I Have Been Deeply Impressed, My Brethren And Sisters...

I have been deeply impressed, my brethren and sisters, by the splendid instructions of the First Presidency and others who have spoken during this conference thus far. I rejoice with you in the favorable conditions which prevail, and the measure of prosperity and progress in evidence among the Latter-day Saints. I realize the vast work that is before us to do. I appreciate the tremendous responsibility that rests upon the Latter-day Saints, both temporally and spiritually, to accomplish that which the Lord has in view for us. It is incumbent upon every one of us to do our part and to strive to qualify ourselves to accomplish the work assigned us. For the building up of the Church depends, not upon one or two or a few, but upon every one of those who have received the gospel. ¶

The responsibility is upon each one of us to learn our duty and then endeavor to do it. If we all take part, if we all perform our work, if we all sense that responsibility and endeavor to live up to it, we shall unitedly receive the blessings and the benefits. This great and important work is divine in its nature, and is intended to fulfil a great destiny. It is to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of Man and the establishment of righteousness, to build up Zion, and to do all those things which the Lord has declared unto us. So it means that every one of the Latter-day Saints, both young and old, should seek to prepare himself or herself to do his part, and to achieve the work before us. ¶

TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL AFFAIRS ¶

I was greatly impressed, as I am sure you were, with the statement made by President Grant, at the opening of this conference, regarding the material achievements of the Latter-day Saints, in one respect alone, and that is the building of meeting houses, amusement halls, and stake houses, during the year 1927, and during the nine months of this year. The Latter-day Saints recognize that material progress and temporal affairs are bound up with the spiritual; and we cannot dissociate one from the other; for they both, temporal and spiritual, affect our welfare. We can not live by the material things alone, neither can we live entirely by the spiritual things. In a sense all things are spiritual, because all things which contribute to the welfare and progress of mankind in this life, make for their eternal progress, and are in conformity with the will of the Lord. The Lord has promised the Latter-day Saints that they should enjoy prosperity — material as well as spiritual. If we live in such a way as to merit the blessings of God, he will prosper and bless us. However, the possession or absence of wealth by men does not, of itself, evidence the attitude of the Lord toward them. ¶

When we think of what is required in the way of the building of these meeting houses, which is only one of the activities of the Latter-day Saints — one of the responsibilities which are placed upon us — we realize that it is the result of a great deal of labor and money. Money, in fact represents labor. So the money spent represents the accumulation of labor previously done in the way of production, and which is now so much capital. In like manner the tithes used for this purpose represent the accumulation of labor by the Latter-day Saints, which have been dedicated to the Lord. The members themselves in their own wards and stakes have given a tremendous amount of labor, and of means, which also represents labor. ¶

LABOR — A COMMAND OF GOD ¶

We appreciate the fact that labor is one of the means whereby we progress. It is one of the things every one of us must learn to do. It is one of the great factors of growth. In the early history of mankind, when the Lord sent Adam out of Eden, he declared to him : "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou, return unto the ground ; for out of it wast thou taken : for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." From that time down to the present time this charge has been binding upon mankind, that we should labor diligently, first, that we may provide sustenance for ourselves and those who are dependent upon us, and, second, that we may also give or dedicate a part of that labor, or the returns therefrom, for the welfare of our fellowmen and for the accomplishment of God's purposes. If we keep these things in mind we shall appreciate the fact that our labor will be profitable. ¶

You remember many centuries later that the Lord, through his prophet, Moses, gave to the children of Israel the commandment ; "Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Six days are sufficient each week in order to accomplish the things that are necessary for the sustenance of mankind, and the seventh day should be a day of rest, set apart for the worship of the Lord, for the consideration of things that are of a purely spiritual nature. Nowadays, with the increased use of machinery and the consequent greater efficiency and returns of labor, it is coming to be realized that five days of such labor each week will be sufficient to take care of needed production, and will be instrumental in overcoming unemployment. Under such an arrangement the two remaining days could be profitably used for rest, improvement and recreation. ¶

BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL LABOR ¶

Now, of the benefits that come to us from labor, there is a distinct advantage that comes from the fact that in the sweat of our face we learn to value the things of life. It brings health to us, it brings satisfaction, it brings an appreciation of our responsibilities. The wise man, Solomon, has declared, with regard to labor: "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase." Again : "He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough." Again : "The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much : but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep." These all testify with regard to the benefits that come to us from physical labor. ¶

SPECIALIZATION OF LABOR ¶

In the centuries that have elapsed since the time when these men in the early history of mankind pursued a simple, pastoral life there has been a gradual change until the present time. Particularly in the last century, however, has there been a very marked change in the labor conditions that prevail throughout the world. It is true that the pastoral or agricultural pursuits still prevail in large measure. They are just as dignified and important as they ever have been, if not more so. But in addition thereto there has been a multiplication of industries which have brought about notable changes and great progress in the conditions of mankind. They have produced, especially in this country, a material prosperity that is unsurpassed in all the history of the world. Now, if, along with that material prosperity, produced by improvements in labor conditions through new developments and specialization, we can keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, and not be carried away by the idea that prosperity is the end desired, but only a means to that end, we shall enjoy the blessings which the Lord has promised. ¶

It is important that every one of our young men and women, and our boys and girls, shall learn, first, to understand the importance of work, and second, to specialize in their labors. It is an age of specialization. That is especially true at the present time. "There is no excellence without labor." There is an old Brahminical saying, something to this effect : "A parent who does not teach his son a trade teaches him to be a thief." Whether that be true or not, the fact remains that it is important that every one of us should learn to do some particular thing well. Every one should learn some trade or profession. The complex conditions of today are such as to practically force us to develop and qualify in, the variety of industries that prevail throughout this country and the world. In the matter of agriculture, for instance, it is recognized that in order to place this great industry upon the proper basis of economical production and distribution, it involves the application of those principles of efficiency in connection with the employment of men and machinery whereby the most profitable results will be secured. Scientific agriculture is a profession and it involves thorough study and practical preparation to insure the greatest success. ¶

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT ¶

Complaint is made at the present time of considerable lack of employment. This is a condition that deserves careful attention on the part of employers and Church officers, and earnest efforts to remedy it as far as possible. This condition, however, is partly caused by those without employment lacking training for particular jobs, and partly, also, by failure to get back to first principles. Many men, out of employment, could largely feed and support their families from the products of the farm, if they would diligently apply their minds and bodies to such work. I know of men living on a few acres of land, not generally considered most fertile, who have produced a comfortable living for their families, through dairy products, poultry, hops, orchards, and kitchen gardens. ¶

A recent instance of the opportunities open to those seeking progress and independence has come to my attention. I visited recently at the home of a young man, with a wife and two little children, in an outlying section of this state. Two or three years ago he was working, when work was available, at small wages. He determined to start for himself in dairying. He had no home and practically no credit. His wife and he made considerable sacrifice in a very humble home on a farm, which they leased. He managed to get one or two cows as a start. By strict economy hard labor and mental effort he now has a fine dairy herd of about thirty cows, is getting a monthly cream check of about $400.00, and is feeding calves and hogs of good quality. He is living in a comfortable home and has an automobile. He is a bishop's counselor. ¶

NO CLERGY — NO LAITY ALL TO LABOR ¶

In connection with this matter of labor the attitude of the Latter-day Saints is vastly different from that of the world generally with respect to the occupations of those engaged in Church service. With the exception of a very few engaged entirely in Church work, the thousands of men in this Church bearing the priesthood have their individual vocations. Whereas the clergy in other churches are dependent upon the laity for their support, those engaged in the ministry of this Church give a part of their time voluntarily for the service of the Lord while they, at the same time, provide for their families by their own efforts. Among the advantages of this divine plan are that there is developed in them the spirit of service, self-reliance, sympathy, practicality, a desire for knowledge and brotherly kindness. You remember the statements of the apostles of old, how they labored. Paul, especially, declared repeatedly how he had worked for the welfare of the people and yet supported himself. In his epistle to the Corinthian saints, he says : "We labor, working with our own hands ;" and again, to the Thessalonian saints, he says: "For ye remember brethren, our labor and travail : for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God." ¶

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT ¶

It is important that everyone should learn the value of hard work. The Lord commanded Adam, and through him, all his descendants, that we should eat our bread in the sweat of our face or, in other words, by earnest effort, whether we labor physically or mentally. Mental labor is often just as strenuous, and just as important, if not more so, than physical labor. Ordinarily, whether our vocation is chiefly physical or mental in character, we have occasion to use both powers in that which we have to do. Well-balanced development involves sustained physical as well as mental efforts. Paul the apostle declared : "Be not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord." ¶

IDLERS HAVE NO PLACE IN ZION ¶

Solomon says : "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." The Apostle Paul says: "We commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." And, again : "Let him that stole steal no more : but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." In the revelations which the Lord has given in these times it is declared, "Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer." ¶

President Brigham Young on one occasion, speaking on this subject, declared: "The non-producer must live on the products of those who labor. There is no other way. If we would all labor a few hours a day we could then spend the remainder of our time in rest and the improvement of our minds. This would give an opportunity to all the children to be educated in the learning of the day and to possess all the wisdom of man." Every member of this Church ought to have some vocation and proceed to do that work with purpose and energy. "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." We need to learn the benefits of concentrated effort. Our purpose should be to gain sufficient resources to enable us to give more effective, whole-hearted service to the work of the Lord, besides maintaining satisfactorily those dependent upon us. ¶

DEDICATING OF OUR LABOR AND TIME TO THE LORD ¶

I would particularly like to stress the idea that we should all willingly and gratefully set apart a considerable portion of the fruits of our labors for the furtherance of God's purposes with respect to mankind. That is a law established of the Lord for our blessing and benefit. It is not sufficient that we should help only in community activities. That is a proper and appropriate thing. We ought to take part in those movements that really promote the community welfare. As a matter of fact, all the things that we are doing which we consider we do for the Lord, are in reality for the welfare of our fellow-men. The tithing which we pay is actually for the benefit of mankind. We dedicate a portion of our means to the Lord to be used by his servants in the promotion of those things that concern mankind — in the preaching of the gospel of salvation, the building of places of worship for the spiritual training and recreational welfare of all who desire to take advantage of the same, the education of the young people, the help and welfare of those in need, the erection of temples for sacred ordinances, and many other things. ¶

The apostle declares : "I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." All of these things we ought to do. We ought to be diligent in our labors in order to obtain the greatest material and spiritual advancement, keeping in mind always the counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Labor not for the meat which perisheth. but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you." ¶

I pray that the Lord may guide each one of us to a sense of our responsibilities, whereby we may strive to qualify in the most effective way to be helpful in the building up of the work of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶