The Saints of France

Who am I to add to or retract from what has been said? Yet, brethren, I wish to add my humble testimony to the testimonies which have been borne thus far. I assure you I feel most humble. I never dreamed that I would occupy this stand. I felt very lucky to be allowed to be admitted to the Conference. I am sure, brethren, that the Lord will overrule the present tribulations for the good of the Saints. ¶

A Remarkable Escape ¶

I will relate one or two instances to show you just what I mean. After the occupation of France and Belgium by the Germans it was my privilege to return to Belgium, there to visit my wife's folks and the Saints there. You know they are organized. There is a Belgium District, and there I had the privilege to talk to our district president, Brother Devignez. He was one of the Saints who left the City of Liege at the onslaught, to seek refuge in France, and while upon the highway in Belgium they were stranded and witnessed an aerial attack by Stuka dive bombers. Brother Devignez said to me: "I have never seen anything like it. Blood was as thick on the streets as water on a rainy day," and he testified to me that he knew that the Lord blessed him as well as his companions. When I reached Liege I heard some criticism about the good shepherd leaving the flock. Some of the brethren and sisters who had decided to remain censured the decision of this brother to leave as a refugee, yet he had spoken of it ofttimes before the war had overtaken Belgium and had invited all who wanted to, to join the party. I couldn't help thinking how much better this man was fitted to lead the Saints after he came back from such an experience, knowing, as he did that the Lord had spared his life — that the whole party got back safely, including a ten-months-old baby; that among this party was another brother who, in the face of death, had gone into a field to milk a cow so that the ten-months-old baby would be fed. ¶

Refraining from Partaking the Sacrament ¶

Brethren, I testify to you that the Saints over there take their religion very seriously. I know of one sister in Paris who earns a modest living by selling second-hand things on what we call the "flea market," yet I don't know of a member who ever paid tithing more faithfully than that sister. After the occupation of France by the Germans, she consistently abstained from partaking of the sacrament, even to the very end, when she knew that she might not have the opportunity again for many years to come; she got up and bore her testimony on the very last day. She was born in Lorainne, by the way. She said, "Brothers and sisters, I can't do it. My heart is full of hate. I can't stand them," and she refused to partake of the sacrament. Now, I would that we could look at ourselves with the same attitude that this sister had before we partake of the sacrament. ¶

Conditions in Europe ¶

Brethren, let me plead with you not to take anything for granted, even the food that is on your table. If I could only write to my parents in Switzerland or to my wife's parents in Belgium and tell them that we are rationed, as far as canned goods are concerned but that we can have plenty of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables and plenty of potatoes, they would think it was a joke. They would say, "What kind of rationing is that?" I can't help thinking every time I spread a little butter on my bread that I stood hours at a time to get four ounces of it in Paris. ¶

Brethren, do you appreciate what America means to you? You have heard a lot about men offering their all for the cause of Democracy and Liberty; and yet, last Fall, in September, only fifteen percent of the electorate chose to cast their ballots at the primaries in this city. Sometimes it is easier to die for a good cause than it is to live for it. ¶

You are chosen as members of your family to come and inhabit this land of Zion. I often say to myself, "Why was it I instead of my brother or sister, or someone else in my family, that was chosen to come to Zion? I have brothers over in Europe and they are just as faithful in the Church, possibly more so than I am. Why was it I? Why is it you of your ancestors' families that has been chosen to come to Zion? ¶

Promised Blessings Realized ¶

Also, before closing, I want to bear you my testimony that I know that the power of God is with this Church, and I believe in revelation. Before I went on my mission I was set apart by Brother Joseph F. Merrill and he said, "We seal him against the power of the destroyer, he and all his substance." Having heard that same blessing pronounced upon other missionaries I thought, "Well it's just like a cliche, or probably, a routine expression." Yet I want to testify to you that I have seen those very words fulfilled to the very letter in France where all about us were suffering from the loss of a parent or some property or personal property, but we alone stood there and hadn't suffered either in body or mind or in our possessions, so much so that we almost felt ashamed to stand there comparatively happy while we witnessed so much suffering about us. ¶

Church Authorities Inspired ¶

I want to witness to you also that revelation is in this Church. Just as a matter of record I want to say that the Authorities of the Church were inspired when they took the missionaries out of Europe at the time they did. When they were first called home there was a lot of contention and discussion as to the wisdom of it. When I came home my fare cost three times as much as it would have cost when the elders were taken out, and it was only because of my knowledge of the language and also of German that I was able to get away as nicely as I did. It is my testimony that the power of God is with this Church, and I hope that we may all sense our responsibility and our privilege, and render thanks unto the Lord, for the Lord is displeased with us when we fail to show appreciation for his blessings. God bless you. Amen. ¶