Conference Address

My brethren and sisters, I find that I have come into some little difficulty trying to help a friend. My friend doesn't know that I was trying to help him, and I have discovered that he did not need my help at all. ¶

Lofty Concept of Centennial Celebration ¶

As I contemplated my responsibility on this occasion, remembering that President David O. McKay was the chairman of the commission arranging the celebration of our centennial next year, I concluded that I would offer whatever aid I could to that great event. I tried to offer similar aid six years ago at the April conference, but after hearing the lofty concept of the centennial celebration, which was set before us so impressively this morning by President McKay, I feel it would be unwise to indulge in anything approaching a repetition of the thoughts he therein conveyed to us. However, I am grateful that my mind ran in the same channel with his; I hope it always will. ¶

Maybe you will pardon me if I say to you that it is just forty years ago this year since I had the privilege of coming into close association with President McKay. We had attended the University of Utah when it was located on the west side of this city, some years before, but it was in 1906 that I was called into the Sunday School general board where I began a friendship that is one of the most prized things in my life. Ever since that day I have had the esteemed privilege of working closely with my dear friend and associate, President McKay. I trust that the companionship and friendship so established may endure throughout the eternities. I can think of no richer blessing than the perpetuation of these friendships we establish in the priesthood of God to go forward forever. ¶

There is, perhaps, one thought I may add — and I rather think it is fortunate that the circumstances have transpired as they have because I can at least make one contribution to the conference, and that will be in brevity so that in the very short time that remains President Smith and others may be heard from. But this one thought I would like to give about our celebration of next year. ¶

Pioneers Came to Establish Zion ¶

It has been remarked many times that the pilgrimage of the pioneers to this section was very unusual in character, differing greatly from like enterprises by many other pioneers and peoples. It is true that the pioneers came here to found homes, and they came here for peace and freedom, but these were really only incidentals. They came here to establish the Utopia of their dreams. They came, here to establish the Zion of our Lord. All of their energies were bent to that effort. They knew what their commission was, and they executed it. ¶

Do you believe that the kingdom of God is established in this earth — not just a visionary, ethereal kingdom as in the concepts of some men but the tangible, definite authoritative kingdom of our Father? ¶

I remember some years ago, during the days of the silent films, there was a moving picture play called The King of Kings. This I thought was a very excellent portrayal of many of the episodes in the life of the Savior. It was reverentially done, and it gave me a great satisfaction to see it. I experienced, I believe, only one disappointment, and that was at the end of the picture when there was flashed upon the screen these words: "The kingdom of God is in your heart." Now, I do not want to do any injustice to the people who projected that scenario, but we know that the kingdom of God, while it must be accepted in one's heart is, not merely a concept of our thinking or our feeling. The kingdom of God is truly established in this earth. It is established in the land of Zion; and right here,, at least for the time being, is the headquarters of the land of Zion. ¶

Our Debt to the Pioneers ¶

It is a sacred land to me. I love it, and I know that there will yet go forth many more great things for humanity, from this land of Zion. I want to preserve it in beauty inviolate from desecration. ¶

We owe it to those noble pioneers, who established it here, to make it beautiful. When many come, as they will come, in spite of the restriction of invitation, to see us next year, I hope that all the Latter-day Saints, feeling that this land has been consecrated and that it is sacred, will do their utmost to make it reflect the glory of those noble men and women who left it as a heritage to us. ¶

I know that the kingdom of God is established in this world. I know that it rests upon the foundation of the Holy Priesthood which has been given to man to maintain and, through it, to bless all humanity. May we arise to the opportunities and the challenge that have been presented to us in this great conference, I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶