The Greatest Joy of Life

I do not believe that there is any other place in all the world where a gathering of people such as we have in this building this morning is possible. Every seat occupied, with thousands standing, and every person present listening for every word that falls from the mouth of the speaker, with every one interested in what may be said, and the prophecies that may be made, every soul having within herself or himself a testimony that God lives and that this is his Church. ¶

The Greatest Joy of Life

While President Ivins was speaking this morning I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if every soul that breathes could have heard the speech delivered by him, and how would it be possible for men and women hearing him to doubt that there is a living God, and that the testimonies and prophecies uttered by his servants from the beginning of the world down to the present have been or will be fulfilled. The greatest joy I have in my life is that I know that the servants of God, speaking under the inspiration of his Holy Spirit, utter those things that God wants his people to know, and also give notice to the world that they will surely happen. ¶

What It Means to Live the Gospel

There is no other church on earth with so perfect an organization to look after the welfare of its members, not only spiritually but physically and temporally as well. I haven't the time to point to examples, but in making that statement I feel positive that no one who has studied the organization of the Church, bearing upon these three great activities of life, could do otherwise than testify to the statements I have just made. To live its laws and requirements means spiritual salvation, physical development and temporal advancement. It is well that at these conferences the people are instructed along these lines, for they are part of the whole, and without the whole men cannot enjoy the fulness of life. ¶

The Burdens of Debt

How often at these conferences have we heard the voice of President Smith ring out, aye, not only as counsel and advice, but as a man clothed with authority to speak, pleading with the people to study and obey the temporal laws given to this Church! How often have we heard him and others pleading with the people to keep out of debt; and, if in debt, that we get out as soon as possible. That advice is not only good to our people and all people, but it is good to all nations and all countries, all states, all counties, all cities, for whoever dreamed a few years ago that the world would be in such a condition financially as it is today? Since the close of war I have exercised all my power to eliminate every unnecessary expense of our government with a view of lightening the burden of taxation upon the institutions of our country and individual taxpayers, and set an example, if you please, for states and for counties, and for cities, and foreign countries, as well, to follow. ¶

So, my brethren and sisters, for the few moments that I have at my command, I want to call briefly to your attention one subject that it seems to me will at least assist those who want assistance to keep out of debt and get out of debt. ¶

Idleness Condemned

I remember that in one of the early revelations given to the Prophet Joseph the Lord said: ¶

"Thou shalt not be idle, for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer." ¶

May I add that in idleness there is decay and early death, not only in man but in everything in all the universe. Take a piece of machinery, let it be idle, and what will happen? It will be made useless much earlier than if in constant use. And I might proceed and call your attention, my brethren and sisters, to other matters of the mind and the body, but time will not permit. As far as I am concerned I would prefer to work out rather than to rust out, and if I had followed the advice of my doctors just before leaving Washington, I would be up in some of these mountains, not receiving a telegram, or a letter, seeing no people, but resting for four or five months. When he gave me that advice, all I had to say was, "Doctor, I will not do it." ¶

How to Reach Happiness and Contentment

It is not altogether the number of years that you live that counts, but the result of your labors that you will be judged by, not only among the children of men, but in the hereafter as well. I want to see the "Mormon"people the most contented and the happiest people in all the world. And let me testify to you today that the way to reach that happy sphere is to live the commandments that God has given us, and obey the same. ¶

Meaning and Necessity of Thrift

Thrift is what we need among our own people and among the nations of the world, and when I say thrift I mean it in its broadest sense. In speaking of thrift I mean the kind that makes better men, better women and better children, a thrift that will build a better nation, a better world. Thrift means much more than the mere saving of money, it means prosperity, good husbandry, economical management, frugality; it means individual efficiency; it means order and system; it means self-control, and in many cases self-denial. It means selfconfidence; it means character -building in its broadest meaning, morally, temporally and spiritually. The thrift that I want to impress upon you does not mean stinginess nor miserliness, nor does it include extravagance. Thrift and thriving mean the same thing. A thriving child never suggests skimping and saving; a thrifty man is one who thrives on account of his own efforts. Many people have a wrong idea in thinking that thrift is the niggardly cutting down of necessary expenses; they urge that they would rather be spendthrifts than misers. ¶

Waste the Enemy of Thrift and Progress

In this connection remember that waste is the universal enemy of all forms of thrift and progress. What do we get out of smoking? No good whatever. It is a violation of the very principle of thrift, and many people in this country are now indulging in it. I once made a speech at the Utah stake conference, years ago, when I was second counselor to the president of that stake. It was often designated the, ¶

"garbage can speech of Reed Smoot."Now, my brethren and sisters, I want to say to you that into that can, many times at the homes of the people who can least afford it, you will find the waste, aye, the wicked waste of the very necessaries of life. ¶

This subject is so broad that I find it is impossible for me to cover it, but I do want to call attention to the fact that in the United States 66 out of every 100 people who die leave no estate; that out of the remaining 24 only nine leave an estate larger than fivethousand dollars. Think of this deplorable condition, that at the age of 65, 97 out of every 100 in America, are partially or wholly dependent on relatives or friends or the public for their daily bread for their clothing, and for a roof under which to sleep. ¶

A Story of Lincoln as an Illustration

An eastern merchant once wrote Abraham Lincoln, when a young attorney, asking about the responsibility and character of a fellow-townsman, and Mr. Lincoln answered as follows: ¶

"Dear Sir: — Yours of the 10th received. I am well acquainted with the gentleman named, and know his circumstances. First of all he has a wife and baby. Together they should be worth fifty thousand dollars to any man. Then he has an office in which there will be a table worth about a dollar and a half, and three chairs worth, say, one dollar. Last of all, there is in one corner a rat hole which will bear looking into. Yours respectfully, Abraham Lincoln." ¶

Where Our Danger Lies

I see my time has expired. I do not know how it is possible for any man or woman to attend one of these conferences and hear the testimonies given under the inspiration of the Spirit of God that we have here, to leave a meeting and say the "Mormons"are dishonest in their belief. I believe all that has been revealed; I believe all that will yet be revealed; and I believe that this people will be instructed and directed under the influence of revelation from Almighty God. The only danger is ourselves. The Father will do his part, and desires that his children will do theirs. May God give us wisdom and judgment to fulfil every requirement made at our hands, that every calling, no matter where it may be, may be fulfilled in a way that even the bitterest enemy that we have may see our works, and forever cease criticism of such a people. God be with us forever. May his work grow and increase in the world for goodness, and in power, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶