The Labors of President James E. Talmage

The Labors of President James E. Talmage ¶

I wish to say that we hear from time to time very favorable reports regarding the work being accomplished by Brother James E. Talmage as president of the European mission, and also as president of the British mission. He has succeeded in getting many communications into the papers in Great Britain, setting forth the faith of the Latter-day Saints, and he is accomplishing a very remarkable and splendid work while presiding in that far-off land. He has the constant faith and prayers of the Presidency, Apostles and Presiding Patriarch in their weekly meetings in the temple. ¶

The Saints Requested to Apply Scripture ¶

I desire to read the words of the Savior, which I would like the Latter-day Saints to apply to the teachings of the servants of the Lord who constitute the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ, and who are promulgating his teachings and his sayings and calling people to repentance. I feel that these words should find lodgment in the hearts of those who have listened to the wonderful testimonies that have been borne: ¶

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: ¶

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. ¶

"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: ¶

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." ¶

A Blessing for Priesthood and Auxiliary Workers and the Saints ¶

I desire to extend my blessing to all the men and the women who preside in all the stakes of Zion throughout the Church, in all the missions, in all the wards, in all the quorums of the priesthood and in all the auxiliary organizations. I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that there cannot be found in any part of the world men and women giving so unselfishly of their time, of their talents, and of the best that is in them, for the salvation of the souls of men. I am satisfied that there are no other people who are devoting so much of their time, of their money, of their thoughts, and of their very being for the advancement of God's work at home and abroad, as are the Latter-day Saints. ¶

And with all the power that God has given me, I desire to bless the men and the women who are thus giving their time and thought and are setting examples that are worthy of the imitation, not only of those over whom they preside, but of all men. Every man and woman who is laboring for the salvation of the souls of men and keeping the commandments of God is entitled to be blessed, and I pray God that his blessings may come to them. I rejoice in the remarkable and splendid testimonies that have been borne, during our conference, under the inspiration and by the light and power of God, and I pray that these testimonies may find lodgment in the hearts of the people, and that they will remember that those who obey the Lord and keep his commandments are building their house upon a rock, and those who fail to do this are building their house upon the sand. ¶

May the God of heaven bless us and be and abide with us until we meet again in six months from now in general conference, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemed and Savior. Amen. ¶