Conference Address

My brethren and sisters: I was enjoying this Conference immensely and the wonderful spirit that is present here with us. I had no thought of being called to speak, and I can testify to you that this is not only a thrill but that it frightens me a little. ¶

It has been several years since we left the mission, and we enjoyed our missionary experience, I think, more than any other experience that we had had up until that time. Since leaving the mission the Lord has blessed us very materially, very greatly in things spiritual and in things temporal, and we have been made to feel that his hand has been over us for good and our testimony has increased in the work of the Lord. ¶

The reports we have from the Spanish-American mission now are most encouraging. Brother and Sister Jones are doing a very splendid work. The Saints are encouraged, and it is our hope that they may receive more missionaries now, that the work in that mission as well as all the rest of the missions of the Church can go forward with greater strength, and that the Gospel can be taken to many who have not yet received it. ¶

I was greatly impressed by the reports that were given this morning, and when I heard the financial statement of the Church, I was made to remember the prophecy of old, that in the last days the silver and gold of the world would be brought to crown the fair head of Zion. The thought came to me that we have been tested in many things, as a Church, and now we have the added responsibility of the blessings of the Lord over his people in material things, and I wondered if we as a people, individually and collectively, would be able to stand that blessing and that responsibility and come through with flying colors as did our parents during the years of poverty. I pray that we may be able to do this, that we will use these material blessings to spread the Gospel and build up Zion in our stakes and missions, that we may be able to spread the Gospel to those who sit in darkness, and that the spirit of this Gospel may be in the hearts of many. I pray also that President Smith, with the leaders of this nation and of the world, may so live that they may have the blessings of the Lord upon them, because only through righteousness and the principles of righteousness will peace ever come to this earth. There is no other means that will bring security and peace and rid the world of turmoil and anxiety and worry. ¶

I do not wish to take more of your time. I pray the blessings of the Lord upon our leadership in this Church and that we, as Latterday Saints, may be quick to follow their counsel and their advice, and that we may be slow to take up the ways of the world; that the Gospel may spread and that we may be worthy of the .blessings and of the heritage that are ours as Latter-day Saints. This is my prayer and I ask it humbly, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. ¶