My Brothers And Sisters This Is A...

My Brothers and Sisters, this is a humbling experience for me. ¶

I have been coming to this Tabernacle, to attend conferences, for the past 47 years. The first time was in 1904 when I came to Salt Lake City to be set apart as a missionary to Mexico. A few years later I came here in my callings as Branch President and as Bishop in El Paso, Texas, and as a member of the Juarez Stake Presidency. Also during the more than seven and a half years Sister Pierce and I presided over the Mexican Mission, we came frequently to these General Conferences where we received instruction and inspiration to help us with our work. This is however the first time I have ever spoken in a General Conference. Sister Pierce and I are thankful for the privilege we had of living in Mexico City, and of laboring in many places in the Republic of Mexico, as well as in the Central American republics doing missionary work for the Church. ¶

I am grateful to the Lord that my grandparents on my father's side accepted the Gospel, and became members of the Church, in 1833, only three years after the Church was organized. My grandfather Pierce lost his life in the persecutions of the Church in those early days, when he was but thirty years old. My widowed grandmother crossed the plains and came to Utah with her three small boys in the year 1852, just five years after the first pioneers came to this great valley. I am proud of that heritage. I am proud also of the fact that my Pierce forefathers were among the early settlers of this great land of America. They came over from England as early as 1620 to 1625. ¶

I am grateful that my father was a Pioneer in the L.D.S. ¶

Colonies in Mexico. He went down there with his family in 1890, just five years after the first Pioneers arrived, and helped establish those Colonies. I have often wondered why my father went to Mexico with his family at that time. He not only moved down there that he might live unmolested with his family, but also that his posterity might become missionaries among the Mexican people. My father's children and grandchildren have given 47 years of missionary service in the Mexican Mission. Sister Pierce and I very greatly enjoyed our missionary labors in Mexico and Central America. ¶

I remember that several years ago, it was in 1906, two members of the Council of the Twelve, Elders John Henry Smith and Francis Marion Lyman were Stake Conference visitors in the Colonies in Mexico. On their return trip to the border, I met them in Ciudad Juarez, across the river South from El Paso, Texas, and took them to the office of the American Consul, where I introduced them as Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ¶

In his reply to the introduction, Elder John Henry Smith, in that well known diplomatic way of his, said very impressively, "Yes, Consul Edwards, we are members of the Church of Christ which is the first-born Church of America. As Christ is the first born of His Father, so the Church which bears His name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the first-born Church of America." So far as I know that statement is true, for all the other churches of that time had their origin in the old world, the eastern hemisphere. ¶

President George Albert Smith visited El Paso in the year 1926, on his way to visit the Mexican Mission. President Rey L. ¶

Pratt, with Apostle Melvin J. Ballard was in South America to open up missionary work there. Brother Smith couldn't go into Mexico then because of revolutionary troubles, so he stayed in my home with me for several days resting. One Sunday morning, one of my good friends, an attorney, who was teacher of the Bible class in his Church, phoned and invited me to give a talk to his class that morning. I was happy to tell him that Brother George Albert Smith, one of the Apostles of my Church, was visiting in my home. The attorney then invited Elder Smith to speak to his Bible class that Sunday morning, which he did willingly. As Elder Smith stood before that Bible class he held up a book and said, "This is the Mormon Bible." The men were intensely interested of course. Elder Smith then turned the book over, so they could see the title of it. ¶

He then said, "This is the King James Translation of the Bible. It is the same Bible you have, and it is our Bible also." Brother Smith then remarked, "You of course are interested in seeing what the world calls the Mormon Bible." He then held up the Book of Mormon and said, "Well, this is the so-called Mormon Bible, known to us as the Book of Mormon." Brother Smith then explained to the men's Bible class that the Book of Mormon is really the Bible of the people of America, and it contains the word of God just as much as does the book known to the world as the Bible. ¶

I recall with much interest the visit of President George Albert Smith to the Mexican Mission in May of 1946. The special reason for his visit was to officially receive back into the Mission and the Church some 1200 members who for ten years had been separated from the Church under their own leaders. It was arranged during President Smith's visit to Mexico for him and his party to call on the President of Mexico, General Manuel Avila Camacho, and present him with a copy of the Book of Mormon in the Spanish language. Secretary of Economy Gustavo P. Serrano, who introduced President Smith and his party to the President of Mexico, had requested of us that we tell President Camacho about our Mormon colonists in Northern Mexico, which we were pleased to do. President Camacho then commented saying, "I want you to know that I have received many good reports about your American Latter-day Saint colonists in Chihuahua. I know them to be a virtuous people; an honest people, and an industrious people. If there is anything I can do at any time for you or for your people I stand ready to do it." ¶

After we had explained briefly to President Camacho about our mission and our work in Mexico, we said, "Mr. President we are not just another sect that has come into your midst, for we come with a special message for you and your people. We are here to tell you of your forefathers and of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ." ¶

We then asked, "Mr. President, do you have a history that gives the origin of your people?" The President replied saying, "We do not; unfortunately, we do not know our origin." We then said to him, "We have a book that purports to be the history of your people. It tells of a great prophet who with his family and others, left Jerusalem 600 years before Christ, and came to this country, this great land of America, known to them as a 'land of promise, choice above all other lands'. This Book of Mormon tells also of the visit of Jesus Christ to this continent, and that He organized His Church and chose His twelve disciples." ¶

After hearing about this book, President Camacho became very interested and anxious, saying he had never heard about the Book of Mormon. He then asked, "Would it be possible for me to get a copy of the Book of Mormon? I have never before heard about it." ¶

President Smith then presented President Camacho with a leather bound copy of the Book of Mormon in Spanish. We called attention to the special reference sheet we had posted in the front of the book and observed that he might want to read only the passages listed therein, for lack of time. President Camacho replied, "I shall read the entire book, for this is of great interest to me and to my people." ¶

I was so happy that President Smith could make that trip, for he seemed to enjoy it immensely. As you may know, President Smith had a keen sense of humor. Well, he was determined to climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, so two missionary Elders, one on either side of the President, helped him climb those many steep steps to the top. About half way up President Smith stopped and with a smile looked at first one then the other Elder and said, "Well, I might help one of you up here, but why should I help two of you?" (laughter) Brethren and Sisters, the work of the Lord is growing rapidly in Mexico and Central America. We have found among those people many who are deeply religious. They love the Book of Mormon, once they receive it and learn what it purports to be, the history of their forefathers. They carry it with them and teach the Gospel from it. ¶

The Book of Mormon is a great missionary in Mexico. ¶

Since returning to our home in El Paso, Texas, I have had many Gospel talks with friends, both American and Mexican. Recently the Juarez Rotary Club, (Juarez is just South across the river from El Paso, Texas) of which I was a member before going on my mission to Mexico, invited me to talk to them and give a report of my eight years of absence from home and the club. As I stood before the group I remarked, "Friends of Rotary, I cannot give you a report of what I have been doing in Mexico during the past eight years without saying something about my Church and the things it teaches." They responded saying, "Go ahead, we will be glad to listen to what you have to say." I then told them of our interview with President Manuel Avila Camacho, and of the story of the Book of Mormon, which is the history of their forefathers, and their Bible. Those men listened attentively to all I had to say, and when I had finished my talk, they loudly applauded, as they arose to their feet. The President came up and gave me the traditional Mexican embrace, to show his appreciation. After the meeting several of the club members asked my sons who were present, if it would be possible for them to get one of those Books of Mormon. ¶

I would like to say, brethren and sisters, that it has been my privilege to visit many men in high political positions in Mexico and in Central America. Besides three Presidents of republics, and several cabinet members, I have visited governors of states, mayors of cities, presidents of universities, doctors, lawyers, and business men, — all of whom have received me graciously. Not one has refused to receive me and my message. Each has expressed himself as being grateful to the Lord and to us for bringing such interesting and wonderful messages. ¶

Recently I met a prominent minister friend of mine, at a local hospital in El Paso. I had gone to the hospital to visit a sick member of my High Preists quorum. The minister was at the hospital to visit one of his church members. The minister and I have been good friends for many years, so when we met he asked, "Bishop Pierce, when did you return home, we are surely glad to have you back with us again. How did you enjoy your years in Mexico?" I will not take time to tell of all the details of our very interesting talk. I finally asked my minister friend if he had ever read the Book of Mormon. He said he had never read it and indicated he didn't care to read it. I told him the Book of Mormon is the Bible of America, and just as much the word of God, as is the Bible, for it is a new witness for Christ. I pointed out the reasonableness of the Americas having their Bible as well as the Eastern Hemisphere, for the peoples of both hemispheres were children of our Heavenly Father. I then suggested he was neglecting his education by not reading the Book of Mormon. ¶

I explained to him that the Book of Mormon told of Christ's visit to this the American continent, as well as many other interesting things about the book. He seemed pleased with the truths of the Book of Mormon as I gave them to him, and then he asked, "Where can I get a Book of Mormon? I believe I would like to read that book." ¶

I told this minister that he was just as much entitled to the truths of the Gospel as I, and I was sure he would enjoy reading the Book of Mormon. I feel as President George Albert Smith often expressed it, "We cannot force people into doing things, but we may love them into doing what is right, and into righteousness." Ministers are also prospects if only we can touch their hearts with the message of the restored Gospel. ¶

I desire to express my gratitude to the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve, as well as to others of the General Authorities, for the splendid support and encouragement Sister Pierce and I received from them while we were presiding in the Mexican Mission. We had the honor and blessing of having two members of the First Presidency visit us during our presidency. ¶

One visit from President George Albert Smith as already related, and two visits from President David O. McKay. On his visits President McKay did much to encourage and help us, in the planning for the building of meeting houses. When Sister Pierce and I entered the Mission in 1942 we did not have nice meeting houses as we now have. It has been expressed by some of our Anglo-American members that since the Mexican members are poor and accustomed to poorly equipped homes, most any kind of cheap adobe hall is good enough for them as meeting houses. I feel however that since we have the very best philosophy of life in the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, to give to the Mexican people, why should we not give them meeting houses to correspond in value with the truths of the Gospel we give them. ¶

May God bless us and may we continue to be faithful and true to the Gospel which we have received. Sister Pierce and I are now back in our home in El Paso, following our mission and 45 years of leadership work in the Church. We are enjoying our home and a brief rest. The Lord bless us all, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ¶