I am very grateful that it has been

I am very grateful that it has been my privilege to be called into the ministry and particularly into the mission field, and for the experience of associating with the saints who reside in the branches scattered throughout the missions, and with the elders and sisters who have been called there as missionaries. We are trying to appreciate the privileges Gospel to the people of the Western States district. We rely upon to make ourselves feel and understand that we are instruments — poorly prepared though we may be — through which our heavenly Father expects to carry on the work of bringing the message of the Gospel to the people of the Western States District. We rely upon the blessings of the Lord rather than upon our own intelligence or learning. We have learned and are learning by experience, that if we may enjoy the association of the Holy Ghost and its inspiration and guidance we will be more successful than if we attempt to rely upon ourselves. If the Lord is to perform a marvelous work and a wonder, which he is doing, it will have to be performed through the material that is available; and if the material available is willing to serve, willing to try to do what the Lord wants us to do by his great power and wisdom, he will have no great difficulty in performing the marvelous work and a wonder. ¶

The Lord has blessed us in the Western States mission. We are meeting with success in our labors. Our tithing has increased this year over last year, up to the end of this first quarter, even as it did last year over the previous year. We are able to, and are distributing more pamphlets and selling and loaning more copies of the Book of Mormon than we did last year. We are grateful for the opportunity that is given us to do it. ¶

We have little prejudice to contend with. Generally speaking, the people receive us with great kindness, very little abuse. I was thinking of what Elder Joseph Fielding Smith stated this morning with reference to that. I have wondered why we meet with so little opposition and with practically no persecution. I have tried to caution first myself and then my associates against a feeling of security, the feeling that all is well with us, because we seem to get along so well. I sincerely hope that we will never feel so secure that we will forget the protecting care of the Lord which is over us, or forget his blessings. ¶

The Lord is blessing our branches. The branches of the Western States mission are growing in interest, in attendance and in activity. I wish to relate to you one incident which has to me been very faith-inspiring. I will not name the branch. That is unnecessary. Suffice it to say, one of our branches has received a great financial blessing at the hands of the Lord, by being obedient to his requirements. The history of this branch has been rather unfortunate. There was contention among its members, lack of appreciation of each other's virtues, a falling down in their payment of tithes and offerings, sometimes a lack of attendance at their meetings; and the branch had in a measure divided itself, so that there were two factions in it. We, (myself and associate missionaries), were holding a conference there last June. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to say to me: "Prophesy to this people that if they will love each other and keep the commandments of the Lord, the Lord will bless them." I was fearful that it was not the Spirit of the Lord directing me; therefore, I did not give voice to the impressions that came to me until the last meeting we held. By the way, we stayed there three days. At the close of the last meeting, I could no longer resist the feeling that seemed to be upon me. I promised those people in the name of the Lord, by prophecy, that if they would repent of their weaknesses, if they would love each other, and support each other, if they would pay their tithes and their offerings, the Lord would relieve them of their financial distress. They had a large dam and a reservoir without water in it. The impression came to me very distinctly; "Do not promise them that the reservoir will be filled." I said: "I do not promise you that the reservoir will be filled, but I do promise you that the way will be opened that your crops will be irrigated; you will be prospered and you will be happy if you will do these things." They sincerely accepted what I said. I went away from there feeling very humble. I can tell you now after nine months have passed by, that the reservoir has not been filled, but the legislature of the state in which they reside has appropriated $25,000.00 to help them build another reservoir. They are building on a stream that flows into their fields. Another party has given one of them a contract to get out three million feet of timber. They increased their tithing in 1928 nearly fifty per cent over the previous year. The Lord is answering with a blessing upon their heads. The president of that district wrote me a letter, giving me these facts, with great appreciation. The Lord's protecting care is over us, he is blessing us, and we are grateful to be under his dominion. ¶

I pray that he will bless the Church and every member thereof, and above all, his servants who preside in the Church, that the work of the Lord may be carried on as he would have it, through Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶