An Expression of Love

An Expression of Love

I trust that I may enjoy the blessings of the Spirit of the Lord. For fifteen years I had the pleasure and the inspiration of working at the side of President George Albert Smith, when he was general superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association and I was the executive secretary. I want to bear testimony to the knowledge that comes with intimate association, of how kindly this man has been in his judgment, the inspiration of his leadership, and his outstanding love of youth. The great national organization of scouting has presented to President Smith the Silver Buffalo award which is a recognition of one who has served and loved the youth of America with an outstanding record. There are not many men in the Union who have this privilege bestowed upon them, which has come to our beloved President. It is not only here in this land that he is loved. Just a few days ago I was in Canada with John Stiles, executive commissioner of the Scouts of Canada, who expressed to me personally his great delight in the coming of new responsibilities, as he said, "to the man I love, George Albert Smith." ¶

The Work of the Church Going Forward

I am happy also at this conference time to know that peace has come again and especially as it relates to our own Church service and work. I was delighted to read the announcement that the Relief Society is going to have a new home, a home of its own. The great thing in life in working with people is forever to preserve their pride, the pride of organization, no matter what that group may be. I have always been very proud of the recognition that the leadership of this Church has given to the women of the Church. Now it has received another lovely expression through the approval of the building of a home of their own. I am happy to know that the Sunday Schools can now go forward. They have been progressing, but can now go forward with greater strength. I am happy to know that the Young Men's and Young Women's Improvement associations, with their great general boards can go forward; these organizations that work so closely with youth and with the spiritual growth of the Church. They deal with youth and youth's desires, trends, and aptitudes. Just think, I recall that in one year over one hundred twenty-eight thousand young people in this Church took part in the activities of those two great organizations. That's what youth needs — the opportunity to express itself in some worthy task. I hope that the leadership of this Church will turn more and more opportunities to youth. Let us stand on the sidelines and watch the unfoldment, yes, of destiny with youth. They are waiting; they are ready; and I have faith in them. ¶

I remember at one of our great June conferences twenty-seven couples came to be married in the temple. They had played together; they had prayed together; they came to the house of God together. ¶

I rejoice in the great Primary Association, especially in the one great activity of their hospital. I have a Jewish friend who for the past few years, if I don't call upon him to assist the hospital, calls on me and says, "Well, Oscar, what can I do this year?" and he has made a number of gifts to that institution. But I love the activity associated with it, for happy playing children give of their pennies to the handicapped. How beautiful that is! ¶

I speak of these auxiliary organizations because we have so often, in our religious progress, and I think correctly so, paid our respects and our appeal to the great body of the priesthood, the great authoritative, responsible body of the priesthood of the Church, in its progress. But I, out of the years, feel restrained to say my humble words in support of these great auxiliaries. I have met with the boards and felt their spirit, heard their testimonies, known of their desires, and they have only one aim: to serve God and see his great work go forward. ¶

Opportunities for Missionary Work

I rejoice with you in the coming of the great opportunity in our Church for missionary service. I feel it very definitely personally. I rejoiced in an all-day session in the temple just day before yesterday with the mission presidents of the great missions of the United States, and heard their appeal for more missionaries and heard how they have tried to hold the ranks of scattered branches where they have no missionaries. Many of the states of the Union are without a missionary. May God grant that that spirit may come to us in rich abundance, for it is an outstanding purpose of this Church to carry the word of God to all people. How beautiful is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how fortunate are they who have the privilege of carrying that message! Its simplicity, its beauty, its strength! Just take the first few fundamental principles: faith — how natural it is that God put in his great plan faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ, and for us in this dispensation, faith in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. And repentance naturally comes when the heart and the soul are awakened; that repentance which means: "Sin no more, Live the righteous life." And how blessed is baptism, an admission and a testimony of our own willingness to enter into this great cause, and how blessed the divine benediction of the Holy Ghost that follows. See how natural the plan is of the gospel of Jesus Christ; how it unfolds in its simplicity, in its grandeur. The world is waiting for this message. The world is waiting for it. God put it into the heart of every soul this day, in the sound of my voice. I humbly pray that each shall say, "Here I am, Lord. If I am worthy, take me." And may I say this closing word, for it is also the spirit of missionary work. ¶

I heard a young lady in El Paso say not long ago, "Well Brother Kirkham, you know I have an idea about missionary work. I believe if the Church would just live the gospel plan we wouldn't have to have much missionary work. The world would come to us and say, 'We must know more about this people, we must know more about how you live and do and the things you accomplish.' " ¶

God help us to live our religion and catch the inspiration of. carrying it abroad, for the greatest blessing will come back to us in so serving, and may God bless the great auxiliaries of this Church in the glorious work they are performing, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶