My Brethren and Sisters: We Have Had a Most Glorious Conference

My brethren and sisters: We have had a most glorious conference. I have enjoyed every moment of it up to this hour. The teachings of this conference have been equal to any that I have heretofore listened to. ¶

A LARGE PRIESTHOOD MEETING ¶

Last evening a great multitude of men bearing the holy Priesthood of God gathered in this tabernacle. It was a time of interest and instruction, and perhaps as largely attended a priesthood meeting as we have ever had in the Church. Represented there were all the orders and degrees of the priesthood of God. The duties devolving upon the priesthood are quite well defined in the revelations of God. You will pardon me if I refer briefly this morning to the Council of the Twelve Apostles and the First Council of Seventy, since I am quite closely identified with these councils. As to whether the Council of the Twelve and the First Council of Seventy enjoy the spirit of their calling, you Latter-day Saints are perhaps well able to judge. They are very close to you and you know them. ¶

THE WORD OF THE LORD TO THE APOSTLES AND SEVENTY ¶

The word of the Lord to Joseph Smith the Prophet, respecting these councils, will perhaps be appropriate at this time. In section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord says : ¶

"The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the institution of heaven; to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and secondly unto the Jews. ¶

"The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve or the traveling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews ; ¶

"The twelve being sent out, holding the keys, to open the door by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and first unto the Gentiles and then unto the Jews." ¶

This is repeated in section 124, where the following language occurs. Remember, these sections disclose sacred revelations of God to Joseph Smith, his servant: ¶

The "Twelve hold the keys to open up the authority of my kingdom upon the four corners of the earth, and after that to send my word to every creature." ¶

And in respect to the First Council of Seventy, the "Quorum is instituted for traveling elders to bear record of my name in all the world, wherever the traveling high council, mine apostles, shall send them to prepare a way before my face." ¶

THE LABORS OF THESE COUNCILS ¶

You will remember that it is said that the Twelve is a Traveling Presiding High Council. Such is actually the case. They are not expected to preside directly in the Church, but are also required to travel, and so that has fallen to the lot of these two councils since the Church was organized. They are constantly on the road, so to speak, going or coming, whether at home or abroad, going into the stakes of Zion, when at home, to regulate the affairs of the Church in the stakes, under the direction of the First Presidency ; to visit by rotation, some ninetynine stakes of Zion. And you will perceive that it requires some time to get around and visit these stakes. At least ten, eleven or twelve stake conferences are held weekly, and at most of the conferences members of the Twelve and the First Council of Seventy are represented. What are they there for? To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to organize and reorganize wards and stakes of Zion, and to set apart to the callings of the priesthood presidents of stakes, high councilors, etc. And, having accomplished this work at any one or all of these conferences, the apostles and the members of the first council of seventy return to report their work to the first presidency of the Church. And I may say that these brethren have very great pleasure and delight in the labor that is placed upon them. ¶

What about the nations ? Well, as the Twelve and the First Council are required to have a very considerable interest in the missions of the world, we have some twenty-seven missions, it is the particular duty of the Twelve, and so stated by the revelation, to open the door for the proclamation of the gospel to the nations, and perhaps also to teach the gospel, by first opening the door and then sending the word of the Lord to the nations. It gives me great pleasure to report here this morning that the Twelve have accomplished, in my judgment, a very great work in respect to this matter. The door for the proclamation of the gospel was opened up to America, our beloved country, by Joseph Smith the Prophet, and the keys to turn this door were also committed by Joseph Smith, the prophet, to members of the Council of the Twelve. ¶

The gospel was introduced into Great Britain in 1839 by Elder Heber C. Kimball, who was then one of the Council of the Twelve. He was accompanied by Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, and Joseph Fielding. They accomplished a great mission. The gospel was introduced into France in 1850 by Elder John Taylor of the Twelve ; and in Italy in 1850, by Elder Lorenzo Snow ; in Scandinavia in 1850, by Elder Erastus Snow; in Japan in 1901 by President Heber J. Grant; in South America in 1925, by Elder Melvin J. Ballard, who was accompanied by Elder Rulon S. Wells and Rey L. Pratt. ¶

The Pacific Islands mission was opened in 1844 by Elder Noah Rogers and others. Elder Rogers was not of the Twelve. Elder David O. McKay and Elder Hugh J. Cannon visited the Pacific Islands mission in 1921. It was a complete and extended visit. They also went to China, and while Elder McKay was there in that distant land, he felt impressed to bless the land that the gospel might take root in the hearts of that people. ¶

■We are told in the revelation that the Twelve will not only take the gospel to the Gentiles, but also to the Jews. Perhaps the first step taken in this matter was the appointment, by the Prophet Joseph Smith, of Orson Hyde of the Twelve, who was despatched to dedicate and consecrate the land of Palestine for the gathering of Judah's scattered remnant, and also the scattered remnants of Israel. You will understand, my brethren and sisters, that since that time there has been a pronounced movement on the part of the Jews of the world to gather to Palestine, undoubtedly influenced by the sacred prayer that was put upon the land of Palestine and by the Spirit of God, who is directing in all these matters. ¶

TESTIMONY ¶

I rejoice in the integrity, in the faithfulness, in the devotion of my brethren and associates of the Council of Twelve and the First Council of Seventy. I know these brethren intimately. I think I have been able to look into their hearts, and to know how they feel. I know what they are doing. I believe that their labors are approved of the Lord, and that his blessing is attending their activities. ¶

We members of these two councils rejoice greatly in the spirit of the gospel and are pleased to labor under the direction of the First ¶

Presidency of the Church. We love one another ; we uphold one another in our faith. I believe, in fact, I think I may say that I know that the Council of the Twelve and the First Council of Seventy see eye to eye. ¶

Of course, there are other councils in the Church, and there are a great many important callings. I might be pardoned in closing my remarks by quoting from Paul the Apostle, who is regarded as a very eminent authority on things pertaining to the work of God. He said : ¶

"The Church of God is founded upon apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." Now, the Apostle might very well have added — certainly he might have truthfully added — that the Church of God is founded, or built, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, of high priests, of seventies, elders, and of priests, teachers and deacons, because it must be very apparent to the Latterday Saints that, after all is said and done, the real meaning of the pronouncement of the apostle was this : that the Church of God is built upon the foundation of the Holy Priesthood of God for that represents divine authority upon the earth. And it is by divine authority that the Church of God has been established and will be built up upon the earth. ¶

This is my testimony. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know it as fully and completely as I know that I live. I know that Joseph Smith was and is a true Prophet of God. He was a mighty man in Israel, and I bear this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶