I have rejoiced beyond my power to express

I have rejoiced beyond my power to express, at what I have heard and what I have felt this morning. As the good brother who was hard of hearing remarked, upon one occasion, when somebody asked him why he went to church when he couldn't hear a word, "It isn't what you hear, it is what you feel that makes you better." I have enjoyed the influences that are present. My memory has gone back to the time when this building was first erected and as a child I helped to decorate the roof with festoons of paper flowers, — at least I helped make the flowers. I have seen the improvement in its lighting go on from then until now. I remember the old gas jets around the gallery that were used to illuminate this building. I think we have now arrived at perfection of lighting for the comfort of all who assemble, and I congratulate those who have installed the fine system that makes this room as delightful as it is possible for it to be, as far as light is concerned. ¶

Gratitude for Blessings of the Gospel

The testimonies that have been borne this morning have rejoiced my soul. I am thankful that I belong to a church that numbers among its members men and women who know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that in this latter-day he has spoken again from the heavens, that the authority of his holy priesthood has been conferred upon men, and that we who are members of this Church have taken the preparatory step toward a home in his celestial kingdom. I am thankful for this knowledge, and when I listened this morning to the report of our beloved President, telling of the progress and development of the Church in a material way, I was greatly pleased. ¶

Some of our associates have recently been called home. The Lord has said to them, "It is enough, you have finished your work on earth." Those who have been called to succeed them are in the service of the Lord in different stations. The appeals of the mission presidents remind us of the fact that disseminating the truth is not the responsibility of someone else, but it is your responsibility and mine to see that the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity is taught to the children of men. Doesn't it make you feel grateful? Isn't there a sense of appreciation welling up in your souls when you realize that we are numbered among the comparatively few of all God's children who believe in him and know that he is? ¶

A Pure Atmosphere

I have been sitting here this morning wishing that my relatives who are not here might be under the sound of the voices of the brethren who have spoken, that they, too, might partake of this influence that comes from our Heavenly Father. I have wished that conditions were such that all Israel might, not only at annual and semi-annual conferences and stake conferences, but at all times live in such an atmosphere that it would not be possible for them to do wrong. ¶

I remember a number of years ago a good man who was at that time chairman of the board of control of the Universalist Church of America. He came here to visit our city and attended two of our Sunday schools. In one of the kindergarten classes he became much interested. Eventually, when the school was about to close, the superintendent said, "Wouldn't you like to say a few words to the school?" He had informed me in the other Sunday school, for he visited two, that he didn't feel to say anything; but when in the second school the superintendent asked him to speak, he said, "I would like to say a few words." He said, "If I could only live in the atmosphere that I found in that little kindergarten class in this Sabbath school this morning, I couldn't help but be a good man." I have thought of that a good many times. We choose carefully the atmosphere that we breathe, that we may live in health. But sometimes, in our carelessness, we place ourselves in subjection to immoral influences that destroy our resistance of evil, and we are led to do things that we ought not to do and would not do if under the influence of the Lord. If we would only be humble, if we would only be prayerful, if we would only live in such a way that each hour of our lives we could truthfully say, "Father in heaven, I am willing and anxious to do what thou wouldst have me do," our lives every day would be enriched as we go through this earth experience. ¶

Our Lives Enriched by Service

Twenty-six years I have been privileged, and honored, to occupy this stand as one of the General Authorities of the Church ; yet it seems but a short time to me since I was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. During that time, all but three of those who were among the General Authorities of the Church have passed to the other side, and I realize that only a few years more and my summons will come. It may be only a few days. That's not important. The important thing to all of us is, that when the summons comes, when the Lord calls, we can say, like one of old, "Lord here am I, and I am ready." ¶

Our ministry is one of love. Our service is one which enriches our lives. The opportunity of those who preside in the stakes and wards of Zion or elsewhere, is one beyond all price, and if we are living as God intends that we should live, if we are ministering as he desires that we should minister, every day of our lives is enriched by the influence of his Spirit, our love of our fellowmen increases and our souls are enlarged until we feel that we could take into our arms all of God's children, with a desire to bless them and bring them to an understanding of the truth. ¶

Each Should Do His Part

When I think of the burdens that are carried by the President of this Church and his counselors, and realize the responsibilities that are placed upon their shoulders, with all my heart I desire to help them, that I may not be an incumbrance, but that in the position to which I have been called, with you, my brethren and my sisters, we may each take our place and carry our portion of the load and magnify our calling to the honor and glory of God. ¶

Thankful for Love of Associates and Friends

I have associated with a large number of men who have presided in the Church as Presidents and Counselors, as members of the Quorum of the Twelve, the First Council of Seventy, the Presiding Bishopric and Patriarchs. I have associated with many presidents of stakes and bishops of wards. I have associated with many who have presided over mission fields and auxiliary organizations. I want to say that all these men and women of prominence, without exception as far as I can recall now, have been an inspiration to me to serve God and to be a better man. I thank my family that they have made it possible for me to do the things that have been assigned to me — my good wife who has carried the burden at home; my children who have never once discouraged me from doing the work that has been assigned to me, but have encouraged me and blessed me, not only by permitting me to do my part but by striving to do their part as they have had it called to their attention by those who preside over them. I am grateful to the men with whom I associate, my brethren, for their love and kindness and gentleness to me; for of the twenty-six years I have referred to several of those years have been years of illness, of inability to do the things that were in my heart to do, but not one word of reproach or of unkindness has come from one of these, my brethren. From all Israel, from every corner where I have gone I have felt that there has been a desire that I might live, that I might magnify my calling, that I might be worthy of the high position to which I have been called. The members of my quorum have performed my work, apparently gladly and willingly, when I was unable to perform it; and now in the Mutual Improvement organization, my counselors and the board members have stood by me and have carried the burden, and in their anxiety have taken the load that ordinarily falls to the presiding officer. The result has been that wherever I go I feel love and kindness. In the homes of the Latter-day Saints, in all parts of the Church where I have been permitted to go, the spirit of prayer and thanksgiving has been present. My life has been illumined by the power of God and I have seen the beauties of the gospel of Jesus Christ as they have been made manifest in the lives of these wonderful men and women. ¶

The Lord's Work

Brethren and sisters, this is the Lord's work. Men could not have carried it forward successfully as it has been done by the simple means employed by us. Ordinary man could not have brought into your souls the knowledge that you possess. Neither can we as men inspire those in the world with the assurance that God lives and that this is his Church, but if we will do our part, our Heavenly Father will bless our effort. If we will sustain those who are called to lead us, if we will pray for and uphold those who preside in the various stakes and wards of this Church, nothing can stop our progress. The Lord will make it possible for his children to understand, if they are worthy to understand, and our blessings will be in proportion to the efforts we put forth to bring them to a knowledge of the truth. ¶

This day, with all my heart, I thank him for life, for being, for membership in this Church. I thank him for the Word of Wisdom. I thank him for the Ten Commandments. I thank him for all the ordinances of the House of the Lord that I have received, each one of which has been intended not for me alone but I have been permitted to receive a portion of that which has been intended for all his children, wherever they may be, if they are willing to receive what he offers to them, without money and without price. ¶

Brethren and sisters, let us go to our homes rejoicing when this wonderful conference is finished. No doubt when it is concluded we will say, "It is the best one that we have ever had." Why? Because while we are basking in the sunshine of the Spirit of God we forget our sorrows and our distresses. While our lives are illumined by his power, our souls are enriched, and we know that we are blessed of the Lord. The gospel teaches us that if we take advantage of our opportunities, all the time we may enjoy those blessings, and all the time the love that we now have in our hearts for our fellowmen will abide with us. ¶

This is God's work. I know it, as well as I know that I live, and I bear witness of it, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ¶