A Clear-Cut and Direct Testimony of the Truth

My beloved brethren and sisters, we are under the necessity of moving promptly, and as the time Is very limited I will not attempt to make any remarks, except to say that President Lorenzo Snow was the last among the Apostles who were, in their mature years, intimately acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith; and with the exception perhaps of the Prophet Joseph Smith himself, there has never stood a man upon the earth in this generation who has borne a more clearcut, positive and direct testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith and the divinity of this great latter day work than President Lorenzo Snow did. I was acquainted with the Prophet Joseph in the days of my childhood. With the exception of Brother Birgham Young and myself, there is not now any member of the quorum of the Apostles who had the privilege and honor of being acquainted with the Prophet in his lifetime. I knew President Brigham Young, and I bear my testimony to the world that not only was Joseph Smith inspired of God and raised up to lay the foundations of this great latter day work, but Brigham Young was raised up and sustained by the power of Almighty God to continue the mission of Joseph and to accomplish the work that he laid out during his lifetime. I have been connected with President John Taylor, and I testify that he also was a man of God. He was indeed God's mouthpiece. He was a martyr with the Prophet Joseph, for his blood was shed with Joseph's and Hyrum's, but the Lord preserved his life, that he might fulfil the mission unto which he was called, to preside over the Church for a season. I was intimately acquainted with President Wilford Woodruff, and I bear testimony to the mission of that gracious, good man. I have also been more or less intimate with President Snow, and I bear testimony that his work was of God. You who understand what he has done can testify to his good work; but there are some things he accomplished which may never be known or seen; save perhaps in the subdued spirits and increased devotion and faithfulness of those who were immediately associated with him. ¶

I now desire to say just one word to the widows and the sons and daughters of the Prophet Lorenzo Snow. As your husband and father bore the Melchisedek Priesthood and knew whereof he testified — for he was not deceived nor misguided in his knowledge of the mission of Joseph Smith and of the divinity of this great latter-day work, but possessed an absolute knowledge from the Source of all truth — I plead with the sons and with the daughters of President Lorenzo Snow to so shape their course in the future that they may follow in his footsteps in connection with this great work, so that when their mission in this world shall be finished and they shall be called hence to meet their father, they may do so proudly, joyously, and with an upright mien, having an assurance in their souls that they have obeyed his counsel, followed in his footsteps, and to their latest breath have been true to the cause of Zion. That God may grant this to the offspring of President Lorenzo Snow from generation to generation, and that the blessings, peace and consoling influence of the Holy Spirit may rest mightily upon the widows of this good man, to comfort their hearts, to buoy up their spirits, and to open up their way, that they may not lack while they shall remain with us, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶