Remarks

One of the most delightful things that characterize our general conferences, to my mind, is the presence of our mission presidents. It is always a delight to me when a breeze comes in from the mission field. It bears with it the spirit of testimony, and I delight to hear these presidents as they are called upon from time to time to address the congregations. There are, however, many missions that are of necessity not represented at our general conferences — those beyond the sea, in foreign lands. What a delightful thing it would be if there could come a message from all of these various missions! Who knows but that the time may yet come, through the wonderful modern inventions— through the use of airplanes and otherwise — that they may be brought from those distant lands and have their voices heard in the general assembly of the Church at each conference time? ¶

During the last few weeks it has been my lot to be very much engaged in matters pertaining to the Latter-day Saints that have gathered up to the land of Zion from those lands beyond the sea, where foreign languages are spoken. Efforts are being made to bring them more closely in contact with the general authorities of the Church than ever have been made before. The gospel message has been carried unto them all in fulfilment of that vision that came to the beloved disciple, who saw "another angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to proclaim unto them that dwell upon the earth, and to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and crying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come." ¶

In fulfilment of that great prophecy the messenger came from the realms above; the gospel has been, and is now being proclaimed in many languages and to many people. The honest in heart are being gathered into the fold of Christ, and many of them have come up to the land of Zion to cast their lots and identify their interests among ¶

the people of God. Having come here, sometimes I think they have been greatly neglected, through a failure on our part to provide adequate means whereby they could realize the blessings which they hoped for when they left their native lands. They have come up here that they might be taught in the ways of the Lord, that they might learn to walk in his paths; and yet, on account of the, to them, strange language spoken in the country of their adoption, they were unable to understand; and, of course, it became necessary to provide these people with organizations whereby they could hold meetings and hear the gospel and the teachings of it in their own native tongues, long before they would be able to acquire a knowledge of this English language. ¶

In order that they might have increased facilities for the holding of meetings, where they could be taught the principles of the gospel and be brought in closer contact with the presiding authorities of the Church and under its more immediate supervision, the First Presidency appointed a Committee of which Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Council of the Twelve is the chairman, to look into all matters pertaining to our foreign language Saints and to have a general supervision over all such gatherings in cooperation, of course, with the regular stake and ward authorities. In pursuance of this purpose the foreign Latter-day Saints, residing in the six stakes of Salt Lake city and vicinity, have recently been reorganized and consolidated into one separate organization for each separate language and nationality. That is, one for the Danes, one for the Swedes, one for the Norwegians, and one for the Scandinavians (comprising the above three); also one for the Swiss and Germans and one for the Dutch, making six organizations altogether. ¶

In the opening remarks of President Heber J. Grant we learned that nearly 1,800 people were baptized in the Swiss and German mission during the year 1924 (and many will doubtless find their way to Zion in due time) and that favorable progress is also being made in the other missions. It is therefore highly important that adequate provision shall be made to look after the welfare and promote the interests of these foreign language Saints, handicapped as they are by reason of the prevailing language which they are only able to understand after many years of patient study and practice. And in further consideration for these people, the Church has been and is now publishing foreign language papers, the supervision and management of which have also been given to this committee. We who speak our own mother tongue, the English language, the language of America, can hardly appreciate what it means to these foreigners when they are suddenly plunged into a new country, the customs, manners and language of which are to them unknown. ¶

Through the medium of these foreign language meetings and newspapers the Church is endeavoring to render a service of great value, a blessing and a comfort to our foreign Latter-day Saints: By instructing them in the principles of the gospel; in teaching them ¶

their duties in the Church; in assisting and encouraging them to affiliate with the regular organizations of the Church; in teaching them loyalty to their adopted country, and how to become real American citizens; in giving news from their native lands and the missions in which they were converted to the truth; in giving news from their friends and kindred both at home and abroad, and also in inspiring them with patriotic love for their adopted country and loyal devotion to the great cause of truth for which they have left their native lands. ¶

There is very much yet to be done in this direction. Not nearly enough has been yet translated into their languages. Of course, the standard works of the Church are published in those foreign tongues, but think of the vast amount of literature that has been written by such men as Elders B. H. Roberts, James E. Talmage and others of our splendid writers, that ought also to be translated and published in those languages. ¶

Thus it will be apparent that the presiding authorities of the Church desire to make adequate provisions for these, our brethren and sisters, who like ourselves are of the House of Israel and have been converted through the labors of our missionaries, and our hearts should go out in love and sympathy for them and in appreciation of the peculiar difficulties which they have to overcome by reason of their foreign tongue. And they should be made to feel that they "are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the Saints and of the household of God." ¶

May the Lord help us to appreciate these things and to do our part in helping them feel in very deed that they are our brethren and sisters engaged in a common cause, in the upbuilding of the Church and kingdom of God. I pray that we may all do so, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶