Former President of the Norwegian Mission

Former President of the Norwegian Mission ¶

My brethren and sisters, I have never realized such a sight before, and I did not think that the Lord would ever give me the privilege of standing here in this tabernacle. I therefore ask him that he will bless me with his Holy Spirit, that the few words I may speak may be under its direction. ¶

I have certainly appreciated this morning's conference. The remarks made by Brother Ivins were remarks that I have desired to hear, and if Latter-day Saints are faithful they need have no fear about the future. ¶

God gave me a testimony of the divinity of President Grant's mission. I know beyond all shadow of a doubt that he is inspired of God. And as far as the prophets who have lived in the past are concerned, they were prophets unto their time ; but I need the direction and the counsel of a living prophet, just as much as they did in times that are past. Therefore my desire is that I may heed the instructions and counsels which the present prophet gives, for I feel that they are the ones that are most essential to me. ¶

I enjoyed my work in the land of Norway, and while it seems as though the government authorities are not as favorable towards us as they should be, I feel that this has been a source of blessing to us, for we were unable to reach the leading men of the nation before. The elders must register when they leave and must register when they enter a place, and through this means we are enabled to present unto the officers of that country a knowledge of the gospel. ¶

Two missionaries were sent into a different branch to begin labor there. The police would not permit them to remain. We took the matter up with the American minister, and through his efforts we had a visit from a representative of the State Department. This representative called at the office and made all kinds of inquiries as to the morality and the standing of the young men who had been appointed to labor there. He was very favorably impressed, and we had the privilege of giving him a copy of the Book of Mormon — something that I do not see how we could have gotten to the State Department had not a representative of that department called upon us. ¶

We desired while there to have Boy Scout work, M Men work and Bee Hive work. Another elder and I called upon the secretary of the Norwegian Scout Association, and asked for the privilege of becoming members of that organization. He frankly told us that Mormons, Buddhists, Mohammedans and Communists could not become members of the Scout organization of Norway. They would, as a last resort, permit Catholics, but we were not permitted to become members. Later on we sent a written application, and a flat denial came back, which would not permit us to become members of that organization. ¶

My brethren and sisters, I feel that the time is near when many of the leading people in the land of Norway will accept the gospel. I have never been treated with greater respect, with greater courtesy, in my life, than I was by those people. They asked me many questions relative to the faith of our people, and I believe a good impression was made upon them ; but we lack missionaries in that field. ¶

I had the joy of being up among the Laplanders, and the minister who had charge of a colony of them asked me not to do any work among them. He said that the Laplanders were so simple-minded they would believe almost anything that was told them. But we had the privilege of leaving with them a Book of Mormon and a lot of our literature, and I believe the time will come that many of these blue-eyed, fair-haired people will seek after the gospel. ¶

Brethren and sisters, let us not do anything that will bring unto us sorrow, or bring unto us regret. Let us keep our covenants sacred. Let us uphold and sustain those of our brethren who are called to preside over us. God bless them ; God bless you, that we may all be true and faithful, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ¶