Remarks

It is quite fitting that I should speak immediately after President Pratt, he having represented the Mexican mission, I representing the stake of Zion farthest North. The Lethbridge stake comprises that section of this great country, from a few miles north of the international boundary line, including the North Pole. ¶

I appreciate the privilege of bearing my testimony to the truth of this great work. During the great World War I had the opportunity of comparing service in other organizations with service in the Church of Jesus Christ. It fell to my lot to be the instrument of bringing to some of our boys certain favors by way of transfer, or temporary relief, or leave of absence, by virtue of authority vested in me as an officer in the Canadian army. Upon one occasion I was called upon, as I thought, to bring some relief to one boy, I was asked when in the city of London to visit a boy whose name I did not know. I supposed that he would ask for a temporary release that he might return home, as I thought to recuperate; and, feeling the thrill of the power vested in me by virtue of the uniform I wore, I went down to that hospital with the intention of interceding for that boy, with the powers ¶

higher up. When I went into the little room which he occupied he extended his hand to me, and instead of addressing me as an officer in the army, he said to me: "Brother Brown, I sent for you to ask that you intercede with God in my behalf, that I may not die in this hospital, but that I may be allowed to return home to my widowed mother. Will you administer to me?" When this boy made that request at my hands, I could not help making the comparison, great though it may be to wear the uniform of the king, I never felt more pride in my life in any position than I felt as I knelt by the side of that boy, placed my hands on his head, and in the name of Jesus Christ asked that his life might be spared. I compared then the authority which I held in the Church of Christ with the authority held by men in other organizations, and from the bottom of my heart I felt to say: "Thank God for this work, and for the Priesthood which we have." I went into that hospital a proud British officer. I came out a humble "Mormon"elder; and I say to you, my brethren and sisters, that I prefer membership in the Church of Jesus Christ to presidency or command in any other organization in the world, civil or military. I bear testimony that I know this is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that it is the truth, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶