A Marvelous Work

President McKay, my beloved brethren and sisters: I sincerely trust that the Lord may bless me in the endeavor to express to you one or two thoughts that I have in connection with my belief that we are in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ established through the Prophet Joseph Smith. ¶

In thinking of the Prophet Joseph Smith, there comes to mind a great statement made in the Doctrine and Covenants, section four, wherein the Lord said this to the Prophet: "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men." (vs. 1.) That was given to the Prophet in 1829. In 1830, the Church was organized with but six members. The Prophet lost his life in 1844, at which time there were in the Church approximately forty to forty-five thousand members, an indication to me, and I am sure to you, that when the Lord said to the Prophet, "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men" — the men who heard of that great revelation accepted it, and the result, as I said, was that there were between forty and forty-five thousand who were members of the Church when the Prophet lost his life. ¶

It is most inspiring to me to know that the Church was in existence for fourteen years when the Prophet died, and when you think of the accomplishment in that period of time, there is no question but what the Prophet Joseph was being inspired by the Lord in building up the kingdom. From that time on, after the death of the Prophet, it was necessary for the Church to leave Nauvoo and come into the tops of these mountains where we now exist. Brigham Young became the President, and during his period there were approximately 150,000 members; in the time of President John Taylor, approximately 200,000; in the time of President Wilford Woodruff, approximately 250,000; in the days of President Lorenzo Snow, approximately 278,645; in the days of President Joseph F. Smith, approximately 495,960; in the days of President Heber J. Grant, approximately 979,454; and in the days of President George Albert Smith, approximately 1,111,314 members. Today, in the day of President David O. McKay, there are approximately, in 1954, 1,302,240. ¶

This again proves to us, as the Lord said through the Prophet Joseph, "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men." And the children of men have accepted it from that day until this day, and are accepting it as it is being taught to them by missionaries and others who are bringing to them the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. ¶

I think of the great work of President David O. McKay. In 1952, President McKay visited eleven nations. In 1953, President McKay selected sites for two new temples — one of which, of course, has already been prepared and dedicated, you know, in far-off Switzerland, and another one soon is to be built in Great Britain. In addition, in 1954, President David O. McKay covered 50,000 air miles, visiting eight nations in Europe, South Africa, and South America. In 1955, President McKay visited seven nations in the South Pacific, including Hawaii, Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand, and at the same time selected a site for a temple in New Zealand; all of which again is evidence of the fact that the Lord did reveal to the Prophet Joseph that a great and a marvelous work was about to be taught and sent forth among men. ¶

In 1893, President Woodruff made this statement as he dedicated the Salt Lake Temple, "That from this time on, the power of the evil one would be broken and that the enemy would have less power over the Saints." How true that is! When we go back into the history of this great Church, from 1893 until now, we find that the power of the evil one has become weak; and therefore, it has been possible to go out and preach the gospel in the world. When you stop to think, the Prophet Joseph lost his life through the power of Satan; and the Saints were driven from Nauvoo to this country because of the power of the evil one; and from that time until 1893, there was difficulty and suffering for our people; nevertheless, as the Lord said to the Prophet Joseph, "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men." — and the children of men have accepted the same, even though the Prophet was murdered; and the Church has grown and exists to the point now to where we have, as I said, over 1,302,000 members. ¶

It is marvelous to know that in this day and age we have more missionaries out in the world than ever before, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be more, and the time will come when mankind will listen to what the Prophet said in the establishment of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. ¶

I also, brethren and sisters, would like to say this, that each and every one of us has great responsibilities because we belong to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord said this through the Prophet Joseph to us: "Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;" (Ibid., 4:2-4.) ¶

Actually, if we have the faith in our hearts that this is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and desire to serve the Lord, we can only do it through the work — through the results of our efforts in building up the kingdom and making it strong, so strong that the world will accept the great truths as they are being forwarded to them through our missionaries, and as has been done through our President in the last two or three years. I accept what the Lord said through the Prophet to us, in speaking about what we should do, and what our attitude should be: "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." Then he went on to say: "Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen." (Ibid., 4:5-7.) ¶

There is no question in my mind that when an individual who, in his heart, desires to serve God and live the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and prays to the Lord, he will receive the blessings of the Lord according to what his needs are. I think of the words of the Lord, too, wherein he said this: "The glory of God is intelligence, . . ." (Ibid., 93:36.) What a marvelous opportunity we all have in this great Church where the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ teach us the gospel! Therein we do receive the knowledge of the glory of God. "The glory of God is intelligence, . . ." (Ibid., 93:36) which intelligence we can use in our lives from day to day. Surely it becomes the glory of God unto us. ¶

In my testimony I feel as did the apostle of old, when Paul said: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. . . ." (Rom. 1:16.) I would make one addition, and I might say, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation revealed to us and given to us through the Prophet Joseph and every one of the Apostles who has lived from that day until this time. ¶

I am grateful for the testimony I have that this is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the testimony that I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and every President of the Church has been a prophet of God — has been an apostle. I am grateful for the opportunity of the services that are rendered through the power of the priesthood, for with our priesthood, brethren and sisters, we have many responsibilities and many opportunities to help build up the kingdom. I leave you my humble testimony that this is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, that Joseph Smith was indeed a Prophet of God. There is no question about it: This is the work of God. May we do all within our power to continue to build it up, and therein enjoy all of the blessings that the Lord will give us as we go forward in his behalf, I humbly ask, in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶