My dear brethren and sisters, I certainly feel

My dear brethren and sisters, I certainly feel my weakness in standing before you this afternoon. ¶

It has been only about two and one-half months since the East Central States mission was organized, and it has meant a great deal of hard work to get the organization completed and to get things in running order. But I am very pleased to state that with the wonderful help we have received from Elder Stephen L. Richards, President Charles A. Callis, President Henry H. Rolapp, and others, we have been able to gather the necessary information from time to time, so that we have been able to organize the mission so that it is now in a very good condition. ¶

It took considerable time to decide just where to locate, and then to obtain headquarters. The East Central States mission comprises the following states which were taken from the Southern States mission: Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. It also includes the state of West Virginia, which formerly belonged to the Eastern States mission. Our headquarters are located in Louisville, Kentucky. ¶

Your sons and your daughters who are laboring in that mission are all interested in their work. They are united and working together for the advancement of the cause in all parts of the mission, I am very pleased to report that at the present time we haven't an elder or lady missionary that is sick or afflicted in any way; they are all able to take care of their work and go about their duties, for which we are very thankful. During the past winter there have been many cases of influenza among our laboring force, as well as among the Saints; there has also been an epidemic of small-pox and one of diphtheria in that part of the world. But we have had very few fatalities among our people, for which we are very thankful. Today they are practically all enjoying health and strength and are enjoying their labors. ¶

We have been blessed with a number of short-term missionaries — men of mature years, those who have had experience in the bishopric, in the stake presidency, as high councilors, and in other capacities — who have come into our midst; and they have been able to help the younger elders and lady missionaries. They have been able to lead into the waters of baptism people whom the younger missionaries have not been able to persuade to go that far. ¶

Two weeks ago last Sunday we held a conference at New Martinsville, West Virginia. We had three very good meetings, well attended. A few days following that conference eleven honest souls entered the waters of baptism. ¶

A week ago last Sunday we held a conference at Madisonville, Kentucky, in a part of the country that heretofore has been somewhat hostile, so to speak, to our people. The authorities of that city gave us the use of the court house, free of charge, and we had an attendance of 148 at the afternoon session, without counting the children. Of that number I should say that about one-third were representative citizens of that community who did not belong to the Church; and with but one exception they seemed to be well satisfied with that which they heard. During the course of my remarks that afternoon I referred to the love that the Lord has for his children, that instead of there being just a single dividing line so that certain ones would go either to eternal damnation and others to eternal exaltation and glory, every man, woman, and child would be judged according to his works here upon the earth, and would receive a reward such as they might merit. One gentleman took exception to that remark. He said, "According to your version no one goes to hell, or there is no hell." I told him that we were not preaching hell-fire and damnation, but that we were preaching salvation for the human family. After talking a few minutes I think I fairly well satisfied the gentleman that the views which the Latter-day Saints give to the world are logical and in accordance with the doctrines which the Lord has set forth here upon the earth. ¶

Not long ago a professor in one of the schools in one of the states of our mission brought up the question as to the belief of the Mormon people. At the close of his remarks a little girl in the class, who, by the way, is a member of the Church, raised her hand and wanted to correct him as to a certain statement that he had made; and she did correct his statement. He turned to her and said, "I would like to see you a few minutes after the close of the school." The young lady remained after school, and they conversed for some time in regard to Mormon teachings. Finally he said, "I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to learn anything about the Mormons I must go to a Mormon." He wanted some literature, and literature pertaining to the Gospel has been furnished him from time to time. Since my coming here, just a day or two ago, I received a letter from this gentleman in which he asked that some one be sent to his school to attend certain exercises that are to be held within the next week or ten days, and there present the views and teachings of our people to his class and also to another class or two that want to unite with his. I lost no time in answering that letter and directing the president of the district in which that school is located to go personally or to see that some elder is sent there to fill that appointment, and set forth to those students the things that the Latter-day Saints believe and teach. ¶

I find that in our meetings in various places many people will talk with us and listen to that which we have to say. While it is a time when there is a great deal of indifference in the world, yet the seed is being planted from time to time, and some day it will spring forth and bear fruit. As was said by Paul, "God giveth the increase." So it is in the world today. I find in my conversations with people that when I ask them if they are satisfied within themselves with that which they have, almost without exception they say that they are not, that there is something lacking. They have the desire to worship God in some way, or in some form, but there is something lacking within their souls, and that is the message that we have for them. ¶

Some of you who are corresponding with your sons and daughters from time to time, can, in your letters to them, give them a word or two that will mean a great deal to them. I recall now a letter that was shown to me by one of the young ladies just before Christmas time, that she received from her mother in Downey, Idaho. I hope that mother is in the congregation today. In the letter she said, calling her daughter by name, "We would be glad if you could be with us during the Christmas festivities, but we would rather that you be where you are," expressing just what the mother felt. While she would have liked to have her daughter with her, yet she would rather that she be in the nations of the earth performing the work she was called to do, and carrying the message of salvation to those who sit in darkness. ¶

I rejoice in the knowledge that I have of this work. I know as I know that I live that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was the humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty of again establishing his work here upon the earth; and that work will go forth until eventually it covers the entire earth. ¶

I pray that God will bless us all, that we may have the spirit of our work from time to time, and be able to magnify our callings in a way that will be pleasing in his sight, so that when we come to the end of mortal life we may receive the plaudit, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." May this be our happy lot, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶