I feel very humble this morning

I feel very humble this morning, and my soul is filled with gratitude to our heavenly Father for membership in this Church. Of all the blessings that have come to me in life the most precious is the knowledge that God lives and that this is his work, because that comprehends all other blessings that I may hope to enjoy in this life or in the life that is to come. ¶

The Weather Fifty-Seven Years Ago

Fifty-seven years ago today, I am informed by good authority — the testimony of my mother — there were two feet of snow on the ground in the Salt Lake Valley. And when I contrast this beautiful morning — the sun shining, birds singing and flowers in bloom — I have an impression that there is quite a difference in the climatic conditions. And I also have reason to believe that there is a very great difference in the general condition of our country and the circumstances surrounding the membership of this Church, since April 4, fifty-seven years ago. ¶

Many Changes in Our Lives

It is peculiar how many things transpire in our lives in a short period of time. If you men and women who are here who have passed fifty years of age will review and consider how many remarkable circumstances have transpired, how many inventions and discoveries have been recorded, within your memory, you will realize that we are moving at a very rapid pace. ¶

The Gospel Will Be Proclaimed in Power

The Lord revealed to one of his prophets that at the coming forth of the Book of Mormon he would commence his work among the nations for the restoration of his people. When we realize with what speed the gospel of Jesus Christ may be disseminated now as compared with the year 1830, we can see that the Lord has set his hand and the opportunity to know is offered to men. It will not be long now, until in every part of this world the gospel may be heard through the servants of the Lord proclaiming it in power. Our heavenly Father will adjust conditions in the world so that the gospel may be preached. The great World War has readjusted the boundary lines and changed conditions in some nations, and the conflict that is now on in China, and the earthquakes and other disturbances that are afflicting mankind, will be in preparation of the further promulgation of the word of the Lord. ¶

Mission of the Men Who Bear the Priesthood

Your mission is a very remarkable one, you men who bear the Priesthood. LTpon you has been conferred divine authority. You did not obtain your right to preach and teach the gospel and officiate in its ordinances as a result of training in a college or university. You received your authority from men divinely commissioned to act as servants of the Lord, and it was conferred upon you by those who received it direct from Jesus Christ our Lord. ¶

Joseph Smith's Mission

Joseph Smith was only a boy when the hands of Peter, James and John were laid upon his head and he was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, — he and Oliver Cowdery. A little later Joseph Smith was directed to organize a Church. He was only a young man, but he organized it under the direction of the Redeemer of mankind. And it is patterned after the Church which was organized by the Savior when he was upon the earth. I have no doubt there were many who looked upon this young man as an upstart, and thought it was ridiculous that one who had not been educated to become a leader should presume to lead. But he was like the other servants of our heavenly Father who have lived upon the earth, who have been called by the Lord to perform a special labor, and the lack of knowledge pertaining to the things of this world did not preclude the possibility of the Lord's giving unto him information that made him equal and even superior in many respects to those who had possessed great earthly opportunities that were denied him. ¶

It has always been a source of satisfaction to me that this youth possessed such a character that his father and his mother, his brothers and sisters, yes, and his uncles and aunts, who were much older than he was, were impressed with his testimony and were glad, notwithstanding it was unpopular so to do, to ally themselves with him and his teachings. ¶

Testimony of Patriarch John Smith

I have here a document that was printed in the Deseret News, in the year 1851. It is a statement of an uncle of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and there are a few things in it that I think may be interesting to you. It indicates the faith of this good man, who, by the way, was ¶

the first stake president in the Salt Lake Valley. I refer to John Smith. He became Patriarch of the Church. He was an uncle of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and was born in 1781. This is his statement. I will read only a portion, because it is somewhat lengthy : ¶

"It is now upwards of twenty-one years since the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with six members, most of whom are numbered with the dead." ¶

Before proceeding I want to call your attention to the fact that this was written not long before the death of this good man. ¶

"Soon after its organization I heard the gospel through my nephew, Joseph Smith, Jr., and obeyed the commandments of the Lord by entering in at the door, which is baptism. ¶

"If the Presidency and Twelve who are now living had not been servants to the cause when Joseph lived, they would not have been worthy to fill the exalted stations which they now occupy ; and always remember 'That he who is the greatest among you must be the servant of all.' ¶

"Bring up your children in the way they should go, that they may be ornaments to the society and a blessing unto you in your old age; and remember that God will not hold you guiltless if you should neglect to attend to this matter. Remember also to teach them to pray; and cause your sons to take part in the family prayer; and beware what company they keep, for 'evil communications corrupt good manners.' ¶

"Let not your daughters mix with the sons of the stranger whom you know nothing about, and who are not of the house of Israel; but gather your children together, and teach them the principles of truth and righteousness, and teach them to obey the laws of God, and the day will come that they will arise and bless you. ¶

"Teach unto them every truth which God has revealed. Instill into their young minds every principle that will make them a noble race, and remove from their paths everything that is contrary to God and his commandments. * * * You will then have a race of children who will rise in the midst of Israel, and will break the shackles of superstition, and be fit beings to carry on the work which their fathers commenced; and the Spirit of God will assist you in doing these things, provided you put forth all your energies with your might. * * * ¶

"Let every elder of Israel put on 'the garments of righteousness, teaching by precept and example the true principles which exalt the mind, expand the understanding, and make man a fit companion for his Creator. Never dishonor the high and holy calling which has been placed upon him by teaching and suffering to be taught in his home or anywhere that he has influence or power to control, doctrines that are not of God. * * * ¶

"I must conclude, for I feel the infirmities of age creeping on, and knowing not when the Lord shall require me hence, I wish to take this opportunity of adding my mite to the testimonies of the thousands who are scattered throughout the globe, and of those who are gone beyond the veil, and who sealed theirs with their blood. * . ¶

In Kirtland, Ohio, four brothers sat in the patriarchal seat in the temple of God, and I only of that number am left to tell the tale ; and as I am now past the time allotted to man to live, it is reasonable that I also will be gathered unto my fathers in the time appointed of God. ¶

"I therefore bear my testimony, which I wish translated into every language and read to every Saint, and printed wherever the type is used; that the world may see and hear what I have to say; for if I were young I would visit them, when they should hear from my hps that God has again spoken from the heavens • that he has again condescended to send his angels to visit fallen man, and point out the way whereby he can be saved. He appointed Joseph Smith a prophet and revealed unto him his commandments. ¶

"I testify that Joseph Smith was a Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and a man of God; and what was revealed through him will prove life and salvation to those who believe and obey, or death and condemnation to all who count it as naught, and harden their hearts against the truths he preached and practiced. I knew him — " ¶

I want to impress this paragraph upon your minds : ¶

"1 knew him when at his mother's breast, I watched and counselled his youth, but when God spoke and taught him, I bowed to his superior knowledge, and although he was a boy and I an old man, and his Uncle, yet I was not ashamed to learn true principles from him, and like Paul at the feet of Gamaliel, drank in the truths which flowed from the prophet's lips. ¶

"I was in jail with him and his brother Hyrum a few hours before they were killed, and I can testify before God, that they died innocent of any crime, and that they sealed their testimony with their blood. ¶

"I testify to all men, that I know that the angel has appeared which John the Revelator saw, who had the everlasting Gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come. ¶

''And I call on all men, priests and people, kings, potentates and rulers, to cease their strife, come and obey the gospel, gather with Israel, obey the commandments of God, that you and your dead may be saved and brought up in the first resurrection. ¶

"I say to the Saints that by the power of the holy priesthood vested in me, as Patriarch, I bless you, and I say unto you, Be faithful and you shall be blessed in your basket and your store ; you shall have all blessings which were promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and the Lord will preserve you as in the hollow of his hand, and no power shall stay the work, for everything that shall be brought against it will fail. * * *" ¶

He concludes by signing himself "John Smith, Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." ¶

I read this, my brethren and sisters, for the purpose of calling attention to the fact that that was the class of people from whom the prophet of the Lord sprang. Men and women who had faith in God, who were readers of the scriptures, who believed in the power of God, and who, where it would be natural for them, because of their age, to direct the youth of their own household, were humble in their souls, and prepared to bow to the superior wisdom, not of the boy, but of our heavenly Father who inspired him. ¶

It is a beautiful testimony to me because in the evening of his life, when he was all ready to pass to the great beyond, he wanted to leave that testimony to the Latter-day Saints. There is much more in the document, but I do not feel like I ought to take the time to read it. ¶

Testimony of President George A. Smith

I have another short document which is from his son, and I shall read a short paragraph from it, which has a bearing also upon something which you may be glad to know. This is from the historical discourses of President George A. Smith, a counselor to Brigham Young, reported by David W. Evans, in the year 1869 : ¶

"We look around today and behold our city clothed with verdure, beautiful with trees and flowers and with streams of water running in almost every direction, and the question is frequently asked. 'How did you ever find this place?' ¶

I answer, We were led to it by the inspiration of God. After the death of Joseph Smith, when it seemed that every trouble and calamity had come upon the Saints, Brigham Young, who was President of the Twelve, then the presiding quorum of the Church, sought the Lord to know what they should do and where they should lead the people for safety. While they were fasting and praying daily on this subject, President Young had a vision of Joseph Smith, who showed him the mountain we now call Ensign Peak, immediately north of Salt Lake City, and an ensign fell upon that peak, and Joseph said, 'Build under the point where the colors fall, and you will prosper and have peace.' The Pioneers had no pilot or guide, none of them had ever been in the country or knew anything about it. However, they traveled under the direction of President Young until they reached this valley. When they entered it President Young pointed to that peak, and said, 'I want to go there.' He went up to the point and said, 'This is Ensign Peak. Now, brethren, organize your exploring parties, so as to be safe from Indians ; go and explore where you will, and you will come back every time and say, This is the best place.' They accordingly started out exploring parties, and visited what we now call Cache, Malad, Tooele and Utah valleys, and other parts of the country in various directions, but all came back and declared this was the best spot." ¶

The Faith of Asael Smith and Descendants

Asael Smith believed in this latter-day gospel. He was the father of John Smith, the first man to whom I referred, who was the father of George A. Smith, who was the father of John Henry Smith, who was my father, and I have a son in Germany preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ— the sixth generation in the Church in our line, doing his mite as each of these individuals has done in this one family. And then we have many other families of that early day represented in the mission field. Some of the men upon this stand are descendants of those who were in the Church in an early day. ¶

Men of Strong Character Have Proclaimed the Gospel

There are throughout the organized stakes of Zion, men of strong character, men who think and reason for themselves, men who have tested the value of the gospel of Jesus Christ by observing its teachings, men who have not been afraid to go into the world and proclaim an unpopular doctrine, men who have been willing to offer their lives in order that the gospel might be proclaimed. It is to humble men like these who do not exalt themselves in the eyes of their fellows, who believe in the divine mission of our Savior, who know as they know they live that our heavenly Father has revealed himself in this latter day, that our Lord has given a living testimony of the truth. This great Church has been presided over by men who have been specially prepared, specially taught, specially equipped for that high honor that has been conferred upon each as he has taken his place. Our heavenly Father in his wisdom has surrounded these leaders of Israel with others who like themselves have faith and who do not bow to the individual, because of his personality or individuality as president of the Church, but who recognize him as the mouthpiece of our heavenly Father and sustain him and uphold him and pray for him, and love him, in order that they, too, may receive the blessings of our heavenly Father! ¶

There is no other organization like this in the world. There are no other people led as this people are led. It is truly said that those who preside are just men. It is through them that our heavenly Father will perform his work. It is through them that the gospel must be taught, and I call your attention to this fact : Not one of these men who have presided over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but has been willing to give his life for it if need be. The first one did give his life, and the others have been just as willing, if .need be, in order that the work of our heavenly Father may be perpetuated, and that all men might be called to repentance. The man who presides over us today is not presiding because of his own native ability. He is not presiding because he is the son of some great potentate, but he is in the position he occupies because our Father in heaven knows the integrity of his soul. Realizing the determination he would have to carry this message to all the nations of the earth, he prepared him for the high calling that has been conferred upon him. He presides as the representative of our heavenly Father. ¶

Let Us Teach Our Children the Gospel in the Home

Brethren and sisters, let us remember the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The good man to whom I have referred, and whose instructions I read, who was one of the early patriarchs of the Church, advised us to teach our children. If there is anything needed among the people today more than another, it seems to me it is that we shall honor Home Evening, as it was recommended to us by President Joseph F. Smith ; that we shall meet with our children around our own fireplaces and teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God unto salvation. And if we will do that, we have been promised that the Lord will add his blessing. ¶

Testimony

Fifty-seven years ago today I first saw the light, not very far from where I now stand. It has been fifty-seven years of experience, with some privations, some difficulties, some anxieties, and much happiness. In your presence I thank my heavenly Father for the opportunity that has come to me. I am grateful to have the companionship of my brethren and sisters in this wonderful organization, and there has not been a day since I arrived at the age of accountability ; there has not been a moment of time since I had the power to reason and think and understand for myself that I have not known as I know that I live that this is my Father's work. God help us to be worthy of the splendid privileges that are ours. Help us to be worthy of him who gave us life and being and honored us with his holy Priesthood ; and in kindness and love let us reach after those who do not understand, drawing them by cords of kindness and love, that they, too, may partake with us of this blessing which is the power of God unto salvation to all those who will believe and obey. ¶

That the Lord may give us this power, and that we may pass it on to our children and our children's children to the latest generation, that in his own due time, when he shall gather his jewels, we, who have had this great opportunity, may find our names enrolled in the Lamb's book of life, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶