Brothers And Sisters It Is A Wonderful...

Brothers and sisters: It is a wonderful blessing and privilege to be present at this great general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, and I am thankful that the Lord placed the "The" in the name of his Church. It is not the Church of some nation or some normal outstanding individual, but it is the Church of Jesus Christ. ¶

The Church at the World's Fair We are overjoyed that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is represented with other churches at the New York World's Fair. The comparison has aroused a great deal of interest and comment. ¶

As you know, the Mormon Pavilion is one of the greatest and most effective missionary opportunities the Church has undertaken. The entire image and acceptance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have greatly improved in the eastern part of the United States and throughout the world. Millions have been impressed and spiritually uplifted by the exhibits, the missionaries, and their testimonies. ¶

God Inspired Teachings of Ancient Prophets The exhibits and program at the Mormon Pavilion are built around the God-inspired teachings of the ancient prophets, around Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God, around the Apostles, and around eternal life as given in the scriptures. Great emphasis is placed on the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ through a Prophet of God, Joseph Smith. ¶

Great emphasis is also placed on the passage of scripture given by the Apostle John in the book of Revelation, wherein he said, "... I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, . . ." (Rev. 14:6.) Heavenly Messengers to Ancient and Modern Prophets We are bearing witness that the Angel Moroni came and restored the everlasting gospel again to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. ¶

God and heavenly messengers appeared to Adam, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, and all of the ancient prophets. ¶

Heavenly messengers appeared to the Apostles Peter, John, and Paul. At the pavilion we teach and emphasize that heavenly messengers, appearing to God's chosen prophets, are part of God's earth program. ¶

Comments of World's Fair Visitors I would like to read a few of the comments written by visitors to the pavilion: ¶

"Very impressive, very beautiful, so inspiring to see such dedicated young missionaries." ¶

"I enjoyed my visit to the Mormon Pavilion second to no other exhibit." ¶

"Like an oasis in a desert" ¶

"Interesting and makes more sense than any other religion." ¶

"After seeing your movie on eternal life, I no longer have a fear of death." ¶

"The paintings of the teachings, experiences, and examples of Jesus Christ are revealing and inspiring." ¶

"Beautiful pavilion and a religion I would like to know more about" ¶

"Enjoyable pavilion, and it shows to me that there is still a strong belief in God among the people of the earth." ¶

"A moving Christian tribute; such a pity more people are not exposed to your doctrines and missionaries." ¶

"This is a splendid witness to the message of God." ¶

"The missionaries do great credit to your Church." ¶

"This was a beautiful experience for our entire family. Even the children enjoyed it." ¶

"The scriptural truths are simply beautiful." ¶

"I am awed at the beauty of life and eternity through the teachings of Jesus Christ." ¶

"I came in as a skeptic, but my desire to know more has been stimulated." ¶

"Inspiring, magnificent, dignified, and sublime, truly witnessing to the Jesus Christ of the Bible." ¶

"I think this pavilion is breathtakmg. ¶

"Your exhibit and missionaries show the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles as they taught and exemplified them and as they are found in the Holy Bible." ¶

Mr. Robert Moses, president of the New York World's Fair, said, "You have brought to us from across the mountains a breath of the pioneering spirit and fresh air of the West. Your temple facade dominates the main entrance to the Fair and is the cynosure of all eyes, and gives a noble first impression to visitors. We thank you for your contribution, congratulate you on your success, and hope you will remain permanently in our midst." ¶

Mr. Charles L. Petze, III, of Maryville College said in a letter, "I would like to congratulate you on having what I feel was the best-organized pavilion at the New York World's Fair. ¶

It was truly a pleasure to find someone who had something to say and knew how to say it" ¶

Norman Vincent Peale wrote this in the Philadelphia Inquirer (July 19, 1964): "I will defy anyone, however callous, to come unmoved out of the Mormon exhibit. They show a marvelous motion picture done by top-flight actors that depicts the journey of the human soul from birth to immortality. ¶

So glorious is it that the viewer comes out with tears in his eyes, but walking on air." ¶

Statistics of Fair Communication The New York World's Fair will have over 33,000,000 attendance in 1964, and we will have over 3,000,000 attend our pavilion. Approximately ten percent of all the people attending the World's Fair have attended the Mormon Pavilion. Our attendance has been with the upper ten percent of all the exhibits. This we feel has been a remarkable achievement for the Church. ¶

We have had over 255,000 referrals and registrations to send to the missions of the Church. We have distributed over 2,000,000 pamphlets to interested people. Over 1,000,000 have seen the eternal life film on Man's Search for Happiness. We have distributed over 36,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, and we have had over 40,000 inches of favorable newspaper and magazine publicity. It is estimated that over 160,000 pictures and movies have been taken by visitors of the exterior and the interior of the pavilion. ¶

Hunger for Teachings of Christ With millions coming to the Mormon Pavilion we have found many who are hungry for the pure, unchanged teachings of Jesus Christ. Many are enthusiastic and happy to hear about a church that has Twelve Apostles, a church that has a living prophet, a church that has the same baptism practised by John the Baptist and administered to Jesus Christ at the River Jordan. ¶

Many are anxious to know more about a Living God who created man in his own image and after his own likeness. Many desire to know more about the living, resurrected, immortal Jesus Christ and not a God of mystery. ¶

Many desire to know more about the heavenly messengers who appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith. ¶

Seeking Evidence of Divine Power and Purpose We have found many who are seeking for evidence of divine power and eternal purpose. Many are now wondering about the private interpretations men have placed on the God-inspired scriptures wherein they discontinued the Twelve Apostles, changed the water baptism. They have discontinued the Bible teaching of laying on of hands to bestow the Holy Ghost. The law of tithing was discontinued by many, and there are many other changes made by men. ¶

Needed: Teachers by Example Fellow Saints and missionaries, the Church needs teachers who will literally live Christianity as exemplified and taught by Jesus Christ. We need to teach and love people into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are millions awaiting our witness and testimony. ¶

As a tribute to our beloved prophet, David O. McKay, the greatest missionary of our time, let us follow his prophetic counsel and bring one or more souls into the Church each year. With love and righteousness in our hearts and the help of God, we can achieve this kingdom-building goal. ¶

May this be our great blessing and privilege, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶