During the Few Moments at My Disposal

Retiring President of the Western States Mission ¶

During the few moments at my disposal I pray that I may have the spirit of this occasion. ¶

For nearly nine years it has been my good fortune to labor as a missionary of the Church, proclaiming to the world the marvelous work ¶

and a wonder that has been established in this dispensation. I can truly say to you, my brethren and sisters, that it has brought into my life a greater joy than any other experience. We may buy pleasure, we may attain happiness, but real joy comes to the individual who gives long and unselfish service to his fellowmen. I have rejoiced in the opportunity afforded me to lift up my voice in proclamation of the gospel and to declare that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of the living God. ¶

As I have listened to the brethren, during the sessions of this conference, I have realized more fully than ever before that Joseph Smith was the spiritual pioneer of the nineteenth century, that he was the trail-blazer, if you please, who led men and women away from the worship of idols and planted anew in their hearts a knowledge of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ. He led by voice and life and never permitted the message entrusted to his care to be throttled by any power, social, economic or military. Joseph Smith established the Church on a firm foundation, builded it upon the Savior of the world, with apostles and prophets as in the great organization established by the Savior in the meridian of time. I am wondering if we appreciate the value of that organization, how important it is that we have the living oracles among us. If it were not for these men, who direct the destinies of the Church, who keep it in order, we would soon be as the world, wafted about by every wind of doctrine, and as unstable as many of the organizations calling themselves Christian churches. ¶

I am happy in the knowledge that the Church has been controlled, from the beginning, by the power of God, and that the men who have stood at the head have directed its destiny under his inspiration. The Latter-day Saints, as indicated by the last speaker, are not in doubt with respect to the gospel of the Master. It is the purpose and will of our Father that all men might know the truth. To that end the gospel is being preached in all the world as a witness. The promise is made unto all who obey its saving ordinances, that they may know the truth. There are thousands and tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints today who bear witness that the Lord has heard and answered their prayers, and has sealed upon their hearts this knowledge. The missionaries who are out in the world, undaunted and unafraid, proclaim to the people that if they will obey the truth they may know that it is of God. The Savior has promised that if any man will do the will of the Father he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether we speak of ourselves. ¶

May I refer to one incident that happened in our mission during the last year. One of our missionaries, laboring in Casper, Wyoming, called at a home one day and was invited in, by the man of the house. He discussed our faith with this gentleman for upwards of three hours. The man then said to him : "I have been a member of a Christian church for many years, and was educated for the ministry. My father and my grandfather before me were ministers of the gospel. Some ten years ago I discovered that there was a lack of vitality in the organization to which I belonged, and I covenanted with the Lord that if I ever found the truth I would accept it. I resigned my pastorate, took up school teaching, and have been searching for the truth." He said, "I have looked everywhere, except into your organization and your faith, and I discover today that you have presented to me the message that I have been seeking all these years. I have covenanted with the Lord that I would join the church that presented to me the truth, and I find what I am looking for in your organization." ¶

It was not an easy matter for this gentleman to accept the message of the elders. Weeks and months went by, a serious illness overtook him, an operation was necessary; but before the operation was performed he called his family around him and said to them : "I have discovered the truth in the Mormon Church, and if I die, it is my wish that you accept their message and become identified with that people, and then have the work done for me in the temple." The man did not die. The elders administered to him ; he lived, and as soon as he was sufficiently well he became a member of the Church by baptism. After baptism he said, in bearing testimony, that the scriptures were opened to his view, or to his understanding; they became a new volume. He understood them as he had never understood them before. He comprehended the truth. It was to me the best evidence of his conversion. The Holy. Spirit had come into his life, and he was able to understand the gospel of the Master as it is presented by the Latter-day Saints. Many such instances might be related. ¶

I appreciate that the time has expired. I desire to bear my testimony to the truth; that I know as I know I live that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that it is the power of God unto salvation to all who will obey its saving principles and ordinances. It is not enough for us merely to go down into the waters of baptism, but after we have accepted the truth we should make application in our lives of its saving graces — add to our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance ; and to temperance patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness charity. The apostle of old said: "If these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." ¶

The Lord help us to so live that we may be worthy of all his blessings, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶