An Expression of Gratitude

Thank you, President Clark, I deeply appreciate those words. ¶

An Expression of Gratitude for Blessings ¶

My brethren, it is extremely difficult for me to address you this afternoon. I was greatly shaken by the call which came to me yesterday. I feel that I am the least among you all. I have never felt so humble in all my days, as I do at this present moment. ¶

I am indeed grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am most happy that the Lord permitted me to be born in a Latter-day Saint home, where my parents taught me to believe in the message which they had received in a foreign land, the message which I shall bear to all the world through the rest of my life. ¶

I am indeed grateful to my parents for this great thing which they did for me, as well as for all other things that they have done. ¶

I am thankful for the beautiful home life that I have always had, and that I enjoy at the present time, with a lovely family and a wife who stands by my side and supports me in every endeavor in the Church. ¶

I am grateful for you, my friends, so many of whom have expressed to me your good wishes, in telephone messages and letters which I have received. ¶

A Tribute to President Grant ¶

My testimony has been strengthened through the years by the visits I have made to the Church offices as a representative of The Deseret News. Twenty years ago it was my pleasure to make my first visit as a reporter there, and to become acquainted with President Heber J. Grant. He has thrilled me throughout those twenty years. I know as I know that I live that he is a prophet of Almighty God. I love him with all my soul ; my family loves him. We are grateful that we can say with you that "We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet." ¶

I am grateful for my association with these other brethren who stand at the head of the Church. Most of them I have known for years, and I also love them with all my heart. They have been most kind. ¶

A Pledge of Loyalty ¶

I know that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. I know it as well as if I had seen him, and I shall take great pleasure in declaring His word for the remainder of my life. ¶

I am thankful for my testimony of the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love him. I have read all I could find about him. I know that God spoke to him and appeared to him, and I know that his testimony, for which he died, is true. ¶

I willingly and gladly, although most humbly, accept this great call which has come to me. It certainly has humbled me ; it has humbled my family. I pledge to you my best effort. I love the work. I shall give it my full strength and all the talent which God may give to me. ¶

I know that without the help of the Lord I am powerless to do any good in His ministry ; but I know that if I live righteously, He will be with me. I bear you my testimony to the truth of this work, and I do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶