I Am Very Grateful for the Privilege of Being Present

Presiding Patriarch of the Church ¶

I am very grateful for the privilege of being present at this conference, to partake of the good spirit here manifested, and for the wonderful experience which comes through the personal association at a conference of this character. A number of important subjects came to my mind while sitting here, listening to my brethren, but, it seems, they have now all disappeared. I trust, however, that I shall be enabled to recall something of interest during the few moments that I may stand before you. ¶

Desire for Greater Strength

I am very grateful for the blessings that have come to me in my ministry in the Church. I have often desired to have greater strength, realizing that the responsibility which has come to me is of such a character that it needs strength, both mental and physical, to discharge it acceptably to the Lord. Like Elder Kimball's, my body has not been strong enough to carry out the work that my spirit has been willing to do. I have often wished that I might have the strength that was enjoyed by some of the former officers in the Church, those especially who have held the office that I now hold. ¶

From reading the history of the Church, I have learned that the first patriarch of the Church weighed three hundred pounds, more than any of the present general authorities. I have also observed that only a small percentage of the men who have been very faithful in the Church for a number of years as bishops or as presidents of stakes, and have been called to the office of patriarch, are able to conduct the affairs required of them for any great length of time. ¶

The Passing of a Patriarch

The desire expressed by Elder Kimball was realized by one of these good men only the night before last. I do not know the exact age of the brother, because I did not refer to the records, but Patriarch Joseph S. Larkin, a very faithful man in the Church, had prepared himself only last Thursday to attend this general conference, and retired that night with a smile on his face and a sweet good-night to his family. When the family looked upon him in the morning his spirit had gone. He passed on without disturbing anyone. This might be a peaceful way to go ; but death seems sad in any way that it comes. ¶

Honor and Recognition Due Stake Patriarchs

I want to express my appreciation, my sympathy and my testimony relative to these good men who have been called to this important work in the Church. From experience, I have learned that there are many individuals in the Church who do not know their local officers sufficiently to honor them as we would like to have them honored. Many of our missionaries, desiring to get their blessings before going away from home, fail to call for them at the hands of their own fathers, and their own kin, and their own neighbors — men who have been tried and found faithful — men of faith, devotion and integrity for the work. I should like to urge these young people to take advantage of their opportunities, realizing that these good men hold the Priesthood of God and that they are authorized, with the keys of power, to function just the same as the Presiding Patriarch; the only difference being the extent of jurisdiction. ¶

I desire to instill in the minds of the Latter-day Saints, both old and young, a respect and honor for the men who hold the office of patriarch in the stakes of Zion. I testify that these men hold the keys of power to bless the people, and that their calling is just as important in their field of labor as mine is in the field in which I have been called to labor. ¶

Blessings of Eternal Character

As far as the strength and power of the Priesthood is concerned, a priest, a young man who may be honored with the Priesthood of Aaron, can lead a convert into the waters of baptism and baptize him in the name of the Lord, and that baptism is of an eternal character; nothing will take the place of it. Yet, many of us, both old and young, forget that a man who is advanced in years and experience and bears the Melchizedek Priesthood has the power to confer upon us a blessing and a promise ; to advise and counsel, all of which also is of an eternal character. All our blessings are of an eternal character when they are administered by proper authority, and I testify that these good men do bear that authority and that they are willing, as far as their strength will permit, to function in their calling, and they are very much encouraged when members of the Church apply for their blessings in their home stakes. ¶

I pray that the spirit and the blessings of these good men may increase ; that many more may be caused to seek out these men and honor them, as they should be honored, throughout the stakes and wards of the Church. These good men hold offices of a stake capacity, and are limited to the stake in which they reside. I should like to encourage the members of the Church to honor them in their position. ¶

Testimony of Power in the Church

I bear testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, that I have discovered, through experience, that the Priesthood is in the Church and that it is held by those to whom it has been given. I realize that there are certain gifts and powers that come to us about which we do not know very much, because we do not cultivate them, we do not use them as perhaps we might do ; but I have discovered that I possess the Priesthood of God. I have seen its fruits. I know that, by my faithful labors, the Lord has given me some very comforting experiences. The experiences of the elders of the Church, if published, would be a large volume. Through my experiences, I have been convinced that I do possess that power which has been given to me and has been given to other men, and I desire that I might have strength to honor and use it further for the blessing of the people. ¶

My heart is filled with a love of the work, and I pray that the Lord will continue to bless me, in body as well as in spirit, that I may continue faithful so long as the Lord requires my labors. ¶

Blessing Pronounced Upon the People

I pray that the spirit of this conference will go with us to our homes, and help us to keep the commandments of the Lord; help us to be faithful in the discharge of our duties ; help us also to avoid falling into error — the breaking of the Word of Wisdom, the breaking of the law of tithing, and the breaking of other commandments that will shorten our blessings or cause them to be withheld from us. I desire to leave with you the blessings of the Lord; and to inspire greater diligence and greater faithfulness on the part of the members of the Church, not only to secure their blessings, but to live for them, observing that all our blessings are predicated upon obedience to law, and that the laws are plain and for our benefit. I bless the people ; I bless the officers of the Church who have gathered here to receive instructions of the leaders; and I pronounce upon them all, leaders and followers alike, the blessings of God, according to their needs, and pray our Heavenly Father to bless you one and all in health and in strength and in wisdom and in gifts, according to your needs, both temporal and spiritual, and I do it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶