The Saints Have the Courage of Their Convictions

My dear Brethren and Sisters: In using this form of address I do so not without thought or feeling, for to me the Latter-day Saints are dear. I love the faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I sympathize with and pity those who are not faithful. ¶

I am glad to be associated with you in conference, my brethren and sisters, and as a member of the Church I am glad to share with you whatever of ignominy may rest upon us as a people because of our religion, and being unpopular with the world. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for I know that it is the power of God unto salvation to all those who will faithfully obey the same. ¶

THE SAINTS HAVE THE COURAGE OF THEIR CONVICTIONS ¶

There are, without doubt, people listening in on their radio sets to the proceedings of this conference, who would be ashamed perhaps to be seen in our midst worshiping with us, and yet they have an inward conviction that we are right in our worship, and that this is indeed the true gospel of the Master. The Latter-day Saints are not of that character, they have not only a firm conviction but a true and abiding testimony of the truth, and they have the courage of their convictions. ¶

I have no doubt that there are many others listening in who are interested in the doctrines which we teach, but who, because of what it would cost to be a consistent member of this Church, are manifesting no interest among us. The Latter-day Saints are not of that class, either -- they have embraced the gospel as the ¶

straight gate and the narrow way that leadeth to everlasting life. They have accepted it as a gospel of sacrifice and self abnegation from beginning to end, and they realize that in order to be worthy disciples of the Master they must be willing to give of their substance in any amount that may be required, even to all that they possess if necessary, for the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth and the establishment of his kingdom. They understand that they must have it in their hearts to lay down their lives for the truth, if need be, and that none who is not thus willing is approved of the Lord. There are, of course, individuals among us who become lukewarm and indifferent. This fact we greatly regret and we are striving to bring all to a unity of the faith and to faithfulness in serving the Lord. ¶

THE DANGER OF LOSING SALVATION ¶

There are various causes that keep men and women outside the Church, who have investigated far enough to be assured that we teach the true scriptural doctrine. I would that they had the courage of the Latter-day Saints. I feel that all such are in serious danger, their salvation is in jeopardy. Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind is also Mediator with the Father for us, and he has said that if we are ashamed of him, he will be ashamed of us before the Father. Men and women who are ashamed of the work of God and the followers of Jesus Christ I fear, will be regarded by Him as being of this class. ¶

THE STANDARD OF WORTHINESS ¶

I rejoice in my association with the Latter-day Saints. I believe that I love God, I hope and pray that I do, so as to meet every requirement that he has made upon me. I hope and pray constantly that my faith and testimony in the life, the existence and the mission of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world may not be wanting. As often as I partake of the sacrament as emblems of his body and blood, I ask myself the question, "Am I ready, am I willing, if it should be required at my hands, to give my life for him and for this cause?"And if I am not thus ready and willing I have yet much to learn and to do, for I must reach that standard if I would be accounted worthy of an exaltation with him in our Father's kingdom. If I did not love the Latter-day Saints I should consider myself unworthy of the position which I occupy. I ought to so love this people that I would rejoice with them in their successes and sorrow with. them in their misfortunes. I think that is a good standard for all of us. If I do not love my brother, I fear my love of God and of Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world is wanting, and I do know that salvation is the thing above all other things that I desire and that we all should desire. And I know equally well that we cannot hope to obtain the goal of salvation and exaltation unless we do believe in Jesus Christ as the Son ¶

of God, not merely as a great teacher, but we must accept him as the Savior and the Redeemer of mankind. No man can be saved without this faith in Jesus Christ. That means that many men and women are going to be. greatly disappointed in the end when they learn the whole truth. ¶

AN INDIVIDUAL TESTIMONY ¶

I am thankful to my Father in heaven that he has made it easy for me to believe on him as the God of this world and the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the laws by which they are governed, the very eternal Father of the spirits of all men; I have no doubts, every fiber of my being responds to that testimony and declaration. I am equally thankful that I have no doubts with regard to his Son Jesus Christ and his mission. I do know by the witness of the Holy Spirit, whose mission it is to reveal unto us the things of God, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, the very Messiah. I thank the Lord that I have believed and that I have received the witness, and that I am without doubt with regard to these things. As a special witness of the Lord unto the people, not the Latter-day Saints alone/but unto this whole world, I bear my testimony, which I know I will have to meet hereafter, that I do know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and that I do know this is his work, and that there must be faith in Jesus Christ, and obedience unto the laws and ordinances of his gospel, if we would obtain eternal life. These things we have accepted, and it is our desire and we are making effort to live up to the perfect law of Christ, the law of the gospel, which is a law of liberty. But we are mortal, we confess our sins daily before God, and before one another, still we have hope, notwithstanding our weaknesses, that we will endure in the faith, and that by persistent striving and with the help of the Lord, we will ultimately overcome evil and gain eternal life, and we can afford to be merciful and charitable to those who are less fortunate than are we. ¶

OUR ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES ETERNAL ¶

To those who are on the outside I would like to say this, that while members of this Church are mortal, and have weaknesses, and do err and do things that are not commendable, the principles which we have accepted are eternal, they are true and exalting, and we should be able to differentiate between the lives, actions and words of men, and the religion which they have received and which in their weakness they are trying to live. Now, I admonish you to repent of your sins and come and join us and be better men and women, if you can, than we are, and we will not be jealous or envious, we will love you the more. ¶

God bless you all, members of the Church and non-members alike, our Father's children, may those who are in spiritual darkness, be brought to see the light. May they be given courage to act according to the light and understanding they may receive, that all who would, may eventually be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God, I earnestly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶