Remarks

President Lorenzo Snow, addressed the conference. He said, in substance, that as his voice was not sufficiently strong to make all the vast congregation hear, his remarks would be brief. He would at least bear testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is of God. Most of the Saints had realized their anticipations regarding the manifestations they expected when they embraced the Gospel. There might be a few, however, who had not to the fullest extent they had wished. There were some that could bear testimony that they received a knowledge of this work before they obeyed it. But as a general thing, this understanding had come subsequent to obedience. This was the case with him. He had a good opportunity to investigate and satisfy himself of the truth of the Gospel. He was acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, the Patriarch, and others over fifty-five years ago. He became satisfied that if there was any truth in the claims of any religion, the principles taught by those men were correct. Consequently, he acted upon this belief, although he knew he would have to face opposition. The bright worldly prospect then before him would have to be renounced. But he concluded that if the ancient Gospel and its powers and gifts had been restored, it would be an excellent thing to obey the divine message. After having been baptized and received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those having divine authority, he obtained a most perfect knowledge. The heavens were opened above him, and so long as memory lasted he could not forget that testimony or have any doubt as to the divinity of what is called “Mormonism.” His faith, however, did not rest alone upon the manifestation he had described, but for fifty-five years and over he had received many demonstrations of the divine character of the work of God. All faithful Latter-day Saints who wished to know from whence they came, what they were here for and whither they were hastening, these matters would, if they diligently searched, be made perfectly plain to them. They would realize the force of the parable of the Savior in reference to the man who found a treasure and sold all he had to obtain it; also the saying of Christ to the young man whom he told to give up all his worldly possessions and follow him. When Zion existed in its glory its people would be one. The time was near at hand when the Saints must again endeavor to do away with the class distinctions which have grown up in their midst, and become one in all things. ¶