The Strength of the Church

I have been delighted, my brethren, to be in attendance at this conference and to have been able to partake of the spirit of the occasion. We have been fed with the bread of life. I can see great strength and power growing in the Church with every conference that I attend and I notice also in the stakes of Zion, a marked improvement. Everywhere there seems to be more attention paid to the work of the Lord. ¶

The attendance at stake conferences is not so large as I would like to see, but undoubtedly that will come back when travel restrictions are removed and the opportunity presents itself again for the people as a whole to attend these gatherings. ¶

President Grant's Sermon Inspired ¶

Yesterday there was added to the words and books of the prophets of the Lord another chapter in the great plan of God, when the sermon of President Grant, read by President David O. McKay, was delivered to this conference. That was one of the most outstanding evidences of spiritual strength that I have witnessed in a long time. I thought of President Grant who has worn his body out with hard work; and yet I think I have not read anything in the prophets that was more penetrating and more fully alive as to the obligations of the human family and the membership of the Church than that sermon. I am so glad that this and other inspired addresses are to be printed that we may be able to read them and pass them on to the world. There will come a time when they will be placed in books, and future generations will have them to read because they came from God. That sermon came from our Eternal Father, that is my witness unto you this afternoon. ¶

Importance of Missionary Work ¶

There never was a time in my experience, I think, when it was more opportune for us to do missionary work than at the present time. I have remembered all my life that little children, as well as older ones, have been taught to pray for the missionaries, that they might be able to seek and find those who were honest in their hearts. Today we have them coming into our midst by the hundreds. I do not know, and feel sure they do not realize, just why they have come here, but among them will be found many who will be led to investigate the gospel, and perhaps many of them will be baptized. It was only yesterday that I had the pleasure of riding with an officer at a nearby camp who is living in the city with a family of Saints. He said to me, "You know, when this war is over, and I am permitted to come back, I am going to move to Salt Lake City. I want to bring my wife here; I want to finish my time here in this country among this people." ¶

I am sure an influence for good is being felt. The strength of this Church, brethren, does not rest upon the number of people in the Church, nor in the educational stand that it occupies, nor in its wealth; but is vested in the quality of its membership and in the individual testimony of its members. The desire to give of themselves for the good of others, to think and speak without fear, under the direction and power of God, and to live as they feel they should live, setting the right kind of example — this is the strength of the Church. Its members are proud to declare their position before the world. There is the power of God in this earth among His sons and His daughters, and its influence will be felt. It will be the thing that will prepare the world for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This power and testimony will prepare the people to meet Him, for this is the Church and Kingdom of God on earth. I bear this testimony to you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶