A Testimony of the Gospel and Mission Labors

It is very unexpected to me, my brethren and sisters, to be called upon to address you this afternoon, as I realize that there are so many here who are much more competent to give instruction, and to whom I would rather listen, as no doubt you all would, who have had experience in the work of the Lord, and the Saints are gathered to receive instructions, to be profited in their future lives. At the same time I rejoice to be privileged to meet with the Saints in general conference. It is the first time in eight years that I have been able to meet with the Saints in this capacity. For over three years past I have been in the mission field, and previous to that I was absent studying. Therefore, I appreciate probably greater than I otherwise would what a grand opportunity it is to meet with the Saints, to partake of the spirit of conference, and to receive the instructions which are given. As I say, I rejoice to be with you. I rejoice in the instructions which have been already given during this day, and I feel certain that during the remainder of this conference there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that we will all be built up and benefited if we prepare our hearts to receive and carry out the instructions. ¶

It is some five months since I returned from my mission to the Netherlands, where I was absent for three years. I desire to say that the work in that field is prospering. The outlook is excellent, It was at the time I left, and from news that I have lately received I learn that the condition is just as good or better now. The Gospel is being preached in Holland and Belgium of that mission, and progress is being made. There are 30 Elders in the field. There are over 2,000 Saints and children in the entire mission, and during the past year over 200 "were baptized. There was a greater average per missionary baptized during the past year in that mission than in any other mission in Europe, it being eight persons per missionary. ¶

Holland is recognized as a land of religious liberty. For centuries the people of Holland struggled— in fact, at the time of the Reformation they were among the first to obtain religious liberty, and to be freed from that oppression and domination which was characteristic of the countries of Europe at that time. On this account they have given religious liberty to other sects, and we are as free to preach there as almost any other religious denomination. We are not allowed to preach upon the streets; but .as a matter' of fact, none of the religious denominations are allowed this privilege. In every respect we receive the same protection as the other sects. The people are plain and honest; they are readers of the Bible, and they appreciate the truths of the Bible when they are explained. When our missionaries go among them with doctrines which agree exactly with the doctrines presented by our Lord and Savior as contained in the holy scriptures, they are received with welcome, generally speaking, and the people give them a fair hearing. As a result of this, the missionaries are busily occupied in preaching the Gospel to that nation, and the results are apparent. The only lack is, there are not enough missionaries to carry the work on as they would like. New branches are being opened up, and the work is prospering. To a certain extent, the same is true of Belgium. However, that country has a different population — a people of different characteristics. They are almost entirely Catholic. I believe, however, that if we can get men who are intelligent and energetic, and who understand something of the French language, the work in that country will be a great help to the work there. It is developing slowly at present, and I believe there is a greater future for it. I also feel that there is a work to be done in France; for a number of those who have accepted the Gospel in Belgium were born in France, coming especially from northern France; and from persons with whom I have talked in regard to conditions in that country I gather that the people are somewhat of the same nature as those in Holland. They desire religious liberty, and they wish to learn the truth. During my mission I read an article in one of the papers in Holland, to the effect that there is a certain division of the Catholic church called "Old Catholics." They separated from the Catholic church several centuries ago; and the article stated that at least a part of that sect believe that Elijah the Prophet is to return and bring a message from the from the heavens, and they are waiting his return. It seemed to me that to a certain extent these people were prepared to receive the Gospel. If it should be testified to them that the Prophet Elijah had come, and that he had restored that which was his province to restore, it might be a message of glad tidings to them, in connection with the principles of the Gospel as they have been revealed in these latter days. ¶

I believe there is a great work to be done in those nations, and in other nations of Europe and of the world. It was my privilege, during my absence, to make a journey, in company with President. Francis M. Lyman, throughout several of the countries of Europe, Africa and Asia, visiting among others the Holy Land; and upon our return we passed through Italy. I was agreeably disappointed in the condition of that people. From the idea we obtain here at home, from seeing the Italians who are in our midst, we are apt to gain an entirely wrong view of the Italians as a people. They are a fine people, a people of intelligence, a people of hospitality and kindness in every respect, and a people many of whom, I believe, will accept the Gospel in the future. There are no missionaries in that field at the present time. As we know, Apostle Lorenzo Snow was sent there to open that field many years ago, but no great success was obtained at that time. ¶

I rejoice in the Gospel. I rejoice in the testimony I have received of the truth of it. I trust that we may all go forward, faithfully performing our duty from time to time. There is a great responsibility resting upon the Latter-day Saints. There is a serious responsibility resting upon the young men to qualify themselves, spiritually, morally and physically, to preach the Gospel, to be pillars of strength in the Church of our God, and to perform every labor which they are called upon to perform. After being absent from this city preaching the Gospel, and returning home, one notices probably more than one who is at home continually the changes that have occurred, and the temptations which are constantly increasing in this city. It may be the same in other cities and towns. Trials and temptations surround our young people which tend to cause them to be thoughtless, to go after the pleasures of the world, and to consider simply those things which will give them pleasure for the time being. For this reason I believe there is a slight tendency to devote ourselves more to these useless pleasures than to the serious things of life; to be considering always how we can obtain worldly enjoyment rather than how we can make progress in the Gospel and be of use to our fellowmen. I believe it is of great importance to the young people among the Latter-day Saints that they should endeavor to cultivate a spirit of earnestness and of seriousness in regard to the responsibilities which rest upon them. And we have heard many times, those who are now pillars of the Church, who have endured many years, and whose hair has grown white in the service of the Lord, will not always be with us; and those who are growing up will have to bear off the kingdom on their shoulders, and assuredly it is important that they should prepare themselves for these responsibilities. The kingdom is constantly growing, the responsibilities are becoming constantly greater, and the Lord requires more and more instruments to accomplish His purposes upon the earth. ¶

I rejoice, my brethren and sisters, to be with you. I pray that the Spirit of the Lord may be with us continually, that perfect unity and harmony may prevail among us, that we may profit greatly by this conference, that we may take to heart the instructions we receive, and that they may be as seed which when planted in our hearts shall grow and bring forth fruit that will be of great benefit to the Church, to one another, to our fellowmen, and to the country in which we live, that we may be wise and prudent in fulfilling the responsibilities which rest upon us as citizens of this great country. May we be blessed in fulfilling every duty which rests upon us. I desire to testify that I know that the Gospel is true; that the Latter-day Saints are in possession of the truth as it has been revealed from heaven; that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that his successors have been and are prophets of God, and that those upon this stand who have been called and sustained as leaders of this Church are in very deed men of God, who receive revelations from Him for the guidance of this people. May we support them fully. May we be united in all things, and may we endeavor to improve ourselves and our opportunities from day to day, that we may be finally saved in the kingdom of heaven, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶