Remarks

I appreciate the privilege of meeting with you good people in the conference meeting, at Barratt Hall. I am sure that there is always a desire in our hearts to learn of the gospel and to partake of the good spirit that always prevails in our conference meetings. ¶

A few days ago, a young lady asked my why it was that there were so many young people who did not have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In our conversation I told her that I believed it was because the young people were not giving the attention to these matters in the same degree that they were giving their attention to other things. I am of the opinion that there is a sentiment among some of our young people that a testimony of the gospel will come to them in some peculiar way, and that all they have to do is to sit around and wait for it. Others expect the testimony to be theirs, irrespective of the lives they live, or the attention they give to the observance of the laws and commandment of the Lord. However, we as a people know that no one can receive a testimony of the gospel without searching for it, and observing the conditions upon which a knowledge is founded. ¶

We do not apply the same principles of reasoning to our religious experience as we do to other affairs of life. The student would not expect to go into school and acquire a knowledge of the subject under consideration without considrable study and application. For example, a student who is studying chemistry would not think of combining two acids and getting the proper result if the combination were not the correct combination. But sometimes in religious affairs he feels that there is no obligation on his part to apply the truths he has received in religious lines as he applies the truths that have been found out by investigation along other lines. ¶

A testimony of the gospej can only come to people who are willing to apply themselves in first learning the gospel, and the ¶

things necessary to be done and then observing and putting into practice these principles. As in the example of chemistry the result comes after a time when the proper combination is made, so it is with the gospel, the desired result cannot be obtained except by the proper application of the truths involved. ¶

We occasionally have people who come into our Church with an idea that something very remarkable is going to happen to them in the way of manifestations or miracles that will be an outward demonstration to them of the truthfulness of the gospel, confirming without question this thing that they have believed to be right. I remember a young man who had investigated the principles of the gospel and done some research work. He had been in the war and had been injured so that it was necessary for him to use crutches. While he had investigated in a fair way, still he continually had doubts and questions about some of the principles. These doubts kept him rather undecided as to whether it was right or wrong. However, eventually he decided that the principles were true, and felt that he had received a sufficient testimony, so that he applied for baptism. On coming up out of the water, I am convinced that he expected to be healed of the injury that he had received in the war and that this remarkable miracle or blessing would be given to him as an added testimony, removing from his mind any particular doubt that he had. But there was no outward demonstration of the power of the Lord in his behalf. Hands were laid upon his head and he was confirmed a member of the Church. He went along for awhile rather feeling that this blessing should come to him, but nothing particular was given to him as far as an outward demonstration was concerned. Because of this absence of any outward sign, he decided that the Church was not true and left the Church. ¶

We had another case where a woman had been in touch with the principles of the gospel from her childhood but had not taken the opportunity of coming into the Church. In the later years of her life, she felt that she could not stay out any longer, because of the testimony that had come to her, the truths that she had heard from time to time, as the elders visited at her father's home. She applied for baptism, and afterwards she expressed herself as being rather surprised that she felt no particular difference after being baptized than she did before. It was her idea that undoubtedly the Lord would so impress her that she would know beyond any shadow of a doubt that she was absolutely right in coming into the Church. Of course, in a way, she was rather disappointed that this outward manifestation was not given to her. ¶

I am of the opinion that often our young people, as well as our older people, are waiting for some of these remarkable things to happen to them, feeling that their faith all at once will be made almost perfect by the demonstration that they will receive from their heavenly Father, as to the divinity of the Church. This is not the ¶

way that the Lord usually acts towards his people, and all of us will be rather disappointed if our faith is dependent on outward signs. The way has been shown and marked out in a very plain and unmistakable manner, the following of which will bring us safely to a knowledge of the truth. ¶

I sincerely trust that our young people will feel that it is necessary for them to follow out the usual methods of receiving a testimony observing that marked path which has been given to us. If they will, there will be no question about their receiving such manifestation, the power of the Lord, as will indicate to their souls that they are in the right Church, that the Lord lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith is his prophet in these latter days. ¶

The Lord has indicated that it is obligatory on the part of parents to teach their children the principles of the gospel, but in the final analysis of the thing, it is quite necessary for the children themselves to investigate, and to find out for themselves concerning the truth of the principles that have been taught to them by their parents. ¶

I trust, my brethren and sisters, that we will do what we can to interest our sons and daughters in the gospel, and guard them along intelligent lines, so that they will not have to go at it blindly. Then they may be shown how to apply the principles that will bring to them the desired blessings and the testimony, so that in the end our young people, as they grow to manhood and womanhood, will not be left in doubt as to the truth of the gospel. They will have the staunch, firm testimony that their fathers and mothers had because of their application of the principles which bring a testimony. ¶

If we as parents will only do our part and follow the commandments given to us, as far as teaching our children are concerned, the boys and girls will continue to work out for themselves the different processes necessary to be gone through in order to get this definite knowledge from their heavenly Father. ¶

Let us live the gospel, and lay up treasures in heaven by keeping the commandments of the Lord, so that when the time comes that we are especially in need of blessings, we can draw on the account that we have with the Lord, and find that our balance is on the credit side. This knowledge will give us greater confidence in going to the Father, in faith, for blessings that we may stand so much in need of, which blessings may be in being able to reach the hearts of our sons and daughters, impress them with the testimony and faith of their Fathers. ¶

A tenor solo was sung by Charles S. Martin, entitled, "In my Father's house are many mansions." ¶