I feel it a great privilege

I feel it a great privilege, my brethren and sisters, to stand before a general conference of the Church. This is the first opportunity that I have had since October, 1921, to attend a general conference of the Church and during the larger part of the intervening time I have been in Europe. ¶

It was my privilege to labor during the latter part of the time among the French-speaking people, and I can assure you that I bring back from those countries some of the fondest memories of my life. The French mission was reorganized at the commencement of 1924, at which time the French-speaking people of Belgium, and those of the French cantons in Switzerland, and the people of France, were united under one head. Up to that time there had been missionaries laboring in Belgium and Switzerland, and years ago missionaries had done work in France, but these countries had not been grouped together as a French mission, until 1924. ¶

I am sure that the movement that was taken by ]the authorities was the proper one. While our labors will perhaps be slow among the French people, for some time, because of the fact that they have not heard of the teachings of our Church and because missionaries have not been among them, yet I am confident that we have a great work to perform among those who speak the French language. ¶

I can say truthfully that there are no finer people to associate with than those in Belgium, in France, and in Switzerland. Some misunderstanding has arisen here in our country with respect to the French people, and some of us have been prone to criticize them for conditions that have been forced upon them ; and, perhaps, also, for their attitude toward the people of the United States ; but could you go, as I have gone, and as many others have, through the war-torn countries of France and Beligum, I am sure that you would then appreciate more fully the conditions under which they have been laboring in the past few years. There are four or five divisions of France which were completely devastated during the war, and these, by the way, were the agricultural districts. Not only were homes destroyed, but much of the land was damaged to such an extent that, perhaps, it can never be reclaimed. However, the French government is spending large sums of money in an effort to clear the shell-strewn land, and to remove the effects of war throughout this territory. Their homes, their means of livelihood, were taken from them, and then we, who have not been touched to such an extent, criticize them because of the fact that they feel they are overburdened and because they have expressed their feelings. ¶

I like the French people. I like the way they extend their hos- ■ pitality to all those who go among them, and especially to our missionaries. When missionaries go into their homes they are received, and the people listen to their message. True, it is entirely new to them and they cannot understand, as we do, some of the principles of the gospel, but we are making an effort to teach them, and they are earnestly investigating our teachings. ¶

There are no people more energetic than the Belgians, and while their country is small, they, too, have suffered under similar conditions to those that exist in France. Their country, also, was destroyed ; their homes were taken from them ; they had no place to go. Fathers and sons were taken out of the homes and the wives and daughters were left to "carry on." It is a pitiful sight, in passing through Belgium at the present time, to see the women working — working too hard — in the fields, working in the shops and factories, working along the canals and rivers pulling the boats laden with products and sharing their part of the labor in loading and unloading the boats at their destinations. These sights are very common. The women are working just as hard as the men to rebuild their beautiful and beloved little country, and we who have known their sacrifices, and witnessed their sturdy determination to rehabilitate their lands sympathize also with the Belgians for what they have passed through, and admire them for what they are doing. ¶

Switzerland was not touched as these other countries were by the war. It is a most delightful country, as most of you know. It is called "the playground of the world," and truly it is a playground, beautiful and inviting. There the people are a little more care-free than they are in the other parts of the French mission ; and, being in general a Protestant country, they are less difficult to approach on religious matters. ¶

So, summing up the conditions as they exist at the present time in France, Belgium and Switzerland, I can truthfully say that I believe our missionaries will accomplish just as great a work among the French speaking people as has been accomplished among the British, the Norwegians, the Dutch, the Germans and those of other parts of the world, if we continue to work to that end ; and, for one, I feel to encourage those who have the opportunity of going to France, or to the French mission to accept the call, and devote. their time, efforts and talents to the building up of the Lord's work in those countries. The gospel is for all mankind. It is not alone for the British people, although our first missionary labors in Europe were among them, but it is intended for other nations of Europe and for those in the far parts of the earth. ¶

It is interesting to note the change that comes into the lives of those who have accepted the gospel. It is interesting to note the difference in home life; the change of conditions; the better feeling that exists between father and son, between mother and daughter. There seems to be kindled in their hearts a new love for one another and for their fellow-men, and truly that is the spirit of the gospel of Christ. ¶

It has been my privilege to watch these changes in the lives of some of those with whom I have been associated, and I declare unto you that the gospel is molding the lives of those who receive it and are living it. I believe that we, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, should devote our time and talents to the advancement of the Lord's work, because, after all, we are here but a short period of time and it is our duty to give these glad tidings that we have received to others who have not been so fortunate as we have been in being born here in the valleys of the mountains. I feel and believe as did Nephi of old when he said, "I will go and do the thing which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.'' I believe that where the Lord has laid down a rule, where he has given a commandment, that in every case he provides the way by which we. his children, may fulfil these commandments which have been given unto us. So, is there any reason that, as Latter-day Saints, we should falter? Is there any reason why we should not heed the principles of the gospel of Christ? Is there any reason why we should not perform the duties assigned us by the authorities of the Church? I say there is no reason. I believe that it is the duty of every Latter-day Saint to observe the principles of the gospel in his life. I believe that it is the duty of every man, woman and child who has been baptized into this Church not only to keep the commandments of the Lord, but to strive also to give some new hope, some encouragement, to those who have not been blessed as we have been. ¶

When we are traveling in the world, we find that the conditions which exist among Christian people are appalling, i. e., we find such diversity of opinion with reference to the teachings of Christ. We find that different sects are teaching various doctrines, and the result is that the world at large is thrown into confusion. It is difficult for one who has not heard the teachings of a commissioned servant of the Lord to select the principles and doctrines that he should follow in his search for the way of salvation. It is the hope and purpose of our missionary work to give guidance, and point the way, to those who are seeking truth, and I am glad to say that so far as my travels have revealed, our missionaries are accomplishing that purpose. There is no work in the world that gives a testimony of the gospel as does the missionary work. To go forth, bearing the Priesthood, to give a reason for the hope that is within us; to go out and stand for truth and for righteousness, against the evil forces which are constantly opposing, is a great privilege, a choice blessing. ¶

The missionaries in France are devoting their time willingly ; they are working conscientiously. They know the obstacles before them. They realize that the French have not in the past received the gospel as have the other people in Europe, because they have not had these teachings as some of the other people have had them. Therefore the missionaries are devoting extra time and additional effort for the furtherance of this noble work. ¶

I commend very highly the faithful and conscientious efforts of all those with whom I was privileged to labor, because they are men of true character — they are men who have the spirit of the gospel at heart. ¶

I had the pleasure of going to Palestine, about two years ago, and while traveling there many things occurred that have strengthened my testimony and increased my understanding of the great value of our teachings. On one occasion I entered the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem — a church which has been erected over the birth-place of our Lord and Savior. I had two companions with me, and as we viewed with reverence the interesting things within the church, our attention was drawn to long strips of carpet and small mats which seemed to separate the floor space into various sections. We walked on through the church toward the back where we were conducted through a small door down a few steps to the manger, the very place, we were told, in which the Christ-child had been born. But our curiosity was again aroused when we noticed that an Arab, wearing the Mohammedan costume and armed with a rifle was standing guard over this sacred place, and it was upon inquiry that we learned the reason for this unusual condition. A few years previous to our visit the different Christian denominations who had been worshipping at the same time in this church had not agreed upon some particular topic of discussion and a battle had arisen ; a real genuine fight in which several were wounded. As a result of this it was decided, perhaps unanimously, by these Christian sects, these pseudo-Christians, may I call them, to divide the Church into sections designating a particular section to each sect ; and in order that there should be no further confusion or fighting they also decided to place an Arab guard, not a Christian, but an Arab guard, over the birthplace of the Savior. Imagine such a condition! How disgusting it seems to us to know of the necessity of having an armed Arab guard standing in that most sacred place to keep Christians from killing one another. ¶

That brings to mind the very thing that exists today throughout Europe, that exists generally throughout all the world — the lack of brotherly love and respect for the rights of others. Hatred often arises among Christian denominations — not love for their fellow-men ; not the spirit of the gospel of Christ, but in their place antagonism, strife and contention. ¶

Now that my mission has been completed and I am back among the Latter-day Saints, I rejoice in the opportunity of meeting with you. I am happy in the knowledge that we, as a body, are united. We are making an effort to wipe out the differences that exist throughout the Christian world, by earnestly teaching the true gospel of the Lord ; the gospel of good will and fellowship ; the gospel of peace. True, we are having difficulty in winning our way and bringing people to the light of gospel truth. Perhaps, in numbers, we shall for a long time be in the minority, but we have the assurance that to us has been given the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that the prophet, Joseph Smith, was a true prophet of God, and we know that in these, the last days, we are being directed by the Lord through his servants. This is his Church; we are his children and it is our privilege to receive the blessings which he has promised us, provided we are faithful and true to all the covenants we have made with him. ¶

I bear you my testimony that I know that this is the true work of the Lord. I know that we are living in a day and age when it behooves everyone of us to hold firm and steadfast to the principles of the gospel. I pray that the Lord may strengthen all of us, that he may give us his Spirit at all times to guide and direct us in all that we do, so that eventually we shall attain salvation in his kingdom. May God bless us all. May the spirit of this conference influence our lives, and may we carry to our homes the determination to go on in this work and to do the things which will bring us happiness and joy, not only in this life but in the life to come. I pray for these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶