The Gospel of Christ Originated in Heaven

If we can say that during this conference the principle of man's pre-existence has been established by scriptural proof, we can also say that the principle of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man has been proved. ¶

The Gospel of Christ Originated in Heaven

Understanding the true relationship of man to his Maker, we are better able to appreciate the scriptural reference to the love the Father has for his children. We read that, "God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In this scripture we learn that God so loved his children that he made provision for their salvation. This is the end our Father has in view. All else is but a means to this end. The Prophet Joseph Smith has left of record this statement, "At the first organization in heaven, we were all present and saw the Savior chosen and appointed, and the plan of salvation made, and we sanctioned it." The truth of his statement is fully sustained by scriptural proof. It is clear that the gospel of Jesus Christ had its origin in heaven before the world was. "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel." ¶

The Restoration of the Gospel

The gospel has been upon the earth at different periods of the world's history. After the death of the Savior and his disciples there was a general departure from the truth, so that when Joseph Smith had his vision of the Father and the Son, he was told that the churches were all wrong and that he should join none of them. He was ¶

informed by an angel from heaven that God had a work for him to do, and that his name should be had for good and evil among all nations. By the gift and power of God unto him, Joseph Smith has given unto the world the Book of Mormon which gives an account of the former inhabitants of this American continent, and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel as given by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants. Other angels appeared to him and conferred upon him the Priesthood, with power and authority to establish the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth, and to preach the gospel in all the world, administering the ordinances of salvation to those who are prepared to receive them. Thus the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has been restored to earth in these last days, line upon line, and precept upon precept, in fulfilment of the holy scriptures, with authority, keys, powers, gifts and blessings, the same as were in the primitive Church. ¶

Our Responsibility to Preach the Gospel

It is our responsibility to preach this gospel of the kingdom in all the world for a witness unto all nations before the end shall come. It is the responsibility of the world to accept the message which we have for them. To them it becomes as a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. On this point I will read to you from the Book of Mormon as follows: ¶

"Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God. For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other — either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken."— I Nephi 14:6, 7. ¶

Many Lack Courage to Join the Church

There are thousands of people within the stakes of Zion, and in the world, who have become convinced of the truth of "Mormonism" but who, for one cause or another, have not become members of the Church. ¶

A short time ago, I heard of a man joining the Church who had lived among our people for nearly forty years. He stated to some of his friends that he had for many years been a "Mormon"at heart. When asked why he had not earlier joined the Church, his reply was that he lacked the courage. This represents a class of which there are many. Some who believe do not join because of the cost, others because of what people would think and say, and still others because the standards of the Church are too high. ¶

Some years ago while in England I was visiting a family of Saints, and an elderly sister was telling me how she, and her husband recently deceased, had, during his life time, entertained a great ¶

many Latter-day Saint missionaries. I asked how she accounted for the fact that under such circumstances her husband had never joined the Church. Her reply was that he had never been invited to join. I wonder if there are those among us who are Latter-day Saints at heart but are waiting for an invitation to become members. We invite all men to repent <and yield obedience unto the laws and ordinances of the gospel that the atoning blood of our Savior may wash them clean and prepare them for salvation. ¶

Qualifications for Becoming a Member of the Church

As qualifications for baptism into the Church, I will read to you a paragraph from the Doctrine and Covenants as follows: ¶

"And again, by way of commandment to the Church concerning the manner of baptism — All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the Church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into the Church." ¶

The gospel is the law of life as lived by the Savior. It made him what he was and is, and it is designed to make us like him and to save us with him. It is the highest possible standard of life — the straight gate and the narrow way. ¶

When the rich young man came to' the Savior and asked what good thing he might do that he might have eternal life, he was told to go sell what he had, and give to the poor, and come follow him of whom it was said that he had nowhere to lay his head. We are told that the rich man went away sorrowful; and the Savior said: "A rich <■ man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven." On another occasion the Savior made use of this expression: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." ¶

Those who embrace the gospel have as their object the obtaining of eternal life, which is the greatest gift of God to man. No sacrifice should be considered too great in order to attain eternal life, and there is no other way to obtain it. ¶

The Speaker's Testimony

As a witness for the Lord, I testify that God the eternal Father lives, an immortal and glorified being, after whose image and likeness man is created and made, male and female, being born sons and daughters of God. He is a being having a body of flesh and bones and spirit. He has created all things through his Son Jesus Christ. The earth is his, and the fulness thereof, and all blessings, spiritual and temporal, come from him. ¶

I also testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the eternal ¶

Father, that he is the first born of the Father in the spirit, and the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, that he is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, that he was scourged and crucified, and that he died and was resurrected and ascended to heaven where he sits upon the throne of the Father at his right hand in glory. I know that my Redeemer lives. ¶

I bear testimony also that I do know that Joseph Smith, the founder of this work, was a divinely inspired prophet of God, and that those who have succeeded to the Presidency of this Church, each in his time, has been inspired of the Lord for his particular work and responsibility; that President Heber J. Grant, no less than his predecessors, is inspired of the Lord, and under his presidency the work is prospering and is becoming more and more a marvel and a wonder to the world. It is the work of God and not the work of man, and no power can stay its progress. The purposes of the Almighty will be accomplished, and all who will, shall be saved, and all honor be to the Father through his son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen. ¶