I Take Great Pleasure, My Brethren and Sisters

I take great pleasure, my brethren and sisters, in reporting to you the condition of the Central States, as far as our missionary work is concerned. I think no father or mother need have any fear concerning his or her sons or daughters who are engaged in this labor, for I doubt if there is any institution of learning in the country that will broaden and develop a young man or young woman more, or give them an experience that will compare with that obtained in the mission field. ¶

Our missionaries are active ; young men and young women, going out with scarcely any experience, get right into the work with as much faith as you could expect them to have. My testimony to you is that the work of the Lord is growing in the hearts of the children of men, that the youth of Zion are not weakening by any means, but that they are growing stronger. We have some missionaries in the field without money and some with money. They are splendid young people and are not afraid of work. They go from early in the morning until late at night. We do not have to urge them, but sometimes have to call a halt, especially among women missionaries who are so interested in their labors that they often work harder than their strength allows. But after all, they stand the test and seem to hold up their part of the work as favorably as the elders do, and frequently can go where an elder cannot go. They have many conversations among their own sex. ¶

Latter-day Saints are found in every nook and corner, almost, of the Central States mission — from Brownsville, Texas, to the northern part of Missouri, and from Louisiana almost to El Paso, Texas — six states. Little organizations are found almost in every county, and in many of the great cities. We ask the elders to hold meetings once a day if they possibly can, and that no night shall pass without their being in a cottage meeting, if possible, or in a street meeting, or in some of the halls or churches of that mission. Let me say again that nothing finer than the spirit of those young people can be found anywhere in the world. They are faithful and true to their calling every day. They are not concerned with temporal matters, consequently they grow rich spiritually, and as a result of their time in the field, they become well acquainted with the gospel. I take great pleasure in saying to you, my brethren and sisters, that there has not come to me in my life any other joy or pleasure that has compared with this missionary labor. ' , ¶

I know that the Latter-day Saints at home are doing a great work. Our work could not be done without the parents who sustain us in the mission field ; unless we are all united there cannot be success. I say to the missionaries frequently: Brethren and sisters, you ought to do well, every father and mother, brother and sister and little child is praying for you daily, that you may be successful in the mission field, that the Lord will preserve you and that you may be able to reach the hearts of the children of men. ¶

We do not have enough missionaries. There are thousands of men and women who have not heard the gospel, and who will never hear it unless we are able to reach them in some other way than by the present method. I do not know how it can be done unless through the radio, but there are hundreds and thousands of young men and young women growing to manhood and womanhood in the Central states, who have never seen a "Mormon" missionary. A way to reach them the Lord undoubtedly will arrange ; I know that he is at the helm. I am as sure as that I stand before you today that our Father who appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the state of New York, in that Sacred Grove, and introduced his Son Jesus Christ, has never been very far away from the Church, and that Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who appeared to the Prophet Joseph, has honored this Church and organized the destinies of it, and speaks through its leaders. I am just as sure of that as I am that I live. I want to go on record before the world in my testimony that the Lord lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that he is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that his work is growing in "the earth and will continue to grow until the time comes for him to call a halt and say enough. No one knows when that time will be, excepting him who governs and rules and guides the destinies of the children of men according to their works. We have friends as well as enemies, but the Church does have many friends in the mission field among those who are not members of it. ¶

We have had the opportunity this year of building three churches. President Grant was in our mission a short time ago and dedicated three buildings in the state of Missouri. ¶

We are celebrating at Independence, Missouri, this week, the centennial of that city. It has been one hundred years since Independence was made a village. This Church is taking its part in the pageant, in the parade, in the contributions, in the printing and everything that is being done. We have been accorded all that is due us, and I take great pleasure in' saying to you that the Church has many friends in that section of the country, and the Spirit of the Lord is moving upon the hearts of the children of men, and his work will be accomplished in his own due time. ¶

I pray the Lord to bless us that we may honor his name continually. I pray for those who are not of us, that they may listen to the elders who happen to come to their doors, and be led to glorify the Lord's name through baptism by his servants, and I do it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ¶