Testimony of Truth and the Increase in Temple Work

Testimony concerning the truth of President Smith's statements. — Gratifying increase of interest in Temple work.— The Lord will bless the faithful. ¶

I feel very thankful this morning to have the privilege of meeting once more with you in general conference. I have listened with much pleasure to the statements made by our President in relation to the condition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have no doubt that you also have listened with the same degree of interest. I rejoice exceedingly that I can bear testimony to the truth of what he has said, in all particulars. I am very thankful that the Lord has been so kind and generous to me as to extend my years until the present time, and I pray and hope that the remainder of my days may be spent in assisting to build up His Church upon the earth. ¶

I remember that in the last sermon preached by the Prophet Joseph Smith, he laid particular stress upon the duties and obligations of the Latter-day Saints in relation to the redemption of their dead. I rejoice to know that the disposition and feeling of the Latter-day Saints in this direction is improving, and that the number attending to this work in the temples is increasing all the time. A little item that has appeared in the statistics we have received is of much interest to me, namely, that during the past year there has been a very decided increase in the number of marriages in the temples. We are much gratified to know that our young people are looking towards the temples of God as the proper places for the performance of the marriage ceremony. We hope they will continue to do so, and that there will be a still greater increase in this direction during the present year. I look upon the payment of tithing, and the desire of the people to perform temple ordinances and work for the redemption of their dead, as good indications of the faithful condition of the Saints. ¶

I am thankful, my brothers and sisters, for this opportunity to bear testimony to what has been said. I do not feel to occupy your time, but I desire to express my thanks and gratitude to God for every blessing He has bestowed upon His people. I am satisfied that if we continue to prosecute our labors as faithfully as we have done in the past the Lord will continue to bless us, and will multiply us upon the earth. May God bless you, my brethren and sisters. Many of you have traveled long distances to come up here to spend a short time in conference. May you be abundantly repaid for all that you have done in this direction. ¶

God bless you, and all pertaining unto you, and may your substance, and everything that is needful for your welfare, be multiplied and increased, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶