Council of Twelve Apostles, who has long since

Council of Twelve Apostles, who has long since departed this life. In the course of his remarks he made a statement that impressed me and which has stayed with me since that time. It was to the effect that the time would come when men would communicate from city to city, conversing without the aid of the telephone or intervening wires. As I pondered over it I thought: Of course, that time will come, but it cannot come until after Christ comes again, and his truth shall have been acknowledged over the earth during the Millennium. Then such great power will be exercised, but even then it will be granted to those who are in the Church and to no others. I have lived, however, to see the fulfilment of that prediction. I am witnessing it now, as no doubt many are who are listening to these services throughout the land, for the voice of the speaker is carried abroad in each instance, how far I do not know. The voice is heard and recognized, perhaps a thousand miles away, and the words leave their impression on the mind of those who are listening almost the same as if they were sitting in the presence of the speaker, as you are doing. I think this is very wonderful ; and yet, this great discovery did not come through revelation to a member of the Church ; it was not sent through one who holds the Priesthood, but it came through one not of the Church but who was inspired of the Lord to give this great blessing to the world. So with many other things, the automobile and the airplane as means of transportation; the talking machine and all of these great discoveries that have come through scientific research, they have come, most of them, outside of the Church. Yet I maintain that had there been no restoration of the gospel, and no organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there would have been no radio ; there would have been no airplane, and there would not have been the wonderful discoveries in medicine, chemistry, electricity, and the many other things wherein the world has been benefited by such discoveries. Under such conditions these blessings would have been withheld, for they belong to the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times of which the restoration of the gospel and the organization of the Church constitute the central point, from which radiates the Spirit of the Lord throughout the world. The inspiration of the Lord has gone out and takes hold of the minds of men, though they know it not, and they are directed by the Lord. In this manner he brings them into his service that his purposes and his righteousness, in due time, may be supreme on the earth. ¶

INSPIRATION AND THE GREATER ACCUMULATION OF KNOWLEDGE THE CAUSE ¶

Now let me say briefly that I do not believe for one moment that these discoveries have come by chance, or that they have come because of superior intelligence possessed by men today over those who lived in ages that are past. They have come and are coming because the time is ripe, because the Lord has willed it, and because he has poured out his Spirit on all flesh. ¶

I know it is quite generally believed that the people living now are more intelligent than were those who lived in former ages. I cannot accept this view because, with the understanding I have of the restoration of the gospel and of the dealings of our eternal Father with his children from the very beginning, I know that he would not choose and send into this world inferior intelligences to stand at the head of his work. We are informed that in the councils that were held in the heavens, when tests were made, the spirits of the men, then living in the pre-mortal state in the presence of the Father and the Son, were chosen to stand upon the earth in the various ages of the world's history to hold particular positions of responsibility because of superior intelligence manifested in the spirit world. I am satisfied with the thought that among these spirits there was none greater, except the Savior of the world himself, than the one who was called to stand at the head of the human family. So it is not because of greater intelligence, but because, no doubt, of the greater accumulation of knowledge together with the inspiration that comes from the Lord as he grants it unto men, that we receive the benefit of these blessings. The time has come for the Father to gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, that the fulness of his work may be consummated. For this reason we are seeing and enjoying the great advantages of our time. The prophets anciently, I am sure, spoke of these marvelous events that should come to pass in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. ¶

HAS THE RACE PROGRESSED INTELLECTUALLY? ¶

I have before me an excerpt taken from a lecture delivered on the 9th day of February, 1925, before the Philosophical Society of Great Britain, by Avery H. Forbes, a member of that distinguished body. Discussing the question, "Has the race progressed intellectually?" he makes this comment: ¶

"That information, knowledge, facts, have vastly increased is undisputed, but that the increase is favorable to the moral nature, or even to the worldly wisdom, is yet to be shown." ¶

He then quotes the following from Alfred Russell Wallace, one of the noted scientists of the past century : ¶

"The great majority of educated persons hold the opinion that we are more intellectual and wiser than men of past ages, that our mental faculties have increased in power, but the idea is totally unfounded." ¶

HAS THE RACE MADE MORAL PROGRESS ? ¶

Then, discussing another problem, "Has the race progressed morally?" Mr. Forbes concludes that it has not, but on the contrary, with the greater knowledge that has been imparted and the greater power to act, men have used these agencies for the creation of greater crime. However, they have had the means within their hands to benefit mankind and to bring about increased righteousness. I think his conclusion is in perfect harmony with the revelations of the Lord to his people. ¶

WHERE MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED ¶

In conclusion, I want to call your attention to this fact, that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who have received the greater light and have made greater covenants to serve the Lord, are under the necessity of keeping those covenants and commandments in righteousness and humility. We are living in perilous times, notwithstanding the remarkable wonders and accumulated knowledge of the present age. This is a day of ungodliness and increased iniquity and men everywhere are paying little heed to the commandments of the Lord. These evil conditions which confront us tend to lead us from the path of truth. As members of the Church we have greater opportunity, because of modern revelation and the Priesthood, to serve our fellows and to teach them the ways of eternal life. Let us remember the words of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith : ¶

"For of him unto whom much is given much is required ; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. ¶

"Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors ; and justice and judgment are the penalty which is affixed unto my law." ¶

I would like to present all of this revelation, but you may read it yourselves. It is found in section eighty-two of the Doctrine and Covenants. I will, however, read one or two more verses : ¶

"And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you ; ¶

"Or, in other words, I give unto you direction how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation. ¶

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." ¶

The man who has received the truth and yet will not walk in it deserves the greater condemnation. A member of this Church who will indulge in the use of tobacco, who will violate the Word of Wisdom, who refuses to pay his tithing, to keep the Sabbath day, or who in any other way will not hearken to the word of the Lord, is not loyal to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ¶

I was thinking, when Brother Rey L. Pratt was speaking of his labors in South America, how certain Italian brethren came confessing their sins and in humility forsaking them — giving up everything in the world for the gospel's sake because they had found the truth, how characteristic that is of those who receive the gospel out in the world. Yet, here at home in the stakes of Zion, in the shadows of Temples, are to be found those who are numbered with the Church who will not keep the commandments of the Lord. Some of them have made covenant in holy places, and yet they do not value the truth ; they do not value the teachings of the servants of the Lord and they will not walk in the knowledge which they possess, much less by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God. These shall receive the greater condemnation. Oh how I wish all who live in the stakes of Zion could get the same spirit of humility and faith that is manifested by these humble converts out in the world. What a power we would be for righteousness. May we seek for it, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. ¶