My Brethren and Sisters: I Feel Indeed Humble

My brethren and sisters : I feel indeed humble in occupying this position, and most sincerely trust that the Spirit of the Lord may come to my aid. This is one position where one is solely dependent upon the Spirit of God, if he shall utter the things that are most profitable. I have been interested in the remarks of President Taylor in giving us the principal keys, motives, the attitude that should direct us in life. I was thinking about the words of the Lord to the children of Israel, "The Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself." Living in this age of the world there is ofttimes a tendency among Latter-day Saints to try to be so much like those of other churches that there appears to be no means of determining whether they are Latter-day Saints or members of some other church, or of none at all. I think it is well that we try to impress the world and our associates that we are a distinct people — not that we hold ourselves as better than they, except as we may do better, but principally for the fact that we bear a message which no other people is in possession of. ¶

How may we obtain a testimony of the gospel? No doubt a number of those who heard the teachings of Jesus doubted the divinity of his calling, and he read their thoughts and said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself ." We Latterday Saints say to the people of the world, that if they will accept of the doctrines of "Mormonism," in faith and in the spirit of true repentance and humility, they, too, may obtain such a testimony. ¶

There are certain features or blessings that characterize faith and obedience to the gospel. The Savior in commissioning his disciples, before sending them out to preach, gave them promises that certain blessings should follow those who would obey. Among those promises were the gift of faith, and the gift of prophesy. My attention is now directed to some incidents that have been of peculiar interest to me coming from the Snake River valley. Many, many years ago, when most of the section now comprised in the Yellowstone stake was in its rough state, there was one section covered with large sagebrush lying level and beautiful. No water had yet been taken out of the river, and just a few people resided there, struggling against adverse conditions and almost discouraged because of the dryness of the soil. One of the brethren of the Council of the Twelve was present with a little body of Saints in our stake. A brother remarked to him, as the visitor was being entertained at his home, "I have dug a hole here in the hope of getting water, but I suppose it is hopeless." The visiting brother, being inspired of the Lord, said to the brother, "Do not fill up the well ; you will yet have water in the well, and that within a short time." They had already gone through a few years of trial and had made similar attempts but without success. But within a year following that prophecy, water appeared in that well. Since that time everyone who desired it has obtained water. Water is plentiful. That section, then so barren and uninviting, is the paradise of the upper Snake river valley, the famed Egin bench. ¶

Another incident comes to me. In 1909, when our stake was organized, two of the brethren, shortly after the selection of the presidency, and a few other stake officers, proceeded with the new presidency to different parts of the stake to set the wards in order. They went into one ward, which previous to that time had been a part of the Fremont stake. There was a vacancy in the bishopric, one counselor. These brethren made the visit to select the other counselor. As they sat in the little ward chapel, with its pulpit in the west and the entrance at the east, they went over the matter, trying to determine upon the right man to fill the vacancy. But they could hardly find one who seemed, according to the judgment of the bishop, to be the right man. While they were yet discussing the matter, a brother opened the door to the east and called out across the room to one of the brethren sitting on the stand, "Brother, you are wanted on the outside." Our visiting brother beckoning to him said, "Brother come in, come in." Turning to the brethren behind, he said, "Brethren, there is your man." He had no knowledge of having ever seen that man before. Who told him that that was the man to fill the place in the bishopric ? What spirit told him that that man was even a member of the Church? The man was selected, and I am a living witness to the fact that he served in that capacity faithfully and well for a number of years, even up to his death. • • ¶

I could enumerate a number of such incidents as proof of the fulfilment of the promise made by the Savior that these signs shall follow them that believe. ' ¶

I wish to support most heartily the remarks of President Taylor with reference to teaching in the home. I fear, brethren and sisters, that we are not giving enough attention to the training of our children in the home. Too often parents thrust the entire responsibility of training their children upon the organizations of the Church, forgetting that at the hearthstone, where the family may assemble and have their family prayer and devotion, is the place where the most important training and the greatest impression may be given. ¶

Let me say further, that I sometimes feel that our people trust their children too much — not that we wish to lack faith in our children, but remember they are human. With the many temptations about us, sometimes those children, and perhaps we as well, do things that are not always in keeping with the Spirit of the Lord., Sometimes some friend would feel to give us warning of dangers that beset our children, and we turn them aside and say, "I do not believe a word of it." I think it is well to give heed to any kind word that may come from our neighbor. I invite it from our good neighbors. If they can help my wife and me by offering us a suggestion of how dangers may be avoided, with which our children are confronted, we will thank them for it. ¶

Another thing, brothers and sisters, that impresses me. I believe that the important factors that contribute vitally to the development of our children and to the advancement of the Lord's purposes is the education of our children in our Church schools where they may be prepared to go into the world as ministers of the word of God. We note that when they return home they seem to bring life and spirit into our wards. I hope, brothers and sisters, that we will look upon the privilege granted us of sending our sons and daughters abroad as a very important opportunity ; it means so much to the lives of these young people even aside from the great good they may do in carrying the truth to the people of the earth. ¶

I wish before closing, to bear you my humble testimony. I know the gospel which we have embraced is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that it possesses all the saving principles that will protect and preserve us, make us happy in life and prepare us for a future in the eternities. ¶

May the Lord give us faith. May we always have the spirit of humility and a desire to do his will, I humbly pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. ¶

Florence Higgs sang a soprano solo : "Lead, kindly light." ¶