Sustaining Church Authorities

I most sincerely desire I may be guided and influenced by the Holy Spirit in the few remarks I shall make to you upon this occasion. Like President McLaughlin, I feel very weak in this position to which I have just been called. I have endeavored during my life to discharge the duties which were imposed upon me as a member of the Church of Christ, and I have learned that by humility and devotion to duty one may achieve somewhat of success. Without these qualities there is little hope of success. If my remarks are to be measured by my experience as a President of a Stake, they will be certainly very brief, for I was only set apart to this new appointment a little over a week ago. My duties thus far have consisted in signing a half dozen recommends or so, and the attending of banquets, so that my experience is very limited. I feel, however, to accept, with meekness and with gratitude to God, the appointment which has been given me, and rely upon Him in the discharge of the duties pertaining to that calling. I am proud to be associated with the Church of Christ, and to have the fellowship of such men as surround me upon this occasion. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ; I am not ashamed of the members of the Church of Christ, and can look the world in the face and bear my testimony to the truthfulness of the work in which we are engaged. I know that we are a people called of God for a chosen purpose, to help uplift and save mankind. I know the world misunderstands us, and it is for our heavenly Father and ourselves to make our mission clear to the world. I know that we are maligned and misrepresented; but I have no fear of the lies of the world. They cannot hurt us. We are looked upon as being a fanatical lot of people — a people who have no high estimation of virtue, of honor, and of those qualities which go to make truly great disciples. But this is because the world do not understand the Latter-day Saints. It is for us then, to make them understand us; and if they will but look upon us without prejudice they could not fail to appreciate the principles which animate our lives — the love of virtue and honor, and devotion to God. ¶

My most earnest prayer is that the Spirit of God may continue with His people, and that their lives may be characterized by unity, by devotion and sacrifice to him, and that he may qualify us by His Holy Spirit in the performance of all our duties, in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶