Before Closing This Conference

Before closing this conference, although the time has expired, I desire to say a few more words. I realize that there are people here from all our stakes from Canada to Mexico, and I feel assured in my heart that they will be perfectly willing to stay a few minutes beyond the allotted time. ¶

Gratitude for Spirit of the Lord

I desire to express my gratitude for the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord during our three days of conference, for the splendid music, for the inspirational prayers, expressive of the heartfelt devotion of those who have prayed for us, for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the Lord's many blessings unto us. ¶

Time Insufficient to Hear All Authorities

I am truly grateful for the inspiration of the Lord to each and all of those who have spoken. It would have been a source of pleasure to me to have heard from all of the General Authorities of the Church ; also from some of the stake presidents and others that I had in mind to call upon; but time forbids. ¶

As I have remarked upon several occasions, I think we ought to have at least one more meeting of two hours in addition to the six meetings we now have in our conferences ; there are so many that we should like to hear ; but, to date, we have been contented with twelve hours of general conference meetings. Twelve hours once in six months is not a very long period for the people to stay together, and yet we notice considerable restlessness in a meeting the moment the two hours are up. But, even at the risk of wearying you, there are a few things more I desire to say. ¶

A Blessing for Authorities and Members of the Church

I wish to endorse the remarks that have been made at this conference from start to finish. I wish to say to the Latter-day Saints that I believe God is blessing every one of us who is keeping his commandments, beyond even that of which we are worthy. ¶

I know he has blessed me beyond all that I could have asked or expected in my ministry, from the day that I was made the President of the Tooele stake of Zion to this moment. And I, as the President of the Church, standing at the head of the Church, pray God our heavenly Father to bless each and every one of the general, stake, ward, auxiliary, temple, school and mission authorities, all over the world, all men and women who are striving honestly and conscientiously to fulfil the duties and the obligations that rest upon them. I pray that all men and all women who hold any place of responsibility, no matter how high or how low, may magnify their callings and preach the gospel by their example of righteousness, that they may grow and increase in influence with God, and with those over whom they preside. I promise every soul holding any place of responsibility that the blessings of the Almighty shall be and abide with him if he strive, to the full extent of his ability, to magnify his callings. ¶

A Blessing for Government Officials

I pray God to bless his Saints all over the wide world, and I bless them by the authority of the priesthood which I hold. I pray for our country and ask the Lord to bless those who preside in the nation, in the states, in the cities and in the counties. I pray God to inspire the people that they will obey his commands, and elect good men to office ; that they will bury their political differences and seek for good men to hold office, and not men who connive with those who are breaking the laws of our country. It is one of the articles of our faith to obey and uphold the laws of the land. May God help us to do it. ¶

May the sweet influences of his Spirit attend every honest-hearted soul the world over. And I pray for their welfare and particularly for the welfare of all who are striving for the spread of the gospel, and I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶

The choir and a quartet sang the anthem, "Let the Mountains Shout for Joy," led by Professor Evan Stephens who composed the anthem. The choir and congregation sang "Doxology." The benediction was pronounced by Elder J. Fred Corbett, president of the Idaho stake of Zion. Conference adjourned for six months. ¶

Professor Anthony C. Lund conducted the singing, assisted by B. Cecil Gates. Accompaniments and interludes were played on the great organ by Edward P. Kimball, Tracy Y. Cannon, Frank W. Asper and Alexander Schreiner. Stenographic notes of the conference were taken by Frank W. Otterstrom and Joseph Anderson, Joseph Anderson, Clerk of the Conference. ¶