Report on the Colorado Mission

I rejoice, my brethren and sisters, with you this morning in the opportunity we have of meeting together under such favorable circumstances. I recall a conversation I had in the Bureau of Information, some few months ago, with a gentleman who claimed that this Church was on the decline, that it was not growing. I thought of this man as I came into this building, after having left the Tabernacle yonder and seen the thousands of people who are gathered there to hear the voices of the servants of the Lord, and I thought if that man could have been there, and then come over to this building, and then could have realized that this is only a small representation of our great Church, probably he would change his mind. I know that the Church is growing; that it is increasing, and spreading abroad, and it is having influence among the peoples of the world. My missionary work has called me in a little different line from that of the former speaker. Brother Goddard has been telling us of the work that is being accomplished among strangers visiting the Temple block, while the work which I have to perform is in the mission field abroad, in the states lying adjacent to this state. The demands for more Elders cannot be supplied. We need many more men in the mission field, energetic men, efficient men. men of experience. I feel that those who have been on missions before should prepare themselves for other missions in the near future, for there is a great work to be accomplished before the end comes. It seems to me, when I view the signs of the times and read the reports in the newspapers, that the time is near at hand when mission work must be hastened, because the time for the Gospel to be preached unto all people is drawing near to a close; therefore the number of workers must be greatly increased. I have been almost on the point of writing to the Presidency to ascertain how long we are going to continue work in the Colorado mission, for the Elders are returning home, and new ones are not being sent to fill vacancies in the mission field. I remember a remark made in a little editorial article in one of the magazines Brother Rich publishes in the south, and I thought it was very appropriate. He said in that: "We had three Elders come this month," and then followed by quoting: "Only three grains of corn, mother, only three grains of corn, to keep the little life I have till the coming of the morn." I thought this truly appropriate to the present condition of mission work. There are requests being sent to us from various parts of the mission today, solicating us to send Elders to the people who make these requests to explain to them the Gospel, and we cannot comply; we simply do not have them to send. ¶

I have been greatly pleased by the work that has been accomplished by cur young ladies sent into the mission field. They have been able to enter the homes of people that the Elders could not gain access to. They have been able to accomplish much in explaining' the Gospel unto the people, and in teaching the women and children, where the Elders could not get a hearing. Therefore I feel that they have done a great and good work, and the end is not yet; in fact it has only begun. They go into, the world and teach the people the religion of the Saints, from the womens' standpoint; and they tell the people of the world "how the women of Utah live, and how they feel, and the people seem to appreciate it better because women teach it to them. We have heard it stated, "we like to hear what the women have to say about the 'Mormon' question." Our sisters have manifested that they can go into the world and preach the Gospel, and show that the women here are not bound and down-trodden, as the world think and represent them to be. ¶

This work is growing and increasing. It seems that my mind is centered upon that fact, for it is being made evident more and more in the field and at home. Again I say, we need more men of experience to proclaim the Gospel of peace unto the people. I often think that I would like to take a trip through various parts of Zion, and select a few men and induce the Presidency of the Church to call them into the field. At present I am in the office myself, doing the necessary bookkeeping work of the office, for the reason that we can not spare an efficient man to perform that labor, as all are needed in the mission field. So, we are handicapped in performing the duties devolving upon us in the missionary field. Brother Goddard has been telling us of the oportunities and enjoyment they have in the performance of their duties on the Temple block. A few months ago I spent a few hours in the building over there, the Bureau of Information, and I don't think that I ever spent a few hours more profitably than I did on that occasion, explaining the Gospel to the people; I did not act as a guide but entertained the people who came in there until the guides who could take them out arrived. I enjoyed the experience very much. I believe Brother Goddard would be thankful if he could have a few more who are able and competent to entertain the people come and labor in explaining the Gospel to those who visit them and wish to have "Mormonism" explained. They come here sometimes for the purpose of finding fault, and scoffing at the Latter-day Saints, and these guides explain the Gospel unto them, and many go away pleased and benefitted. We have been performing a somewhat similar labor in Manitou, Colorado. There we have met thousands of people in the summer resorts, and we have done the best we could to enlighten them in regard to our principles. During the past summer we have distributed twenty to twenty-five thousand pamphlets that teach the articles of our faith, explain the organzation of the Church, and give some idea of what we are doing. Although it has proved to be a financial burden, yet I think it has been a success in presenting the Gospel to many people. I believe that many who have heard the Elders there during the last year will ask for more information. The pamphets and books that have gone out from Manitou this year will increase interest, and people will come to learn further of us concerning our doctrines. ¶

A gentleman came into my house last Thursday; we have been acquainted with him a long time. He has opposed us, but he has done it in a gentle manner, and from a Bible standpoint. He is a Bible student, and I have thought he has been a minister, he is so well cersed in the Scripture. He has recently been reading the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and he said to me. "I never thought that your people were so ill-treated as they have been. I did not think we lived in a nation that would treat anybody as your people have been treated. Why, to read of the way they have been driven, mobbed and persecuted, makes my blood boil to think of it; I am ashamed of that part of the history of this nation, and of such doings as those; my heart bleeds for what your people have suffered." When he was speaking to me, the tears ran down his cheeks. I took him into our little chapel, and showed him there the stand where we have two American flags draped, and in the center of those two flags the picture of George Washington, and I showed him that we reverence our flag. He turned to me and said, "I think you reverence this flag too much," I said, "It was not the flag that persecuted this people; it was not the Constitution that oppressed us, but it was the men who stood at the head of the mobs, and they are the men whom God will hold responsible in the life to come. They will have to account for the things that they have done in the flesh. We respect that flag, and we will do our utmost to maintain the freedom that has been guaranteed unto us and all other people under that flag." ¶

This Gospel, my brethren and sisters, is true. It is the power of God unto salvation unto all who believe and obey it. It is making inroads among the thinking classes of all nations, and they are beginning to take notice of us. I heard one of the Apostles prophecy that all nations would yet come to us to learn various arts and sciences of peace, and the science of civil government. They would come to us to learn how to govern the nations. The things that Brother Goddard has been telling us this morning have brought these thoughts to my mind vividly. The organization of the people, the organization of the Church, has been established by divine wisdom. It is complete in every detail: and. as we heard yesterday, if three men are taken away twelve men immeditely take their place, and it is an impossibility to destroy this great work. It is an impossibility to frustrate the designs of the Almighty. When any man or woman stands in the way, and undertakes to thwart the efforts that are being put forth to proclaim this Gospel unto the people, God will bring their efforts to naught, He will frustrate them. Shame will be brought upon their own heads. ¶

This is the work of the Lord, and He will prosper it. May God bless and help us to appreciate it, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶