The Book of Mormon and Tithes

My brethren and sisters, I thank the Lord that he has given me a testimony and a knowledge of the truth of the gospel. During this conference my heart has been thrilled with the testimonies that have been borne by my brethren. The story of the first vision of the Prophet, of the visit of the Father and the Son to him, never tires me. I love to hear it, I love to muse about it. To me it is as sweet as the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. When my brethren testify to these great truths, my soul is filled with gladness because the Lord has given me a testimony like unto those that I have listened to. When we listen to those who testify to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter how humble their walks of life may be, if we are attuned to the same spirit, our souls are full of gladness because of their testimonies. This is the reason that when we leave conference we always say that this has been the best conference we have ever had. ¶

I thank my heavenly Father that I belong to a Church that has placed upon me the duty of working out my own salvation; where I can labor in the cause of the Master; where I can be one of the ministry, serving him and assisting to bring about his purposes on the earth. ¶

I am glad to say to you that the Lord has given me an assurance beyond doubt that this great latter day work is his work. He gave me a testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon before I became a member of the Church. I remember in my younger days, reading that passage on the last page but one, of that wonderful record which the Lord has given to us, known as the Book of Mormon. In this passage he told his servant that those who would read it in faith with prayerful hearts if they would ask the Lord if it was true, it should be manifested unto them. I need no arguments, nor philosophy, nor opinions to convince me of the truth of the Book of Mormon. The bringing forth of this book was one of the great works of the boy prophet, Joseph Smith, which was brought forth to the world before he was twenty-four years of age. It has stood the test of critics, historians, and our opponents for all these years. It was translated not by any power of Joseph Smith; he didn't claim that, but rather through the power and inspiration of the Lord, and I hope my brethren and sisters will return to the habit of reading the word of God because this book, the Book of Mormon, contains the fulness of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. ¶

May the Lord bless us that we may go home with renewed faith, may our tithes and offerings to the Lord increase. If we want to see temples dotting this land of Zion, this choice land above all other lands, let us remember that it can be done by the payment of our tithes and offerings. If we want beautiful houses of worship, let us pay our tithes and offerings. If we want to be content in this land that it shall be a land of Zion unto us, let us pay our tithes and offerings. The Lord has said to his servant, the Prophet Joseph Smith, that, "If my people observe not this law to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you it shall not be a land of Zion unto you." Zion to a Latter-day Saint means peace and contentment. ¶

May we go home with a spirit of the work of God in our hearts, and with a desire to do better in the future to bring about his mighty purposes in the earth, I ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. ¶