Presiding Bishop of the Church

Presiding Bishop of the Church ¶

I have been greatly impressed, my brethren and sisters, by the wonderful spirit and power of the instructions and testimonies borne during the sessions of this conference thus far. I rejoice with you in the progress that is being made by this people. I listened with great interest to the remarks made by President Grant — the statement of the various advances being made in the Church and the building up of the work of the Lord. I was impressed with his statement with regard to the observance of the principle of tithing. ¶

Sustaining the Authorities

I rejoice in the faith which I possess of the divinity of this work. I sustain with all my heart the Presidency of the Church. I know, as has been stated here by President Richards, that President Grant is inspired of the Lord — that he is the Lord's mouthpiece — and that his counselors are inspired. I sustain the brethren who compose the Council of the Twelve and all of the General Authorities. I have confidence in these presidencies of the stakes. They are men who are called to direct the various divisions of the Church that are organized and established. I have confidence in these mission presidents who are putting forth such great efforts in that important work of the Church — the spread of the gospel — and the building up of the Church throughout the world. I sustain the bishoprics. I realize the wonderful work that is being done by these men who preside over the various wards throughout the Church. I am impressed continually with the tremendous power that is here for good and for righteousness. I am sure that we, every one of us, ought to take as our motto that statement made in the revelation which was read by the President this morning, that we walk humbly, deal justly and judge righteously. Those things are important to every one of us. ¶

Chapel Building Costs

Sometimes I have felt that in the building of our chapels and meeting houses, beautiful as they are, there has been a little too much competition or rivalry among some of the wards, by the bishoprics and the building committees, to make their new meeting houses a little finer than others in the same locality. It seems to me important that great care and economy should be exercised ; so that, while we accomplish what we require in the way of providing sufficient accommodations, at the same time every effort be made to spend as little as is possible of the means raised locally by the people and that appropriated by the First Presidency. ¶

Increase in Tithing

With regard to the principle of tithing, I believe that the tithes paid by the saints throughout the Church thus far this year amount in total to more than has ever been paid before during a similar period. Yet, as has been stated, the demands upon the Church for the vital things that concern the welfare and growth of this great work require more means to be used for its advancement. There are some wards throughout the Church that have as tithepayers practically the average quota of those that should pay tithing. It has been calculated that on the average about forty percent of the membership of the Church, including children, are potential tithepayers. That is, they are people who are earning means. This varies, of course, in certain localities and under different conditions. There are some wards, I say, where there are practically forty percent of the membership that are observing this principle. ¶

A Full Tithing

Tithing means the payment of one-tenth of our interest annually. It is not the amount, primarily, that is important, but the observance of the principle in its fulness. If we cultivate the spirit of obedience to this principle we shall, even though our tithing be small in amount to begin with, grow in spirit and power and ability to pay, and the Lord will bless us and enable us to increase our tithes as we go forward. I know that this principle is true. It is a means of progress, growth and development. ¶

Train Young People to Become Tithepayers

I would like to suggest to these brethren who preside over the various stakes, wards and missions throughout the Church, that they endeavor to teach, as far as possible, all the members of the Church directly, and particularly the young people, to pay their tithes. In our own families, as soon as our children reach the age of eight years and are baptized, we should encourage them to observe this principle, even though the amount which they pay annually may be very small ; and even though we may have to start them by paying for them. As children get far enough along so that they can earn a little means they should be taught obedience to the law of tithing, the purpose of it and the way in which the funds derived therefrom are employed. If this is done, children of the Latter-day Saints will grow up with faith, I am sure, in this principle. It will become a source of strength to them. It will develop in them stability and power for the observance of every other principle of the gospel. ¶

Divine Principles Promote Development

I was impressed with the statement made also with regard to our obedience to the commandments of the Lord generally. I believe that the observance of divine instructions is the most effective means for the best development of men and women. Recently a man declared to me that he believed that in this community there is the making of the finest civilization the world has ever seen. He referred to the wonderful principles which are being taught the Latter-day Saints, and called attention to the fact that though these principles are not being as fully observed as they should be, yet the extent of their observance is such that the people are brought to higher standards than otherwise. ¶

Young People the Greatest Resource

Some time ago a prominent banker in this state made a declaration with reference to the resources of the state. In effect he said that the finest and most important resource of this state is not the agricultural crop, not the mining industries, not the banking or other organizations, not the commercial progress of the state — but the boys and girls. It seems to me, if we realize the fact that the faith and devotion of the individual members is the source of the greatest possible strength and progress in the Church, then we shall devote our efforts to the training and development of these young people in the living of the gospel. ¶

Factors of Civilization

What is it that constitutes the finest civilization? Is it physical development? That is important in every instance. The Greeks were famed for their splendid physical prowess. They developed a high civilization, based in part upon their physical training and upon their architectural progress. Other nations have developed civilizations based upon military power. Others again, upon the glorification of the ruling power through oppression of the masses; and still others upon material achievements through inventions and discoveries. It would appear that the finest civilization must be founded upon the development of high ideals in a number of fundamentals, such as physical development, education, progress in the arts, moral standards, industrial progress, fair dealing and faith in God. ¶

Physical Welfare

Let us consider for a moment that, living in this nation, possessed of a high civilization, we are greatly favored, in addition, in having an understanding of divine principles which will promote still higher standards in all of those who observe them. For instance, we have in the Word of Wisdom the finest guide possible for the physical welfare of man. Again, we are taught that in spirit we are the sons and daughters of God ; and that our physical bodies are created in his image, so our faith will tend to cause us to keep these bodies clean and sound and strong. ¶

Moral Standards

Again, in the matter of moral progress, I think there is no people anywhere who receive such excellent instruction and such practical training in high moral standards as the Latter-day Saints. Among us there is no double standard of virtue. Every man and every boy is expected to be just as virtuous and clean in his life as every girl and every woman is expected to be. Marriage is a sacred obligation and privilege. But the Lord has declared that licentiousness is most degrading and that it will limit our progress here and hereafter. If we fail in this vital principle of morality it will not be for lack of instruction and guidance. ¶

Education

Also, in education the Latter-day Saints have proven by their works that intellectual advancement is of most vital concern to all the merbership of this Church. The standards of education prevailing in those states which are populated largely by the Latter-day Saints, are among the highest in comparison with the other states throughout the Union. The Latter-day Saint students in universities and elsewhere have demonstrated their comparative ability and capacity. Along with intellectual development we realize that religious training is just as vital. ¶

Arts and Industries

With respect to progress in the arts and material achievements the history of this people is evidence of the important part these phases of civilization have played in our progress. Yet, I believe that we are not generally giving as earnest attention as we should to the vocational training of our young people and to the industrial development in our communities. This is an age of industry. We are concerned with our material as well as our spiritual growth. I recommend to these men who are leaders in the various communities that they endeavor to encourage our young people to qualify in all of the vocations which shall be most helpful in the various communities. Through this training and the development of suitable industries, our communities can be made desirable and attractive for these young people, so that they may be able to remain at home and help to make all sections of the Church prosperous and successful. ¶

Unselfishness and Fair Dealing

Wholehearted obedience to the principle of tithing inculcates in man the spirit of unselfishness. It promotes the spirit of church and community welfare. It encourages fair dealing, for if a man is true in his obligations toward God, he cannot be otherwise than straightforward in his dealings with his fellowman. It helps to cultivate economy and living within our means. Thus we may gain material happiness. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who declared that there are two ways to be happy. One is to increase your income and the other is to diminish your expenses. Either one will promote happiness. It has been said that the first lesson in the art of being happy is to learn to do without and like it. I want to testify to you that that is true with regard to this, as well as with regard to every other principle of the gospel. Training in moderate self-denial is important to every human being, so that we may learn to control our appetites and our improper desires. Therein is strength and power. In like manner the principle of fasting and fast donations promotes the spirit of humility, charity and equality in the hearts of those who observe it. Surely if there is a principle upon which the stability of any civilization rests, it is that of mutual consideration among the members thereof. Pride and highmindedness have been a fruitful source of destruction in nations of the past. ¶

Spiritual Growth

Finally, faith in God and a lively sense of his providences is a great source of strength in the maintenance of any civilization. The Latterday Saints are privileged to enjoy a fulness of the gospel through obedience to the commandments of the Lord. If we keep these commandments we shall enjoy the influence of that Spirit which leads us into all truth, and helps us to grow in all respects that will make us stronger and better men and women. It promotes integrity and purpose. It develops stability and sound judgment. ¶

I am reminded of that interesting experience of the Prophet Elijah. You remember when King Ahab had decreed his death and Jezebel had also declared that the dogs should eat the flesh of his body, that Elijah was discouraged. He went into the desert where the angel of the Lord appeared and instructed him to proceed further. So he went on to Mount Horeb and there the evidences of the powers of the elements were made visible to him; in the wind storm; in the lightning and thunder ; in the earthquake ; and after all of these things, the still small voice! That testimony comes to everyone who observes to keep these commandments. Thereby we shall be able to understand what is expected of us and walk forward clearly and definitely in the path of righteousness that leads to eternal life. ¶

I do not fear for the observance of the principle of tithing or any other principle of the gospel if the Latter-day Saints are converted to the truth of the whole, and become possessed of a testimony of the divinity of this work through the influence and power of the Holy Spirit. ¶

The Work is Growing

I testify to you, my brethren and sisters, that this work is progressing. I have occasion to know of many things that are being done under the direction of the General Authorities to advance this work. I do not doubt that in time there will be stakes organized in other parts of this great nation which will help to stabilize the work of the Lord in those parts. I have faith that divine instructions will be given to us from time to time as we are prepared to accept and obey them. I know that the gospel is true. I rejoice in the privilege that has come to me to work in this position. I pray the Lord to help every one of us to live in conformity with these principles that we may gain the benefits and blessings resulting therefrom, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶