become productive. But to do so, will help me with your faith and there must be a fundamental applica- prayers, that there may be in what I tion of the principle of faith. Without say something that may be helpful to it we would never make the effort. Then some of us, to give us renewed courage there must be such structures erected as and faith. My sole purpose is to be will keep the water which we bring onto of help. the lands under absolute control; When Dr. Widtsoe was talking the furthermore, to make efficient use of other day of his experiences and how it, it must have direction, wise and ade- he was called in as an expert on irriga- quate direction. tion problems, I got to thinking about When we can apply all those things it, harvest, rich harvest. the similarity there is between that and to we reap a a if process, life. I once read from a Spanish writer But at any time, during that this statement: "There are more un- we become lax and lose control, the cultivated souls in the world than hope of a season, and sometimes of the lands." future, may vanish in an hour. That is a good deal like life. The Now the purpose of irrigation, of purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ course, is to bring under cultivation of Latter-day Saints is to redeem and lands that otherwise are not so useful cultivate the souls of the people. The and not productive, and the accomplish- purpose, even, is to build up and ment of it represents some of the funda- strengthen and make better the lives of mental principles of our lives and our the people who have come already to faith. recognize the power of God, his restored To begin with, the waters that we priesthood in the earth, and become bring on to our land, when they are members of the Church, for none of us uncontrolled, may be the source of is perfect. tremendous danger and damage to us. The development of those souls is Sister Ivins I stood the of and on banks the greatest responsibility of life. There the river in Elmira, York, and New is, of course, the time when that control houses watched go by under the bridge, must be exercised by others, just as we watched the water come into the city exercise control over the life-giving ele- and fill all the basements of the town, ments we lead on to the soil. Custody and read in the newspaper of people of a soul begins when a man is born who were drowned in the flood. And a puny, powerless, helpless child. There 72 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day is, however, implanted in him by God, relationship of the two we may not a power which can develop, and if succeed. controlled, would redound to the bene- Now, faith in God then becomes the fit and blessing of mankind. It is the fundamental principle of life. The duty of the parents of that child to see great principle of the gospel is love. that its early years are properly guided But how can you love God without and its activities properly directed, that having faith in his power, and his inter- the selfish, jealous, evil things which est in you, and his ultimate direction of carnal man is subject to, may be taught the affairs of this world of ours? To out of the nature of that child, that it love him, you must have faith in him. may be taught the virtues, the higher With that faith there will come a love virtues of life, so that in its formative of God, and an effort to do his will, period it may be safeguarded from the to keep his commandments, to develop evils that surround us in such great ourselves, that we may be ultimately number. valiant and useful servants unto God in Sometimes, as fathers and mothers, developing his program in the earth. we do not realize that responsibility. Without faith, there can be no love We take children more or less as a between a man and a wife. Without matter of fact; we do not realize that faith there can be no love between a they are the sons and daughters of God, son and a father. Faith must go in and that in their care and custody, we both directions, it seems to me. But are the representatives of God, our if that faith can be developed, we will Heavenly Father. If we could sense strive to meet the full requirements of that fully, I am sure that we would be our lives; to develop ourselves to our more serious in the care and direction utmost and ultimate capacity. It re- which we give to the life of our chil- quires a struggle, constantly, to drive dren. jealousy out of our hearts; it requires a Now there comes a time, of course, constant struggle to prevent hatred from when the father and the mother may coming into our feelings and our atti- have done all that was within their tudes; it requires a constant struggle power, and they send their sons and to develop the higher facilities of the their daughters out into the world to body and the mind, but it must come struggle with its changing conditions. from faith—faith in God, faith in each Then these young people have this other as well. But in the beginning is direction within their own power; they faith in God, because from that develops have to direct their course; they have love, the fundamental principle of the to direct their efforts; Father and gospel, and from love develops the Mother are no longer in control. fidelity that should exist in all family relationships. Now in that process the principal element of success, it seems to me, is We have been told what a wonderful faith, for without faith in God we are thing it is that we can enjoy our com- not likely to seek his aid, and without panions here, with the expectation that his aid we would lack inspiration, and if our lives are proper, we will have without inspiration we may be subject that association throughout eternity, to the baser tendencies of the body. culminating in the grandest blessing of This writer says, "uncultivated souls"; the gospel of Jesus Christ. But if we and the Prophet said, "The spirit and do not have the faith that prompts us the body is the soul of man." (D. & C. to love and respect each other, to honor 88:15.) Consequently, if we are going the pledges that we make in marriage, to cultivate the soul well, we must pay we will fall far short of the realization attention to the spiritual development, of that great and wonderful privilege. and likewise to the physical develop- I have come to believe, in this great ment of the body. Without a proper struggle, that the greatest victory a ELDER ANTOINE R. WINS 73

man can make is the victory of self- moment they failed to exercise their control. It did Alexander the Great faith in God and the controls that come no good to conquer the world and die, from it. a drunken, debauched person, in early I believe, brethren and sisters, the manhood. Because he had no self- greatest need we have today is the de- control, he lost all the advantage that velopment of faith in God, and the con- he had gained by his unholy conquests. trols over ourselves which come from So I repeat, it matters not what your that faith; and if we can do so, our here in other directions, conquests are future is secure. If we can do so as in- if you fail to gain absolute self-control, dividual families, the security of our you have failed in the greatest victory children should be secure. If we can im- of life. It is the greatest battle, too, press those basic principles upon them because man, abandoned by the spirit so that they will adhere to them for the of God, we have been told already, is rest of their lives, the generation that carnal, and that carnal man is an enemy they bring into the world should be se- of God. Without that struggle, with- cure; the whole future, brothers and sis- out the Spirit of God, we are going to ters, depends upon our faith in God, and surrender ourselves to our baser and the exercise of these controls that come more ignoble tendencies. We must not through that faith, and the inspiration it, brothers and sisters. or do Man of God which we get through it. woman, we must have faith in God in Now, may we realize these things, order to serve him properly, and make brothers and sisters, and may we live this tremendous struggle that is neces- true to them, for the pledges we make in sary to overcome these baser faculties. the waters of baptism and in the temples We must never so mistreat our bodies of God are serious. There are wonderful that we surrender the controls that promises held out to us. The breaking we have gained over these propensities of these pledges is a serious thing, and to the unsettling influences of narcotics has most, what shall I say, most un- or things of that sort. We must live, wanted results, terrible, destructive re- brothers and sisters, through the faith sults in our lives. Have you ever seen we develop in God, true to all the com- persons who forget these things, lose mandments that have been given us, their standing in their communities, sink and to all of the pledges that we have to oblivion and die, unmourned? I be- made. lieve you have. Why? Simply because Now, when we lead the water out we allow ourselves to forget God, and over the soil, we may have planted a in the forgetting of him, we lose faith in crop which is the result of months and him because faith is maintained by the months of labor, and then, because in exercise of our faculties in the service an unguarded moment, we relax our of God. And when we stop exercising control and our watchfulness over it, those faculties, that faith may decrease, the whole work may be carried away. and with its decrease, our controls may And I have known men, and women, likewise decrease; we may wake up one too, who apparently have made this sad day to find that the blessings which successful struggle until well along in should have been ours are impossible years, and then either feeling secure, to us. or indifferent, I do not know which, God grant that we may understand they relax these controls; they succumb our relationship to him, that we may to temptation; and in an unguarded learn to love him, and have the faith moment, they destroy their hopes for which will guide us, and help us to the future. direct our efforts to the greatest develop- I have seen men disorganize mar- ment of ourselves and those dependent riages that should have carried over upon us, I pray in the name of Jesus into eternity because in an unguarded Christ. Amen. 74 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day ELDER ALMA SONNE

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

brethren and sisters, I come to mission which he fulfilled with such this responsibility with a prayer in credit, he later wrote: Mymy heart that the good spirit which has been present in this session and in I know now that I had a testimony, a the other sessions may continue with deep conviction of the truth, but it was us. latent, undeveloped, like a gold mine in the depths of the earth. Something had to occur Last night, as I sat in the audience at to bring it out. That something was my missionary meeting, it occurred to the mission. It bored a tunnel, sank a shaft, me that the Church as a whole, and the and brought the precious ore to the surface. members individually, have always been true to their missionary responsibility. Thousands among our brethren and It also occurred to me that those who sisters could give a similar testimony. participated in it, faithfully, have been Orson F. Whitney did not become a abundantly blessed. God has prospered professional actor. His love for the his work in the earth. And I rejoice footlights disappeared. Upon his re- with you in its success. turn from the missionary field, he be- A few years ago I talked to a business came a defender of the faith, an ex- executive who has since reached the pounder of the scriptures. He became pinnacle in his business organization. a bishop, an Apostle, a recognized orator He told me of making an application and poet, a writer of history, a law- for work years ago in this organization. maker, and a mission president. All of After a conversation with one of the his natural endowments came into full officials, he was told that, inasmuch as play. His field broadened, and his gifts he did not have a college education, and powers were exercised to build faith the place was not available to him. But in the hearts of his fellow men, and to the young man explained that he had proclaim the gospel of salvation at home been on a mission for the Latter-day and abroad. Like Abraham of old, Saint Church, and the official turned Orson F. Whitney was chosen before to him and said, "Well, I regard a mis- he was born. You and I are the bene- sion for the Mormon Church equivalent ficiaries of his stupendous work, his to a college education." That man has boundless achievements, and his richly risen to prominence, not only in his endowed life. also in the business organization, but Most of us, I dare say, have read world. Surely, those who engage in this Elder Widtsoe's little book, In The receive blessings missionary work which Gospel Net. It is the story of a great for their daily activities. qualify them conversion, for in it, Brother Widtsoe Elder Orson F. Whitney, on one oc- tells how his mother became a member casion, told about his ambition to be- of the Church. I have often thought come an actor. But his poverty stood of that humble shoemaker whom he in the way of its realization. Finally, describes and who was presenting the his mother, sympathetic with his dreams gospel to the people who came to his and desire, told him to sell some of her shop; his soul was full of love for his city lots here in Salt Lake City and use fellow men. And as a result, the entire the proceeds for his education. But no Church has been blessed. Who will esti- sale materialized. Then something hap- mate the far-reaching results of his ef- pened which revolutionized the plan forts, and who will estimate the extent and the entire life of Elder Whitney. of the contribution made by Elder John He became a missionary. His former A. Widtsoe, whose books and pamphlets, dreams vanished. Speaking of that first Church works, and expositions on agri- ELDER ALMA SONNE 75 culture, which are numerous and schol- prophetic vision. Some of his con- arly, have been and are being read temporaries marked the great west as a extensively, at home and abroad I His land of desolation, forbidding and un- powerful messages have broken down inhabitable. Daniel Webster saw only many prejudices and opened the door to a vast, worthless area, with its savages many investigators. These humble be- and wild beasts, deserts of shifting ginnings have a way of growing and sands, cacti and prairie dogs, and a expanding into mighty movements and three-thousand-mile coast line without great accomplishments. a harbor in it. I have before me the report rendered What did Joseph Smith see? He saw to the Church by President Brigham homes for a mighty people, the Latter- Young after the completion of his first day Saints, where the Saints of God mission over in England in 1840. Said would make settlements and build President Young: cities. The wisdom of God, brethren and sisters, is greater than the wisdom of We landed in the spring of 1840, as man. strangers in a strange land, and penniless, May we appreciate it, I pray, in the but through the mercy of God we have Christ. gained many friends, established churches name of Jesus Amen. in almost every noted town and city in the kingdom of Great Britain, baptized President David O. McKay: between seven and eight thousand souls, printed five thousand Books of Mormon, Will the presidencies of the temples three thousand hymnbooks, twenty-five hun- please meet in the Salt Lake Temple, dred volumes of the Millennial Star, and six fourth floor, tomorrow afternoon at thousand tracts, and emigrated to Zion one 4:30 o'clock. President Young of the thousand souls, established a permanent shipping agency, which will be a great Temple will please see that the west blessing to the Saints and have left sown door is open. in the hearts of many thousands the seed The Tabernacle Choir Chorus will of eternal truth, which will bring forth now sing, "Abide With Me," conducted fruit to the honor and glory of God, and by J. Spencer Cornwall. yet we have lacked nothing to eat, drink, We wish to commend the congrega- or wear; in all these things acknowledge the tion today and in previous sessions, for hands of God. (Millennial Star 26:7.) their orderly and reverential attitude What I have read covers one year of during our hours of worship. missionary activity by a handful of mis- The closing prayer will be offered by sionaries. I marvel at the achievement. Elder Francis W. Brown, formerly I glory in their success. Without God's president of the Central States Mission. help they could not have done it. After the prayer this conference will May I say that the Church, as we stand adjourned until seven o'clock this have it today, is a product of the mis- evening, when, in accordance with the sionary system, begun six months after practice of the Church, the general its organization. The Book of Mormon, meeting of the Priesthood of the Church the Articles of Faith, the revelations to will be held. Only those holding the the Prophet and the fundamental, priesthood are invited to be present. philosophical teachings have survived a Persons not holding the priesthood will century of relentless opposition, criti- kindly refrain from attempting to enter cism, and investigation. No changes, the building. That session will not be no apologies, no retractions have been broadcast. Overflow meetings, however, necessary. The Church is like a rock will be held in the Assembly Hall and in the storm-tossed seas, like a beaten Barratt Hall; at both places, we are in- anvil, immovable. Its foundation is formed, there will be television. firm and deep. It cannot be uprooted. The session at ten o'clock Sunday Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. morning will be broadcast over Station We are here, you and I, because of his KSL, and by arrangement through KSL 76 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day over the stations named in the first from making any disturbing noise of session of the conference. That ses- any kind. The regular session of the sion will also be televised over KSL conference will begin at 10:00 a.m. television station, channel five. The singing for today has been by The Church of the Air broadcast, on members of the Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of which Elder Marion G. Romney, of the Brother J. Spencer Corn- Council of the Twelve, will be the wall, with Alexander Schreiner at the speaker, will begin at 8:30 in the morn- organ. ing. Those desiring to attend this broad- At the conclusion of this meeting, the cast must be in their seats not later than general sessions of the conference will 8:20 a.m. The Tabernacle Choir broad- be adjourned until ten o'clock tomorrow cast will be from 9:00 to 9:30 o'clock, to- morning. morrow morning. That, too, may be seen and heard over television, channel five. Singing by the Tabernacle Choir Those desiring to attend that broadcast chorus, "Abide With Me." must be in their seats by 8:50 a.m., ten Elder Francis W. Brown, formerly minutes to nine. It is requested that the President of the Central States Mission, audience, during the broadcast refrain offered the closing prayer. GENERAL PRIESTHOOD MEETING

The General Priesthood meeting of What a mighty force! The strength the Church convened in the Tabernacle of Zion! at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 6, with The singing during this session will President David O. McKay presiding be furnished by the Tabernacle Choir

and conducting. Men's Chorus, with Elder J. Spencer The great Tabernacle was crowded Cornwall as Director, and Elder Alex- with men holding the priesthood, also ander Schreiner at the organ. the Assembly Hall to the south of the When we sing, "I will go Where You Tabernacle, and Barratt Hall (60 North Want Me to Go," it is suggested that Main), in which latter places those the congregation sing the first stanza, present listened to the services and the Male Chorus will sing the second, witnessed them by means of television. and the congregation the third. In addition, thousands of men assem- We shall open these services by the bled on the Tabernacle grounds and congregation singing, "Do What Is listened to the proceedings by means Right." of amplifiers. Elder Emile C. Dunn, formerly president of the Tongan Mission, will offer President David O. McKay: the opening prayer.

If we had been guided by the as- The congregation sang the hymn, "Do semblies in the Tabernacle, Assembly What Is Right." Hall, Barratt Hall, and the crowd on Elder Emile C. Dunn, formerly presi- the grounds, we might have opened this dent of the Tongan Mission, offered the meeting fifteen or twenty minutes ago. opening prayer. Every building is packed to capacity, The Tabernacle Choir Men's Chorus and brethren who are unable to get into sang "The Palms." any seat whatever, have taken newspapers and are sitting on the grounds. President David O. McKay: We believe we will let the loudspeaker go out there so that those who are at- Truly, the song of the righteous is a tempting to attend this meeting may prayer unto the Lord. That was in- share in the services at least. spiring. ELDER WALTER STOVER 77

May we at this time correct, or give be in the building before 8:20. Brother information which will be of interest Richard L. Evans." to all listening in, and to others whom So will you please take note of that you may contact. "President McKay: and by so doing avoid disappointment. Our first speaker tonight will be Presi- Regarding the morning's schedule (that dent Walter Stover (come forward, is, tomorrow morning), with the two Brother Stover) formerly president of broadcasts coming together, 8:30 to 9:00 the East German Mission. We believe and 9:00 to there will 9:30, be no op- President Stover has a message that will portunity to open the doors or let any- be of great interest to all who are priv- one in for one hour. So those who de- ileged to hear him tonight. President sire to attend either broadcast, should Stover. ELDER WALTER STOVER

Formerly President of the East German Mission

Ty beloved brethren, I kindly ask their meetings, and if they want to for your faith and prayers in my have a cottage meeting they have to M behalf. I assure you that I am have permission. No more than four frightened. I never have spoken to such people are privileged to gather together a great audience, and I was asked only at one time without having permission a little while ago to speak to you. from the State. But as a whole, we are For the past five years I have pre- very grateful that we have our freedom sided over the East German Mission. there. The East German Mission includes that Communism is something different part of Germany which lies behind the from democracy. Those die-hard com- "Iron Curtain." Part of that mission is munists do not believe in God, they are in the British Zone, but nine-tenths of absolutely atheists. They call us stupid the mission lies behind the "Iron Cur- and ignorant. They cannot understand tain." We have there more than 8,000 that in this enlightened age there are of our faithful members and more than people in the world who believe fifty-five branches. in God and in Jesus Christ. Their Life behind the "Iron Curtain" is dif- Savior is Josef Stalin. They look to ferent from what it is here in our goodly Moscow for their salvation. land. They do not have private enter- I hesitate to speak as I do, but I sup- prise like we have here. Everything is pose you ought to know what is going nationalized. Everything is taken over on behind the "Iron Curtain." People by the State; barber shops, even doctors, do not have their freedom like we have. industries and also farms, are taken They are not privileged to strike, they over by the State and managed by the just have to obey and work. They cannot State. And people work for the State choose, to any great extent, their em- and do not have freedom such as we ployment. They are told where to have here. work, and for what wages to work. I am one of the very few American Their wages are very small compared citizens who have had the privilege of with ours, and if they worked all the traveling in the Russian Zone. I have days of their lives, they could not ac- been there more than fifteen times, and cumulate anything. have visited practically every branch and So, my brethren, you see that we live district of our Church there. I am in a very wonderful land, the land of happy to report that our faithful Saints promise. As an immigrant and a convert are privileged to hold their meetings. to this Church, I am grateful, very Of course, they have to have permission grateful, that I am privileged to live from the State each time they hold here in this goodly land, in the valleys 78 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day of the mountains. How different condi- I stayed in his home one night. tions are over there as compared with It was still dark when I went away in what we have here. We have our the early morning; the following day wonderful homes, we have our wonder- he was arrested for "harboring an ful furniture, washing machines, re- American spy." frigerators, automobiles, good employ- Now my brethren, this poor man was ment. They do not have those things in jail for over eleven weeks on a phony over there. I do not like to speak too charge, and I wrote a letter to the severely but I suppose they are slaves. authorities and told them that I gladly I believe that the Children of Israel would come and take his place, to let who were in bondage in Egypt felt more this good man go. His family had to secure, and happier, than those freedom- suffer a great deal during that time, loving people who are behind the "Iron and his wife, who had two little chil- Curtain." dren, went to the authorities, and said, Germany, especially East Germany, "You have taken my husband, what has suffered a lot. Many provinces have shall I do? I need milk for the babies." been taken away: East Prussia, West They promptly told her that they would Prussia, Pomerania, and other provinces, take care of the babies, and raise them, and millions of people had to flee before and make good communists of them, the invading armies. These refugees and she could work and make a living are now in parts of Germany, where herself, work for the State, have equal they live two or three families in one rights with the men. Their equal rights, small apartment. They have to get my brethren, mean that the woman can along with one another, and they, of work just as hard as the man, take her course, would be very happy if they place in the mines, the ore mines and could come to this goodly land, but the coal mines. That is the equal right they cannot. They have to stay there, women have. and live there, and do what they are Oh, how wonderful it feels to be an told. They are not privileged to speak American citizen, to live here in this their minds, my brethren. They are goodly land, where we can speak our watched. They are not even privileged minds, where we can worship Almighty to speak freely in their own families for God according to the dictates of our fear their children will hear what own conscience. We do not need per- they say, and school teachers are trained mission to gather in this great Taber- to find out from the children in the nacle. school what attitude their family has. The German people are very wonder- And how often a loved one from the ful people. Out of that nation great family is taken away, and without trial, men have come: Karl G. Maeser, was placed in a concentration camp. Many a wonderful man. I visited his home of them die there, and never return to town, Meisen, Germany, near the great their loved ones. And very, very often city of Dresden, and there the Germans the loved ones are not even notified. honor and revere this great man. Meisen I am so happy that our Church is not is the city where the famous Meisen persecuted to any great extent. Of porcelain is made and this world-re- course, they do not like any religion, nowned factory has been, taken over they hate all religions, and "Jehovah's now by the Russians. This wonderful Witnesses" and other religious people porcelain is made to send to Russia, are put in jail. A few of our people and all the factories work for the build- have been put in jail, but not many. ing up of the great war machine. I am I want to tell you of one experience sorry to say, the people do not have a branch president had. I stayed in so much to eat as they would like to his home one night. I went there have. They feed them but very little, by permission of the Russian Military but from early in the morning until Government to travel in the Zone, and late at night, my brethren, they feed ELDER WALTER STOVER 79

them propaganda. They tell them of was there and saw the sufferings of the the American capitalist and that the people I said to myself, "whenever you only way of life is the true way of com- return, you will never complain, not munism. And they sugarcoat every- even about the taxes." thing so beautifully that some of them My brethren, when you work from begin to believe, not the older ones, early in the morning until late at night but the younger ones. for the State, and you are fed propa- When Christmas time comes, they ganda, you can understand how good are not allowed to have a Christmas tree it feels even to pay the taxes here and or a Christmas program in their schools. be a free man. Of course, I have com- They tell them that their Savior is plained a little since I returned; that Joseph Stalin, they should look to him is the weakness in me. for their salvation. May the Lord bless you, good breth- brethren, the time goes fast. I My ren, and may he bless our nation, and bear you my testimony that I am those who administer the affairs of our so grateful that I am privileged to great nation, that we may live accord- live here. Many, many years ago two ing to the plan of our Heavenly Father humble missionaries came to the town and keep his commandments, that we where I lived, and in very broken lan- may preserve freedom and liberty. guage brought to me the Gospel of Jesus I have been in Washington and Christ. When I accepted it people told Mount Vernon many times, I like to me that I was stupid, a religious fanatic go there and see the house where the When I came to America, I was even father of our great nation, and his won- more crazy, they told me. But I want derful wife Martha lived. I have read to tell you, good brethren, it feels won- of Lincoln, the great man, and I love derful to be a Latter-day Saint, it feels these great people. They gave to us a wonderful to have a testimony, it feels wonderful country, and we have the wonderful to enjoy the spirit of the blessings of it. We want to preserve it Lord. And I am so grateful. I know and live so our Heavenly Father can that God lives, that he hears and an- bless us. swers prayers. When our thoughts go heavenward, they are near the throne I bear this testimony humbly and in of God, and; we thank him for the the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. blessings which he has bestowed upon Amen. us, and we ask him for forgiveness of our failings and shortcomings, and we President David O. McKay: meditate and converse with him. How beautiful it is, my brethren. We are Brethren, some of our city officials fed the bread of life and we walk with are uneasy about us tonight. They real- him and talk with him, and we feel his ize how these aisles are filled, and all nearness, something wonderful. the steps occupied. The chief of the My brethren, the gospel is the gospel Fire Department would appreciate it of life and of salvation, and if we are very much, if we will at least make an true and faithful we will have peace of effort, to conform to the city ordinance. mind, joy and happiness in our hearts, Now, let us do it. If you brethren who and we will truly love our neighbor. are sitting would crowd up a little more, I could talk to you at great length even if you are uncomfortable, and let about the East German Mission, about the brethren who are in the aisles each the life there, but I have said enough. take one seat along on both sides, I Be grateful that you live in this goodly believe we can conform to this request. land. It is a choice land, choice above Thank you. all other lands in the world. Our next speaker will be President J. I bear you this witness, because I Reuben Clark, Jr., of the First Presidency know, and I am very grateful. When I of the Church. 80 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

brethren, this is a humbling ex- Last night I voiced the thought that perience. I pray the Lord to bless I feel is sound. I can think of this Myme for the few minutes that I Church as having three great functions. stand before you, that I may be able The first function is to maintain and to say something that will be helpful build up the body of the Church as we and encouraging. exist, those who already belong to it. Thirty years ago, from this pulpit, in The second function is to warn the world a public meeting, I voiced a warning and to teach the truth to those who wish against what we then knew as Bol- it. And the third function is to do the shevism and Socialism, and what we work for the dead. now know as Communism. I thought We cannot successfully carry on the I saw it coming, and it came. No one latter two without having a strong cen- can listen to what we have heard to- tral Church, and to build a strong night, without joining in the feeling that central Church requires unity, real unity, President Stover expressed, thank God not verbal, make-believe unity. for this country and for our citizenship. We need unity in administration, And there is nothing that we should from the deacons' quorum, up. We do not do to preserve this country, and not want deacons' quorums going off on its liberties, and its free institutions. their own and handling the meetings Brother Stover is not telling us fairy as they wish; the members going when tales. He knows what happens over they wish, and coming when they wish, there, and he has told it in language that and talking about what they wish. That we can all understand. A system destruc- is not the way to build a deacons' quo- tive of the great principle which lies rum. behind our great plan, that utterly wipes You bishops of the wards, you do not it out and makes it as if it did not ex- want your auxiliary organizations carry- ist, the great principle of free agency. ing on, each one by itself, without any Brethren, I do not suppose that any of regulation or any control. You presidents you have had communistic leanings. I of stakes do not want your wards carry- suppose that all of you love your coun- ing on in that way. And I can assure try, love the Constitution, love the free you that the presiding authorities of the institutions under which we live, love Church cannot do their work unless our freedoms. But if there be any, may I they have unity among the stakes. ask you, prayerfully and humbly, think Do not, brethren, get the idea in your this thing over, because if it comes here minds, that you have a very unique it will probably come in its full vigor situation in your own place. We hear and there will be a lot of vacant places that frequently. But when we analyze among those who guide and direct, not it down, we do not find the uniqueness only this government, but also this that sometimes you feel you have. Church of ours. Be a unit. Follow your file leaders. Brethren, I urge you, think this thing Do what you are asked to do, and do it over in the light of the facts. And I know willingly and do it with a determination that Brother Stover has not told us to- to make it a success. night, a tithe of what he could tell. You need this unity, brethren, if we That brings me rather naturally to my are going to build this Church and if favorite theme before you brethren. "If we are going to fulfil the mission which you are not one, you are not mine." the Lord has given to us. Now, that should mean, and must mean, And you need unity in doctrine. I if we are to preserve our freedoms and incorporate by reference these two fine our liberties, that we shall be one. sermons we have heard today, one from I

PRESIDENT ]. REUBEN CLARK, ]R. 81

Brother Stapley and one from Brother When I say a unity of faith, I am dis- Bowen. I endorse all that each of them tinguishing between what we ordinarily said. The principles of this gospel are term as unity of faith, which is a unity clear and reasonably few, that we need of doctrine, and a unity of the exercise to act upon. And there is only one man of faith. What I mean is illustrated by on earth who has the final word as to what happened at Jericho, when they what is the true doctrine of this Church, marched around the city and the walls and that is President David O. McKay, fell. What I am thinking about is a today. When there comes a time to statement in the scriptures, that if you change the doctrines of the Church, he have faith as a grain of mustard seed will let you know. you can say to yonder mountain, re- Read your books. There is a startling move ye hence, and it will be removed. parallel between the course that is com- And that great crusade under Peter the ing in to us today and the course that Hermit, made up in good part, of the was in the early Church, so startling ragtail and bobtail of the whole western that one becomes fearful. We have these Christian Church, who were promised little groups going off on their own, an indulgence if they went on that cru- doing their own interpreting of the scrip- sade and the forgiveness of all the sins tures, more or less laying down their they had committed in the past, and all own principles. They are small now, of that they might commit in the future— no particular consequence, but that is am not talking extravagantly, I am tell- the way it began in the early Christian ing you what that indulgence really Church, and these little snowballs grew was—when the crusaders got to Jerusalem and grew and grew until they became the clergy that were with them tried to great. imitate the great miracle at Jericho and "Scholasticism" took its root among so they marched round Jerusalem, but those early peoples. There were a num- the walls did not fall. Finally they took ber of "schoolmen," they were called, the place by storm, and one account says who undertook to define the doctrines that the narrow streets leading up to the of the early Church, then developing temple mount flowed in the blood of into the great Catholic Church—Bede, victims up to the horses knees. These Alcuin, Damiani, Scotus, and others, crusaders, apparently dedicated to the Thomas Aquinas—they began the de- redemption of the Holy Land from the velopment, these individuals, of great pagans, took babes and dashed their heresies that took hold of the imagina- brains out against the wall, took them by tions of the people and finally were the legs and threw them over the wall, adopted by the Church. shut them up in houses and went in and Now, of course, the Church in those slaughtered them, piled up the rem- days was not organized as we are. The nants in great piles. bishops were independent, one from the I assume if he told all he knew, other. They had no real, there was no Brother Stover might almost equal that. real central control. The pope exercised Now, brethren, we must have unity in some, but it was very ineffective and in- faith. Let us practise the unity, breth- efficient. Some popes ruled some of ren, before it is too late. We well may these heresies wrong as heresies, then be the leaven that shall leaven the later other popes came along and ruled lump. We well may be the few that will them as truths. We must be united in save this country, even as the Lord told doctrine, we must follow the scriptures. Abraham he would save Sodom and Do not try to wander off too much, Gomorrah if he could find ten righteous brethren, I beg of you, into the mysteries. persons. I appeal to you, brethren, in Do not write in to the First Presidency all earnestness, in all kindliness, that and ask them to solve every mystery we become united, united in following that you can think of, either. the directions of those who preside over Then there must be a unity of faith. you in the matter of administration; 82 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April S Second Day united in the matter of doctrines, that our loyalty, and our devotion, in order we do not permit ourselves to be led that he may carry forward the great astray, that we study the scriptures and responsibility which rests upon him, and that we hold fast to the few, simple and I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus elemental principles of the gospel, which Christ. Amen. are all-sufficient to gain us our salvation. President David O. McKay: I urge unity in the matter of faith, let

us have faith, let us exercise it, let us There is a suggestion that at this fit ourselves that we can exercise it, if, moment this tremendous body of priest- when, and as the time comes. hood be permitted to hear the mighty May the Lord bless all of us, give us voice and testimony of the organ. We his inspiration. I bear my testimony will ask Brother Schreiner to favor us that Jesus was the Christ, that Joseph with a selection that will answer that was a Prophet, that those who have request. followed him since then, including President McKay, are his prophets. Let us all give them our support, Organ selection, "O My Father," by let us give President McKay our support, Alexander Schreiner.

PRESIDENT STEI EN L RICHARDS

First Counselor in xe First Presidency

1am sure all were deeply impressed by the future that I am sure many were Brother Stover's report and by Presi- taken out of despondency and elevated dent Clark's comment thereon. to hope and encouragement. And I take If I were not afraid of embarrassing the liberty of paying tribute to him to- Brother Stover, I would like to tell you night for that which he did for those something of what he did, this generous- distressed people. hearted man, over among those poor and It would be well if we could all be discouraged people, to bring them some- aroused by circumstances brought to our thing more of hope for the future. I attention into a state of alertness to the happened to be there during his ad- dangers and the situations confronting ministration. I became very much aware us. I believe, my brethren, that it is well of the sinister influences which he has for every one of us to consider that he described. I remember riding through has a definite personal responsibility to Berlin from the Western Zone into the do his full duty in the Church, in the Communistic Eastern Zone, and it was government to which we belong, in or- just as if you had passed over into a der to forestall some of these calamities forbidden territory. The ominous feel- that look to be in the offing. ing, the depression, the looks on the Now I see certain prospects ahead faces of the people, the ragged and hope- that may not be too fortuitous. I wish less condition, was a sight most for- I could say a word that would save a bidding to behold. Brother Stover man from bankruptcy. Years ago I used stepped into that situation, and out of to practice law. I have taken men the generosity of his big heart, he through bankruptcy. I have seen some reached in his pocket and helped many of the tragedy oi it. I have had doctors a poor person; and in addition thereto, tell me that men have died for causes he provided them with facilities through no other than financial worries occa- which they were able to gather, to re- sioned by reverses; and to a redblooded sume their activities in the Church, and man, who has pride in his good name, he held out to them such a prospect for few things are more disastrous to him PRESIDENT STEPHEN L RICHARDS 83 than to fall into a condition where he realized on the good prospects that they cannot pay his creditors and keep his thought they had, and* many were name good. embarrassed,—hundreds were embar- We do not know just what the future rassed, and some men who had been in will hold for us. We learn that there is good standing before were financially great income for the people, the largest, wiped out. And the books of some of I suppose, that it has ever been in his- these banks today bear record of these tory, figured at least in terms of our in- old obligations. flated currency; and we learn that debts I believe we will do well to bear these have assumed gigantic proportions. I items in mind, and within our own have said in your presence before that power do all that we can to get our- there is only one thing that I know of selves into as safe a position as it is for which this inflated dollar will buy possible for us to do. I recognize the fact 100% worth of its par value, and that that sometimes it is deemed necessary is in paying debts. There is no discount and desirable to undertake some obliga- when it comes to paying debts with this tions in order to get a home for our inflated dollar, and I am persuaded, my families, perhaps in order to get some brethren, that all will do well, if any kind of a business in which, we can work, is in a position where his debts may but there is a difference between get- come to embarrass him, to see that they ting that which is absolutely necessary are reduced and liquidated, so that he for the support of ourselves and our may be saved the hard circumstances families, and extending and extending that may come to him when it will be trying in an acquisitive spirit to get so more difficult to pay. much that we hazard our financial se- We might have a deflated currency curity. sometime. Well, if we have a deflated The good counsel that has come from currency, and the dollar reverts to 100% the Church all these years is pertinent purchasing power, you will pay that today, and I believe that those who good solid dollar to discharge debts in- study the situations most carefully curred under inflated dollars, and it may would sanction that kind of counsel. be a hard thing to do. You farmers will You older men have been through some realize it may take two bushels of grain, of the experiences of the past. You know instead of one, to liquidate the obli- that calamity can come almost over- gations. Now, I have never seen a man night. It has done so in the past, and go broke who was not in debt. Have so a measure of preparedness is wise you? So I think that the caution is to be counsel to you. careful of our indebtedness. I trust too that those of you who are Really, the great portion of our in- perplexed to know what to do will seek debtedness that is hazardous to us arises good solid counsel. I never feel it em- from overextension. Way back in the barrassing to ask counsel from men who days of the depression when many banks have had experience and men who are were closed, I was sent on a financial supposed to know. It is far less embar- mission. I visited the banks of southern rassing to expose your hazards to them Utah, most of them, and some of the than it is to endure some of the disas- banks of Idaho and I talked with the trous results which may come to you. cashiers and other operating executives. It is a good thing to seek counsel. You Some of them were good enough to Bishops, when you are asked for coun- bring out their portfolios, and in nearly sel, I think that you may be endowed all instances that I was able to observe, with the spirit of wisdom, if you live I discovered that embarrassment came to for it, and give superior men because of overextension of credit. you can counsel They thought that they could make to your own native acumen and wisdom some more money by incurring more to these people who ask you; and it debt, and the bottom fell out before they would be well for our brethren to seek 84 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day counsel in the control and management I often look back to President Grant of their affairs. who was so generous in his giving. In relation to these financial matters Many of you have heard him tell how I just want to say a further word on he was always pleased to head a sub- tithing. Our brethren who visit the stakes scription list to build a home for a wid- frequently report as to the tithing con- ow, to look out for orphans and for ditions which they find among the offi- others, and to share that which the cers of the stake. I think, my brethren Lord brought him with others. I think of the bishoprics and of the presiden- that he set before us an example that cies of stakes, and the high councils, and we should never forget, and those who the presidencies of quorums, that the are blessed with great means should be best way in the world to teach tithing generous with their means. is to practice it. I have said in your Right now we are having something presence before that tithing does not of a dearth of missionaries, and we have mean one-fiftieth, nor one-thirtieth, nor recently had requests from some of the one-twentieth. Tithing means one-tenth. missions, particularly foreign missions, I have sometimes wondered what a part asking if we could not in some way get tithing means. I have never seen any a little money to assist in the support of definition of it, but I know what a seme of their local missionaries. The tithing means. So far as I know, there very mission which Brother Stover rep- is only one tithing, and that is one- resented has just recently sent word that tenth. So I believe that you brethren there are a number of young Germans in authority could bring a lot of happi- over ihere who could do some work as ness to men and women throughout the local missionaries from the Church if Church if you yourselves would fully they had a little assistance. I do not comply with this law that the Lord know that we should make a public has given to us. appeal here for funds, but if there are

I lay stress upon not merely the fin- those blessed with means who would like ancial aspects of it, although they are to make some contribution to our essential, but to the growth of spiritu- great missionary cause, they can do so ality that it brings to the man who con- by arranging with our office so that forms to this great law. I believe it is some means can go to the assistance of one of the greatest laws that the Lord some of those who can help in this work. ever gave to us, because he well knew And I am sure that they would be blessed that something more than lip service and feel happy within themselves if was necessary in order to develop a great they were able to undertake some such love and regard for him and his work. support for these missionaries. He knew that the man who would reach Now, my brethren, President Clark down into his pocket and get that which says it is a subduing and humbling ex- represented his muscle, his energy, his perience to stand in the presence of this brain power, that that man, when he magnificent congregation of the priest- gave the proceeds of his work, would hood. There is a strength represented give of himself; and he knew that when here tonight which, if fully employed, that man gave of himself to the work would have within itself the power to that he would engender within himself advance this great cause with which we a love and a sacred regard for God and have the honor to be identified beyond his mighty cause. I know of no one even the finite concept of those who thing out of which more spiritual wish it well. If the whole priesthood growth arises than out of the faithful throughout the Church would live up payment of tithes. So I ask you to con- to the obligations and opportunities sider what you can do for yourself, what coming to them to magnify this glorious you can do for others by complying calling, we would see advancement that fully with this sacred law that the Lord would bring us gratification indeed. has given to us. I pray that every man who bears this PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 85

holy priesthood will prize it, and ac- endowment that the Lord in his mercy count it as the chief blessing of his life, has brought to me and to you. and use it for the blessing of his family May the Lord's blessings abide with and his fellows. Thank the Lord for you, I humbly pray, in the name of this holy power. I know that it is gen- Jesus Christ. Amen. uine. I know that it is not a mere con- coction of men, as Brother Bowen spoke of today. I know that it was divinely The Tabernacle Choir Men's chorus given, and I pray to the Lord that I and the congregation sang the hymn, for one may be worthy of this high "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go."

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

Is nearly as can be estimated or o'clock in the afternoon a mighty shout j\ counted, there are in the Tabernacle went up. They had found the boy. Xi tonight 9,486 members of the Priest- Brethren, a few years ago you re- hood, on the grounds, 3,848, in the As- ceived a letter, you bishops, stating that sembly Hall, 2,285, in the Barratt Hall, a committee had been appointed by the 1,150, making a total in attendance at Council of the Twelve, to look after this Priesthood Meeting on this April some of our girls who had wandered night, of 16,769. into the "Badlands" of the city. They To stand in your midst, to partake of did not intend to get caught in the what I feel is the spirit of unity, stirs meshes of sin, but they had wandered one's soul with emotion, and 16,769 men from home, and the protecting influence have said tonight, "I will go where you of home surroundings. You were asked want me to go, dear Lord, over moun- if you would not kindly send the names tain or plain or sea. I will say what and the addresses of those girls who you want me to say, dear Lord, I will be came away from your town, to this com- what you want me to be." Another line, mittee, just so that members of this impressibly sung by this Chorus, is this: committee could see that they became "There may be somewhere in the paths associated with some ward, with some of sin, some wanderer whom I should young people here of good reputation, seek." and in some cases, in all cases if pos- A few years ago there appeared in one sible, could find suitable employment. of our magazines, the story of a little Later, you were asked from this pul- lad that wandered from his mother's pit if you would not please give closer lap in the Badlands of the Dakotas and attention to that phase of salvation of was lost. As night came on the mother our youth. Only a few, comparatively was distracted and the neighbors speaking, have responded to that call. alarmed. The next morning, on the Well, if they were lost, and faced phys- public square of the town near there, ical death, you would not hesitate, the the sheriff met a group of farmers, whole town would not hesitate to go teachers, office men, citizens of all ranks. out and rescue the lost girl or the lost He organized them for a systematic boy. I want to tell you, from direct search. Before they started out he said, reports from our police officers who co- "Little Ronald," (I have forgotten his operate, in several instances some of name, it is years since I have thought of these fine girls have suffered things it) "is somewhere out in those Badlands. worse than death. We must organize and search every Now we ask you tonight, once again, bush, every crevasse, every water hole. please to send the names of those girls We must not come back without that who legitimately, who unknowing what little boy. Pray God that we are not awaits them, some of them, leave their yet too late." They started out that home and come to Salt Lake or Ogden Thursday morning, and at about three or Provo, or some center, seeking em- 86 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day ployment, seeking to better themselves. he is a true, conscientious servant of the Please cooperate with this committee, Lord. With his able assistance, careful or enable this committee to cooperate attention is being given to each case, with you, so that these choice young but he has been shocked, as I have been, people may not be ensnared by vicious with what some of these applications men who lie in wait, not only to de- disclose. ceive, but to ruin. I am going to venture to enter into Now, be careful, if the parents are home life. I would rather enter into it sending them in, that you do not offend as it should be, rather than what it those parents, that is not necessary. This sometimes is. But we find that the fol- is merely a means of cooperating with lowing conditions seem to be contribu-- parents in helping young people to tive to the separation of husband and start out from home to better their con- wife, and the breaking up of the home: ditions. Brother Spencer W. Kimball Unfaithfulness on the part of either or and Brother Mark E. Petersen constitute both, (do you know what that means, that committee, and you may correspond those of you who have been through with them at any time. the temple?) — drunkenness, physical Now this, of course, should be the last violence; in some cases imprisonment time that we should make an earnest has brought disgrace to the family; the appeal for your cooperation. union of an innocent girl to a repro- There is another matter to which I bate; some cases disclosed sordid, li- wish to refer. It is not very savory, centious, brutal actions of covetous men. but it is a condition that is giving us I know you think those are harsh words, great concern, and that is the increas- but you can read in some of these appli- ing number of divorces among Latter- cations reports of treatment that has day Saints, whereas here in the United wrung women's hearts with anguish. States it is just a common thing. But I know that the woman is to blame brethren, we know what marriage is, in some cases, and particularly young what it should be, how sacred the mar- women who married young boys in a riage bond is; we know what it means hurry when the first World War broke to live a chaste life by men, as well as out. — I know that, but we are speaking by women. Chastity is a standard of the to men tonight, and let us, as men, take Church; and it worries us deeply to see the blame. the large accumulation of applications May I now, suggest that we unite for for cancellations of the sealing ordi- just a few minutes as bishops, presidents nance. Indeed, they have become so of stakes, as fathers, and as young men numerous that we have had to appeal in prospective marriage, to consider for help. As you know, there is but one some things that will avoid the breaking who can cancel that, and if all his time up of the family, that will avoid this were taken, that is, if he had to scruti- breaking of women's hearts, this turn- nize every application as it should be, ing out of children from what should all his time would be taken for that one be loving homes, or throwing them en- responsibility. tirely upon the responsibility of moth- I wish here to acknowledge in your ers. Let us instruct young people who presence the able assistance of Elder come to us, first, young men throughout Albert E. Bowen of the Council of the the Church, to know that a woman Twelve. He has been called because should be queen of her own body. The we believe that every case deserves very marriage covenant does not give the careful and prayerful consideration. man the right to enslave her, or to abuse Brother Bowen is a man, as you know, her, or to use her merely for the gratifi- of clear mind, sound judgment; he is cation of his passion. Your marriage an experienced jurist, he has had years ceremony does not give you that right. of experience in dealing with cases such Second, let them remember that as are coming before us, and best of all, gentleness and consideration after the —

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 87

ceremony is just as appropriate and continually, and every moment, see necessary and beautiful as gentleness clearly into each other's bosom. Even and consideration before the wedding. when one of you has committed a fault, Third, let us realize that manhood is wait not an instant, but confess it. not undermined by the practicing of And as you keep nothing from each continence, notwithstanding what some other, so, on the contrary, preserve the psychiatrists claim. Chastity is the privacies of your house, marriage state, crown of beautiful womanhood, and and heart, from father, mother, brother, self-control is the source of true man- sister, aunt, and from all the world. hood, if you will know it, not indul- You two, with God's help, build your gence. Sexual indulgence whets the own quiet world. Every third or fourth passion, and creates morbid desire. one you draw into it with you will form Let us teach our young men to enter a party, and stand between you two. into matrimony with the idea that each That should never be. Promise this to will be just as courteous, and considerate each other. Remember the vow at each of a wife after the ceremony as during temptation. You will find your account courtship. in it. Your souls will grow, as it were, And we have the ideal in this Church, to each other, and at last will become I hope, today as ever, that a young man as one. Ah, if many a pair had, on their keep himself clean and pure during his marriage-day, known the secret, how courtship days, so that he can kneel at many a marriage were happier than, the altar and give just the same purity alas, they are!" of life to that sweet girl as he exacts I regard it as an incontrovertible fact from her. I submit to you seventeen that in no marriage circle can true thousand men, that that is a glorious peace, love, purity, chastity, and happi- ideal. I know the world thinks we can ness be found, in which is not present not live it, but you and I know that we the spirit of Christ, and the daily, hour- can and do so live. ly striving after loving obedience to his Fourth, minimize the faults, com- divine commands, and especially, the mend virtues. After the first thrill of nightly prayer expressing gratitude for the honeymoon is worn off, couples blessings received. begin to see frailties, idiosyncrasies God help us to build homes in which which they had not noticed before. Re- the spirit of heaven on earth may be sponsibilities of motherhood come to experienced. You and I know that that the woman. Difficulties in paying debts is possible, it is not a dream, it is not come. And so we become prone to find a theory. We may have that sweet com- fault. Let us learn to control ourselves panionship between husband and wife in that respect. which grows dearer and dearer as the I do not know who wrote this, but it troubles of life come on. We can have is good advice: "In the first solitary homes in which children will never hour after the ceremony, take the bride- hear father and mother wrangle or groom and demand a solemn vow of him quarrel. God help us as men of the (this is to the girl) and give a vow in Priesthood, to build such homes, and return, promise each other sacredly to teach our young men and young never, not even in jest, to wrangle with women who are anticipating home life, each other, never to bandy words, or to cherish such an ideal, I humbly pray indulge in the least ill-humor. Never in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I say, never 1 Wrangling in jest, putting President David O. McKay: on an air of ill-humor, merely to tease, becomes earnest by practice. Mark that! The Tabernacle Choir Men's Chorus Next, promise each other, sincerely and will now sing, "Thou Art Repose," after solemnly, never to keep a secret from which Elder Joel Richards, formerly each other, under whatever pretext, and President of the Northwestern States whatever excuse it might be. You must Mission, will offer the closing prayer. 88 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, April 5 Second Day

I would like to say that we appreciate Selection by the Tabernacle Choir the kindness of President A. Ray Olpin men's chorus, "Thou Art Repose." of the University of Utah in postponing The closing prayer was offered by his great basketball game tonight until Elder Joel Richards, formerly president after this meeting. of the Northwestern States Mission. THIRD DAY CHURCH OF THE AIR

The Church of the Air broadcast was Council of the Twelve Apostles of the presented Sunday morning, April 6, Church. Music is provided by the from 8:30 to 9:00 over radio station Tabernacle Choir under the direction

KSL and the Columbia Broadcasting of J. Spencer Cornwall. Frank Asper System, with Elder Marion G. Romney is at the organ. as the speaker. The following is a re- The Choir opens with the words of port of this service: Isaac Watts, "O God, our help in The Tabernacle Choir, under the ages past, our hope for years to come, leadership of Spencer Cornwall, fur- J. our shelter from the stormy blast, and nished the music. Frank W. Asper was our eternal home." at the organ. Richard L. Evans was The Choir sang God, Our Help in the announcer. "O Ages Past" Arranged Mueller. (Organ and humming Choir: "Sweet — by is the Work.") Announcer: We shall now hear on Announcer: The Church of the Air this Church of the Air service, Marion is presented by the CBS Radio Network G. Romney of the Council of the so that men of different faiths may Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus speak to a nationwide congregation. Christ of Latter-day Saints, frequently Today's program, presented in con- referred to as the Mormon Church. junction with the Annual General Con- Elder Romney was a lawyer by pro- ference of the Church of Jesus Christ fession before he came to his present of Latter-day Saints comes to you from Church position. He is also assistant the Mormon Tabernacle on Temple managing director of the Church Wel- Square, through the facilities of Sta- fare Program. He has titled today's tion KSL in Salt Lake City. The speaker talk with a meaningful American motto: will be Marion G. Romney of the "In God We Trust."

ELDER MARION G. ROMNEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Icome to you this morning represent- to Eurasians, He decreed that it should ing a people for whom the inscription be discovered only under His guidance on our national coin, "In God We and promised its inhabitants from that Trust"—has real significance. For we time henceforth and forever that they know that an effective relationship per- should "... be free from bondage, and sists between God and this land and from captivity, and from all other na- its people. tions under heaven," (Ether 2:12) if they Centuries ago the Lord designated would serve him. On the other hand, America a goodly land, choice above he warned that if they would not all others, to be reserved for a right- serve him, "they should be brought eous people. While it was yet unknown down into captivity, and also into de- ELDER MARK J G. ROMNEY 89 struction both temporally and spirit- nation's blessings, including victory in ually." the Revolution and "opportunity to es- Preceding the advent of Columbus, tablish a form of government for" our two mighty peoples dwelling upon this "safety and happiness." land prospered in obeying God's com- Perhaps no American, save the proph- mands and, rebelling against them, ets only, has put such implicit trust sank into oblivion. Their records are in God as did the Great Emancipator. eloquent proof of the certainty in God's Out of his personal experiences he warning and promise. testified he was as certain that God acts The builders of modern America, directly upon human affairs as he was though without knowledge of the divine of a fact apparent to the senses, such as decree, have been aware of God stand- that he was in the room where he was ing within "the shadow keeping watch then speaking. He said: upon his own." I have had so many evidences of his Columbus, not knowing it had been direction, so many instances when I have given, yet witnessed to the truth of the been controlled by some other power than declaration that the discoverers of my own will, that I cannot doubt that this America should be led by divine inspira- power comes from above. I frequently see tion. "God gave me the faith and after- my way clear to a decision when I am wards the courage so that I was quite conscious that I have not sufficient facts willing to undertake the journey," he upon which to found it. But I cannot recall one instance in which I have followed said to his son, and in his will he wrote: my own judgment, founded upon such a decision, where the results were unsatis- In the name of the most holy trinity, factory; whereas, in almost every instance who inspired me with the idea and after- where I have yielded to the views of others wards made it perfectly clear to me that I have had occasion to regret it. (Abraham I could navigate and go to the Indies from Lincoln— God, Wesley Hill, Spain, by traversing the ocean westward. Man of John 124.) The early settlers of the Atlantic A marked diminution of our trust in seaboard testified that they were led God has taken place in America since and sustained by the power of God. The the days of Lincoln, the effect of which colonists, rejected the tyranny of King is everywhere apparent. We and our George, appealed "to the Supreme Judge beloved country are today at the cross- of the world for the rectitude of" their roads in our efforts to maintain our intentions and, "with a firm reliance glorious American heritage of political, on the protection of Divine Providence" temporal, and spiritual freedom, won struck for freedom. and bequeathed to us by the fathers At a critical point Franklin thus who had inscribed in their hearts, as addressed the constitutional conven- well as on their money, "In God We tion, Trust." In every hamlet of our land

We have been assured, sir, in the sacred arises a plaintive cry for a return to writings, that "Except the Lord build the that trust in God by which the fathers house, they labour in vain that build it." built our nation. I believe we are ap- I firmly believe this; and I also believe proaching almost an unanimity in our that, without his concurring aid, we shall feeling that the great and imperative in this succeed political building no better need of this hour of decision for Amer- than the builders of Babel. (Documentary ica is to vitalize our trust in God. History of the Constitution of the United States, Vol. Ill, pp. 235-237.) I believe we can do it. I know we can do it if we are but willing to pay the In his 1789 Thanksgiving Proclama- price. Possessing a sure knowledge of tion, Washington made seven separate the truth of what I say, I point out two references to the Almighty, whom he prerequisites to the realization of this, acknowledged as the source of all the our great need: First, we must in hu- 90 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

mility seek the God in whom we trust sweet comfort crept into my soul. The in earnest prayer; second, we must feeling came that God had taken the dedicate ourselves to the keeping of whole business into his . hands, and his commandments. that things would go right at Gettysburg, and that is why I had no fears about "Seek ye the Lord while he may be you. (Hill, op. cit., 339-340.) found, call ye upon him while he is near," counseled Isaiah. (Isa. 55:6.) If we would vitalize our trust in God, "Evening, and morning, and at noon, we—you and I—must get down on our will I pray, cry aloud: he shall and and knees and pray to him as Lincoln hear voice," sang the Psalmist. my prayed, with all the energy of our souls. (Psalm 55:17.) And we must do so as did the Psalmist, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not evening, morning, and at noon. We can- into temptation," (Matt. 26:41) taught not leave it for the other fellow; we Jesus. And in his perfect life he set must do it ourselves, and we must do the pattern. He prayed (Luke 3:21) and it now. If we will begin and close each fasted forty days (Matt. 4:2) at the day by praying unto our Father in beginning of his public ministry; he heaven in secret, as the Savior admon- prayed in the wilderness (Luke 5:16); ished, thanking him for our lives, his at the of the he prayed beginning day protection over us and our loved ones, (Mark 1:35); he prayed a whole night our material comforts, the freedom we preceding his selection of the Twelve enjoy in this glorious land; if we will Apostles (Luke prayed 6:12); he for plead with him to guide us in the paths strength in Gethsemane; and finally, of righteousness that we may merit a on the cross in the hour of his death, continuation of his mercies; if the head he prayed. (Ibid., 23:34.) of every household will daily call his All men who, "under God," have ad- family about him and, praying with vanced the cause of righteousness in them and they praying with him, truly America have been praying men. Who worship the Lord, the first long and has not heard Isaac Potts' account of sure step will be taken toward vitaliz- Washington on his knees in the snow ing our trust in God. in prayer at Valley Forge? Lincoln's To take the second step, we must sublime trust in God came after he had learn that in the relationship between many times been driven to his knees in God and ourselves both parties have prayer. He thus explained to General obligations. must stand by the Lord, Sickles the reason for the serenity he We as Lincoln promised to do, for he has experienced while the outcome of the promised to give us protection against battle of Gettysburg hung in the bal- temporal and spiritual ance: bondage, and against all other nations under heaven, In the pinch of your campaign up there, only if we serve him. Praying is one when everybody seemed panic-stricken and way to serve him, another way is to nobody could tell what was going to hap- keep his commandments. There are pen, oppressed by the gravity of affairs, I numerous ways in which we are violat- went to my room one day and locked ing them in America today. the door and got down on my knees before On many points the Lord has given Almighty God and prayed to him mightily us specific guidance with respect to the for victory at Gettysburg. I told him that this war was his, and our cause his cause, conduct of our lives; for example, he but we could not stand another Fredericks- has said, burg or Chancellorsville. Then and there I made a solemn vow to Almighty God Thou shalt not take the name of the that if he would stand by our boys at Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will Gettysburg, I would stand by him, and not hold him guiltless that taketh his name he did stand by our boys, and I will stand in vain. (Ex. 20:7.) by him. And after that, I don't know how it was, and I cannot explain it, soon a In harmony with this command ELDER MARION G. ROMNEY 91

Washington issued the following order We might continue with others, in 1776: "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not bear false witness," "Thou shalt not The General is sorry to be informed that covet," (Ex. 20:15-17) but we now have the foolish and wicked practice of profane of cursing and swearing, a vice heretofore in mind enough to persuade us many little known in an American army, is grow- ways in which we may improve, if we ing into fashion. He hopes the officers really, in truth and without hypocrisy, will, by example as well as influence, en- are committed to keeping the command- deavor to check it, and that both they and ments of God. the men will reflect that we can have little I plead with you, my friends, for a hope of the blessings of heaven on our vitalization of our trust in God through arms if we insult it by our impiety and earnest prayer and a careful keeping of folly. Added to this, it is a vice so mean the Lord's commands. Every substitute -and low, . . . that every man of sense and we have tried has left us deeper in the character detests and despises it. mire. Our integrity, our liberties, our What respect is today being paid to treasures, are slipping like sand through this prohibition against profanity? If our fingers. Our cynicism and godless you hear what I hear, you know we have learning lead us ever farther from the not placed the Lord in our debt through truth. Why should we not put to test its observance. the one untried plan of self-disciplined "Remember the Sabbath day to keep conformance to the plain and simple it holy," (Ex. 20:8) is another familiar commands of the God in whom we pro- command. fess to trust. Doing this, turning not That it was revered by the great to the right hand or to the left, we Lincoln is evidenced by a general order shall become strong and of a good to the army and the navy, signed by courage. The Lord will be with and him November 15, 1862. From that or- prosper us, whithersoever we go. Our der I quote: trust in him being thus vitalized into an all-powerful present reality, the strongest The President, commander-in-chief of the bulwark in all our defenses, we shall army and navy, desires and enjoins the sing with strong conviction, orderly observance of the Sabbath by the officers and men in the military and naval Our fathers' God to thee, service. . . . The discipline and character of the national forces should not suffer, Author of liberty, nor the cause they defend be imperiled, by To thee we sing; the profanation of the day or name of the Long may our land be bright Most High. (Abraham Lincoln, The War With freedom's holy light; Years, III, Carl Sandburg, 374.) Protect us by thy might, Great God, our king. How do we, as a nation, stand upon this matter today? Is it not rather noted That we may do so, I humbly pray in the breach than in the observance? in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. "Thou shalt not commit adultery," (Ex. 20:14) spake the Lord amidst the thundering and lightning of Sinai, The Choir sang: "America"— Mc- against one of the most debasing of sins, Clellan-Cornwall-Smyth. a practice which has preceded the dis- Announcer: "God of our Fathers,

integration of every fallen civilization. whose almighty hand leads forth. . . . Paul's pronouncement that our bodies Thy love divine hath led us in the past, are the temples of God, that "If any in this free land by thee our lot is cast; man defile the temple of God, him be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and shall God destroy," (I Cor. 3:17), is an stay, Thy word our law, Thy paths our eternal principle still in force. Much of chosen way." our sorrow and distress stems from a Selection by the Choir, "God of our violation of this divine command. Fathers"—Warren. —

92 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day CHOIR AND ORGAN BROADCAST

The following broadcast, written and the nations ... let Thy glory be above announced by Richard L. Evans, and all the earth, Glorious everlasting!" originating with Station KSL, Salt Lake The Choir sang: "Glorious Everlast- City, was presented from 9:00 to 9:30 ing"—Cousins. a.m., through the courtesy and facilities Announcer: With Frank Asper at the of the Columbia Broadcasting System's Tabernacle organ on Temple Square network, throughout the United States. today we hear one of the impressive The broadcast was as follows: organ offerings of Ceasar Franck: "Piece (Organ played "As the Dew," and on Heroique." signal the Choir and Organ broke into Organ selection: "Piece Heroique" the hymn, "Gently Raise the Sacred Franck. Strain," singing words to the end of Announcer: The Tabernacle Choir the second line, and humming to the sings now a song by William Billings, end of verse for announcer's back- written on David's anguished sorrow for ground.) his son who was slain: "David's Lamen- Announcer: Once more we welcome tation:" "And the King was much you within these walls with music and moved, and went up to the chamber the spoken word from the Crossroads over the gate, and wept; and as he went, of the West. thus he said, O . . . Absalom, my son,

The CBS Radio network and its affili- my son . . . would God I had died for ated stations bring you at this hour thee, O Absalom, my sonl" another presentation from Temple The Choir sang: "David's Lamenta-

Square in Salt Lake City, with J. Spen- tion"—Billings. cer Cornwall conducting the Tabernacle Announcer: The Tabernacle Choir Choir, Frank Asper, Tabernacle Organ- continues with the softly echoing anthem ist, and the spoken word by Richard by L. Stanley Glarum and with words Evans. from the 47th Psalm: "Sing Praises unto The Choir first turns to Psalm 57, our King, for God is King o'er all the sung in a setting by M. Thomas Cous- earth." ins: "I will praise Thee, O Lord among The Choir then sang: "Sing Praises" the people, I will sing unto Thee among —Glarum.

THE SPOKEN WORD

"All real joy and power of progress not strained or stiff or artificial, but a

. . . depend on finding something to sincere sense in one's soul that some reverence, and all the baseness and mis- things are sacred—that some things ery of humanity begin in a habit of dis- should not be lightly spoken of nor dain." These words of John Ruskin lightly considered. In the presence of suggest some of the results of irreverence great art, great music, great minds there and also some of the symptoms. Some is due respect and deference. Then how irreverence is more a matter of thought- much more respect and deference are lessness, as the boisterousness of boys. due the Creator of heaven and earth, Some, as Ruskin wrote, partakes of deli- in whose image men were made, whose berate, cynical disdain. Some shows wisdom and works are infinite, to whom itself in profane and offensive speech. we owe all the bounteous blessings of Some is evident only in attitude. Some life, the recurring seasons, the spring- is apparent by confusion and disorder time, the harvest, the love of family in places where there should be quiet and friends, the reality we have here and contemplation. True reverence is and the assurance of life hereafter. If THE SPOl IN WORD 93

we lose the spirit of reverence as to the And now in closing the Choir recalls works and ways of Providence we shall a moving and majestic chorus from lose much else also—for the kind of Mendelssohn's "Elijah," with words corrosion that rusts away reverence also from I Kings—words that contrast vio- rusts away other finer feelings. Cer- lence and physical force with the calm tainly life need not be longfaced. Cer- quiet whisperings of the still small voice: tainly there are many times and places "Behold! God the Lord Passed By!— when high-minded humor and light- And a mighty wind rent the mountains hearted talk and heartily informal fel- —the sea was upheaved, the earth was

lowship are a permissible and important shaken. . . . But yet the Lord was not part of life. But there are also sacred in the Tempest, nor in the earthquake

places, sacred hours, sacred subjects that . . . nor in the fire. But after the fire should be reverently respected—and he there came a still small voice, and in who is insensitive to them is sometimes that still small voice, onward came the suspected of lacking some essential Lord."—"Behold, God the Lord Passed training or some essential qualities of By." character. We commend these words The Choir sang: "Behold, God the from the seventeenth century: "Let thy Lord Passed By"—Mendelssohn. speeches be seriously reverent when Announcer: Once more we leave you thou speakest of God or His attributes; within the shadows of the everlasting for to jest or utter thyself lightly in hills. May peace be with you, this matters divine is an unhappy impiety, day—and always. provoking Heaven to justice, and urging This concludes the eleven hundred all men to suspect thy belief." "Always and eighty-first presentation, continuing and in everything let there be rever- the 23rd year of this traditional broad- ence." cast from the Mormon Tabernacle on The Choir sang: "Come, Thou Fount Temple Square, brought to you by CBS of Every Blessing"—Wyeth-Cornwall. radio, and originating with Radio Sta- Organ selection: "Jesus Once of Hum- tion KSL in Salt Lake City. ble Birth." Cornwall the Announcer: We have heard the Choir J. Spencer conducted recall a hymn with words by Robert Tabt rnacle Choir with its three hundred Robinson and music by John Wyeth: seventy-five singing voices. Frank Asper "Come, Thou Fount of Every Bless- was at the organ. The spoken word by ing." Richard Evans. And with Frank Asper at the Organ In another seven days, at this same we have heard a hymn tune that takes hour, music and the spoken word will its title from the words of Parley P. be heard once more from the Cross- Pratt: "Jesus Once of Humble Birth." roads of the West.

SUNDAY MORNING GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION

Conference reconvened at 10:00 a.m. means of television. In addition thou- The great Tabernacle was again sands were assembled on the Taber- crowded to capacity, great crowds of nacle grounds, the weather being de- people having gathered on the grounds lightful, where they listened to the and in the buildings long before time proceedings by amplifying equipment as the services forward in to commence the Church of the Air went the Taber- broadcast at 8:30 a.m. The Assembly nacle. Hall and Barratt Hall were also com- President McKay, who presided and pletely filled with people who listened conducted the services, called the meet- to the services and watched them by ing to order promptly at 10:00 o'clock. 94 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day President David O. McKay: of the 122nd Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Last Friday, at the opening session of Saints. As heretofore announced, we are the General Conference, three names convened in the Tabernacle, on Temple were given of prominent Church work- Square in Salt Lake City. These serv- ers who had passed away since last ices will be broadcast in the Assembly October. This morning we have to an- Hall and Barratt Hall over a loud nounce the passing of Bishop David A. speaking system and by television. The Smith, formerly a member of the Pre- proceedings of this session will also be siding Bishopric, and also formerly broadcast over Station K S L, and by President of the Canadian Mission. arrangement through K S L, over the At a special meeting of the Council stations named in the first session of of the First Presidency and the Twelve the Conference. We shall not repeat this morning, it was unanimously voted the names, but we wish the stations to to extend love and sympathy to Sister accept our appreciation for their co- Smith, the sons and daughters of Bishop operation in broadcasting these services. Smith, to our fellow worker, Joseph This session will also be televised Fielding Smith, brother of Bishop Smith, over K S L television station, channel and to all other members of the family. five. He was a very earnest and faithful work- The Choir singing for this morning's er in the Missionary Home for many session of the Conference will be by years, and was one of the first to partici- the Tabernacle Choir, with Elder J. pate in the instruction given to mission- Spencer Cornwall conducting, and with aries many years ago. Peace to his mem- Elder Frank W. Asper at the organ. ory. May we emulate his good deeds and We shall begin the services by the have comfort in the realization that he congregation and the Choir singing has gone to a rich reward and merits "Come, Come, Ye Saints," conducted by the plaudit, "Well done, thou good and Elder Cornwall. faithful servant, enter into the joy of The opening prayer will be offered thy Lord." by Elder Wallace F. Toronto, formerly For the benefit of the listening audi- president of the Czechoslovakian Mis- ence, I may say that the fifth session of sion. this general conference was not broadcast. It was a General Priesthood Meet- ing held last evening in the Tabernacle, The Tabernacle Choir and the con- with overflow meetings held in the gregation joined in singing the hymn, Assembly Hall and the Barratt Hall, "Come, Come, Ye Saints." and for your interest as well, we should Elder Wallace F. Toronto, formerly like to say that as nearly as the ushers president of the Czecho-Slovakian Mis- sion, offered could count, (and several think this is the invocation. an understatement,) there were assembled in the Priesthood Meeting last President David O. McKay: evening, 16,769 men holding the priesthood. It was a thrill and an inspiration At this point we wish to express ap- just to be in their midstl preciation of the excellent service being Brother Walter Stover, returned mis- rendered by our brethren who are acting sionary from the East German Mission, as ushers, and they suggest that possibly who presided over the East German two or three hundred more people may Mission, a majority of the branches of find seats, if you brethren and sisters which are behind the "Iron Curtain," will just move more closely in towards was the first speaker, and the other the center. Try it anyhow. It is sur- speakers were the First Presidency of prising how much noise and how little the Church. room that moving in makes! This is the sixth session, therefore, We are informed that there are in I

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR. 95

attendance this morning, eleven men The Tabernacle Choir will now sing, and women from Denmark, leaders of "Hear My Cry, O God," Brother Corn- Danish cooperatives, trade unions, busi- wall conducting. ness and social organizations. They are traveling in the United States as guests of the United States Department of The Tabernacle Choir sang Commerce. In your behalf I take pleas- an anthem, "Hear Cry, ure in extending welcome to these, our My O God." friends from Denmark. We welcome also the State, City, and President David O. McKay: County officials in attendance, and the

leaders of the University of Utah, the President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. of the Agricultural College, Brigham Young First Presidency, will be our first speak- University, and other educational insti- er. He will be followed by Elder John tutions. Longden.

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Icome to you in deep humility, sens- right to rationalize, and that is, at the ing, at least in part, my responsibil- present time, President David O. Mc- ity, and with a prayer in my heart, Kay, our prophet, seer, and revelator— which I hope will be echoed in yours, have come to feel that there is none that I may be led to say something that who can safely rationalize. And I am will tend to our upbuilding and leading persuaded more to that by what hap- us into that narrow way of life which pened in the early Christian Church, our Heavenly Father has marked out for which, lacking a head that was effective those who would come back into his during the early centuries, drifted away presence. May the Lord be with us because they tried to make God's plan during this whole session, and the accord with their reason, and with the session that is to follow even as he has reason of the pagan philosophies. been with us to the present time. I am persuaded we must watch care- As I sat here yesterday, something fully that we do not follow along those brought to my mind that I am the paths. Some of the greatest heresies that oldest member of the General Authori- have crept into the Christian religion ties. This is an honor that has been came in through a very few men who thrust upon me by time. It is an honor held no real official position, mostly, that any of my brethren can reach, if but who spent their time and their tal- they will live for it. I say this, neither ents, and they were great, in trying to by way of boasting nor for the purpose rationalize the gospel of Jesus Christ. of inviting sympathy, but I say it that There is some evidence — these were I might make use of what I hope is called "schoolmen," and the results of some experience of value and the result their work "scholasticism," — and I am of some reflection. persuaded that we have some tendency I have lived long enough and there in that direction as among ourselves, and has, year by year, come more into my I hope that the people will not listen consciousness, the knowledge that the to the rationalizing of men who under- principles of the everlasting gospel are take to make God's plan conform to beyond my power of rationalizing. what they think it should be in their Furthermore, I am persuaded that there weak and ineffective reasonings. is none who, unaided by the spirit of the I am grateful to have lived in this Lord, and there is only one in this day and age when the gospel has been Church and in this world, who has the restored. I take it there is no man or 96 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

woman who sits down calmly to think, estate; and they who keep their second in the Church or out of the Church, but estate [the estate in which we now are] more particularly out of the Church, shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." (Abraham 3:24-26.) for light has come to us who are in the Church, who does not ask himself or Thus we know whither came, and herself, "Where did we come from? we why we are here, and where, to what Why are we here? Whither do we go?" place we shall go. The whole plan is We Latter-day Saints have been instruct- summed up in those few words. ed in that, and the instruction has come since we came here to be proved, to us in modern revelation. Now the Lord did not leave in doubt The book of Abraham, found in the Adam about what he should do, or how he Pearl of Great Price, tells us of the be- should do it, for the Lord gave to ginning, how the Lord came down Adam the gospel, and the gospel which he gave among the intelligences, and as a result to him included the revelation and the of his coming down, there was a great knowledge that there council in heaven. The record in Abra- would come a Redeemer. You will recall, you ham which precedes the account of the who know the scriptures, the angel of the council, is devoted to explaining that Lord asked offered sacri- there are inequalities in God's creation, Adam why he fice. said he did not except and inequalities among the intelligences, He know that he had been commanded to do so. npt all are equal. The Lord said to I think there is a great lesson there. Abraham, calling attention to this great They rationalize, try say group of intelligences, that there were who to why do this, do that. set among them those who were the great we why we Adam the example. did he it? Because ones, and declared to Abraham that he Why do the Lord had commanded it. And then was one of those who were to be rulers. the angel of the Lord explained to him I want to read just two or three verses, the great atonement that was to come. and I am reading from the third chap- Now, that gospel so revealed to ter of Abraham: Adam has been in the world to a greater or less And there stood one among them [this extent, sometimes less, from that time great group] that was like unto God, and until now. It taught us what we should he said unto those who were with him: do, and what we should not do. We will go down, for there is space there, We have never, when his Church has been and we will take of these materials, and on the earth, the Church of Christ, been we will make an earth whereon these may in any doubt on these two points. dwell. You will examine the Bible for some I call attention to the two succeeding detailed statement of the principles of verses which I shall read, because they the gospel, up until the time of Moses, are filled with certain great elemental with but scant success. But if you will truths. He continues: read carefully the book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price, you can glean, and And we will prove them herewith [the will glean from there the great principles intelligences] , to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall com- of this gospel, even as they have been mand them." revealed and are taught to us today. When Moses came, we had the Ten That was the purpose for creating the Commandments given to us. They are earth. We were all there, all participat- the guiding star for the world civiliza- ing; we thus knew of the plan from the tion today. Blot out the Ten Command- very beginning. ments, and you have the darkness which rests upon Russia and those nations And they who keep their first estate shall which follow her. be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same I call attention to the fact that the kingdom with those who keep their first Ten Commandments, every one of them, PRESIDENT ]. REUBEN CLARK, JR. 97

have in them a spiritual element. There Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of is nothing in them that, if obeyed, does pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying not build the spirit. From then until the power thereof: from such turn away. . . . now there has been, effective in the But evil men and seducers shall wax worse world, a part at least of the great gospel. and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. have known what they should do, Men (II Tim. 3:2-5, 13.) and what they should not do. Now time will not permit me to de- That was to Timothy. Again to Timo- velop what we should do. We do as we thy:

are commanded, in order that we may Timothy, keep that which is committed meet the design of our Heavenly Father, to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain who said, babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called. (I Tim. .6:20.) For behold, this is my work and my Neither let us commit fornication, as some glory—to bring to pass the immortality and of them committed, and fell in one day

eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39.) three and twenty thousand. . . . Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from That is the purpose. idolatry. (1 Cor. 10:8, 14.)

Now, I am happy, very happy, that And that was the burden of Paul, the Lord not only told us what we "flee from idolatry," and leave the food should do, but has told us what we offered to idols alone. We Latter-day should not do. He has told us the Saints do not worship idols, we do not things that will prevent our gaining worship relics, we do not have shrines. this immortality and eternal life. Sad, I wonder sometimes, however, if there indeed, would have been our situation, is not something of idolatry among us. had we been merely told what we might I call our idolaters, worshipers of dimes do. But he has not left us in darkness and chasers of nickels. as to what we ought not to do. And since doing the things we ought But I say, that the things which the not to do forfeits the glory which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and Lord has marked out for us, and if you not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship want to know about that read sections with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, 76 and 88 of the Doctrine and Cove- and the cup of devils: ye cannot be par- nants, then we must refrain from doing takers of the Lord's table, and of the table the things which he has commanded us of devils. (Ibid., 10:20-21.) not to do, refrain from misdoings of various kinds, refrain from sin, and all Peter said: transgressions. And I thought perhaps it But there were false prophets also among might not be without value if I were to the people, even as there shall be false read to you, for you to reflect upon some teachers among you, who privily shall of the things that we are told we ought bring in damnable heresies, even denying not to do, some of the offenses we should the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (II Peter 2:1.) not commit under the penalty that if These six things doth the Lord hate: we do commit them we shall not reach yea, seven are an abomination unto him: the full glory which the Lord has marked A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands for out us. that shed innocent blood, And I am going to read just a few An heart that deviseth wicked imagina- things from Paul. Paul said: tions, feet that be swift in running to mis- chief, For men shall be lovers of their own A false witness that speaketh lies, and he selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, that soweth discord among brethren. (Pro- disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, verbs 6:16-19.) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers 1 read these to show you that the of those that are good. Lord has not left us in doubt nor in 98 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day darkness as to the things, some of them, those who keep the commandments and that we should not do. We add these live the life which he gave and lived to the Ten Commandments. will have an eternal glory in the celestial Now, my brethren and sisters, salva- kingdom. tion is ours, if we will but live for it. I bear you my witness that Joseph We shall forfeit it if we do the things Smith did have a vision, that the Fath- which his prophets have declared unto er and Son did visit him, that holy us should not be done. Read, I repeat, angels came to him; that the priesthood, sections 76 and 88 and see what the the Holy Priesthood of God which had Lord has laid up for us when we live been lost to the earth for centuries was the principles of the gospel. restored through him to this earth; that My brethren and sisters, he who will those who have followed him in his read needs have no doubt of the great high and great calling of President of future that lies ahead of us, he will the Church, the Presiding High Priest have no doubt of the place to which we of the Church, have the same rights, go, of the associations which will be his; the same privileges, the same authority he will have no doubt but that the which he held, even from Joseph's time eternities that are to come are worth in down to President McKay, who holds happiness and joy, all of the giving up of those rights, exercises those functions, the pleasures, so-called, of this life, from possesses all of the spiritual powers of which we are asked to refrain. the priesthood which Joseph had; and I am sure the prize is worth the re- that this Church will continue to go for- straint. And after all, all the things ward, that those who follow President that we are asked to refrain from are McKay will enjoy the like privileges, things which lower our standards of the like authority, and exercise the like joy, lower our standards of life, lower functions. our respect for humanity and humanity's There is no doubt about this, my respect for us, and leave us debtors to brothers and sisters, and if we could the whole list of Christian virtues. just take this into our hearts and under- May the Lord help us to keep his stand it, make it part of ourselves, not commandments, help us to earn that a mere expression, not lip-service but which he has provided for us. service by act, the power of this people And I bear my testimony to you at would be unlimited. this time that God lives, that he hears God grant that to all of us and to and answers prayers, for he has heard each of us may come this testimony, to and answered mine. I bear you my testi- the end that we shall continue to spread mony that Jesus is the Christ, that he is the gospel in the world, continue to the Son of God, the Redeemer of the build up our own Church, and for our- World, the First Fruits of the Resur- selves individually, and as an incident rection, that through his redeeming to all that, gain eternal salvation in his blood all mankind shall be saved, that is celestial kingdom, I humbly pray in the to say, shall be resurrected, and that name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ELDER JOHN LONGDEN

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

realize more than anyone else, ex- blessed with his Spirit and we may be cepting my Heavenly Father and his recipients of his blessings. 1 Son Jesus Christ, my utter weakness I haven't words to express adequately in and of myself to occupy this position my appreciation and gratitude for the this morning. I am sure with an interest rich blessings which have been mine in your faith and prayers ascending to during the past six months in visiting our Heavenly Father that I may be the stakes and the wards throughout the ELDER JOHN LONGDEN 99

Church. It has been an inspiration and defend freedom and liberty and the makes me humble as I endeavor to teach rights of the individual found himself the restored work of God. I would like from his home town in Boise, Idaho, on publicly to mention here this morning a beachhead in Normandy, about a that I am grateful for the words of month before D Day.- As if he had a kindness and felicitations that have premonition of what was going to hap- been extended to me in receiving this pen, he sat there and wrote a message call six months ago, by members of the to a friend of his in Boise. And he Church and by many who are not mem- said, concluding that letter, bers of this Church. "I should like to give you the formula, I am sure we have been deeply im- or the requisite for peace, if you please. It pressed, I know I have, with the dig- is nothing new, but I ask you that we re- these meetings nity with which have discover the things which we already have, been presided over and conducted by and that were given to us by the Master President McKay and those in authority. some two thousand years ago in a single I am sure we have felt of their power sentence, when he said. 'Thou shalt love and strength, as we have listened to the the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and words of salvation. Jesus Christ, as he with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great faced a group of Pharisees on one oc- commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt casion, questioned them when he said, love thy neighbor as thyself.' " (Matt. "What think ye of Christ?" That is a 22:37-39.) question that might be asked of us today. We can answer it in our own This boy made the supreme sacrifice minds. We do not have to answer it a few days after writing this letter. orally or in writing. "What think ye of These are truths that we might well Christ?" reflect upon this morning, my brethren These men, our leaders, have exempli- and sisters, as we also review an incident fied to me their love of God and their in the New Testament. The Savior had love for their fellow men, their neigh- been teaching his doctrine, the saving bors, and I shall always be appreciative principles of salvation and exaltation. of the rich experience which was mine He was queried by a lawyer who said in having one assignment with Elder to him, "What good thing shall I do, Joseph F. Merrill the first week follow- that I may have eternal life?" ing the last general conference, and par- He was endeavoring no doubt to trap taking of his spirit. I could not help him, because the Master counter-ques- realizing that here was a man scholas- tioned him and said, "What is written tically trained, educated in the sciences in the law? How readest thou?" and in the engineering field, and yet, The lawyer answered, "Thou shalt young people, he was not swerved from love the Lord thy God with all they the path of truth and righteousness. heart, and with all thy soul, and with He was not ashamed to bear witness all thy strength, and with all thy mind; that Jesus was the Christ and that the and thy neighbour as thyself." Prophet Joseph Smith was and is in And the Savior said, "If you will do very deed a prophet of God. You young these things, thou shalt live." people can take heed of this fine exam- Then trying to justify himself, the ple from such noble leaders, as all these lawyer said, "And who is my neigh- men are who are guiding and directing bour?" the work of the Church and kingdom The Master then gave that glorious here in the earth. example of the Good Samaritan, where I should like to have you review with a certain man going from Jerusalem to me for a moment or two an incident Jericho had been set upon by thieves which took place just eight years ago. and stripped of his clothing and his A young man of this Church who had material things. (And we, my brethren put on the uniform of his country to and sisters, can be stripped of those 100 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day things which are material. They are world today which are contrary to the insignificant.) And so he was left half- gospel of Jesus Christ will be overcome. dead in the roadway. A priest came There would not only be peace in the along, and seeing this man, even though world, but also we would have peace he professed Christianity, crossed to in our hearts and in our souls. And the other side, and left him. Then a I humbly pray as I bear witness to you, certain Levite came down the street my brothers and sisters, that this is and likewise saw this man, and he also true, that Jesus Christ gave us this crossed to the other side. But there was commandment for a purpose. May we the Samaritan who beheld the condition have the energy and the desire within of the man and administered to him our own hearts, and the fortitude within by anointing his wounds with oil, put- our souls from this moment on to put ting him upon his own beast, and tak- it into practice more fully in our daily ing him to an inn, where he might lives, that we may reap the rich bless- receive assistance. He left funds that ings which are predicated upon these he might be taken care of, and advised truths. I bear witness to you that God the innkeeper that he would be back, lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that the and if it took additional funds, he Prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet of would gladly see that those expenses God, and those who have succeeded were defrayed. Then the Master said, him as President of this Church down "Which now of these three, thinkest through the years to our present Presi- thou, was neighbour unto him that fell dent David O. McKay have been men among the thieves?" divinely inspired and called of our And the answer was, "He that shew- Heavenly Father. May we uphold and eth mercy on him." And there followed sustain them, and the revealed truths the great command of the Savior, which of the Lord, which are given to us by is significant to me, "Go, and do thou them from time to time, that we may be likewise." (See Luke 10:25-37.) doers of the words, and not only listeners, I humbly pray in the name of the Yes, my brethren and sisters, if we truly exemplify this teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Master to love our Heavenly Father sincerely and deeply, then we will love The Choir and congregation sang the by natural consequence our neighbor. hymn, "We Thank Thee, O God For Thus many of the conditions in the A Prophet."

ELDER OSCAR A. KIRKHAM

Of the First Council of the Seventy

pray that I may enjoy the blessings mother took a seat quite a way up the of our Heavenly Father. I have been aisle. These children behaved them- I deeply impressed, as you no doubt selves in splendid fashion. I thought have, with the words we have heard. how lovely it was for a parent to have And I have been deeply impressed by such confidence and faith. And then something I have seen this morning. I was thrilled when we all stood to It has impressed me so sincerely that sing "We Thank Thee, O God, for a I want to give you the benefit of it. Prophet" to see these children, as if In the crowded condition of this Taber- they stood in the Sunday School or nacle, there came at the beginning of the Primary, sing with enthusiasm. So deep- service a mother with four children. ly was I impressed, and so near is it to The usher provided a blanket for the what is now in my heart to say, that I children to sit upon, and then the have taken the liberty to bring this il- —

ELDER OSCAR A. KIRKHAM 101

lustration here from our very midst: "From the Psalms of David." I want that of a parent who had trained well to read just a few lines from one of and then had faith in her children. these great psalms, the word of God. this is the day of our salvation These lines have stood the test of time. now, not in some great future time but They are most worthy of our careful now. This is the day of our salvation! reading and meditation. Here are These things that are all about us, this words that have been read by millions is our opportunity to live, and to prac- and set to some of the finest music in tise the glorious teachings of the gospel. the world. You will recognize them at One or two things have come to me once but read them again. There are as I see this day of salvation, things that deep and beautiful inspirations in them. perhaps we might do. May the Lord Just the first few lines: bless me that I may be understood in their presentation. They are very sim- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not ple things. The first is to study prayer- want. fully the word of the Lord—study He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters. prayerfully. That is the key to it—the restoreth word of the Lord. He my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3.) 1 went to the North Jordan Stake quarterly conference not long ago. I Alma in the Book of Mormon gave these words of counsel to his Hela- was a little early. As I drove my car son to the parking place, I saw a young man: man reading. As I looked closely, I ... for I do know that whosoever shall saw it was the Book of Mormon that put their trust in God shall be supported he was reading, and I walked quietly to in their trials, and their troubles, and their the car, and the young man said, "Good afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last morning, Brother Kirkham." day.

And then his father extended his . . . but behold I say unto you, that by small simple things are hand toward me, "Well, is this Brother and great things Oscar Kirkham?" brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. (Alma I said, "Yes." 36:3; 37:6.) He gave his name and said, "My son has just been reading the Book of And from a revelation given through Mormon for me. We read together the Prophet Joseph Smith on the day the word of the Lord very often. We when the gospel was opened up in greatly enjoy the Book of Mormon." England to Thomas B. Marsh, these He was a blind man; for eight years he lovely words are taken, this glorious had been blind. And in the conversa- admonition: tion that followed he told of the many things that he was grateful to the Lord Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God for, one of I recall: "I which have three shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee sons down at Brigham Young Univer- answer to thy prayers. (D. & C. 112:10.) sity. They have earned their way. We are a very happy family." God bless us. This one step we can This is the day of our salvation. That take today, tomorrow, and the next day:

1 brother will meet the tomorrow and Daily, prayerfully, read the word of enjoy it to the full. God. Live and enjoy the gospel of This is the day that we must be mind- Jesus Christ. Carry the word to a ful of, and devote our best to its many friend somewhere that his life may be blessings. Let us study prayerfully the blessed. Then peace shall come, and words of God. The great Shakespeare, God will love and bless us: Now is the when asked by Bacon, "Where did you day of our salvation. May the Lord get your inspiration for the great plays bless us, I humbly pray in the name of which you have written?", replied: Jesus Christ. Amen. Jii,:; o- -/- ri-rh 102 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day ELDER MATTHEW COWLEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

strength I need on this occasion, fundamental concepts which made it Themy brothers and sisters, must come possible for the birth of the greatest from your faith and prayers in my paladium of human liberty that was behalf. I plead with you not to forsake ever written by the hand of man—the me. It is very difficult for me to talk Constitution of the United States. And to a congregation which is not within I want you to know that greater than the range of my vision, but this morning that has been your contribution to the I would like to be oblivious to your building up of Zion and her borders. presence here in the Tabernacle, and to You in Great Britain have contributed speak to those of us who live way out to the leadership of this Church as has on the periphery of our great Church. no other nation. In the veins of those I have been impressed with a desire to who have presided over this modern do this since listening to the remarks of kingdom, your blood courses. In Scandi- President Stover last night. I would navia, your contribution has been great like to talk to you people in Great and magnificent. You have contributed Britain, in the Scandinavian countries, prophets, seers, and revelators. In Ger- in Holland, in Germany, Czecho- many you have contributed great edu- slovakia, France, Switzerland, Austria, cators, great Saints, and to all of you Palestine, South Africa, the South Ameri- in those faraway areas, I will say, great can nations, those who dwell within the is our debt to you for that which you great Polynesian triangle in the Pacific, have contributed. and to those fine people, few in number, We encourage you to stay where you in the far-off Orient. are because you are needed there, where I would like to say to you that I know the light is going out, and we say to that in your hearts this day there is a you: Stay close together; attend your longing to be here at the hub of this meetings regularly, even though your great Church, a longing which you can- numbers may be limited by law to four not realize; and in a sense I am pleased or to two; stay together. Renew your that you do not have that desire ful- covenants with God by partaking of the filled. You are needed where you are. sacrament, and I tell you that you can- You know, as we know, that this world not have your lights darkened because is in need of a new birth of freedom, this work cannot be blacked out by the and that a new birth of freedom cannot legislation of man. They may close come without a new birth of righteous- your chapels; they may deny you the ness; and that you in your far-flung right to assemble in worship; but behind areas, away from this hub of Zion, are your own doors you have the priesthood the leaven of righteousness. This will be of God; and in your homes where the the seed, we pray to God, which will priesthood of God exists, there is Zion. bear fruit and bring back to this de- And to you whose lives are committed pressed and sordid world the freedom for to righteousness, I say unto you, You which we all so earnestly pray. are Zion. You have been great in your contribu- To you in South Africa, you who have tions to this nation and to this Church. never had a visit from one of the You will read in the reported sermons leaders of this Church, I know that your delivered from this pulpit that this land prayers will one day be answered. To is choice above all other lands. It is you in South America who are strug- only choice because from your shores gling to build yourselves into a mighty have come your great, your humble, and people on that great continent, which is your God-fearing men and women, and precious in the eyes of God, I say, be they have brought from your shores the strong. To you in the isles of the sea, ELDER MATTHEW COWLEY 103

I say unto you, were it not for you, I anchor to his faith. God bless you for would not be standing here this day. this great contribution. To you in New Zealand, and when I You in faraway Japan were left alone speak to you I speak to all those who for many years, but there had been im- dwell on those beautiful isles, were it planted in your hearts a testimony of the not for you, implanting within my heart restored gospel, and when the way was as a seventeen-year-old boy your simple opened up for the missionaries to return faith, your knowledge of God, your to you, they found you, though small in demonstration that the veil between God number and in membership, still faith- and man can be very, very thin, I ful and devoted and loyal. You at wouldn't be standing here today at the Hiroshima, where was felt the death hub of Zion, speaking to you way down blow of the first atom bomb, and where under, in this capacity. This is not my soon after you raised the sign which calling alone, you good Maori people; should be an ensign unto the world, not this is yours. written in your language, but in the You in the Hawaiian Islands who language which all nations understand, have had come to your shores mission- the English language, "No more Hiro- aries, one only in his sixteenth year, who shimas." If all men could write in their later became the leader of this Church, hearts the words of that sign which a noble prophet, seer, and revelator: I now stands over the place where that tell you that on that island of Maui atom bomb exploded, peace would re- where he and President George Q. Can- turn to the earth and dwell regnant in non had their great theophanies and the hearts of all men. You have con- experiences, there is a spirit and an tributed much to the building up of this atmosphere, which I have felt nowhere kingdom and could you hear my words, else in all the world. I could tell you that there sits before To you in Tahiti, who were the first me now one who is at the head of one in the isles of the sea to receive the gos- of our great institutions of learning who pel in this dispensation, my heart goes spent a number of years among you, out. For more than a hundred years you who partook of your spirit, who knows have been listening to this message of you as an industrious people, who knows regeneration. You have contributed of that in your land, there are no weeds; your tithes and your offerings, your and I know that much that actuates widow's mite, and not one of you has him in his great purpose in instilling yet come to a temple of God. You are within the hearts and souls of the young- worthy. God will reward you for your sters of this community, a knowledge of faithfulness and devotion. His princi- things which are true, he received under ples are eternal, and in his kingdom your influence. and his presence, that which you have To you in faraway China I say: Keep been denied in this life will be added the faith, be valiant; you will not be unto you. Great has been your contri- forgotten, and one day the missionaries bution to the building up of this Church. will return to you. Yours is a light Australia, the great continent down shining in darkness. Keep it burning, under, there where our people are scat- and the Father of us all will bless you. tered over such a vast area, how great God bless you people out in these has been your contribution! During the areas of the earth. And I testify to you war years, when you were without mis- that much strength comes from you to sionaries from Zion, your leadership rose us, and if you remain strong where you up and magnificently carried on. And are, we will not become weak here at there sits among the councils of the the hub. In your hours of need, we will Church this day one of those mission- do our best. We will keep our store- aries who went to your shores many houses bulging with the necessities of years ago and whose testimony was life, and when you need them, the strengthened by you until it became an freight cars will be loaded, and the 104 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

ships' bottoms will be filled, and we have been cleared of empty flasks and will send that over to you which you beer bottles the night before. Those need. And we say to you, and I speak same testimonies you bear, and I believe for all, that where there is no power, that I can say to you in behalf of most where there are no facilities, where of my brethren that that which we have there is no program to save you ma- experienced in life which makes it pos- terially as well as spiritually, there is sible for us to stand here and address no power of God unto salvation. We you as special witnesses, we received in will not fail you spiritually nor mate- our associations with you as young mis- rially. sionaries. And again to you in New And I leave my witness with you in Zealand I say: Because of you, because all of your fair lands, that I know that of your kindliness, your humility, your God loves you. He will attend you and patience, your great faith, I can stand that which you do not hear as we speak here and say that I know that God lives, in our great conferences in Salt Lake and because of you, I am a special wit- City, you do hear in your humble cot- ness of his Son. All power be to you, tage meetings, wherever they may be, or and God bless you forever, and bless us in your rented halls which may reek all, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. with stale tobacco smoke, and which Amen.

ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

1am very grateful, my brothers and fered great persecution. To bolster their sisters, for the opportunity of meet- courage, this little family rewrote the ing with you in general conference words to a hymn they used to sing, and once again. I always receive a great uplift made one of the verses go like this: from these conferences. I would like Dare to be a Mormon; to express appreciation, too, for the Dare to stand alone; blessing that I receive in going to your Dare to have a purpose firm; stakes Sunday after Sunday, meeting Dare to make it known! you wonderful people who strengthen my faith and my testimony and help I invited the young people who were me to accomplish the work which is here last June to develop the same kind assigned to me. of courage held by this wonderful I am grateful beyond words for this Canadian family, and in the face of all great Church, and for the testimony I forms of opposition to stand firm and have of- the divinity of this work. I am true to the faith. grateful for the privilege of doing a That opposition might come in various little in this Church, so that I may help forms. It might be persecution, as in to work . out my salvation and help the case of that Canadian family. It others to work out theirs. might be temptations, or it might come This morning once again I would like in the form of teachings from people to address the young people of the who would like to destroy your faith. Church. I love the young people. I am When those temptations or those thrilled with their faith and their de- persecutions or those false teachings

votion, i . ;;!: , come, will you have the courage to be Last June I had the 'privilege of stand- real Latter-day Saints, to have a pur- ing here, and talking with the young pose firm, and to stand by it? people who .came to i the M.I.A. con- A week ago a young man told me ference. I told them about a little about the trial that came to him in family up in Canada, which had joined school. Some of the teachings he re- the Churchy and as a .result had suf- ceived from an instructor" v^ho had no ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN 105

faith appeared to have weakened the I think you will understand me when I faith of this young man. say that I have never known a thinking man who did not believe in God. I am always sorry when I hear about teachers in our public schools who try to In speaking of the controversy between destroy faith of people. the our young science and religion, Dr. Millikan said It always grieves me to hear of in- something else which I believe, young stances like this. I know that the great people, you should remember when majority of the schoolteachers, them- some of these faithless, godless teachers selves, are wonderful people; they are who are trying to destroy your religion, are believers in God. Many of them talk to you in your classrooms. Said devoted students of the scriptures. But Dr. Millikan: unfortunately, occasionally, we find a teacher, whether in the field of philos- I am not going to place the whole blame ophy or science, who seems to take it for the existence of this controversy upon upon himself to destroy the faith of misguided leaders of religion. The responsibility is a divided one, for science our young people. is just as often misrepresented as is religion I appeal to our young folk to realize by men of little vision, of no appreciation that true science is not anti-religion, of its limitations, and of imperfect compre- and that there is no unity among the hension of the real role which it plays in scientists with respect to many things human life, by men who lose sight of all now being taught by some instructors spiritual values and therefore exert an in- who interpret them to mean that there fluence upon youth which is unsettling, irreligious, and essentially immoral. I am is no God. Science has never come to ready to admit that it is quite as much a unity of understanding on that point, because of the existence of scientists of people, so do not be disturbed young by that type as of their counterparts in the the godless teachings you may get in field of religion, that the fundamental con- the classroom. troversy has flared up today, and it is high I would like you to know that some time that scientists recognize their share of of the great scientists, many of them, in the responsibility, and take such steps as they their fact, are devoted believers in God, and can to remove share of the some of them have declared that atheism cause. has no place among the true scientists. And then Dr. Millikan quotes Lord . I was glad to read not long ago in Kelvin as saying: This Week Magazine, an article by Dr. Arthur H. Compton, a Nobel prize I believe that the more thoroughly science winner, who said this: is studied, the further does it take us away from anything comparable to atheism. If Few scientific men today defend the you think strongly enough, you will be atheistic attitude. Never yet has there been forced by science to a belief in God, which adequate refutation of the argument that is the foundation of all religion. design in the universe presumes an intelligence. Evidence points to the existence I was interested to note that Lord of a Beginner, a Creator of the universe. Kelvin's biographer said this: A physicist's studies lead him to believe It pained him [that is, Lord Kelvin], to this Creator to be an intelligent Being. The hear crudely atheistic views expressed by intelligent God has an interest in and re- young men who never had known the lationship to man, and it is reasonable to deeper side of existence. assume that he would be interested in creating a being intelligent like himself. Further to quote Dr. Millikan:

I was glad to get a copy of a little If I am accused of calling merely on the Confesses pamphlet entitled, "A Scientist testimony of the past, on the thinking His Faith," written by Dr. Robert A. which preceded the advent of this twentieth Millikan. Among other things in that century in which we live, I can bring the little pamphlet, Dr. Millikan says: evidence strictly up to date by asking you 106 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day to name the dozen most outstanding scien- as much as if they were teaching re- tists in America today, and then showing ligion. Young people, remember the you that the great majority of them will great men of the world believe in God. bear testimony, not only to the complete get our faith from science, lack of antagonism between the fields of We do not science and of religion, but to their own however, and I hope you will never fundamental religious convictions. take the position that we must even seriously regard what science says about So young people, when you are faced religion. Faith comes by revelation. No in your classrooms by faithless men who matter what science might do to pro- stand before you and try to destroy mote religious faith, it can never save your faith, think of what these great a man. Salvation comes through reve- scientists have said. Remember that lation and the power of God restored to even Dr. Millikan says that you can men in these last days. And that revela- name the top scientists of the world, and tion is available. That revelation has he will show you that most of those come. The power of God and his men not only believe in God but also priesthood are now here among men, bear testimony of it. and salvation comes through them. I tell you there is nothing outmoded How much do you know about the about faith in God, and when you revelations of God to man? When go to school, you do not need to believe Brother Kirkham stood here and asked everything that is told these you by you to study the scripture prayerfully, faithless men, whether in philosophy or I was glad for the way he talked. I science classes. You do not need to also appeal to you to make an investi- accept their evidence alone. And if you gation for yourself about the gospel of are disturbed by their persistence in Christ. I ask you to be a part of this teaching you these false things, just day of study and research, by making ask yourself the question: is the Which a study and research of your own re- greater scientist, your instructor or Dr. ligion. Do not be ignorant of what Robert A. Millikan? Ask yourself, who your own Church teaches. The glory is the greater scholar, your instructor of God is intelligence; there is no salva- or Lord Kelvin? Ask yourself, who is tion in ignorance. the greater authority, your instructor When you go to school, you study or Dr. Arthur H. Compton, or some of mathematics or chemistry or some the other scientists who give the lie to foreign language. You do not just take the teachings of these men who say the teacher's word for what is given there is no God. there. When you study mathematics, I shall never forget when I was in a you actually work out the equations sociology class I saw the professor, a and know by working them out that short, bald-headed, bewhiskered man, they are true. And when you study stand there in front of our class and chemistry, you learn about the truths actually defy us to believe in God. He of that subject by actually performing defied us to believe in a special crea- the experiments that are given to you, tion or that man is a child of God. and by performing them you discover the truth of the principles you are I have always understood that it was taught. against the law to discuss religion in the schools. But these men apparently But if you went to school all your claim academic privilege of some kind, life and did not study mathematics, academic freedom, I think they call it, you would never know anything about in taking the right to destroy the very that subject, would you? You might go faith which the law prohibits us from to school all your life and never learn teaching in the public schools. And one thing about chemistry, unless you when they do it, I think they are in studied chemistry. And you can be in violation of the spirit of the law, just this Church all your life, and never ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN 107

know what this Church teaches unless phies and scientific theories that men you study it. have produced in all time. They saw Will you not take the advice of him; they heard his voice; they knew Brother Kirkham and study your own that he lived; and they did not have religion? Open the pages of the Bible; to take anybody else's ideas nor read there of the hand dealings of God hypotheses pertaining to it. to man. Read there of the life of the After his appearance there came other Savior. Learn of his teachings. He glorious personages, Elijah, Moses, Elias. actually was here on the earth, and he Why, this Dispensation of the Fulness taught men the principles about which of Times is so filled with actual ex- you have heard today and in the pre- periences which men have had with ceding days of this conference. God, and with the testimonies of those And read the Book of Mormon. Study men, that you do not need to doubt. for yourself as its pages. Know what is inside the You may know well, covers of that great book. And will because as you study these things, and you study also the revelations that are as you work in the Church, if you will given in that very small but great book, pray, as Brother Kirkham asked of you, the will bless The Pearl of Great Price? It is almost then Lord you with a unknown among many people, and yet knowledge of the truth of these things. will receive a testimony, it contains some of the greatest revela- You and you will for yourself tions of God to man. know that God does live, that Mormonism is true, that the And then, young people, will you Savior has a modern ministry, and that really make a study of the life of the we are a part of it. Prophet Joseph Smith and read the revelations that God gave to him? Dis- Dare to be a Mormon, cover Smith. Find out what Joseph Dare to stand alone, motivated him. Be thrilled with the Dare to have a purpose firm, rest of us as you read the story of his Dare to make it known. going into the woods and there kneeling down and asking for light; and in re- I humbly pray in Jesus' name. Amen. sponse to that prayer seeing the Father and the Son standing there before him, not in some dream, but in a real ex- President David O. McKay: perience. And then read of his visits with the Elder Mark E. Petersen, of the Coun- Angel Moroni, a personage who came cil of the Twelve, has just spoken to us. back from the dead and ministered to We repeat the welcome extended to Joseph Smith, gave him direction, and our visitors, State officials, and others, helped him in the production of the as expressed at the opening of this meet- Book of Mormon. And then read the ing. I am pleased to note in the audience story of Oliver Cowdery and Joseph as I have looked over it, the presence Smith who received ministrations from of a number of educators, the State John the Baptist, and the Apostles, Superintendent of Schools, President and Peter, James, and John. Deans from the Brigham Young Univer- Read the story of these two men as sity, Ricks College, members of the they knelt in the Kirtland Temple in Church Department of Education, in- prayer, and there suddenly came before cluding Directors of Institutes and them a glorious vision. In the Kirtland Seminaries. I wish specifically to men- Temple, here in the United States of tion and welcome President Olpin of America, stood the Savior, the Redeemer the University of Utah, Dr. Madsen, of the world. They saw him and President of the Utah State Agricultural talked with him. That one experience College, the President of the Brigham was worth more than all the philoso- Young University, the President of the 108 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

Branch Agricultural College, the Presi- will be adjourned until two o'clock this dent of Weber College. We have a feel- afternoon. ing of fellowship with these educators. The closing song by the Tabernacle The Tabernacle Choir sang "The Choir will be, "The Great Awakening." Great Awakening," after which Elder The closing prayer will be offered by Charles B. Richmond, formerly presi- Elder Charles B. Richmond, formerly dent of the Australian Mission, offered president of the Australian Mission. the benediction. Following the prayer this conference Conference adjourned until 2:00 p.m. THIRD DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

The concluding session of the con- of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We ference was held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, are convened in the Tabernacle on April 6. Temple Square. Again the various buildings were The services are being broadcast in crowded to capacity: The Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall, the Assembly Hall, and Barratt Hall, over a loudspeaking system and by tele- and again thousands assembled on the vision, and as heretofore, all the pro- Tabernacle grounds to listen to the proceedings have been broadcast over the ceedings of the conference. stations named in the opening session President McKay opened the meeting of the Conference. promptly at 2:00 p.m. The music for this session will be rendered by the Tabernacle Choir under direction of Cornwall, President David O. McKay: the J. Spencer with Alexander Schreiner at the organ. Yesterday we received a very sweet We shall begin this service by the and impressive message from a family Tabernacle Choir Men's Chorus sing- of Saints in Hong Kong, China. They ing, "Seek Thy God," Brother Cornwall ordered to be sent to you and the Church conducting. this beautiful bouquet of flowers—the The opening prayer will be offered hydrangeas that you see here on the by Elder Thomas W. Richards, formerly railing. president of the East Central States They are from the Ko family and Mrs. Mission. Joyce Aher, Chinese members formerly of Hong Kong, China. They sent it to The opening musical selection was show their love and appreciation for by the Tabernacle Choir male chorus, our having sent the missionaries to "Seek Thy God."' China. We thank them, and send to them through President Robertson and Elder Thomas W. Richards, formerly Sister Robertson, and others, who are president of the East Central States laboring for their welfare, our love and Mission, offered the opening prayer. blessings. The ladies chorus of the Tabernacle This is the concluding session of the Choir then sang, "My Heart Ever Faith- 122nd Annual Conference of the Church ful."

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Second Counselor in the First Presidency presented for the vote of the people the General Authorities, General Officers, and General Auxiliary Officers of the Church, and they were unanimously sustained by those present. The list as presented and sustained is as follows: GENERAL AUTHORITIES SUSTAINED 109

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. Stephen L Richards, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

J. Reuben Clark, Jr. 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 Mark E. Petersen John A. Widtsoe Matthew Cowley Albert E. Bowen Henry D. Moyle Harold B. Lee Delbert Leon Stapley Spencer W. Kimball Marion G. Romney Ezra Taft Benson LeGrand Richards

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

Thomas E. McKay Stayner Richards Clifford E. Young ElRay L. Christiansen Alma Sonne John Longden George Q. Morris

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 Seymour Dilworth Young Antoine R. Ivins Milton R. Hunter Richard L. Evans Bruce R. McConkie Oscar A. Kirkham

Presiding Bishopric

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

Church Historian and Recorder

Joseph Fielding Smith, with A William Lund as Assistant 110 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day Church Board of Education David O. McKay Ezra Taft Benson Stephen L Richards Mark E. Petersen

J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Matthew Cowley Joseph Fielding Smith Henry D. Moyle John A. Widtsoe Delbert Leon Stapley Albert E. Bowen LeGrand Richards Harold B. Lee Adam S. Bennion Spencer W. Kimball Franklin L. West Commissioner of Education Franklin L. West

Seminary Supervisors

J. Karl Wood Joy F. Dunyon Auditing and Finance Committee

Orval W. Adams George S. Spencer Albert E. Bowen Harold H. Bennett Tabernacle Choir

Lester F. Hewlett, President

J. Spencer Cornwall, Conductor Richard P. Condie, Assitant Conductor Organists Alexander Schreiner Frank W. Asper Roy M. Darley, Assistant CHURCH WELFARE COMMITTEE Advisors John A. Widtsoe Clifford E. Young Albert E. Bowen Alma Sonne Harold B. Lee John Longden Henry D. Moyle Antoine R. Ivins Matthew Cowley Oscar A. Kirkham Delbert L. Stapley Joseph L. Wirthlin Marion G. Romney Thorpe B. Isaacson LeGrand Richards Carl W. Buehner Thomas E. McKay General Presidency of Relief Society General Committee Henry D. Moyle, Chairman Harold B. Lee, Managing Director Marion G. Romney, Assistant Managing Director Paul C Child Lorenzo H. Hatch

. T. C. Stayner ' Walter Dansie Mark B. Garff LeRoy A. Wirthlin Leonard E. Adams A. Reed Halversen

J. Leonard Love Henry C. Jorgensen W. T. Lawrence ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS 111

GENERAL AUXILIARY OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH Relief Society Belle Smith Spafford, President Marianne Clark Sharp, First Counselor Velma N. Simonsen, Second Counselor with all members of the Board as at present constituted Deseret Sunday School Union George R. Hill, General Superintendent A. Hamer Reiser, First Assistant Superintendent David Lawrence McKay, Second Assistant Superintendent with all members of the Board as at present constituted Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association

Elbert R. Curtis, General Superintendent A. Walter Stevenson, First Assistant Superintendent David S. King, Second Assistant Superintendent with all members of the Board as at present constituted 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 Florence H. Richards, Second Counselor with all members of the Board as at present constituted

President David O. McKay: of the Church for the sustaining vote of the General Conference, and he re- Elder Richards, will you take your ports all voting in the affirmative. place here in the Council. We shall be pleased now to hear

. . Elder Richards, TTr , , • i t -r. from LeGrand whom have just heard President We J. Reu- you have just sustained as a member ben Clark, Jr., of the First Presidency f the Council of the Twelve. present the General Authorities, General Will Elder Buehner please take his Officers, and General Auxiliary Officers place beside Bishop Wirthlin.

ELDER LeGRAND RICHARDS

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

suppose only the men on this stand as the Presiding Bishop of this Church, can know what has gone through my He and I have labored side by side for I mind and my heart since President fourteen years, and I doubt if any two McKay called me to his office following men have ever been closer to each other the morning meeting. than we have been. He is a noble I first want to tell you that I am proud character, and he is as true and loyal that Brother Wirthlin has been called to this Church as: any man I have ever 112 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day met. If we ever questioned the instruc- love the work more than anything else tion of the brethren, he would say, in this world, and I know it is true. I "Well, you know, if the brethren were could live better without the limbs of to tell us to put the Presiding Bishop's my body than I could without the Office up on Ensign Peak, there it would testimony of the Holy Ghost and the go." That is the kind of faith he has. Spirit of the Lord. And I have learned to love Brother When I returned from my first mis- Isaacson so much in these few years, sion, I was called to speak in my ward. five and a half years, that he has served I told the Saints that the greatest desire as my counselor, and I am so happy I had in my heart was that I might be that Brother Wirthlin saw fit to choose able so to live now that I was home, him to stand by his side. that I could enjoy the same spirit I And I love Brother Buehner. I have had enjoyed in the mission field. And only been out with him once or twice, I added, I hope the Lord will send me but I think they have made a wonder- on a mission just often enough so I ful choice. can keep that spirit. Maybe that is Now I want to pay a tribute of re- the reason I filled four missions. I spect and an expression of deep apprecia- thought when I got in the bishop's tion to the employees of the Presiding office, I would never get another, but Bishop's office. We have some won- who knows what might happen now? derful help there, and they have been I have loved my work with the youth so loyal and willing to do anything we of this Church, and with the Aaronic have ever asked them to do. I should Priesthood, and for a time we had the like to name them, but the list would girls' program. And we have lived to be too long. God bless them in their see some real achievement in the work further responsibilities in that office. with these boys. When we came into I cannot find words to express what the office fourteen years ago, many a is in my heart. I think of what Brother ward was still using the Melchizedek Alonzo Hinckley said when he stood Priesthood in the administration of the here in a similar position and said, sacrament. We tried to get the Standard "My soul is subdued." I do not know Quorum Award going. We could hardly what it takes to subdue the soul of a get a quorum to get twenty-five percent man, but for the past two hours, I have of the boys to attend sacrament meet- been trying to figure out how I could ing. And now the average for the measure up and not disappoint you entire Church is forty-one percent. It people, and not disappoint the Lord. is not much to boast about, but it is How grateful I feel to the brethren, up a long way to what it was. President McKay and his Counselors, And the girls were up to fifty-five per- that they have enough confidence in cent, so they have to help the boys along me to nominate me for this position, a little, or the boys will not be worth and that the Quorum of the Twelve, their marrying a little later on when knowing that I should become one of they want companions. them, sustained them in the nomina- The growth of the Church during tion. these fourteen years has been tremen- And I thank you for your sustaining dous. I have been privileged to travel vote here this day, and I pledge you all around the stakes of Zion, and it seems the strength and ability that the Lord to me that every conference I attend, has given me to continue to help build they say it is the largest crowd they up his kingdom on the earth. have ever had. The way the brethren I thank God for the opportunities have been dividing the wards and stakes that I have enjoyed of working among is indicative of the growth of the Church. you, and in his Church, the missions In tribute to the faithfulness and the that I have been able to fill, and the integrity of the Latter-day Saints, I want other sundry odd jobs, because I truly to give you two or three figures of what ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS 113

has happened since we came into the in this day, he told them they were not Presiding Bishop's office. going to be taught of men, but to teach The membership of the Church in that which he would give unto them that time has increased 46.1 percent. by the power of the Holy Ghost. I do The tithes of the Church have in the not know very much about the philoso- same length of time increased 653.3 phies of men, but I know that God percent. created the feelings of the human heart Forty-six percent increase in member- and the human soul, and I know that ship, 653.3 percent increase in tithing, God has a way of bringing joy and and then you say the Latter-day Saints happiness into the souls of men, when do not have faith. they seek after him, and when they And then you add to that what the enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost, far brethren have already reported during beyond anything that men can pur- this conference of the gifts of the Saints chase with their money. that are not counted as tithes, and I say I have been in homes of rich people. the Saints are wonderful. God bless I have never seen any tears of joy shed them everywhere for their faith and because of anything they could purchase for their integrity. with their money, but I have been in I never come home from a stake con- groups of missionaries and groups of ference but what I say to my wife, Saints, when for hours at a time there "You just have to get out in this Church was not a dry eye there; just because to know the power of the Lord that is the spirit of God was there. Like in it." How anyone in the world could Nephi of old said, be familiar with the Church and what He [the Lord] hath filled me with his it is doing, and the spirit and the power love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. that is in it, and think that it comes (See II Nephi 4:21.) from man! He would have to be a very bright man, wouldn't he? I feel sorry for Latter-day Saints if The fast offerings in: that time in- they have never felt that power, and creased 230 percent. There have been that blessing, unto almost the con- 65 new stakes of Zion added; 458 wards, sumption of their flesh. and 73 new independent branches. That is what Paul meant when he I thought these figures might interest said of those who have tasted of the you and show that the Saints are com- power of the world to come, and then ing along pretty well. fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, which gave Now, brothers and sisters, if there is me to understand that Paul understood anything that I am sure of, more than that in this life, men could taste of anything else in the world, it is that the powers of the world to come. Surely this work is divine. It is not the work that was what Paul experienced when of man. It is the work of God, the he stood before Festus and Agrippa, Eternal Father, and his power is in it, there in chains as he was, and bore and I tell you in all sincerity that the witness of the ministration and the Holy Ghost, the Comforter that the appearance of the Savior to him on the. Savior promised to send to guide us in way to. Damascus, how he had seen all truth and bring things to our re- the light, and heard the Voice saying, membrance, is just as much a reality to me and just as necessary for our well- . . . Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? being as the sun that shines in the ... it is hard for thee to kick against the

- heavens is to the seed that is sown in pricks. (Acts 9:4-5.) - . , the ground, and the plants as they And after Festus and Agrippa had germinate arid come forth. I know the listened, Festus said, power of the Holy Ghost is in this

Church. ; L, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learn- 1

When the Lord sent his servants out ing doth make thee mad. .; , , t 114 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

But he said, I am not mad, most noble it went out the window the same way. Festus; but speak forth the words of truth I remember one man past his eighties, and soberness. . . . who had been in the government serv- Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost ice, walking up and down the streets thou persuadest me to be a Christian. and lanes in Holland for years and years {Ibid., 26:24-28.) of his life, and all he had for a com- And there he was in chains, and his panion and friend was his cigars. He reply was something like this, "I would chewed them instead of smoking them. to God, that not only thou, but all men And when he heard the gospel and everywhere were as I am, save these became converted, he laid them away; chains that hold me bound." (See he used to chew a little licorice root to Ibid., 26:29.) That is what the spirit take the place of the cigars. of the Lord does. I never hear of men like the one the And you remember when Jesus ap- stake president referred to but what peared to the people here in America, I think—if they were only converted following his resurrection, and estab- to the truth, they would not have to lished his Church and ministered among be asked to quit their tobacco. I could them, the historian says that the joys not help thinking the other night when that filled their souls no pen could write we had this demonstration of missionary nor tongue express. And that is the work, if every member of the Church thing the Lord gives to those who serve could see it and hear it, and all the him, and that is the joy of service there youth of the Church, we would not is in this Church. have so much transgression. I another thought before I A few weeks ago I attended a have stake conference, and a stake president close. You remember what the Lord told me about two visits he had made to said to Peter, he said, an adult member of the Aaronic Priest- . . . Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath hood, to try to induce him to quit his to- desired to have you, that he may sift you bacco so that he might receive the Mel- as wheat. chizedek Priesthood prepared to and be But I have prayed for thee, that thy go to the house of the Lord with his faith fail not: and when thou art con- family; and he said he had been un- verted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke successful. So I said to this stake presi- 22:31-32.) dent, "Did it ever occur to you that you might have been getting the cart before I tell you, brothers and sisters, the the horse, so to speak? If you would Latter-day Saints are becoming con- go to that man and teach him the verted, and they are strengthening their gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and brethren, but there would not be a man he would become converted, you would or a woman in all Israel who would not need to ask him to quit his tobacco." ever buy a pound of tea or coffee or a I think of the many, many homes into cigar or a cigaret or tobacco, in any which I went in the mission field. I form, if they were only converted. have in mind one now. The first night You just think of Peter. He said, there, because we would not smoke with "Though all the world forsake thee, I them, and we could not drink their will not forsake thee." But the Savior coffee with them, the man said, "Well, knew that even though he thought he I would never join your Church." Well, was converted he was not quite con- we did not discuss the Word of Wisdom verted. And so you remember how the any more for a few weeks, until we got Savior said that ere the cock should him a little farther along. And when crow, he would deny Jesus thrice, and we got a little farther along, we did he did. And he was the first one to not have to ask him to lay away his say, "I go fishing," (see John 21:3) coffee; it just disappeared. We did not after the Savior was crucified, but when have to ask him to quit his tobacco; he had remained at Jerusalem accord- BISHOP JOSEPH L. W1RTHL1N 115 ing to the Savior's command, until he ments that we may enjoy his Spirit, had been endowed with power from on that we may ever be found walking in high, the Holy Ghost, then he went his ways, and keeping his command- forth fearless as a lion, and when he ments, I humbly pray, in the name of was commanded that he should no the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. more preach Christ and him crucified in the streets of Jerusalem, he replied: President David O. McKay: "Whom shall man obey? God or man?" And you will remember that finally he You have just listened to Elder Le- rejected the privilege of being crucified Grand Richards, whom you have this with his head up, because he thought day sustained as a member of the Coun- he was not worthy to be crucified as cil of the Twelve. was his Lord. We shall now hear Bishop Joseph L. Brothers and sisters, if we could just Wirthlin, and he will be followed by get the Holy Ghost, the testimony of Brother Buehner. the spirit in the hearts of all Latter- This afternoon we interviewed Brother day Saints, we would not have any Buehner, and just as he shook hands of them saying that we harp too much to leave, with tears in his eyes, he said, on the Word of Wisdom. After all, "I hope I shall not have to speak this God gave it. afternoon, shall I?" God help us to so live his command- I suppose you will, Brother Buehner.

BISHOP JOSEPH L. WIRTHLIN

Presiding Bishop of the Church

beloved brethren and sisters, I It was just fourteen years ago this approach this task with mingled month when the telephone rang in my Myfeelings this afternoon. The one office, and someone said, "President difference between Bishop Richards' and Grant would like to speak to you." my situation has been that I was asked I answered the phone. The President to visit President McKay last night at said, "This is Heber J. Grant. We are five-thirty. Hence the turmoil in my reorganizing the Presiding Bishopric to- soul has existed for twenty-four hours, day. LeGrand Richards has been asked whereas in his case, he has only had to accept the position of Presiding Bish- two hours of it. op, with Marvin O. Ashton as his first I would like to say that this change counselor, and we are asking you to has brought about an end of one of take the position of second counselor." the sweetest experiences that I have I was shocked, and I suggested to the ever enjoyed. The last fourteen years President I should like to talk to him in association with Bishop Richards has about the matter. been a great source of inspiration, joy, He then declared, "There are only and happiness for me. thirty minutes before the next session I found him to be a man of great of the conference takes up, and I want faith. He has an abundance of humility, to have some rest. What do you say?" and in his heart of hearts there is a I answered "Yes," and I have never great love for all people. There has regretted having answered yes to that been a beaten trail to his door over call and all calls that have come to me the years by those who have been in in this great organization. distress, and they have never left his I think of Bishop Ashton today. I office empty-handed or without some learned much from him. He had a inspiration and encouragement. And as heart that was full of kindness and love he leaves us, we shed tears at our part- for all mankind. I say, "God bless his ing, but we are only two floors apart. memory." —

116 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Sunday, April 6 Third Day This great honor that has come to me two servants of God preaching the gospel today I accept as a tribute reflecting of the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to back to those who made it possible for this country amidst hardships. Because me to enjoy all the blessings of this of the faith of these forefathers of mine, great Church. I am here, living in peaceful valleys, I think of my Swiss grandfather and in the shadows of great mountains, and, grandmother, my English grandfather above all, within hearing of the voice and grandmother, who paid a dear price of the latter-day prophets. from a physical point of view for the So I owe to them a debt—a debt of acceptance of the gospel of the Lord gratitude, and a debt that can best be Jesus Christ. paid in service to this great cause. I My Swiss grandfather came into the was blessed with wonderful parents, a valleys of the mountains in destitute father who taught me the importance circumstances. He married his Swiss of integrity and virtue, and a mother sweetheart and took her to a mansion of great faith—a mother, who taught out on Eighth East and South Temple me the lessons of the gospel of the Lord a dugout—where they lived for two Jesus Christ at her knee. She taught years. But they were happy in the gos- me the story of the visitation of the pel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In a Father and the Son, and I accepted that short time my grandfather was called story without any reservations. on a mission to Switzerland. She taught me with reference to At that time they had three children. Jesus Christ and his divine mission. She He accepted the call without any reser- taught me to honor the men who stand vations. They had rio resources ex- at the head of this Church as prophets, cept the family cow, and that was sold seers, and revelators. And as I have to the end that his traveling expenses lived and grown older in life, I have might be paid, and my grandmother found that her teachings were right, sewed salt sacks for one dollar a thou- that they are true, and because of her sand in order to sustain her family and I owe to this great organization a serv- help her husband who was out preach- ice which I pray the Lord will give me ing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. the strength to render in such a way My English grandfather was a man that those who have asked me to accept of great faith. As a young man he had this position will be satisfied, that I the feeling in his heart that the gospel will please the Lord, and please you, of the Lord Jesus Christ must be upon my brethren and sisters. the earth somewhere, and that the I have been blessed with a fine com- Church of Jesus Christ could be found. panion, my dear wife. I remember the So he prayed to the Lord earnestly time in the early years of our married that he might find the Church and the life when it was a struggle, and 1 labored gospel. Finally one Saturday night be- in the bishopric of my ward; she gave fore retiring, he knelt down and asked me encouragement. Many times I have the Lord in faith whether or not the come home from work late. My clothes Church was upon the earth, and if it were spread out, my meal was prepared. was, could he find it. I ate it quickly, changed clothes, and During that night he had a dream, visited in the ward until late at night, and in the dream he saw a street in arose early the next morning before my the city where he lived, and in that children were awake, and went to street there was a hall, and in that hall work. two men were preaching the gospel of For days at a time I did not see my the Lord Jesus Christ. children when they were awake. So this When he awoke the next morning, companion of mine has the credit of he was so impressed by the dream that rearing our family, and since I have he got up, dressed, and went to the been in the Presiding Bishopric, being street, found the hall, and there found away for weeks at a time, she has taken BISHOP JOSEPH L. WIRTHLIN 117 over, and has done a great service as far them in their faith, testimony, loyalty, as my family is concerned, and I say, and devotion to the Church. "God bless her." The greatest authorities on the sci- In connection with this work I real- ence of teaching indicate the best teach- ize that I am following a great leader. ing is done where the listeners have I know of no man who has had at heart an opportunity to participate in the dis- the welfare of the youth of this Church cussion. more than Bishop LeGrand Richards. As of February of this year, a plan As a bishopric, we have counseled long has been worked out where the ward and often together in the endeavor to teachers leave in each home a small find means and ways whereby greater slip on which is printed the topic or service might be rendered to the Aaronic doctrine to be discussed during the com- Priesthood of the Church. ing month, and therewith are several Bishop Richards has received the in- scriptural references. This is an invi- spiration of the Lord's holy spirit, and tation to the families of this Church to rightly, too, for he has lived a life that prepare for the visit of the ward teachers, qualifies him for the association of the to know something about the subject Spirit, and out of it plans have been to discuss and enter into the discussion provided whereby both the young men freely. We have the hope that the and young women of the Church have teachers of the Church will be fully been stimulated to draw nigh unto the prepared, and as they enter each home, Lord. the family will know of the prepara- I have three sons. I love them with tion made because of the intelligent all my heart, and I have the same love discussion that will follow under the for the young men over whom we now direction of the Lord's holy spirit. have the responsibility and privilege of I am convinced that there are many presiding. young people in this Church who have Brethren and sisters, I recognize that questions in their minds relative to the the Presiding Bishopric has a great re- gospel of the Lord Jesus. sponsibility in the matter of seeing that Only the other day a sixteen-year- home teaching is carried on in the old boy asked his father, "What is the Church. This great priesthood assign- Holy Ghost? What form is it in? What ment from the Lord makes it clear to us are its functions? Do the General Au- that it is the teacher's duty to watch over thorities of the Church receive revela- the Church always, to be with them and tions through the Holy Ghost?" These strengthen them, to see that there is are all intelligent questions, and they no iniquity in the Church, backbiting, are pertinent. They indicate that this or evil speaking, to see that they attend sixteen-year-old boy was thinking. to their meetings, and that all of them In any Church family where the gos- do perform their duties. pel principles and doctrines are studied, The word all has impressed upon me the questions of the youth can be an- the fact that under no consideration swered fully and particularly in the are we as the teachers of the Church, presence of the ward teachers, the serv- as the servants of God, to teach the ants of God. several and see that they do their duty, "The glory of God is intelligence." but to see that all of them do their duty. (D. & C. 93:36.) If we are going to So, with this great assignment resting have a house of God in our homes, it upon the shoulders of the Presiding must be a house where we study the Bishopric, with the help and support gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as of the Melchizedek and Aaronic priest- we gain knowledge in our homes, knowl- hoods, we should be able to provide the edge of the gospel, then the glory of teaching of the gospel in every home, to God will be in that home. His Spirit watch over every home, to be with the will be there in rich abundance. There families of the Church, strengthening will be the spirit of love and peace and 118 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day good will. And finally when we have "Prophet of God, thank you for that finished our course here in life, we revelation." I had that same thought have been promised a mansion on the in my mind last night when the three other side, for the Christ said, members of the Presidency stood up and counseled the great multitude of the In my Father's house are many mansions: priesthood: "Prophets of God, I thank if it were not so, I would have told you. I you for your counsel. I thank you for go to prepare a place for you. your blessings."

. . . that where I am, ye may be also. Brethren and sisters, these men stand (John 14:2-3.) in relationship to the Church as did Peter, James, and John. They are the Brethren and sisters, the heavenly servants of God. The light of inspira- mansion of which the Savior speaks tion and revelation rests upon them will depend entirely upon how much mightily. That is my testimony. And intelligence gain in this life, and we what I say about them is equally true how much of it we apply in our lives of these twelve witnesses to the world, from day to day. We are all candidates the Twelve Apostles. Every one of for the celestial kingdom, and if we these men represents the Church as gain that knowledge and apply it in our Christ would have it represented. They lives, is question there no but what we have my love, and they have my respect, will inherit the celestial kingdom. and they have my support. The same I sincerely trust that we may have an is equally true of the brethren, the interest in your faith and prayers. For Assistants to the Twelve, and members these two grand men who will stand at of the First Council of the Seventy, and my side, I have deep respect and love. the Patriarch to the Church. And I Bishop Isaacson has proved his worth, would have you know that we of the and when I discussed with him the Presiding Bishopric are your servants. matter of remaining with me as one of If there is anything we can do to help my counselors, he said, "I don't want stake presidents and bishops with their you to feel that you have to take me. problems, we invite them to come and If there is someone else you would rather counsel with us. have, feel free in selecting him." Breth- I pray that the Lord will bless us that ren and sisters, knowing him as I do, we will be united in all of our en- knowing his faith, knowing of the great deavors, for I know that this is the work that he has done with the adult Church of the Christ. I am just as sure members of the Aaronic Priesthood, of that as I live. The visitation of the knowing something of his fine judgment, Father and the Son to Joseph Smith is I just felt that I could not give him up. a reality to me, not a dream. And the In Brother Buehner, I recognized a visitation of John the Baptist, and Peter, great leader, youth a man who accom- James, and John, and all of the heaven- plished a great work as stake president, ly beings who visited the Prophet, giv- a man who has splendid judgment, a ing him the keys wherein the gospel of humility. So I feel that with man was restored in its simplicity and its these two men by my side, with an in- fulness, and finally the establishment terest in your faith prayers, and and with of the Church as it existed in the days the help of brethren, our the First Presi- of the Christ, are all realities to me. dency, the Council of the Twelve, and There is no question about it. the Council of the Seventy, and with And I pray that the Lord will bless the help of the Lord, we can fill the me that I shall be built up in my faith. assignments that have been given to us. That he will forgive me of my weak- I couldn't help feeling the other morn- nesses, that I shall have his spirit with ing, after President McKay had finished me always, I humbly ask in the name of that great address, to say in my heart, Jesus Christ. Amen. BISHOP CARL W. BUEHNER 119

President David O. McKay:

He to whom you have just listened We shall now hear a few words from is Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin whom the Elder Carl W. Buehner, whom we in- General Conference has this day sus- troduce to you now as the Second Coun- tained as the Presiding Bishop of the selor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. Church.

BISHOP CARL W. BUEHNER

Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

dear brethren and sisters, I didn't all their lives why they came to Salt know a healthy man's legs could Lake City. They were faithful members Mywobble so much in such a short of this great Church. We were taught distance. I am humble as I have never as youngsters how we should live, and been humble before. I love this great if we haven't followed in their footsteps Church, and I love these great men that and if we haven't amounted to any- preside over it—these men we know as thing as sons and daughters of those the General Authorities of the Church. fine parents, it is certainly not their fault. I have had a great experience, and I thank them for it, in working in the We didn't have to be asked to go to organizations of the Church. I have Church; we always went with them. I had the privilege of being a bishop, of remember that as a little boy it was my being a stake president, of being the responsibility every Saturday to shine chairman of a region in this great wel- the shoes of my father and all my fare program of ours, and until a few brothers—and I had a lot of brothers. minutes ago I was a member of the We didn't do that on Sunday morning; general welfare committee of the it was all done on Saturday; and Sunday Church. morning the shined shoes were all put on, and we all went to Church. I can promise this to Bishop Wirthlin and to Bishop Isaacson, that I will do I'll appreciate always that I learned everything that they ask me to do as to work. I was the eldest of the fam-

long as I have strength to do it. I would ily, and as our family grew, my . parents drop in my tracks working for this great had quite a struggle in their early days Church. I know of nothing that I love in making a livelihood. As we became more; I know of no work that I would old enough, we had to learn how to do rather do than serve in this Church. something ourselves. As I grew old After all, I am only a humble elder in enough to go to high school, I loved the Church; my father and mother athletics as much as I did anything were converted by two Mormon elders else, and I finally had the privilege of in the old country, and when they came playing football and basketball and to this country in 1900, they brought baseball and other things, but I think with them two little children, and I as a freshman at high school I was the was one of those children. Elder Thomas first man who left the football practice E. McKay, brother of our great Presi- field and hurriedly took a shower and dent, said that he held me in his arms ran to my home so that I could be in the old country, and that my father working in our back yard when my and mother were the first ones to give father came home from work. It was him dinner when he came to that sec- only a few years after, that my father tion of the country as a missionary accompanied me to many games and about 1898. And if there is one thing watched some of my younger brothers. that I will always remember about my Well, it has been a great experience. good parents, it is that they remembered I love these men, and I will do all I 120 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

can in my humble and weak way to together we will move as a mighty army, assist them in every way I can. If I and that this great Church will grow have any disappointment, I think it and prosper. My testimony is this, that would be in Brother Romney, that he as we work in this Church, so will our let me leave the welfare committee just testimony increase, and so will the Lord at the time when I thought I could love us and his blessings be with us. help him a little. They trained me May it be so, I pray humbly in the name for a little over a year and had just of Jesus Christ. Amen. given me a new position wherein I thought I might be helpful, and here today that work has been terminated, The Tabernacle Choir and the congre- and I have a new position in the Church. gation joined in singing the hymn, I love the youth of the Church, and "Praise To The Man Who Communed I love you folk. I hope and pray that With Jehovah."

ELDER ELRAY L. CHRISTIANSEN

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles With you, my brothers and sisters, ourselves but to our loved ones and to I take great joy in sustaining, in a all those who will heed the call. real sense, these valiant servants of We should be thankful, as I am sure the Lord who have proven themselves so we all are, for these inspired men who well in the past. I sustain them in their lead and direct us in such a splendid new positions with all my heart. way. After three days and two evenings of If I could condense into a few words hearing the inspiring remarks of the the general theme of this conference, it brethren who have addressed us, I can would be something like this: Forsake assure you that the only comfort one the vain practices of the world and serve is comfort that gets at this stage the the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ. comes from knowing that that which Now, if we can go from here heeding he thought to say has been more ade- that general thought, this conference quately expressed than he could have will have produced much. I have often given it. That is my situation. wondered why Latter-day Saints should I think we have had a most wonderful need to be constantly admonished when conference in that there have been we can declare in testimony and in seriousness of earnest- sobriety, purpose, truth that God lives and that Jesus is ness of feeling, and it seems to me, a the Christ, that Joseph Smith was an desire on the part of everyone to accept instrument in his hands in restoring the that which has been given us. The gospel. I have very often thought that words that were given to one of the that should be sufficient for any of us, characters by William Shakespeare seem and like Adam, as President Clark men- to express my feeling: tioned this morning, to know what our Father desires should be sufficient. God, who lends me life, lend me a soul replete with thankfulness. And as with Adam, so with Abra- ham—no matter how great the sacri- 1 hope, my brothers and sisters, that fice, he did not equivocate. He did we can go from here, each of us, with not hesitate. He did not ask questions. "a soul replete with thankfulness" for I hope, my brothers and sisters, that we the abundance of blessings which are can approach this in our faith and our ours; for the truth which we have; for determination to serve the Lord. the authority to act in the name of the We are, however, exposed to the Lord and to officiate in his name, and philosophies and the practices of the thereby bring salvation not alone to world, and sometimes become intrigued —

ELDER ELRAY L. CHRISTIANSEN 121 with certain innovations which many That was given to the Church in 1832. people would have us think are the I doubt that the world has improved things to do. Therefore, we need to be much since then. Maybe we have reminded from time to time of the learned a lot more devilment in the things which really count, to put first intervening time. I am not sure, but things first, to love the Lord with all it would appear that way. our hearts and with all our might and Now, my brothers and sisters, through with all our strength. these days of confusion and of doubt, We Latter-day Saints need not sub- where can we find security? On what scribe to those practices which are around foundation can we safely build? us, of which we have been warned in Speaking of the conditions that would this conference. We need not minimize exist in these days, a revelation through the religious standards and ideals which the Prophet Joseph Smith gave us this have been set up for us to heed and to assurance: follow. We need not be "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God," as For they that are wise and have received Paul has said that many in the world the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit would be in these last days. (II Tim. for their guide, and have not been deceived 3:4.) We need not and should not be verily I say unto you, they shall not be "high-minded" nor self-sufficient, but hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall as true Latter-day Saints we should walk abide the day. And the earth shall be given unto them humbly before the Lord and remember for an inheritance; and they shall multiply that he is our God. and wax strong, and their children shall If can we be humble and submissive, grow up without sin unto salvation. gentle and easily entreated, we will For the Lord shall be in their midst, and grow in strength and in stature and be his glory shall be upon them, and he will be able to meet the vicissitudes of life, and their king and their lawgiver. (Ibid., 45:57- to withstand the "... evils and designs 59.) which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days" How marvelous it is, my brothers and (D. & C. 89:4), as we have been urged sisters, to contemplate such a blessing. to do. It is ours if we will just heed the require- for it. I very There is an old Spanish proverb ments often turn to the which says, scriptures when I speak to these young people, or did do in the temple, in an He that loseth wealth, loseth much. He effort to get them to hold to the course that loseth friends, loseth more. But he which is good for them, giving them this that loseth spirituality, loseth all. admonition in the words of Helaman: It seems to me that there is a depression on spiritual things. We are in a And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, worldwide "spiritual depression." As I who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye go about and observe the conduct of must build your foundation; that when the and this all many men women, seems devil shall send forth his mighty winds, the more convincing. And we are told yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat . . . the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the upon you, it shall have no power over you bondage of sin. to drag you down to the gulf of misery and And by this you may know they are endless wo, because of the rock upon which under the bondage of sin, because they ye are built, which is a sure foundation, come not unto me. a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. (Helaman For whoso cometh not unto me is under 5:12.) the bondage of sin. And whoso receiveth not my voice is not I commend that to the Latter-day acquainted with my voice, and is not of Saints, and to the young people particu- me. (D. & C. 84:49-52.) larly, who are making a struggle to 122 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day establish themselves in their homes and the Lord. This is not just another in their lives as husbands and wives Church. This is the Church of Jesus and fathers and mothers, to build upon Christ, and he heads it and directs it that sure foundation, for if they do, they through these instruments, these holy cannot fall, and they will not be de- men in his hands. ceived by the practices of the world. I testify to this, and pledge my al- I sustain the brethren with all my legiance to it in the name of Jesus heart. I know that this is the work of Christ. Amen.

ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER

Of the First Council of the Seventy

brethren and sisters, I humbly even Jesus Christ, to reveal to them ask an interest in your faith and the gospel plan. Myprayers, and the Spirit of God, As time passed, time and time again, to direct the few things that I may say little by little, line upon line, precept this afternoon. upon precept, doctrine upon doctrine, I have a strong desire and feeling in the gospel was revealed by the Savior my heart in this closing session of the to Father Adam and Mother Eve. They conference to encourage the Latter-day rejoiced in all the revelations that they Saints to keep God's commandments. I received; and faithfully they rendered know that there is nothing in this world obedience to the commandments of that is as important to members of the God. We read in the Pearl of Great Church as to keep all the command- Price: ments. In fact, the very purpose, the And he [meaning the Lord] gave unto reason for our existence here in mortal- them commandments, that they should wor- ity, is to prove us, to see if we will ship the Lord their God, and should offer "... live by every word that proceedeth the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering forth from the mouth of God." (D. & C. unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient 84:44; 98:11.) unto the commandments of the Lord. As President Clark pointed out in his And after many days an angel of the masterful discourse this morning, Jesus Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? Christ, at the grand council in heaven, And Adam said unto him: I know not, declared that the sons and daughters of save the Lord commanded me. (Moses placed this earth God would be upon 5:5-6.) " to . . . prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever Now, some people may regard Adam's the Lord their God shall command answer as one of blind obedience. I them." And the Master gave the prom- think his answer is one of the most sub- ise to them that those who were success- lime illustrations in the scripture of ful in doing so, would "... have glory faithful obedience. Although he did added upon their heads for ever and not know the full answer why, yet he ever." (Abraham 3:25-26.) knew that God would not tell him to In due course of time, Father Adam do anything which would be harmful and Mother Eve were placed in the for him. He was convinced that all that Garden of Eden. They partook of the God commanded him to do was for forbidden fruit. The Fall came about; his own good; therefore, he obeyed, and thus they became mortal .beings. A later on he received light. veil was drawn over their minds, and It would be a wonderful thing if all they forgot their pre-mortal existence the members of the Church of Jesus and the gospel by which they had pre- Christ of Latter-day Saints would follow viously lived in the spirit world. It Adam's example. When the holy proph- was necessary, therefore, for Jehovah, ets—the First Presidency of the Church, ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER 123 the Twelve Apostles, God's anointed mandment. Of course, God rejected prophets, seers, and revelators upon this that offering, and Cain became very earth—give instructions to the Church angry. And then the Lord appeared members, if we would all render unto Cain, and said: obedience to their instructions, having . . . Why art thou wroth? Why is thy a firm conviction in our hearts that countenance fallen? they speak the word of God; although If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted. we do not have the answer yet, know- And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the ing in due time we should receive light door, and Satan desireth to have thee; and as did Father Adam. except thou shalt hearken unto my com- It is my testimony that such would mandments, I will deliver thee up, and it be the case. I am not only willing to shall be unto thee according to his desire. follow the counsel of the brethren but (Ibid., 5:22-23.) also glad to obey God's commandments love as given by his prophets. Yet Cain continued to Satan than God. entered into a We are told that there are two masters more He secret covenant with Satan to murder in this world. The one Master is Jesus his brother Abel for gain. "And he Christ; the other master is Satan. The Savior himself taught: gloried, [so the scripture says], in his wickedness." (Ibid., 5:31.) And after No man can serve two masters: for either this terrible crime had been committed, he will hate the one, and love the other; Cain received his "wages from him or else he will hold to the one, and despise whom he listeth to obey." He was cursed the other. Ye cannot serve God and mam- by the Lord with a dark skin. He lost mon. (Matt. 6:24.) the Holy Priesthood. He lost his eternal a son of perdition. Thus, Alma, one of the great Book of Mor- soul, becoming turned over to Satan his master. mon prophets, taught: "For every man he was — God, our Eternal Father, is very much receiveth wages of him whom he listeth concerned about you and me and every to obey." (Alma 3:27.) If we list to one of his children here upon this obey Jesus Christ, as our Master, we earth regarding their keeping his com- walk in the light: we receive peace, hap- mandments. keep his com- piness, prosperity, and the other good When we mandments, it gives him joy; his heart blessings of this life, and in the world is caused to rejoice. we disobey to come, eternal life in our Father's When his commandments, his heart is caused kingdom. If we choose to follow Luci- to sorrow. fer as our master, we shall receive the Enoch had the privilege of looking wages which are his to bestow upon us. through the stream time in On certain occasions those who obey down of a vision. were observing Satan receive as their wages misery, He and God unhappiness, sorrow, and disappoint- human history in that vision. When the scene came to the period of the ment in this life; and, one might say, time of and they were observing on all occasions, they experience the Noah taking place during that pe- loss of their eternal rewards in the what was riod, wept." Ibid., world to come. "God (See 7:28.) Enoch very surprised to see One of the most apt illustrations of was much that asked: one who chose to follow Lucifer, that God would weep, and "Why is it that God weeps? Everything is comes to my mind at this time, was happy in heaven, everything is peaceful Cain. We read in the Pearl of Great Price: there, everybody worships you." In fact, Enoch could see no reason why God And Cain loved Satan more than God. should weep; but God said: And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord. (Moses 5:18.) . . . Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and Cain was obedient to Satan's com- I gave unto them their knowledge, in the —

124 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

day I created them; and in the Garden of two men met, Saul greeted Samuel as Eden, gave I unto man his agency. the chosen prophet of God, and said: thy brethren have I said, And unto and "Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have also given commandment, that they should performed the commandment of the love one another and that they should Lord" (Ibid., 15:13); stating that he choose me, their Father; but behold, they detail, are without affection, and they hate their had obeyed God's command in own blood. having completely destroyed the Amale-

. . . among all the workmanship of mine kites. hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren. (Ibid., 7:32-33, And Samuel said, What meaneth then 36.) this bleating of sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of oxen which I hear?

Because God knew the calamity that And Saul said, They have brought . . . should come to those people, he wept a few of the fattest and best of the cattle and declared that the heavens also wept and sheep for the purpose of offering over them. sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. (Ibid., In his conference talk, President S. 15:14-15.) Dilworth Young gave a wonderful illustration on God's concern over our And then Samuel made this memo- obedience which I would like to repeat rable statement: today.

King Saul had recently come to the Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt throne when an invading Bedouin tribe offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the from the Arabian desert came into the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better land of Canaan and molested the than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat Israelites. The voice of the Lord came of rams. (Ibid., 15:22.) to Samuel, the prophet, commanding him to command King Saul to take I would that every Latter-day Saint his armies and go in pursuit of those would place deeply that statement in invaders, the Amalekites, and destroy or his heart and keep it there forever. kill every man, woman, and child, both Furthermore, I would that every Church male and female, and all the animals, member from this time forward would as well as to destroy utterly all of the repeat every few days: "Behold, to obey properties. Saul received this com- is better than sacrifice, and to hearken mandment, went in pursuit of the than the fat of rams"; and obedience is Amalekites but did not fully keep the even better than the wealth of this commandment. He brought back the world or than any position or honor fattest and best of the sheep and cattle, that mortal man can bestow upon us. as spoils of war. Best of all our attainments, therefore, is to obey the voice of God in all things God was very displeased with Saul's and at all times. disobedience; and the voice of the Lord We have been told by the holy spoke to Samuel again, telling him that prophets throughout the entire course of Saul had history that we will receive our bless-

. . . turned back from following me, and ings from the hand of God according hath not performed my commandments. to the obedience that we render to his (I Samuel 15:11.) holy laws. Therefore, the rewards and punishments are, one might say, based And then the Lord explained to upon a scientific formula. The Lord Samuel what Saul had done. There- revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith: upon Samuel went out to meet King Saul as he was coming home from the There is a law, irrevocably decreed in war. Saul heard that Samuel was heaven before the foundations of this world, coming, so probably he hid the cattle upon which all blessings are predicated and sheep behind a hill. When those And when we obtain any blessing from ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER 125

God, it is by obedience to that law upon by every word that proceedeth forth which it is predicated. (D. & C. 130:20-21.) out of the mouth of God." (D. & C. 98:11.) Jesus Christ has promised that God, our Eternal Father, is not as if we do so all that the Father has will race of greatly concerned over which be given unto us. (Ibid., 84:38.) people we belong to nor over the color Now, what does the Father have? of our skins as he is over our righteous- The greatest blessing that he has to ness. He is not concerned with how give to his faithful children, according wealthy are whether we drive a we — to his own declaration, is eternal life. care Cadillac or walk; nor does he to (Ibid., 14:7.) Also, he has called this belong; is which family we but he gift exaltation in the presence of God. deeply concerned over what kind of Godhood is another way to describe In other words, it hearts we have. that same gift. (Ibid., 132:19-20.) There- vital difference to whether makes a him fore, all those who love God and keep we render obedience to his command- his commandments will receive eternal ments or not. life, godhood, or exaltation, which means The question ofttimes comes to the that they will rise in the resurrection minds of thinking people, especially and enter into celestial glory to be made people: young "What rewards come as joint heirs with Jesus Christ and receive a result of obedience to God's com- all that the Father has. mandments?" Even from the very be- I am as thoroughly convinced as I ginning, and in every gospel dispensa- am that I am standing here speaking to tion, the followers of Jesus Christ have you people, in fact, I know that if you been told by the holy prophets that and I will keep God's commandments those who render obedience to God's day by day, walking humbly with our commandments eventually will find rest God, with "a broken heart and a con- in the presence of the Lord. There trite spirit," as the Lord has commanded they will receive a blessed immortality. us to do (Micah 6:8; III Nephi 9:20), fact, in In the very beginning when eventually we will hear the voice of Adam and his posterity began to popu- God invite us into his presence; and, late the earth, the scriptures report: as the scriptures state, we shall "... And the Lord God called upon men by pass by the angels, and the gods, which the Holy Ghost everywhere and commanded are set there, to . . . [our] exaltation them that they should repent; and glory in all things, ..." (D. & C. And as many as believed in the Son, 132:19.) and repented of their sins, should be saved; If we prove faithful in keeping all and as many as believed not and repented of God's commandments, we shall re- not, should damned; the be and words went ceive a glorious celestialization, a com- forth out of the mouth of God in a firm parable degree of happiness, joy, peace, decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled. and power with that which God, the (Moses 5:14-15.) Eternal Father, and the Only Begotten When you and I became members of Son have attained. In other words, all the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- that the Father has will be given unto day Saints and were baptized, we entered us. This is what is in store for the faith- into a covenant to keep God's com- ful Saints, for those who love God and mandments—all of his commandments. keep his commandments. We did not covenant to obey just the I humbly ask our Father in heaven to gospel laws that meet our convenience, bless every Latter-day Saint in the the ones that we like to keep, but all world; that all of us will vow to keep of God's commandments. God's commandments and that we will When we received the Holy Mel- walk by every word that proceedeth chizedek Priesthood, we received it with forth from his mouth from this time an oath and a covenant; and the oath forward. I do so, in the name of Jesus and covenant is that we will live "... Christ. Amen. 126 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

President David O. McKay: than advancing age. Certainly, I am sure that it was not because of the lack We have just heard Elder Milton R. of nearness to Brother Lee. No man is Hunter, of the First Council of Seventy. nearer to us in the commencement of We shall now be favored with remarks from Elder Harold B. Lee. the Welfare, even before Brother Lee I cannot explain my stumbling over was called to the Council of the Twelve, that middle initial, except it be through than Harold B. Lee, who will now mental weariness, that sounds better speak to us.

ELDER HAROLD B. LEE

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Iwant President McKay to know that live. The certainty of that was as sure it does not make any difference to to me then as it is today that he was me whether he remembers my name spared for a great and glorious mission. or my middle initial; all I want him to The Prophet Moroni enjoined his know is that I want to be counted as people to seek for the great gift of faith one who loves the Lord, and who loves in words that, as nearly as I can recall, our President, as our prophet, seer, and were something like this: revelator.

. . . Faith is things which are hoped for I am sure that because of the lateness and not seen; wherefore, dispute not be- of the hour, and the desire of all of us cause ye see not, for ye receive no witness have a closing word from Presi- that we until after the trial of your faith. (Ether dent McKay and his blessing before 12:6.) this conference closes, you will indulge me the discretion of not presuming to Eleven years ago this morning, I discourse on what I may have prepared climbed the steps and took my place to say at this conference. Therefore, I on the stand where Brother Richards is shall close my remarks by only bearing today. In eleven years, to the day, I my testimony. have moved from the arm rest to my With all my heart I welcome four left, to the arm rest to my right. That great, noble souls to new positions call was an overpowering experience, as among the General Authorities of this only these, my brethren, know, but Church: LeGrand Richards, Joseph L. the greatest experience was not eleven Wirthlin, Thorpe B. Isaacson, and Carl years ago today, but eleven years ago W. Buehner. I think there is no man the week following today. or no person in this Church happier It was on the day or so following con- than I at the changes which have come ference that President Stephen L Rich- to give these men their present posi- ards, who was then chairman of the tions. Church radio and publicity committee, I am thinking back, to that brief approached me and said, "Brother Lee, moment up in Idaho, when Brother next Sunday is Easter, and we have de- LeGrand Richards lay at death's door. cided to ask you to give the Sunday The doctors had thought that Brother night radio talk, the Easter talk, on the Richards might not be with us long, resurrection of the Lord." And then he because of a serious heart attack. The added, "You understand now, of course, late Bishop Marvin O. Ashton and I that as a member of the Council of the drove up one Sunday afternoon to Grace, Twelve, you are to be one of the special Idaho, to visit him. In a brief moment, witness of the life and mission of the when my hands were on the head of Savior and of that great event." The Brother Richards, I knew that the Lord most overwhelming of all the things loved him and that he was going to that have happened to me was to begin PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 127

to realize what a call into the Council humble witness, that only shall I re- of the Twelve meant. ceive a greater witness than I today During the days which followed, I have, that he is, when my faith through locked myself in one of the rooms over trial shall have become the more per-

in the Church Office building, and fect. - there I read the story of the life of the I know with all my soul today, God Savior. As I read the events of his life, being my witness, that the Savior died, and particularly the events leading up to was resurrected, and lives today, so close and of the crucifixion, and then of the to us in the councils of the priesthood, resurrection, I discovered that some- so near to those whom he has chosen thing was happening to me. I was not as his mouthpieces, that if they will but just reading a story; it seemed actually open their hearts and minds, they may as though I was living the events; and know with a surety that they have done I was reading them with a reality the his will and that he has spoken. like of which I had never before experi- I am thinking today of the quoted enced. And when, on the Sunday night testimony of a great defender of the following, after I had delivered my brief faith recorded in Brother Barker's splen- talk and then declared, simply, "As one did priesthood lessons which we are of the humblest among you, I, too, know now studying in the priesthood quo- that these things are true, that Jesus rums, when he told how his testimony died and was resurrected for the sins came. This is what that faithful Cyprian of the world," I was speaking from a full said: "Into my heart, purified of its heart, because I had come to know sins, there entered a light which came that week, with a certainty which I from on high, and then, immediately, in never before had known. a marvelous manner, I saw certainty I do not know whether that expe- succeed doubt." rience was the realization of the work- God help us, as the sons and daugh- ings of the gift of the more sure word ters of our Heavenly Father, that we, of prophecy, but this much I came to having the right to the witness of the know: neither the Prophet Joseph Holy Ghost, shall by faith so purify Smith, nor any who have followed our hearts that the light from on high since, have ever received a personal may enter into them, that in a marvel- visitation from the Master, nor have ous way we, too, may see all doubt flee they ever received a special witness of in the face of absolute certainty. God his life and mission, except they have help us to this end, and keep us in the had a supreme faith. Until that faith, worthy of the testimonies of the faith had been tried and tested, only reality of the mysteries of heaven and then did they receive the witness. godliness, I humbly pray, in the name This much more I know, and bear of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of ence, another glorious opportunity that the Twelve has just spoken to us. the Church has had of meeting together, His address marks the last of a series making new resolutions, receiving timely of addresses given during this confer- instructions, and sustaining the Authori- ence by the General Authorities of the ties of the Church. The weather has Church, all of whom you have heard, been most propitious. The attitude of excepting Elder Stayner Richards, who the individuals who have assembled in is presiding over the British Mission. the various gatherings, including the Elder Romney, as you know, gave the Primary conference, has been hopeful, Church of the Air address this morning. promising, eager; that of the congrega- Thus comes to a close a great confer- tions, most responsive. 128 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 6 Third Day

The messages of the General Authori- faith without thy works, and I will ties have all been timely and inspira- shew thee my faith by my works." tional; the cooperation of the city offi- (James 2:14-18.) cials, ready and efficient. The assistance As we depart now to go to our various rendered by the various radio stations, homes, let us make real the good feel- here in our own city, in Idaho, Colorado, ings that have been aroused in our souls. Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico, Let us not permit to evaporate from our has been the means of permitting tens minds and feelings the good resolutions of thousands of people to hear the pro- we have formed. First, let us resolve ceedings of this the 122nd Annual Gen- that from now on we are going to be eral Conference of the Church. To all men of higher and more sterling char- we extend words of appreciation, heart- acter, more conscious of our own weak- felt expressions of gratitude, for all com- nesses, more kind and charitable towards bined to make this a most memorable others' failings. occasion. Let us resolve that we shall practise To our singers, the Brigham Young more self-control in our homes, control University chorus of young people, to our tempers and our tongues, and con- our own Tabernacle Choir, we again trol our feelings, that they may not express our thanks. wander beyond the bounds of right and What a glorious opportunity we have purity, more seeking the presence of had in listening to these two great God, realizing how dependent we are organizations. To our choir, I believe upon him for success in this life, and I will express not only your gratitude particularly for success in the positions but also that of the entire city and of we hold in the Church. the state, for the Salt Lake Tabernacle As we leave this conference, let us not Choir is now an institution, not just an only resolve to be more loyal to our organization, appreciated by every mem- quorums but more devoted to the duties ber of the Church, and I think by every assigned us, one of which is attendance fair-minded citizen of our glorious state. at our quorum meetings, in order to God bless them, and those young people strengthen that group and increase the who came up from the Brigham Young power of fellowship and brotherhood, University to sing at the opening ses- more loyal to our country. This is an sions of conference. election year. Upon you devolves the I have much in my heart to say to responsibility of choosing our servants in you, but I will conclude by calling government, for whoever is elected to your attention to the words of a very preside over this country as President, as practical servant of the Lord who was senators, members of the House of Rep- blessed to labor in the companionship resentatives, are your servants, not your and shadow of our Lord and Savior rulers. And do not be slothful on the Jesus Christ. Indeed, I think he is his day of election, but come out and exer- own brother. James said: cise your right and privilege as a citizen "What doth it profit, my brethren, of this great republic. What doth it though a man say he hath faith, and profit though a man say he hath faith have not works? can faith save him? not works? Here we should prove our- "If a brother or sister be naked, and selves loyal citizens. destitute of daily food, And one of you As we depart, let us be more deter- say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye mined to make beautiful homes, to be warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye kinder husbands, more thoughtful give them not those things which are wives, more exemplary to our children, needful to the body; what doth it profit? determined that in our homes we are "Even so faith, if it hath not works, going to have just a little taste of heaven is dead, being alone. here on this earth. "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast With these resolves in mind, with all faith, and I have works: shew me thy my heart I say, fellow workers, God PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 129 bless you. Cherish in your hearts the of Olives," after which the closing testimony of truth, make it as solid and prayer was offered by Elder Golden H. as firm and unwavering as the fixed Hale, formerly president of the Samoan stars in the heavens. May there come Mission. into everyone's heart and in all our Conference adjourned sine die. homes the true spirit of Christ our Re- deemer, whose reality, whose inspiring The congregational singing of the guidance I know to be real. Conference was directed by J. Spencer God bless you, keep you, and magni- Cornwall, Conductor, and Richard P. fy you in the eyes of your associates! Condie, Assistant Conductor, of the May he make more powerful than ever Tabernacle Choir. before in the history of this Church the The Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir was influence of this divine organization, in attendance at the Sunday Sessions, that its potency may be felt throughout a chorus from the Tabernacle Choir the world, and men's hearts turned to was present at the Saturday, afternoon serve him as they have never before meeting, and furnished musical num- been influenced, that we may avert the bers at those meetings. terrible threatening war, and peace be The Tabernacle Choir male chorus established among the nations of the provided the choral music for the Gen- world, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. eral Priesthood meeting Saturday eve- Amen. ning. The Brigham Young University Com- President David O. McKay: bined Choruses, under the direction of Norman Gulbrandsen, Crawford Gates, The Tabernacle Choir will now favor and Newel Weight, furnished musical us with the Hallelujah Chorus from the numbers at the Friday morning and "Mount of Olives." afternoon meetings. The Closing prayer will be offered Saturday morning the singing was en- by Elder Golden H. Hale, formerly tirely by the congregation, Richard P. President of the Samoan Mission, after Condie conducting. which this Conference will adjourn The music of the Church of the Air sine die. broadcast and also the Tabernacle Choir The Deseret Sunday School Union and Organ broadcast, Sunday morning

Conference will convene in this build- was directed by J. Spencer Cornwall, ing at 7 o'clock tonight. All Sunday Frank W. Asper was at the organ, and School workers should be in attendance. the spoken word was by Richard L. The Choir music for today's sessions, Evans. as you know, has been furnished by the Accompaniments and interludes on

Tabernacle Choir, with Elder J. Spencer the great organ were played by Alex- Cornwall conducting, and Elder Alex- ander W. Schreiner, Frank W. Asper, ander Schreiner at the organ. and Roy A. Darley. The Temple Presidencies will please keep in mind our meeting following the Stenographic notes of the conference close of this session. were taken by Frank W. Otterstrom and Joseph Anderson. The Tabernacle Choir sang The Joseph Anderson Hallelujah Chorus from "The Mount Clerk of the Conference.

Index

Page

Anderson, Elder Joseph 4

Authorities and Officers Present 1 Authorities and Officers Sustained 109 Benson, Elder Ezra Taft 57 Bowen, Elder Albert E 63 Buehner, Bishop Carl W 119 Changes in Church Officers, and Stake, Ward and Branch Organizations 4 Choir and Organ Broadcast 92 Christiansen, Elder EIRay L 120 Church Auditing Committee Report 10 Church of the Air 88

Clark, President J. Reuben, Jr 80 (General Priesthood Meeting)

Clark, President J. Reuben, Jr 95

Clark, President J. Reuben, Jr 108 (Presentation of General Authorities and Officers) Cowley, Elder Matthew 102 Evans, Elder Richard L 67 Evans, Elder Richard L 88, 92 First Day—Afternoon Meeting 26 First Day—Morning Meeting 3 Financial Report 7

General Authorities and Officers Present 1 General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers Sustained 109 General Priesthood Meeting 76 Hunter, Elder Milton R 122 Isaacson, Bishop Thorpe B 16 Ivins, Elder Antoine R 71 Kimball, Elder Spencer W 20 Kirkham, Elder Oscar A 100 Lee, Elder Harold B 126 Longden, Elder John 98 Morris, Elder George Q 30 Moyle, Elder Henry D 35 McConkie, Elder Bruce R 55 McKay, President David 11 Gratitude 11, Encouragement Justified 11, First: Quorums of Priesthood 11, Second: Relief Society 12, Third: Sunday School 12, Fourth, Y.M.M.LA. 12, Fifth: Y.W.M.LA. 12, Sixth: Primary Association 12, Genealogical Society 13, Causes of Apprehension 13, Faith in God 15. McKay, President David 85 (General Priesthood Meeting) 132 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Page

McKay, President David O • 127 (Closing Address)

McKay, President David 3, 4, 10, 11, 24, 25, 26, 30, 41, 42, 62, 75, 76, 79, 82, 87, 94, 95, 107, 108, 111, 115, 119, 126, 129 McKay, Elder Thomas E 24 Obituaries 6 Petersen, Elder Mark E 104 Presentation of General Authorities and Officers 109 Priesthood Meeting, General 76 Richards, President Stephen L 43 Richards, President Stephen L 82 (General Priesthood Meeting) Richards, Elder LeGrand Ill Romney, Elder Marion G 88 Second Day—Afternoon Meeting 62 Second Day—Morning Meeting 42 Smith, Elder Eldred G 37 Smith, President Joseph Fielding 26 Sonne, Elder Alma 74 Stapley, Elder Delbert L 49 Statistical Report 10 Stover, Elder Walter 77 Sunday Morning General Conference Session 93 Sustaining of General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers 109 Tabernacle Choir and Organ Broadcast 92 Third Day—Afternoon Meeting 108 Third Day—Church of the Air 88 Widtsoe, Elder John A 32 Wirthlin, Bishop Joseph L 115 Young, Elder Clifford E 68 Young, Elder Levi Edgar 52

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