Testimony of Priesthood Authority

I feel, my brethren and sisters, that I have never attended a conference where more men have borne testimony to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the work of the Lord than at this conference. I appreciate the privilege that the Lord has granted me ¶

in being present at this time. I know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. I know that those mighty men who followed him -- Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, have been, and that Heber J. Grant is now divinely appointed to lead Israel in these the last days and that the power of the Lord has rested upon them as leaders in Israel; that God our eternal Father will never forsake his people; that he will continue to be with those men and women who honor him and keep his commandments. If they serve him, he will give everyone an individual testimony that they may know that he does live, that he is present among the children of men wherever his Priesthood can be found. I positively know that the Lord revealed his Priesthood in these the last days. I know that the words he spoke unto the bishop of this Church, Bishop Partridge, when he was called to the ministry, are true: ¶

Thus saith the Lord God, the Mighty One of Israel, Behold, I say unto you, my servant Edward, that you are blessed, and your sins are forgiven you, and you are called to preach my gospel as with the voice of a trump; ¶

And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom (Doc. and Cov. 36:1, 2). ¶

Lie laid his hands upon Bishop Partridge by the hands of his servant Sidney Rigdon, and that is the order in this Church; when men are appointed and called and chosen to act in the name of God, whether they be serving as the elder who travels abroad or the high priest at home, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, calls and ordains them by his own personal supervision, as he has organized his Church here in the earth. I pray God to bless each and every one that we may have the power and spirit and desire to serve him and that we may pray in our homes, and pray individually, that we may know, ourselves, that God lives, and that he rules and reigns in the heavens above and in the earth beneath. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶