Ona, diuundhstL Jhbiiisdh, SEMI-ANNUAL conmcf OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Held in the Tabernacle

Salt Lake City,

OdoJbsUL 7, 8, and, 9, 1960

With Report of Discourses

Published by

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Salt Lake City, Utah

The One Hundred Thirtieth Semi-annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The One Hundred Thirtieth Semi- system and by television. Thousands, Annual Conference of the Church of in addition listened to the services on Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints con- the Tabernacle Grounds by means of vened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, amplifying equipment. Utah, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, The proceedings of the General Priest- October 7, 8, and 9, 1960. hood meeting were broadcast in the The general sessions of the Conference Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall over were held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., public address systems, and by direct Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the wire over a public address system to General Priesthood meeting was held in members of the Priesthood in other the Tabernacle, Saturday evening, Octo- assemblies throughout the United States, ber 8, at 7:00. and in Canada and New Zealand. The proceedings of the general ses- President David O. McKay presided, sions were broadcast and telecast over and conducted the services at each of Station KSL and KSL-TV at Salt Lake the sessions of the Conference, including City, and by arrangement through KSL the General Priesthood meeting. the following stations made available A full report of Columbia Broadcasting to their listening or viewing audiences System's Tabernacle Choir and Organ one or more of the six general sessions: broadcast is also included in this record. In Utah: KSVC at Richfield, KSUB (See pages 118 to 119.) Vernal, at Cedar City, KVEL at KVNU Elder was Clerk of at Logan, KDXU at St. George. the Conference. In Arizona: KGUN-TV at Tucson, KPHO and KPHO-TV at Phoenix, General Authorities of the Church KCLS at Flagstaff, KVWM at Show Present Low. In California: KSRO at Santa Rosa, The First Presidency: David O. KRDG at Redding, KEEN at San Jose, McKay, J. Reuben Clark, Jr.,* and Henry KOVR-TV at Stockton, KGO-TV at San D. Moyle. Francisco, KTTV at Los Angeles. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: In Colorado: KBTV at Denver. , Harold B. Lee, In Idaho: KRXK at Rexburg, KID and Spencer W. Kimball, , KID-TV at Idaho Falls, KPST at Pres- Mark E. Petersen, Delbert L. Stapley, ton, KBRV at Soda Springs, KBOI-TV Marion G. Romney, LeGrand Richards, at Boise. Richard L. Evans, **, Hugh B. Brown, In Montana: KOOK-TV at Billings, and Howard W. Hunter. KXLF-TV at Butte, KFBB-TV at Great Patriarch to the Church: Eldred G. Falls, KXLJ-TV at Helena. Smith. In Nevada: KSHO-TV at Las Vegas. Assistants to the Twelve Apostles: In Mexico: KRSN at Los Alamos. , EIRay L. Christiansen, , Sterling Sill, Gordon In Oregon, K-KID at Pendleton. W. B. Hinckley, Henry D. Taylor, William In Washington: KOMO-TV at Seat- J. Critchlow, Jr., Alvin R. Dyer, Nathan tle, KREM-TV at Spokane, KNDO-TV Eldon Tanner,*** Franklin Dewey at Yakima.

*President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. attended only the All general sessions of the Conference Sunday morning meeting. were broadcast in the Assembly Hall on **Elder George Q. Morris was absent because of Temple Square, in Barratt Hall (60 illness. ***Elder was sustained as North Main Street), over a loudspeaking one of the Assistants to the Twelve Apostles. 2 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Richards,**** and Theodore Moyle Presidents of Stakes and their Coun- Burton.***** selors, Presidents of Temples, Patriarchs, Priests, Seventies, Elders; The First Council of the Seventy: High General, ******, Antoine R. Ivins, Seymour Dil- Stake, and Ward officers of Auxiliary worth Young, Milton R. Hunter, Bruce Associations, etc., from all parts of the R. McConkie, Marion Duff Hanks, and Church. Albert Theodore Tuttle. Mission Presidents: Richard L. Evans, Temple Square, Salt Lake City; Bryan L. Presiding Bishopric: Joseph L. Wirth- Bunker, California; Thomas S. Monson, lin, Thorpe B. Isaacson, and Carl W. Canadian; George Z. Aposhian, Central Buehner. Atlantic States; Samuel R. Carpenter, Central States; Frank H. Brown, East General Officers and Other Central States; Gerald G. Smith, Eastern Authorities Present States; Alvin R. Dyer, European; Clif- ford O. Gledhill, Great Lakes; Lincoln Church Historian and Recorder: Jo- F. Hanks, Gulf States; Harvey H. Taylor, seph Fielding Smith, and assistants, A. Mexican; John E. Carr, New England; William Lund and Preston Nibley. Clement P. Hilton, North Central Members of the General Welfare Com- States; Warren E. Pugh, Northern Cali- mittee, Church Welfare Program. fornia; Israel I. Bentley, Northern Members of the Church Board of Mexican; Richard W. Maycock, North- Education and Administrator Church ern States; Franklin D. Richards, North- Board of Education, Directors and Asso- western States; J. Byron Ravsten, ciate Directors of Institutes, and Semin- Southern States; Fred W. Turley, South- ary Instructors. west Indian; Ralph E. Brown, Spanish American; Casper W. Merrill, West ****Elder Franklin Dewey Richards was sustained Central States; Leland Perry, as one of the Assistants to the Twelve Apostles. M. West *****Elder Theodore Moyle Burton was sustained Spanish American; Parley A. Arave, as one of the Assistants to the Twelve Apostles. Western Canadian; David S. Romney, * * * * * "Elder Levi Edgar Young was absent because of illness. Western States. FIRST DAY MORNING MEETING

The first session of the One Hundred eral sessions of the Conference will be Thirtieth Semi-Annual Conference of the broadcast in the Assembly Hall, and Church convened in the great Taber- Barratt Hall by television. The general nacle (Salt Lake City, Utah) Friday sessions of this Conference will be broad- morning, October 7, at 10:00 a.m. cast as a public service over television President David O. McKay presided, and and radio stations throughout the West, conducted the services of the meeting. over 62 radio stations and 45 television The music for this session of the stations. The names of these stations Conference was furnished by the Relief have already been announced to the Society Singing Mothers from the Ogden television and radio audiences. We wish and Northern Utah Regions, Florence to express appreciation to the owners of Jepperson Madsen, Conductor, Alexander these stations who render this public Schreiner, Organist. service. According to a survey that has President McKay opened the Con- been made, it is possible that over a ference with the following introductory million people will hear and see the remarks: proceedings of this Conference. This figure is based on the ratio of each city President David O. McKay: carrying the Conference and the number of viewers in each city.

This is the opening session of the To this large audience, to the over- One Hundred Thirtieth Semi-Annual flow gatherings in the Assembly Hall Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ and Barratt Hall, in behalf of the First of Latter-day Saints. We are convened Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, in the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle on and the other General Authorities, we Temple Square. bid you all a hearty welcome. Yesterday and Wednesday, this house Any important messages that come to was filled with sisters of the Relief us to persons attending the sessions will Society. We commend the presidency be announced at the dismissal of the of the Relief Society and the members meetings over the public address system of the General Board upon the excellent on the grounds. program they have given to the sisters We are favored this morning in hav- of the Church. They truly had a spirit- ing the Relief Society Singing Mothers ual feast. from the Ogden and Northern Utah All the General Authorities of the Regions, who will furnish the music Church are in attendance this morning, for the sessions of the Conference today. excepting three of the leading Brethren It is a joy to have these mothers present whose absence you all note: President this morning. They were with the Re- Clark sends his love to all, but heeding lief Society yesterday and the day before. the doctor's orders he is confined this The lovely Hawaiian flowers, anther- morning to his room; so is President Levi iums, which you see arranged on the Edgar Young of the First Council of rostrum and pulpit, were sent by airplane Seventy and Elder George Q. Morris with the love and affection of the mem- of the Council of the Twelve. All three bers of the Honolulu Stake. We express send their love to you this morning and appreciation to them for their thought- invoke your faith and prayers in their fulness in supplying these beautiful behalf as they are extending theirs in blooms for our enjoyment during the yours. Conference sessions. Fifty years ago we Elder Joseph Anderson is Clerk of the could not have had this pleasure. These Conference. flowers were blooming in Hawaii yes- For the convenience of those who are terday and are here in your presence unable to enter this building, and the today. building is crowded to capacity, we an- The following is a telegram from the nounce that these services and all gen- Andes Mission, Lima, Peru: GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day "Greetings from the Andes Mission. We are pleased also to have our stake ." All are well. . . That was presidencies, bishoprics, temple presi- just organized, where they had the dents and general auxiliary officers. ". earthquake recently. . . May you have There are present also today our mission an inspirational conference." Signed by presidents from the United States,

President J. Vernon Sharp. Mexico, Central America, Canada, and all hearty Here is one from the North British Hawaii. To we extend a Mission, Manchester: "The missionaries welcome. and saints of the North British Mission We shall begin this session by the send their sustaining vote and love Relief Society Singing Mothers render- and wish you an inspiring General Con- ing, "The Lord Is My Light," conducted ference. We shall be there with our by Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen. prayers and spirit." Signed by President The invocation will be offered by Elder Bernard P. Brockbank. Ben E. Lewis, president of the East Sharon Stake. We desire to acknowledge the presence with us this morning of the following prominent persons. I am sure you will The opening musical number was all be pleased to know who many of rendered by the Relief Society Singing these are. have a long list, but We Mothers, "The Lord Is My Light." the following have been observed: Elder Ben E. Lewis, president of the Brother Ezra Taft Benson is with us, East Sharon Stake, offered the invoca- Agriculture, the Secretary of a member tion. of the Council of the Twelve; Senator Wallace F. Bennett, Senator Frank E. Moss, Congressman David S. King, Gov- President David O. McKay: ernor George Dewey Clyde, Lamont F. invocation was just offered by Toronto, Utah Secretary of State. Presi- The President Ben E. Lewis, president of the dent Ernest L. Wilkinson is excused; he East Sharon Stake. is out of the state attending a convention. Relief Society Singing Mothers Dr. John L. Clarke, president of Ricks The will sing, Blessed College; Dr. William P. Miller, presi- now "Come, Ye Of My Father," conducted by Sister Flor- dent of Weber College. I thnk there are ence Madsen. I did not tell are others here whom we have not seen. Jepperson you that Alexander Schreiner is at the President Olpin I do not see. We miss Brother Allen Bateman. He usually organ, accompanying these singers. had his place. You all know that he was called suddenly home just the other Selection by the Relief Society Singing day. I don't see Dr. Chase, either, or Mothers, "Come, Ye Blessed Of My Dr. M. Lynn Bennion. Father."

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

That is glorious. I am sure you will "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love agree with me that the singing of these the Lord thy God with all thy heart, beautiful women, our mothers, bears and with all thy soul, and with all thy evidence of the truth of the Lord's say- mind. ing, "The song of the righteous is a "This is the first and great command- prayer unto me." (D&C 25:12.) God ment. bless them! "And the second is like unto it, Thou "But when the Pharisees had heard shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. that he had put the Sadducees to si- "On these two commandments hang lence, they were gathered together. all the law and the prophets." (Matthew "Then one of them, which was a 22:34-40.) lawyer, asked him a question, tempting I am glad that text is in keeping with him, and saying, the plea made by Brother Lewis at the "Master, which is the great command- opening of the session in his invocation, ment in the law? and that that spirit of faith in God and —

PRESIDENT D /ID O. McKAY 5

love for one's fellows dominates this the Nations,"—the moral values. In an session. interesting and convincing manner, the Many who deny his divinity declare gentleman presented the fundamental him to be the one perfect character, ties that unite the different nations of the peerless personality of history. Mil- the world: First, common knowledge; lions accept him as the Great Teacher, second, common commercial interests; whose teachings, however, are not ap- third, the intercourse of diplomatic re- plicable to modern social conditions. A lationships; fourth, the bonds of human few accept him for what he really is friendships. "the Only Begotten of the Father"; who The audience greeted his masterful came into the world, even Jesus, to be address with a great outburst of ap- crucified for the world and to bear the plause. As the presiding officer arose to sins of the world. express his appreciation and that of the Last Monday morning, October third, audience, a Japanese student who was the Premier of Soviet Russia threatened doing graduate work at the university that if the United Nations does not stood up, and leaning over the balcony reorganize as he demands, the commu- said, "But Mr. Balfour, what about nist bloc will "rely on their own Jesus Christ?" strength to block us." He also threat- Mr. Robin E. Spear, to whom Profes- ened to ignore the United Nation's sor Lang related this incident, writes peace-making machinery unless the Sec- as follows: "One could have heard a retary General of the United Nations pin drop in the hall. Everyone felt at resign, and his position, that is, the once the justice of the rebuke. The lead- Secretary's position, be replaced by a ing statesman of the greatest Christian communist-styled, three-man presidium empire in the world had been dealing armed with veto powers. with the different ties that are to unite Who is this man who presumes to tell mankind and had omitted the one the United Nations what to do? He is fundamental and essential bond. And a man who rejects the divinity of Jesus everyone felt, too, the dramatic element Christ and denies the existence of God, in the situation—that the reminder of who is imbued with the false philosophy his forgetfulness had come from a Jap- of Karl Marx, whose aim in life was anese student from a faraway, non- "to dethrone God and destroy capital- Christian land." ism." He is a follower of Lenin, who Nearly two thousand years ago, said, "I want children to hate their Christ's chief apostle on one occasion, parents who are not communists." The when he was arraigned before the Jews followers of these men, to gain their for having healed an impotent man, ends, "resort to all sorts of stratagems, made the following declaration: maneuvers, illegal methods, evasions, "Be it known unto you all, and to and subterfuges." This atheistic atti- all the people of Israel, that by the tude, and the advice to hate others, name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom even one's own family, is just the oppo- ye crucified, whom God raised from the site of the spirit of love as manifest dead, even by him doth this man stand and taught by the Savior. In sessions here before you whole. in another part of the United States "This is the stone which was set at are men who believe as I have indi- nought of you builders, which is be- cated and who are willing to resort to come the head of the corner. any subterfuge, any scheme, that will "Neither is there salvation in any further their ends to dethrone God. We other: for there is none other name appeal to God, who exists and lives, and under heaven given among men, where- with whom we are in harmony this by we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12.) morning—we have met in the name of That was a most dramatic occasion, his Beloved Son. and it took strength and fearlessness to About fifty years ago, Lord Balfour, make that statement to those men, some Prime Minister of Great Britain, deliv- of whom had participated in Christ's ered a lecture in the McEwen Hall of crucifixion. Peter, on that occasion, bore the University of Edinburgh, upon the a strong testimony to those people. subject, "The Moral Value which Unites These officers warned Peter and John 6 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day

not to preach Jesus Christ and him these thousands of incandescent lamps crucified, but they heard Peter and John which make Salt Lake City so brilliant answer as I have read, and they saw the at night, each one of which stands and impotent man standing before them shines in its own sphere, yet the light healed. They counseled among them- in it is produced by the same power, selves what to do. Returning, they cau- the same energy from which all the tioned Peter and John not to preach other lights receive their energy. So each Jesus Christ, but Peter, as spokesman individual in the Church stands inde- under the inspiration of the Lord, an- pendently in his sphere, independently swered: in the knowledge that God lives, that "Whether it be right in the sight of the Savior is the Redeemer of the world, God to hearken unto you more than and that the gospel of Jesus Christ unto God, judge ye. has been restored through "For we cannot but speak the things the Prophet. which we have seen and heard." (Ibid., "To some it is given," says the Lord 4:19-20.) in the , "by the The knowledge that Jesus is truly the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus is the Son of the Living God had been de- Son of God, and that he was crucified clared by Peter in the presence of his for the sins of the world." (D&C 46:13.)

Master on an occasion when Jesus and It is to these I refer who stand firm his apostles were at Caesarea Philippi, upon the rock of revelation in the tes- when Christ had asked his disciples, timony that they bear to the world. But ". . . Whom do men say that I the the Lord says further that there are Son of man am? [a grammatical error, those to whom it is given to believe by the way, which comes down through upon the testimony of the words of the ages.] others. Note that. They believe upon "And they said, Some say that thou the words of others that they may also art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and receive salvation if they continue faith- others, Jcremias, or one of the prophets. ful. For all these, however, there comes "[And Jesus] saith unto them, But a testimony also of daily experience. The whom say ye that I am?" members of the Church throughout the "And Simon Peter, [the spokesman, world find confirmation of their testi- fearless, impetuous by nature answered], mony in every performance of duty. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the They know that the gospel teaches them living God. to be better individuals, that obedience "And Jesus answered and said unto to the principles of the gospel makes him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, them stronger men and truer women. [Simon, son of Jona] ; for flesh and blood Every day such knowledge comes to hath not revealed it unto thee, but my them, and they cannot gainsay it. They Father which is in heaven. know that obedience to the gospel of "And I say also unto thee, That thou Jesus Christ makes them happier, better, art Peter [Simon's other name, which and truer husbands, true and honored means a rock], and upon this rock [of wives, obedient children. They know revelation] I will build my church; and that obedience to the principles of the the gates of hell shall not prevail against gospel makes them in every respect ideal it." (Matthew 16:13-18. Italics added.) home builders. The ideal is there. They Comparatively speaking, only a small sense it in their minds. They cannot group of men and women knew him as gainsay it. They know it, and they know he really is—the Son of God, the Re- that transgression of these principles deemer of mankind. This testimony has will have the opposite effect upon their been revealed to every sincere man and individual lives and upon their home woman who has conformed to the prin- lives. They know that obedience to ciples of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who the gospel rosters true brotherhood and has obeyed the ordinances and become fellowship among mankind. They know entitled to and has received the Spirit that they are better citizens by virtue of God and that of the Holy Ghost. of obedience to the laws and ordinances. Every individual stands independent in So, as they go through their daily his sphere in that testimony, just as activities and apply religion in their PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 7

weekly vocations, the truth of the gos- My testimony, as yours, is that this pel becomes exemplified in their lives, Church of Jesus Christ can offer to the thus with a testimony of the Spirit, world all the good things which this the testimony of reason, and the testi- author is looking for, and more, because mony of daily experience, members of God has revealed more in the govern- the Church throughout the world stand ment and conduct of his Church. impregnable. Brethren and sisters, the testimony I have always been strongly im- of the gospel is an anchor to the soul pressed with a statement by Thomas in the midst of confusion and strife. Nixon Carver in his book, The Religion Knowledge of God and his laws means Worth Having, wherein he says: stability, means contentment, means "The church that can say to the un- peace, and with that a heart full of love offering churched, 'Our way is best because it reaching out to our fellow men, works best, our people are efficient, the same blessings, the same privileges. prosperous, and happy because we are a Love will beget tolerance and kindness. body who aid one another in the pro- Now I suggest that during the next ductive life; we waste none of our sub- month or so, when our towns and cities stance in vice, luxury, or ostentation; and states will be more or less stirred we do not dissipate our energy in by political contention, that we restrain brawling, gambling, or unwholesome our tempers, control our tongues, and try habits; we conserve our resources of body to manifest charity and love for one and mind and devote them to the up- another. Let us not besmear our brother's building of the Kingdom of God, which reputation. I mean that while we are is not a mystical, but a real kingdom; urging our particular political belief, personalities. it is a body of people dominated by that we avoid dealing in ideas of productivity, which is mutual We cannot afford to hurt our brother's service. We do not strive for the things feelings and wound him. that satisfy but for the moment and Leaders in the Church, in fact all then leave a bad taste; we strive for the members thereof, are striving to estab- things which build us up and enable lish the kingdom of God. Let us hold us and our children to become strong, to that fact as the anchor of our soul to flourish, and to conquer. We strive and then breathe forth charity and love to make ourselves worthy to receive to those who may not see just as we do. the world by fitting ourselves to use the world more productively than others. "Oh, brother Man! fold to thy heart thy We believe that obedience to God means brother, obedience to the laws of nature, which Where pity dwells, the peace of God is are but the manifestations of His will, there; and we try by painstaking study to ac- To worship rightly is to love each other, quire a most complete and exact knowl- Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a edge of that will, in order that we may prayer. conform ourselves to it. We believe that a reverence for God is respect for "Follow with reverent steps the great these laws; that meekness is teachable- example ness and willingness to learn by obser- Of Him whose holy work was 'doing vation and experience. By practicing good'; this kind of meekness or teachableness So shall the wide earth seem our Father's we believe that we shall inherit the temple, earth, whereas the unmeek, the unteach- Each loving life a psalm of gratitude. able, who are dominated by pride of tradition, shall not. We offer you hard "Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy work, frugal fare, severe discipline, but clangor a share in the conquest of the world Of wild war music o'er the earth shall for the religion of the productive life.' cease; Such a church," he continues, "is Love shall tread out the baleful fire of founded upon the rock of economic ef- anger, ficiency and the gates of hell shall not And in its ashes plant the tree of peace!" prevail against it." (John Greenleaf Whittier) 8 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day

In conclusion, let us stand with our them. I pray for this blessing for all hearts centered and our aims firmly of us throughout the entire world, and fixed upon this eternal truth—that the that each member may carry the re- gospel of Jesus Christ is among men for sponsibility of his membership in the the redemption and salvation of the Church preparatory to the establishment human family. Let us go forth in that of the kingdom of God, in the name of spirit and deal with our fehow men in Jesus Christ. Amen. the spirit of love and kindness. Let us work in our councils, in our quorums, guided by that same spirit. President David O. McKay: God grant that we may remain true to the Church, that we may ever be Our next speaker this morning will found defending the men whom God be Elder Henry D. Taylor, Assistant to has called to guide us, and realize that the Twelve. He will be followed by harmony with them means that we are Elder Marion D. Hanks of the First in harmony with God, for he sustains Council of Seventy.

ELDER HENR I D. TAYLOR

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My dear brethren and sisters, after lis- is installed. These persons are known as tening to President McKay's inspiring "sidewalk superintendents." I all message, feel that of us, from the Then there is another group belong- bottom of our hearts, can say, "We ing to this category. While riding in a thank thee, Heavenly Father, for a car they are continually offering sug- prophet to guide us in these latter days." gestions to the driver as to how the car While World War I was raging in should be operated, the speed that should Europe, there were certain individuals be traveled, when to turn, and the sig- here at home who would sit back in nals to be employed. These are the their easy armchairs, surround them- "back seat drivers." selves with maps, and follow the prog- The Church becomes an object of ress of battle by reading the newspapers. criticism from just such "experts." They They were extremely critical of the gen- are dissatisfied with the manner in erals and those who were directing the which the superintendent manages the campaigns and were very eager and vocal Sunday School. They find fault with in outlining the strategy they would em- the way the bishop conducts the affairs ploy if in similar positions of leadership. of the . The stake president does These individuals were referred to as not please them, and they criticize his "armchair generals." administration. They are unhappy with Prior to demolition of old buildings or the way the tithing is disbursed. These the construction of new buildings, a solid are the persons who find no fault with fence is built to protect passersby. It has their own actions, but seem willing and become a practice to bore holes in the anxious to confess another person's sins. fence or to instal glass portholes. From Savior chastising such groups these observation points many pause and The was said: "And be- watch with interest the demolition or as these when he why holdest thou the mote that is within thy construction activities. There are those considereth not the among the viewers who would improve brother's eye, but beam that is within thine own eye? . . . the way the job is run. Some would hypocrite, first cast out the knock a building down immediately, Thou beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt while others would have it done bit by thou see clearly to cast out the mote out bit. Then there are those who would brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5.) make changes in the architectural design of thy of the building. Others are critical of I believe that is the same thought that the manner in which the cement is the poet Burns desired to express when poured, the bricks are laid, and the glass he penned the lines: .

ELDER HENRY D. TAYLOR 9

"O wad some Power the giftie gie us act with him as his counselors in the To see oursels as ithers see us!" Holy Priesthood. It takes this Council (Robert Burns, To a Louse) of three to constitute the presiding and I assure you that I am not against governing authority of the Priesthood in criticism, if it is the right kind. Con- the earth." structive criticism can be good and help- These brethren, together with the ful. Destructive criticism can be bad Quorum of the Twelve and others of and harmful. Many years ago my mis- our Church leaders, are blessed with sion president gave this sound advice: vision and foresight far beyond normal "If criticism is just and given kindly, powers and ability. The Lord has de- accept it and give thanks for it. If it is signed that they should sit in the just and given unkindly, accept it. But "driver's seat," to use our figure of if it is unjust and given unkindly, pay speech, and direct the affairs of the no heed to it." Church. From their vantage point they A critical attitude and faultfinding can clearly see the road ahead, which with the Church, if persisted in, can way to turn, how to avoid the rocks and easily lead to apostasy. A good motto to the chuckholes, much better than those adopt and follow is, "If you can't im- of us sitting in the back seat. It is our prove on silence, say nothing." It is my duty, responsibility, and privilege to up- deep and firm conviction that the Lord hold and sustain them with our words, set up his Church in these latter days our actions, and our prayers. and has selected prophets to lead the How best can we do this? By magni- Saints. There is but one on earth at a fying them in the eyes of our families, time called to exercise the keys of the our friends, associates, neighbors, and Holy Priesthood. He may delegate to even strangers, and allowing no evil others the power and authority to act for speaking of the Lord's chosen leaders. him in such capacity as he will, but he We can substitute support for complaint, alone holds the keys for such actions. commendation and praise for adverse Today that person is President David O. criticism. We can pray for them in McKay. public and in private and in our family Associated with him in the First prayers, teaching our children to pray Presidency are two other wise and good for them. men. Together they constitute the "three It is my sincere desire that each of us great Presiding High Priests." President will become "lifters" instead of "lean- Joseph F. Smith made this plain in a ers"; that we will share in the responsi- talk from this pulpit near the turn of bility of building up the kingdom of the century, when he declared: "God God here upon the earth, and not shift has established all things in their order. it all to the shoulders of our leaders. The house of God is a house of order, We shall then never become "armchair and not a house of confusion. In this generals," "sidewalk superintendents," or house God himself is the Supreme Head, "backseat drivers," but rather "doers of and he must be obeyed. Christ is in the the word and not hearers only." image and likeness of his Being, his If we will follow the counsel and Begotten Son, stands Only and he as leadership of our President and Prophet,

our Savior and our God. . . . Next unto we shall then become eligible for all of Christ, the earth is placed God and on the blessings promised by the Lord when one unto the keys authority whom and he said: of the Holy Priesthood are conferred, "Wherefore, meaning the church, thou and to whom the right of Presidency is shalt give heed unto all his words and given. He is God's mouthpiece to his commandments which he shall give un- people in all things pertaining to the to you as he receiveth them, walking in building up of Zion, and to the spiritual all holiness before me; and temporal salvation of the Saints. . . Those who have entered into covenant "For his word ye shall receive, as if to keep the commandments of the Lord from mine own mouth, in all patience must hearken unto the voice of him who and faith. is placed to preside over them; and "For by doing these things the gates secondarily, to those who are called to of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, 10 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 first Day and the Lord God will disperse the President David O. McKay: powers of darkness from before you, and He to whom you have just listened is cause the heavens to shake for your Elder Henry D. Taylor, Assistant to the good, and his name's glory." (D & C Twelve. Our next speaker will be Elder 21:4-6.) To which I testify in the name Marion D. Hanks of the First Council of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. of Seventy.

ELDER MARION D. HANKS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

My dear brothers and sisters, I am deeply After bearing this great testimony, the grateful this morning that I can identify people pledged themselves to obedience in myself at least one virtue commonly and to loyalty. They said to Moses: associated with those who shall inherit "Go thou near, and hear all that the the kingdom. I love to hear the angels Lord our God shall say: and speak thou sing. Thank God for wonderful Latter- unto us all that the Lord our God shall day Saint mothers, for music, for har- speak unto thee; and we will hear it, mony, for service, for leadership. I and do it." rejoice that the spirit of personal convic- Moses gave moving response: "And tion invoked upon us by President Lewis, the Lord heard the voice of your words, spoken of by the President of the when ye spake unto me; and the Lord Church, prayed for earnestly by each said unto me I have heard the voice of of us in our own closets, may be enjoyed the words of this people, which they by the least of us, as well as by those have spoken unto thee: they have well who are greatest among us. I pray for said all that they have spoken. that spirit as I express my personal wit- "O that there were such an heart in ness this morning. them, that they would fear me, and keep While the people of Israel were on all my commandments always, that it the plains of Moab, in the last part of might be well with them, and with the fortieth year of the Exodus, shortly their children for ever!" (Ibid., 5:27-29.) before Moses was taken from them and The scripture teaches us that on that Joshua led them over Jordan to their occasion Moses "stood between the Lord" promised land, Moses delivered a series and the people to show them "the word of marvelous discourses to the people. of the Lord." So President McKay has He reviewed the experiences and events this day stood between us and the Lord of the past forty years and admonished to show us His word. Our hearts have and exhorted Israel to obey and appre- responded. Surely many of us have ciate and keep faith with Cod, who had covenanted anew, as did Israel of old: preserved them as a people through their "Go thou near, and hear all that the wanderings in the wilderness from Sinai Lord our God shall say: and speak thou to Jordan. He reminded them of the unto us all that he shall speak unto magnificence of their blessings at Sinai, thee; and we will hear it, and do it." repeated for them the Ten Command- And as we so affirm our faith and sus- ments, and said to them: tain our prophet, is there an echo in "And it came to pass, when ye heard your heart as there is in mine of the the voice out of the midst of the dark- voice of the Lord to Israel? ness, (for the mountain did burn with "O that there were such an heart in fire,) that ye came near unto me, even them, that they would fear me, and keep all the heads of your tribes, and your all my commandments always, that it elders; might be well with them, and with their "And ye said, Behold, the Lord our children for ever!" God hath shewed us his glory and his The Lord wants more from us than greatness, and we have heard his voice these moving expressions of conviction out of the midst of the fire: we have seen and covenant. He wants more than this day that God doth talk with man, expressions of gratitude and testimony and he liveth." (Deut. 5:23-24.) and commitment. He wants us to fear —

ELDER MARION D. HANKS 11 him, to love him, to keep all his com- Remember God's promise to Israel? mandments always. He wants our Note this: "And ye will not suffer your hearts. children that they go hungry, or naked; In the 64th section of the Doctrine neither will ye suffer that they transgress ". and Covenants is recorded: . . I, the the laws of God, and fight and quarrel

Lord, . . . require the hearts of the one with another, and serve the devil, children of men." (D&C 64:22.) His who is the master of sin, . . . promise to those who give him their "But ye will teach them to walk in hearts is certainly the same as it was to the ways of truth and soberness; ye will ancient Israel—that we may expect his teach them to love one another, and blessings to be with us always, and with to serve one another." (Ibid., 4:14-15.) our children. So have come the marvelous bless- What a marvelous promise! What a ings and promises of God. In 1833, in magnificent and moving covenant God Kirtland, after a great outpouring of the has made with us—worth everything Spirit at a conference held there, the worth our love, our obedience, our faith; Lord gave to Joseph Smith a revelation worth our hearts. we now know as section 90. In it he What really happens when Israel gives gave some further counsel relevant to God its heart? What happens when men our theme, and a marvelous promise. honor their heritage and divine possi- He said: "Search diligently, pray always, bilities, love him and obey his com- and be believing, and all things shall mandments? There were certain humble work together for your good, if ye walk Nephites not many decades before the uprightly and remember the covenant advent of Christ who met this test, who, wherewith ye have covenanted one with in the midst of affliction and persecu- another." (D&C 90:24.) tion, followed a course and achieved the Although one does not read in any objective. I read from Helaman, the one verse of scripture all that he needs ". third chapter, these moving words: . . to know, and although there is no simple they did fast and pray oft, and did wax formula of faith that is any one verse stronger and stronger in their humility, to the exclusion of all else, for God has and firmer and firmer in the faith of given us much of his revelation, yet in Christ, unto the filling their souls with this verse and in these others which joy and consolation, yea, even to the reflect the promises of God, there seems purifying and the sanctification of their to me to be the kernel of the conduct hearts, which sanctification cometh be- God expects of us if we are to achieve cause of their yielding their hearts unto the magnificent promise he made to us. God." (Helaman 3:35.) "Search diligently, pray always, be be- King Benjamin, in concluding his lieving, walk uprightly, remember your magnificent sermon, pursued the course covenants." God has set out for his prophets. He Now I am not one to judge my breth- instructed, he enjoined, he reaffirmed, ren of the lightly. I know he testified, and he promised. He said to the extent my intelligence permits ". to the people: . . humble yourselves of the faith in you and the devotion in even in the depths of humility, calling you and of the wonderful service you on the name of the Lord daily, standing give. I therefore speak from the stand- steadfastly in the faith of that which point of appreciation when I say that ." is to come, . . and "if ye do this ye there are many among us who have not shall always rejoice, and be filled with invested enough of themselves in the the love of God, and always retain a diligent search God requires of those remission of your sins; and ye shall who know his word and therefore, living grow in the knowledge of the glory of it, achieve his marvelous promises. We him that created you, or in the knowl- must search, seek, ask, knock. edge of that which is just and true. Do you remember the word of the "And ye will not have a mind to in- Lord recorded in the first section of the jure one another, but to live peaceably, Doctrine and Covenants? He said in and to render to every man according this marvelous preface, looking to the to that which is his due." (Mosiah 4:11- foundation principles of the gospel: 13.) "Search these commandments, for they 12 GENERAL C Friday, October 7 First Day are true and faithful, and the prophecies his witness to the people near the end and promises which are in them shall of his ministry, he delivered a great all be fulfilled." (Ibid., 1:37.) sermon on the first principles of the ". Nephi, explaining to his people why gospel, and' said: . . after ye have he quoted so freely from the great gotten into this straight and narrow prophet Isaiah, said to them that he path, ... ye must press forward with a ". quoted Isaiah to . . more fully per- steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect suade them to believe in the Lord their brightness of hope, and a love of God ." ". Redeemer . . and said . . for I did and of men . . . and endure to the ." liken all scriptures unto us, that it end, . . (2 Nephi 31:19-20.) Amulek might be for our profit and learning." testified of Christ, taught the first princi- Again, he told them to hear the words ples, admonished the people to pray, and ". of the prophet, and "liken them unto then said: . . after ye have done all yourselves." (1 Nephi 19:23-24.) Surely these things, if ye turn away the needy, this is one of the greatest values of and the naked, and visit not the sick and scripture—that we might learn them afflicted . . . behold, your prayer is ." and liken them unto ourselves, apply the vain, and availeth you nothing, . . lessons and instructions of the revela- (Alma 34:28.) tions to our own lives. How can we do We must "walk uprightly." Within so unless we search, seek, ask, knock, the last few days I was in a meeting in invest ourselves earnestly, diligently in an eastern city talking with a group of the effort to acquire and organize and people about youth leadership. During share a knowledge of the gospel of the discussion one of the professional Jesus Christ? employees of the Department of Agri- The Lord said we must "pray always." culture whose civil service rating is not His promises are wonderful. He has told dependent upon who is Secretary of us that we may receive the Spirit by Agriculture said: "We don't need to the prayer of faith; that we must "pray interpret human fitness to our depart- continually" that we will not be tempted ment. We don't have to talk about it beyond what we can bear; that we must a lot. We have a man who reflects it "counsel with the Lord" in all our impressively in his own life, as Secretary doings, night and day; that we must of the department." "not perform anything unto the Lord" This same group heard our story of without praying to the Father in the the programs of the Church, of the prin- name of Christ. His marvelous prom- ciples upon which those programs are ise is that "he will direct us for good." based, and of those who lead the pro- We are taught that we must "be be- grams. One said: "Yes, but your situa- lieving," for all things are possible to tion is not like ours. Out there you him who can believe. I talked with a have thousands of leaders." Another group of young people about the Book person, the directing head of one of the of Mormon last night and quoted to great youth programs in our land, said: them words of the great Goethe, who "We really can't talk about Utah in said: "I can promise to be sincere, but the same context with the rest of us. not impartial." I am not impartial to- There is an influence in Utah not like ward the Book of Mormon. We cannot any place else on the earth." We know be impartial toward the gospel and the what the influence is of which she Lord. If we are to get faith, we must spoke. It is found not only in Utah but desire faith and seek faith. We must in every place where faithful members start with an attitude of desiring faith. of the Church live the gospel and We must "be believing." exemplify its principles. This also the Lord said: we must "walk With all our protestations, sincere uprightly." Benjamin, near the end and honorable, with all our expressions of his great sermon, bore his testimony of conviction and faith and testimony, to the people, reaffirmed the need for there is required of us that we develop faith, repentance, humility, and sincere in us the heart that will move us to ". prayer, and added: . . and now, if you obey all of God's commandments always, believe all these things see that ye do with the promise that things will be well them." (Mosiah 4:10.) As Nephi bore with us and with our children always. ELDER FRANK H. BROWN 13

The last suggestion of the Lord in the President David O. McKay: verse quoted from the revelation to the Prophet was that we remember our Elder Marion D. Hanks of the First covenants. We have covenanted in Council of Seventy has just addressed us. The Chorus and Congregation will now sacred places—at the waters of baptism, join singing, in holy houses, as we partake of the in "Come, O Thou King Sacrament—not alone with God but of Kings," conducted by Sister Florence with each other. Consider again the Jepperson Madsen. moving charge that Alma gave the peo- After the singing, we should like to President Frank ple at the waters of Mormon, that they hear a few words from ". H. Brown of the East Central States were to . . bear one another's burdens, Mission. He does not know about this, . . . mourn with those that mourn; . . . worry about it while are comfort those that stand in need of com- but he can we singing. fort, . . . and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and ." in all places . . . even unto death, . . The Singing Mothers Chorus and the (Mosiah 18:8-9.) congregation joined in singing the hymn, God help us, we who have been "Come, O Thou King of Kings." blessed with so much, to yield our hearts to him, for while men look at the out- President David O. McKay: ward appearance, "God looketh upon the heart." That we may claim his President Frank H. Brown of the East promises by obeying his commandments, Central States Mission will now address I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. us. He will be followed by Elder Harold Amen. B. Lee of the Council of the Twelve.

ELDER FRANK H. BROWN

President of the East Central States Mission

I sincerely pray that your voices have gracious invitation of President McKay, been raised to our Father in Heaven in whom I dearly love and revere, and I my behalf. only wish that momentarily my grand I have been enjoying the past ten and lovely old father who served in months with my lovely wife, in presid- a mission in his native land, back in ing over the East Central States Mission, 1903 and 1904 with President McKay in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, as a humble missionary, leaving my West Virginia, parts of Indiana, Ohio, lovely mother and seven children at Maryland, Mississippi and Illinois. I home in Evanston, Wyoming, could be bring you greetings from the missionaries here just for this moment, because I of that mission to you lovely parents recall very vividly as a young man and express to you their love and their hearing my father, after President great devotion to the message that has McKay had been to our home as one of been entrusted to them. Truly they the Apostles, say to myself and mem- are a great army of youth. We love bers of our family, "I want to give you them. We find a great increased devo- a promise that someday you will be tion. The spirituality that is within able to uphold the hand of David O. their bosoms goes out to the people who McKay as President of this great Church, desire to know the truth. and no matter what you do, always Many people have been brought to sustain the General Authorities." I am the waters of baptism by a sweet and happy to say that I have tried to do humble testimony. We have encour- that humbly. aged the missionaries to teach by the So just before leaving to come out spirit, that their testimonies bear great here, one of my missionaries called me emphasis in the lives of people with on the phone and said, "President whom they come in contact. Brown, what should we do? We are Just before leaving to come here at the up here in the smoke holes of West 14 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Dan Virginia, and we have a minister and of a thousand lovely people to come his flock of forty-five people that it looks into the Church. like want all to come into the We hope that under the inspiration Church. What shall we do?" And I and help of our Father in Heaven, that said, I won't use his name, bless his we can reach that mark. When Presi- heart—I said, "Elder, if the Spirit gives dent Taylor left, he said, "You will utterance to you that those 45 people make that, and more." and the minister want to come into the I am happy to tell you that last month Church, teach them the Gospel and as a tribute to President McKay, the baptize them, and praise God for lead- missionaries set a goal to send him a ing you to them." baptism for every year he was old—or But he said, "But President, he wants young, President, and we were happy to to give the Church the chapel." I said, send to him a telegram stating that we "Let's not go too far about that, let us had through the blessing of our Father take the spiritual first and we will talk in Heaven, baptized 134 people in the about that which we worship in later." East Central States Mission during the I am so grateful to be here. It is not month of August as a tribute to our my privilege and my opportunity to leader and our Prophet. speak longer. I just want to bear you Again I leave you my testimony, plead- my testimony that I know that God ing with you for your faith and your lives. I have had peace come to soul my prayers and your devotion, thanking you and I could not dare deny the truthful- for your lovely sons and daughters, ness of the Gospel. I know it with every whom you have entrusted to Sister fiber of my being. Brown and myself, and know that we I General Authorities. I love love the appreciate them, we love them, and they the remarks of President Henry D. are great individuals. My testimony to Taylor. I had the rare opportunity of you again is that the Gospel is true, 1 having him as our guest to tour the East love it with all my heart, and I bear Central States Mission, and what a this humbly to you in the name of Jesus lovely, gracious President couple Henry Christ. Amen. D. Taylor and his lovely wife are. They left that mission field I know en- dowed with a great conviction that the President David O. McKay: Church and its membership had a great mission to perform in the southlands. We have just listened to President I want to tell President Taylor that at Frank H. Brown of the East Central this time, we have had 684 baptisms in States Mission. He is one of the group that mission thus far this year, reaching of mission presidents attending this out for a goal set by President M. Ross Conference, thirty I believe. We shall Richards and his lovely wife, whom I now hear from Elder Harold B. Lee, who respect and pay a great tribute for the will be our concluding speaker, a mem- work they did in that missionfield, a goal ber of the Council of the Twelve.

ELDER HAROLD B. LEE

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

In these next few moments I trust "So then after the Lord had spoken that I may, in the testimony which I unto them, he was received up into shall bear, catch the spirit of this con- heaven, and sat on the right hand of ference and the radiance of that which God. has been reflected by our great leader, "And they went forth, and preached the prophet of the Living God. every where, the Lord working with One of the gospel writers concludes them, and confirming the word with his record with this significant statement signs following." (Mark 16:15, 19-20.) made by Jesus: "Go ye into all the By now, apparently, they were begin- world, and preach the gospel to every ning to understand what the Lord had

creature . . . said to them on another occasion: "Go ELDER HAROLD B. LEE 15 ye therefore, and teach all nations, bap- gation of the gospel throughout the tizing them in the name of the Father, world." (Dr. John Lawrence Mosheim, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Outlines of Ecclesiastical History, Vol.

"Teaching them to observe all things 1, pp. 61, 67.) whatsoever I have commanded you: and, The process by which leaders become lo, I am with you alway, even unto the spiritual as those disciples were is set end of the world." (Matt. 28:19-20.) forth in a very simple admonition of He had demonstrated to some extent the Master. The Savior called fisher- some of the powers of the Risen Lord. men, and he called tax-collectors and What they became because of this di- others in various occupations to consti- vine gift which had been given to them tute his chosen twelve. He gave to each is described by Dr. John Lawrence Mo- of them the same simple promise: sheim in his Outlines of Ecclesiastical "Follow me, and I will make you History, and I shall read only a few fishers of men," or as another writer

sentences which show evidences of a di- puts it, "I will make you to become vine power in the acts of the early dis- fishers of men." (Matt. 4:19; Mark 1:17.) ciples which attested to what the Master To "come after him" is but another had told them, that he would be with way of saying, "Keep my command- them, "even to the end of the world." ments," for thus he had explained it Says Dr. Mosheim: when he said to the Nephites: "There- "For no sooner had the apostles re- fore, what manner of men ought ye to ceived this precious gift, this celestial be?" And then he answered his own guide, than their ignorance was turned question, "Verily I say unto you, even into light, their doubts into certainty, as I am." (3 Nephi, 27:27.) their fears into a firm and invincible To become "fishers of men" is just fortitude, and their former backwardness another way of saying "become leaders into an ardent and inextinguishable zeal, of men." So in today's language we which led them to undertake their sa- would say to those who are so to teach: cred office with the utmost intrepidity "If you will keep my commandments, and alacrity of mind. This marvelous I will make you leaders among men." event was attended with a variety of Those who are outsiders and enemies gifts. . . . And indeed there were un- of the Church observed these unusual doubted marks of a celestial power per- gifts given to these early disciples. You petually attending their ministry. There remember the Jews marveled at the was, in their very language, an incredi- Master's demonstration of his power, ble energy, an amazing power of send- and they asked: "How knoweth this man ing light into the understanding, and letters, having never learned?" To conviction into the heart. To this were which the Master humbly replied, "My added the commanding influence of doctrine is not mine, but his that sent stupendous miracles, the foretelling of me." (John 7:15-16.) future events, the power of discerning And to Peter, the Master replied after the secret thoughts and intentions of the Peter had borne his testimony as to the heart . . . and all this accompanied divinity of the Master, as President Mc- with lives free from all stain, and Kay has quoted, "Flesh and blood hath adorned with the constant practice of not revealed it unto thee, but my Father sublime virtue. Thus were the messen- which is in heaven." When Peter and gers of the divine Savior, the heralds of John had performed marvelous deeds, his spiritual and immortal kingdom, those who were around about marveled furnished for their glorious work, as the because they "perceived that they were history so ." unanimous voice of ancient unlearned and ignorant men, . . (Acts ." loudly testifies. . . 4:13.) Now I want you to hold this last There seems to have been a constant statement of Dr. Mosheim's in your vigil lest those who enjoyed these special mind: God-given gifts would arrogate to them- "The event sufficiently declares this: selves personal superior talents, when in for without these remarkable and reality these spiritual endowments were extraordinary circumstances, no rational but outward evidences of divine gifts account can be given of the rapid propa- given among men who are called to 16 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day serve in high places in the kingdom of In our day, we have been told some God. similar things about the power of the Peter chided those, you remember, af- Lord among his peoples. In the very ter he had performed the healing upon first revelation, or the preface to the the man who was lame from his birth, revelations, the Lord said: "For I am no when he said: respecter of persons, and will that all "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at men shall know that the day speedily this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh as though by our own power or holiness at hand, when peace shall be taken from we had made this man to walk? the earth, and the devil shall have "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, power over his own dominion. and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, "And also the Lord shall have power hath glorified his Son Jesus: whom ye over his saints, and shall reign in their

delivered up. . . . midst, and shall come down in judg- "And his name through faith in his ment upon Idumea, or the world." (D & name hath made this man strong, whom C 1:35-36.) ye see and know: yea, the faith which One of the ways by which "he comes is by him hath given him this perfect down among his people" is clearly soundness in the presence of you all." explained in the revelation in which (Ibid., 3:12-13, 16.) he defines certain gifts of the Spirit. He Recall again Peter's rebuke to Simon, enumerates some of the gifts of the the sorcerer, who wanted to buy the Spirit which men might enjoy: knowl- gifts of the Holy Ghost which he saw edge, and faith, and discernment, and demonstrated through Peter: the gift of tongues, and the testimony "But Peter said unto him, Thy money of knowledge that Jesus is the Son of perish with thee, because thou hast God, and then he says this: ". thought that the gift of God may be . . unto such as God shall appoint purchased with money. and ordain to watch over the church, "Thou hast neither part nor lot in ... are to have it given unto them to ." this matter: for thy heart is not right discern all those gifts. . . (Ibid., 46: in the sight of God. 27.) ". "Repent therefore of this thy wicked- Previously he had said: . . given ness, and pray God, if perhaps the for the benefit of those who love me thought of thine heart may be forgiven and keep all my commandments." thee." (Ibid., 8:20-22.) (Ibid., 9.) John was taught in plainness how he In our day he sounded a warning just must learn to distinguish between the as these other leaders have sounded a person who demonstrates spiritual gifts warning, when he said to those to whom and the giver of those heavenly gifts, these gifts are committed: even God. When a messenger came to "And in nothing doth man offend him he fell down at the feet of this God, or against none is his wrath kin- messenger as though to worship him, dled, save those who confess not his and the messenger said: hand in all things, and obey not his "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow- commandments." (Ibid., 59:21.) servant, and of thy brethren that have Some of the older brethren who re- a testimony of Jesus: worship God: for member the days of President Joseph F. the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Smith have told me that frequently prophecy." (Rev. 19:10.) when President Smith was introduced And Moses learned that same lesson as the "head of the Church," he was after he had received the wonderful always quick to reply, "Oh, no. I'm but visitation from the Lord who had ap- the President of the Church. Jesus peared in his glory as contrasted with Christ is its head." the visit from and the appearance of That is something for us to remem- Satan. In humility he said thoughtfully, ber. When we receive the adulation of as he pondered this great experience: faithful people, we must never forget "Now for this cause I know that man that such commendations come, not be- is nothing, which thing I never had cause of our person, but because of the supposed." (Moses 1:10.) positions we hold. In conference meet- .

ELDER HAROLD B. LEE 17 ings with the mission presidents we ministration to a sick person, who said heard this repeated with variation and, very humbly to this individual, "Now, as applied to the Church, it might be sister, when you receive the blessing of said thus: "There is no end to the this administration, do not mention the amount of good we can do in this names of those through whom the bless- Church if we are not concerned about ings were given." who gets the credit for it." Today we are witnessing a great, mar- It was possibly something like this velous demonstration of the power of which the Master had in mind when he conversion. Perhaps we are going to see warned: the most rapid propagation of the gospel "Woe unto you, when all men shall in the world than we have seen in any speak well of you! for so did their previous dispensation. We must make fathers to the false prophets." (Luke certain that we do not offend God by our 6:26.) In a revelation today, we have failure to confess his hand in all things. had called to our attention the human We must not forget that it is not by the ". tendencies which are in most men: . will of men, but is evidence, as in the but when we undertake to cover our days of the disciples of old, that God sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain is working with men. It is the only ambition, or to exercise control or do- explanation we can give. minion or compulsion upon the souls The suggested missionary procedures of the children of men, in any degree we have provide excellent guides to of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens improved study and presentation of the withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the gospel lessons by missionaries. Sales- Lord is grieved; and when it is with- manship methods of themselves alone drawn, Amen to the priesthood or the as applied to the teaching of the gospel authority of that man. . . . will convince the mind but do not con- "We have learned by sad experience vert the heart. Conversion is a spiritual ". that it is the nature and disposition of process. Paul taught, . . faith com- almost all men, as soon as they get a eth by hearing, and hearing by the little authority, as they suppose, they word of God. . . . How then shall will immediately begin to exercise un- they call on him in whom they have righteous dominion." (D&C 121:37, 39.) not believed? and how shall they be- And he has told us two reasons why lieve in him of whom they have not men fail to receive what they might heard? and how shall they hear with- otherwise have obtained: out a preacher? and how shall they "Because their hearts are set so much preach, except they be sent?" (Romans upon the things of this world, and as- 10:17, 14-15.) ." pire to the honors of men, . . (Verse And the Apostle Paul also said: 35.) "I have planted, Apollos watered; but I remember at a stake conference some God gave the increase," and then he years ago a young man was called to added in language that sounded like a high position. When we had asked that statement of Moses after God had him to express himself, expecting a hum- conversed with him: "So then neither ble testimony in his acceptance, he stood is he that planteth any thing, neither he up and in a rather flamboyant, boastful that watereth; but God that giveth the way gave a dramatic performance. At increase." (I Cor. 3:6-7.) the close of the service as we walked Modern servants of God may go forth home, one of the high council whis- if and when they are constantly aware pered to me and said, calling him by of their own nothingness and place their name: "When he stood up there in the dependence solely upon the power of pulpit this morning, he was all alone." Almighty God; for as the Apostle Paul That is what the young missionary wrote to the Romans: "If God be for meant who said he had baptized a num- us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8: ber of people but all of them had apos- 31.) tatized, so he said, "I must have con- My prayer is that we may do our part verted them all by myself." that we shall qualify to ever have him I remember one of my brethren, who for us, and with us, and that we may had invited me to join him in an ad- constantly lose ourselves in unselfish 18 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day

devotion to his cause and thus find ever- As stated at the opening of this meet- lasting life, which I pray humbly, in ing, the music of this session is furnished the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. by the Relief Society Singing Mothers Amen. from the Ogden and Northern Utah Regions. Elder Alexander Schreiner has been at the organ. The Singing Mothers President David O. McKay: will be with us this afternoon. Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of the Twelve, has just addressed us. The Relief Society Singing Mothers Selection by the Relief Society Sing- will now favor us with "The 23rd Psalm ing Mothers, "The 23rd Psalm" (God (God Is My Shepherd)," conducted by Is My Shepherd). Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen. The benediction will be offered by Elder L. President L. Lloyd Prestwich of the Lloyd Prestwich, president of the Redondo Stake offered the closing Redondo Stake, after which this Con- prayer. ference will stand adjourned until two Conference adjourned until 2 o'clock o'clock this afternoon. p.m.

FIRST DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

The second session of the Conference in the Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall convened at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, by television. with President David O. McKay pre- We are pleased again this afternoon siding and conducting the services. by the presence of the Relief Society The musical numbers for this ses- Singing Mothers from the Ogden and sion were furnished by the Relief Society Northern Utah Regions under the able Singing Mothers from the Ogden and leadership of Sister Florence Jepperson Northern Utah Regions, with Florence Madsen, and Roy M. Darley is at the Jepperson Madsen conducting. Roy W. organ. We shall begin these services Darley, Assistant Tabernacle Organist, by the Relief Society Singing Mothers was at the organ console. rendering "How Lovely Is Thy Dwell- ing Place." President McKay made the following introductory remarks: The invocation will be offered by Elder Wayne C. Player, president of the Taylorsville Stake. President David O. McKay:

Singing by the Relief Society Singing Members of the Church are convened Mothers, "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Square in in the Tabernacle on Temple Place." Salt Lake City in the second session The opening prayer was offered by of the 130th Semi-Annual Conference Wayne C. Player, president of the Tay- of the Church. This session of the Con- lorsville Stake. ference, as the one this morning, will s be broadcast as a public service over television and radio stations throughout President David O. McKay: the West. The names of these stations have already been announced to the The invocation was just offered by television and radio audiences. Again Elder Wayne C. Player, president of we express appreciation for the coopera- the Taylorsville Stake. The Singing tion of the managers of these stations and Mothers will now favor us with "Jesus, their willing and commendable services. Our Lord, We Adore Thee," conducted These services are also being broadcast by Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen, PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE 19 following which we shall hear from President David O. McKay: President Henry D. Moyle of the First Presidency. Our first speaker this afternoon will be President Henry D. Moyle of the The Relief Society Singing Mothers First Presidency. He will be followed sang the anthem, "Jesus, Our Lord, We by Elder Milton R. Hunter of the First Adore Thee." Council of Seventy.

PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

President Clark called during the noon mental to the doctrines of the Church recess and wanted you all to know how is the declaration of Father Lehi: much he appreciated the inspired mes- "Adam fell that men might be; and sage of President McKay delivered at men are, that they might have joy." the beginning of the morning session, (2 Nephi 2:25.) and how much he regretted not being The present teachings of our President present with us here today. He wanted are not the development of a philosophy me to extend his greeting to you all, and by the wisdom of men that changes with I am sure that he would appreciate our time and experience. They do not result united faith and prayers in his behalf from the trial and error of improvement. that he might yet meet with us before They are not discovered as the result of the conference is over, in keeping with laboratory experiments on the one hand his innermost desires. or study of the past, present, or future It is a great privilege, my brethren and on the other hand. They are eternal sisters, to be with you this afternoon and truths taught to the children of men by to have this wonderful opportunity of the prophets of God, ancient and mod- bearing witness to the truths of the gos- ern. The truths of the gospel are un- pel. There is one thing in the world to- changeable. They are infallible. The day above all else which people are Savior of mankind—our Redeemer, the seeking after, and that is peace. Son of the Living God, the Lord of lords The fundamental purpose of the or- and King of kings, who rules and reigns ganization of the Church is to establish over this universe, brought peace to this peace upon the earth. earth as he dwelt among the children President McKay recently told us that, of men in the flesh. He is the man of "peace is the exemption from individual peace. He came with a promise: "Bles- troubles, from family brawls, from na- sed are the peacemakers; for they shall tional difficulties. Peace does not come be called the children of God." (Matt. to the transgressor of law. Peace comes 5:9.) by obedience to law—peace to the indi- Except with peace in our hearts we vidual that he may be at peace with cannot be the children of God. This God, at peace in the home, and in the follows just as certainly as do all the neighborhood. The spirit of the world promises given us by our Master in his is antagonistic to the establishment of Sermon on the Mount. Surely we can- peace. The law of nature seems to be not expect to see God if we are not pure the survival of the fittest at all costs. in heart. We bear witness to the world But peace can come into the world only by virtue of the power and authority of through obedience to the gospel of Jesus the Holy Priesthood of God which we Christ." Seek first the kingdom of God bear that the words of his mouth con- and his righteousness. His teaching re- tained in the sacred Beatitudes were not garding arbitration as a means of set- platitudes or trite sayings to catch the tling difficulties, if applied by nations, ear of man, spoken by a humanitarian, would do away witb war. but on the contrary, they are the "The gospel is a complete way of life, words of God spoken by his Son Jesus and the true plan of life brings joy and Christ, upon which all the children of peace," says President McKay. Funda- men can place their trust unfalteringly 20 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day and conform their lives, their thoughts may be, they are given to us to build and actions, to merit in this life and in us up spiritually. We can draw no hard the life to come all the blessings prom- and fast line between temporal and ised those who are faithful and obedient spiritual. All that is good is spiritual. to his teachings—not only the Sermon So we can well afford to ask ourselves on the Mount, but all that he taught the question: Can we expect the bless- during his ministry here upon this earth ings of peace if we ignore the Word of as he sojourned among men, and all that Wisdom, for example? Will we be pre- he has revealed to his prophets to the pared to take advantage of the ways present time. and means our Father in heaven may John, in his Gospel, says: "These make available for us to retain our peace things I have spoken unto you," [quot- in times of great emergency, indeed at ing the Savior] "that in me ye might all times, if we are not physically fit? have peace. In the world ye shall have I have no doubt God will require us to tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have be sound in mind and body to carry overcome the world." (John 16:33.) on the work of his priesthood at home ". Paul said: . . let the peace of God and abroad, at least as far as we by ." rule in your hearts. . . (Col. 3:15.) our own efforts can retain our bodily Unfortunately, many in the world, and spiritual health and strength. We both individuals and nations, will ig- cannot be justified in destroying our- nore the teachings of Christ and deny selves through our disobedience, no mat- his divinity. With two powers upon ter how limited our conduct in this di- earth exerting their influence upon man- rection may be. kind this result is inevitable. They, It is an inspiration to me, and I hope through their own conduct, their own it will be to you, to reflect for a mo- choice, do not qualify for the enjoyment ment upon the teachings we have re- of peace, and peace will not be theirs. ceived through our inspired prophets in The history of the world has already al- these latter days. Though times have together too clearly demonstrated that changed, and conditions in the world the farther we depart from the gospel of are different, neither the hearts of men Jesus Christ, the greater is the distress nor the revelations of God to his people and tribulation under which we live. through his prophets have changed. We Should those who keep the command- read in the Holy Bible: ments of God have any fear for their "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, own security and happiness? This is an but he revealeth his secret unto his serv- interesting question, and this again has ants the prophets." (Amos 3:7.) been answered so often in the recent I know by the testimony of the Holy ministry of President David O. McKay. Ghost that is in me that this declaration He assures us that we need have no of Amos is literally true in the ministry worry. We will never be left in the of President David O. McKay as it was dark, and we should have no concern in the life of Joseph Smith and those other than to follow the leadership God who followed the first Prophet in these has given us here upon the earth. latter-days in this high and holy office. We are the children of promise as long "It is out of the abundance of the heart as we keep the commandments of God. that man speaketh," said Brigham tells I have no doubt it will take continuous Young, "and the man who you effort, however, upon our part. These words of life is the man who can save are not blessings which will flow to us you." automatically merely because we ask for What Joseph Smith said in 1844 in them. We will be justified, however, if principle is largely applicable today, we follow all that God reveals through although our problems are somewhat his servants, the prophets. We have different and the remedy prescribed been given direction, sometimes thought unique to the solution of the specific of as temporal in its nature, such as problem that then confronted the na- tithing, fast offerings, the welfare pro- tion. The nation did not accept his gram, the Word of Wisdom, chastity, solution, which was inspired of God. obedience to the law of the land, and Had his direction been given to the Others, Whatever their temporal aspect problem, we all know what the result —

PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE 21 would have been—no bloodshed. Both should he go back? It was during these the Civil War and its aftermath, with days that the Prophet said that he was us even now, and the economic loss of devoid of offense toward any man, and both would have been avoided. What that he would be taken as a lamb to happened to those who followed his the slaughter, but does anybody have leadership and direction? Even though any doubt in his mind but that the the Prophet Joseph was martyred, two peace of God was in his heart and in months after this solution to our nation- his soul and gave him the strength and al ills was publicly given, the Saints the courage and the power of his priest- were driven from their peaceful homes hood to fulfil his mission here upon the in the states to a haven of safety in the earth as God might decree? fastness of this mountain region. That The other great example, of course, is where they were when the Civil War supersedes all else in human knowledge began. and understanding, and that is the in- Certainly God works in a mysterious tercessory prayer of the Lord and Savior way, his wonders to perform. Who Jesus Christ as he prayed to his Father would have ever thought among the in- in heaven in the Garden of Gethsemane. habitants of Nauvoo in the days of the But there was peace in his heart when final persecution that they were being he said, "Nevertheless, Father, thy will, driven from their homes by their ene- not mine, be done." (Luke 22:42.) mies against their will and against their better judgment, only to wake up one Now that peace can come into our day and find that the Lord had pre- hearts, no matter what the circumstances served them in a land of peace, even in may be, and no matter what process the midst of the greatest of all civil or what circumstance the Lord may use wars. Who doubts that the Lord can to bring his faithful people the peace do what he pleases with his people to- which he has promised them. I have day? an abiding conviction that if that peace I have implicit faith in the words of is given to us and we are called upon the Prophet when he tells us today that to lose our lives or the lives of our loved all we need to worry about is to keep ones, that we will have the absolute the commandments of God, and peace assurance, as did the Prophet Joseph, will be ours. We do not know when that we would die in the Lord, and or where or what exactly may happen. when we die in the Lord we have ful- It is therefore foolish and impossible to filled the will of the Master here upon conjecture on the nature of the relief this earth, to his pleasure and to his or protection or security designed for the satisfaction, and more can be gained by future accomplishment of God's purpose. none of us. This, however, we do know: that God No greater power can exist upon the lives and in him we can trust, and earth than the power of the priesthood through our obedience are now free from a gift of God to us—calling upon us to fear or doubt or insecurity, and shall re- exercise our power as elders in Israel to main so always, as long as we retain bring all nations which permit us within the right through our faithfulness to call their borders to a knowledge of the upon him for the blessings which he truth; to draw out those nations, not has promised the faithful. necessarily physically, but into these I conceive of peace as something stakes of Zion which are being and will which we might all enjoy, even in continue to be organized in the various the midst of future wars. We may countries of the world. These men and suffer trials and tribulations. We women through their faith, conversion, may suffer from the loss of our loved and their faithfulness will join with us ones, but let us stop for a moment and as recipients of these greatest of all bless- call just two instances to mind. I think ings which the Lord has in store for his of the Prophet Joseph that night after he chosen people. So, neither they nor we had left Nauvoo with some of his close need to worry about our security when brethren and crossed over to the other we know that our welfare will be taken side of the river to Montrose, and there care of directly from the throne of God the question was should he go on, or on High. — .

22 GENERAL C Friday, October 7 First Day

I first quoted from President David summary of the notable events, the O. McKay's teachings of a short time marvelous developments, the grand ago, and now I want to just quote a achievements, and the beneficial inven- word or two from the other Presidents tions and discoveries, which mark the of the Church to show how uniform progress of ten decades now left behind the Lord has revealed his will to his in the ceaseless march of humanity. prophets in these latter days. The very mention of the nineteenth Joseph Smith said: century suggests advancement, improve- "Make honor the standard with all ment, liberty, and light. Happy are we men. Be sure that good is rendered to have lived amidst its wonders and for evil in all cases; and the whole shared in the richness of its treasures of nation, like a kingdom of kings and intelligence. priests, will rise up in righteousness, "The lessons of the past century and be respected as wise and worthy on should have prepared us for the duties earth, and as just and holy for heaven, and glories of the opening era. It ought by Jehovah, the Author of perfec- to be the age of peace, of greater progress, ." tion. . . of the universal adoption of the golden said: "Great peace rule. Barbarism of the past should be have they who love the law of the Lord buried. War with its horrors should and abide in his commandments. Our be but a memory. The aim of nations belief will bring peace to all men and should be fraternity and mutual great- good will to all the inhabitants of the ness. The welfare of humanity should earth. It will induce all who sincerely be studied instead of the enrichment of follow its dictates to cultivate righteous- a race or the extension of an empire. ness and peace; to live peaceably in their Awake, ye monarchs of the earth and families; to praise the Lord morning rulers among nations and gaze upon the and evening; to pray with their families, scene on which the early rays of the and will so fill them with the spirit of rising millennial day gild the morning peace that they will never condemn or of the twentieth century! chasten any one unless it is well de- "The power is in your hands to pave served." (Brigham Young, Discourses, the way for the coming of the King of pp. 223, 449.) kings, whose dominion will be over all It is interesting to see what John the earth. Disband your armies; turn Taylor in his day said: "This peace is your weapons of strife into implements the gift of God alone, and it can be of industry; take the yoke from the necks received only from him by obedience of the people; arbitrate your disputes; to his laws. If any man wishes to intro- meet in royal congress and plan for duce peace into his family or among union instead of conquest, for the ban- his friends, let him cultivate it in his ishment of poverty, for the uplifting of own bosom; for sterling peace can only the masses, and for the health, wealth, be had according to the legitimate rule enlightenment, and happiness of all and authority of heaven and obedience tribes and peoples and nations. Then to its laws." ( The Gospel shall the twentieth century be to you Kingdom, page 319.) the glory of your lives and the lustre of said: "Put your your crowns, and posterity will sing trust in God and rely on his promises, your praises, while the Eternal One shall living to the light and knowledge you up place you on high among the mighty. . . possess; and all will be well with you "In the eighty-seventh year of my age whether living or dying." (Discourses on earth, I am full of earnest desire for of Wilford Woodruff, p. 260.) the benefit of humanity. I wish all a President , from a docu- Happy New Year. . . . May justice ment published in the of triumph and corruption be stamped out. Jan. 1, 1901: And may virtue, chastity, and honor pre- "A new century dawns upon the world vail, until evil shall be overcome and today. The hundred years just com- the earth shall be cleansed from wicked- pleted were the most momentous in the ness. Let these sentiments, as the voice history of man upon this planet. It of the '' in the mountains of would be impossible to make even a brief Utah, go forth to the whole world, and ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER 23

let all people know that our wish and that are worthwhile come to us only as our mission are for the blessing and a result of honoring thee and keeping salvation of the entire human race. thy commandments. The pathway of "May the twentieth century prove the righteousness is the highway of peace happiest, as it will be the grandest, for and happiness." all the ages of time, and may God be And then finally, to end, I come back glorified in the victory that is coming to where I began, to the words of Presi- over sin, sorrow, misery, and death. dent McKay: "The Need of Peace: The Peace be unto you all." greatest need of this old world today is Joseph F. Smith said: "There is only peace. The turbulent storms of hate, one thing that can bring peace into the enmity, of distrust, and of sin are world. It is the adoption of the gospel threatening to wreck humanity. It is of Jesus Christ, rightly understood, time for men—true men—to dedicate obeyed and practiced by rulers and their lives to God, and to cry with the people alike." (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel spirit and power of the Christ, 'Peace, be Doctrine, 1928 ed., page 529.) I love still.' Only in the complete surrender such words of scripture. of our inner life may we rise above the And President Grant said: "This gos- selfish, sordid pull of nature. We should pel of Jesus Christ which the world seek first the kingdom of God and his says is a delusion, a snare, and a fraud, righteousness. What the spirit is to the [yet] to each and every man who goes body, God is to the spirit. As the body out to proclaim it, and who lives an dies when the spirit leaves it, so the upright and virtuous life, it brings peace, spirit dies when we exclude God from it. it brings joy, it brings happiness un- I cannot imagine peace in a world from speakable." (Heber J. Grant, Conference which God and religion are banished." Report, October 1911, page 22.) God bless us brethren and sisters, that At the October conference of 1921 we may follow the admonition and President Grant presented a "Peace counsel of these great leaders who have Resolution," representing the Church as preceded us and listen intently and sin- favoring world peace, and invoking cerely to the words of our present leader, blessings and "divine guidance of the that our lives may be sweet in its enjoy- International Conference of the Limita- ment, I pray humbly in the name of the tions of Armaments, that the cause of Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Peace may be thereby enhanced, and an amelioration of the burdens of man- kind secured." President David O. McKay: President once prayed: "And, O Father, in the midst President Henry D. Moyle of the First of confusion that is everywhere, and Presidency of the Church has just spoken uncertainty, bless us in America, that we to us. Elder Milton R. Hunter of the may repent of our foolishness, our light- First Council of Seventy will now ad- mindedness and our wrongdoing, realiz- dress us. He will be followed by Elder ing as we should, that all the blessings William J. Critchlow, Jr.

ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER

Of the First Council of the Seventy

In his masterful discourse of the Ser- words about the observance of this com- mon on the Mount, Jesus gave a vital mandment. commandment which has been ignored "Judge not," Jesus commanded, "that almost universally by the human fam- ye be not judged." And then he gave ily. In many cases where it has not this warning: been ignored, it has been broken many "For with what judgment ye judge, times by most people. ye shall be judged: and with what I believe that we all want to do what measure ye mete, it shall be measured is right—live near to the Lord—and so to you again." (Matthew 7:1-2.) this afternoon I would like to say a few Throughout my life in mingling with 24 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day many people of various religious de- Recently one of the General Authori- nominations I have observed that as a ties said that he was interested at stake rule it seems as if human beings like to conferences to hear members of stake gossip. We like to hear unsavory things presidencies in the Sunday conference about our neighbors and talk about each sessions tell some of the things that he other. It seems that ofttimes we get a had talked about the night before. And certain degree of satisfaction or even then the said, "Oft- joy out of saying bad things about other times I cannot recognize that I had people. We thoughtlessly and some- talked on the subjects nor said the things times maliciously judge each other. We that I was reported to have said." censure our associates sometimes unjust- Now certainly the General Authority ly, many times unkindly; and most of was not accusing stake presidencies of the time we speak without having the being dishonest. I think he did not evidence to back up what we are say- have that in mind at all, but this story ing. We seem to forget that James, the illustrates the inadequacy of human brother of the Lord, warned that the senses. unbridled tongue is "full of deadly poi- Sometimes we sit in a congregation son." (James 3:8.) like this one and listen to somebody I know that even sometimes people speak. While he talks we think many who are faithful in the Church pass of our own ideas as we hear many of judgment and condemnation on those the things he is saying. As time passes with whom they associate without know- we might confuse some of our own ing the facts. Such is displeasing to thoughts with some of the things the God. speaker said. Because of the inadequacy I know that many people's hearts have of human senses, Jesus Christ said, "in been broken and tears have been shed the mouth of two or three witnesses because of the unkind and perhaps un- every word may be established." true things that have been said about (Matt. 18:16.) them and because of unjust judgments The Savior and the holy prophets have that we give of each other. told us how to judge when it needs be As I look into the faces of the mem- that we judge, because ofttimes we must bers of this congregation, my conscience judge. In fact, many of you in this tab- certainly tells me that I err at times. ernacle—stake presidencies, high coun- Sometimes I gossip and judge others, and selors, and bishoprics—are called upon when I do it I act unrighteously before to be judges. It is your ecclesiastical the Lord. My heart tells me I would responsibility to judge. But let me give like to repent, I would like to overcome the warning that with the same judg- my weakness of gossiping and saying bad ment that you judge, you shall be judged. things about other people. I am sure The Lord and the Prophet Joseph that you feel the same as I do. Smith understood human nature, know- But one might say: "The man or the ing that we may be tempted to judge woman from whom I obtained this in- unjustly, and so the following is found formation is an honest man or woman in the Doctrine and Covenants: and would not lie." "We have learned by sad experience Certainly honest and honorable peo- that it is the nature and disposition of all ple would not lie, but we should re- almost men, as soon as they get a member that they have to get their little authority, as they suppose, they information through human senses and will immediately begin to exercise un- ." that human senses are not always a righteous dominion. . . hundred percent reliable; for example, And then this beautiful admonition given us: if an honest man were standing on a was corner and another one on the opposite "No power or influence can or ought corner and two cars crashed in the to be maintained by virtue of the priest- street, the testimonies of these two men hood only by persuasion, by long-suffer- might vary, and rightly so. They saw ing, by gentleness and meekness, and by the accident at different angles, and love unfeigned; perhaps neither of them saw exactly "By kindness, and pure knowledge, what happened. which shall greatly enlarge the soul —"

ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER 25 — without hypocrisy, and without guile and all knowledge; and though I have (D&C 121:39, 41-42.) all faith, so that I could remove moun- As I have traveled throughout the tains, and have not charity, I am ." Church and have observed those who nothing. . . have been called and set apart to be And then Paul ended his famous poem judges, it is my testimony that they have by saying: been guided in most cases by the pure "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, love of Jesus Christ, by charity, and so these three; but the greatest of these is they have rendered righteous judgment. charity." (1 Cor. 13:1-2, 13.) As I have suggested, the Savior and Charity is the greatest of all Christian the prophets have told us how to treat virtues. It is, as the prophets have said, each other. The Master gave us the the pure love of Jesus Christ. It en- vital law known as the second great compasses all the virtues that I have commandment: "Thou shalt love thy mentioned and even many, many other neighbour as thyself." (Mark 12:31.) Christian virtues. In all of our deal- If all of us would love our neighbors ings with each other, our hearts should would love all the people with whom be filled with charity toward all men. we associate—as much as we love our- should show forth an abundance selves, we would do no unkind things We of charity toward all the people with to them. We would not say any harsh whom we associate. or unkind words to them. We would not repeat any bad gossip about them. Our Lord Jesus Christ not only taught But on the other hand, we would show that we should love our friends, but forth love and compassion at all times. he commanded us to love our enemies. We would rejoice in their successes, and We should pray for them who despite- we would weep with them in their fully use us. He not only taught these sorrows. Under those conditions, a things, but he lived as he taught, there- glorious spirit of brotherhood, love, and by marking the path for us to follow. compassion would prevail. While the Master was hanging on the The Savior also gave us the famous cross, suffering the most excruciating ". Golden Rule: . . whatsoever ye would pain that anybody could endure, and that men should do to you, do ye even while he was listening to the jeers of so to them." (Matt. 7:12.) the rabble down at the foot of the cross, Every time we hear something about his heart was filled with compassion somebody else, if we would stop and toward them. With a fulness of char- think before we repeated what we heard ity and with an abundance of love in and take as our measuring rod the fol- his heart for those who had caused him lowing: "Would I like to have somebody to be crucified, he cast his eyes toward say that thing about me? Is it just? Is heaven and prayed, it fair? Would it make the person in- "Father, forgive them; for they know volved happier if I should repeat it? not what they do." (Luke 23:34.) Would it make him progress? Would it It is my opinion that this is the great- add to the beauty and the joy of life?" est example in history of pure love, of And if it will not meet these measure- undefiled charity, of actually showing a ments, then our judgment would not be fulness of compassion for one's enemies. righteous if we should repeat what we Micah, one of the great Old Testament heard. It is best under these conditions that we keep quiet. prophets, pointed out the way for us to live. He said, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, wrote a beautiful poem on faith, hope, and "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is the charity to the Corinthian Saints. He good; and what doth Lord re- said: quire of thee, but to do justly, and to walk with thy "Though I speak with the tongues love mercy, and humbly of men and of angels, and have not God." (Micah 6:8.) charity, I am become as sounding brass In humility I ask our Father in heaven or a tinkling cymbal. to pour out his Spirit upon the Latter- "And though I have the gift of day Saints. May he bless you and me prophecy, and understand all mysteries, abundantly that we will be filled with —

26 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 first Day the spirit of charity and love for each homes. Perhaps the final result may other. May we overcome our evil habit be the loss of your eternal salvation. of gossiping, of saying unkind and un- Let each of us walk in the path con- savory things about each other. tinuously that Jesus marked out, having On the other hand, may we say noth- our hearts filled with charity and love ing but that which is kind and generous toward our fellow men. May we keep about all people. May our lives be all of God's commandments, walking by filled with patience, brotherly kindness, every word that proceedeth forth from and compassion toward each other at all his mouth. If we will do these things, times and under all circumstances. we shall have an abundance of joy in Under those conditions we would right- this life and eternal life in the presence fully be children of God with his love in of our Savior after we have completed our hearts. Then our lives would be our missions here upon this earth. actuated by godliness. May our Heavenly Father bless us Permit me to suggest that we hus- that we shall always live as he desires bands cease criticizing our wives, be- that we should live, I humbly pray, in cause if we criticize our wives it weakens Jesus' name. Amen. our love for them. Also, it tends to kill their love and respect for us. President David O. McKay: I would give the following admoni- tion to wives: Respect your husbands. He to whom we have just listened is Do not criticize your husbands. If you Elder Milton R. Hunter of the First

indulge in such practices it results in Council of Seventy. Elder William J. bringing about disunity, kills your Critchlow, Jr., Assistant to the Twelve, spirituality, and tends to break up your will now address us.

ELDER WILLIAM J. CRITCHLOW, JR.

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

President McKay, my brothers and The Drama of Life has many acts. sisters: Few of them, however, are as thrilling Where could you find sweeter voices as the act entitled "A Mission." Let me than these voices from Ogden and sketchily review for you a few scenes Northern Utah which have sung for us in an act which I witnessed, just to this day? I have heard them before, I show how exciting this "Mission Act" hope to hear them again. I am proud can really be. of them. The opening scene was called "Miles "All the world's a stage, Zero." And all the men and women merely In the missionary's first letter to his players: folks he wrote: They have their exits and their en- "Dear Dad: I'm up at Miles Zero on trances; the Alaskan highway in Dawson Creek And one man in his time plays many where it is costing me one hundred dol- ." parts." lars a week for board and room. . . —Shakespeare, His dad replied immediately, "Dear As You Like It, Act II, Son: Get off the Alaskan highway! Park Scene 7, lines 139-142. Avenue, New York, should be cheaper. Through the years thousands of our Miles Zero is too rich for my blood." young men and women and many old- The dad's letter and another letter sters, too, have been called to play he- from the son crossed in the mail. The roic roles in the great Drama of Life. son's letter began: I have enjoyed these past two years the "Dear Dad: The Lord has blessed me privilege of setting apart many of them, already. A man committed suicide in his —missionaries of the Church—sending room. It was so ghastly that no one them forth to perform on the stage of would rent it. I offered the landlord life with a blessing. forty dollars a month. He took me up —

ELDER WILLIAM ]. CRITCHLOW, JR. 27 so I moved in with my companion who tion that only one who had the guid- is sharing the forty dollars. All my ance of his Father in heaven could problems are solved." bring. He baptized me. I have a great Months passed. love for that young man. Elder Critch- Then, in one of his regular letters, the low, take back to your son a confirma- son said, "I have twenty-two prospects tion of the love we have for him. In about ready to join up, but no place to a way to pay the debt tell him that baptize them. Peace River will be frozen many here within the sound of my over till June, and before then I shall voice, whom I have had the privilege be due for a transfer. Wish I could use of teaching have come into the kingdom a bathtub. They have some large tin of God—through your son." ." ones up here. . . Those words "through your son" Weeks passed. were ringing pleasantly in my ears In another letter the son wrote: still I heard the president who leaned "Lucky me. The Lord has blessed me toward me to whisper: "He (the mission again. Two of my choice prospects, the president) baptized twenty people here banker and the head of the Masonic in Calgary." Lodge, who is also the president of the Suddenly, my memory was flooded Power Board went six hundred miles with a maze of words—words which my down to Edmonton, and I baptized them. son had written years before. Slowly, That's two down, only twenty more to they assembled into fragments of broken go. My president is pleased. He is sentences: "That's two down—twenty transferring me to Bella Coula, wher- more to go—I'm afraid my twenty pros- ever that is. Up here, there are two pects will freeze up before liquid water kinds of water—liquid and frozen, also is available. ... I regret losing them two kinds of prospects—hot and cold. I'll pick them up in Bella Coula—Wish I'm terribly afraid that some of my me luck." twenty remaining prospects will 'freeze Well, he didn't pick them up in Bella up' before liquid water and a baptismal Coula. font become available. I shall regret They were picked up in Calgary by losing them, but I'll pick twenty up in one of the "two down" who—picked up Bella Coula. Wish me luck." the "twenty more to go" "through Five years after the curtain fell on this your son." son's "Mission Act," I was sent to a con- Families that have never had a mis- ference in Calgary, Canada, and in one sionary in the field have missed one of of the sessions of the conference I lis- the grandest blessings that could come tened to the stake president praise, as into their homes. Ask the mother who he released, his stake mission president impatiently awaits her missionary son's who had baptized twenty converts "right letters, who gleefully reads lines in them here in Calgary." He called on him to over the back fence to neighbors and speak. I copied these words from a tape over the phone to relatives and friends. of his talk. Ask the proud father, the brother, or "Seven years ago one Sunday in a the sister about the sweet feeling they converted hut at Miles Zero on the experience when they kneel together Alaskan highway I met a young man each day in family prayers to ask a bless- who was to be instrumental in changing ing for their missionary. Before Bobby the course of my life. He was big, six left for his mission the family skipped feet. He had a big grin and hands that its prayers occasionally, but while he were always moving. You could tell he was in the field—so far, far away from had the spirit of the gospel. I had met home, they skipped fewer prayers be- many men before, but never had I met cause Bobby might need the protection a man who could teach the gospel the and the help of a loving Heavenly way this man did. He would both fast Father. Never was the family knit more and pray, and I remember that one time closely together. he fasted three days and nights, going Recently I told a stake president he without food and water and praying on needed six thousand stake missionaries. behalf of the people he was teaching. "Be reasonable," he said, "I've only six He taught the gospel with an inspira- thousand members in my stake." .

28 GENERAL C Friday, October 7 First Day

"Right, exactly right," I replied, "and curly brown hair looks like a picture every one of those members is a mis- Eve seen of Captain James Brown who sionary." led the sick detachment of the Mormon Every member of our Church is a Battalion into Salt Lake Valley. Lie's my missionary. Without the formality of a great-grandfather. These obviously are setting-apart we should be so set-apart the dead. I can almost hear them say: from the ways of the world that we can "We are the dead, teach the gospel, which is our Father's Short years ago we lived, felt dawn, way of life, by the very lives we live. saw Sunshine glow. . . . Without the oral word of mouth preach- To you from failing hand the torch ing, the example of our living will al- we throw ways be effective teaching. A sermon Be yours to hold it high. seen is better than a sermon heard. If ye break faith with us who die, Example has more followers than rea- We shall— not sleep." son and is more forcible than precept. —adapted "In Flanders Fields" McCrea. Yes, the world's a stage; I don't really believe, of course, that my So is the Church a stage; father and mother and my grandparents And all its members merely players. . are peeking through the veil, observing They have their exits and their en- every scene in which I act, but some- trances; times I wonder. Just in case, I had bet- And each member in his time is ex- ter act, I ought to act, yes, I want to pected to choose and play a noble part. act so that they with a feeling of pride Come up here with me on this stage will smile and applaud my scenes. of life and, over the glare of the foot- lights in this World Theater let's take I love my parents and my grand- a peek at the audience watching us play parents. They are not dead. They live. our parts in the great Drama of Life. Sometimes I think I almost hear, or Down there in the parquet whom do rather feel, their prayers for me! Surely you see? Over the glare of the foot- they must be praying and pulling for lights I quite distinctly see my wife, my me, otherwise I would not have been so children, my neighbors, my friends blessed. Again, I ask a merciful Father across the town and across the country, in heaven to help me and to help you my vocational associates, my associates to play our scenes so well that we may in the Church Offices. All who know fittingly deserve applause from the bal- me, be it ever so well or ever so slight, cony of the dead. seem to be in this World Theater. And Look again, this time to the gallery. they're watching, oh, so critically. Yet Over the glow of the footlights I see if I play my role well—the role of a faces very indistinctly. I recognize none Latter-day Saint—I'm sure there will be of them. These, something tells me, some applause. But if I slip out of are the spirits yet to come and be em- character—even for a moment or so- bodied on this earth; they who must some of them, like patrons of any thea- come to take our places. I wonder if ter, at times, might sneer, perhaps hiss. they do not watch with interest the These translate into one of the ugliest Drama of Earth Life, and if they are not words in the English dictionary—"hypo- earnestly praying that we will play our crite." roles well, for they must come to dwell May our merciful Heavenly Father in the environment we are creating for help me, help you to play our chosen them. Once upon a time our Heavenly roles so well that we may deserve the Father's children on this earth became plaudits and the praise, at least the re- so wicked that he washed them and spect of those who watch. their wickedness off the stage with a Now look up to the balcony ... the great flood so that these spirits might glare of the footlights, whom do you inherit a decent environment. This spirits certainly see there? On the very first row I see gallery of will applaud well. my mother. My father is beside her, my if we play our parts brother beside him. Behind them, I be- High up above the stage in this World lieve, my grandparents. One man among Theater is a box. Look up. The glare them with sideburns and a lock of of the overhead floodlights obscures its —

BISHOP JOSEPH L. WIRTHLIN 29 occupant. This box is reserved for the President David O. McKay: Author of the play—the Drama of Life. Critchlow, As- He not only is the Author, he is also the Elder William J. Jr., Critic and the Judge. How glorious sistant to the Council of the Twelve, concluded speaking. Re- could be that day if in its morning has just The lief Society Singing Mothers and Con- the morning after the curtain falls—his press would announce: "Well done, gregation will now join in singing, thou good and faithful servant." "How Firm A Foundation." Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen will lead us Yes, the world's a stage, so is the in the singing, after which Bishop Joseph Church a stage, and you and I are L. Wirthlin will address us. merely players. We've chosen noble roles in the Drama of Life. Let's play The Relief Society Singing Mothers them well. and the congregation joined in singing We can preach a better sermon with the hymn, "How Firm A Foundation." our lives than with our lips. We can do more good by being good than by President David O. McKay: preaching good. Let us so act that our principle of action shall become a law, Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin of the not only for the Church, but also for Presiding Bishopric will now speak to the whole world. Eventually it will be. us, and he will be followed by Elder May that time be soon, I humbly pray Spencer W. Kimball of the Council of in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. the Twelve.

BISHOP JOSEPH L. WIRTHLIN

Presiding Bishop of the Church

President McKay, my brothers and This morning President McKay told sisters, to be here upon this occasion is us of the leadership of certain individuals most inspirational to me as I am sure in the world who, if they had their way, it is to you. As I came into this remark- would destroy our knowledge that God able building, the events that took place lives and that Jesus Christ is his Son. at the time of Brigham Young and those I am sure they will never be successful. who were with him came to my mind. The Lord in his way will handle such The marvelous revelation that was individuals. given to the Prophet Joseph on Novem- Of the great men who have gone in ber 1, 1831, is one that all of us can the past, I think particularly of Brigham give consideration to, particularly at this Young and the twelve who were called time when the Lord said to the Prophet to preach the gospel to the people in Joseph: Great Britain. They were poor men. "And the voice of warning shall be They started the long trip to England unto all people, by the mouths of my without the funds to pay their way. disciples, whom I have chosen in these While they did not have enough of this last days. world's goods, they knew that Joseph "And they shall go forth and none Smith was a prophet of God, and they shall stay them, for I the Lord have were willing to bear testimony to the commanded them." (D&C 1:4-5.) world that God the Father and his Son This revelation calls the disciples of Jesus Christ appeared to the Prophet the Lord Jesus Christ, and particularly Joseph. With that testimony in their the apostles in this day as well as in the souls, they accepted that great assign- time of the Prophet Joseph, to go into ment. the world and preach the gospel to every At the time Brigham Young left, he nation, kindred, tongue, and people. was a very sick man. He said, "I could Under their direction missionary work not walk thirty rods to the river." His is being done in the world today, and I family, too, was ill. His wife had just am sure that all enjoy divine guidance given birth to another babe, and she as they meet this great assignment. was in poor health. However, Brigham 30 GENERAL C Friday, October 7 First Day

Young and his companions started on to hear the gospel, accept it, and enjoy their journey. When they reached all of its blessings. New York, they were helped by the The brethren returned in 1841, after Saints who raised sufficient funds where- they had done a great missionary work by they could pay the amount of in Great Britain. Brigham Young made eighteen dollars to cross the Atlantic the statement that during the period Ocean. The Saints also gave them food they were there they baptized between to use while on the ship. They landed seven thousand and eight thousand peo- in England on April 6, 1840, taking about ple, and that, in and of itself, was a great a month to arrive there. It was just ten achievement. years after the Church had been organ- As I said in the beginning, these were ized. The Lord had sent these men to poor men. The Church was poor. It England for the purpose of again mak- had no funds, but yet these men had ing it possible for the English people to great responsibilities. The people in hear the gospel and organize the Church Great Britain needed to receive the Book of the Lord Jesus Christ. They arrived of Mormon. They printed five thousand as poor men. They had no money. The copies of the Book of Mormon, three sisters made clothing for Brigham Young thousand hymnbooks, two thousand and as his was worn out. Great conferences five hundred volumes of the Millennial were held. They labored in and around Star, and fifty thousand tracts, and all Manchester. of these were paid for before Brigham Wilford Woodruff did a marvelous Young returned home. work. He was preaching in the little Under the direction of another great town of Handley, and there he found apostle, Brother Harold B. Lee, a stake that the people were very much inter- was recently organized in Manchester. ested in what he was telling them in The English people have the same op- bearing testimony that God lives and portunity and privilege now of attending that Jesus Christ is his Son. He had these fine stake conferences as we do here direction from on high, indicating that in Zion. he should travel to the south. He was With Brother Hugh B. Brown, Sister not quite sure as to the instructions he Wirthlin and I had the privilege of at- had received. So, again he made it a tending the Manchester Stake confer- matter of prayer. The Lord made it ence. The spirit and attitude of the very clear to him that he should travel people were most inspiring and encour- to the south. On arriving at the ap- aging. I am sure in the days to come pointed place, he came in contact with there will be other stakes organized. some people who were very friendly to Great Britain is growing in the Church. him and to the word of the Lord that Many thousands of people are anxious he was preaching. It was an organiza- to hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus tion called the United Brethren. I think Christ. To me that is so impressive we are all familiar with the history of because I recall the time when we, as that wonderful group of people. Six missionaries laboring in Germany, had hundred of them had left other churches to leave Germany during World War I and organized a church of their own and make our way to London. I recall because they were dissatisfied. They some individuals who did everything heard the gospel as it was given to them they could to prevent us from holding a by an apostle, Brother Woodruff. They street meeting. In fact, the president of all accepted it with the exception of one the conference said, "I believe we had member. Among them were forty better go back to the mission home," preachers who belonged to this organ- which we did. The crowd followed us ization, and they, too, joined the Church, right to the door of the mission home all evidence that there were many peo- and made the statement, "If we had ple in Great Britain who were anxious rocks, we would throw them." That was to hear and accept the gospel of the the spirit in Great Britain forty-six years Lord Jesus Christ as it was given to ago. While there, we met another apos- them by one of the Lord's apostles. I tle, Hyrum M. Smith. He assigned each am sure that today there are thousands missionary to another field of labor. of people in that great country who want The German submarines were sinking a —

BISHOP JOSEPH L. WIRTHLIN 31 every English ship possible. Finally, we gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We heard that the Lusitania was going to have wonderful missionaries there. As sail. We went to President Smith and a result six hundred have accepted the said, "Now, President, we understand the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Lusitania is going to sail," and he said, last eight months, and the president of "You can go. Not only that, you will that mission indicated that he antici- arrive home safely." He made that pated before the end of this year there statement very definite to us. We were would be another six hundred, or ap- not worried about traveling on the proximately twelve hundred Saints Lusitania, so we made our way back to converts for 1960. I noticed particularly New York, and six months later, the in the North German Mission there were Lusitania was sunk by a German sub- 286 converts, the South German Mis- marine. President Hyrum M. Smith sion 210, and the West German Mission was one who had the inspiration and 310, or a total of 806 German people divine guidance. baptized. That itself is marvelous. In During the past summer, Bishop the Swedish Mission, they baptized 129. Buehner, Sister Buehner, Sister Wirth- In the Swiss-Austrian Mission, they lin, and I had the privilege of visiting in have baptized 594, 300 of whom are Europe. Elder Alvin R. Dyer is now youth. The young people in these for- president of the European Mission and eign countries are anxious to hear the is doing a great and marvelous work gospel. I have talked to the mission- through divine guidance and inspiration aries on many occasions, particularly in with very little government interfer- Austria. I asked them this question, ence. When I was in Germany, we did "Now, just what do these people say to not have that privilege. I labored in you about the Prophet Joseph." "Well," Frankfurt for a short time when the they say, "these people want to know police forced me to leave. I then went who Joseph Smith was and what is the into Stuttgart and the police arrested Book of Mormon." To them, there is me three times, and the third time I a great interest in the fact that an had to leave. The same thing happened American prophet made it possible for in Karlsruhe. Then, the war came and, them to read the Book of Mormon. of course, we all left the mission. I recall again the time when we were At the present time in Great Britain, endeavoring to preach the gospel in Germany, and all parts of Western Eu- Germany that we dared not go into rope, our missionaries now have the Austria. We only had fifteen members opportunity of teaching and preaching in the great city of Vienna, but when the gospel without government inter- we visited there some seven weeks ago, ference. As I see what is being accom- we had 350 members, and since that plished, I have been very much interested time Austria has become a mission of in knowing the number of converts we its own, and they will baptize literally have in Great Britain. From January 1, thousands of these wonderful people. 1960 to August 31, 1960, there have been So, we come to the conclusion, brethren baptized in the British Mission and and sisters, the gospel of the Lord Jesus North British Mission 2,387 Saints— Christ is being made available to many wonderful number, and I am sure be- nations, but when we are going to have fore the end of the year they will bap- the opportunity of preaching the gospel tize many more. Then, I noticed that in to the people in Russia or the people in the Danish Mission for that period, they India or the people in China, I do not have baptized 202. In the Finnish Mis- know. But, as the President said this sion for that same period of time 160, morning, sooner or later all these na- in the Netherlands Mission 303, and tions will hear the gospel of the Lord in the French Mission for that same Jesus Christ just exactly as they have period almost 600! I recall when I was heard it in Great Britain and as they in the German Mission, we thought that have heard it in the European missions. to spend any time in teaching and So, in the final analysis, that is a won- preaching the gospel to the French peo- derful revelation given to us by the ple was just a waste of time, but the Lord through the Prophet Joseph when French people have a desire to hear the he said: "And the voice of warning 32 GENERAL C Friday, October 7 First Day shall be unto all people, by the mouths to us in 1831, the Lord fully intends of my disciples, whom I have chosen that all of his sons and daughters in these last days." (Ibid., 1:4.) over the earth are going to have the Today, there is difficulty in the world opportunity of hearing the gospel of the with war and the possibilities of war, Lord Jesus Christ. If they live the gos- but in the last days, the Lord has made pel, they will enjoy the gift of the Holy it very clear that his disciples are to Ghost whereby they can testify to the preach the gospel to all people, and then world that they know that God lives, he said, "And they shall go forth and that Jesus Christ is his Son, and that ." none shall stay them. . . (Ibid., 1:5.) Joseph Smith actually saw the Father Regardless of what nation they go into and the Son, which I pray will be the as time goes on as this wonderful testimony of each and everyone of us, ". revelation says, . . and none shall stay in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. them . . . ," they are going to have the right, and they are going to have the opportunity and the privilege to preach President David O. McKay: the gospel to those not of our faith wherever they may be in the world. And Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin of the Pre- ". the revelation goes on by saying, . . for siding Bishopric has just concluded I the Lord have commanded them." speaking. We shall now hear from (Idem.) Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Coun- In this marvelous revelation given cil of the Twelve.

ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Some years ago I attended a conference permanence—a people who for more of missionaries in a little Arizona town than a millennium have been "as a which the nearby Indians gave an vessel . . . tossed about upon the waves, Indian name signifying "the place where without sail or anchor, or without any- ." the people prayed." That was Joseph thing wherewith to steer her. . . City. A month ago I had the privilege (Mormon 5:18.) I saw them beginning of going into the mission field in the to accept the gospel of Christ. Southwest Indian Mission, and in an- I saw them reclaiming their forfeited ". other city which could well have been blessings which the Lord reserved . . named by the Indians "the city of for the gentiles who shall possess the hospitality," we held a conference of land." (Ibid., 5:19.) I saw accelera- the missionaries, and this city was tion in their progress and the time is ". Snowflake. at hand when the Lord will . . re- The missionaries of the Southwest In- member the covenant which he made dian Mission told of their labors among with Abraham and unto all the house ". the Indians, and perhaps this is one of of Israel." (Ibid., 5:20.) . . and as the the most foreign of all foreign missions, Lord liveth he will remember the cove- and is in a land of strange tongues and nant which he hath made with them. ." colorful people, a place of high mountain And he knoweth their prayers. . . coolness and near sea level desert heat— (Ibid., 8:23-24.) a land where a new amalgamation of The work is unfolding, and blinded peoples and kindreds is taking place, eyes begin to see, and scattered people and where the gospel of Jesus Christ is begin to gather. I saw a striking con- neutralizing the centuries of dwindling trast in the progress of the Indian people unbelief. today as against that of only fifteen I found evidence of waning super- years ago. Truly the scales of darkness stition and of growing faith in the gospel. are falling from their eyes, and they are I saw people who have for centuries fast becoming a white and delightsome been as chaff before the wind settling people. down to industry and security and In this mission alone there are 8400- —

ELDER SPENCl { W. KIMBALL 33 plus members of the Church. As I elder. A bishop was called in who visited this area fifteen years ago, there purchased oil, consecrated it, and ad- were ninety-four. "Are they faithful?" ministered to the Indian patient. "He I am asked. And the answer is, "Not all sure had faith in the Lord," said the of them. They are just about like their bishop. "We talked a little while, and white cousins in the stakes of Zion." I asked him if he could wiggle his toes, "Are they making headway?" And the and you should have seen the expression answer is, "Yes. Perhaps relatively on his face when he tried. Sure enough greater headway than we ourselves." they moved, and before we left him he Indians are people, and the longer I could raise the leg, and when I visited serve with them the more I realize that him last Sunday he could move both they respond to the same teaching and the leg and the arm." kindness and love as others do. They The day of the Lamanites is here! have the same emotions. Some can be Young white missionaries throughout the godless, but most of them are religious. Church are happy in the service, glad I found that faith is a basic element in that they were called to this special their lives. I learned of a Navajo mission, some planning to change their couple who rushed their baby to the college majors when they return from mission home for a blessing—It was livid their missions so they can work among white, seemed to be dead. It was soon the Indians. well and playing around—and the In- I see a dependent people becoming in- dian woman who lost her hearing, who dependent; for example, I see them received it back through the administra- coming in their pickups to meetings, tion of the young missionaries; or the whereas a decade ago they needed to be elder whose Navajo mother asked him picked up by the missionaries, fed, and if he had faith in Heavenly Father when coddled. Some still must learn, but the little brother was lying desperately they are making progress; for instance, ill, and whose little brother was wholly a party was arranged by two mission- well the next morning after he himself aries—the Indian people to bring the had hid in a closet and prayed for his food, the elders to furnish the punch. brother. When they assembled, they had only Yes, the Indians have faith—a rather punch to drink. Later another party simple, pure, and unadulterated faith, as was arranged—the Indians to bring the evidenced by the Indian mother who food and the elders to bring the punch. asked the elders to come to the hospital They had both food and drink. They to bless her sick child. The next day are learning. the elders called at her home and asked, We called for a picture of the Indian "How is the little boy?" And she re- elders. Twenty of them came—five full- joined, "Oh, he's all right," in a tone blood Navajo boys, and fifteen who were such as to say, "Well, you blessed him, part Navajo and Apache and Ute and didn't you? Of course he's well." Sioux. One of the Navajo elders whose And another Indian whose hands mother and family lived less than a were badly burned was in excruciating hundred miles away in the same mis- pain. The administration brought al- sion had not asked for leave to go and most immediate relief, and she was using visit them, and he had served eight her hands in a day or two. There was months in the mission. One Indian the Indian family who pleaded with the elder said: "The first missionaries elders to pray for rain for their crops planted a tree on the reservation years and for the grass and for the cattle and ago. Now the tree is bearing fruit the sheep. "But please be careful," they Navajo elders! The young tree yielded warned. "The last time the elders little fruit, but the aging tree more prayed for rain, it came too hard, and fruit—more elders." the sheep corrals were washed out and There was the Navajo elder who testi- some of the sheep were drowned." fied of his happiness and said that when There was the Hopi elder in a Phoenix in battle—I think it was in Korea—he hospital with his arm and leg para- had dreamed one night that he was lyzed, and with no use or movement. with his parents back on the reservation, He asked the nurse to find a Mormon but he awakened to find himself in mud — —

34 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day and water and fire. Now he is in the At one meeting a father and mother midst of another dream, a dream so and their sixteen-year-old daughter were glorious, he said, that he hopes he will present, the little member girl—sixteen never awaken from it. —sitting between the dark father and These Indian elders are well-groomed, mother, and it was evident she was neat, smiling, and equal to their white several shades lighter than her parents companions—handsome and sincere on the same reservation, in the same some struggling in the acquisition of the hogan, subject to the same sun and wind difficult English language, and others and weather. There was the doctor in coming through the Utah Placement a Utah city who for two years had had Program speaking perfect English and an Indian boy in his home who stated displaying the best of our own culture. that he was some shades lighter than White elders feel fortunate when they the younger brother just coming into are lucky enough to have a Navajo the program from the reservation. These companion. young members of the Church are I see these Indian youth praying and changing to whiteness and to delight- preaching and administering to the sick, someness. One white elder jokingly said and I remember the statement of the that he and his companion were donat- Prophet Joseph: "Take Jacob Zundell ing blood regularly to the hospital in and Frederick H. Moeser . . . and send the hope that the process might be them to Germany and when you meet accelerated. an Arab send him to Arabia; when you The missionaries are having great find an Italian send him to Italy: and experiences in proselyting, in teaching, a Frenchman, to France; or an Indian, in organizing, in carrying on Primaries, that is suitable, send him among the Relief Societies. They direct women in Indians. Send them to the different making quilts and towels and pot places where they belong." (DHC holders, which they say they can sell 5:368.) faster than they can make them; but At last the Indians are suitable. I always a Relief Society bazaar is in their heard them bear their witness, saw them future plans. They pound up broken shed tears of joy, heard them express pottery and clay to make new pottery. their affection for loved ones. I saw They do beadwork, learn cooking; they Indian boys actually coming in to the are taught first aid, bleeding-stoppage, president to offer their services as mis- use of splints, resuscitation, moving the sionaries. That couldn't have happened injured; they are taught to speak and to a decade ago. As we look into the fu- sing. Three lovely Lamanite sisters ture, surely we shall see thousands of sang a trio in one of our meetings. Two Indian missionaries, for through our elders in one area were actually teach- various agencies we are now training ing the women how to make diapers. probably three thousand little Indian We find the Indians are learning to boys in our various departments who are be adaptable and resourceful, and from growing toward missionary work. Very tradition they are coming to truth, from soon there will be an Indian boy paired legend to fact, from sand paintings and off in missionary work with each white sings to administration and ordinances. boy, and this will happen in the other The Indians are beginning to pay their Lamanite missions, I am sure. tithes. They are living the Word of are attending their The day of the Lamanites is nigh. Wisdom. They For years they have been growing de- meetings. They are having family lightsome, and they are now becoming prayers, and for a period of this year white and delightsome, as they were the tithes in that mission are said to promised. In this picture of the twenty have been more than the budget for the Lamanite missionaries, fifteen of the mission. twenty were as light as Anglos; five They are grateful for that which is were darker but equally delightsome. being done for them. A typical little The children in the home placement nine-year-old Indian prayed: "Father in program in Utah are often lighter than heaven, please bless the missionaries so their brothers and sisters in the hogans their success will be good." A typical on the reservation. Indian woman pleaded: "When can I ELDER SPENC, I W. KIMBALL 35

be baptized?" And the answer was, difficult that it is said to have been used "When you have learned a little more to send code messages in World War II of the gospel." An Apache saddle maker, because the Japanese could not decode when given the Book of Mormon les- it. It is heartwarming to hear the young sons, said: "I know that story. I know Navajo elder struggling with his English that it is true. My old people told me pronunciation and vocabulary, but never about it." hesitating to express his thoughts con- The Indians have legends which might vincingly and bearing his testimony im- be reminiscent of the three Nephites, of pressively. He had been told by his the creation, of the flood, of the coming dying mother when he was a little boy: of the Christ to them. They are be- "Go to Mormon Church. It is true ginning to recognize the similarity be- church." He choked and struggled with tween their distorted tradition stories his tears. and the truth which has been recorded. One devoted missionary couple was A Jicarilla—Apache Indian elder, first stuck in the snow last winter, and the counselor in the branch presidency, husband pushed the car while the wife drives sixty-four miles to his meetings steered it. In doing so he fell and broke with his family and sixty-four miles his knee and then pleaded with the home each time, and he seldom misses a president: "Please do not send us home. meeting, except in blizzard weather. He Put us in the hospital for a little time." is sharp and clean and handsome and He was given a metal knee and then conducts the meetings with dignity. He crutches, and Indians who saw him speaks excellent English, and this is hobbling around said: "Anyone as sin- again in fulfilment of my own patriar- cere as that ought to be listened to." And chal blessing, in which I was promised: this mother who now has her children "You will see them organized and be reared told of her patriarchal blessing prepared to stand as the bulwark round given long years ago, indicating she this people." would go on a mission with her hus- In the temple, in the June excur- band, but since she was tied with her sion, were a Navajo groom and a Pima large family of little children, her hus- bride, a Cherokee groom and a Navajo band filled his mission alone and was bride; and these, typical of the many killed in an auto accident returning Indians, are taking seriously to the gospel home. How could her blessing ever be program. When they were in this con- fulfilled, she wondered, with children vention, the good Mesa people graciously to educate and sons to send on missions, took care of their needs, and this again and she in her widowhood? But when was in fulfilment of the prophecy of the family was educated and the sons Joseph Smith. He said: had filled their missions, she married "There will be tens of thousands of another man, a convert, and together Latter-day Saints who will be gathered they are now fulfilling the patriarchal in the Rocky Mountains, and there they blessing and filling glorious missions. will open the door for the establishing The day of the Lamanites has come. of the gospel among the Lamanites who The Indians of this country, particularly will receive the gospel and their endow- of the southwest, have many blessings ments and the blessings of God." (Dis- which are theirs today but which were courses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 30-39.) not theirs yesterday. Government agen- One's heart is touched when he sees cies, other groups as well as ourselves, thirty or forty little Hopi boys and girls have been conscious of their former gathered together in Primary, being serious plight. But today the dark taught by nineteen-year-old mission- clouds are dissipating. Whereas only a aries, and it is stirring even more to see decade ago tens of thousands of children twenty little wild Apache Indians gallop- were without schooling, today practically ing over the hills on their burros to every child has some educational oppor- attend Primary at Fort Apache. tunity. May I quote a paragraph from The young missionaries are learning my address to this conference in 1947 the difficult Navajo language, and the regarding these Indians: older couples are using largely the lan- "The health conditions are deplorable. guage of love. The Navajo tongue is so They have but one full-time dentist for 36 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 7 First Day 63,000 people and no field nurse or be thousands of them on missions. doctor. The death rate is very high, Nearly all their marriages will be per- being 16 per thousand as against 6.36 formed in the temples. They will give for the Church. The large family lives leadership in wards and stakes which in the dirt hogan being one small circu- will be organized in their areas, and lar room with dirt floor, no windows, with their white brothers they will be- and with a stove or fire in the center. come leaders in the kingdom. Groups All members of the family sleep on of stakes are organized into regional sheep pelts on the floor. There is no minority missions. About 320 of the privacy, practically no furniture or 2300 Indians in Brigham City are equipment. There are no sanitary con- members of the Church, and we have a veniences inside or out. With a single delightful chapel which President towel, a common cup, no hot water nor McKay dedicated there. disinfectants, it is easy to see why tra- At Albuquerque, Riverside, at Chilloco choma, impetigo, and other skin diseases and at Lawrence in Kansas, at Carson run through the family, and why dysen- City in Nevada, at Chemawa in Oregon, tery, venereal diseases, and tuberculosis at Anadarko in Oklahoma, and else- run rampant. In a survey of thirty-one where, our youth—hundreds and hun- families it was found that an average of dreds of them—are receiving comparable three in each family had tuberculosis. seminary training. At Aztec, Gallup, In their scattered condition, and with Richfield, Flagstaff, Holbrook, Snow- such limited hospital facilities, many lie flake, and Winslow we are training in their hogans, coughing in the air, them in connection with the govern- spitting on the floor, to finally die on the ment peripheral schools. " dirt floor without medical assistance About 420 Indian children are re- (See The Improvement Era, May 1947, ceiving the superior training in Utah p. 348.) homes under the educational placement But today there are hospitals, doctors, program. These children are being fed, nurses, and dentists. Many families live housed, clothed, and loved by the self- in comfortable homes, fairly well fur- less people of Utah who take them into nished. Disease is disappearing, tuber- their finest homes—philanthropic peo- culosis much under control, and ple who come to love the Indian children sanitation greatly improving. In our as their own, and who give them every recent examination of over four hundred advantage—cultural, spiritual, and edu- children in our health clinic as we cational, and who train them in scout- brought them into Utah for this fall, ing organizational work, in family we found that there were no positive prayers, in seminary, and in home results from our X-ray examinations. activities. I quote from a recent letter In the 40's these people had an aver- from an authority on Indian life and age income of about $81 a year. They education: lived upon land which to most of us "I think you have a very commend- seemed worthless, barren, and for- able program and one which is prob- bidding; but the desolate land is pro- ably the only positive approach to the ducing oil and gas and uranium and Indian problem in the United States. coal and lumber, and many millions I have spent a great part of my life of dollars are flowing into the tribal living with or working with Indian peo- treasury. In early days it was each fam- ple and have yet to see any program ily for itself; today the Tribal Council which has taken the Indian out of him- is using wisely these vast sums to build self and started him down the road to highways and hospitals and schools and progress." to give scholarships. What a strange As these children complete their grade paradox, that the land given to the and high school work, Brigham Young Indians, desolate and unwanted, turns University is ready to receive them, and out to be the source of many blessings! special guidance courses and training Was not Providence smiling on these advisers give them leadership, and each folks and looking toward this day? year now our Indian students parade in Today we teach the gospel to the cap and gown with the other hundreds Indian youth, and tomorrow there will of graduates of this great institution. ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL 37

We have follow-up programs to help Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen. The the Indian youth gain employment as benediction will be offered by President they complete their schoolwork. Austin G. Hunt, president of the Amer- A new class instruction program is ican River Stake, after which this Con- organized on the reservation, whereby ference will stand adjourned until ten the little Indians are given religious o'clock tomorrow morning. training. At present some 2500 little There will be a special Presiding fellows present themselves weekly or Bishopric's meeting in the Tabernacle oftener to the young missionaries for this evening at 6:30 o'clock. Expected religious instruction, assigned by the to attend are bishops and their counse- parents to the church of their choice. lors, stake and ward committees for These little ones are being taught in Aaronic Priesthood, those members un- about sixty classes, and young mission- der 21, and stake committees on ward aries are proving their mettle in training teaching. Stake presidents and high them. councilmen are invited to attend. Two young elders teach 102 children A Welfare Agricultural meeting will in their classes, and another couple, a be held tomorrow morning at 7:30 Navajo and a white elder, are teaching o'clock. Stake presidents, bishops, agri- 135 little boys and girls together with cultural representatives, and all who are some of their parents who asked for the interested in agriculture are invited. privilege of coming. The singing for this session, as you Not only the southwest Indians, but know, and as you have enioyed, has been Lamanites in general, are facing an furnished by the Relief Society Singing open door to education, culture, refine- Mothers of the Ogden and Northern ment, progress, and the gospel of Jesus Utah Regions. You have enjoyed it Christ. The Church has spent its mil- and have been inspired. Do you realize lions in Hawaii and New Zealand and how many hours these mothers have put other islands to provide schools for the in practicing for our enjoyment? Do young Lehites. Surely, no descendants we stop to think how many hours Sister need go now without an education, and Madsen has put in to train these and schools in Mexico will be followed by other groups throughout the Church? No schools in other nations. Surely the wonder there radiates from them a spirit number of deprived ones is being re- which touches the heart. These are our duced, and opportunity is knocking at mothers. God bless them always, and their door. Hundreds of Lamanites are all the mothers throughout Israel. They serving in mission fields in both Amer- deserve our most tender care, husbands, icas and in the islands of the sea. La- fathers, and may they go from this Con- manites are exercising their priesthood ference realizing that they have the and rearing their families in righteous- love and friendliness and the blessing ness. A new world is open to them, of the men and women who have re- and they are grasping the opportunities. joiced in the spirit they have radiated God bless the Lamanites and hasten through song. the day of their total emancipation from "Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide," after the thraldom of their yesterday. which the benediction will be offered by I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. President Austin G. Hunt of the Ameri- Amen. can River Stake.

President David O. McKay: The Relief Society Singing Mothers sang the hymn, "Abide With Me, 'Tis Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Eventide," following which the benedic- Council of the Twelve has just spoken tion was pronounced by Austin G. Hunt, to us. The Relief Society Singing president of the American River Stake. Mothers will now favor us with "Abide Conference adjourned until Saturday With Me, 'Tis Eventide," conducted by morning, October 8, at 10:00 a.m. SECOND DAY MORNING MEETING

Conference reconvened Saturday morn- the boys from North Dakota arriving at ing, October 8, at 10:00 a.m., with noon at Salt Lake Municipal Airport President David O. McKay presiding with sixteen associates from Minot Air and conducting the meeting. Force Base, North Dakota, to attend The choral music for this session was Conference, Lieutenant Edington and furnished by the other boys who undoubtedly have come Choral Society and the Bonneville in to join us, we welcome you. Strings—singers from the Institute of As before, this Conference is broad- Religion and the University Choral cast over television and radio stations Groups, David Austin Shand, Director. throughout the West. The names of Frank W. Asper was at the Organ. these stations were announced prior to President McKay opened the meeting the opening of this session. The session with the following introductory re- is also being broadcast in the Assembly marks: Hall and Barratt Hall by television. Those who are standing in the doorways these other President David O. McKay: may possibly find seats in halls. singing for this session will be Members of the Church are convened The the University of Utah in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in furnished by Society and the Bonneville Salt Lake City in the third session of the Choral Institute of 130th Semi-Annual Conference. Strings—singers from the the University of Utah We have just been in telephone com- Religion and under the direction of munication with President Clark. He Choral Groups, A. Shand, with Frank joins in sending love and blessings to Professor David organ. you all and appreciates your faith and W. Asper at the shall begin these services by these prayers in his behalf. He is feeling We choral groups singing, "There pretty well this morning. I am pleased combined invocation to extend his love to you all. Is Beauty All Around." The will offered bv Elder Albert B. Cran- The Tabernacle is filled to overflow- be president of the Sacramento Stake. ing this Saturday morning and many are dall, favored this listening by radio and television. We shall now be by of young people, whom we wel- We acknowledge the presence of many group "There Is Beauty stake presidencies, high councilmen, come gladly, singing, bishoprics, temple presidencies, general All Around." auxiliary officers, mission presidents from the United States, Mexico, Central The Combined Choral Groups pre- America, Canada, and Hawaii. We also sented the number: "There Is Beauty All extend a hearty welcome and express Around." satisfaction and pleasure in the attend- Elder Albert B. Crandall, president of ance of prominent men in the nation the Sacramento Stake, offered the open- and the state. We missed one or two ing prayer. yesterday, but I have the following: Senator Wallace F. Bennett, Governor President David O. McKay: George Dewey Clyde, Governor of the State of Utah; LaMont F. Toronto, Sec- The invocation was just offered by retary of the State of Utah; President President Albert B. Crandall of the Daryl Chase, president of the Utah State Sacramento Stake. The University of University; President John L. Clarke, Utah Choral Society and the Bonneville president of Ricks College; President Strings, singers from the Institute of Re- Howard McDonald, president of Los ligion and the University Choral Groups, Angeles State College; and undoubtedly will no favor us with, "I Stand All others, to whom we bid welcome; also Amazed," conducted by Professor David CHANGES IN CHUI H ORGANIZATIONS 39

A. Shand. After the singing, we shall to succeed Arthur Martin Jensen. have presented changes in Church Offi- West Central States Mission: Grant cers by the Clerk of the Conference. G. Woolley to succeed Casper W. Mer- rill. The Combined Choral Groups ren- West Mexican Mission (new mission organized) : fi. Turley. dered the selection: "I Stand All to be Harold Amazed." Western States Mission: Horace A. Christiansen to succeed David S. Rom- ney. President David O. McKay:

Elder Joseph Anderson, Clerk of the CHANGE IN MISSION NAME Conference, will read now the changes Swiss Mission, formerly the Swiss- in Church officers, temples, missions, Austrian Mission. stake, ward, branch organizations since April Conference, 1960, and the obitu- NEW STAKES ORGANIZED aries of the Church, and such statistics as should be presented to this Confer- Brigham Young University Second ence. He will be followed by President Stake organized April 17, 1960 by divi- Henry D. Moyle, who will present the sion of Brigham Young University Stake. General Authorities of the Church. Brigham Young University Third Stake organized April 17, 1960 by divi- Elder Joseph Anderson, Clerk of the sion of Brigham Young University Stake. Conference, then read statistical data: Napa Stake organized April 17, 1960 by division of Santa Rosa Stake. September CHANGES IN CHURCH OFFICERS Pikes Peak Stake organized 11, 1960 from a part of the Western TEMPLE, MISSION, STAKE, WARD, AND BRANCH ORGANIZATIONS States Mission. Puget Sound Stake organized June 19, SINCE APRIL CONFERENCE, 1960 1960 by division of Tacoma Stake. Riverton Stake organized September NEW MISSIONS ORGANIZED 18, 1960 by division of West Jordan Stake. Austrian Mission, by a division of the Taber Stake organized September 11, Swiss-Austrian Mission. 1960 by division of Lethbridge and Cal- gary Stake. MISSION PRESIDENTS APPOINTED Toronto Stake organized August 14, 1960 from a part of the Canadian Mis- Austrian Mission: W. Whitney Smith. sion. Mission: Bryan L. Bunker California Tulsa Stake organized May 1, 1960 to succeed Jesse A. Udall. from a part of the Central States Mission. Eastern Atlantic States Mission (new mission to be organized) George B. Hill. ; STAKE PRESIDENTS APPOINTED Florida Mission (new mission to be organized) : Karl R. Lyman. Brigham Young University Stake: French Polynesian Mission: Kendall Wayne B. Hales, to succeed Antone K. Young to succeed Joseph R. Reeder. Romney. North Central States Mission: Clement Brigham Young University Second: B. P. Hilton to succeed Paul C. Child. West Belnap. Northern States Mission: Richard W. Brigham Young University Third Maycock to succeed Richard C. Strat- Stake: W. Noble Waite. ford. Burley Stake: Isaac William Lee, to Samoan Mission: Joseph R. Reeder succeed Newel P. Baker. to succeed Charles I. Sampson. Denver West Stake: R. Raymond South African Mission: O. Layton Barnes, to succeed Thomas L. Kimball.

Alldredge to succeed Glen G. Fisher. East Mill Creek Stake: Wendell J. South German Mission: T. Quentin Ashton, to succeed O. Layton Alldredge. Cannon to succeed John A. Buehner. East Provo Stake: L. Flake Rogers, to

Uruguayan Mission: J. Thomas Fyans succeed Sherman T. Hill. 40 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day Holladay Stake: A. Ray Curtis, to Cedar Stake: Cedar Tenth Ward, succeed Bernard P. Brockbank. formed by division of Cedar First and Lethbridge Stake: Elmo Eugene Fifth Wards. Fletcher, to succeed Grant G. Woolley. Cheyenne Stake: Torrington Ward, Liberty Stake: Carman A. Black to formerly Torrington Branch. succeed Walter W. Hunter. Cottonwood Stake: Cottonwood Sixth Murray South Stake: Junior Wright Ward, formed by division of Cottonwood Child, to succeed Donald W. Challis. Second Ward; Cottonwood Seventh Napa Stake: Harry S. Cragun. Ward, formed by division of Cottonwood Nevada Stake: Clair B. Black, to suc- Fourth Ward. ceed Wendell S. Lambert. Covina Stake: Covina Third Ward, Pikes Peak Stake: Ralph Miller formed by division of Covina Ward. Gardner. Davis Stake: Centerville Fourth Ward, Puget Sound Stake: Herbert S. Ander- formed by division of Centerville First, son. Second, and Third Wards; Centerville Riverton Stake: John Harold Berrett. Fifth Ward, formed by division of Cen-

San Jose Stake: Horace J. Ritchie, to terville First, Second and Third Wards. succeed Vernard L. Beckstrand. East Mesa Stake: Mesa Eighteenth Santa Rosa Stake: Weston L. Roe, to Ward, formed by division of Mesa Sixth succeed John L. Murdock. Ward. Taber Stake: Ray B. Evanson. El Paso Stake: El Paso Sixth Ward, Tacoma Stake: Owen H. Dickson, to formed by division of El Paso First and succeed Elvin E. Evans. Second Wards; Carlsbad Ward, former- Toronto Stake: William M. Davies. ly Carlsbad Branch. Tulsa Stake: Robert N. Sears. Farr West Stake: Plain City Second Uvada Stake: Grant I. Clove, to suc- Ward, formed by division of Plain City

ceed Arthur J. Barlocker. Ward. Young Stake: Glen O. Hamblin, to Gridley Stake: Chico Second Ward, succeed Clement P. Hilton. formed by division of Chico Ward. Hayward Stake: Castro Valley Second NEW WARDS ORGANIZED Ward, formed by division of Castro Valley Ward. Atlanta Stake: Atlanta Third Ward, Kearns Stake: Kearns Fifteenth Ward, formed by division of Atlanta Ward. formed by division of Kearns Twelfth Auckland Stake: Huntley Ward, form- Ward. erly Huntley Branch. Klamath Stake: Medford Second Ben Lomond Stake: Ogden Sixty- Ward, formed by division of Medford Second Ward, formed by division of Ward. Ogden Fortieth Ward; Ogden Sixty- Lake View Stake: Roy Eighth Ward, Third Ward, formed by division of formed by division of Roy Third Ward. North Ogden Fourth Ward; Pleasant Lethbridge Stake: Champion Ward, View Second Ward, formed by division formerly Champion Branch; Lethbridge of Pleasant View Ward. Fifth Ward, formed by division of Leth- Brigham Young University Stake: bridge First and Second Wards. B. Y. Campus Twenty-Seventh Ward, Manchester Stake: Brandford, Dews- formed from various wards. bury, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Brigham Young University Second Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, and Stake: B. Y. Campus Twenty-Eighth Rochdale Wards, formerly branches in Ward, from various wards. the British Mission. Cannon Stake: Cannon Eighth Ward, Monterey Bay Stake: Gilroy Ward, formed by division of Cannon Second formerly Gilroy Branch. and Fourth Wards. Mt. Jordan Stake: Crescent Second Ward, formed by division of Crescent Canyon Rim Stake: Canyon Rim Ward. Third Ward, formed by division of Canyon Rim and Canyon Rim Second Napa Stake: Napa Second Ward, Wards; Canyon Rim Fourth Ward, formed by division of Napa Ward. formed by division of Highland View Oahu Stake: Hauula Ward, formerly and Highland View West Wards. Hauula Branch. CHANGES IN CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS 41

Olympus Stake: Holladay Sixteenth WARDS AND BRANCHES Ward, formed by division of Holladay TRANSFERRED Seventh Ward. Young University Second Palo Alto Stake: Mountain View Brigham Stake: B. Y. Campus Second, Third, Ward, formed by division of Los Altos Ward. Fifth, Twelfth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-Second Wards, Pikes Peak Stake: Colorado Springs, and Colorado Springs Second, Pueblo and formerly of Brigham Young University Pueblo Second Wards, formerly branches Stake. University Third in the Western States Mission. Brigham Young First, Fourth, Tenth, Reseda Stake: Simi Ward, formerly Stake: B. Y. Campus Simi Branch; Thousand Oaks Ward, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Twen- formerly Thousand Oaks Branch; ty-First, Twenty-Third, and Twenty- Northridge Ward, formed by division Fourth Wards, formerly of Brigham of Granada Hills Ward; Reseda Third, Young University Stake. formed by division of Reseda Second El Paso Stake: Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Ward. and Silver City Branches, formerly of San Fernando Stake: Newhall Ward, the Spanish-American Mission. formerly Newhall Branch. Lethbridge Stake: Claresholm Ward, San Luis Stake: Rio Grande Ward, formerly of Calgary Stake. formed by division of Del Norte and Manchester Stake: Bradford, Dews- Monte Vista Branches. bury, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, San Mateo Stake: South San Francisco Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, and Ward, formed by division of San Bruno Rochdale Wards; Radcliffe and Wigan Ward. Branches, formerly of the British Sandy Stake: Sandy Ninth Ward, Mission. formed by division of Sandy Eighth Napa Stake: Fairfield, Napa, Napa Ward. Second, Vacaville, Vallejo First and Snowflake Stake: Holbrook Second Second Wards; Sonoma Branch, former- Ward, formed by division of Holbrook ly of Santa Rosa Stake. Ward. Pikes Peak Stake: Colorado Springs, South Idaho Falls Stake: Idaho Falls Colorado Springs Second, Pueblo and Twenty-Sixth Ward, formed by division Pueblo Second Wards, Canon City, of Idaho Falls Twenty-Second Ward. La Junta, and Rye Branches, fomerly Temple View Stake: Lucero Ward, of the Western States Mission. formerly Mexican Branch. Puget Sound Stake: Bremerton, Brem- Toronto Stake: Hamilton, Kitchener, erton Second, Chehalis, Olympia, Port Oshawa, St. Catharines, Toronto, and Orchard, Tacoma Fourth, and Tacoma Toronto Second Wards, formerly Fifth Wards; Poulsbo and Shelton branches in the Canadian Mission. Branches, formerly of the Tacoma Stake. Tulsa Stake: Bartlesville, Tulsa, Tulsa Riverton Stake: Bluffdale, Herriman, Second Wards, formerly branches in the Lark, Riverton First, Second and Third Central States Mission. Wards, formerly of the West Jordan University Stake: University Seventh Stake. Ward, formed by division of University Santa Rosa Stake: Greenbrae, Novato, Third, Fourth, and Sixth Wards. and San Rafael Wards, formerly of San Whittier Stake: Whittier Fifth Ward, Francisco Stake. formed by division of Whittier Third Taber Stake: Barnwell, Taber First, Ward; Whittier Sixth Ward, formed by and Taber Second Wards; Bow Island, division of Whittier First Ward. and Grassy Lake Branches, formerly of Willamette Stake: Salem Second Lethbridge Stake; Rosemary Ward and Ward, formed by division of Salem Brooks Branch, formerly of Calgary First Ward. Stake; Medicine Hat Branch, formerly Winder Stake: Winder Second Ward, a branch in the Western Canadian formed by division of Mill Creek Mission. Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Wards. Toronto Stake: Hamilton, Kitchener, Young Stake: Cortez Ward, formerly Oshawa, St. Catharines, Toronto, and Cortez Branch. Toronto Second Wards; Brantford, Gait 42 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day and Welland Branches, formerly of the Toronto Stake: Brantford, Gait, and Canadian Mission. Welland Branches, formerly branches Tulsa Stake: Bartlesville, Tulsa and in the Canadian Mission. Tulsa Second Wards; Coffeyville, Fort Tulsa Stake: Coffeyville, Fort Smith, Smith, Gore, Henryetta, McAlester, Gore, Henryetta, McAlester, Muskogee, Muscogee, and Miami Branches, former- and Miami Branches, formerly branches ly of the Central States Mission. in the Central States Mission. Utah Stake: Spanish-American Branch WARD AND BRANCH NAME formed from various wards. CHANGED WARDS AND INDEPENDENT Auckland Stake: Temple View Sec- BRANCHES DISCONTINUED ond Ward, formerly College Ward. Canyon Rim Stake: Highland View Riverside Stake: Airport Ward, mem- Second Ward, formerly Highland View bership transferred to various wards. West Ward. Teton Stake: Cache Ward, member- Temple View Stake: Lucero Ward, ship transferred to Tetonia Ward. formerly Mexican Branch. Union Stake: Pine Valley Branch, THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY formerly Halfway Branch. Franklin S. Harris, former President INDEPENDENT BRANCHES of the Brigham Young University. ORGANIZED E. Allen Bateman, State Superin- tendent of Schools for Utah, and member Cheyenne Stake: Wheatland Branch, of Young Men's Mutual Improvement formed by division of Torrington Ward. Association General Board. Chicago Stake: Elgin Branch, form- erly a branch in the Northern States President David O. McKay: Mission. D. Moyle will now El Paso Stake: Carlsbad, Las Cruces, President Henry present the Authorities and and Silver City Branches, formerly General Officers of the branches in the Spanish-American Mis- General Auxiliary sustaining vote of the sion. Church for the General Conference assembled. Manchester Stake: Radcliffe, Wigan will note the number of stakes Branches, formerly branches in the You by British Mission. and missions organized and in prepara- tion of organization, that the General Mesa Stake: Maricopa Branch, formed Authorities need more help, and there by division of Chandler Second Ward. will be added for your acceptance today, Orlando Stake: St. Cloud-Kissimmee the following Assistants to the Twelve: Branch, formed by division of Ellsworth Nathan Eldon Tanner, president of Ward. the Calgary Stake. Pikes Peak Stake: Canon City, La Franklin D. Richards, of this city, Junta, and Rye Branches, formerly now presiding over the Northwestern branches in the Western States Mission. States Mission. Richland Stake: Milton-Freewater Dr. Theodore Moyle Burton, former Branch, formed by division of Walla president of the West German Mission, Walla Ward. now a member of the faculty of Utah St. Johns Stake: Sanders Branch, form- State University. We were unable to erly a branch in the Southwest Indian consult you, Dr. Chase, president of the Mission. Utah State University, and neglected to Taber Stake: Medicine Hat Branch, call you. However, we shall get your formerly a branch in the Western consent afterwards and watch your vote Canadian Mission. today. 43

GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH

The First Presidency

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

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

President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Joseph Fielding Smith Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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

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 Revelators.

Assistants to the Twelve

Alma Sonne William J. Critchlow, Jr. El Ray L. Christiansen Alvin R. Dyer John Longden Nathan Eldon Tanner Sterling W. Sill Franklin D. Richards Gordon B. Hinckley Theodore M. Burton Henry D. Taylor

Trustee-in-Trust David O. McKay

As trustee-in-Trust for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The First Council of the Seventy

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

Presiding Bishopric

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

Church Historian and Recorder

Joseph Fielding Smith with A. William Lund and Preston Nibley as Assistants. 44 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day GENERAL AUXILIARY OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH

Relief Society

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

Deseret Sunday School Union

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

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association

Joseph T. Bentley, General Superintendent

George Carlos Smith, Jr., First Assistant Superintendent

Marvin J. Ashton, Second Assistant Superintendent with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association

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

Primary Association

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

GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH Church Board of Education

David O. McKay Delbert L. Stapley

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

Administrator, Board of Education

Ernest L. Wilkinson Church Finance Committee

Orval W. Adams Glenn E. Nielson Harold H. Bennett Weston E. Hamilton Wilford G. Edling GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 45

Senior Church Auditors

Harold L. Davis Charles Schmidt

CHURCH WELFARE COMMITTEE

Advisers Harold B. Lee John Longden Delbert L. Stapley Henry D. Taylor Marion G. Romney Antoine R. Ivins LeGrand Richards Joseph L. Wirthlin Alma Sonne Thorpe B. Isaacson El Ray L. Christiansen Carl W. Buehner and the General Presidency of Relief Society

General Church Welfare Committee Marion G. Romney, Chairman

Henry D. Taylor, Managing Director

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

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

Tabernacle Choir

Lester F. Hewlett, President Richard P. Condie, Conductor Jay E. Welch, Assistant Conductor W. Jack Thomas, Tour Manager

Organists

Alexander Schreiner Frank W. Asper Roy M. Darley, Assistant

President Henry D. Moyle: cess of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President McKay, the voting seems to I know you will all be pleased to have been entirely unanimous in the meet these new brethren whom we have affirmative. sustained as General Authorities of the Church. President Tanner, will you please come forward and say a few President David O. McKay: words, and the other Brethren be on hand to follow. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for President Nathan Eldon Tanner, this manifestation of your loyalty. God president of the Calgary Stake, , bless you and all of us as we go for- Canada, a man who has devoted his ward in unity and energy for the suc- life to the Church, we welcome you. —

46 GENERAL CONFERENCE Second Day Saturday, October 8 ELDER NATHAN ELDON TANNER

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

President McKay and brethren and child. I have had that great privilege sisters, I stand before you this morning of associating closely with him through- in all humility. I wish to express my out my life. sincere appreciation of the confidence I should like to express my apprecia- shown by the General Authorities, Pres- tion to my wife. Probably I could let ident McKay, and those associated with you know the kind of woman she is by him, in calling one so unprepared to quoting my mother. She said to me hold such a high office in this the one day, "You are fortunate, my boy, to been Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day have Sarah as your wife. She has great support to you as a wife and a Saints. No one with any less ability a wonderful mother. It is not everybody could be called to this position. I would that could live with you as she has and like to assure President McKay and put up with the things which she has members of the General Authorities and to!" you my brethren and sisters that I shall We have five lovely daughters, and do my best and am prepared to dedicate I should like to say to them that I ap- my life and my best to the work of the preciate how loyal and faithful they Lord. have been, how little worry and concern I know that this is the Church of they have caused us and how they are Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God here prepared to accept any call in the upon the earth, and I know that I shall Church. need your faith and prayers, and I ask Speaking of my family, I suppose I that I may have them, that I may carry should tell you that we have twenty-two on in a way that will become one in grandchildren. I hope and pray that this responsible position, that I may rep- they will carry on in the Church. resent the Church wherever I go in a President McKay, again I wish to pleasing our way that will be to Heav- thank you sincerely and those who are enly Father. supporting you in this my call, and again I like at this time to express should I wish to say that I love the Lord with sincere appreciation to family. my my all my heart, and I pledge at this time paternal great-great-grandfather was My that I will serve him and you with all a very close friend of the Prophet. Joseph my might, mind, and strength, and I And on my mother's side, you have read pray for your faith and prayers and of James Brown and his work, and God's blessings, and I do it in the name you know Hugh B. Brown, who is my of Jesus Christ. Amen. mother's brother. And I want to thank all of them, my father, who was one President David O. McKay: of the finest men that I ever knew and my loving mother, and particularly I Elder Franklin D. Richards, now should like at this time to express my president of the Northwestern States sincere and deep appreciation to Elder Mission, grandson of Franklin D. Rich- Hugh B. Brown for the influence that ards, son of Charles C. Richards, will he has had on my life since I was a now speak to us.

ELDER FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

What a beautiful song: "I Stand All grateful for the many blessings that have Amazed at the Love Jesus Offers Me!" been mine. I likewise appreciate the I feel that way very deeply this morning, noble heritage with which I have been my brothers and sisters. I, like Presi- blessed, and I appreciate the wonderful dent Tanner, feel appreciative and family that I have and the devotion ELDER FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS 47

they have to the Church and particularly are in a new era of growth and develop- the devotion my wife has shown. We ment in the Church of Jesus Christ. have enjoyed the past nine months in The kingdom of God is going forward the mission field, more than any other that the kingdom of heaven may come. time in our lives, and the reason is that We in the Northwest have been we have been serving the Lord to a blessed abundantly because we have greater degree than ever before. been active in spreading the gospel and President McKay spoke yesterday have recognized the importance and about love being the first and second shortness of time. The Lord has blessed great commandments of the Lord, that us in many ways. First, by bringing we must have this love for our Father numbers of people together in groups in heaven and his Son Jesus Christ, and we have been able to teach the gospel likewise for our brother and neighbor. to more people. Secondly, as the mem- I have love in my heart this morning, bers of the Church have shared the President McKay, for you and for my gospel with their friends, many more brethren that are presiding over the people have been brought into the king- affairs of the kingdom of God, and I dom of God than otherwise would have have love in my heart for my fellow been, and those members of wards and men. I can truthfully say that I have stakes and branches and districts that no enmity nor hatred toward any man, have shared the gospel have been blessed and I pray that the Lord will sustain abundantly themselves. And thirdly, me in this position. spirituality in the wards and branches I feel wholly inadequate as an indi- has increased; the inactive have become vidual; however, I feel the way Nephi active; and the people are happy and did when his father Lehi asked him to are having great joy; and this is as it go and get the plates, "I will go and should be. do the things which the Lord hath com- Many have said, "How do you find manded, for I know that the Lord giveth these people that are interested in know- no commandments unto the children of ing about the gospel?" We have asked men, save he shall prepare a way for the people of the Northwest to ask their them that they may accomplish the thing neighbors every day, "What do you which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi know about the Mormon Church?" And 3:7.) whatever their answer may be, our next I know that through these modern question is, "Would you like to know revelations and by listening to the words more?" Our missionaries are busy of inspiration and revelation given by teaching in groups those that would like our prophets today, that we do receive to know more, and they are so busy that great strength. I love to read modern they are obliged to use automobiles and revelation, and I love to sit at the feet do practically all of their proselyting of the great men who are presiding over and arranging meetings over the tele- the affairs of this Church and to learn phone. The Lord is greatly blessing the what we as servants of the Lord should missionaries and the Saints in the North- do to further God's work here upon the west area, and the gospel is going for- earth. ward by leaps and bounds as it is in President Moyle yesterday quoted a practically every other area of the world. statement from the Book of Mormon I am grateful to my Father in heaven wherein the Lord said that "Adam fell that among my other blessings I have that men might be; and men are, that the opportunity of spending my time they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25.) and energy in his service. I pledge all I want to testify to you that the greatest of my efforts, President McKay, to the joy that can come into the life of any Church and to you as prophet, seer, and man is to give this "pearl of great price," revel ator, and to the spreading of the the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of gospel of Jesus Christ. In concluding I God unto salvation, to others. That is would like to read from one of the why Sister Richards and I have been modern prophets, President Heber J. having such great joy this last nine Grant. He said: months, because we have been giving "The most glorious thing that has ever the gospel of Jesus Christ to others. We happened in the history of the world —

48 GENERAL C Saturday, October 8 Second Day

since the Savior himself lived on the that the greatest message that we have is earth is that God himself saw fit to visit that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been the earth with his beloved, Only Be- restored, the power of God unto salva- gotten Son, our Redeemer and Savior, tion. I am not ashamed of the gospel and to appear to the boy Joseph." (Gos- of Jesus Christ. I know that God lives, pel Standards, p. 16.) And it is our duty that Jesus is indeed his Son, the Re- above all others to go forth at home and deemer of the world, and that Joseph abroad and proclaim the gospel of the Smith was a prophet of God—one of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that in order greatest prophets that has lived on this to do this we must live close to the Lord. earth, according to the word of the Lord President McKay together with Presi- contained in our holy book of Doctrine dent Clark and President Moyle in the and Covenants. (See D&C 135:3.) I beautiful blessing that they gave me know that David O. McKay is the when they set me apart as president of prophet of the Lord today, and I know the Northwestern States Mission told that we need a prophet on the earth me to live close to the Lord and listen today. I propose to sustain President to his whisperings and have the courage McKay with all of my might and to execute them. When Brother and strength. I say this and dedicate myself Sister Lee were in our mission field this unto the Church, in the name of Jesus last summer, they brought many bless- Christ. Amen. ings to the Saints and the missionaries, and already we have seen many join President David O. McKay: the Church who listened to their words. Likewise Brother and Sister Lee im- We will now hear from Elder Theo- pressed upon us that we should not be dore M. Burton, formerly president ot too busy taking care of details and the West German Mission, at present mechanics to listen to the whisperings at the Utah State University—we shall of the Spirit. make such arrangements as are neces- I testify to you my brothers and sisters sary.

ELDER THEODORE M. BURTON

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

President McKay, President Clark, if he given me why I was called to this posi- were here, President Moyle, members tion. I do not stand here alone. This of the General Authorities, my dear call has come to a great many people, brothers and sisters, this is a humbling people who have influenced my life, experience. even before I was born. As the other When President McKay called me this brethren have said, I, too, come from a morning into his office and asked me long line of forebears who bore responsi- how I felt, I told him I was frightened. ble positions in this Church. My great- I am frightened, but only to this extent grandfather Burton was a member of frightened that I might not measure up the Church and came into the Church to the responsibility that has been given with his wife and one of his daughters. me. President McKay told me that my My grandfather Burton was a young responsibility would be to principally man only fifteen years of age, who had bear witness to the divinity of Jesus heard about the Mormons in Canada, Christ, and this I can do from the bottom and he said that he would disown his of my heart. I do know that Jesus is parents if they joined the Church. So the Christ. I have covenanted with him he left them and went down into Ohio, to be his son. I have covenanted to and there the missionaries contacted bear that name, and I pray that I might him and brought him into the Church. always bear it honorably, that I might He then went back, and on his knees never do anything to bring dishonor apologized to his father and mother for to that glorious name. his lack of insight, for his lack of under- I have wondered since the call was standing, and asked their forgiveness. ELDER THEODORE M. BURTON 49

Grandfather Burton came here with the divinity of Jesus Christ, for which some of the very earliest pioneers as a I will always be grateful. bugler to Brigham Young, and he be- I came of goodly parents. My father came one of Brigham Young's constant and mother are people of whom I am companions, along with Brother Lot very proud. I am grateful for the asso- Smith and Brother Porter Rockwell. I ciation I have had with my wife. She, have read Grandfather's journals; I too, comes from a long line of people know how devoted he was to the who have been in this Church for many of Church. He was a member the generations. Her father, who is still Presiding Bishopric for many, many living, over ninety years of age, is still years. president of his high priests quorum. He married my grandmother, whose I am grateful to her, for she has stood maiden name was Garr. The Garrs, by me from the time we were married too, are wonderful people of whom I and has been loyal and faithful in am very proud. They were among the every respect. very first who came into the Church, I am proud of my son. I only have and Great-grandfather Fielding Garr one son, and so I have to make up in was one of those seven men chosen to quality what I lack in quantity. I am perform that very special burial mission proud of him. When my great-uncle when the Prophet was assassinated, so I Henry Moyle was patriarch of Alpine have been told. Grandmother walked Stake, he gave me my patriarchal bless- across the plains as a young girl eight ing. He told me that we would have years of age, and said how happy she responsibilities to take upon us. He was when she got a thorn in her foot told me that my children would have to because that was the only time she was bear part of that responsibility, too. So able to ride on the tailgate of the wagon I pray that my son will live close to the until they got the thorn out of her foot. Lord and be able to accept his share So she was one of those early pioneers of responsibility when that comes. who helped establish and build this I have just returned from the West country. German Mission, and I bring you all The Moyles have been in the Church the love of those wonderful people. I for many years. My mother was Flor- have spent just about one-fifth of my ence Moyle. I am proud of the Moyles. life among German-speaking people. I Great-grandfather Moyle and Grand- love the Swiss people; I love the Austrian father Moyle helped build the Salt Lake people; I love those German people with Temple, and when you see the carving whom I have been working. They are on the east side of the temple, "Holiness simply marvelous Saints, strong and to the Lord," Great-grandfather did that stalwart, loyal and true, and they are as a missionary called to work on the about to strengthen the Church in that temple. mighty nation so that we will have I am proud of the Cannels. They, stakes of Zion there, too. I am hoping too, came into the Church early. Great- and praying that I shall also be present grandfather came here to Utah to protect when that glorious day comes, when his daughter from the Mormons, and we can establish on the continent of when he got here he joined the Church Europe, among foreign-speaking peo- and was grateful that his daughter found ples, stakes of Zion. I know that their such an outstanding man as Grand- father James Moyle. hearts are filled with love of God as yours are, and I bring you their greet- So I am proud of all of these people ings and their love, and I am proud to who have made it possible for me to inter- be here. I am grateful to my Sunday be associated with a Church so School teachers. I am grateful to my national in its character that we can Primary teachers. In my day we had love people regardless of what language Religion Class. I am grateful to those they speak, what color they may be, sisters who labored with us when we or what nation they represent. We caused them many hours of trouble and have covenanted to be brothers and concern, I am sure, but they taught me sisters, and this love that was spoken —

50 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day

of before is the love that exists in this President David O. McKay: Church today. Without multiplying words, then, We know, President Chase, of the President McKay, I accept this calling position Dr. Burton holds in the Utah with humility and pray for your help State University. He will be true to the and for your instruction. agreements made, but we shall appre- ciate cooperation. My brothers and sisters, I will rise and your do better than my best, because I know The combined choral groups and will sing, that I have been called to this position congregation now "Now Let by a Prophet of God who speaks in the Us Rejoice in the Day of Salvation," conducted Professor David A. Shand. name of Jesus Christ. I bear you my by After the singing, President Joseph Field- testimony that he is a prophet of God. ing Smith will address us. I bear you my testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I bear you my testimony that these men with whom The Combined Choral Groups and I have associated in the mission field, the congregation joined in singing the and these authorities who are sitting hymn, "Now Let Us Rejoice In The before you today, are prophets, seers, Day of Salvation." and revelators, for I have seen prophecies fulfilled that they have made. I bear President David O. McKay: testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, pos- I announced yesterday that President sessing all the authority that is necessary Ernest Wilkinson was excused to attend to establish and maintain it upon the a convention in the East. I am pleased face of the earth today. I know it will to note his presence this morning. grow until all people can recognize and President Joseph Fielding Smith of the bow their knee and confess that Jesus Council of the Twelve will now speak is the Christ, and that his kingdom is to us, and he will be followed by Bishop upon the earth. This testimony I give Carl W. Buehner of the Presiding you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Bishopric.

PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I wish to read a part of the instruction end, behold, him will I hold guiltless given by our Redeemer to his disciples before my Father at that day when I on this continent just before he left shall stand to judge the world. them. "And he that endureth not unto the is that is also "And my Father sent me that I might end, the same he hewn be lifted up upon the cross; and after down and cast into the fire, from whence that I had been lifted up upon the cross, they can no more return, because of the that I might draw all men unto me, that justice of the Father. as I have been lifted up by men even so "And this is the word which he hath should men be lifted up by the Father, given unto the children of men. And to stand before me, to be judged of for this cause he fulfilleth the words their works, whether they be good or which he hath given, and he lieth not, whether they be evil but fulfilleth all his words.

"And for this cause have I been lifted "And no unclean thing can enter into up; therefore, according to the power his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth of the Father I will draw all men unto into his rest save it be those who have me, that they may be judged according washed their garments in my blood, to their works. because of their faith, and the repentance

"And it shall come to pass, that whoso of all their sins, and their faithfulness repenteth and is baptized in my name unto the end. shall be filled; and if he endureth to the "Now this is the commandment: Re- PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH 51 pent, all ye ends of the earth, and come covenant with him to keep his com- unto me and be baptized in my name, mandments. that ye may be sanctified by the recep- I am going to spend a minute or two tion of the Holy Ghost, that ye may particularly relative to this filthy tobacco stand spotless before me at the last day." habit. I believe that some of the women (3 Nephi 27:14-20.) of this country are getting to be worse those advertise I know of nothing that is more im- than the men, and who are the portant or necessary at this time than seeking to influence the women— of children. I ride through to cry repentance, even among the Lat- mothers the As the streets here of Salt Lake City in ter-day Saints, and I call upon them as an automobile, I sometimes see women well as upon those who are not members on nearly every street corner or between of the Church, to heed these words of the blocks with cigarets in their mouths our Redeemer. Now he has stated three or four women to every man. I definitely that no unclean thing can — fear some of them are members of the enter his presence. Only those who Church. We cannot afford to turn either prove themselves faithful and have to the right nor to the left from the washed their garments in his blood keeping of the commandments of the through their faith and their repentance Lord if we want to enter into his none others shall find the kingdom of — kingdom. God. Our bodies must be clean. Our We have inducements, enticing fea- thinking must be clean. We must have tures come before us through the press, in our hearts the desire to serve the by television particularly, and in other Lord and keep his commandments; to re- ways to lead our people and all other member our prayers, and in humility people astray and away from keeping seek the counsels that come through the the commandments of God. I want to guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. That raise a warning voice to the members will bring to us our salvation, and we of the Church, and especially to the will never get salvation through the youth of the Church. Do not pay heed violation of the covenants and com- the to wicked and malicious advertising mandments which will bring to us of tobacco nor of liquor. advertis- The eternal life. ing of tobacco today is one of the greatest There is not time for me to say more crimes offenses and before our Father than this. These few remarks will have in heaven, and those are guilty of who to do. I have a great deal in my mind, it will one day have to the price. pay but I can carry those things to the stake They do it now because of greed, but conferences. we must not listen to these enticings The Lord bless you all, in the name to the wicked advertising and of things of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. that are detrimental to the body and condemned by our Father in heaven President David O. and his Son Jesus Christ, contrary to McKay: the gospel they have given to us. President Joseph Fielding Smith, Now, we have those who are among President of the Quorum of Twelve Apos- us are inclined who to listen to these tles, has just concluded speaking. We pleadings and to the entertainments that shall now hear from Bishop Carl W. are given, all of which are intended to Buehner, a member of the Presiding lead us into forbidden fields, to partake Bishopric. He will be followed by of things condemned by the Lord, and Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the First which are not for those who have made Council of Seventy. 52 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day BISHOP CARL W. BUEHNER

Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

My dear brethren and sisters, this to every one of us is a very important me has been a very stirring session of person. I wish we could always re- conference. We have heard the vital member this and realize how much we statistics of the Church, and we have are loved by him and reciprocate that sustained the General Authorities of the love by living close to his teachings. Church. From among the priesthood The other little story I should like to have also been chosen three devoted and tell emanated from the Primary Chil- humble men to take a place with the dren's Hospital. This is one of the other General Authorities of the Church. great institutions we have in the Church. I know each of them well. They have Those of you who have been there know given dedicated service to the work of something about its little patients, some the Lord, and with all my heart I can of whom are there for an extended period say to them that their joy will be even of time, even flat on their backs on their greater as they travel among the people little beds, and some more fortunate of the Church. are in wheelchairs. Very few can get I am always thrilled to participate around on their own. I have never been with you in one of these great general in a place where there are happier conferences of the Church. I keenly patients than those in our Primary feel, however, that even though con- Children's Hospital. Employed there as ference time is a wonderful time, it is a nurse is a very lovely woman who lost even more wonderful for those who her husband and who has a family of have already spoken. her own to raise. The oldest boy of Let me tell you a couple of little this woman was old enough to receive stories that I think you may appreciate. a call to go on a mission. The children I heard one of our fine sisters bear her in the hospital, most of whom have so testimony in fast meeting not long ago little, had such a love and devotion for and express her gratitude for four won- their nurse, whose son was now going derful little boys that had been born into the mission field, that they sent a into their home. The parents loved little Indian boy, who had a broken these four little youngsters immensely. leg, but who could get around with Word came that they were going to have crutches, to solicit a contribution from another little arrival in the home, and these little patients. You understand the family all decided that the fifth they have very little, many of them should be a little girl. They pleaded being there as Church-service cases. I with our Heavenly Father that this understood they practically cleaned out might be the case. He heard the plea all of the assets of these children and of the family, and when the baby was gathered up a total of $6.68. This was born, it was a girl. This little girl presented to the missionary as their grew up in this home, knowing how appreciation for his wonderful mother much she was wanted and appreciated. who was their nurse and to help the She seemed very much loved by the great missionary program move forward. four little boys, the father and the We are asked to give two or three mother. Each poured out his affections pennies for each year of our age an- upon her. She grew up in this at- nually to help this institution. As you mosphere, knowing she was very im- catch the spirit of these children, you portant and very much wanted in the often wish you were a thousand years home. When she was somewhere old when they come to collect these between four and five years of age, and pennies. I have frequently said, "God while she was in the midst of her family bless the Primary and their hospital and feeling very happy about her home for what they are doing to bless our and her little brothers, she said, "Mother, children!" I'll bet you were really surprised when May I say just a word about a lovely you found out I was a Mormon, too." experience I enjoyed in being able to In the sight of our Heavenly Father, go back to the land of my birth after BISHOP CARL W. BUEHNER 53 an absence of about sixty years and to that like thousands of others had the visit the city where I was bom. I had desire of coming to this great land of the opportunity of bearing my testi- America. mony at a district conference in Stutt- I also enjoyed the privilege of going gart, Germany. I saw a little building into Berlin. Berlin, once a very proud which more than sixty years ago housed and beautiful city, is now a divided city. the Stuttgart Branch. Meetings are not I saw what happens when a city and a held here any more. They have a people are divided. West Berlin is a beautiful chapel of their own. It was little island in Russian territory. There in this little branch chapel that I re- is one highway 110 miles long on which ceived a name and a blessing. In the supplies are taken to West Berlin by areas close to Stuttgart, I saw the little truck and car, and there is also a twenty- villages in which my father and mother mile wide air strip permitting planes to were born. They later moved to Stutt- fly in and out of the city. When an gart and were there married. This is airplane for any reason gets out of the where the missionaries found them and twenty-mile allowed zone, it is over taught them the gospel. Russian territory. I was also made very much aware of I admire the faith and stability of the the fact that Stuttgart today is almost wonderful members of the Church we a new city. I was told that about have behind the Iron Curtain. After percent of the original city had been hearing the president of the East German bombed out during the war. The scars Mission relate a number of spine-tingling of war are still evident, as you see large experiences, I could not help thinking buildings with no windows, no doors, how grateful many people must be that the roofs demolished, and parts of the the gospel touched their lives and walls destroyed. Many new buildings brought them away from situations such have been erected. as those being endured by members I began thinking of my own situation living in this condition. and giving credit to the great missionary I learned that in the Russian schools program for my many blessings. The behind the Iron Curtain, children are ". scripture in Jeremiah 3:14 says, . . and taught that there is no such thing as a I will take you one of a city, and two God, that everything is material and of a family, and bring you to Zion." force. These children come home and I wondered why my father and my challenge their parents and say, "Why mother were those who were gathered don't you get up to date? In school we two from a family. This has caused hear every day that there is no such many serious reflections. I was just at thing as God, and yet you have us kneel the age when I might have been in- down and pray each night and morning volved with the two world wars that and ask our Heavenly Father to bless were fought in that land. The destruc- and watch over us. How can this be tion of property and the millions of when there is no God?" Because of people who lost their lives might just such a reaction, many persons have as well have included the Buehner escaped to the West Zone. President family. Fetzer indicated that there are strong I do not know whether my parents and devoted members behind the Iron responded the first time the missionaries Curtain in almost sufficient numbers to knocked on their door or the second time organize a stake there. Of course, such or the third time. I am grateful, how- a stake can never be organized under ever, that the missionaries knocked on these circumstances. I feel to say, "God the door of my parents sufficient times bless those wonderful people there." to convince them that they had the great As we drove into areas in East Berlin, message of the age to give to them, the I observed the great industrial area of story that God had spoken again in this that city, silent and unproductive. There day to the boy Prophet Joseph Smith was no smoke coming from the large and through him restored the gospel. smokestacks. There seemed to be no To me there is nothing more important activity of any kind. I had a feeling, or nothing greater. I appreciate so much without having had the privilege of that my parents accepted the gospel and going into these buildings or even 54 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day through this area, that the machinery I shall always be grateful for what this had all been dismantled and taken into missionary program has done for us Russian territory. I do not know what and our family. Our own family has the future is for this city, but after been an example of what happens to carefully viewing the situation, I hope those being gathered one of a city and the day comes when Berlin can again be two of a family. Even though my par- reunited as a proud and noble city and ents have been dead for twenty-five reunite the German-speaking people. years, there are practically a hundred of In London our guide referred to these us now because of the two that were areas that had been bombed out as gathered more than sixty years ago. At "blitzed." As we drove through the city, the rate we are growing, in a few more every few miles he would say, "Here is generations, we will have a small city another area that was 'blitzed' during of our own. the war." It is always wonderful to meet with All over Europe a con- tremendous you in conference. I bear you my testi- struction program is underway. People mony to the divinity of this great latter- well-dressed seem happy. They seem day work and want to tell you that I and even prosperous. They do not have find great joy in the service of the enough money to buy automobiles or to Master. I rededicate my life to his serv- purchase electrical appliances, but there ice and to help further the purposes of is full employment, and everyone seems the Almighty. I do it in the name of to be able to live fairly well. Jesus Christ. Amen. I was thrilled, as others have already reported, at the tremendous progress mis- sionary work is making in these Euro- pean countries. You have already heard President David O. McKay: what is happening in England—I sup- Bishop Carl Buehner of the Pre- pose probably the greatest activity since W. that reported in the very early days of siding Bishopric has just addressed us. the Church when Wilford Woodruff, We will now hear from Elder Bruce R. Heber C. Kimball and others served as McConkie of the First Council of the missionaries. Seventy.

ELDER BRUCE R. McCONKIE

Of the First Council of the Seventy

We in this Church have a solemn lect to do so, we have violated our trust obligation to carry the message of sal- and failed to comply with a divine vation to our Father's other children in directive. the world. To us the Lord has given When we come into the Church, we this command: "Go ye into all the covenant in the waters of baptism that world, preach the gospel to every crea- we will do missionary work. We enter ." ture, . . (D&C 68:8.) into a solemn contract with Deity that This call to missionary service does we will bear testimony of the restora- not leave us any choice or option as to tion of the gospel on every appropriate the course we should pursue. It is not occasion. We agree "to stand as wit- merely a permissive invitation which nesses of God at all times and in all allows us to spread the gospel message things, and in all places" that we "may on a voluntary basis, or if we find it be in, even until death." (Mosiah 18:9.) convenient to do so. The decree is man- We are also bound by the command datory. We have no choice about it, if that the Lord has given by revelation we are to retain the favor of God. The in this day, that "it becometh every Lord has laid upon our shoulders the man who hath been warned to warn obligation to spread the gospel, to raise his neighbor." (D&C 88:81.) Thus we the warning voice, to gather in the lost have an affirmative, positive, definite sheep of the house of Israel. If we neg- obligation resting upon us to do mis- ELDER BRUCE R. McCONKlE 55 sionary work. This matter of carrying missions and foreign missions, and we the gospel message to the world is not would like to see every worthy and something that we can choose to do or qualified young man in the Church go not, if and when we may find it to be out in the foreign missionary service. convenient. We are under covenant to We have some eight thousand of them do it "at all times . . . and in all places out now, and this, incidentally, is one

. . . even until death." (Mosiah 18:9.) of the great evidences of the divinity of We are indebted, each of us individ- the work in which we are engaged. ually, to the missionaries who brought There is no other organization of any the gospel to us or to our ancestors; kind that does or could do what we do many of us owe these missionaries more in the missionary cause—call thousands than we owe anyone else. We received and tens of thousands of people to leave from them the pearl of great price. We their employment, their educational pur- have an obligation to discharge our debt, suits, their families, loved ones, and and one of the very best ways in which friends, and go out at their own expense we can do this is to go forth ourselves to carry the gospel message to the world. as missionaries, or otherwise to use our However, under the circumstances in talents and our means to see that others which we live, it is not solely a matter of our Father's children have the oppor- of inviting a young man, when he tunity to receive that which has been reaches the proper age, to go and serve restored in this day. in the mission field. Our young men The Lord has decreed that this gospel, are faced with educational problems, which has come forth through the in- military service, employment, and other strumentality of Joseph Smith and others, things; they have the problem of plan- is the very gospel that is going to be ning and preparing, of getting their per- preached in all the nations of the earth sonal affairs in order, of being ready, of as a witness before the Second Coming having the financial requisites to sustain of the Son of Man. (D&C 133:36-40.) themselves when the time comes for Since we are the ones who have this their missionary calls. true gospel, we alone can carry it to the So, the first suggestion I make is this: world. To carry out this command to We ought to have in every family in the preach this restored gospel in all the Church a mission savings account. This world, every one of us should be mis- could well start for every young man sionaries every day and hour of our when he is born, when he comes into lives, at all times and in all places and this world. It takes about $2,000, some- under all circumstances. We do not thing in that vicinity, to support a per- need any particular call or any special son in the mission cause. It takes about setting apart; we have already assumed $75 a month. Now those of us of modest the obligation in the waters of baptism means may find it somewhat burden- to take every honorable opportunity to some suddenly to be obligated in that tell other people about the glories and amount. But if we have a mission beauties of the gospel. And there is not savings account for each male child, we anything in this world that in any way can very easily have available the nec- compares in importance with the gospel. essary funds when that child arrives at May I make two specific suggestions missionary age. which if adhered to and followed will If you would deposit, for instance, very measurably train and prepare the four dollars and a few odd cents to a young people of this Church to go out young man's savings account each and discharge their obligations, to bear month, beginning at his birth, by the the missionary burden, to do the thing time that he is old enough to go on a that they are expected to do by virtue mission, without counting any interest, of Church membership. you would have about one thousand We do our missionary work, all of us dollars accumulated. All of our young as individuals, by telling other people people as they mature, as they come up about the Church and the saving truths into their teens in the economy in which which have been revealed to it. But we we live, are able to get jobs and make have also the great organized missionary money. Now if our young men would ventures of the Church. We have stake do this thing, if they could have instilled 56 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day into their hearts a willingness to de- missions, and that in due course, they posit one-half of all they make into this might be married in the temple. As a mission savings account, then without consequence we would instil into their any question, by the time they are of hearts a desire, a willingness, a deter- missionary age there would be $2,000 mination to go out and carry the mes- or more available to support them. This sage and also a determination to be would remove the worry and burden married in that system out of which the of financing the missionary, and the greatest blessings grow that it is possible money would have been accumulated for any mortal individual to inherit. without any excessive or inordinate ef- We have an obligation. This is not fort, and all, at least financially, would optional. We are not just to do it or be in readiness. not if it is convenient. The Lord has But in the process of acquiring that commanded us to carry his message to money, benefits would accrue which the world and to be witnesses of his would far exceed the monetary sums name. If it takes some preparation and that might be saved. If a young man schooling, if it takes some conditioning is saving consistently through his teen- and teaching in order to get ourselves in age years, and if his family is doing the a condition where we can do this effec- same, so that he can go out into mis- tively, then in wisdom and in judgment sionary service, then that young man is and in prudence we ought to undertake having instilled into his heart the de- the conditioning and make the prepara- sire and the willingness to serve. It be- tion so that when the time comes we comes part of his planning. He just will be financially able, and we will be automatically assumes that he will dis- spiritually prepared to go forth on the charge part of his missionary obligation Lord's errand. by spending two or three years in the If I had to choose between the two, I mission field. He is impelled to live would rather have my sons go on mis- right, to study and gain a knowledge of sions than have a college education. It the gospel, to keep himself morally will do more for them temporally and clean, to be worthy and qualified, so educationally to say nothing of the that the inspiration will come to his spiritual benefits that are involved. bishop to recommend him. The Lord said to some people in early ". Now the second suggestion which I days what I think applies to us: . . make is this: We are supposed to be the thing which will be of the most holding regular family prayer in every worth unto you will be to declare re- Latter-day Saint home. We do this pentance unto this people, that you may twice a day, ordinarily before the morn- bring souls unto me, that you may rest ing and the evening meals. The parents with them in the kingdom of my set the example in family prayer. I think Father." (D&C 15:6.) perhaps we overlook the benefit and In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. value of family prayer in teaching the doctrines of salvation to our children. Well, if we as parents would regularly, President David O. McKay: consistently, frequently (not every time we pray, because we do not get into a He to whom we have just listened is ritualistic rote where these things are Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the First involved) but if frequently we would Council of Seventy. He has given a plead with the Lord when we are mouth good suggestion. I noticed he men- in family prayer, that all of our young tioned you have in mind that whenever men may go on missions when they get a male child is born, start to prepare to be the proper age, and that all of our him for a mission,—it applies to females children, male and female alike, when as well. Our girls perform a great work they get of the proper age, may be mar- in the mission field. ried in the temple—if we would do this The University of Utah Choral So- we would soon find our young children, ciety and the Bonneville Strings, singers just able themselves to speak, petition- from the Institute of Religion and the ing the Lord in the same language; they LIniversity Choral Groups, will now would be praying that they might go on favor us with, "Blessed Are They That PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 57

Mourn," conducted by Professor David The Combined Choral Groups pre- A. Shand. sented the number, "Blessed Are They The benediction will be offered by That Mourn." President D. Keith Ricks, president of President D. Keith Ricks of the West the West Boise Stake, after which this Conference will be adjourned until two Boise Stake offered the closing prayer. o'clock this afternoon. Conference adjourned until 2:00 p.m. SECOND DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

Conference reconvened promptly at Professor David A. Shand, with Frank 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 8, with W. Asper at the organ. President David O. McKay presiding We shall begin these services by the and conducting the services. combined choral groups singing, "The The special music for this afternoon's Lord Is My Shepherd." Soloists are session was furnished by the University Sister Laura Shand, mezzo-soprano, and of Utah Choral Society and Bonneville Ronald L. Christensen, tenor. The Strings—singers from the Institute of invocation will be offered by President Religion and the University Choral Jay A. Quealy, Jr. of the Honolulu Stake. Groups, conducted by David Austin Shand, with Frank W. Asper at the Selection by the Combined Choral Organ. Groups, "The Lord Is My Shepherd." President McKay opened the meeting President Jay A. Quealy, Jr. of the with the following introductory remarks: Honolulu Stake offered the invocation.

President David O. McKay: President David O. McKay:

For those who are unable to gain The invocation was offered by Presi- entrance or obtain seats here in the dent Jay A. Quealy, Jr. of the Honolulu Tabernacle on this, the fourth session of Stake. I have no mention of it in my our Conference, we announce that over- notes, but I have heard it whispered flow meetings are held this afternoon from some source that the beautiful in the Assembly Hall and in Barratt song that was sung was either dedi- Hall. These services are being broad- cated to his daughter, Laura, by Brother cast by television. Shand, or it had something to do with This session of the Conference will her. We appreciate the leadership and be broadcast as a public service over the fine singing of these young people, television and radio stations throughout welcome as participants in this glorious the West. We are pleased to note the Conference. attendance this afternoon of prominent They will now sing, "Though Deep'n- state officials, government officials, ing Trials Throng Your Way." After leaders in educational circles, to whom the singing we shall hear from Presi- we extend a hearty welcome; also the dent Alvin R. Dyer, one of the Assistants stake, ward, mission, temple and general to the Twelve. auxiliary officers of the Church. To all of you radio and television audiences The Combined Choral Groups sang wish the joy of partaking of the we the hymn, "Though Deep'ning Trials." spirit that is even now prevalent with this large audience. President David O. McKay: You will all be pleased to know that we are favored this afternoon by the Our first speaker this afternoon will be University of Utah Choral Society and Elder Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the Bonneville Strings, singers from the In- Twelve, and at present president of the stitute of Religion and the University European Mission. He will be followed Choral groups, under the direction of by Bishop Isaacson. 58 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day ELDER ALVIN R. DYER

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

With my dear wife and missionary com- confidence in the youth of this Church. panion, we are most grateful for the I am grateful to say that there is a privilege of being invited to return at unification in the programs of our mis- this conference time to be refortified sionary work in Europe. Each and with the spirit and the strength of these every mission is pursuing the work of wonderful gatherings. I want to say to proselyting in the same manner, and the First Presidency of the Church that the faith and the testimony of the mis- the inspiration of their direction that sionaries who are carrying the gospel has come to us during the past nine to the peoples of these ancient lands months has been in large measure the are in evidence. Presaged by the visits reason for the expanding of the gospel made to Europe by President McKay of Jesus Christ among the people of at the time of the temple dedications, Europe. We have been in almost con- followed by other visits by members of stant contact by telephone, by letter, the Quorum of the Twelve and by Presi- and by other means, with the inspiration dent Moyle, the visit by Elder Harold and direction of the First Presidency of B. Lee at the time of the organization the Church. In standing here this after- of the Manchester Stake—these have noon, I do so for and in behalf of the presaged an awakening among the peo- thirteen mission presidents who are now ple of these ancient lands. laboring in Europe, and I bring to this In August 1959 all of the European conference their greetings, as well as to missions combined were responsible for the parents of their missionaries, and to ten percent of the converts of that month. all who have served in these many mis- In the month of August of this year, the sions of Europe. European missions were responsible for These mission leaders are President thirty-five percent of the converts of the and Sister T. Bowring Woodbury of the Church for that month, and I only re- British Mission; President and Sister echo the faith and the testimony of the Levi B. Thorup of the Danish Mission; mission presidents who are there when I President and Sister John D. Warner of say that we haven't even scratched the the Finnish Mission; President and Sister surface. God is touching the hearts of the Edgar B. Brossard of the French Mission; people, they are listening, and are receiv-

President and Sister J. Henry Volker of ing answers to their desires and their the Netherlands Mission; President and prayers. I only wish that I had the time Sister Ray Engebretsen of the Norwegian to tell of the many personal cases of con- Mission; President and Sister Bernard version that have come to these thousands P. Brockbank of the North British Mis- of people in the past year, and to reassure sion; President and Sister Percy K. Fetzer you, my brethren and sisters, that these of the North German Mission; President people are converted to the gospel of and Sister A. Gideon Omer of the Jesus Christ. They have answered a Swedish Mission; President and Sister call that has come to them under the William S. Erekson of the Swiss Mission; power and the influence of the Spirit and the new mission recently organized, of God. I have always felt in my heart President and Sister W. Whitney Smith that when the Holy Ghost bears record of the Austrian Mission; President and to anyone that he ought to do some- Sister T. Quentin Cannon of the South thing about that, and we are encouraging German Mission; and President and our missionaries in all of these lands to Sister Stephen C. Richards of the West be alert to the reaction of the power of German Mission. And with them also the Spirit in the minds and the hearts I bring the greetings of 1700 missionaries of these people, and in that very moment who are now laboring in Europe. I am to persuade, to encourage, to teach, to happy to report that I have had the testify, and to challenge that they may opportunity during these past months be willing to accept the gospel message to look into their faces, to feel their that has come to them. spirit, and once again to say within my I would be insensible to what is tak- heart and to proclaim aloud that I have ing place in these ancient lands if I did ELDER ALVIN R. DYER 59 not say that we are witnessing the ful- chapel in all of France, and anyone who filling of a prophecy—a prophecy made would question the faith of these people by President McKay at the time I was who have come into the Church would called to go into the lands of Europe, need only to be there and see the transi- wherein he stated to me that the time tion that they have made from cathedrals had come for the gospel of Jesus Christ of worship to halls on second and third to be expanded in these lands. The peo- floors, and who now are laboring as ple are ready for the gospel, and we stated with our other Saints to help in are finding them responding to the ef- the erection of our own chapels. This forts of the missionaries as they bear has been true in all of the missions of record by the power of faith and testi- Europe. mony of the truths of the gospel unto I think one of the greatest testimonies those with whom they make this contact. that has come to me in these past One of the instructions that the First months has been the responsiveness of Presidency gave to me was to go into all the local members of the Church in of the lands of Europe, to go into every Europe, where we have nearly 60,000. mission, and I think it was President We transferred Church leadership to Moyle who said to me that I might well these local members. While in Febru- go to the French Mission first. We ary of this year there were nearly 600 heeded this counsel, and with my good of our full time missionaries engaged wife I went into the land of France and in branch, district, and auxiliary activity, in association with President and Sister today there are fewer than a hundred, Brossard, spent some three weeks there and it is the avowed determination of last February—a land where ninety-two these wonderful mission presidents to percent of the population belong to the see to it that local leaders be called in Catholic Church. We found our splen- these also. This accomplished two did missionaries responsive to motiva- things: It has relieved the missionaries tion and a new method of contacting that they can do more proselyting, and the people and teaching them by the it has strengthened the branches of the power of the Spirit and testimony. Church in these countries. We labored in that land, and under Let me tell you of one example which the inspiration of God the hearts of the is typical. In the tour of the French missionaries were touched, and I shall Mission, when we visited the city of never forget a meeting held in Brussels Nice, we had several missionaries there at the close of the tour of that mission all engaged in branch work. One was with the missionary leaders, who went the branch president, one was a coun- from that meeting with such faith that selor, another a superintendent of Sunday it engendered itself into the hearts of School, all were engaged. The thought every one of the missionaries. We said had been that local brethren were not to them, "We want you to go back to worthy or capable, but we sought out the people you have been meeting with, and called the best man we had. That and where they have not listened to afternoon we interviewed four or five of you before, to bear your testimony to the local elders, and with Brother Bros- them, and to do it with all the strength sard selected the one to be president of and the power that you have." From the branch. We called in his wife and that day to this in that mission the Lord asked her to support him. That night has awakened in the hearts of many we set him apart and others of the local hundreds the desire to receive the gospel brethren into other positions thus reliev- of Jesus Christ. For here in a land ing missionaries, and in the very next rich with great cathedrals have come month these missionaries baptized over 600 converts to the Church already twenty-one people, two of whom were this year, to meet in rented halls, but doctors, one an attorney, and the other who now are looking forward to the a schoolteacher. time when they can associate with their The Nice Branch today is strong, and brethren and sisters in the erecting of since that meeting there have been ap- beautiful chapels to better serve the proximately sixty people come into the needs of old and new members alike. Church in that one branch, and they As of today there is not a single LDS are attending their meetings. 60 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day

I stood on the street at Trondheim in she said, "I will never be happy until Norway where Elder John A. Widtsoe all my friends and all my neighbors lived and played as a boy, and who later have been baptized," and this wonder- said that the day would come when ful soul left the chapel and then came many of the people of that land would back. She said, after entering the chapel accept the gospel, and we are witnessing again, "I cannot leave, the spirit is so the continuing of this prophecy in that great in this building. I must shake land. We are seeing again the surge hands again," and then she went off of conversions in Great Britain—a land down the street with her friends. that has seen more than 160,000 con- Every Latter-day Saint desires to be a verts to the Church. Why would it be missionary. I think that this is in the incredible that under the inspiration of heart of almost every member; but why God there could be more of these won- is it, my brethren and my sisters, that derful people accept the gospel and we are so afraid to bear our testimonies come into the Church? to our neighbors? I think it was the And in all of the lands of Europe Apostle Paul who said this: there have been men and women of "For though I preach the gospel, I great strength and character that have have nothing to glory of: for necessity is added to the stability of this Church, laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if and how grateful now to be there in I preach not the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16.) the midst of this new time of awaken- Then another great prophet of Israel ing that will see more than ten thou- has said this: "So thou, O son of man, sand converts come into the Church in I have set thee a watchman unto the these lands this year; and in consulta- house of Israel; therefore thou shalt tion with my brethren, these mission hear the word at my mouth, and warn presidents, we feel that there is no end them from me. to where we can go under the impetus "When I say unto the wicked . . . of the power of God as he reaches and thou shalt surely die; and if thou dost not touches the hearts of the people. speak to warn the wicked from his way, These new converts are telling their that wicked man shall die in his neighbors about the gospel. They are iniquity; but his blood will I require letting their friends know about it. Let at thy hand. me tell you of one typical case. When "Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked I was in Denmark, I shook hands with of his way to turn from it; if he do not a good sister by the name of Dagmar turn from his way, he shall die in his Petersen, who had been baptized a iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy month previously. She had heard the soul." (Ezek. 33:7-9.) gospel, but she said, "I am too old. All I have often said to the Latter-day of my family would turn against me. I Saints, "If you cannot be a missionary, know Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, then at least be a Latter-day Saint, that but I do not think I'd better take the you will not stand in the way by your step." manner of living, of those who will But thank the Lord for a missionary want to come into the Church." who had the courage to go to her one Now there are many wonderful things day when there was a baptismal service going on in Europe. Under the inspira- and say to her, "Sister Petersen, today is tion of the Lord we have called thirty- the day of your baptism. The font is four translators in the various countries. filled. Will you come with me?" She I wish I could tell you the story of hesitated for a moment, then went with each one, like Sister Charrier down in a the missionaries, walking the six or little village in France. She heard the seven blocks to our beautiful little chapel gospel, accepted it. We learned that and was there baptized. she had a class of pupils whom she was In this conference meeting she sat teaching English. Her preparations with one neighbor on one side and two have enabled her to help us with the neighbors on the other side of her. The translations into the French language. one on the one side already had been And she now is working diligently. baptized, and the other two were to be I am thinking of Immo Luschin Eben- baptized the following Saturday, and greuth of Graz, Austria, a man who ELDER ALVIN R. DYER 61 heard the gospel message from two land, and succeeded also in getting it missionaries, and said to them before before the Parliament and when it ap- they got into a lengthy discussion on peared as though we might lose these the gospel, "I would ask you only five privileges, the Minister of Education of questions before you go further." He was the country of Norway, who is also the a confirmed member of the Catholic Minister of Religious Instruction, rose to Church, and these are his questions: his feet and said, "You cannot stop the "1. Does this Church believe in mar- Mormon people from doing this work." riage for all eternity? He said, "I have been to Salt Lake City. I "2. Does this Church believe in the have met these people. I know what they punishment for infants who are not do with these films," and he made a de- baptized? fense for us largely because of the asso- "3. Do, in this Church, the rich and ciation that had been had with him the poor have equal opportunity? here and in the land of Norway, and "4. In this Church, do you baptize by even the head bishop of the state church immersion for the remission of sin? had to acknowledge defeat in his effort "5. In this Church do you lay on to prevent us from continuing with this hands for the receiving of the Holy work.

Ghost?" And so the Lord is watching over the This man had never met the mission- things that are being done. I am most aries before, and we inquired as to where grateful, my brethren and sisters, to he got such questions. His answer was, report to you that these wonderful mem- "We have not been satisfied with our bers in the lands of Europe are substan- faith. My wife and I determined that tially true to the gospel of Jesus Christ. through prayer and the desire to know I have witnessed in their youth confer- that we would find out the true Church." ences their adherence to our Church The missionaries said, "Why, these are customs and patterns and how they re- our teachings," and thus Brother Eben- vere the ideals and the standards which greuth was baptized with his wife. This have been set for them by our general brother is a skilled interpreter. He speaks youth organizations. I have been near English, I am confident, better than I to their Relief Society meetings and do, and he now will become a translator have seen how the influence of our for the Church of the German language. Relief Society organization finds its way This has been how the Lord has into their thinking, and they have a de- opened the way for us, so that by the sire to do the will of the Lord. I do end of this year nearly one hundred not know to what extent we may go in textbooks and manuals combined in six these lands when they have the instru- languages will have been translated. mentation and the facility of proper This has been a tremendous task and buildings which they do not have now. could not have been done without the I want to say to President McKay and help of the Lord. President Clark and President Moyle and There is a wide program of micro- the brethren how grateful these people filming going on in Europe. This is are for the coming building program better known by others than myself, that will see many chapels go up in although I have kept an eye on it, and places where they are so sorely needed have had some indirect connection with to further the Church program and it. I have seen the advantages to this which also will provide greater tools of work from heeding the counsel of the missionary work to carry on this great brethren. They instructed me to meet responsibility given to us as a Church the ambassadors, the leaders of nations, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and this has been my purpose, and in unto the people. each and every country have I taken Let me tell you just briefly of my two the time to meet these men when I visits behind the Iron Curtain to be in could. attendance with the Saints at Leipzig In Norway when the head bishop of where other of our brethren have been. the state church carried a personal cam- These members live under hardened paign to the press and elsewhere to conditions. I said to one brother, "How prevent us from microfilming in that do you stand it here?" He said, "We 62 GENERAL C Saturday, October 8 Second Day

learn to follow the paths and the trails of the gospel. It is more powerful than that are laid out for us. We learn to all other things that we do in our do what we are told, then we have no missionary work as we look into their difficulty. Our children are picked up faces and bear record that God has in the morning by bus at 8 a.m. and raised up a prophet, and they are lis- are delivered home at night. We have tening to this message. no control over their schooling nor over We had a family of seven visited what is taught them: referred to by recently by the missionaries where the Brother Buehner in the morning session. woman was about to close the door I was greatly moved to hear the testi- when the elder said, "I can see you are monies of our members there. going to close the door. I am very sorry. One of the district presidents testified We have such a wonderful message," what to me is the greatest testimony I and we have told them, "Before any door have heard in Europe: Under such con- is closed, you bear your testimony." He ditions "no man," said he, "can tell me said, "Before you close that door I want how to worship God in my own heart. to bear my testimony to you of these Although there are nearly five thousand brief things we have stated today," and members in some thirty-nine branches he bore his testimony. The door closed, we keep in contact with them as much and the missionaries started for their as we can." I thought as we enjoyed home to their room, and it was raining. this wonderful presentation of music They had reached about a half a block here today, that but a few weeks ago, I when they heard a voice, it was the listened to a combined chorus of the young boy of the home, fourteen-years- Leipzig and Dresden districts sing, "Shall old, who said, "Dad wants you to come the Youth of Zion Falter." The look back," and they went back and the on the faces of these young people was father said, "I listened to your message most stirring. All that day in our priest- at the door on the other side as you hood and leadership meetings, we gave spoke to my wife, and I did not think encouragement to safeguard to the full- much of it until that young man bore est extent possible our youth to cause his testimony, and then something came them to remain true to the gospel be- over me that I have never experienced cause there are inroads being made. before, and now I have to know what How grateful Sister Dyer and I have this is." been to be associated with these people I had the privilege of shaking hands and with our wonderful missionaries, with this family of seven and hearing who with clear faces are bearing their them testify that God had made known testimonies to the peoples of Europe, to them that these things are true. This and who are receiving these wonderful is the reason why so many are accepting responses, and I know with all my heart the gospel in the lands of Europe. We that all this is but the fulfilment of are proclaiming the message by testi- prophecy. mony and through the Spirit. I bear you my testimony in all humil- I ask the blessings of our Heavenly ity that this is the work of God. I have Father upon the great missionary work seen it in the lives of people. I have and upon our beloved brethren who witnessed it as it causes men and women lead us, without whose inspiration and to change their lives, I have seen it direction we could not go forward in become a motivating force for good, and these lands and throughout the world, I bear record that Jesus Christ is the I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, the Mediator—not as it is preached by President David O. McKay: these predominant countries of the lands of Europe. And do you know that this He to whom you have just listened is is the message we declare when we go President Alvin R. Dyer, president of to the doors of the people the first time? the European Mission, an Assistant to It is through the testimony of our mis- the Twelve. Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson sionaries that the veneer of false con- of the Presiding Bishopric will now ad- cepts and the antiquities of these peo- dress us. He will be followed by Elder ple are being laid aside for the acceptance Gordon B. Hinckley. 63

BISHOP THORPE B. ISAACSON

First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

President McKay, President Moyle, been in the service"—and it is not un- President Smith, my dear brothers and usual to find a wonderful boy returning sisters, I will be very grateful to you for from the service to say, "I have saved an interest in your faith and prayers my money while I have been in the while I attempt to speak to you. I have service in the hope that I could go on a long since come to realize that in and mission." of myself there is very little that I can A number of them say, "I am glad to do. Therefore, I shall be dependent sell my car that I have bought, and greatly upon the Spirit of the Lord. together with other funds, I am ready I would like to pay tribute to these to go on a mission." nearly eight thousand missionaries who Of course, the majority of them tell came from the ranks of the Aaronic us that their parents will sustain them Priesthood. Many of them just a few while they are in the mission field. But years ago were little deacons, teachers, many occasionally say that some good and priests, and now are in all parts of friend or some neighbor or relative the world preaching the gospel. I wants the privilege of helping them should also like to pay tribute to their while on a mission. Others say their parents and their families, many of them quorum is anxious to help them. These come from very modest homes. young men feel that it is a great bless- Since the missionary system of the ing to go on a mission; it is not a Church was first inaugurated, it is esti- burden. They do not look at it as a mated, and it is only an estimation, burden, neither do they look at it as a that there may have been approximately sacrifice. Truly these young men are one hundred thousand missionaries sent blessed and magnified. We must realize into all parts of the world. The mis- that before they left for their mission, sionary system has undoubtedly been a every one of them had hands laid upon source of tremendous strength to the their heads by servants of the Lord, Church throughout its fascinating his- who gave them a blessing and set them tory. Many of us here today could apart as missionaries. trace our very presence, yes, our very Sometimes we ask a prospective mis- membership in the Church, to the work sionary, "Do you have a testimony of of some wonderful missionary. And in the gospel?" And the young man will a hundred years from now, when none look at you and say, "Yes, I have a testi- of us are here, there will probably be mony. It may not be as strong as I hope millions who will be able to trace their it will be in later years, but I have a membership in the Church to the work testimony." of some wonderful missionary. And then we may ask the prospective We often interview these young men, missionary, "Do you know that Joseph and we talk to them about going on a Smith was a prophet of God?" And it mission. One of the questions that we is always a thrill to see a young man ask them is, "Do you want to go on this look up and say, "Yes, sir! I know that mission or are you going because some- Joseph Smith was a prophet!" "Do you one else has urged you to go?" Invariably know that President David O. McKay we get a very strong answer to the is a prophet?" "Yes, sir!" He looks at effect, "Yes, I want to go on this mis- you and says, "I know that President sion. I have been planning on it for David O. McKay is a prophet of the many years since a small boy." Lord!" Sometimes we ask them, "Who will Then we may ask these prospective finance you on this mission?" And we missionaries, "Is there anything in this get some wonderful answers. A number world that could change you? Is there of them say that they have been saving anyone who could change your mind money themselves, as Brother McConkie or change your testimony?" They will suggested this morning, getting ready for look at you and say, "No, there is not this mission. Some say, "Well, I have anything in this world that could change 64 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day my mind, because I know that Joseph soon learned to admire these young men, Smith was a prophet of God, and I and he listened to them. know that President David O. McKay He went home, and he told his wife is a prophet." And they do know it. about these exceptional young men. He told her of the things How do they know it? They know it some that they by the power and the gift of the Holy had told him. True, these were not science, Ghost that testifies to them that it is so. learned men of they were not They speak as did the Prophet Joseph even men with great experience. But he when describing his great vision of the learned a great deal from these young Father and the Son: Mormon missionaries, and he soon recog- nized that while they were not men of "I had actually seen a light, and in science, they were men of God. He the midst of that light I saw two Per- learned to listen to them, and it was not sonages, and they did in reality speak to long before both he and his wife joined me; and though I was hated and perse- the Church and are very wonderful cuted for saying that I had seen a vision, members of the Church today. yet it was true; and while they were This fine doctor often thanks the Lord persecuting me, reviling me, and speak- for these wonderful Mormon mission- ing all manner of evil against me falsely aries, because you see, now this doctor for so saying, I was led to say in my has six or seven sons of his own, and heart: Why persecute me for telling the he often reminds them that he wants truth? I have actually seen a vision; them to be like the fine Mormon mis- and who am I that I can withstand God, sionaries whom he met years ago, and or why does the world think to make me who were responsible for teaching him deny what I have actually seen? For I the gospel and bringing him and his had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew wife into the Church. that God knew it, and I could not deny missionaries it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew Our are ever receiving, in that by so doing I would offend God, and and this they are blessed, but more come under condemnation." (Joseph important, they are ever giving. They Smith, 2:25.) receive not to hold for themselves, but to give to others. In receiving, they are On many occasions, young men have like the Sea of Galilee and the Dead volunteered to me, when I have asked Sea in Palestine. In giving, they are them, if there are any circumstances or like the Sea of Galilee only, which re- teacher who might change their testi- ceives and gives, while the mony, and they have spoken very strong- Dead Sea receives only to hold to itself, and it gives ly and said, "I would rather die than nothing. The vast difference between deny that Joseph Smith was a prophet receiving and giving and only receiving of Godl" is appropriately described in the follow- that kind of Do you worry about ing word picture of the two seas of the No, no! In years to come young men? Holy Land, and I think each of us should strength those great we will see the of now resolve to be like the Sea of Galilee: young men. "One is fresh and fish abound in it. Recently I was told the story of a Splashes of green adorn its landscape. wonderful physician and surgeon. A Trees spread their branches over it and few years ago while he was serving in stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of the army, and at that time he was not its life-giving waters. Along its shores a member of the Church, he met two children play, as children played when or three of our young Mormon mission- He was there. He loved it. He could aries. He did not know them at the look across its silver surface as He spoke time, and he spoke somewhat disre- His parables. And on a rolling plain, spectfully to them. One of these young not far away, He fed five thousand peo- men, very composed, spoke up frankly ple in the miracle of the loaves and to this doctor and told him who they fishes. The River Jordan forms this Sea were and what they were doing. The with sparkling waters from the hills. It doctor listened, and he said he was very laughs in the sunshine, and men build chagrined and ashamed because of the their houses near it, and birds their way he had spoken to them. The doctor nests, and every kind of life is happier BISHOP THORPE B. ISAACSON 65 because it is there. The River Jordan two years as a teacher, and three years flows on south into another Sea. Here as a priest—the courses of study, we there is no splash of fish, no fluttering hope, will be prepared and so correlated leaf, no song of birds, no laughter of little that at the end of these seven years, all children. Travelers do not pass, unless of these wonderful Aaronic Priesthood on urgent business which might take boys will have reached that goal of them there. The air hangs heavy above being prepared to fill a mission. And its waters, and neither man nor beast during these seven years' experience in nor fowl will drink of it. What makes the Aaronic Priesthood program, the boy this mighty difference in these neighbor will be given a training that will carry Seas? Not the River Jordan—It empties him not alone through a mission, but the same good water into both. Not the throughout his life. soil in which they lie, nor the country We know there are some young men 'round about. The Sea of Galilee re- who may be on the wrong road. We ceives and gives but does not keep the would say to you young men, "Turn Jordan water to itself. For every drop back. Turn back; it isn't too late. We which flows into it, another drop flows want to help you. You can still find the out. The receiving and the giving go right road. We want you to know that on, day after day, in equal measure. the Lord loves you young men. We The other Sea hoards its income jeal- want you to know and appreciate what ously. Every drop it gets, it keeps. The is in store for you. We want you to feel Sea of Galilee gives and lives. The that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the other Sea gives nothing. It is named greatest stabilizing influence in your 'The Dead Sea.' " (Bruce Barton.) life." With this comparison between receiv- I want to bear you my testimony that ing and giving, it is easy to see what I know that God lives. I love the Lord. the great missionary program can do I want to bear testimony to you that we for your young men, for they forsake all can get close to the Lord, perhaps closer selfishness, and they turn to the divine than we ourselves may fully realize, but art of selflessness, as they seek to give it will take humility; it will take effort, only that they may have a richer store and we cannot be satisfied just to go from which to give for the blessing of on the road of least resistance. Let us others. make sure that these thousands of Aaron- Yes, we think that every deacon, ic Priesthood boys are not neglected. teacher, and priest of the Aaronic Priest- What a shame it would be if we failed hood should prepare to fill a mission. to give every boy proper encouragement, These choice young men should have training, planning, or if we did any- proper training. Last year we presented thing that would deny any one of these over 31,000 individual Aaronic Priest- boys receiving a call for his mission. hood awards to very choice, wonderful God bless us that we may live up to young men, which means that every one the responsibilities which are ours, I of these young, outstanding men is a pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. potential missionary, if we as parents and leaders do our part. President David O. McKay: These young men are preparing for that mission. Parents and Aaronic Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson of the Pre- Priesthood leaders would do well to siding Bishopric has just concluded hold as the goal for every Aaronic Priest- speaking. Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, hood boy the preparation for a mission. Assistant to the Twelve, will now speak For seven years—two years as a deacon, to us. 66 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day ELDER GORDON B. HINCKLEY

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

If I had the wish of my heart I would 150 curious, intelligent-looking people ask for the privilege of sitting down and gathered. A boy from Florida, a mis- having this wonderful choir sing again sionary of this Church, began to speak. that hymn which they sang so beauti- I then wandered down into the crowd fully this morning: with an army sergeant—one of our boys who was taking us around. A Korean "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus who spoke some English said in sub- offers me, stance to the sergeant, "How long that Confused at the grace that so fully he young man been here?" "Two years," proffers me." was the reply. "No—he here longer. Americans here fifteen years and not I seek the inspiration of the Lord. I speak our language. Americans not had prepared a talk, but I think I shall speak Korean like that." I thought of discuss something else. Brother Dyer the words of the Savior as recorded by ". has been speaking of the work in Europe, Mark: . . they shall speak with new and I rejoice at the marvelous things tongues." (Mark 16:17.) that are being accomplished there. I I remember sitting in this tabernacle wish to say that I feel that the same while I was a university student and spirit, the power of the Lord upon the hearing one of the brethren say that people of the earth, is being made mani- peace can come to the world only fest all over the world where the gospel through acknowledgment of the Lord is being taught. Jesus Christ. I was at a critical age, I have recently had the experience, and I doubted the possibility of that under the direction of the First Presi- ever occurring. I think recently I have dency, of going through the missions of glimpsed the vision of how it might the Orient. I cannot deny the miracles happen. of God, and I think many of the things Not long ago we were in Hiroshima, I have seen are truly miracles. Japan. We stood in the park and Not long ago, I sat in an old high green grows the grass at the site where school gymnasium in the city of Seoul, on the sixth of August 1945, just fifteen Korea. Just a short time earlier the years ago, 80,000 lives were taken with blood of the young people of Korea had the blinding flash of the first atomic been running in the streets of that bomb. Another 80,000 have since died strife-ridden city. In our meeting that from the effects of it. It is a sobering evening there were over 500 young experience to stand in that place. Koreans. I was told that we have only There is a simple monument about two married couples who are members the size of this pulpit, and it has in- of the Church in all of the Seoul District. scribed on its face in Japanese characters, Our members there are young, forward- words which say in translation: "Rest in looking people. Conducting that gather- peace. May this tragedy never again ing was a sandy-haired, Utah farm boy. come to the world." He conducted with dignity and spoke There were three of us, the mission with ease the language of those people, president, a man from Hiroshima, and and after the meeting, as they came up myself. The man from Hiroshima was a and put their arms around him, and he Japanese businessman, an elder of the put his arms around them, I marveled at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ Saints, a man who had served in the to change men's hearts. Japanese Imperial Army for nine years. We then went down to the sad city I was an elder of the Church of Jesus of Pusan on the southern tip of Korea. Christ of Latter-day Saints from the We held a street meeting in the park land which had dropped the bomb. overlooking the harbor. Within a few With emotion and sincerity he said, feet of a great anti-aircraft gun emplace- through an interpreter, "Thank God for ment we opened our meeting, and about the missionaries. Last night my wife ELDER GORDON B. HINCKLEY 67

and I were on our knees, as we are each It touches for good the lives of all who night, to express gratitude for the com- are affected by it. ing of these two young men who have The work is going forward on the literally saved our lives. We had noth- other side of the earth. I recall sitting ing to live for, no hope here or hereafter, here as a boy and hearing President and we were drinking ourselves to death. Grant tell of his difficulties in Japan They came. They taught us. They and of his praying to the Lord to give brought purpose into our lives. The him another assignment because of his change in me has been so noticeable discouragement. Do you know that the that my partner became curious. I have missionaries of the Northern Far East been teaching him the gospel, and I am Mission have baptized an average of now going to baptize him." about six converts per missionary so far That is the way peace will come to this year? Many of these were not the world. This thing shall spread from Christian people. Our missionaries in soul to soul, and men in all lands shall this part of the world have taken to come to acknowledge Jesus Christ as people who are of the Oriental religions the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, the testimony of Jesus and have con- our Elder Brother, the Prince of Peace. verted them to this cause. God bless We sat in a testimony meeting one them for their devotion and their faith- day a few months ago. A boy stood up fulness. The Lord bless us at home to with a letter in his hand. He said, "I sustain his work throughout the world think I am happier than I have ever by the virtues of our lives, I pray, in the been in my life. I have had many name of Jesus Christ. Amen. wonderful experiences here, and they have made me happy, but it is this President David O. McKay: letter that has really warmed my heart. drinking, My father, once active, began You have just listened to Elder Gordon suf- and oh, the sorrow my mother has B. Hinckley, Assistant to the Twelve. farewell fered because of this. After my We shall now be favored by the Com- my father said, 'My son, I am going to bined Choral Groups and the Congrega- try live of the to worthy you.' Now," tion singing, "Oh Say, What Is Truth?" missionary said, "I have a letter from conducted by Professor David A. Shand. my father, received yesterday, which After the singing we shall hear from says that last week he was ordained a the Patriarch to the Church, Elder high priest and set apart as counselor Eldred G. Smith. in the bishopric of our ward, and he has just made a down payment on a The Combined Choral Groups and home for the first time in his life." the congregation joined in singing the These are some of the miracles I have hymn, "Oh Say, What Is Truth?" seen in my associations with our mis- sionaries. I am grateful, I am more grateful than I can say for this great President David O. McKay: program of the Church that I have been blessed to be associated with. I know Elder Eldred G. Smith, Patriarch to it is one of the marks of the divinity of the Church, will now speak to us. He this work. No other organization in will be followed by Elder LeGrand this world has anything quite like it. Richards of the Council of the Twelve.

ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH

Patriarch to the Church

This is truly an inspiring sight. I have breadth. This is truly a blessed people thrilled with the messages that have and a choice generation in which to been given here at this conference. I live. am thrilled with the progress of the The gospel of Jesus Christ has been missionary work and the growth of the given to people throughout the earth at Church throughout its length and various times, even at the time of Adam —

68 GENERAL C Saturday, October 8 Second Day and the time of Noah and coming down 41 of the Doctrine and Covenants, he to the time of Abraham, who was given said: a very significant promise. Speaking to "Hearken and hear, O ye my people, Abraham, the Lord said: saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest of all "... I give unto thee a promise that blessings, ye that hear me; and ye that this right shall continue in thee, and hear me not will I curse, that have pro- in thy seed after thee [that is to say, the fessed my name, with the heaviest of literal seed, or the seed of the body] all cursings." (D&C 41:1.) shall all the families of the earth be This is a strong warning, but I be- blessed, even with the blessings of the truly that the Lord means what he Gospel, which are the blessings of sal- lieve says. He has given us the blessings; he vation, even of life eternal." (Abraham continues to pour out his blessings upon 2:11.) us in rich abundance; and then he This is the time and generation when gives the warning that we who have this blessing is being fulfilled. The accepted the gospel, if we do not live up blessings of the gospel are coming to all to these covenants, he will pour out upon the peoples of the earth. The Lord is us "the heaviest of all cursings." truly touching their hearts and opening I could not help thinking when for them to receive the gospel. the way Brother Hinckley was speaking about assisting in other The Lord is also Hiroshima, that this summer I visited ways which I have mentioned here be- again at Oakridge, Tennessee, and found fore, I believe, and I cannot help con- that the process which developed the tinually being grateful for the outpour- atomic bomb which was dropped on upon ing of knowledge which has come Hiroshima is now so obsolete that that restoration of the the earth since the process is no longer in operation. If we gospel, which makes it possible for this think of what might happen to this all people of gospel to be taught to the world if the people of this world do the earth through the modern facilities not keep the commandments of the Lord, that have been developed and prepared we cannot stretch our imagination far and which continue to grow. I am very enough to imagine what the Lord might thankful and grateful for these facilities. pour out upon this generation when he The Church Section of the News re- says, he might pour out upon us "the cently mentioned the number of copies heaviest of all cursings." All the bless- of the Book of Mormon being printed ings and all the scientific developments nearly 500,000 copies are being printed which have been given to us, might be annually and sent throughout the world. turned upon us to our condemnation. The facilities that make it possible to I pray the Lord's blessings upon us send the Book of Mormon to the ends that we will heed his teachings, that of the earth, among the various peoples we will teach our neighbor and develop of the earth, as has been indicated here righteousness throughout this earth. by other speakers, are peculiar to our The history generally given to us in Church. Not only the Book of Mormon the Book of Mormon and all this world's but also much other Church literature history is a repetition of righteousness is being translated into many languages with peace and prosperity, and with so that not only we of the English speak- unrighteousness there is war and desola- ing peoples may have the gospel, but tion. This shall be repeated throughout also many others throughout the earth. the life of this earth, and we are no

This is truly a choice generation. I exception. am sure there is no blessing given but May the Lord's blessings be with us, what there is an obligation. Where that we may ever be faithful, keeping much is given, much is expected. We the commandments of the Lord and have heard from many speakers at this doing that which he desires of us in conference of our obligation to teach teaching the gospel to our neighbors, the gospel, to warn our neighbors, and our friends, our relatives; and so live the above all to live the gospel ourselves. I gospel that we will be that kind of mis- would like just briefly to refer to a sionary, I pray in the name of Jesus revelation given by the Lord. In section Christ. Amen. ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS 69

President David O. McKay: cil of the Twelve will now speak to us. He will be followed by Elder A. Theo- Elder LeGrand Richards of the Coun- dore Tuttle.

ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I am very grateful to my Heavenly In that meeting there were some 3,000 Father, brothers and sisters, for the privi- elders of Israel present and the full lege of attending this conference with Presidency of the Church, President you, for your faith and devotion, for the Brigham Young, President Heber C. service you render, and for my associa- Kimball, and President Willard Rich- tion with my brethren of the General ards, seven of the twelve, and most of Authorities. the General Authorities. In my heart I welcome the three new President Kimball was asked to speak ones that have come to us this day. to the brethren present, the elders of I feel grateful for my membership in Israel, about the purpose of the meeting, this Church, more than for anything and he told them that they were there, else in all this world, and I do not many of them, to be called into the know how I could live without it. mission field, and ninety-eight of them In President McKay's opening re- were called and assigned to the follow- marks and in two of the prayers that ing places: The British Isles, France, have been offered at the commencement Germany, Capital of Prussia (Berlin), of these meetings, reference has been Norway, Denmark, Gibraltar, Hindoo- made to the privilege of being here in stan, Siam, China, Cape of Good Hope this historic building. As we come here (South Africa), Nova Scotia and British from time to time in our various meet- Provinces in America, West Indies, ings and gatherings, we hear that ex- British Guiana, Australia, Sandwich Is- pression, and I would like to make a lands, and parts of the United States. few comments on what makes this Mind you, that was only five years building so historic. It is wonderful as after the Saints had gathered here from we think of the great men, prophets of their drivings in the East and before this dispensation, who have occupied there were any railroads, and yet they this pulpit, and of the counsel and the were sent out to these distant lands. advice they have given and the testi- We heard yesterday from Bishop monies that have been borne and the Wirthlin some of the sacrifices that experiences related of the hand-dealings these early brethren made in order that of the Lord with his people and his this great missionary cause would con- guidance and direction through the tinue to roll forth. My grandfather and years. Then we recall the wonderful the grandfather of Brother Franklin D. music and prayers we have heard from Richards, whom you sustained here time to time, as we have come here, all today, out of the first fourteen years of of which has made an impression upon his married life, spent ten years of it in our lives, until we have left this build- the mission field away from his family. ing with new hope and new ambition That was typical of what many of the and new desires. brethren did. I was reading a pamphlet a few days I thought you would be interested to ago that was given to my father by hear a statement or two by President his mother before I was born, and in Kimball to those elders upon the occa- that pamphlet it reported a special sion mentioned. He declared: conference held in the Old Tabernacle "I say to those of you who are elected on the 28th of August, 1852, for the to go on missions, go, if you never re- purpose of calling missionaries. We turn, and commit what you have into have heard a lot about missionaries and the hands of God—your wives, your missionary work at this conference, but children, your brethren, and your that is one of our great responsibilities. property." 70 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day

Nearly all of these men were married, Idaho in one of the stakes, I stayed in and they had only been here a short the home of the stake president, and time to establish their families. Elder there was this little mother, taking care George A. Smith, the following speaker, of her baby while that missionary- said: husband was in the mission field. "The missions we will call for during The Lord has put into this Church this conference, are generally not to be the breath of life. He has made it pos- very long ones, probably from three to sible for people to make the supreme seven years will be as long as any man sacrifice, almost, in order that this work will be absent from his family." will go forward in all the earth. You And then he continued: remember when one came to him and "If any of the elders refuse to go, they said, "Lord, I will follow thee whither- may expect that their wives will not soever thou goest," and the answer was, live with them, for there is not a Mor- "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the mon sister who would live with a man air have nests; but the Son of man a day, who would refuse to go on a hath not where to lay his head." (Luke mission." 9:57-58.) And so, of course, the man That is quite a statement, and while turned away. Unto another he said, it seems to us today a little extreme, "Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer nevertheless, when you travel through me first to go and bury my rather." this Church and see the sacrifices that And as if the Master would speak to all are being made—Brother Isaacson re- coming generations of the importance ferred to them this afternoon—to sustain of this great missionary cause, he said: these somewhat 8,000 missionaries in "Let the dead bury their dead: but go the field, it is a wonderful thing. thou and preach the kingdom of God." I would like to relate two experiences (Ibid., 59-60.) Now that spirit has pre- I have had in interviewing missionaries. vailed and carried on this great mission- A few years back, I interviewed a young ary cause of the Church.

man in southern Utah before we had I remember being in this Tabernacle discontinued sending young married as a boy when President Woodruff gave men into the mission field, and when I what I think was his last address to looked at his recommend papers I saw the people, when he told how mar- that he was a married man, and I said: velously the Spirit of the Lord had "Does your wife want you to go on this guided him all through his ministry. mission?" He said she did, and I said, I remember the story he told about "Why didn't you bring her?" He said, traveling east on one of his missionary "I couldn't. She just gave birth to our journeys, and in the middle of the night first child this morning in the hospital." he was warned by the Spirit to arise Then I said, "Well, then we will have and move his wagon and team. They to go to the hospital." And we did, and were fastened by a large oak that there was that young mother with her had stood possibly a hundred years firstborn child in her arms. I said, "Do and had never been disturbed, and after you want this husband of yours to go he had moved the wagon and the team, on a mission?" She said, "Brother a whirlwind came and took that oak Richards, I surely do. When we mar- tree up by the roots and threw it right ried we decided that our marriage should where his wagon had been stationed. not stand in the way of his mission, and Such testimonies are what have made my parents are able and willing to care this a historic building. One could for me and the baby." And so he went hardly say that he did not know that on his mission and was a wonderful the power of God was in this work, and missionary. I kept in touch with that that his Spirit operates and guides and little woman while he was gone. directs. Such things could not be, except I had a similar experience in Provo. the power of God is with this people. I interviewed a young man under the In that same address, I remember his same circumstances, except that his wife telling of bringing a group of immi- was just expecting a call to go to the grants from England, I think it was, hospital any moment, to give birth to and when they were about to embark their first child. Later as I visited in on a boat at New Orleans, and he was ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS 71 making arrangements with the captain, back to ask for their blessings, because that same Spirit told him not to go, either they were sent upon this earth before himself or his company, and so he Elijah came, before holy temples had excused himself, and they did not go been built, before men could receive on that boat. And it had only gone up the holy ordinances of the house of the the river a short distance when it caught Lord for their exaltation. fire and burned, and everybody on it was I bear my testimony in closing that killed. He said, "If I had not listened there is not a man and a woman in this to the Spirit of the Lord, we would not world—in or out of the Church—if God have bishop so-and-so and president so- would only give them the vision to see and-so," naming them right from this and the heart to understand that would very pulpit. This is a historic building. not do everything within their power to The power of God has been and is here. obtain such blessings as these men I would like to refer to another expe- sought at the hands of this apostle of rience related by President Woodruff as this dispensation who later became the he stood here and talked in the con- President of this great Church. This ference in 1898, and this is recorded in is in keeping with the promise of the the Conference Report. He said: "I am building of the house of the God of going to bear my testimony to this as- Jacob in the latter-days in the top of sembly if I never do it again in my the mountains, and the gathering there- life that those men who laid the founda- unto from all the nations of the earth tion of this American government, and to learn of his ways and walk in his signed the Declaration of Independence, paths. How rich we are in the blessings were the best spirits the God of heaven of God, and how great have been the could find on the face of the earth. things that have come out of this his- They were choice spirits, not wicked toric building. men. General Washington and all the God grant that we may so live that men that labored for the purpose were in all our ministry we may be prompted inspired of the Lord. and guided and inspired by that same "Another thing I am going to say Spirit, I humbly pray, and leave you my here, because I have a right to say it: blessing, in the name of the Lord Everyone of those men that signed the Jesus Christ. Amen. Declaration of Independence with Gen- eral Washington called upon me as an President David O. McKay: Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ in the temple St. at George, two consecutive We shall hear from Brother Tuttle nights, and demanded at my hands that perhaps tomorrow. I should go forth and attend to the We want to thank these young men ordinances of the House of God for and young women for their presence them." And he and others did that today. Brother Shand, thank you, the work for them. singing by your group has been glorious Such an experience would seem al- and selections appropriate. We are glad most incredible to the world. The that these young people participated things of God are understood, Paul says, in this wonderful service this afternoon by the Spirit of God, and the things of and this morning. And the members man are understood by the spirit of of the Bonneville Strings have the man, and the natural man receiveth not thanks and gratitude of a vast audience the things of the Spirit of God, for they —only part of whom you have seen in are foolishness unto him. (1 Cor. 2:14.) the Tabernacle. We thank you and If God could take Elijah to heaven with- those of the University whom you rep- out tasting death, if he could promise to resented so nobly and well this morning send him again, as Malachi declared, and this afternoon. to turn the hearts of the fathers to the The University Choral Groups, ac- children lest he come and smite the companied by the Bonneville Strings, earth with a curse (Mai. 4:5-6), surely will sing, "Praise to the Holiest," with he could permit such characters as the soloists, Beryl Jensen Smiley, mezzo- George Washington and the signers of soprano, and Ronald L. Christensen, the Declaration of Independence to come tenor. The group will be conducted by 72 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day Professor David A. Shand, after which the west. The Tabernacle Choir Broad- the benediction will be offered by Elder cast will be from 8:30 to 9:00 o'clock. Wallace D. Yardley, president of the Those desiring to attend this broadcast Beaver Stake, following which this con- must be in their seats at 8:15 o'clock. ference will be adjourned until seven It is requested that the audience remain o'clock this evening when the General quiet during the broadcast. Priesthood meeting of the Priesthood of The singing for this session and this the Church will be held in the Salt Lake morning, has been furnished by the Tabernacle. Only those holding the University of Utah Choral Society and Priesthood are invited to be present. the Bonneville Strings, singers from the Persons not holding the Priesthood will Institute of Religion and the University kindly refrain from attempting to enter Choral Groups, under the direction of the building. Professor David A. Shand, with Frank The Priesthood session will not be W. Asper at the organ. broadcast. In addition to the meeting We shall now hear the chorus sing, held in this room, overflow meetings "Praise to the Holiest," with soloists, will be held in the Assembly Hall, in I repeat, Sister Beryl Jensen Smiley and Barratt Hall, and relayed by closed Brother Ronald L. Christensen. circuit to members of the Priesthood assembled in 271 other Church buildings The Choral Groups, accompanied by from coast to coast and in Canada. In- the Bonneville Strings, sang an anthem, cluded in those 271 are three or four "Praise To The Holiest," following in New Zealand. which the benediction was offered by The General Sessions tomorrow will Elder Wallace D. Yardley, president of be broadcast as a public service over the Beaver Stake. television and radio stations throughout Conference adjourned until 7:00 p.m. GENERAL PRIESTHOOD MEETING

The General Priesthood Meeting of these services by the Tabernacle Choir the Church convened in the Tabernacle, Men's Chorus singing, "Come, All Ye Salt Lake City, Utah, Saturday evening, Sons of Zion." After the singing, Elder October 8, at 7:00 p.m. Edwin E. James, president of the Lyman President David O. McKay presided Stake will offer the invocation. and conducted the services of the meeting. Singing by the Tabernacle Choir The President announced that the Male Chorus, "Come, All Ye Sons of choral singing for the meeting would be Zion." the Tabernacle Choir Chorus, by Men's The opening prayer was offered by with Elder Richard P. Condie as President Edwin E. James of the Lyman Director, and Alexander Schreiner at the Stake. Organ. The President opened the meet- ing with the following remarks: President David O. McKay: President David O. McKay: The invocation was offered by Presi- dent Edwin E. James of the Lyman This is the fifth session of the One Stake. The Men's Chorus of the Tab- Hundred Thirtieth Semi-Annual Con- ernacle Choir will now sing, "Seek Thy ference of the Church of Jesus Christ God," directed by Elder Richard P. of Latter-day Saints. Members of the Condie. Priesthood are gathered in the Assembly Hall, Barratt Hall, and in 271 other buildings from Coast to Coast and in The Tabernacle Choir Men's Chorus Canada and New Zealand. sang "Seek Thy God." The singing during this session will President David O. McKay: be furnished by the Tabernacle Choir Men's Chorus with Elder Richard P. Our first speaker tonight is Elder Condie as director, and Elder Alexander Marion G. Romney, member of the Schreiner at the organ. We shall begin Council of the Twelve. 73

ELDER MARION G. ROMNEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brethren, this is a great audience. the church and kingdom, and the elect It might be the largest attended General of God." (D&C 84:33-34.) Priesthood meeting we have ever held. The Prophet Joseph Smith used to I have tried to prepare for this, my repeatedly urge the brethren to make first assignment in such a meeting, but their calling and election sure. There I am sure that if I say anything worth- is no way to do this except by receiving while, it will be by the Lord's help. the Priesthood and magnifying it. Will you please, therefore, give me an But to continue with the revelation: interest in your faith and prayers. "And also all they who receive this For my text I have chosen the 43rd priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; Verse of the 84th Section of the Doc- "And he that receiveth my servants trine and Covenants. It reads: "And I receiveth me." (D&C 84:35-36.) now give unto you a commandment to This statement is worth emphasizing. beware concerning yourselves, to give "He that receiveth my servants re- diligent heed to the words of eternal ceiveth me." Who are his servants? life." As background I shall read a few They are his representatives in the of- verses which, in the revelation, precede fices of the Priesthood—the General, the text. Stake, Priesthood Quorum, and Ward In the forepart of the revelation the officers. It behooves us to keep this Lord, speaking of the Melchizedek in mind when we are tempted to dis- Priesthood, says: "Which priesthood regard our presiding authorities, bishops, continueth in the church of God in all quorum and stake presidents, etc., when, generations, and is without beginning within the jurisdiction of their callings, of days or end of years. they give us counsel and advice. Re- "And the Lord confirmed a priesthood member that the Lord Jesus said: also upon Aaron and his seed, through- "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye out all their generations, which priest- have done it unto one of the least of hood also continueth and abideth for- these my brethren, ye have done it unto ever with the priesthood which is after me." (Matthew 25:40.) "He that re- the holiest order of God." (D&C 84:17- ceiveth a prophet in the name of a 18.) prophet shall receive a prophet's re-

Such is the nature of the Priesthood ward." (Matthew 10:41.) we bear. But back to the covenant of the Priesthood: "He that receiveth me re- "And this greater priesthood adminis- ceiveth my Father; tereth the gospel and holdeth the key "And he that receiveth Father of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the my receiveth my Father's kingdom; there- key of the knowledge of God. fore all that my Father hath shall be "Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, given unto him. the power of godliness is manifest. "And this is according to the oath "And without the ordinances thereof, and covenant which belongeth to the and the authority of the priesthood, the priesthood. power of godliness is not manifest unto "Therefore, all those who receive the men in the flesh." (D&C 84:19-21.) priesthood, receive this oath and cove- And now I am going to skip a few nant of my Father, which he cannot verses and read the covenant that be- break, neither can it be moved." (D&C longs to the Priesthood. 84:37-40.) "For is faithful whoso unto the ob- Now, I am tempted to comment on taining these two priesthoods of which this covenant at length, but since it is I have spoken, and the magnifying their not the heart of my message, I will say calling, are sanctified the Spirit unto by only that, as I understand it, all of us the renewing of their bodies. who receive the Melchizedek Priesthood "They become the sons of Moses and enter into an agreement with our of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and Heavenly Father to magnify it. On 74 GENERAL C Saturday, October 8 Second Day

condition that we magnify it, the revelation He gave of Himself to Moses, Father undertakes to make us equal with Moses tells us that "Satan came tempt-

him in the sense that "all that my Father ing him, saying: Moses, son of man . . .

hath shall be given unto him. . . . But I am the Only Begotten, worship me." whoso breaketh this covenant after he (Moses 1:9, 12, 19.) hath received it, and altogether turneth He sought to deceive even the Savior. therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of You will all remember how he tempted sins in this world nor in the world to Jesus in the wilderness, on the pinnacle come." (D&C 84:38, 41) of the temple, and on the high moun- When I first began to seriously think tain. about this statement, I wondered if it Satan has sought in all ages to deceive would not have been better for me the sons of God who have received the never to have received the Priesthood, Priesthood. He has not been entirely if failing to magnify it would mean I unsuccessful either, for in all past would never receive forgiveness in this dispensations he has finally succeeded world or the world to come. Then I in deceiving them to the extent that he got to thinking about this next verse, has driven the Priesthood from the earth. which says: "And wo unto all those who Now we know he is not going to drive come not unto this priesthood." (D&C the Priesthood from the earth in this 84:42.) dispensation because the Lord has said I finally came to the conclusion that it is here to stay until the Savior comes. I was between the horns of a dilemma But there is no guarantee that he will and that my only hope was to receive not deceive a lot of men who hold the and magnify the Priesthood. Priesthood. The Savior, talking about Such is the background for our text: these days in which we live, said, "For "And I now give unto you (bearers of in those days there shall also arise the Priesthood) a commandment to false Christs, and false prophets, and beware concerning yourselves, to give shall show great signs and wonders, diligent heed to the words of eternal insomuch, that, if possible, they shall life. deceive the very elect, who are the elect "For you shall live by every word according to the covenant (the covenant that proceedeth forth from the mouth of the gospel and the Priesthood)." of God." (D&C 84:43-44.) (Joseph Smith 1:22.) Now why should we beware concern- So far as Satan's war against the ing ourselves? We should beware con- Priesthood is concerned, he is making cerning ourselves because it now is and no exception in this last dispensation. has always been the objective of Satan His objective is still to deceive every to destroy the Priesthood of God. As one of us he can and to drive the Priest- long ago as the war in heaven, he sought hood from the earth. Satan is very real. to usurp the power of the Priesthood. As His power is very real. His influence is a result of the conflict he there precipi- felt everywhere. He literally stalks the tated, he was cast out of heaven. He earth. "The powers of darkness prevail had to be cast out. There could be no upon the earth . . . and, behold, the peace in heaven until he was cast out. enemy is combined." (D&C 38:11, 12.) Banishment from heaven did not, You no doubt heard what President however, end his attack on the Priest- McKay said in his opening address yes- hood of God. In the Garden of Eden he terday morning about the power of the sought to deceive Adam. And he con- Evil One trying to deceive and deprive tinued his diabolical purpose after the men of their agency. Free agency is the fall. When Adam and Eve received principle against which Satan waged his the Gospel and taught it to their chil- war in heaven. It is still the front dren, Satan came among them and said: on which he makes his most furious, "Believe it not . . . and they loved devious, and persistent attacks. That Satan more than God. And men began this would be the case was foreshadowed from that time forth to be carnal, by the Lord when he said to Moses: sensual, and devilish." (Moses 5:13.) "That Satan, whom thou hast com- When "the presence of God with- manded in the name of mine Only Be- drew from Moses" following the great gotten, is the same which was from ELDER MARION G. ROMNEY 75 the beginning, and he came before me, restored Church and its Priesthood, you saying—Behold, here am I, send me, will remember this account of the I will be thy son, and I will redeem all Prophet as to what happened in the mankind, that one soul shall not be Sacred Grove as he knelt to pray: lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore "I had scarcely done so, when imme- give me thine honor." His plan was to diately I was seized upon by some power save us all by depriving us of free agency which entirely overcame me, and had and subjecting us to his will. such an astonishing influence over me as "But, behold," continued the Lord, to bind my tongue so that I could not "my Beloved Son, which was my Be- speak. Thick darkness gathered around loved and Chosen from the beginning, me, and it seemed to me for a time as said unto me—Father, thy will be done, if I were doomed to sudden destruction. and the glory be thine forever. "But, exerting all my powers to call "Wherefore, because that Satan re- upon God to deliver me out of the power belled against me, and sought to destroy of this enemy which had seized upon the agency of man, which I, the Lord me, and at the very moment when I was God, had given him, and also, that I ready to sink into despair and abandon should give unto him mine own myself to destruction—not to an imagin- ." power. power. . . Priesthood is God's ary ruin, but to the power of some ac- That is what Satan is after—power. He tual being from the unseen world, who dictatorship. wants it in the form of had such marvelous power as 1 had that rebelled — "Wherefore, because Satan never before felt in any being " (Jo- destroy the against me, and sought to seph Smith 2:15, 16) agency of man, which I, the Lord God, Before the Church had been organized had given him, and also, that I should six months the Devil was foisting his give unto him mine own power; by the counterfeits upon its members. In his power of mine Only Begotten, I caused history of September 1830, the Prophet that he should be cast down; says: "And he became Satan, yea, even the "To our great grief, however, we soon devil, the father of all lies, to deceive found that Satan had been lying in wait and to blind men, and to lead them to deceive, and seeking whom he might captive at his will, even as many as devour. Brother Hiram Page had in his would not hearken unto my voice." possession a certain stone, by which he (Moses 4:1-4.) had obtained certain 'revelations' con- cast out You see, at the time he was cerning the upbuilding of Zion, the order of heaven, his objective was (and still is) of the Church, etc., all of which were "to deceive and to blind men, and to entirely at variance with the order of lead them captive at his will." This he God's house, as laid down in the New effectively does to as many as will not Testament, as well as in our late revela- hearken unto the voice of God. His tions." (D.H.C. 1:109-110) main attack is still on free agency. greatly concerned When he can get men to yield their The Prophet was agency, he has them well on the way about it because and to captivity. the Whitmers were sympathetic with Hiram Page and began to believe his We who hold the Priesthood must spurious revelation. In response to the beware concerning ourselves, that we do Prophet's inquiry, the Lord gave him not fall into the traps he lays to rob us the revelation recorded in the 28th Sec- of our freedom. We must be careful tion of the Doctrine and Covenants. that we are not led to accept or support This revelation was directed to Oliver in any way any organization, cause, or Cowdery. In it the Lord said to him: measure which, in its remotest effect, take thy brother, Hiram would jeopardize free agency, whether "Thou shalt Page, between him and thee alone, and it be in politics, government, religion, employment, education, or any other tell him that those things which he hath that are of me, field. It is not enough for us to be written from stone not sincere in what we support. We must and that Satan deceiveth him; be right! "For, behold, these things have not As to Satan's direct attack upon the been appointed unto him, neither shall 76 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day anything be appointed unto any of this before he can drag into daylight this church contrary to the church cove- hellish influence and unfold it unto the nants." (D. & C. 28:11-12) world in all its soul-destroying, diaboli- This revelation straightened Hiram cal, and horrid colors; for nothing is a Page out, but it did not end Satan's greater injury to the children of men efforts to deceive the brethren. You will than to be under the influence of a false remember how they (including some of spirit when they think they have the the leaders of the Church) fought the spirit of God. Thousands have felt the Prophet in the days of Kirtland. At the influence of its terrible power and bane- time of one attack on the Prophet when ful effects. Long pilgrimages have been Brigham Young was present, he arose undertaken, penances endured, and and said that Joseph was a Prophet and pain, misery and ruin have followed in he knew it, "and that they who rail and their train; nations have been convulsed, slander him . . . could but destroy their kingdoms overthrown, provinces laid own authority and cut the thread that waste, and blood, carnage and desolation bound them to the Prophet of are God and habiliments in which it has been sink themselves to hell." clothed." (D.H.C. 4:573) Referring to the occasion after coming A paramount consideration for us bearers of the to Utah, he said: "Some of the leading Priesthood today is "How may men at Kirtland were much opposed to we combat these onslaughts of Satan? the Prophet meddling with temporal af- How can we distinguish between fairs, thinking that his duty embraced his counterfeits and divine truth?" John the Revelator spiritual things alone and that the peo- gave the people of his day this ple should be left to attend to their test: "Every spirit that confesseth temporal affairs that Jesus Christ is without any interfer- come in the flesh is of God." ence whatever from prophets and (I John 4:2) Such a test was adequate apostles. In a public meeting, I said: then, for the good reason that 'Ye elders of Israel: to accept Now, will some of Christ at that time was a cap- you draw the line of demarcation be- ital offense. In light of such a penalty, spiritual tween the and temporal within obviously no non-believer would confess the Kingdom of God, so that I may him. It will not do for us today, how- understand it!' Not one of them could ever, because there is no such penalty. do it. When I saw a man standing in The situation now is that although great the path before the Prophet, I felt like numbers of people confess Christ, most hurling him out of the way and brand- of them, judged by their beliefs and ing him as a fool." practices, deny him. deceived. Brigham Young was never I would like now to suggest some tests There were those who were, however, which can safely be used to distinguish right until the end of the Prophet's up the genuine from the counterfeit. I have life. Among them you will remember already indicated that many organiza- the Laws and the Bennetts. Even the tions, causes, and measures may be Three Witnesses were deceived. You tried by applying the test of free agency. know, of course, what happened after Anything purporting to pertain to the the Prophet was gone and Brother Brig- Gospel of Jesus Christ may be put to the ham took over. and many following four simple tests: of the others, strong stood by men who 1. Does it purport to originate in the the Prophet, were deceived and left the wisdom of men, or was it revealed from Church. heaven? If it originated in the wisdom And so it has gone all through the of men, it is not of God. Remember years. Today is no exception. We have what the Savior said to Nicodemus, people now who yield to the tempta- "Except a man be born again, he can- tions and follow the counterfeits of not see . . . (nor) enter . . . the king- Satan. Their sad situation reminds us dom of God." (John 3:3, 5) He also said, of the statement of the Prophet Joseph "My doctrine is not mine, but his that who, after recounting some of the work- sent me." (John 7:16) Even Jesus him- ings of evil spirits in his day, said: "A self did not purport to originate gospel man must have the discerning of spirits doctrine. One cannot arrive at truth by —

ELDER MARK ^ G. ROMNEY 77 reason alone. We have already heard a man then it be the church of a man; this theme developed in this Confer- but if it be called in my name then it ence. I need not stress it further. is my church, if it so be that they are In the Book of Mormon the Prophet built upon my gospel." (3 Nephi 27:4-8) Jacob said: "O that cunning plan of the From the foregoing it is perfectly plain evil onel O the vainness of the frailties, that if any teaching purporting to be and the foolishness of men! When they from Christ comes under any label other are learned they think they are wise, than that of Jesus Christ, we can know and they hearken not unto the counsel it is not of God. of God, for they set it aside, supposing 3. The last phrase of the above quota- they know of themselves, wherefore, tion gives us the third test. "But if it be their wisdom is foolishness and it profit- called in my name then it is my church, eth them not. And they shall perish." if it so be that they are built upon my Then he adds this lovely sentence: "But gospel." The teaching must not only to be learned is good if they hearken come under the proper label, but it must unto the counsels of God." (2 Nephi also conform to the other teaching of the 9:28-29) Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are all acquainted with Paul's 4. Now the fourth and last test I shall great doctrine that the things of God are mention is: Does it come through the understood by the power of God, and proper Church channel? We read in the that the things of men are understood 42nd Section of the Doctrine and Cov- by the wisdom of men. "But the natural enants: "Again I say unto you, that it man receiveth not the things of the Spir- shall not be given to any one to go forth it of God: for they are foolishness unto to preach my gospel, or to build up my him: neither can he know them, because church, except he be ordained by some they are spiritually discerned." (I Cor- one who has authority, and it is known inthians 2:14) to the church that he has authority and We never need to be deceived by the has been regularly ordained by the heads learning of the world. We can always of the church." (D. & C. 42:11.) In the with safety refect those doctrines which light of this divinely established order, are founded in the wisdom of men. how can any man accept the doctrine of 2. Does the teaching bear the proper authority from some secret source un- label? You will remember that when known to the Church? The Lord could his Nephite disciples inquired of Jesus not have made it any plainer that one's what they should call the church, he authority must come through the estab- "said unto them: Verily, verily, I say lished order of the Church, and the unto you, why is it that the people President of the Church stands at the should murmur and dispute because of head of that order. The Lord has placed this thing? him there. "Have they not read the scriptures, "The duty of the President of the which say ye must take upon you the office of the High Priesthood," He says, name of Christ, which is my name? For "is to preside over the whole— church, by this name shall ye be called at the and to be like unto Moses " (D. & C. last day; 107:91) Now one of Moses' greatest "And whoso taketh upon him my callings was to be a law-giver, to declare name, and endureth to the end, the the Word of God. Only the Presi- same shall be saved at the last day. dent can declare the doctrines of the "Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, Church. ye shall do it in my name; therefore The revelation continues: "The duty ye shall call the church in my name; of the President of the office of the High and ye shall call upon the Father in my Priesthood is to preside over the whole name that he will bless the church for church, and to be like unto Moses my sake. "Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be "And how be it my church save it be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a called in my name? For if a church be prophet, having all the gifts of God called in Moses' name then it be Moses' which he bestows upon the head of the church; or if it be called in the name of church." (D. & C. 107:91-92.) 78 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, Octoher 8 Second Day

In the revelation the Lord gave to the I have thought much about that. I Prophet in answer to his inquiry about remember that counselors in the Presi- the stone which Hiram Page had, he dency have been deceived. I remember said, speaking of the president of the that members of the Twelve have been Church): "Wherefore, meaning the deceived and left the Church, and men church, thou shalt give heed unto all in every other Council in the Church his words and commandments which he have been deceived. But there has never shall give unto vou as he receiveth them, been a President of the Church, and walking in all holiness before me; according to President Grant, and I be- "For his word ye shall receive, as if lieve him. there never will be a Presi- from mine own mouth, in all patience dent of this Church who will lead the and faith" (D. & C. 21:4-5) people astray. Such is the obligation of this Priest- We need not be led astray, my breth- hood with respect to our present Prophet, ren. The safest way to avoid being led Seer, and Revel ator. President David O. astrav is to magnify our Priesthood. We McKav. "By doing these things the gates should go on our knees, each one of us, of hell shall not prevail against you; morning and evening, and plead with yea, and the Lord God will disperse the Almightv God to keep us in the way of powers of darkness from before vou, and magnifying our callings in this great cause the heavens to shake for your Priesthood. We should live righteously. good, and his name's glory." (D. & C. We should resist every temptation of 21:6) lust. When we harbor lustful thoughts Now, brethren, if we will keep these and participate in lustful practices, we things in mind, we shall not be deceived cannot see these great principles clearly, by false teachings. I remember years and we get into the dark. ago when I was a bishop I had Presi- If, in addition to living righteously, Grant talk to our ward. After the dent we will study and learn what the Lord meeting, I drove him home. At that has said and apply the tests I have sug- there was a great deal of criticism time gested, we shall never go astray. God against the President of the Church be- help us, I pray, that we shall remain cause of a front-page editorial some of true and faithful ourselves, and help all remember. talked about you may We of the members of the Church to see got to his I got out it. When we home clearly, thereby placing themselves the car and went up on the porch of among those who take the Holy Spirit Standing me, he put his with him. by for their guide and are not deceived, in shoulder and said: boy, arm over my "My the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. you always keep your eye on the Presi- dent of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you President David O. McKay: for it." Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, "But you don't need to worry. Our next speaker will be Elder The Lord will never let his mouthpiece Mark E. Petersen, a member of the lead the people astray." Council of The Twelve.

ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I am very grateful, my brethren, for the memorized and said over and over again marvelous opportunity of addressing you so many times that scripture wherein this evening, and I sincerely and hum- the Lord said, "Without me ye can do bly pray that the Lord will guide me nothing," and I pray earnestly tonight and inspire me because I, with my that he will guide me and help me, be- Brethren, have learned long since that cause it is a tremendous responsibility I can do nothing of myself. I have to address so many men. It is a tre- ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN 79

mendous responsibility to represent this "Shall I go to school, or shall I just wait Church. until I am drafted? Shall I enlist and get the military obligation over with? But I glory in this Church. I am so Shall I prepare for a mission, or shall I thankful for it. I pray God that I, with Brother Romney, may be faithful even just drift along?" to the end. I have been so grateful for They know, of course, that just drift- the Servicemen whom I have seen in this ing does not get them anywhere. If Conference. I was glad for the telegram we are to be successful in life we must President McKay read. I am sure that plan our lives. But some of the boys you Servicemen and you parents of say, "How can we plan? Our lives are Servicemen will be very glad to know, planned for us. There is nothing we and on behalf of our Servicemen's Com- can do about it. We can go to school mittee which is headed by our wonder- for awhile, and then we will have to ful chairman, Brother Lee, we would go into the Army. We will have other like to report to President McKay and obligations too. We cannot plan our the First Presidency that all of the stake own lives," some boys have told me. presidents of the Church reported to us A couple of weeks ago I was down today that they have now taken out near Ft. Ord, California, and talked to subscriptions to the Improvement Era quite a number of our young Service- and the Church Section of the Deseret men there. They were very disturbed News for every person in the military as to what the future holds for them. I service of this Church. That was com- have told the young men, as well as the pleted today, President McKay, and we young women of this Church, that they are born to great destiny, divine are so thrilled with it. Under Brother a a Lee's wonderful direction we have been destiny. They are in very deed the working on this, and now we can report children of God. to you that the stake presidents have re- But there are some who do not believe ported one hundred percent accomplish- in God. I remember one young man ment of that wonderful assignment. who came to me and wanted to argue about this after I had given a discus- So, brethren, we wish to thank you, sion in a meeting, and he said, "I have and we hope that you will continue with learned in school that there isn't any the program. Brother Lee asks that I God, and I have been fully convinced. mention the rest of the program in addi- I no longer believe that there is a God." tion to the publications. Be sure, bish- ops, to carry on your interviews. Bishops I begin to wonder about young men and quorum people, will you remember and about people in general who do not to continue to write to these Servicemen believe in God. There are lots of them. and encourage them. They need your Do you know that about 75 million help, and they will be the stronger for Americans do not even belong to any it and so will you, if you cooperate with church? Do you know that about 25 this program. million more who do belong to churches take no part whatever in them, making I desire to address my remarks tonight a total of about 100 million Americans to the young men of the Church, to the who, for some reason or another, have boys of the Aaronic Priesthood, and to almost completely the younger men in the Melchizedek excluded God from their Priesthood. When President James lives? prayed here tonight, opening this meet- When I talk with young people about ing, he thanked the Lord that we were such a situation, I always like to ask born at this time, and it is surely some- them to consider the fruits of godless- thing to be thankful for because it is a ness. What does it do to you to be marvelous time in which to live. But without God? What does it do to you it is also a very troublous time, and to be without religion? Can it benefit many of our young men are very dis- you, or can it hurt you? I ask them couraged about the prospects which con- to look around and see what kind of front them. Many of our young men people the godless people are. I read are quite frustrated, in fact, not know- a very interesting discussion the other ing how to plan their lives nor what day by one of our great Americans, I to do about them. Some ask themselves, Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, a man whom 80 GENERAL C Saturday, October 8 Second Day respect highly. He pointed out in this Dr. Barker's concluding remarks on discussion that one of the outstanding that occasion were these: "As the chil- fruits of godlessness in the world right dren of Israel foreswore the worship of now is Communism. Communism, he the golden calf and returned to the faith says, is a direct result of godlessness. of Jehovah, so we have foresworn the Men who do not believe in God, who crass mechanistic materialism and re- fight God, who put God out of their turned to the faith in God of which the lives, and try to eliminate him from the Psalmist of old sang, 'The earth is the " lives of everybody else are the ones who Lord's and all that therein is.' produced Communism. The day is past, my young brethren, Is Communism something that you when we have to be shaken in our faith would like to take into your life? It is by the pseudo teachings of certain men. one of the fruits of godlessness. Do you The day is past when we need to doubt want to have within you the fruits—or that God lives. The great minds of rather I should say the seeds of Com- the world today now teach there is a munism? Do you realize that the seeds God. He does live. They teach that he of Communism are sprouting even now is a great mathematician. They teach from godlessness? that he is the Creator of the universe, You know what Communism has done and they say that this great Deity who to the world. You know how it has made the universe must be a person spread. You remember Hungary, don't because they see purpose in all creation, you? And you remember Poland? Do and you cannot have purpose without a you want to have anything like that in person. Therefore, they say, God, the your life? Do you want the fruits of Creator, is a person. godlessness to become a part of you and But we do not take our faith from your future? science, do we? We receive our faith in Is there any real reason to disbelieve God from revelation, and we who live in God? There are some who say, now, in the words of President James "Well, I learned in school that there is who offered the opening prayer, may no God. I have learned that there are well be thankful that we live now be- other reasons for creation." I was very cause God has appeared in modern times, interested the other day to read a speech in modern United States of America. by one of the great scientists of the He has appeared to modern men, and world. He, with many others of his modern men have seen him, seen his intellectual attainment, have reached the face and figure, and have written de- conclusion that all of the arguments in scriptions of him. They have talked times past to the effect that science has with him face to face. They are compe- abolished God are false. One of the tent witnesses. great writers of America has said that There need be no doubt in anybody's rather than science abolishing God, mind now about God. He lives. He science is now virtually abolishing has been in the United States in modern atheism. times, and these competent witnesses The present day attitude of top scien- leave you their testimony, and we leave tists was expressed recently by Dr. you our testimony that we know that Joseph W. Barker, president and chair- he lives because he has been seen and man of the Research Corporation of heard in America, in these, the last days. America, and formerly Dean of the We are his children, and because we Engineering School at Columbia Uni- are his children we may become like versity. He explained that scientists of him. Because we are his children he the nineteenth century were misled by has raised us up at this time of the certain of their observations, and as a world's history to do a particular work, result came to conclusions which were and the accomplishment of that work is definitely atheistic. "But now," said the great destiny to which you and I Dr. Barker, "even the most pragmatic have been born. materialist in the face of present day We have been placed in the earth scientific knowledge is led to the in- now to fulfill that destiny. Our destiny evitable conclusion that the heavens de- is that as his servants we shall prepare clare the glory of God and the firmament the way for his coming in glory in the shows of his handiwork." future, not too far distant. —

ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN 81

Are you willing, young people, to ac- in the last few weeks hasn't Mr. Khrush- cept that destiny? Are you willing to chev brought Communism very close to so live that you may fill this destiny? you? Don't you see in him a personal Are you going to catch the picture of antagonist, your own personal antagon- your own identity and know that you ist? Wouldn't he like to destroy you if are a child of God, and that you are not he could? Wouldn't he like to enslave a descendant of some monkey or some you? Communism does seem remote ape, but that you are actually the de- to you, but remember that it can come scendant of God Almighty on High, awfully close. With one word from and that you are of the race of divinity? Khrushchev he could cast you into war. Are you willing to accept that doc- You must give consideration to him. trine? Isn't it far better to accept the You cannot ignore him. He is more doctrine that you are a child of God than a name in the world news. than that you are a descendant of some And crime seems rather remote to lower form of life not even as high as most of you. Why do we talk about you? crime? We talk about it because crime, Yes, we have our destiny, and the like Communism and much else begins destiny is divine. It is that you and I with the small things. Every little thing must live and work in this Kingdom, and that you do wrong might lead to a as his servants accomplish the great criminal tendency. It may seem very work that he has given us. We were small at first. It may be cheating in born with a purpose. We must fulfill school. It may be lying to your par- that purpose. ents. It may be that you take some But sometimes we allow other things property that doesn't belong to you. to interfere with our destiny. Are you It may be that you go out on a petting willing to allow anything to interfere party. It may be that it would be as with yours? Are you willing to allow terrible as stealing the virtue of some selfishness, convenience, or so-called lovely girl. Is that crime? popularity to interfere? Are you will- I would like you to know that so far ing to give up your right to fulfill a as I am concerned, I think it is worse great divine destiny because you want to steal the virtue of a girl than it is to be popular with a given crowd at to rob a bank. Crime—how does it school, or because you want to make an start? Are you going to let these things impression, because you want to make a a lie here, a petting party there—inter- "grandstand play?" Is a "grandstand fere with the great destiny that you play" worth the loss of your birthright? have? Are you going to let your per- Is popularity with a questionable crowd sonal convenience now interfere with worth it? your whole plan of life for the future? willing sit This discussion of Mr. Hoover, to Or are you to down and plan your life? If you don't plan you will which I referred, was most interesting. He said there are two great enemies of fail. America today. They are twin enemies, Somebody once said that to fail to he said. One is Communism. The prepare is to prepare to fail. That is other is crime. He said that both of true with our schooling, it is true with them sprout from Godlessness. As Com- our work, it is true with our dating, it munism is a threat to America, so is is true with every phase of our lives. crime. But they both grow out of Young people, as the children of God, Godlessness. Mr. Hoover appealed to will you plan for success? You do not all Americans to restore their faith in need to be frightened about the world God as a safeguard to our nation. He conditions, because if you are true and actually gave us a warning that either faithful God will protect you, and he the faith of our fathers will triumph, or will bless you. this country will be dominated and May I read to you one of the great controlled by either Communism or promises that the Lord has given? I crime, or both. put a lot of confidence in this promise. Well, young people, Communism It is found in the last chapter of First to you seems very remote, doesn't it? Nephi. This is why I say I don't fear And so does crime. I know that. But the conditions of the world too much. 82 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day

If we will do our part, and if we will so you will be protected in these last fulfill our destiny we will achieve exactly days. God will have his hand over what the Lord has for us, and we will you, and you can plan your lives in be protected in doing it. I would like confidence. Every one of you can plan you to know that in these, the last days, a wonderful life, a wonderful success, the Lord has predicted that there shall but you must plan. be two simultaneous movements. One Now what shall we plan for? We of these movements is the great tribula- must plan to stay with the Church first, tion that shall come upon the world. last, and always. We will plan to under- The wicked will destroy the wicked. stand the doctrines of the Church and The other great movement which will the proceedings of the Church so that be going forward simultaneously is that we will understand our true destiny. there shall be a stone cut out of the We will study the gospel and be in- mountain without hands, and it shall formed. We cannot leave ourselves in roll forth and eventually fill the whole darkness or ignorance about our princi- earth. The Church to which you and pal assignment in life. We will plan I belong is that stone. It has been cut also to go to school and make the most out of the mountain without hands, and of our educational opportunities, but your destiny and mine is to help roll we will not allow worldly theories to it forth. upset our faith. Now do you suppose for one mo- We will dedicate ourselves to the ment that the judgments of God are living of the clean life. We will never going to interfere with the progress of allow sin to disqualify us for our destiny. his work? He is consistent, isn't he? We will choose good friends, clean and Although he will pour out his tribula- faithful like ourselves. They will help tions upon the wicked, he nevertheless us on to our destiny. We will be a help will carry forward his work, and his to them. We will consider a most im- people, under divine protection, will roll portant step in fulfilling our destiny forth that stone until eventually it fills the acceptance of a full time mission for the whole earth. the Church, and looking toward that And so, says the Book of Mormon: acceptance we will plan for it over the "For the time soon cometh that the years. A mission is a must in the fulness of the wrath of God shall be planning of our lives. We must not at poured out upon all the children of any time allow unwholesome acts to men; for he will not suffer that the interfere with that planning. It will be wicked shall destroy the righteous. our first great step in helping to build "Wherefore, he will preserve the the Kingdom of God. righteous by his power, even if it so We will plan for a temple marriage. be that the fulness of his wrath must We can never fulfill our destiny with- come, and the righteous be preserved, out it. That means we will date LDS even unto the destruction of their ene- girls—girls as clean as ourselves, as mies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous full of faith as ourselves. We will never need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, let our dating practices put any road- they shall be saved, even if it so be as blocks in our way as we move on the by fire." (I Nephi 22:16-17.) road to destiny. We will be honest with I believe that. In the midst of all all other people. We will be honest these tribulations God will send fire with ourselves and never try to kid our- from heaven, if necessary, to destroy selves into thinking that we can get our enemies while we carry forward our away with evil and still make the grade, work and push that stone until it fills if you will excuse that slang. the whole earth! We will be true. We will be true to Your destiny is to do that very thing, our loved ones, true to our country, true and this is the kind of protection you to ourselves, and true to our God. We will have. You do not need to fear will live up to the best that is in us. We about world conditions. You do not will live up to our trust in God and need to fear about anybody. Just serve the trust he places in us, for we know the Lord and keep his commandments that he lives. We know that he is our and build the Kingdom, and as you do Father. We know that we can become PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE 83 like him. We know that the Priest- Be honest with yourselves. Live up hood we have received is authority to to the best that is in you. Do not sell be his servants in these, the last days, your birthright for a mess of pottage. to help build the Kingdom, to strengthen Be true to the faith and God will be others, and to prepare for the Second true to you no matter what the future Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus may hold. Christ. This is my testimony to you in the Young people, you are a people of name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. destiny. You were not born to fail. were born to You succeed. You were President David O. McKay: born to accomplish a great work here and now. You were not born to be Elder Richard P. Condie will now blinded by the sophistries of men. You lead the congregation and the Male were born to be bright and intelligent Chorus in singing, "Do What Is Right." and have your eyes open, remembering that as the glory of is intelligence, God The congregation and the Tabernacle so it is the glory of every one of us. It Choir Men's Chorus joined in singing is intelligent to believe in God. It is the hymn, "Do What Is Right." intelligent to serve him. It is intelligent to declare our allegiance to him. It is President David O. McKay: intelligent to take the responsibility upon ourselves and move forward in the President Henry D. Moyle of the First great assignment that he has given. Presidency will now address us.

PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

My beloved fellow workers, I have a are, however, some details pertaining to humble desire to come before you to- this work which have not permitted us night, not only those who are here in the past to proceed with as great a assembled, but those who are gathering, unity as we might. and have gathered, and are now in the Into this great missionary movement many meeting places throughout the of the Church have come prominently United States, Canada, and New Zea- to the fore what we now call referrals. land. It is wonderful to be a fellow Some of our mission presidents love to worker with you in this great missionary call it "sharing the gospel," and in cause of the Church. I am so grateful undertaking to carry out this detail of the that this missionary endeavor does not work there has seemed to be sort of confine itself to what we call the mis- a natural inclination upon the part of sions of the world. It has become and those laboring in the stakes to exclude is now part and parcel of the work of the full time missions, and I presume every stake of Zion, as well as every equal thought on the part of the full mission. It is my hope and prayer to- time missions to preclude sharing their night that we are not far distant from opportunities with the stake missions. the time when there will be less and Brethren, this just must not be! Pos- less differentiation between stake mis- sibly at the root of this difficulty is the sions and full time missions. question of records, of statistics. We Brethren, my message to you tonight become proud of our performance. We is that they are one. We are one, and want to make a showing. We want to all of us who have fellowship in this stand at the head of the list. I wonder Church are one in promulgating the if it were possible to devise statistics gospel of Jesus Christ to our fellowmen, which would register what I shall call, wherever we may be, either at home or for convenience, our unselfishness in this abroad. Now that message seems so respect? What does it matter whether simple that you wonder why I would the stake mission or the full time mission take the precious time remaining in this gets the credit for a baptism? All we meeting to discuss it further. There are interested in is the conversion of —

84 GENERAL C Saturday, October 8 Second Day those who will repent of their sins, stake mission, or in other instances by acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of the labors of the full time missionaries, God, and accept his gospel as it has have been converted by the joint effort been restored in these latter days in its of a stake missionary and a full time fulness to the world through the in- missionary laboring for the time being strumentality of the Prophet Joseph in the same cause and in the same fam- Smith. ily, or in the same group. Brethren, we must rise above any Now, we do not particularly feel it personal ambitions or desires. How wise to inter-mix or to intermingle our grateful the General Authorities are for missionaries in this fashion—at least I those glorious meetings we have held feel a word of caution should be given with these wonderful mission presidents, except where there is a result to be ac- as they have come in from the various complished, except that there is a specific missions of the Church in the United purpose concurred in by the president States and in Canada, Mexico, Central of the stake mission and the president America, and Hawaii. of the full time mission. I had hoped during this Conference, Mission president after mission presi- along with my close, beloved associate, dent reported that they had no trouble Brother Gordon B. Hinckley, that we because where they worked conjointly might have had a meeting of all of the with the stake missions they shared the stake mission presidents and the stake baptisms 50-50, and they did not ask a presidents and our full time presidents, question as to whether the success of in order that we might sit down and the stake mission equalled the full time plan a program mutually agreeable by mission, nor whether the full time mis- which the greatest possible unity might sion equalled that of the stake. I was be brought about in this matter of co- further thrilled, as were all of my operating and coordinating the work of Brethren who attended those meetings, these two branches of our missionary to see how there had come about such a endeavor. close correlation of the activities of these Finally, two great groups of missions. When it we came to this conclusion, was possible of an evening for the stake and I am sure in arriving at it we were missionaries to divide up with the full inspired, that all we needed to do was time missionaries they would go out to call it to the attention of you breth- together, and each benefit and profit by ren here tonight, and who might hear the experience and faithfulness of one us over these 271 stations of this closed another. circuit network. This is the solution which we propose that you get to- The stake missionary can bring into — gether without us and work out your the life of our young full time mission- own problem in unity. aries a stability and integrity, a devotion, a loyalty, and dedication, that can only This is the order of the Church. To come to us through years of constant the extent that we can so diversify the service to the Master. And then on the activities of the Church so that almost other hand, these young men, thrilled the full load of our responsibilities rests as they are with their early experiences upon us in the wards and in the stakes in the mission field of sensing the power of the Church, and we become less and less that there is in the Priesthood which dependent upon direction, so far they bear, when they first sense how the as details are concerned, from General Lord has magnified them in their calling, Authorities of the Church, the stronger why the thrill of it just sets them on the Church will grow. fire, and that fire carries over to some I want to say in conclusion that that of us older ones in the stake missions reaches also to the use of our facilities. who enjoyed that same fire many years There should never be any hesitancy ago, and we enjoy coming in such close upon the part of a bishop or his contact with it now. custodian to make every facility the And what is the result? Experience Church owns available to the mission after experience in the mission field president at his single request in order indicates that those who have not been that we may not have any lost motion touched by the missionary labors of the in this work. If there are any costs PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 85 involved in the use which the full time convert who comes from the mission. I missions may make of the facilities of hope there is not a bishop in the Church the wards and the stakes, we want you who will presume to pass judgment upon bishops and you stake presidents to what a mission president does in deter- determine whether you would like to mining who should be baptized and who absorb that locally as part of your con- should not. I tell you solemnly this tribution to the great missionary cause, evening, my brethren, the presidents of or want to send the full time missions our missions have read the 37th Verse a bill for it. of the 20th Section of the Doctrine and Now we do not want to make that Covenants just as often as any bishop, decision for you. All we want is that and are just as much impressed with the facilities which the Lord has blessed the importance of following its mandate us with in the wards and stakes of Zion implicitly, but when a stake president be utilized to the fullest extent for the speaks and a convert is baptized, let the carrying on of the promulgation of the responsibility for that conversion rest gospel, regardless of what agency may upon the stake president and bishop. It have need for it at the moment. Let does not lie within the province of any each agency make its own decision as bishop to challenge it any more than it to its need of these facilities. A ward would lie in the mouth of a mission should not make this decision for the president to challenge the judgment of mission. the bishop under like circumstances. Let me say in conclusion that I am bless us, brethren, and let us go sure that as we do this we will not only God grow and develop the strength of our forward as one, united in the work of stakes, but we will make it possible for the Lord, I pray humbly, in the name our bishops to fully fellowship every of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

Brethren we have had great mes- the more grateful I am for my parents, sages tonight. I hope the vast audience for how they lived the gospel in that will have been aroused to the realization old country home. Father used to preach that the enemies to truth are just as it, even to visitors who stayed at active today as they have been since the house—and that was a stopping Christ was tempted, and before when place for them—both father and mother two powers stood before the Creator and lived the gospel. each presented his plan. I have realized throughout this con- I hope there will be just as much ference, as perhaps never before, that realization that the responsibility to my testimony of the reality of the ex- teach the truth rests upon the Priest- istence of God dates back to that home hood of the Church as it ever has done. when I was a child, and it was through This evening, just before coming to their teachings and their examples that this meeting, I read a line from the I received then the knowledge of the Chief Apostle two thousand years ago. reality of the spiritual world; and I test- He addressed the elders of the Church ify that it is a reality. and said, "I am also an elder and a It is just as easy for me to accept as witness of Christ, and also a partaker a divine truth the fact that Christ of the glory that shall be revealed. preached to the spirits in prison while Feed the flock of God. Be examples to his body lay in the tomb as it is for me the flock. Be sober, vigilant, because to look into your faces tonight. His body your adversary, the Devil, as a roaring was silent. His spirit was in the spir- lion walketh about seeking whom he itual realm with his father. It is true. may devour, whom resist, steadfast in And it is just as easy for me to the faith, knowing that the same afflic- realize that one may so live that he tions are accomplished in your brethren may receive impressions and direct mes- that are in the world." Be examples to sages through the Holy Ghost. The the flock. veil is thin between those who hold Now, a testimony. The older I grow the Priesthood and those on the other —

86 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 8 Second Day side of the veil. That testimony be- of a father, a loving mother, and so gan, I repeat, in the home in my youth contribute to the strength of the Church because of the example of a father by exercising your Priesthood in your who honored the Priesthood—and his home and in your lives, I pray in the wife, who sustained him and lived it name of Jesus Christ. Amen. in the home. I do not know that Peter had that in President David O. McKay: mind particularly when he mentioned Salt Tabernacle this evening being an example to the flock, but I The Lake of the Priesthood. The know that such a home is a part of that has 7,719 men Barratt Hall and flock. The influence you spread in your Assembly Hall and reports home will go throughout the town, will on the grounds, 1,892. We have making go throughout the county, the wards, from 267 of the groups—37,503, of the and the stakes. The most precious thing a total as reported of 47,114 men assembled this night. in the world is a testimony of the truth. Priesthood We yet. Truth never grows old, and the truth have not heard from New Zealand I wish to thank the Tabernacle Choir is that God is the source of your Priest- Chorus, and Brother Condie, for hood and mine. The truth is that he Men's given tonight lives; that Jesus Christ, the Great High the music they have us Priest, stands at the Head of the Church and the inspirational singing. They and that every man who holds the have added dignity to our gathering. bless Priesthood, if he lives properly, soberly, Thank you and God you. industriously, humbly and prayerfully, The session at ten o'clock tomorrow will broadcast as a public is entitled to the inspiration and guid- morning be Choir ance of the Holy Spirit. I know that service as usual. The Tabernacle is true. broadcast will be from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. Please be in your seats at 8:15 in the God help us to defend the truth morning. We plead with those who better than that, to live it. Exemplify it will be standing out in the doorways in our homes. What we owe to our trying to get in the Tabernacle to be parents we cannot express. Are you considerate one of another. Please going to have that same influence on avoid pushing and crowding. Courtesy your children, parents—fathers and is a great virtue, but we lack it on the mothers? God give you power so to highway in Utah. Let us show to one have that they may be true to the last, another, and especially to our visitors to death if necessary, to the truth of the are within our city gates, that the gospel of Jesus Christ that magnifies who people of the Church, at least, are God, our Father, who looks as our leader and Saviour, and Redeemer of courteous. the World, to his Beloved son, Jesus As thousands leave this great Priest- Christ; that they appeared to the Proph- hood Meeting tonight, let us keep in et Joseph and revealed themselves mind the admonition that is constantly being given to in this Dispensation; that his work is us drive carefully. Let us established, nevermore to be thrown have courtesy in the city and on the down or given to another people. highways. The Tabernacle Choir Men's Chorus Satan is still determined to have sing, "I Every his way, and his emissaries have power will now Need Thee benediction will offered given them today as they have not had Hour." The be throughout the centuries. Be prepared by President Ernest C. Anderson of the to meet conditions that may be severe Union Stake. —ideological conditions that seem reas- onable—but depend upon that spirit The Tabernacle Choir Men's Chorus within. You are entitled to interpret the sang the hymn, "I Need Thee Every whisperings of the Holy Spirit. They Hour." are real. God is guiding this Church. Elder Ernest C. Anderson, president

Be true to it, loyal to it. Be true to of the Union Stake, offered the bene- your families, loyal to them. Protect diction. your children. Guide them, not arbi- Conference adjourned until Sunday trarily, but through the kind example morning, October 9, at 10:00. THIRD DAY MORNING MEETING

Conference reconvened Sunday morn- We are pleased to note the presence ing, October 9, at 10 o'clock. of President Clark this morning. (The Tabernacle Choir and Organ The Tabernacle Choir, under the broadcast was presented from 8:30 to direction of Elder Richard P. Condie 9:00 a.m., in the Tabernacle. See pages with Frank W. Asper at the organ, will 118 to 119 for a full report of this open these services by singing, "How broadcast.) Beautiful Upon the Mountains." After The music for this session was fur- the singing the invocation will be of- nished by the Salt Lake Tabernacle fered by President Lionel M. West of Choir, Richard P. Condie, Director. the El Paso Stake. Frank W. Asper was at the organ con- sole. The Tabernacle Choir sang the President David O. McKay, who pre- anthem, "How Beautiful Upon The sided and conducted the services, made Mountains." the following introductory remarks: The opening prayer was offered by President David O. McKay: Elder Lionel M. West, president of the El Paso Stake. The fifth session of this General Con- ference was held last evening at 7:00 President David O. McKay: in this building, with overflow meetings in the Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall, The invocation was offered by Presi- and relayed by closed circuit to members dent Lionel M. West of the El Paso of the Priesthood assembled in 271 Stake. Church buildings in virtually every sec- The Tabernacle Choir will now sing, tion of the United States and several lo- "The Heavens Are Telling The Glory cations in Canada, and as far south as of God," with a trio comprising Albert New Zealand. did not We have a com- Fallows, tenor, Clara McMaster, soprano plete report, but there were reported in and Lloyd Neal, bass, with Richard P. attendance between 44,000 and 50,000 Condie, conducting, and Frank W. members of the Priesthood assembled. Asper at the organ. The speakers were President Moyle, Following the singing, we will hear Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Council of from President Reuben Clark, Jr. the Twelve, and Elder Marion G. Rom- J. ney of the Council of the Twelve; and Choir, Heavens the Male Chorus of the Tabernacle Singing by the "The Choir furnished the music. Are Telling The Glory of God." These services this morning in the sixth session, will be televised by many President David O. McKay: circuits here on the western coast and in order that they may hear the proceed- President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. of the ings, we will postpone the usual an- First Presidency of the Church will be nouncements until after the first hour. our first speaker this morning.

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.

First Counselor in the First Presidency

My brothers and sisters, fellow members The Lord has been good to me in of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- giving me the physical strength to be day Saints, the only true Church on the with you this morning. I often facetious- face of the earth at this time: ly say as long as you do not think with 88 GENERAL O Sunday, October 9 Third Day your heels, it does not make much pens that, so far as my memory goes, for difference what they do, it is only when the first time, the strictly religious prob- the Lord or somebody begins to interfere lem has been thrown into the campaign. with your head (laughter) —I am uncer- Be not disturbed. We are not concerned tain on that point, personally. But I am ecclesiastically. We have the truth. grateful to be with you to mingle my Ours is the priesthood. We are the ones testimony with the testimony of those whom God has set up under a system of who have gone before, that this is the government which he revealed, where work of God, that we are doing his we have one man standing at the head, service, that we are working under his sustained as I have already said, by plan, that we are instructing the world your vote, as the prophet, seer, and in general, and ourselves in particular, revelator of the Lord to his people. No in the principles of his gospel. one else has any right to declare the He said to the ancients on this conti- word of the Lord to this people. nent, "I am the Law," and such are his I sometimes hear of persons, little words. We need to look no further groups, who undertake to direct us along than to his words to get therefrom the lines that they think would be useful, guides and the principles which will lead politically. It is time for us to take us to eternal life. Time and time and notice and act when our prophet, seer, time again, he said, sometimes involving and revelator tells us what to do. We the four principles, sometimes three of are not bound by any small group. them, "I am the life, the light, the way, What a glorious thing it is to belong and the truth." And such is his message to the Lord's Church. As I have al- to us. Such are the principles by which ready said, it was the Lord who said, our lives are to be guided. "I am the life, the light, the way, and I renew to you this morning the testi- the truth," and who said to the people mony I have given to you for over a on this continent, "I am the law," which quarter of a century, I believe every meant, of course, that by his atoning conference, a testimony that God lives, sacrifice he fulfilled all that the law of that Jesus is his Son and is the Christ, Moses contemplated and provided for, a testimony that the Father and the and he alone is the one to whom we Son appeared to the Prophet, thus look. settling, so far as we are concerned, Never forget those words of his to forever that the Father and the Son Martha, when she said, "... I know that were personalities and that Jesus spoke he [Lazarus] shall rise again in the ". truly when he said, . . he that hath resurrection at the last day." ." seen me hath seen the Father; . . Christ said to her, "I am the resurrec- (John 14:9.) tion, and the life: he that believeth in ." My brothers and sisters, the way has me, though he were dead, . . (allud- been laid down for us. We have no ing, as I believe, to our ordinances for ". choice and no necessity for anything the dead) . . yet shall he live: beyond his words and the revelations "And whosoever liveth and believeth ." of his mind and will which he makes in me shall never die. . . (John 11:24- known to his prophet, who is called, 26.) ordained set apart, sustained and by "And this is life eternal," said the your vote to be the prophet, seer, and Savior in the great prayer, "that they revelator of this Church. I renew again might know thee the only true God, and my testimony that the Savior with the Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Father came to the Prophet Joseph, that (Ibid., 17:3.) the Prophet and his associates through And the great purposes of the Lord, the assistance given to associates, set the great purposes of the Father, were up this Church, the only true Church, ". declared to Moses: . . this is my work as I have already said, that exists upon and my glory—to bring to pass the the face of the earth. immortality and eternal life of man." How I wish we could carry this (Moses 1:39.) thought, this belief, this testimony in How can we, as members of this our hearts to the exclusion of all others. Church, forget that great principle? This is a time, nationally, when it hap- How can we fail to keep his command- I

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR. 89

ments and to go forward as he has as we would read a book—I wonder how directed, for that will bring to us the many of us would have the courage to immortality and eternal life which God go out to Wendover and pay him a promised. And I would like to say— visit. And yet if we were not willing, was about to conclude, to the brethren had not the courage, it is because we of the Church, but unfortunately I fear have not lived and thought and believed I must include the sisters: someday, as a as we should. To me, that is one great beginning to your transgression, you may test of how well I am prepared to meet have to determine whether a cigaret is my Maker. worth more than what the Lord prom- The Lord helps us. He will give of ised; someday, you will have to make his own Spirit even as much as we are the same determination about a drink prepared to accept. "I am the way, the of whiskey; someday, you may have to truth, the life, and the light. I am the determine whether you prefer what the law," said the Savior. Lord has promised to an illicit date. Let us try always to learn what the You who have been through the temple Lord wants. If we are living the kind of Almighty God, know your covenants, of lives we should live, that I hope we your obligations. Never forget them. do live, we will find that no question Keep the commandments of the Lord. ever arises in our minds for determina- Very early in his ministry, the Savior, tion as to whether or not we should do in that great conversation between him a good deed, take a good course. The and Nicodemus, said that the Father question comes only when we are think- sent the Savior to redeem the world, ing of doing something we should not do. point, I just not to condemn it. The Lord never And on that may say condemns the individual, except on rare a word. "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire." in praying, matter occasions. He condemns the sin. And And no what I can never forget that the most scath- our words may be, there will be in the back of the real prayer, the ing denunciation that I know of in our our minds real desire, that will be controlling. literature, scriptural or otherwise, is and that denunciation which the Savior The Lord is merciful. He overlooks made, and which is recorded in the much. He has to. Think of his life, latter chapters of Matthew, against what he did, what he said. That is your hypocrisy. He leaves one almost with guide. We sometimes think that the the persuasion that nothing is so bad Savior lived in a Palestine that was free as that. from trouble, that there were no And when you think what hypocrisy murders, no robbings, no thievings. may do—lead you to following a life of Have you ever wondered a little why falsehood, making you pretend to be it was that Peter on that last night in what you are not, deceiving your fellow the Garden happened to be armed with men, sometimes deceiving your wives a sword? His Master's and his own and your children! But there is one message had never been to fight in that whom you do not deceive, and that is way. The Savior said he would make Christ, our Lord. He knows all. Per- families fight among themselves, that sonally, I have felt that nobody need their real enemy sometimes would be keep much of a record about me, except father or mother—but I have always what I keep myself in my mind, which understood that to mean the warfare be- is a part of my spirit. I often question tween right and wrong, the warfare be- in my mind, whether it is going to re- tween his sayings and the sayings of quire very many witnesses in addition the world. to my own as to my wrongdoing, and I Do you think of the Savior as living have frequently thought, in making in a Roman civilization with all of the funeral sermons—I wonder how many transgressions, all of the temptations, of us there are, who, if it became known all of the evils of that great civilization? that Jesus was out here at Wendover, Yet so it was. And yet you will find and would be happy to see all who nothing in the New Testament of any came to see him, Jesus our Lord, who evils the Savior ever did of the many knows all that we have done, all that existing in the Roman Empire. I do we have thought, could read our minds not remember any reference, allusion, or 90 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 9 Third Day

statement given in the New Testament petition, "nevertheless not my will, but showing that the Savior patronized the thine, be done." Roman circus or the great amphitheaters In that spirit we should always ap- which almost crowded the Palestine in proach our Heavenly Father in prayer. which he lived. And when we go to our Heavenly Father Taking the New Testament alone, you for advice, let us not go to him with will gain little idea of the kind of life the request that he confirm us in our the Romans led in Palestine, the kind desires, but ask humbly and in full faith of life that the Christ condemned, and that he will give to us of our desires, no yet as I have already said, it has seemed matter what they are or concerning to me that the one sin that the Savior whom they may be, that which accords condemned as much as any other was with his will. the sin of hypocrisy the living of the — I am most grateful to be with you this double life, the life let our friends we morning, to mingle my voice with the sometimes wives believe, and our and voices of the other brethren who have the life we actually live. testified to you during this conference. I repeat what I have already said, we I have listened to you during the entire may think nobody knows of our hy- conference. I have enjoyed what has pocrisy. As a matter of fact, I doubt been said. I have regretted my absence. if that assumption can be true. Some- I am grateful that the Lord has per- body does know. But the Lord also mitted me to come this morning, and I knows, and we make up the record here thank President McKay for giving me in our minds—that part of us which I the opportunity to say the few unpre- think is part of our eternal souls. We meditated words I have said. know, and we will never forget. I pray the blessings of the Lord to be May the Lord give us strength and upon you and upon all of us. I pray power to overcome evil. May he give the blessings of the Lord to be upon to us men the power to magnify our him, the prophet, seer, and revelator of priesthood. May he give to us the the Church and the President thereof. in knowledge that we hold our hands I pray that we will give him the full through our priesthood and the exer- measure of support that we have cove- cise of faith, the most powerful force of nanted to give him when we sustained It which we have any knowledge. him by our uplifted hands. That is a transcends the forces of nature, as the marvelous covenant we make, and as Lord showed on than one occasion. more we make it here, we bind the Church, It is force the by which the worlds were for this is a constituent assembly speak- made. It is at our command, if we so ing for the Church. God grant his live that we are entitled to it. But it is blessings may be always with us, to help faith my and my belief that the Lord us, to build us up, to keep us in the never gives anyone faith, it being his straight and narrow path, even until gift, that will defeat his purposes. the end of life, and may he enable us And when we pray, as I have said to bestow such an impress upon our to you on many occasions, I am sure, families as will enable them in turn to pray as he did in Gethsemane. And follow his paths, never forgetting and have you ever been struck with the applying strictly the great principle he thought that here was the Son praying announced, "I am the way, the truth, to the Father to let the cup of crucifixion the life, and the light," and as to this ". pass by, . . nevertheless not my will, continent, "I am the law," to the end but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42.) A that we ourselves and our families after few days before in the temple, he had us, may be saved and exalted and re- said, "Father, save me from this hour: united in the hereafter, I humbly pray but for this cause came I unto this in the name of Jesus. Amen. hour." (John 12:27.)

I have been struck with the fact that Deity himself, half mortal for the time, As President Clark turned to found himself asking that his destiny leave the pulpit, he said, might be changed, but he finished his "Let me tell a story. I remem- ELDER HUGH B. BROWN 91

ber when Sullivan and Kilrain President David O. McKay: were fighting a championship We have just heard President J. Reu- down in New Orleans, I believe it ben Clark, Jr. of the First Presidency. was, when I was a kid, in the 76th We all rejoice in his vigor of youth. His legs be a little wobbly, but his round, or thereabouts, word came may heart and head are still sound and clear. back, as I remember, 'Kilrain is We welcome him. Our next speaker will slightly disfigured, but still in the be Elder Hugh B. Brown of the Council ring. of the Twelve.

ELDER HUGH B. BROWN

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I am sure we are all grateful to the Lord Reference has been made in this con- for the presence here of President Clark, ference to the chaotic condition of the for the privilege of listening to his in- world on account of communism. While spiring and dynamic testimony, and for I shall not dwell on this at length, we his admonition and advice. It is very all know that our world is divided and humbling indeed to be asked to follow imperiled; that though the Western na- him. I shall simply add my testimony tions believe in God, or claim to, and to his, that this is the Church of Jesus in the freedom of men, and the worth of Christ; the qualifying phrase "of Latter- the individual, there are hundreds of day Saints" distinguishes its members millions of our fellow men who are from members of the same Church in being taught that God is a myth and former times, who are referred to in the religion but an opiate; who are being New Testament as Saints. indoctrinated, while their minds and We worship God the Father through bodies are enslaved, to believe in the his Son Jesus Christ. It is he, the Savior, monstrous supremacy of the totalitarian who is the Head of the Church, its great state. High Priest, its Founder, and its Inspira- While we are preaching Christ and tion. All others, whether they be him crucified, there are millions on the prophets, apostles, elders, members—all earth who dare not mention his name others are willingly subservient to him. except in derision and anathema. The We agree with the Apostle Paul that battlefronts in this cold war are divided ". . . there is none other name under into sectors: social, economic, scientific, heaven given among men, whereby we geographic, ideological; but the one front must be saved." (Acts 4:12.) on which the enemy is concentrating, We are informed that there are per- the one front which makes him gnash haps more nonmembers than members his teeth at its very name, is the front present and listening in. To all of you which may be called "God and religion." out there we bid a hearty welcome and The war—cold or hot—will be waged by wish to include you in the usual Latter- the followers of Christ versus anti- day Saint greeting: "Brothers and sis- Christ. ters." That being true, it is incumbent upon Perhaps many of you would refer to all Christians everywhere, and again I the Church as the "Mormon" Church; am speaking to you, our friends out there, while we do not object to that designa- it behooves us to re-examine our creeds, tion, it may be a bit misleading. Mor- our fundamental concepts, our basic mon was an ancient American prophet, faith, and ask ourselves again the mean- whose name was given to a sacred record ing of the word "God" in our theology, which he compiled; but though this may and the place of God in our lives. Our be called the Mormon Church, it is not allegiance must be intelligent and well- the Church of Mormon, nor is it the defined. Church of Joseph Smith nor of Brigham Every man should answer for himself Young, nor of any other man. It is the the question, "What think ye of Christ?" Church of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 22:42.) I should like to bear —a

92 GENERAL C Sunday, October 9 Third Day my testimony of him and indicate briefly body—hence, the pity of a friend. his status in the minds and hearts of But there came forth from that lowly all Latter-day Saints as background and tomb riches beyond all price. The life- introductory, or, by way of contrast less body, which was placed there by for none other, however great, can be loving hands three days previously, came compared to him—may I call attention forth from that tomb triumphant over for a moment to what the tourist may death, a resurrected, glorified Personage, see when he goes to Europe or the the first fruits of them that slept. And Middle East, as he visits the birthplaces the rewards of that victory are to be and the resting places of the notable shared among all men everywhere, for ones of the earth—the poets, authors, as Paul said, "For since by man came soldiers, and statesmen. death, by man came also the resurrec- The tourist will probably be impressed tion of the dead. by the ruins of ancient cities and the "For as in Adam all die, even so in crumbling monuments and tombstones Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Cor. of many who are called great. Some of 15:21-22.) these ancients built and garnished their And what was it that came from that own sepulchres and gilded their tombs open tomb? Was it merely a spirit? in order to display their wealth and to He himself answered that question when indicate their status. The visitor will he stood among his followers who were be impressed by the Colosseum in Rome, amazed and frightened at his appear- ". the Acropolis in Athens, and admire ance. He said to them, . . Why are the work of former masters in art, litera- ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise ture, philosophy, and government. He in your hearts? will be reminded of the pomp of the "Behold my hands and my feet, that Pharaohs in Egypt as he visits the pyra- it is I myself: handle me, and see; for mids, and may ask: "Why such colossal a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye expenditure of money and time and lives see me have." (Luke 24:38-39.) to build a tomb?" He will probably Brothers and sisters, this Babe of leave without an answer to his question Bethlehem, this Carpenter of Nazareth, and remember only the inscrutable smile this Man of Galilee, never wrote a of the Sphinx. book, and yet the story of what he said during the three short years of But if his tour leads him to the Holy and did Land, he will be inspired by the thought his ministry, which was faithfully, that though Rome had her Caesars, her though only partially, recorded by his re- master artists, and her geniuses; though humble disciples, has been read and Athens had her conquerors, her states- read by more people in more languages men, and her philosophers; though than any other book. Egypt had her pompous dictators and He left no masterpiece on canvas, and yet his life and death have been her unrelenting Pharaohs, it remained artists for little Bethlehem and later for the inspiration for more than any Nazareth and Galilee to give to this other subject. He left no monument in yet world its most transcendent personage. stone or bronze or marble, and the In Jerusalem one has the privilege image of his divine manhood has been an inspiration to millions through of standing before an open tomb— down tomb that was once closed by a great the centuries. stone on which was placed the seal of But we testify of and worship not Rome and over which a guard was only one who lived and died two thou- mounted. But that stone was rolled sand years ago—and we hope you, our away, that seal was broken, that guard friends, will note what now we say, was overcome, that tomb was opened for we declare it by authority and by by an angel of the Lord. That borrowed commandment—we testify of one who sepulchre was neither gilded nor deco- was also resurrected from the dead and rated, and in it was found no earthly is now living—one who is comprehen- treasure, for its temporary tenant was sible, one who has a material, though destitute of worldly goods. In life he an immortal body as he himself de- had no place to lay his head, and in clared when he said to his astonished death there was no place to lay his followers: "Handle me and see." It .

ELDER HUGH B. BROWN 93 was that same body which ascended the right hand of the Majesty on high;" into heaven out near Bethany when a (Hebrews 1:1-3.) cloud enveloped him, and to the amaze- We speak of him of whom Isaiah ". ment and astonishment of his followers, prophesied when he said: . . Behold, he ascended into heaven. Two men in a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, white standing by said, "Ye men of and shall call his name Immanuel." Galilee, why stand ye gazing into (Isaiah 7:14.) That he had reference heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken to the Babe of Bethlehem is evidenced up from you into heaven, shall so come by what the angel said to the confused in like manner as ye have seen him go and bewildered Joseph, whose beloved into heaven." (Acts 1:11.) Mary was about to bear a child. The Peter declared that the heaven must angel said to Joseph: "Joseph, thou son ". receive him until the time of the . . of David, fear not to take unto thee restitution of all things, which God hath Mary thy wife: for that which is con- spoken by the mouth of all his holy ceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. prophets since the world began." (Ibid., "And she shall bring forth a son, 3:21.) and thou shalt call his name jESUS: Yes, we testify of the First Begotten of for he shall save his people from their the Father in the spirit, the Only Begot- sins. ten Son of God in the flesh, a member "Now all this was done, that it of the Holy Trinity, the Creator of the might be fulfilled which was spoken of world. To prove he was the Creator the Lord by the prophet, saying, we quote the words of John, the Apostle: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, "In the beginning was the Word, and and shall bring forth a son, and they the Word was with God, and the Word shall call his name Emmanuel, which was God. The same was in the be- being interpreted is, God with us." ginning with God. All things were (Matthew 1:20-23.) made by him; and without him was He himself proclaimed his Godhood, not any thing made that was made." and his heirship when he was chal- (John 1:1-3.) That the Word referred lenged by his persecutors after he had to was none other than the Christ said, "I and my Father are one." becomes evident when one reads the They wanted to stone him, and he ". fourteenth verse: "And the Word was said, . . for which of my works do made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and you stone me?" And they said, "For a we beheld his glory, the glory as of good work we stone thee not; but for the only begotten of the Father,) full blasphemy; and because that thou, being of grace and truth." (Ibid., 1:14.) a man, makest thyself God." And he The Apostle Paul also bears testimony answered them, "Say ye of him, whom of him as the Creator: "For by him the Father hath sanctified, and sent into were all things created, that are in the world, Thou blasphemest; because heaven, and that are in earth, visible I said, I am the Son of God? and invisible, whether they be thrones, "If I do not the works of my Father, or dominions, or principalities, or believe me not." (John 10:30-33, 36- powers: all things were created by him, 37.) and for him: As to the actuality of the resurrection "And he is before all things, and by of Christ, his divinity, his universal him all things consist." (Colossians Godhood, let us hear his own declaration 1:16-17.) and read the testimony of a multitude

We read of him in Hebrews: "God, . . of people on the American continent, to "Hath in these last days spoken unto whom he appeared just after his cruci- us by his Son, whom he hath appointed fixion. heir of all things, by whom also he made This scripture may be new to many of the worlds; you, but in America, as in Jerusalem, "Who being the brightness of his there were holy men of God who spake glory, and the express image of his per- as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. son, and upholding all things by the You will remember reading in Luke's word of his power, when he had by account of the crucifixion: "And it was himself purged our sins, sat down on about the sixth hour, and there was a 94 GENERAL C Sunday, October 9 Third Day darkness over all the earth until the tude fell to the earth; for they remem- ninth hour. bered that it had been prophesied among "And the sun was darkened, and the them that Christ should show himself veil of the temple was rent in the midst." unto them after his ascension into (Luke 23:44-45.) And in Matthew: heaven. "And behold, the veil of the temple "And it came to pass that the Lord was rent in twain from the top to the spake unto them saying: bottom; and the earth did quake, and "Arise and come forth unto me, that the rocks rent; ye may thrust your hands into my side, "And the graves were opened; and and also that ye may feel the prints of many bodies of the saints which slept the nails in my hands and in my feet, arose." (Matthew 27:51-52.) that ye may know that I am the God Now this thick darkness, which cov- of Israel, and the God of the whole ered the earth, and the convulsions of earth, and have been slain for the sins the earth at the time of the crucifixion, of the world. extended to America. Here the darkness "And it came to pass that the multi- lasted three days, and it was so thick tude went forth, and thrust their hands upon all the face of the land that the into his side, and did feel the prints of people could feel the vapor of darkness, the nails in his hands and in his feet; and they could make no light. and this they did do, going forth one by At the end of the period of darkness one until they had all gone forth, and and upheaval, they who survived were did see with their eyes and did feel with assembled near the temple. There they their hands, and did know of a surety heard a voice as if it came out of heaven. and did bear record, that it was he, of They did not understand it at first, but whom it was written by the prophets, afterwards understood when the voice that should come. said: "And when they had all gone forth "Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I and had witnessed for themselves, they am well pleased, in whom I have glori- did cry out with one accord, saying: fied my name—hear ye him. "Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the "And it came to pass, as they under- Most High God! And they did fall stood they cast their eyes up again to- down at the feet of Jesus, and did ward heaven; and behold, they saw a worship him." (3 Nephi 11:7-17.) Man descending out of heaven; and he And thus we have the testimony of was clothed in a white robe; and he eyewitnesses from two continents that came down and stood in the midst of Jesus is the Christ. We add our testi- them; and the eyes of the whole multi- mony not only that he did live, but tude were turned upon him, and they that he still lives. This fact is the durst not open their mouths, even one greatest hope of this divided and im- to another, and wist not what it meant, periled world, for if the Christ still for they thought it was an angel that lives then the anti-Christ will be de- had appeared unto them. feated. There can be no peace in a "And it came to pass that he stretched godless world. forth his hand and spake unto the peo- But our testimony would not be com- ple, saying: plete if we did not reaffirm our faith "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the in the second coming of Christ, in the prophets testified shall come into the millennium which is to come when he world. will reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. this climactic is "And behold, I am the light and the That event not far distant is indicated signs life of the world; and I have drunk out by the of that bitter cup which the Father hath of the times, by wars and rumors of given me, and have glorified the Father wars, by the satanic schemes of evil in taking upon me the sins of the world, men who would enslave not only the bodies also of in the which I have suffered the will of but the minds all who the Father in all things from the be- dare refuse to subscribe to the ideologies ginning. invented by the anti-Christ. "And it came to pass that when Jesus May the time soon come when he had spoken these words the whole multi- again will say to this troubled world, ELDER ALBERT THEODORE TUTTLE 95

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I coast, in the northwest, and throughout give unto you; not as the world giveth, the nation, heard President Clark and give I unto you. Let not your heart be Elder Brown address us. troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John The Choir and Congregation will now 14:27.) sing, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a God grant that we may be prepared Prophet," with Richard P. Condie con- for that day and in the interim be ducting. After the singing, we will hear unafraid, knowing that he still lives from Elder A. Theodore Tuttle. and that as he said of himself: "All power is given unto me in heaven and The Choir and congregation sang the in earth." (Matt. 28:18.) Of him I hymn, "We Thank Thee, O God, For humbly testify in the name of Jesus A Prophet." Christ. Amen.

President David O. McKay: President David O. McKay:

Elder Hugh B. Brown of the Council Elder A. Theodore Tuttle of the First of the Twelve has just spoken to us. We Council of Seventy will now address us. hope that all the television sets and He will be followed by Elder Delbert L. radios that were tuned in along the west Stapley of the Council of the Twelve.

ELDER ALBERT THEODORE TUTTLE

Of the First Council of the Seventy

My dear brothers and sisters, I have men to teach creeds which you, your- had more compliments on the talk I selves, do not believe, but you have the " did not give yesterday, than I have ever social obligation to do it.' had on one I actually gave. I am sure Another man in the same institution, those who thus commented were think- having about the same academic cre- ing of the advice that Brother Henry dentials, declared: "Who knows but Taylor gave yesterday about the re- what in the year 2004 or some other sponsibility of improving upon silence. year, there will live a man who will live Last night in priesthood meeting, I more perfectly than did Jesus. Then missed the voice that has always made we will worship him as the Son of God, an eloquent plea for unity, and I am rather than Jesus. The reason we wor- grateful this morning that I heard that ship Jesus as the Son of God is because voice bear such a powerful testimony to he lived the most perfect life of any man of whom we have knowledge." the divinity of this work. [President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., could not attend Does the world need the message of priesthood meeting.] Mormonism? I think it needs nothing Where else could you go in the world more than to know the true concept of and find such certainty and knowledge the Godhead, to have borne upon their that God lives and that Jesus Christ is souls the testimony that has been borne his Son. Contrast what we have heard here these days of conference—the testi- the past few days with this statement: mony that comes through the gift and "Several years ago in a seminary power of the Holy Ghost, that bears recognized as perhaps the greatest in witness to our souls and our hearts that this country, a doctor of divinity, who God does live. He is real. He is a had a string of honorary doctoral de- glorified, resurrected Being, and he is ". grees and who is on the board of our Father, and he loves us. He . . so directors of one of the largest Protestant loved the world, that he gave his only churches in America, in lecturing to a begotten Son, that whosoever believeth large group of students, most of whom in him should not perish, but have ever- already had bachelor of divinity degrees, lasting life." (John 3:16.) said, sympathetically: Jesus is the Savior. We declare " 'I know that it is difficult for you boldly, yet humbly, to all of the world 96 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 9 Third Day that he is the Redeemer; that he atoned I would plead with the parents of this for the sins of man, and he is veritably Church to prepare their sons to bear the Son of God. this testimony to the world, the only I am grateful that we have had re- power that will bring peace, because stored to us today, another witness that peace is rooted in righteousness. When this is so. This witness comes from the the hearts of men on this earth can be Book of Mormon. Nephi saw in vision prepared to receive the witness of the that Mary was to be the mother of the Spirit, all men will be brothers, and Son of God after the manner of the then peace can come to our hearts. flesh. (1 Nephi 11:18.) The Book of I pray that we shall hasten this day Mormon further witnesses that Jesus through our united efforts by whole- Christ did come to this people on this heartedly supporting these brethren who continent. They bore testimony that direct the affairs of the Lord on earth, he lives. and can contribute both service and sub- I am grateful for the Prophet Joseph stance to help the work of the Lord Smith, who said he saw two Personages forward. I humbly pray his blessings stand above him in the air, and that the upon us, and bear this testimony in the one called him by name and said, "This name of Jesus Christ. Amen. is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith 2:17.) And I would add to the testimonies that have been borne in con- President David O. McKay: ference, my own testimony. It has come to me through the gift and power of the He to whom you have just listened is Holy Ghost. I know that God lives, A. Theodore Tuttle, a member of the that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. First Council of Seventy. We shall now I am grateful for this witness of the hear Elder Delbert L. Stapley, a member Spirit to my soul. of the Council of the Twelve.

ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brothers and sisters, it is good to be body provided by them. God grants here. I think I should like to use as to parents, if they have complied with the springboard for my message, the his gospel laws and ordinances, the closing remarks of President Clark and a children born to them in the new and suggestion just made by Brother Tuttle. everlasting covenant of marriage, or My message for this conference is di- sealed to them by the authority of the rected to parents and emphasizes the Holy Priesthood of God as their very theme introduced to the membership of own throughout the eternities of time. the Church this year in connection with This knowledge adds joy, happiness, the stake conferences, "Keep Faith with and glory to joint-heirship with Christ Your Family." in all that the Father possesses, even the My remarks apply also to the youth gift of his own spirit children. Every of the Church, who will be the parents child is born in complete innocence of tomorrow, for they also should be here on earth. The Lord entrusts these interested in laying the foundation choice spirit children of his to earthly values now for the building of ideal parents, with a hope that through proper Latter-day Saint homes of their own teaching and training they will ever keep after marriage and parenthood—homes them moral, true, and faithful. God where love, harmony, and mutual af- has revealed this truth in our day: fection predominate and the gospel is "Every spirit of man was innocent in both taught and lived. the beginning; and God having re- May I begin by reminding you that deemed man from the fall, men became God extends to earthly parents a choice again, in their infant state, innocent blessing when he sends a spirit son or before God." (D&C 93:38.) daughter of his to dwell in a mortal Our Savior, giving his life on the ELDER DELBE T L. STAPLEY 97 cross, redeemed us from the effects of sin be upon the heads of the parents." the fall; therefore, every soul at birth (Ibid., 68:25.) stands innocent before God. Parents, therefore, have the responsi- In the modern revelations the Lord bility of teaching to the understanding has given important instruction to par- of their children the gospel truths, prin- ents, detailing their responsibility in the ciples, and ordinances, and to prepare upbringing of their children. After them for baptism and the laying on of children come to bless parents with the hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost joy and happiness of possession, the Lord when they attain the age of eight years, has admonished that "Every member of the age of accountability before God; the church of Christ having children is otherwise, the sin is upon the heads of to bring them unto the elders before the the parents. church, who are to lay their hands upon To leave no doubt in the minds of them in the name of Jesus Christ, and parents about their responsibility and bless them in his name." (Ibid., 20:70.) accountability to this instruction, the Here, then, is one of the first duties of Lord continued by saying: parents: to have their children blessed by "For this shall be a law unto the in- the elders of the Church. What a privi- habitants of Zion." The teaching of lege and proper beginning for a child to gospel principles and the preparation of be blessed by the elders of the Church in children to receive the ordinances of the name of Jesus Christ! the gospel is not something parents can Now, God has revealed that "little do only if they want to, because the children are redeemed from the founda- Lord emphatically declared that it "shall tion of the world through mine Only be a law unto the inhabitants of Begotten; Zion. . . . And their children shall be "Wherefore, they cannot sin, for baptized for the remission of their sins power is not given unto Satan to tempt when eight years old, and receive the little children, until they begin to be- laying on of the hands." (Ibid., 68:26- come accountable before me." (Ibid., 27.) 29:46-47.) He did not say that parents could wait Parents, therefore, have these early, until children are nine or ten or older golden years of a child's life in which before baptism, neither does he suggest to teach, train, and mold its character, that parents can permit their children when Satan is not given power to tempt to grow up to maturity and decide for or to mislead it. But there does come themselves whether they should be bap- a time in the lives of children for indi- tized. The Lord said they "shall be vidual responsibility and accountability, baptized . . . when eight years old." a time when they are to act for them- There can be no question about our selves, and receive the gospel and its understanding of this instruction. ordinances and to be baptized for a Because some parents have not at- remission of their sins. tended to this important counsel, many The Lord has declared that, "No one of their children today and the posterity can be received into the church of of these children are out of the Church, Christ unless he has arrived unto the separated from the greatest gift in life, years of accountability before God, and and thus are denied all of the blessings is capable of repentance." (Ibid., 20:71.) which they could otherwise have re- Parents, looking forward to the time of ceived from faithful Church member- individual responsibility of children for ship. their own acts, should carefully heed The revelation continues with this this admonition from the Lord: further admonition to parents: "And again, inasmuch as parents have "And they shall also teach their chil- children in Zion, or in any of her stakes dren to pray, and to walk uprightly be- which are organized, that teach them fore the Lord. not to understand the doctrine of re- "And the inhabitants of Zion shall pentance, faith in Christ the Son of the also observe the Sabbath day to keep living God, and of baptism and the gift it holy." (Ibid., 68:28-29.) of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of The Lord closes this particular in- the hands, when eight years old, the struction to parents, by saying: 98 GENERAL C Sunday, October 9 Third Day

"Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased we have mutual love, respect, admira- with the inhabitants of Zion, . . . and tion, and loyal devotion between par- their children are also growing up in ents? Are we observing the Sabbath day wickedness; they also seek not earnestly to keep it holy? Are we attending to the riches of eternity, but their eyes are our meetings regularly? Are we taking full of greediness. our children to Church rather than "These things," said the Lord, "ought sending them? Are we obeying the not to be, and must be done away from Word of Wisdom? Are we having fam- ." among them. . . (Ibid., 68:31-32.) ily prayer in the home twice daily? Are To prevent these conditions with their we permitting our children to take their penalties, parents who desire to abide turn in family prayer? Are we paying by counsel have no alternative except to an honest tithing? Are we honest and follow religiously the admonition and truthful in our dealings with our fellow instruction the Lord has given them in men? Are we obeying the law of chas- this revelation. He also issued an addi- tity? Are we keeping the commandments tional warning, which admonishes par- of God fully and always setting a proper ents of the obligation they have for the example before our children? Are we spiritual upbringing of their children. responding to ecclesiastical authority In this revelation, the Lord said that and supporting and speaking well of "The glory of God is intelligence, or, those who preside over us? in other words, light and truth. These are just a few of the things that "Light and truth," said the Lord, "for- decide the kind of traditions in our sake that evil one." (Ibid., 93:36-37.) homes and determine whether they are Then he goes on to say that "Every good or bad. Remember that Israel was spirit of man was innocent in the be- so steeped in the false traditions of their ginning; and God having redeemed man fathers that they did not recognize the from the fall, men became again, in Lord Jesus Christ when he came among their infant state, innocent before God." them to set up the kingdom of God on (Ibid., 93:38.) earth. They crucified him for no just And then the warning of the Lord: cause. "And that wicked one cometh and The traditions of our own homes could taketh away light and truth, through blind the eyes and minds of our chil- disobedience, from the children of men, dren against all truth, just principles, and because of the tradition of their and spiritual values, and could cause fathers." (Ibid., 93:39.) them to depart from the right course It is the power of the wicked one or they must follow to earn for them- Satan to deceive and lead children astray selves eternal joy and happiness. after they arrive at the years of ac- Now, after calling attention to the countability, which parents must guard traditions of the fathers, the Lord said against, not only by teaching their chil- to the parents of the Church: dren correct principles, doctrines, and "But I have commanded you to bring life's true values, but also by setting the up your children in light and truth." proper example before them; otherwise, (Ibid., 93:40.) false traditions will be built up in the To bring up children in light and home which children will absorb to truth is to bring them up in an under- their eternal harm. standing and acceptance of the true word As parents we should ask ourselves of God. Do our children understand the this question: What kind of traditions doctrine of repentance, of faith in Christ are we building up in our home for the Son of the Living God, and the im- our children to absorb and accept into portance of baptism, its purpose, signifi- the pattern of their own lives? Like cance, and value to them in their lives? father, like son; like mother, like daugh- Do they understand the need of receiv- ter, is so true. What is good enough for ing the gift of the Holy Ghost and what parents is considered by children to be the powers and functions of the Holy good enough for them. What parents Ghost are, and the blessings which are do gives license for children to do. theirs through possessing this divine Again may I ask, what are the tradi- gift? tions of our Latter-day Saint homes? Do I will close by quoting a warning the ELDER DELBE T L. STAPLEY 99

Lord gave to Frederick G. Williams, conference will be adjourned until 2:00 Second Counselor to the Prophet Joseph o'clock this afternoon. Smith: Brothers and sisters, in bringing to a ". . . You have continued under this conclusion this sixth session of the 130th condemnation; Semi-annual Conference, we express our "You have not taught your children sincere appreciation to the owners and light and truth, according to the com- managers of the many television and mandments; and that wicked one hath radio stations that have offered their power, as yet, over you, and this is the facilities to us. We are grateful for this cause of your affliction. wonderful public service. Thirty-two "And now a commandment I give cities in the West are carrying the pro- unto you—if you will be delivered you ceedings of this Conference through radio shall set in order your own house, for and television. According to a survey there are many things that are not that has been made, it is estimated that right in your house." (Ibid., 93:41-43.) well over a million people are listening The Lord gave similar counsel and in this morning. admonition at this same time to other We are grateful for the attendance of of the brethren, after which he applied all here present in the Tabernacle and the warning to all of us saying: by in the Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall "What I say unto one I say unto all; and in other gatherings where this Con- pray always lest that wicked one have ference is seen and heard. power in you, and remove you out of have a message this morning from your place." (Ibid., 93:49.) We President Asael T. Sorensen and his I earnestly pray, my brothers and wife down in Brazil: "At the close of sisters, that we will not permit the things our first year in this new mission we now of the world to lure us away into com- have 102 full time missionaries, 34 part placency and peaceful contentment and time missionaries, and more than 1800 cause us to fail in these important ob- members. The work is progressing rapid- ligations imposed upon us by the Lord ly, even though the Adversary is hard in the teaching, training, and proper at work on every hand." They send upbringing of our children in the gospel kindly personal regards. You under- of Christ, which failure would cause stand that in South Brazil a new mis- us to be removed out of our place and sion was just recently formed. our children to be denied those blessings which they are entitled to receive from We are pleased to note the presence us, their parents, to enrich their lives here this morning, also, of Dr. and Mrs. here and hereafter. J. Mueller Stalinbausch of South Africa. God bless us to recognize the responsi- He is editor, author, lecturer, and min- bility and obligation we have to our ister of the Dutch Reformed Church, children. God bless us to understand National Chairman of Students of the gospel and to be able to teach it so Christ and Association of South Africa. that our children will understand and We desire to acknowledge the pres- learn to love and desire to obey the ence this morning of the following na- commandments that the Lord has given tional, state and local authorities, sev- for their guidance and their blessing. eral of whom we have noted throughout This I humbly pray, in the name of the entire proceeding of this Conference: Jesus Christ. Amen. The Honorable Wallace F. Bennett, United States Senator; The Honorable President David O. McKay: Frank E. Moss, United States Senator; The Honorable David S. King, U. S. Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Coun- House of Representatives; The Honor- cil of the Twelve has just concluded able H. Aldous Dixon, U. S. House of speaking. The closing song by the Tab- Representatives; The Honorable George ernacle Choir will be "Still, Still With Dewey Clyde, Governor of our State; Thee," conducted by Elder Richard P. in the educational institutions: Dr. Condie. The benediction will be offered Ernest L. Wilkinson of the Brigham by Elder J. Golden Snow, president of Young University; Dr. A. Ray Olpin, the Taylor Stake, following which this president of the University of Utah—we 100 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 9 Third Day wish you had heard your singers yester- to all your members our appreciation of day, they were beautiful, thank them this. for us again; Dr. Daryl Chase, president I have mentioned already our meeting of the Utah State University; Dr. Arthur last evening at which members of the Bruhn, of Dixie College; Dr. M. Lynn Priesthood were assembled in closed Bennion, Superintendent of Salt Lake circuits throughout the United States, Schools; Dr. William P. Miller, presi- Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand, dent of Weber College; Dr. John L. nearly 50,000 men of the Priesthood Clarke, who is president of Ricks Col- gathered in that Priesthood Meeting. lege; Dr. Floyd Holm, Director of Snow The Choir will now sing, "Still, Still

College; Dr. Royden C. Braithwaite, With Thee," and President J. Golden president of College of Southern Utah; Snow of the Taylor Stake will offer the Dr. Howard McDonald, president of benediction and this Conference will be Los Angeles State College; Dr. John T. adjourned until two o'clock this after- Wahlquist, president of the San Jose noon. State College; and others probably whom we have failed to recognize, but whom Singing by the Choir, "Still, Still we welcome with all our hearts. With Thee." We recognize, too, and are pleased with the presence of our stake presi- President David O. McKay: dencies, bishoprics, temple presidencies, Members of the Twelve and the As- our mission presidents who have been sistants to the Twelve will please meet in session all week, and our general the First Presidency at 4:30 this after- auxiliary officers. noon in the upper room of the Temple. all we extend a cordial welcome. To I mention it now so that you will make It is glorious to meet with you and have arrangements during the noon hour if you partake of the spirit of this great necessary. Conference, and to let us partake of President J. Golden Snow, president spirit feel your support. your and of the Taylor Stake, will now offer the We hoped to mention while we were benediction. on television to the Coast, that these antheriums which you see arranged on The benediction was pronounced by the rostrum were sent from Hawaii with Elder J. Golden Snow, president of the the affectionate greetings of the mem- Taylor Stake. bers of the Church in the Honolulu Conference adjourned until 2 o'clock Stake. President Quealy, please express p.m.

THIRD DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

The concluding session of the Confer- President David O. McKay: ence was held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Octo- ber 9, 1960 in the great Salt Lake Mentioning those whose attendance Tabernacle, with President David O. we appreciate at this Conference, among McKay presiding and conducting the the educational circles, we omitted Dr. services of the meeting. Clifton B. Boyack who is head of the The singing for this session of the Church College of New Zealand. We Conference was furnished by the Salt are glad he has been in attendance. Lake Tabernacle Choir, Richard P. Members of the Church are con- Condie, Director. Alexander Schreiner vened in the Tabernacle on Temple was at the organ. Square in Salt Lake City in this con- Introductory remarks by President cluding session of the 130th Semi-Annual McKay: Conference of the Church. The Tab- ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 101

ernacle is crowded. Those who are Stars," Jay Welch, Assistant Tabernacle standing will find that overflow services Choir director, conducting. are being held in the Assembly Hall The opening prayer was offered by and Barratt Hall. The names of the Elder Grant M. Burbidge, president of stations over which these services are the Pioneer Stake. broadcast have already been announced to the listeners. President David O. McKay: The music for this session will be rendered by the Tabernacle Choir, with The invocation was just offered by Richard P. Condie conducting and President Grant M. Burbidge of the Alexander Schreiner at the organ. We Pioneer Stake. The Tabernacle Choir shall begin these services by the Taber- will now sing, "Psalm 148," conducted nacle Choir singing, "Seek Him That by Richard P. Condie. After the sing- Maketh the Seven Stars." Brother Jay ing, Elder Ezra Taft Benson will speak Welch, assistant conductor, will direct to us. that song. The invocation will be offered by The Choir sang, "Psalm 148." President Grant M. Burbidge of the Pio- neer Stake. President David O. McKay: "Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars," will now be sung by the Choir. Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Coun- cil of the Twelve, will be our first An anthem was sung by the Choir, speaker this afternoon. He will be "Seek Him That Maketh The Seven followed by Elder Antoine R. Ivins.

ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

In keeping with the spirit of that master- before by a total and atheistic philosophy ful opening address by President McKay, of life known as communism. I desire to discuss a matter that has con- In April, I called your attention briefly cerned me deeply for several months. to the nature of communism. Let us Trusting the Lord will approve, I take as remember these basic facts. my text these sober words of warning Those who subscribe to this philoso- from an ancient American prophet: phy stop at nothing to achieve their ends. "And others will he pacify, and lull They do not hesitate to destroy—if they them away into carnal security, that they are strong enough—whatever stands in will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion their way. Our own generation has wit- prospereth, all is well—and thus the nessed the Russian communists liquidate devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth millions of their fellow countrymen. them away carefully down to hell. Even more recently we have seen the "Therefore, wo be unto him that is at Chinese communists wipe out millions

ease in Zion I of their fellow countrymen—no one "Wo be unto him that crieth: All is knows the exact number. well!" (2 Nephi 28:21, 24-25.) To the true communist, nothing is evil We must not be deceived—all is not if it is expedient. Being without con- well. science or honor, he feels completely We live today in an age of peril. It is justified in using whatever means are an age in which we are threatened with necessary to achieve his goal: force, the loss not only of wealth and material trickery, lies, broken promises, mayhem, prosperity, but also of something far and individual and mass murder. more precious—our freedom itself. The By these ruthless means communism very thing that distinguishes man from has, in a little over forty years, brought the beasts—man's freedom to act: free- more people under its domination than dom to choose—is threatened as never the total number of Christians now liv- 102 GENERAL C Sunday, October 9 Third Day ing in the entire world—and Christian- war, not just a struggle for the control ity, as the world thinks of it, has been of land, sea, air, and even outer space, in existence for nearly two thousand but total competition for the control of years. men's minds. Unless we meet it and de- And what has been the result? feat it, we shall almost inevitably one First, in the economic area, men and day face the loss of all that we hold dear. women have been stripped of their prop- In less than half a century, I repeat, erty, their savings confiscated, their farms this evil system has gained control over taken from them, their businesses seized one-third of mankind, and it is steadily by the state. They work where they are pursuing its vicious goal of control over commanded to work and for such wages all the rest of the world. It is time, and as the state chooses to provide. They past time, for us to be alarmed. "Wo be cannot quit, take another job, or rebel in unto him that is at ease. Wo be unto him any tangible way. are the " They puppets that crieth 'all is well.' (2 Nephi 28:24- of the all-powerful state. 25.) Second, in the intellectual area, they Latin America does not believe that are forbidden to listen to radio broad- suppression is the road to freedom. casts not approved by the state. They Less than fifteen years ago commu- have little or no access to free world nism was not a powerful force in Latin books, magazines, and newspapers. They America. Today, it is not only strongly have no voice in the education of their present there as an enemy to be reckoned children in the schools. They and their with, it is openly allied with a govern- children are cast in a communist mold. ment located on an island only about To write or speak against the state is to ninety miles south of Key West, Florida. ask for exile, imprisonment, or possibly The only political party now function- even death. ing in Cuba is the Popular Socialist Par- Third, in the area of morals, faith in ty, the Communist Party under another moral principle is ruthlessly ridiculed name. and stripped of dignity. The belief that Cuba is being used as a funnel through man has certain inalienable rights, so which communists are infiltrating other endowed by his Creator, is categorically American republics. denied. Atheistic communist leaders, True to communist and dictator tradi- scoffers at God himself, are striving to tion, the Cuban government has de- blot the Almighty out of the minds of prived its people of the rights of a free one-third of the world's people. press, free elections, and the protection To do all this, they rule with iron of other fundamental human rights. fists. They seek to hammer into obliv- And last August, even as the Organiza- ion all who would oppose them. Indeed tion of American States met in San Jose, it is true as the poet said: Costa Rica, Fidel Castro was shouting defiantly: "We shall be friends of the "Man's inhumanity to man Soviet Union and the People's Republic countless Makes thousands mourn." of China." (Robert Burns, Man to Was Made How did this situation come about? Mourn, Stanza 7.) How has it been possible for this com- Let us have no illusions about them. pletely warped philosophy in such a Their leader has told us bluntly—their short time to reach its present position of purpose is not alone to enslave us—they influence in the world? How is it possible want to bury us. for communism to be here and now And while it is apparently true that moving into Africa, pressing upon all of Chairman Khrushchev is content for the Asia, threatening the Middle East and time being at least to avoid war as a increasingly becoming a danger in the means of communist expansion, there is western hemisphere? little doubt that the leaders of Red China There are, of course, many reasons. view war as inevitable and await only Some nations have failed to provide for the propitious moment in which to the advancement and desperate physical strike. needs of their people. Others have failed What we face today is not just a cold to recognize the worth of the individual. —

ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 103

But is it not perhaps true that the biggest necessity of courage, of sacrifice, of vigi- reason of all is the failure of western lance, of devotion to the cause of free- civilization to live up to its Christian dom. ideals? We must revivify Western ideals and Is it perhaps true that, as Dr. Charles in particular the ideals of our own great Malik, the great Lebanese leader and nation. We must call back the spirit of former President of the United Nations the dauntless leaders of the past. We General Assembly, has said, must meet our present-day challenge not "The deepest crisis of the West is the with softness and complacency, but with crisis of faith. . . . Western civilization is the depth, wisdom, and daring that char- doomed until, jolted out of its compla- acterized America in the days of old. cency, self-satisfaction and sense of We have a rich history to guide us. apartness, it rediscovers and reaffirms Think back with me a moment to the what is genuinely human and universal year 1823. In that year James Monroe in its own soul"? of Virginia was President. John Quincy Let us examine our own lives and the Adams of Massachusetts was Secretary life of our own beloved land. of State. These two men formed and How richly we the people of the announced a policy which has pro- United States have been blessed! foundly influenced the development of Truly ours is a choice land—a land of our entire hemisphere. great favors and opportunities. Yet is Here was the situation that called it not true that these very blessings forth this policy—known as the Monroe could prove to be our undoing unless Doctrine—in 1823. our perspective is right and our idealism Several of what are now the Latin more concerned with eternal standards American Republics had by force of and values than with material gain and arms newly won their independence worldly honors? from Spain and Portugal. Among them How does our nation stand? were Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and Are not many of us materialistic? Do Brazil. we not find it well-nigh impossible to Meantime, a number of the sovereigns raise our sights above the dollar sign? of Europe were seeking to enforce the Are not many of us pragmatists—liv- "divine right of kings" with the express ing not by principle but by what we can purpose of putting "an end to the sys- get away with? tem of representative government." Are not many of us status-seekers France, accordingly, had proceeded to measuring the worth of a man by the restore the rule of Ferdinand VII in size of his bank account, his house, his Spain. Now these countries proposed to automobile? overthrow the new and independent gov- Are we not complacent, given to self- ernments in Latin America. satisfaction and self-congratulation — This our government refused to per- willing to co-exist with evil ... so long mit. It said so plainly in the celebrated as it does not touch us personally? Monroe Doctrine. The heart of the If the answer to these questions is, Monroe Doctrine consisted of these ". "yes"—and who can honestly give a dif- words: . . the American continents, by ferent answer?—then surely these are the free and independent condition among the many reasons why this is which they have assumed and main- truly an era of peril. tained, are henceforth not to be consid- Many of us have a tendency to forget ered as subjects for future colonization the Gracious Hand which has preserved by any European power." spell our nation, enriched it, strengthened it. And the doctrine went on to out Many of us imagine in the foolishness clearly just what was meant. of pride, that our manifold blessings are "The political system of the allied due not to God's goodness, but to our powers is essentially different . . . from own wisdom and virtue. Too many of that of America. . . . We owe it, there- us have been so drunk with self-suffi- fore, to candor, and to the amicable re- ciency as no longer to feel the need of lations existing between the United prayer. Too many have forgotten the States and those powers, to declare that 104 GENERAL C Sunday, October 9 Third Day we should consider any attempt on their President Eisenhower said as much in part to extend their system to any por- his reply to the tirade of Chairman tion of this hemisphere as dangerous to Khrushchev last summer. But it is not our peace and safety." enough to say this once, nor is it enough Now there is a statement which might for the President alone to say it. It well be engraved in all the capitals of should be repeated again and again and all the countries in this hemisphere to- again, and it should be supported by all day. Every word in it is as applicable true Americans speaking as with one today as it was one hundred thirty-seven voice. years ago. Moreover, the Monroe Doctrine went Surely if it were true a century and on: "Nor can anyone believe that our a half ago that European monarchy was southern brethren if left to themselves, essentially different from our American would adopt it [this system] of their own system of representative government, it accord." Here again the words of the is even more true today that the com- Monroe Doctrine ring true.

munist system is totally different, totally It is almost unthinkable that any incompatible, totally inimical to our free people would knowingly and wilfully way of life. take on themselves the yoke of commu- The ancient American Prophet Moroni nist oppression. No people, no nation, saw our day. Who can doubt that he had has ever done so yet. If large masses of in mind the evils of godless communism the Cuban people have done so, it is be- when he gave this solemn warning: cause they have been duped or coerced. "Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wis- This Monroe Doctrine has been the dom in God that these things should be continuing policy of our nation for al- shown unto you, that thereby ye may re- most a century and a half. pent of your sins, and suffer not that It has been reaffirmed by many Ameri- these murderous combinations shall get can Presidents. above you, which are built up to get We are on solid, traditional American power and gain and the work, yea, — even ground in demanding that the commu- the work of destruction come you, upon nists should not attempt to extend their yea, even the sword of the justice of the political system to this side of the At- Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your lantic Ocean. overthrow and destruction if ye shall In recent years the principles of the suffer these things to be. Monroe Doctrine have been strengthened "Wherefore, the Lord commandeth by various joint agreements among the you, when ye shall see these things come American nations. among you that ye shall awake to a In 1947, nineteen American nations sense of your awful situation, because met in conference in Rio de Janeiro, and of this secret combination which shall on September 2 of that year signed the be among you; or wo be unto it, because treaty of Rio de Janeiro in which they of the blood of them who have been promised to help one another in case of slain; for they cry from the dust for aggression. vengeance it, also upon and upon those On March 1, 1954, the tenth Inter- who built it up. American Conference opened in Caracas, "For it cometh to pass that whoso Venezuela. When we read now, six buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the years later, the running account of that freedom of all lands, nations, and coun- conference, it is almost as though we tries; and it bringeth to pass the destruc- were scanning a preview of history. On tion of all people, for it is built up by March 4, for example, our late great the devil, who is the father of all lies." Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, (Ether 8:23-25.) urged the American states to stop the We are eminently justified in declar- communists now. ing that we should consider any attempt On March 6, the United States on the part of the communists to extend presented a draft resolution condemning their system to any part of this hemis- communism as foreign intervention and phere as dangerous to our peace and calling for joint action against it when safety. needed. —

ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 105

On March 13, 1954, the conference ther expansion of communism into the adopted by a vote of 17 to 1 the anti- free world. communist resolution that had been We can tell our government that we presented by the United States. Guate- are willing to sacrifice our luxuries in mala dissented, and Mexico and Argen- exchange for an impregnable defense. tina abstained. We can support our government in Referring to the Caracas conference, keeping the flame of freedom burning in President Eisenhower said, "In this the souls of the oppressed—wherever hemisphere we have stressed our solid they may be throughout the world. understanding with our American neigh- But, above all, we can face up to the bors. . . . The American republics agreed decay in our own civilization. that if international communism were The communists bring to the nations to gain control of the political institu- they infiltrate a message and a philos- tion of any American state, this control ophy that affects human life in its en- would endanger them all and therefore tirety. Communism seeks to provide, would demand collective action." what in too many instances a lukewarm Very shortly after the close of the Car- Christianity has not provided, a total acas conference such a communist threat interpretation of life. Communists are arose in Guatemala. The pro-communist willing to be revolutionary; to take a government of Guatemala, aided by stand for this and against that. They shipments of arms from behind the Iron challenge what they do not believe in Curtain, had moved very rapidly to the customs, practices, ideas, traditions. They left. The Organization of American believe heatedly in their philosophy. States had already convoked a meeting But our civilization and our people of foreign ministers under the Rio are seemingly afraid to be revolutionary. Treaty to consider the serious situation We are too "broadminded" to challenge which had developed, when the Guate- what we do not believe in. We are malans themselves rose up and removed afraid of being thought intolerant, un- the threat. The meeting never convened. couth, ungentlemanly. We have become Fighting broke out in Guatemala, and lukewarm in our beliefs. And for that the communist government was over- we perhaps merit the bitter condemna- thrown. tion stated in Revelation 3:16: "So then All this was before the coming to pow- because thou art lukewarm, and neither er of the present leadership in Cuba. cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of Now the Western Hemisphere faces a my mouth." new danger—a new threat. This is a sad commentary on a civiliza- Our government is alert to the situa- tion which has given to mankind the tion. The Organization of American greatest achievements and progress ever States has condemned Russian-Chinese known. But it is an even sadder com- interference in American affairs. These mentary on those of us who call our- are first steps. selves Christians, who thus betray the But we must do more. As a nation we ideals given to us by the Son of God must cease to take Latin American se- himself. curity for granted. We must lead this Let us awaken to our responsibilities hemisphere in stimulating and co-operat- and to our opportunities. Again I quote ing in a program of Latin American eco- Dr. Malik: nomic development. "The civilization which has been But even this is not enough. You and blessed and transformed by Christ, needs I and all true Americans must play our only a mighty hand to shake it out of part, too. its slumber. And, once shaken, once What can you and I do? What can really awakened to the world responsi- we do to help meet this grave challenge bilities which it and it alone can shoul- from a godless, atheistic, cruelly mate- der, there is nothing it cannot dare and rialistic system—to preserve our God- do." given free way of life? Do we believe that? Then let us live We can encourage our government to up to that faith! For in that faith—and stand firm at all costs against any fur- through that faith—we can rise trium- 106 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 9 Third Day phant over the menace of atheistic com- God bless the land of Zion, North and munism. We can and we must! South America, and all the world, I pray In this dark hour, the fate of the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. seems to rest largely in our hands. We who live in this choice land, in fact all President David O. McKay: of the land of Zion, have the opportu- nity, the responsibility, and the solemn We have just listened to Elder Ezra obligation to stand firm for freedom and Taft Benson of the Council of the justice and morality—the dignity and Twelve, also Secretary of Agriculture in brotherhood of man as a child of God. the Cabinet of the United States. We ". . . wo be unto him that is at ease shall now hear from Elder Antoine R. in Zion! Ivins of the First Council of Seventy. 'Wo be unto him that crieth: All is He will be followed by Elder Howard well!" (2 Nephi 28:24-25.) W. Hunter.

ELDER ANTOINE R. IVINS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

My brothers and sisters, I had given up our own hearts and the hearts of our the expectancy of having this privilege children this testimony to the degree of bearing my testimony to you this that it will impel them to live true to afternoon, and I haven't the courage to the principles of the gospel, to the cove- take time to make an extended speech nants that they have made in the waters or any extensive remarks. I trust that of baptism and in the temples of God, the Spirit of God may help me to bear and to the promises that are implied, a true testimony to the truth of the if not actually made, when one receives gospel, and when I say testimony, which the priesthood, that the Church will seems to be the spirit of this conference, never be in danger. I mean that I testify that Jesus Christ is The power of the Church is in the the Son of God; that he and the Father administration of the priesthood offices, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith; of course, and in the faith that the that through the visitation of heavenly people have. I believe that testimony beings and the inspiration that came comes from faith and prayer and right- from God, a real and true interpretation eous living, and that the best way to of the plan of life and salvation was re- get it is to live true to the teachings of turned to the earth; that through heav- the gospel, to pray about it, and to exer- enly beings there came back to the earth cise our faith to that end. And then I the priesthood which authorized men to believe further that if we can get that perform the functions that are essential testimony truly in our hearts, that all to the exaltation of people in the king- men who accept ordination into the dom of God; and that to regulate the Melchizedek Priesthood or the Aaronic use of that priesthood the Church was Priesthood for that matter, will exert set up according to the will of God and every possible power within them to the pattern which Jesus Christ gave us magnify that calling. There is not the when he ministered in the earth. least doubt in my mind that any man That I honestly and sincerely believe who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, to be true, and I feel that the fact of its who lives to magnify that calling, should truth has been revealed to me by the never yield to any of the temptations of Spirit of God. The spirit of this con- his satanic majesty. ference has been testimony. Christ told I feel that whenever men give way to Peter that upon the revealed testimony those temptations, it is an indication of that He is the Son of God, he had built really either a weak testimony or a lack his Church, and the gates of hell could of testimony of these wonderful things. not prevail against it. We who hold the priesthood have the I honestly believe, brethren and sis- problem of planting that testimony in ters, that if we can properly instil into the hearts of others. We do it by the ELDER HOWARD W. HUNTER 107 way we live and by what we teach. that Brother Romney read to you, that I heard a testimony just a week ago he who receives these callings in the from a very fine man who has recently priesthood and magnifies them fully can come into the Church. He was first eventually attain to the powers of God. impressed by the life of certain mem- That is the incentive, brothers and sis- bers of the Church whom he met. He ters. When we go to these people, we became interested and investigated. He must go in love and kindness, helpful had a son fourteen years of age who as we can in the hope that they will likewise was interested in the mission- listen to us. aries and attended their meetings in the I pray that God will bless us that branch. The son came home one day we may understand individually our and to the utter surprise of his father own problems, understand that the said, "Father, I have a testimony," and privileges of membership in the Church this man said, "Now in our church of Jesus Christ are individual privileges, nobody ever testifies." and that no man should let the conduct It is in Christianity a forgotten art of another man prevent his using these practically, but with us it is the most privileges to his own exaltation. If essential thing of our whole program, people who come into the Church could brothers and sisters, that we should gain come understanding that it is an indi- that testimony; that we should live true vidual problem pure and simple with to it, and that when we accept re- them, then these other things that they sponsibility in the priesthood we should observe at times would have no effect magnify it. upon their lives. Now we who keep records know that Brethren and sisters, we have the there is a large percentage of men who problem not only of our own people, have been ordained to the Melchizedek but also of assimilating and absorbing Priesthood who are not magnifying their and helping the many people who are callings. We have a program, brothers being baptized into the Church. May and sisters, that we have been advocating God help us to do all these things, I for sometime, to which reference was pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our made today, to try to interest those Redeemer. Amen. people and bring them to pray and study that they may come to understand these President David O. McKay: things and then go forth to reclaim their privileges as members of the Mel- Elder Antoine R. Ivins of the First chizedek Priesthood. Council of Seventy has just spoken to us. Of course there is plenty of incentive We will now hear Elder Howard W. for it. To those of you who were here Hunter of the Council of the Twelve. last night I recommend again the pas- He will be followed by Elder Alma sages in the Doctrine and Covenants Sonne.

ELDER HOWARD W. HUNTER

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

In the nineteenth chapter of John we Joseph of Arimathea was a man of read the story of an influential man who wealth and station in Jerusalem. We was secretly a disciple of Christ, but can assume that he had a wide acquaint- because of fear, was not openly a dis- ance and was a man of influence. He ciple. Those who declared themselves was a member of the Sanhedrin, the as followers of Christ were not popular assembly of seventy-one men constitut- in Jerusalem during this period of con- ing the supreme council of the aris- troversy. Joseph of Arimathea was se- tocracy which administered the Jewish cretly a disciple, but his fear of what law. It was because of his membership others might think or do prevented him in this tribunal that he was referred from declaring his allegiance until after to as "counsellor." Mark refers to him the crucifixion of the Master. as "... an honourable counsellor, which 108 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 9 Third Day ." also waited for the kingdom of God, . . I have sympathy for young men and (Mark 15:43.) He waited in the back- young women when honest doubts enter ground, doing nothing to support or their minds and they engage in the great sustain the Master. No doubt he had conflict of resolving doubts. These heard Jesus and listened to his teachings, doubts can be resolved, if they have an for we are told that he was a secret honest desire to know the truth, by disciple of the Savior. exercising moral, spiritual, and mental When the council was called into effort. They will emerge from the con- session early in the morning, following flict into a firmer, stronger, larger faith the Last Supper and the betrayal, Joseph because of the struggle. They have gone either absented himself from the council from a simple, trusting faith, through or refused to vote. He took no part in the doubt and conflict, into a solid substan- proceedings, hoping no doubt to save tial faith which ripens into testimony. his own conscience. He would not lift The Bible is replete with such examples. a finger to condemn the Savior, nor We think of Abraham in the Old Testa- would he defend him openly. ment and Thomas in Christ's time. There are many like Joseph of Ari- Now to return to Joseph of Arima- mathea, who do not declare loyalty to thea, the record does not indicate to us the Lord Jesus Christ, but merely "wait that he doubted as did Thomas. We for the kingdom." Like Joseph they are are told he was "... a disciple of Jesus, ." secret followers of Jesus and halfhearted, but secretly for fear. . . (John 19:38.) lukewarm Christians. Secret disciples of He believed secretly because he was Christ are almost in the same category afraid of public opinion. Among our as those who are antagonistic. They are own people, in our communities, in our much the same as persons among us nation and throughout the world, there today who have only a halfhearted in- are secret followers of Jesus and half- terest in our great democratic way of hearted Christians—onlookers who have life and are as dangerous to the future a noncommittal attitude. Why is it that freedom of the world as those who are so many will not commit themselves? openly avowed to destroy democracy. Joseph of Arimathea was only a secret We would have greater respect for disciple because of what others would Joseph, if he had taken a strong position think of him. He would not risk his in the council and defended Jesus. We social position nor the respect of his as- cannot assume that this would have sociates. It is fear that causes men to changed the judgment or saved him be noncommittal. They are afraid to from the cross, because he stated at the declare their loyalty and assume active supper that he would shortly leave them. responsibility. The easy way is to let Nevertheless, we have respect for one someone else be the leader and assume who stands upon moral convictions and the responsibility. The world needs men upholds the right. who are willing to step forward and de- We have more respect for one who clare themselves. The world needs men honestly doubts than for one who fears who will lift the load of responsibility to declare loyalty. Thomas doubted. He to their shoulders and carry it high un- traveled the path from faith through the der the banner of Jesus Christ—men valley of doubt to new heights of faith. who are willing to defend the right This is the course that many follow in openly. I am always impressed by the life. As children we accepted as fact missionaries of this Church. They are the things which were told to us by our willing to accept the call to serve two parents or our teachers because of the years or more at their own expense and confidence that we had in them. A give freely of their time without mone- little boy will jump from a high place tary compensation, to cry repentance without fear if his father tells him that and declare that Jesus is the Christ. he will catch him. The little fellow has This is the type of devotion to principle faith that his father will not let him that is needed in the world today. fall. As children grow older, they com- How can men of conscience ignore the mence to think for themselves, to ques- teachings of the Master in their daily tion and have doubts about those things affairs, in business, or in government? which are not subject to tangible proof. We stand by and wink at many things ELDER ALMA SONNE 109

because we fear to do anything about body, he wrapped it in a clean linen them. We may be against crime or com- cloth, munism, but what do we do about it? "And laid it in his own new tomb, We may be against corruption in govern- which he had hewn out in the rock: ment or against juvenile delinquency, and he rolled a great stone to the door but what do we do about it? We may of the sepulchre, and departed." (Matt. have a belief in the gospel of Jesus 27:58-60.) Christ, but what are we doing about it? I wonder if there was not a tear in We need to push fear into the back- Joseph's eye as he placed the body of ground and come forward with a defi- Jesus in the tomb. Surely he thought of nite, positive declaration, and assume the events which had taken place earlier responsibility. on that day, when as a member of the The pathway to exaltation is well de- Council he had failed to come to the fined. We are told to have faith—faith defense of the Master. Should we not in the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of search our own souls and inquire of those things which are not according to ourselves if we are loyal? Are we, too, his teachings. After this change of men- only secret disciples of Christ? tal attitude, and with firm resolution, This same Jesus who died on the cross we must declare ourselves by going into and whose body was placed in the tomb the waters of baptism, thereby making came forth on the third day thereafter. a covenant with the Lord to keep his He was resurrected and lives today—the commandments. Can we thereafter be Savior of the world. a secret disciple? Can we stand on the This is my witness. He stands before sidelines and merely observe? This is a us with arms outstretched to our vision, day for action. This is the time for de- and those same words spoken to the cision, not tomorrow, not next week. disciples in Jerusalem should ring in our This is the time to make our covenant ears: with the Lord. Now is the time for "If any man will come after me, let those who have been noncommittal or him deny himself, and take up his cross, who have had a halfhearted interest to and follow me. come out boldly and declare belief in "For whosoever will save his life shall Christ and be willing to demonstrate lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for faith by works. my sake shall find it." (Ibid., 16:24-25.) We acquire more regard for Joseph of May we be his disciples openly, fear- Arimathea as we continue to read Al- lessly, and with devotion, I humbly pray though he was "a disciple of Jesus, but in his name. Amen. ." secretly for fear . . and although he was one who "waited for the kingdom President David O. McKay: of God," yet he was finally moved to action. The account continues: He to whom you have just listened, "He went to Pilate, and begged the is Elder Howard W. Hunter of the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded Council of the Twelve. Elder Alma the body to be delivered. Sonne, Assistant to the Twelve, will be "And when Joseph had taken the our next speaker. ELDER ALMA SONNE

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brethren and sisters, I believe I lay upon the altar any worldly posses- speak for the Assistants to the Quorum sions they have in order to serve the of the Twelve when I express my good- Lord in spirit and in truth. will and my good feelings towards the I believe in the future of the Church. three men who have been called to I believe it has a great destiny. I believe associate with us in our work. I know in its moral standards. I believe its pro- these men personally. I know they are gram is effective and the Church will good men. I know they are capable, grow and develop as the missionary ef- and I know, too, their willingness to fort increases in the world. I believe 110 GENERAL C Sunday, October 9 Third Day

faith in God is the very foundation of others who stood valiantly by his side right living, and I believe in the mis- during the exodus and the colonization sionary system of the Church, which has effort, also had passed on. Mormonism proved so successful in recent years, and could not survive, at least that was the I believe the work will continue to go verdict of those who did not and could forward. not understand. There was no leader, I also believe that many of the old they claimed, to take his place. They barriers and obstacles are crumbling and saw the disruption and disorganization giving way, and that we have a better of the Church, and many would repudi- opportunity than we have ever had to ate their allegiance and follow a divided proclaim the gospel truths. I believe leadership. there are people in the world who are The enemies predicted the same thing very anxious to hear the gospel message when the Prophet Joseph and his broth- as it is proclaimed by humble men and er were murdered. The women sent out from the headquarters great enterprise launched by them, they of the Church to bear their testimonies. thought, would burst like a bubble, but I want to read a word from President God will always have in reserve some- Brigham Young. He said: one to take the place of him who is "The Lord will never suffer this people gone. Brethren and sisters, God's work to dwindle down, and be hid up in a will triumph in the earth.

corner; it cannot be; neither does he Speaking of pioneer days, I should want any person to help them but him- like to read a statement from the journal self." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. of Brother Richard Ballantyne, the or- 676.) ganizer of the first Sunday School in the In other words, God is directing his Rocky Mountains. Brother Ballantyne work. It is not man-made, neither is it wrote this just five years before his death. the creation of a human mind. The Speaking of pioneering days, he said: pioneer prophet Brigham Young was "But those times are now past, and I race to face with a gigantic task when believe never to return. A brighter day he undertook to colonize the West and is now awaiting, but it will have its to keep alive the missionary movement. dangers. It was not an easy thing to set up a "As wealth flows into the hands of the commonwealth and to transform a des- Church, and with its learning and re- ert into cities, towns, and villages, and finement, pride is apt to enter the hearts to provide homes, schools, and churches. of the children of Zion, as it entered It required more than ordinary skill to into the hearts of the Nephites. build up faith and hope and to develop "God has signified by his servant that a solid citizenship out of a people who the day to favor Zion has come. The came from many parts of the world. powers of the heavens are to be exerted Brigham Young could not have done in a way they never were before. The it without God's help. He knew this, time for the uplifting of Zion has come. and never once did he claim the credit Kings and rulers will favor her. Her for this achievement. When he died in beauty and righteousness are beginning 1877, his enemies saw the end of Mor- to appear in the world. She will not be monism. There was no one, they argued, looked upon as she has been in the past. to take his place. He had presided over The shadows are passing away, and the the Church for thirty years. Those who light is breaking in upon us." had stood by him in the early emergen- I bear my testimony that God's work cies and difficulties had passed on. will stand, that Joseph Smith was his had died in 1854. divine Prophet appointed to usher in Heber C. Kimball, the great prophet, the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. and a stalwart, who had stood by his I bear testimony that his successors in side in all the days of colonization and the high office were all men of God, settlement, had died in 1868. Parley P. and that they were full of faith and Pratt had met an untimely death in prophecy. I bear testimony that the 1857. George A. Smith, who was re- authority of the Holy Priesthood is garded as a great leader of courage and operating in the Church as it has al- wisdom, had died in 1875. And many ways done and that it will continue to —

ELDER RICHARD L. EVANS 111 do so until every knee shall bend and Choir and Congregation will now sing, every tongue confess that Jesus is the "Redeemer of Israel." Brother Jay Christ, the Savior of the world, and that Welch, Assistant Conductor, will guide the Latter-day Saints comprise his us. After the singing, Elder Richard L. Church and kingdom about which the Evans will speak to us. ancient prophets spoke; and that the Church will continue to grow and ex- tend itself, even beyond our imagina- The Tabernacle Choir and the congre- tions, for it will surely reach to the gation joined in singing the hymn, "Re- uttermost parts of the earth. deemer of Israel," Elder Jay Welch, I pray that his Spirit may continue Assistant Tabernacle Choir Director, with us, and that we may serve him conducting. always with a singleness of purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President David O. McKay: President David O. McKay: Elder Richard L. Evans will now ad- Elder Alma Sonne, Assistant to the dress us. He will be followed by Elder Twelve, has just addressed us. The John Longden.

ELDER RICHARD L. EVANS

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

At this point of the conference many a kind of tongue-in-cheek British will understand why I remember a economist lecturing here some months sentence recently read—a sentence which ago—and may be still in the United said that you can always use more States—who propounded what he called words to say what has already been said. "Parkinson's Second Law," as I recall, I shall try not to make the words too which said that "expenditures always many, but should like to tie back to rise to meet income." We have dis- two or three points of the conference, covered this to be true. ". first, to President McKay's opening ad- The Lord God has said to us . . all dress, of the love of God and the love things unto me are spiritual, and not of man, and of the peace that can come at any time have I given unto you a law ." only through righteousness and the keep- which was temporal; . . (D&C 29:34.) ing of the commandments. I would plead with all of us, as the work Secondly, from the reports given from moves forward gloriously, that we should this pulpit and others that have come in not hinder it by withholding our service connection with the conference it is very or our substance. evident that the Church in the stakes Now, third, I should like to tie back and in the missions is on the move, to what I consider a most remarkable worldwide. Now it takes service, and it meeting last evening, which I wish takes means to keep things on the move. everyone had heard, as President McKay I have read somewhere that service is and Brother Moyle and Brother Romney the rent we pay for the space we occupy and Brother Petersen spoke. I should on earth. Not only the service, but the like to make a plea in keeping with means are necessary. Nothing does it- some of what was there said to the youth, self. Someone has to do everything that and to all of us, that we do not suc- is done. cumb to uncertainty. There are prob- As to tithing, it requires that, too, not lems; there are uncertainties; but always only as a material matter, but as a spirit- we need to pursue solid purposes. ual matter also. All we have the Lord The Church is going forward, world- God has given us, and I consider tithing wide—in the building of buildings, in to be an opportunity to express apprecia- missionary endeavor, and in all else tion for what the Lord God has given. and in our private and personal lives, Neither the giving of service nor of sub- young and old, we must also individual- stance is ever—or seldom—completely ly have the faith to go forward. It takes convenient for any of us. There was courage; it takes prayer and planning —

112 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 9 Third Day and work and faith; but there are I think it was Ruskin who said, "There glorious eternal opportunities; and we is no wealth but life." I pray God that must not wait in uncertainty or suc- we may use that wealth which is life, cumb to it. The theories and the facts and not waste it away, and pursue will all ultimately be reconciled; the earnestly the opportunities of time, into questions will all ultimately be an- the limitless promises and possibilities swered; the problems will all ultimately of eternity, and I do it in the name of be resolved; and the promises will all the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. be fulfilled, and we must plan and prayerfully pursue our plans and go President David O. McKay: ahead with our lives on solid and firm foundations, with faith, with cleanli- Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council ness of conduct, with balanced living, of the Twelve, has just addressed us. with devotion, with the keeping of the We shall now hear from Elder John commandments. Longden, Assistant to the Twelve.

ELDER JOHN LONGDEN

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

While I was on my mission, we had a told by a young man in our city who great mission president, Samuel O. Ben- had made such a test with a survival nion, who made us conscious of time. kit measuring 9% inches by 6 inches by He called several conferences of two y/z inches. The test was made in the districts of missionaries into the city of rough Wind River range country of Enoch—that is in Texas, by the way Wyoming. He had been flown into this and he would give each of us an oppor- area by plane and then dropped by tunity to speak. As we approached the parachute with the survival kit men- pulpit, he would say to each one, "Take tioned. Here are some of the items it five minutes and preach the gospel." contained: a full fifteen-day supply of From this and other training I have food, first-aid kit, sewing kit, fire start- been made conscious of time, and I am ing kit, fishing items, knife and stone; grateful for it. I know there are others a twenty-foot line of nylon cord, and a today who have not had this privilege, book teaching its reader how to survive. and I should like to share some of my Much research had been done on all time with them. items contained in the kit. During the May I give you one or two thoughts test no one heard from this young man as I bear my testimony of the divinity for two weeks. I listened to his story of this marvelous work? in fast and testimony meeting and after- Recently there have been many edi- wards in private. He said, most impor- torials in newspapers, magazines, radio tant of all in the time he had spent in and TV discussions, also private conver- solitude in the great outdoors was that sations, in which I have noticed one he had come to understand and appre- particular word being used many times. ciate more than ever the blessings of the That word is "survival." Survival! Sur- gospel; to be alone under the stars at vival from what? an atomic bomb? night, to see the sunshine of the day, survival from the "C" or "H" bomb? the beauty of nature at its best, the survival from a Marx, Hitler, Mussolini, natural resources provided by God our or a Khrushchev, or their satanic teach- Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus ings and practices—or another kind of Christ. There had come into his heart survival? and soul that testimony more important The United States military services and precious than all else, the need of are most anxious to assist their person- a spiritual survival. nel to survive, and tests to prolong mor- We may survive physically and ma- tal life are being made continually with terially but unless we survive spiritually various kinds of so-called survival kits. these things avail nothing. Last July I was interested in the story I believe this has been the theme of a —

ELRAY L. CHRISTIANSEN 113

this conference from the stirring, open- ory: "Oh, this is a dream I never realized ing address of President McKay to the would be fulfilled to be here in Salt splendid remarks of Brother Richard L. Lake City attending a general confer- Evans, just preceding me. I have caught ence." Brother Sproat, one of the many this spirit through the glorious sessions thousand wonderful, dedicated Latter- of this conference, receiving reassurance day Saints who live by the precepts of again that this is the Church of Jesus his spiritual survival kit! Christ, not the church of any man— Some of us who live so close to the Church which offers to all men a spir- pattern might not appreciate the design. itual survival, the opportunity to subdue I saw the beautiful design of spiritual the earth and overcome all things for- survival at work today as I had the eign to enjoying the Spirit of the Lord. opportunity of embracing you, Brother The survival kit for spiritual survival is Bill, and others from those glorious equally as small as the one used for islands of the Pacific. physical survival; let me suggest its size: God bless us that we may survive just four books, the Bible, Book of Mor- spiritually; that we may appreciate the mon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl necessity of keeping our survival kits of Great Price the small editions even — complete, tested, and in order constant- smaller than 9% inches by 6 inches by ly, which should include the Lord's inches, but what power they con- 3Y2 word on how to survive contained in tain 1 the four standard works of the Church, Just before the commencement of this for therein are embodied the way, the afternoon's meeting I met several breth- truth, and the light of which President ren from Hawaii, one of whom I had Reuben Clark, Jr., spoke this morning. not seen for five and a half years at J. help us so to do, I humbly pray which time I toured the Hawaiian God Christ, Mission, Brother William (Bill) Sproat, in the name of the Lord Jesus Savior. Amen. a faithful dedicated Latter-day Saint, our one who truly believes in spiritual sur- vival. I shall always remember being in President David O. McKay: your home away up there on the peak, the highline that you ride to do your Elder John Longden, Assistant to the work, the hospitality that you extended Twelve, has just spoken to us. We shall to us, the depth of your testimony, the now hear from Elder EIRay L. Christian- sincerity of your labors to build the sen, also Assistant to the Twelve. You kingdom of God, and what you said to need not be in such a hurry, because we me today will always live in my mem- cannot get in all of them anyhow.

ELRAY L. CHRISTIANSEN

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I should like to place what I had think it has been outstanding. I thought thought to say in cold storage, even as I sat here how true it is that we though by the time I take it out it will cannot be saved in ignorance of God, in be too cold to use, and just express my ignorance of our relationship to God gratitude and appreciation for some and I thought that as members of this things. Church we need not be in ignorance, so I like the song, "Now, Let Us Rejoice." far as knowledge of our relationship to In my opinion we do not rejoice enough God is concerned, for surely we are in this Church. We have so much well taught. for which to be grateful that we could There is no prize so great and so val- rejoice day and night and still not be uable as the truth. In the Church we sufficiently grateful in our expressions. are taught the truth. We are taught I am so thankful for what has been the proper way to live—the correct, the taught us in this great conference today right, the happy way to live. We could and yesterday and the day before. I search the world over, and we could find 114 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 9 Third Day no better way to live than the right way, that it revolves about the family and its and of course the Lord's way is the eternal association. right way. When I went home at noon, I picked We are taught to know the right in up a letter from a boy written in his all things—how to repent, how to change own handwriting. He is eleven years our ways. We are taught whom and old. how to serve. We are taught the proper (As you know, in the temple the op- way to enter into the marriage cove- portunity is given to place names of nant. In fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ those who are ill or afflicted on a roll is designed to direct us safely through where they are remembered in our this probationary period, that we "may prayers.) The letter reads: dwell ... in a state of never-ending "Dear Temple Worker: Will you happiness" (Mosiah 2:41) with those please enter my dad's name on the we love. I like that statement from the prayer roll because we want him to be- Book of Mormon. come a member of the Church and We are taught that in the true sense take Mom and us kids to the temple. of the word, God is our Father; that we We sincerely hope and pray that our are his sons and his daughters, and that Heavenly Father will help him to keep he loves us, and that he is concerned the Word of Wisdom. His name is about our welfare and our fortunes and Sincerely your brother, our misfortunes. He is desirous that when , 11 years old." this earth mission is completed that That tells the story of what is in the each of us comes home with an honor- heart of a boy who loves his parents, able release from it to dwell with him who loves them enough to desire their in a state of happiness and usefulness. association beyond this earth life. Some- I am not so interested in heaven unless times the children must lead the parents I may continue my association with on the way. those I love, and that is all of you, my I am grateful that my Father in heaven brothers and sisters, but especially my is a patient Father, if he will stay with companion, my children, my grandchil- me, I am determined to stay with him, dren, and my progenitors. to stay with that which is true to the I am grateful to belong to a Church end of my days. that teaches that the relationship God bless us, brothers and sisters, between the husband and the wife, be- that we may rejoice; that we may receive tween the father and the mother, and thankfully; that we may live worthy of between the children and the parents, is the bounteous blessings that God ex- intended to be and is eternal in its tends to us, that we will share with our nature, if we will just prepare for that nonmember friends the truth as it has type of relationship. No principle, doc- been revealed; and that we may bear trine, or practice is so distinctive or so testimony, not alone in words, but in appealing to the human reason as is the deeds and in action and in doing good perpetuity of the family. The more I to others, I pray humbly in the name of think about the gospel the more I see Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

We must take time before the closing have surrounded the block and driven song and benediction to express a word to and fro. You have noticed them on of appreciation to those who have con- every corner—their courtesy, their atten- tributed to the success and comfort of tion, their protecting and guiding care, those who have attended this great con- and in your behalf, in behalf of the ference. I wish first to mention the General Authorities particularly, I ex- officers of this city who have watched press thanks to the city government, and with care the number of automobiles to the police who have protected your and their occupants and guided so suc- interests so carefully and so ably. cessfully the hundreds of cars and taken To the General Authorities we ex- care of the thousands of people who press deep appreciation for the inspira- PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 115

tional messages they have given us. Today we are privileged to have the We haven't had any better. The Lord Tabernacle Choir! Words cannot ex- has guided us from this pulpit during press our heartfelt feelings for their our sessions in the daytime and last devotion to the cause. I met one sister evening. the other day who was a member for We must not be unmindful of the many years, but she has retired. Her reporters for their fair and accurate heart was just overflowing with grati- reports through our sessions of this con- tude for the opportunity she had had ference. They have been here daily in singing as a member of this choir. and given to the people, to their sub- That is the feeling that these sisters scribers, and to the world a very accurate and the brethren have as they sit under report, not only in word, but in the the baton of this great leader and his spirit of the messages given at this assistant, practising hour after hour, conference. day after day, week after week, month The fire department and the Red after month, to become efficient in this Cross have been on hand to render great choral organization. We do not assistance and service whenever or say much about it, brethren and sis- wherever needed. The Tabernacle ushers ters, but we do appreciate what you have rendered service in seating the are doing! vast audiences of these conference ses- Too many of us are like that Scots- sions. We have expressed before, but man of whom I told you, who had lost repeat, our appreciation to the radio his wife by death, and his neighbor and television stations—forty-five tele- came in, gave comfort, and said what vision and sixty-two radio stations a good neighbor she had been, how throughout our own city and the nation thoughtful of others, what a good wife have carried the proceedings of this she had been to Jock, who was mourn- conference. This has been the means ing. Jock said, "Aye, Tammas, Janet of permitting untold thousands of per- was a guid woman, a guid neighbor as sons to hear the sermons given during you say; she was a' you say an' mair. the one hundred thirtieth semi-annual She was aye a guid, true wifey tae me, conference. They have rendered that and I cam' near tellin' her sae aince service free. or twice." We appreciate especially those who We express again our appreciation to have furnished the singing throughout those who sent these lovely flowers to the conference. I remind you again of us. We want to thank all those who the Relief Society Singing Mothers from have contributed in any way to the the Ogden and northern Utah regions, success and inspiration of this great who furnished the singing for the Fri- conference. day morning and Friday afternoon ses- Now, brethren and sisters, may I say sions; also the University of Utah just a word in conclusion. I have a Choral Society and the Bonneville deep admiration in my heart for Simon Strings—the singers from the Institute Peter, President of the Twelve Apostles. of Religion and the University of Utah He said in one of his general epistles: ". choral groups, who furnished the sing- . . to them that have obtained like ing for the Saturday morning and Sat- precious faith with us through the urday afternoon sessions. Both those righteousness of God and our Saviour sessions were inspirational. Think of Jesus Christ: the hours that the mothers spend prac- "Grace and peace be multiplied unto tising, and think of those young people, you through the knowledge of God, and of the hours and hours that they prac- of Jesus our Lord, tised, and of their willingness to come "According as his divine power hath and give their talents so impressively. given unto us all things that pertain And then last evening, the male mem- unto life and godliness, through the bers of the Tabernacle Choir came in a knowledge of him that hath called us body, dressed neatly, in a dignified way, to glory and virtue: and impressed the fifty thousand priest- "Whereby are given unto us exceed- hood members of the Church with their ing great and precious promises: that excellent singing. by these ye might be partakers of the —

116 GENERAL C Sunday, October 9 Third Day divine nature, having escaped the cor- Nor now commands to be nor rich, nor ruption that is in the world through learned lust." (2 Peter 1:1-4.) Nor promises reward of peace to these. That comes from Simon Peter who On all He moral worth bestowed, was only two and a half years—a little And moral tribute asks from all. more—in the personal presence of his And who that could not pay? Lord. Before that he did not care much Who born so poor, of intellect so mean for the Church, but before this writing As not to know what seemed the best he had a testimony of the divinity of the And knowing might not do? Sonship of Jesus Christ. More than And He who acted thus fulfilled the law that, he had experienced that commu- eternal nion of the Spirit with his Resurrected And His promises reaped in peace. Lord, and speaks here of being a par- Who sought else (did not do what his taker of the divine nature. judgment bade or the spirit prompt- Hold to that thought in the midst ed) sought mellow of an atheistic world, mentioned by grapes beneath the icy poles, Brother Benson and others, while there Sought blooming roses on the cheek of are godless men who deny the resur- death, rection of Christ, who deny his living Sought substance in a world of fleeting spirit, and who have taught for forty shades." years young men and young women to God help us to be partakers of the deny him. That is a terrible thing when DIVINE NATURE. May the spirit of you think of it. Some of us thought this great conference radiate from your twenty years ago that such a godless hearts to those whom you will meet organization would break of its own when you go back to your stakes and weight, and now young men who were wards, and especially may it radiate in ten years of age when communistic your homes, I pray in the name of Jesus ideology took possession of so many are Christ. Amen. now fifty years of age. Peter says to those who knew Christ, President David O. McKay: who had partaken of his Spirit: "Whereby are given unto us exceed- Tonight the Deseret Sunday School ing great and precious promises: that Union Conference will convene in this by these ye might be partakers of the building at seven o'clock. All Sunday divine nature, having escaped the cor- School workers will wish to be in at- ruption that is in the world through tendance. The public is cordially in- lust. vited. "And beside this, giving all diligence, The Tabernacle Choir will now sing, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue "Worthy Is The Lamb," and the bene- knowledge; diction will be offered by President G. "And to knowledge temperance; and Marion Hinckley of the West Utah to temperance patience; and to patience Stake, and this Conference will be godliness; adjourned sine die. "And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. Singing by the Tabernacle Choir, "For if these things [virtues] be in "Worthy Is The Lamb." you, and abound, they make you that President G. Marion Hinckley of the ye shall neither be barren nor unfruit- West Utah Stake offered the benedic- ful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus tion. Christ." (Ibid., 1:4-8.) Conference adjourned sine die. To know God and his Beloved Son is eternal life. The choral music for the Friday I do not know the author, but there morning and afternoon sessions was comes to my mind now these lines: furnished by the Relief Society Singing "Admire the goodness of Almighty God Mothers from the Ogden and Northern He riches gave, intellectual strength to Utah Regions, with Florence Jepperson few Madsen conducting. The musical pro- GENERAL C 'NFERENCE 117 gram for the Saturday morning and for the Sunday morning and afternoon afternoon sessions was furnished by the sessions, with Richard P. Condie, Di- University of Utah Choral Society and rector of the Choir, and Jay E. Welch, the Bonneville Strings—singers from the Assistant Director, conducting. Institute of Religion and the University Accompaniments and interludes on Choral Groups, David Austin Shand, the organ were played by Alexander Director. The Tabernacle Choir Men's Schreiner, Frank W. Asper and Roy M. Chorus presented musical numbers for Darley. the General Priesthood meeting Satur- Richard P. Condie directed the sing- day evening, October 8th, with Richard ing of the Tabernacle Choir at the P. Condie conducting. The Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir and Organ broadcast, Tabernacle Choir furnished the music Sunday morning at 8:30. 118 GENERAL CONFERENCE

SALT LAKE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR AND ORGAN BROADCAST

The following broadcast, written and and the sheep: "Listen to the Lambs all announced by Richard L. Evans, and a' crying . . . He shall feed His flock like originating with Station KSL, Salt Lake a shepherd and carry the young lambs

City, Utah, was presented from 8:30 to in his bosom . . . listen to the lambs all 9:00 a.m. Sunday, October 9, 1960, a' crying." through the courtesy of Columbia Broad- (The Choir sang: "Listen To The casting System's network, throughout Lambs."—Dett.) the United States, parts of Canada, and Announcer: through other facilities to several points Some recent weeks ago we spoke of overseas. The broadcast was as follows: willing work: its dignity, its healing (The organ played "As the Dew From power, its power to soften shocks and Heaven Distilling," and on signal the sorrows — work which Carlyle called into Choir and organ broke the hymn, "The grand cure for all the maladies "Gently Raise the Sacred Strain," sing- and miseries that ever beset mankind." 1 the of the ing the words to end second There is yet another side of this subject line, and humming to end of verse for of work that should be considered. For background.) announcer's want of a better word we might call it Announcer: Once more we welcome the worthiness of work. Work takes our you within these walls with music and time, and time is the very essence of life, the spoken word from the Crossroads of and what we give our lives to is of the West. incalculable consequence. And thus The CBS Radio Network and its there could be little satisfaction, little affiliated stations bring you at this justification, in unworthy work — work hour another presentation from Temple that would undermine men, work that Square in Salt Lake City, with Richard would mislead men's minds — or their P. Condie conducting the Tabernacle souls — or their appetites — work that Choir, Frank Asper, Tabernacle Organ- would in any way impair people. Any ist, and the spoken word by Richard time or effort or energy used to the detri- Evans. ment of men, any work which in purpose The Women's Chorus of the Choir or in practice pulls men down physically first recalls Ernest Charles' impression of or mentally or morally, likely isn't the coming and the going of the incon- worthy work — regardless of whether it stant clouds, and their likeness to the is profitable or politic or popular. Work mystery of life: "Clouds adrift in the to deceive others, work to produce prod- summer sky, resemble life as they ucts that are not good for people, work wander by. Whence they come and to promote what is unwholesome, work whither they go we often wonder but to induce men to do what they should never know . . . Part of the infinite, shall not do, to partake of what they should we say, Part of the moment we call not partake, work to lead men into today." temptation, work that runs counter to (The Women's Chorus of the Taber- the commandments, isn't worthy work. nacle Choir sang: "Clouds."—Charles- On this question we would quote some Deis.) sentences from a significant source: ". Announcer: Frank Asper turns first . . Whoever conceives labor in rela- tionship to today on Temple Square to a triumphant the divine purpose . . . will organ theme selected from Benedetto not lend his energies to the manufac- Marcello's Psalm settings: "The Heav- ture of goods which implicate [men] in ." 2 ens Declare The Glory of God and the ... wicked and sinful activities. . . firmament sheweth his handy-work." "The Christian," said this same source, "is therefore bound to refuse to (Organ Selection: "The Heavens De- partici- pate in the production of wicked clare."—Marcello.) and harmful items which injure or under- Announcer: The Tabernacle Choir mine the worth of man, as well as to gives voice now to R. Nathaniel Dett's thoughtful, moving music for ^Thomas Carlyle, Address in Edinburgh, April 2, 1866. the 2 Carl F. H. Henry, Ph.D., The Dignity of Work, scriptural theme of the Good Shepherd Vital Speeches, August 15, 1954. — )

CHOIR AND Of 'AN BROADCAST 119

." 2 refuse to buy them. . . "Nor can one Surely goodness and mercy shall follow reconcile ... the expenditure of labor me all the days of my life: and I will in the production of . . . worthless prod- dwell in the house of the Lord forever." ucts. Drudgery in the production of (The Choir sang: "The Lord Is My worth-while articles may be justified, Shepherd."—Koschat. ." 2 but . . [not] "in the production of articles which have no real worth. There (Organ Selection: "Prayer Is The can be no sense of purpose in making Soul's Sincere Desire."—Careless.) 3 trash" — or, we might add, in working Announcer: And now with the words for what is of no worth. The Lord God of Emmeline B. Wells and the music of anxiously has said that "men should be Evan Stephens in closing we hear a 4 not merely engaged in a good cause" — hymn of the western hills, and of the "engaged," but engaged in "good." Work- hand of God that is over all: "Our ing for the wrong things manifestly must mountain home so dear, Where crystal be wrong. To be satisfying, to be ac- waters clear Flow ever free . . . While ceptable, work must be more than merely through the valleys wide The flowers motions, more than merely making on every side, Blooming in stately pride, it moral. should money — must be Work Are fair to see. ... In sylvan depth and enlighten and lift life, and play its shade, In forest and in glade, wher-e'er proper part in promoting the peace and see, we pass . . . The hand of God we people. health and happiness of In leaf and bud and tree, Or bird or (Organ Selection: "Supplication." humming bee, Or blade of grass." Asper.) (The Choir sang: "Our Mountain Announcer: From his album of organ Home So Dear."—Stephens.) music we have heard Frank Asper pre- Announcer: Again we leave you with- sent one of his devotional organ offer- everlasting hills. ings: "Supplication." in the shadows of the be with you, this day — and And now the Tabernacle Choir sings May peace always. the simple moving words of the 23rd Psalm — in the simple moving setting This concludes the sixteen hundred the of Thomas Koschat: "The Lord is my twenty fifth presentation continuing Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh 32nd year of this traditional broadcast me to lie down in green pastures: He from the Mormon Tabernacle on Tem- leadeth me beside the still waters. He ple Square, brought to you by CBS restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the Radio, and its affiliated stations, origi- paths of righteousness for His names nating with Radio Station KSL in Salt sake. Yea, though I walk through the Lake City. valley of the shadow of death, I will Richard P. Condie conducted the fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy Tabernacle Choir. Frank Asper was at rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou the organ. The spoken word by Rich- preparest a table before me in the pres- ard Evans. ence of mine enemies; thou anointest In another seven days, at this same my head with oil; my cup runneth over. hour, music and the spoken word will be heard again from the Crossroads of 3Treglown, The Christian and His Daily Work. 4Doctrine and Covenants 58:27. the West. Index

Page

Anderson, Elder Joseph 39

Authorities and Officers Present 1 Authorities and Officers Sustained 43 Benson, Elder Ezra Taft 101 Brown, Elder Frank H 13 Brown, Elder Hugh B 91 Buehner, Bishop Carl W 52 Burton, Elder Theodore M 48 Changes in Church Organizations 39 Choir and Organ Broadcast 118 Christiansen, Elder EIRay L 113

Clark, President J. Reuben, Jr 87

Critchlow, Elder William J., Jr 26 Dyer, Elder Alvin R 58 Evans, Elder Richard L Ill Evans, Elder Richard L 118 (Choir and Organ Broadcast) First Day—Morning Meeting 3 First Day—Afternoon Meeting 18 General Authorities and Officers Present 1 General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers Sustained 43 General Priesthood Meeting 72 Hanks, Elder Marion D 10 Hinckley, Elder Gordon B 66 Hunter, Elder Howard W 107 Hunter, Elder Milton R 23 Isaacson, Bishop Thorpe B 63 Ivins, Elder Antoine R 106 Kimball, Elder Spencer W 32 Lee, Elder Harold B 14 Longden, Elder John 112 McConkie, Elder Bruce R 54 McKay, President David 4 (Opening Address) McKay, President David 85 (General Priesthood Meeting) McKay, President David 114 (Closing Address)

McKay, President David 3, 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19, 23, 26, 29, 32, 37, 38, 39, 42, 45, 46, 48, 50, 51, 54, 56, 57, 62, 65, 67, 69, 71, 72, 78, 83, 85, 86, 87, 91, 95, 96, 99, 100, 101, 106, 107, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, 116. Moyle, President Henry D 19 Moyle, President Henry D 43 (Presentation of General Authorities and Officers) Moyle, President Henry D 83 (General Priesthood Meeting) INDEX 121

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Obituaries 42 Petersen, Elder Mark E 78 (General Priesthood Meeting) Presentation of General Authorities and Officers 43 Priesthood Meeting, General 72 Richards, Elder Franklin D 46 Richards, Elder LeGrand 69 Romney, Elder Marion G 73 (General Priesthood Meeting) Second Day—Morning Meeting 38 Second Day—Afternoon Meeting 57 Smith, Elder Eldred G 67 Smith, President Joseph Fielding 50 Sonne, Elder Alma 109 Stapley, Elder Delbert L 96 Sustaining of General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers 43 Tabernacle Choir and Organ Broadcast 118 Tanner, Elder Nathan Eldon 46 Taylor, Elder Henry D 8 Third Day—Morning Meeting 87 Third Day—Afternoon Meeting 100 Tuttle, Elder Albert Theodore 95 Wirthlin, Bishop Joseph L 29

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