Heber J. Grant President Heber J. Grant. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.22 It is ever and always a very great pleasure to me to meet with the Latter-day Saints in any of their assemblies, and I am particularly pleased to be present at our general conferences. It was a custom with me as a child to attend our general conferences regularly, and for thirty-six years, before this month expires, it has been my privilege to attend these conferences as one of the general authorities of the Church, and I have never yet attended a conference in this building but what I have been fed the bread of life by those who have spoken to the people. I rejoice with you in the very splendid meeting which we held here this morning, in the inspiration that came to each and all of the presidency of the Church as they addressed us. I desire to echo the sentiments expressed of gratitude and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father that our beloved President was able, to be with us at our session this morning; and I hope and pray that the exertion necessary on his part to attend may not have been so great but what he can be with us again before our conference shall close. REGARDING FALSE TEACHING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.23 I desire on behalf of the council that I have the honor to preside over to say that we endorse the references, which were made here this morning by President Penrose, and so forcibly reaffirmed by the President of the Church, regarding this question of plural marriage and the fact that some men are today teaching it in secret, pretending that they are married or are entering into what they call plural marriage. Such men are indeed rebels, and traitors to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, because they are branding it in the eyes of people who are not of us as being a dishonest organization. Personally, and I also speak for each member of the council of the Twelve Apostles, because I know their sentiments and I know that they are behind me, I endorse with all my heart these remarks. I want to say to the Latter-day Saints that in my opinion when any rebel or traitor to the work of God comes into their homes and tells them something false about the Church that there is a lack of patriotism on the part of all such individuals for not giving the traitor away. I would like you to get this into your minds. These people go around and lie, to put it in good, plain English, and they tell people, "Don't you say anything, don't you tell who told you that it was right." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.23 You don't have to keep the confidence of those who are crooked, you don't have to keep the confidence of somebody who is telling you that which is false, and such people ought to be exposed, and exposed upon the house tops; they go around posing as superior to honest, straight-forward, upright people, branding the Church and the leaders of the Church with infamy by pretending we preach one thing in public and do another thing in private. I do not care to say any more on this subject. I seldom, if ever, speak on it that it doesn't arouse almost every particle of anger in my nature. Some of them say the Lord has directed them to take more wives. Well, I think he directed them just like he directed the negro (not that I am saying this to reflect upon negroes), but there was a negro who prayed: "Oh Lawd, oh Lawd, oh Lawd; send dis heah niggah a turkey." He prayed for a whole week, and he didn't get any turkey, and at the end of a week he said: "Dis heah niggah don' know how to pray," so that night the negro prayed, "Oh Lawd, oh Lawd, oh Lawd, send dis heah niggah to a turkey," and he said, "Dis heah niggah had turkey dinner the next night." A REMARKABLE MANIFESTATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.23 I indorse the remarks made by President Penrose regarding the peace and the joy and the happiness that comes into the human heart in testifying of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ which has again been revealed to the earth. From October when I was called to be one of the council of the Twelve, until the following February, I had but little joy and happiness in my labors. There was a spirit following me that told me that I lacked the experience, that I lacked the inspiration, that I lacked the testimony to be worthy of the position of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. My dear mother had inspired me with such a love of the gospel and with such a reverence and admiration for the men who stood at the head of this Church, that when I was called to be one of them I was overpowered; I felt my unworthiness and the adversary taking advantage of that feeling in my heart, day and night, the spirit pursued me, suggesting that I resign, and when I testified of the divinity of the work we are engaged in, the words would come back, "You haven't seen the Savior; you have no right to bear such a testimony," and I was very unhappy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.23 But in February, 1883, while riding along on the Navajo Indian Reservation with Elder Brigham Young, Jr., and fifteen or twenty other brethren, including the late president, Lot Smith, of one of the Arizona stakes, on our way to visit the Navajos and Moquis--as we were traveling that day, going through a part of the Navajo Reservation to get to the Moqui Reservation--as we were traveling to the southeast, suddenly the road turned and veered almost to the northeast, but there was a path, a trail, leading on in the direction in which we had been traveling. There were perhaps eight or ten of us on horseback and the rest in wagons. Brother Smith and I were at the rear of our company. When we came to the trail I said, "Wait a minute, Lot; where does this trail lead to?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.24 He said, "Oh, it leads back in the road three or four miles over here, but we have to make a detour of eight or nine miles to avoid a large gully that no wagons can cross." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.24 I asked: "Can a horseman get over that gully?" He answered, "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.24 I said, "Any danger from Indians, by being out there alone?" He answered, "No." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.24 I said, "I want to be alone, so you go on with the company and I will meet you over there where the trail and road join." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.24 One reason that I asked if there was any danger was because a few days before our company had visited the spot where George A. Smith, Jr., had been killed by the Navajo Indians, and I had that event in my mind at the time I was speaking. I had perhaps gone one mile when in the kind providences of the Lord it was manifested to me perfectly so far as my intelligence is concerned--I did not see heaven, I did not see a council held there, but like Lehi of old, I seemed to see, and my very being was so saturated with the information that I received, as I stopped my animal and sat there and communed with heaven, that I am as absolutely convinced of the information that came to me upon that occasion as though the voice of God had spoken the words to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.24 It was manifested to me there and then as I sat there and wept for joy that it was not because of any particular intelligence that I possessed, that it was not because of any knowledge that I possessed more than a testimony of the gospel, that it was not because of my wisdom, that I had been called to be one of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ in this last dispensation, but it was because the prophet of God, the man who was the chosen instrument in the hands of the living God of establishing again upon the earth the plan of life and salvation, Joseph Smith, desired that I be called, and that my father, Jedediah M. Grant, who gave his life for the gospel, while one of the presidency of the Church, a counselor to President Brigham Young, and who had been dead for nearly twenty-six years, desired that his son should be a member of the Council of the Twelve. It was manifested to hie that the prophet and my father were able to bestow upon me the apostleship because of their faithfulness, inasmuch as I had lived a clean life, that now it remained for me to make a success or a failure of that calling. GREAT JOY IN THE TESTIMONY OBTAINED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 I can bear witness to you here today that I do not believe that any man on earth from that day, February, 1883, until now, thirty-five years ago, has had sweeter joy, more perfect and exquisite happiness than I have had in lifting up my voice and testifying of the gospel at home and abroad in every land and in every clime where it has fallen to my lot to go. And I have gone to Japan, I have been in the Hawaiian Islands, I have been from Canada to Mexico. I have been in nearly every state in the Union of the United States; I have been in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Denmark and I have had joy beyond my ability to express, in lifting up my voice, in bearing witness to those with whom I have come in contact that I know that God lives, that I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, the Redeemer of mankind; that I know that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of the true and living God, that I have the abiding testimony in my heart that Brigham Young was a chosen instrument of the living God, that John Taylor, that Wilford Woodruff, that Lorenzo Snow were, and that today Joseph F. Smith is the representative of the living God, and the mouthpiece of God here upon the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 I do not have the language at my command to express the gratitude to God for this knowledge that I possess; and time and time again my heart has been melted, my eyes have wept tears of gratitude for the knowledge that he lives and that this gospel called "Mormonism" is in very deed the plan of life and salvation, that it is the only true gospel upon the face of the earth, that it is in very deed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That God may help you and me and everyone to live it is my constant and earnest prayer. HOW THE POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 I will read from Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 We have learned, by sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy sceptre an unchanging sceptre of righteousness and truth, and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shaft flow unto thee for ever and ever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.25 I want to bear witness to you here today that during the thirty-six years this month that I have been a member of the Council of the Twelve, that no power or influence has ever been exercised by the prophet of God who has presided over this Church during this time except exactly as taught in the Doctrine and Covenants; and that no one of all the men I have been associated with as presidents of the Church has had more charity, more love, and has exercised the priesthood by the power of the living God in meekness and mercy and kindness, than the man who stands at the head of the Church today, Joseph F. Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1918, p.26 That God may preserve his life for many, many years yet to come is the earnest prayer of my heart, and that of every Latter-day Saint in all the land. May God guide us to his praise continually and forever, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.3 We regret that all of the Saints cannot be present in one building to hear the remarks that may be made upon this occasion. We also regret that the men who stand at the head of this great body of Seventies could not remain here to partake of the spirit of this occasion. But we feel that those who have met in the Assembly Hall are entitled to hear some of the general authorities of the Church speak upon the life and labors, and bear witness of their love and reverence for, and their faith in, our beloved prophet, the late President Joseph F. Smith, who has departed this life since we last met in general conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.3 THE SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.3 Inasmuch as all that is said here today will be reported, and as our brethren of the Seventy can read what is said, they will miss only the spirit of this occasion, which I feel in my heart --if the Lord will only bless us abundantly --will be considerable of a loss; because, after all is said and done, in all the labors of the Latter-day Saints, it is the spirit that counts, for the spirit giveth life, and the dead letter killeth; but we shall hope and pray that the spirit of this occasion will find echo in the hearts of our brethren who have just left us, when they read today's proceedings. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.4 A PLEDGE OF FAITHFUL SERVICE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.4 I feel humble, beyond any language with which God has endowed me to express it, in standing before you here this morning, occupying the position in which you have just voted to sustain me. I recall standing before an audience in Tooele, after having been sustained as president of that stake, when I was a young man twenty-three years of age, pledging to that audience the best that was in me. I stand here today in all humility, acknowledging my own weakness, my own lack of wisdom and information, and my lack of the ability to occupy the exalted position in which you have voted to sustain me. But as I said as a boy in Tooele, I say here today: that by and with the help of the Lord, I shall do the best that I can to fulfil every obligation that shall rest upon me as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the full extent of my ability. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.4 I will ask no man to be more liberal with his means, than I am with mine, in proportion to what he possesses, for the advancement of God's Kingdom. I will ask no man to observe the Word of Wisdom any more closely than I will observe it. I will ask no man to be more conscientious and prompt in the payment of his tithes and his offerings than I will be. I will ask no man to be more ready and willing to come early and to go late, and to labor with full power of mind and body, than I will labor, always in humility. I hope and pray for the blessings of the Lord, acknowledging freely and frankly, that without the Lord's blessings it will be an impossibility for me to make a success of the high calling whereunto I have been called. But, like Nephi of old, I know that the Lord makes no requirements of the children of men, save he will prepare a way for them, whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has required. With this knowledge in my heart, I accept the great responsibility, without fear of the consequences, knowing that God will sustain me as he has sustained all of my predecessors who have occupied this position, provided always, that I shall labor in humility and in diligence, ever seeking for the guidance of his Holy Spirit: and this I shall endeavor to do. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.4 THE STANDARD OF ACTION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.4 I shall not occupy your time by reading Section 121 of the D&C. I will leave that for each and every one of those before me, and those to the right and the left, holding the priesthood', and as many of the audience' as may feel so disposed, to read it when they go home. With the help of the Lord, I shall endeavor, standing at the head of the Priesthood of God upon the earth, to exercise the authority that has come to me in keeping with that wonderful revelation: "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by love unfeigned." God being my helper, the priesthood that I hold, the position that I occupy, shall be exercised in accordance with these words that I have quoted to you. We can do nothing, as recorded in that revelation, only as we exercise love and charity and kindness --love unfeigned. With the help of the Lord that is exactly how I shall administer, to the best of my ability, the priesthood of God that has come to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 I could stand here and occupy all of the remaining time, with the hundred and one thoughts that have come into my mind, in connection with the duties that devolve upon me; but I am anxious that my counselors should speak to you here this morning, and I am anxious to pay my tribute of respect to those men who have preceded me. I take no credit to myself for occupying the position that has come to me. I realize that failure will be the result if I do not give the Lord the credit for calling me to this position, and seek for the light of his Spirit to guide me in all that I shall do. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 PRESIDENT SNOW'S TESTIMONY CONCERNING THE PROPHET JOSEPH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 I desire to read to you a testimony regarding the first man who occupied the position as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints --the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. This testimony was given a short time before the death of the late beloved President of the Church, Lorenzo Snow, and will be found in the current June number of the Improvement Era, in an article written by his son, Elder LeRoi C. Snow. He said, referring to his father Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 "His work on earth was nearly done, his mission was almost finished; he was about to return to his Maker, and with all the remaining strength of his soul he testified concerning the divinity of the work in which he and the Prophet Joseph Smith commenced their life's work when young men: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 "'A word or two about Joseph Smith. Perhaps there are very few men now living who were so well acquainted with Joseph Smith, the Prophet as I was. I was with him often-times. I visited him in his family, ate at his table, associated with him under various circumstances, and had private interviews with him for counsel. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God; I know that he was an honorable man, a moral man, and that he had the respect of those who were acquainted with him. The Lord has shown me most clearly and completely that he was a Prophet of God, and that he held the holy priesthood and the authority to baptize people for the remission of their sins, and to lay hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, that they might receive a knowledge themselves in relation to these things. I am one, who has received from the Lord the strongest revelation concerning the truth of this work. That manifestation was with me powerfully, for hours and hours, and whatever circumstance may occur in my life, as long as memory lasts this perfect knowledge will remain with me. . . .'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 As to the testimony that Lorenzo Snow, the Prophet of the Lord, in later years had, in this same article his testimony is recorded. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 "About three weeks after his baptism, Lorenzo Snow received a wonderful vision which he tells in his own language, in his journal, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.5 " 'I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray than I heard a sound, just above my head, like the rustling of silken robes, and immediately the Spirit of God descended upon me, completely. enveloping my whole person, filling me, from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and O, the joy and happiness I felt! No language can describe the almost instantaneous transition from a dense cloud of mental and spiritual darkness into a refulgence of light and knowledge, as it was at that time imparted to my understanding. I then received a perfect knowledge that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the Gospel. It was a complete baptism --a tangible immersion in the heavenly principle or element (the gift of) the Holy Ghost; and even more real and physical in its effects upon every part of my system than the immersion by water; dispelling forever, so long as reason and memory lasts, all possibility of doubt or fear in relation to the fact handed down to us historically, that the 'Babe of Bethlehem' is truly the Son of God: also the fact that he is now being revealed to the children of men. and communicating knowledge, the same as in the apostolic times. I was perfectly satisfied. as well as I might be. for my expectations were more than realized. I think I may safely say in an infinite degree. . . . That night as I retired to rest the same wonderful manifestations were repeated, and continued to be for several successive nights. The sweet remembrance of those glorious experiences from that time to the present, bring them fresh before me. imparting an inspiring influence which pervades my whole being, and I trust will to the close of my earthly existence.' " Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.6 CONFIRMING TESTIMONY OF MANY OTHERS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.6 I have listened to the testimony of all of the apostles who have lived in these valleys of the mountains from Brigham Young to Joseph F. Smith. and have heard them tell of their personal acquaintance with the Prophet Joseph Smith. The testimony of Joseph F. Smith was the testimony of one who as a child knew the Prophet and loved him. The testimony of Brigham Young, Jr., was in the same class; but all the other testimonies were those of men of experience. men of power, men of individual determination. men who had wills and minds of their own. men who could not be led by a man who did not teach the truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.6 The testimony of Brigham Young, of John Taylor, of Lorenzo Snow, Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow, George A. Smith, Heber C. Kimball. and of others who have held the apostleship, who have held the priesthood of God and who knew the Prophet Joseph Smith intimately; of every true Latter-day Saint, man and woman. including the testimony of my own dear departed mother. than whom no sweeter, purer, nobler soul ever lived: the testimony of Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. H. Young, Bathsheba W. Smith, "Aunt Em." Wells, and others too numerous to mention, --was of their individual knowledge regarding the uprightness of the life of Joseph Smith. regarding the integrity of the man. regarding the inspiration of the living God that attended him in all of his labors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.6 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.6 I have the testimonies from George Romney, from my mother, from other relatives of mine and from scores of people, that, upon the day when Sidney Rigdon endeavored to steal the Church of Christ and to become the leader, God manifested to the people upon that occasion. by the transfiguration of Brigham Young --so that he appeared as Joseph Smith, so that he spoke as Joseph Smith --and thereby the testimony came to the Saints that Brigham Young was the man to succeed Joseph Smith the Prophet of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.7 PERSONAL TESTIMONY CONCERNING PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.7 I became acquainted with Brigham Young when I was a little child six years of age; from that time until the day of his death I was intimate with him. I was as intimate with one of his boys --the late Feramorz L. Young --from the time that we were little children until he left to go to Mexico --as any two boys ever could be. Perhaps no three young men were ever more intimate than Heber J. Grant, Feramorz L. Young and General Richard W. Young. We grew up together. We slept together. We played together. We attended Sunday school together. We attended day school together. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.7 I was almost as familiar in the homes of President Brigham Young as I was in the home of my own mother. In one home that of Aunt Emily Partridge Young, if I was hungry I felt as free to go in and ask for something to eat there as in my own home. I have spent hours and hours, as a child, in the rooms of Eliza R. Snow, listening to her counsel and advice, and hearing her relate incidents in the life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and bearing witness of the wonderful blessings of God to Brigham Young. As I say, I was familiar with the Prophet Brigham Young. I knelt down time and time again in his home in the Lion House at family prayers, as a child and as a young man; and I bear witness that as a little child, upon more than one occasion, because of the inspiration of the Lord to Brigham Young while he was supplicating God for guidance, I have lifted my head, turned and looked at the place where Brigham Young was praying, to see if the Lord was not there. It seemed to me that he talked to the Lord as one man would talk to another. I can bear witness of his kindness. of his love to me as an individual, of his love of God and of the inspiration of the Lord that came to him as he stood where I am standing, when I bad the privilege of being in the audience and listening to his inspiring words. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.7 REVELATION TO PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.7 I was called into the Council of the Twelve Apostles by a revelation of the Lord to President John Taylor, and from the time that I entered the Council of the Twelve, two years after John Taylor was made President of the Church, until the day of his death. I met with him, week after week, in the Endowment house, and I know that he was a servant of the living God; I know that the inspiration of the Lord came to him; and I know that upon all occasions, whenever he said: "This is what the Lord desires," and his associates in the council of the apostles sustained his position, that upon every occasion he was vindicated and the inspiration of the Lord to him showed that his wisdom by the power of God, had been superior to the wisdom of other men. Several times I have gone to meetings in the old Endowment house, knowing that a certain matter was to be discussed and my mind was as perfectly set upon a certain position on that question as it is possible for a man to have his mind set. I believe I am as decided in my opinions as the majority of people. I have heard it said that there is nobody as stubborn as a Scotchman except a Dutchman; and I am Scotch on my father's side and Dutch on my mother's (laughter). While I have gone to meetings in the old Endowment house determined in favor of a certain line of policy, I have willingly and freely voted for the exact opposite of that policy, because of the inspiration of the Lord that came to John Taylor. Upon every such occasion the servant of the Lord, President Taylor, was vindicated, and his superior judgment, by the inspiration of the Lord, asserted itself in favor of those things that were for the best good of the people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.8 I could relate circumstance after circumstance when the apostles have been sent out to accomplish certain labors under the inspiration of the Lord to John Taylor, when they thought they could not accomplish the labors, they have returned and been able to bear testimony that by and with the help of the Lord they had been able to accomplish the labor placed upon them by President Taylor, the Prophet of the Lord. If time would permit, I would like to relate some of these incidents, because they are faith-promoting, but I have not the time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.8 PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.8 I can bear witness that Wilford Woodruff was in very deed a servant of the living God and a true Prophet of God. Wilford Woodruff, a humble man, converted and baptized hundreds of people in a few months in Herefordshire, England. In eight months, as I now remember it, he baptized between fifteen hundred and two thousand souls. I believe that no other man who ever walked the face of the earth was a greater converter of souls to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a man of the most wonderful and marvelous humility; a man who had never been engaged in any great business affairs; a man who had devoted himself to farming, who had been engaged in raising fruits and cultivating the soil; a humble man, of whom I had heard many people say that he lacked the ability to preside over the Church of Christ. But I want to bear witness to you that, under the inspiration of the Lord, and because of the humility of the man, because of his godlike life and because God loved him, he was blessed upon more than one occasion with wisdom that was superior to all the wisdom of the bright financial minds in the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.8 BEGINNING OF THE SUGAR INDUSTRY IN UTAH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.8 President Woodruff announced that the Lord would like the great business of manufacturing sugar established in our midst, and a committee was appointed from the directorate of two of the largest Church institutions, two of the most substantial in all Israel, to look into the matter. They investigated the advisability of establishing the beet sugar industry in this State and unanimously reported adversely. President Woodruff was not satisfied. Another committee was appointed. I was on the first committee and he appointed me on the second committee. I begged to be excused, because I had already formed my opinion, had already signed my name to a report, but he would not listen to my request to be excused. We went into the matter again, thoroughly and carefully, and the second committee reported adversely. President Woodruff said: "Never mind the report. The inspiration to me is to establish the sugar industry." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.8 I was called upon a mission, and a letter was given to me in connection with other members of the Council of the Apostles, and we were sent out to ask men to subscribe for stock in the Utah Sugar Company. I took individual letters to different men asking them to subscribe. I delivered a letter to the late David Eccles, than whom I never met a clearer-headed business man in my life, and I have met men who draw their hundred thousand dollars and more every year in salary. He had a comprehensive grasp on business affairs which to me was superior to that of any man I ever met. David smiled when the letter was presented to him, signed by President Woodruff and his counselors, asking him to invest five thousand dollars, or seven thousand five hundred dollars. He said: "Well, I would like to get off at the lowest figure. You can put me down for five thousand dollars." Then he added: "I hope they will buy lumber from me, so I may make a profit on a part of the five thousand dollars; and after I get the stock, if you can find someone who would like to buy it for twenty-five hundred dollars, I will be much obliged to you if you will come and get the stock." Years later, when he put hundreds of thousands of dollars into the sugar business, I don't know whether or not he felt to give credit to that humble man, Wilford Woodruff, for the inspiration of the Lord, whereby this great industry was established. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.9 But for the inspiration of the Lord to Wilford Woodruff I doubt if we would have any sugar business in this state or in Idaho, today, that would amount to very much. I am inclined to think that the Great Western or some other company would have established the business in Utah and Idaho, and that the people of these states would simply have been working for them instead of owning the majority of the stock in our great inter-mountain factories. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.9 After we had let the contract for the building of the sugar factory at Lehi, the panic of 1891 came on. There was a provision in the contract that before the machinery was shipped by the Dyer Company, if we would pay a forfeit of fifty thousand dollars the contract could be cancelled. I had been sent to New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and other places, by the Presidency, to try to raise the money necessary to build this factory, but it looked like an impossibility to get the money. It was the opinion of business men and others that we should pay the fifty thousand dollars forfeit and abandon the enterprise; but when the recommendation was presented, Wilford Woodruff's answer was this: "From the day I received a knowledge of the divinity of the gospel of Jesus Christ revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, from the day that I went out as a humble priest to proclaim that gospel, although it looked like death in front of me, if the path of duty that the gospel required me to tread called me to face death, I have never turned to the right nor turned to the left; and now the inspiration of the Lord to me is to build this factory. Every time I think of abandoning it, there is darkness; and every time I think of building it, there is light. We will build the factory if it bursts the Church." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.9 We did built it and it did not burst the Church (laughter); and it and subsequent factories have made for our people and for the Church millions of dollars. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.9 PRESIDENT SNOW'S WORK OF THREE YEARS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.10 I know that Lorenzo Snow was a Prophet of God. By his testimony, which I have read to you, and by the testimony of my mother and hundreds of others who knew the Prophet Joseph, as well as by the revelations of the Spirit Of God to me, I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I know of my own knowledge that Brigham Young, and John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff were Prophets of God. It is stated that men do not amount to much after they pass fifty, and that when they are sixty you ought to get some kind of a drug and put them to sleep, and that when they are seventy they are simply useless. But Lorenzo Snow came to the presidency of the Church when he was eighty-five years of age, and what he accomplished during the next three years of his life is simply marvelous to contemplate. He lifted the Church from the financial slough of despond, so to speak, from almost financial bankruptcy --when its credit was hardly good for a thousand dollars without security, when it was paying ten per cent for money --he lifted the Church out of that condition and made its credit A No. 1, so that people solicited and asked for the privilege of buying the bonds of this Church at six per cent. Ten per cent is sixty-six and two-thirds per cent more than six per cent, and in three short years this man, beyond the age of ability in the estimation of the world, this man who had not been engaged in financial affairs, who had been devoting his life for years to laboring in the Temple, took hold of the finances of the Church of Christ, under the inspiration of the living God, and in those three years changed everything, financially, from darkness to light. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.10 I know that Lorenzo Snow was God's mouthpiece upon the earth, that he was the representative of the Lord and that he was in very deed a Prophet of God. Read the wonderful testimony that he received a few weeks after his baptism, as recorded in the Improvement Era, concerning the knowledge that he received that God lived, that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, and that the priesthood of the living God has been restored to the earth. I know that that knowledge guided his life from that day to the day that he became God's representative upon the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.10 THE COURAGE OF PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.10 Lorenzo Snow was drowned in the harbor of Honolulu, in the Hawaiian Islands, and it took some hours to bring him to life again. At that particular time the Lord revealed to him the fact that the young man Joseph F. Smith, who had refused to get off the vessel that had carried them from San Francisco to Honolulu, and get into a small boat, would some day be the Prophet of God. Answering Lorenzo Snow who was in charge of the company, he said: "If you by the authority of the Priesthood of God, which you hold, tell me to get into that boat and attempt to land, I will do so, but unless you command me in the authority of the Priesthood, I will not do so, because it is not safe to attempt to land in a small boat while this typhoon is raging." They laughed at the young man Joseph F. Smith, but he said, "The boat will capsize." The others got into the boat, and it did capsize; and but for the blessings of the Lord in resuscitating Lorenzo Snow he would not have lived, because he was drowned upon that occasion. It was revealed to him, then and there, that the boy, with the courage of his convictions, with the iron will to be laughed at and scorned as lacking courage to go in that boat, and who stayed on that vessel, would yet be the Prophet of God. Lorenzo Snow told me this upon more than one occasion, long years before Joseph F. Smith came to the presidency of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.11 EULOGY AND LETTER OF SYMPATHY IN MEMORY OF PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.11 I said I wanted my counselors to say something, but I am afraid they are not going to have the chance. I now come to Joseph F. Smith. I apologize to his family for reading a personal letter of sympathy. had no idea as I sat down and picked up my pen and poured out my heart in love and sympathy to the family, that I would ever read in public that letter; but I had failed to get my mind upon anything that I particularly desired to say upon this occasion, and last night I borrowed from one of his sons a copy of the letter; and although it may not be good ethics, I wish to read it, because therein are the sentiments of my heart, poured out in love to his family. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.11 At Home, November 20, 1918. To the family of President Joseph F. Smith. My dearly beloved friends: Language fails me to express to you my love for your dear departed father and husband. In dear Aunt Eliza R Snow's words I can truthfully say, "He was beloved, beloved by all." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.11 For thirty-six years I have labored under his Presidency, while he was counselor to or the President of the Church. During all this time no man could possibly have inspired one over whom he presided with more love or confidence for him than President Smith did me. I have said many times that no man who ever lived, with whom I have been associated, had been beloved by me as much as your dear departed husband and father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.11 I could not and did not in my heart bring myself to feel that he was going to leave us until the afternoon of the 18th, when I called and David said he wanted to see me. The President took my hand and pressed it with a power and strength that was far from what one could expect from a dying man, and he blessed me with power and the Spirit of the living God, and there was love in his eyes and a strong pressure of his hand, and with nearly every word he spoke his pressure of my hand thrilled my being, and tears of gratitude to God and love for His mouthpiece upon the earth filled my heart. His blessing was all that I could ask or expect had he been my own dear father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.11 Sister Bowman entered and kissed and wept over her father, and I walked into the little front office and wept, feeling that the last words I would ever hear from his beloved lips had been spoken when he said to me, "The Lord bless you, my boy, the Lord bless you, you have a great responsibility. Always remember this is the Lord's work and not man's. The Lord is greater than any man. He knows whom He wants to lead His Church and never makes any mistakes. The Lord bless you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.11 I returned to my office, but I did not even have the heart to mail some letters which I had written earlier in the day. I went home and after eating supper I again visited the President, whom I found in great pain, and he asked President Lund who was there to bless him and supplicate the Lord to release him, and call him home. We placed our hands upon his head and President Lund told the Lord how much we loved our President and of our gratitude for the joy and happiness we had had in laboring with him, but asked that he be called home if his life could not be spared to us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 The next morning I awoke at one o'clock and was not able to get to sleep until after six-thirty, as my mind was with the President. I got the November Era and reread the President's talk at the October conference, and after doing so I wrote in my Era at the close of his talk: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 "Nov. 19/18. Re-read twice and wept as I think of how near death's door the President is. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 "It is 3:45 and I have been awake since one a. m." --Heber J. Grant. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 The President lived but one hour and five minutes after I had written that he was near death's door. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 The Lord has been very good to me in times of sorrow, and I hope and pray with all my heart that He will bless and comfort your sorrowing hearts, as you read of his goodness to me. I am enclosing a copy of a letter telling of the blessings given to me in times of affliction. There are two poems among those published with my letter to Brother and Sister Winters which have comforted and blessed me. "The Changed Cross," and "Providence is Over All."1 Especially have I been blessed while reading Sister Woodmansee's inspiring words. I knew her from my earliest recollection until the day of her death, and my love of her poem was no doubt increased from the fact that she lived in perfect harmony with its teachings. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 I was once talking of the favorite poems of our Church leaders and I turned to President Smith and asked him which of our hymns was his favorite and he said he hardly knew, but he thought that perhaps his favorite was the splendid hymn, "Uphold the Right, Though Fierce the Fight, by that heroic little soul, Sister Emily Hill Woodmansee."2 I enclose a copy of this hymn with this letter. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 I have never known the joy and comfort of a father's love, but Presidents Joseph F. Smith, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, and others of my near and dear associates have given me a father's love and filled the place in my affections as completely as men not one's father could possibly do. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 Never in my life have I listened to more inspiring words than those at the funeral of my dear departed mother and at the funeral of my dear brother, Joseph Hyrum, which were spoken by President Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.12 I am thankful beyond any power to tell for the inspiration to do my full duty in the battle of life which has come to me from the example and loving teachings of your beloved father and husband. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.12 Flowers fade in a day, and so I shall send each of you for Gusta and myself in loving remembrance of your dear departed husband and father the book "Their Yesterdays."3 I send this book for the reason that when I read it, March 20th, 1914, I marked one of the passages which seemed to me at the time I read the book to be inspirational. It is on pages 228-9. I wrote in my book the sentiments of my heart at the time regarding President Smith in connection with the words on those pages. What I wrote was as follows: "More than any man I have ever known, President Joseph F. Smith has done this. God bless him forever, and his posterity after him. The fact that he is the Prophet of God today is a great testimony to me of the divinity of 'Mormonism' so called." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.13 Little did I think when I wrote these words that he would have departed this life by now. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.13 One of the most sincere and earnest prayers of my heart has been that President Smith should live to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Church. I prayed for this some months ago at the close of a Temple fast meeting, and the Lord so abundantly blessed me that I felt my prayer would be answered, and I sat down weeping for joy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.13 I could go on writing for hours, but I will close by sending my assurance and that of Sister Grant of our profound sympathy, and our most earnest prayer for God to comfort and bless your sorrowing hearts. President Smith sealed us as husband and wife for time and all eternity, and Gusta shares in all the expressions of love for him and admiration of his character in this letter. Again, may God bless you and your loved ones now and forever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.13 Your affectionate brother, (Signed) HEBER J. GRANT. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.13 At the grave of President Joseph F. Smith I read a poem entitled "A Real Man"1 and I expressed there the hope that I might live to be like Joseph F. Smith. I read at the grave the poem by Eliza R. Snow, written for the Prophet Joseph Smith. "He was beloved, beloved by all."2 The prayer that I had in my heart, the desire that I had to follow in the footsteps of this man of God, who presided over us with so much inspiration, with so much devotion, with so much integrity to God and to his fellow-men, the desire that I might be like him, is still in my heart. I pray God to bless his memory. I pray God to bless his wives and his children, that they may emulate his most wonderful and splendid example. I bear witness to you that from my early childhood days, when I could not thoroughly understand and comprehend the teachings of the gospel, that I have had my very being thrilled, and tears have rolled down my cheeks, under the inspiration of the living God, as I have listened to Joseph F. Smith when preaching the gospel. I believe that Joseph F. Smith and his son Hyrum M. Smith. more than any other men to whom I have listened, who were born in the Church of Christ in our day, were the greatest preachers of righteousness. I know that whenever I heard that Joseph F. Smith was going to speak in one Of the wards. that time and time again as a young man I have left my own ward and gone to listen to him, because he always filled my being and lifted me up as I listened to him proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. I bear witness that he was one of the greatest prophets of God that has ever lived; that God was with him from the day that he went forth as a little boy of fifteen years of age, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Hawaiian Islands, until the day when, after giving sixty-five years of his life to the work of God, he closed his earthly career. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.14 May God bless each and all of us who have a knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, and may we be faithful to the end as our prophet was, our beloved leader who has left us, Joseph F. Smith, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.14 PROVIDENCE IS OVER ALL. When dark and drear the skies appear, And doubt and dread would thee enthrall, Look up, nor fear, the day is near, And providence is over all. From heaven above, His light and love, God giveth freely when we call. Our utmost need is oft decreed, And Providence is over all. With jealous zeal God guards our weal, And lifts our wayward thoughts above; When storms assail life's bark so frail, We seek the haven of His love. And when our eyes transcend the skies His gracious purpose is complete, No more the night distracts our sight-- The clouds are all beneath our feet. The direst woe that mortals know Can ne'er the honest heart appall Who holds the trust--that God is just, And providence is over all. Should foes increase to mar our peace, Frustrated all their plans shall fall. Our utmost need is oft decreed, And Providence is over all. --Emily Hill Woodmansee. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.14 UPHOLD THE RIGHT Uphold the right, though fierce the fight, And powerful the foe. And freedom's friend, her cause defend, Nor fear nor favor show. No coward can be called a man, No friend will friends betray; Who will be free, alert must be; Indifference will not pay. Note how they toil whose aim is spoil, Who plundering plots devise: Yet time will teach that fools o'erreach The mark and lose the prize. Can justice deign to wrong maintain, Whoever wills it so? Can honor mate with treacherous hate? Can figs on thistles grow? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.15 Dare to be true, and hopeful, too; Be watchful, brave and shrewd. Weigh every act; be wise, in fact, To serve the general good. Nor basely yield, nor quit the field-- Important is the fray; Scorn to recede, there is no need To give our rights away. Left-handed fraud let those applaud Who would by fraud prevail: In freedom's name, contest their claim, Use no such word as fail; Honor we must each sacred trust, And rightful zeal display; Our part fulfill, then come what will, High heaven will clear the way. --Emily Hill Woodmansee. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.15 FROM "THEIR YESTERDAYS." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.15 "If the men of a race will perfect the manhood strength of the race; if they will exalt their manhood power; if they will fulfill the mission of life by perfecting and producing ever more perfect lives; if they will endeavor to contribute to the ages to come stronger, better, men than themselves; why, the work of the world will be done even as the plant produces its flowers and fruit, the work of the world will be done. In the exaltation of Life is the remedy for the evils that threaten the race. The reformations that men are always attempting in the social, religious, political, and industrial world are but attempts to change the flavor or quality of the fruit when it is ripening on the tree. The true remedy lies in the life of the tree; in the soil from which it springs; in the source from which the fruit derives its quality and flavor. In the appreciation of Life, in the passion of Life, in the production of Life, in the perfection of Life, in the exaltation of Life, is the salvation of human kind. For this, and this alone, man has right to live --has right to his place and part in Life." --Harold Bell Wright. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.15 A REAL MAN. Men are of two kinds, and he Was of the kind I'd like to be. Some preach their virtues, and a few Express their lives by what they do. That sort was he. No flowery phrase Or glibly spoken words of praise Won friends for him. He wasn't cheap Or shallow, but his course ran deep, And it was pure. You know the kind. Not many in a life you find, Whose deeds outrun their words so far That more than what they seem they are. There are two kinds of lies as well: The kind you live, the ones you tell. Back through his years from age to youth He never acted one untruth. Out in the open light he fought And didn't care what others thought Nor what they said about his fight If he believed that he was right. The only deeds he ever hid Were acts of kindness that he did. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.16 What speech he had was plain and blunt. His was an unembellished front. Yet children loved him; babe and boy Played with the strength he could employ, Without one fear, and they are fleet To sense injustice and deceit. No back door gossip linked his name With any shady tale of shame. He did not have to compromise With evil-doers. shrewd and wise, And let them ply their vicious trade Because of some past escapade. Men are of two kinds, and he Was of the kind I'd like to be. No door at which he ever knocked Against his manly form was locked; If ever man on earth was free And independent, it was he. No broken pledge lost him respect, He met all men with head erect; And when he passed I think there went A soul to yonder firmament So white, so splendid and so fine It came complete to God's design. Edgar A. Guest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.16 HYMN NO. 303. Thou dost not weep to weep alone; The broad bereavement seems to fall Unheeded and unfelt by none, He was beloved, beloved by all. But lo! what joy salutes our grief! Bright rainbows crown the tearful gloom, Hope, hope eternal, brings relief; Faith sounds a triumph o'er the tomb. It soothes our sorrow, says to thee, The Lord in chastening comes to bless: God is thy God, and He will be A father to the fatherless. 'Tis well with the departed one; His heaven-lit lamp was shining bright, And when his mortal day went down, His spirit fled where reigns no night. 'Tis meet to die as he has died, He smiled amid death's conquered gloom, While angels waited by his side, To bear a kindred spirit home. Vain are the trophies wealth can give! His memory needs no sculptor's art; He's left a name --his virtues live, 'Graved on the tablets of the heart. --Eliza R. Snow. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.74 From the annual reports for the year 1918, we have compiled some information that I believe will be of interest to the Latter-day Saints: STATISTICS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.74 During the year 1918, there were 14,761 baptisms and 15,963 children were blessed. There were 5,752 deaths, which is the largest number on record for any year. Of this number, 1,054 died of influenza and 862 died of pneumonia. MILITARY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.74 Over 20,000 members of the Church were in the military service of the United States and its allies at the close of the year 1918. Of this number, 383 died in the service. We should have been allowed not less than twenty chaplains and we made application for permission to furnish our quota, but for some reason, unknown to us, we were only allowed to furnish three chaplains, two of whom saw active service at the front in France. PRIESTHOOD. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.74 There has been a better attendance of the priesthood at the ward weekly meetings but there are still 9,078 persons who hold the priesthood whom the Bishops report are willing to labor but have not been assigned to any duties in the stake or ward. TITHES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.74 There has been a considerable increase in the amount of tithes paid for the year 1918. The tithing has been well handled by the Bishops. Very little loss has been incurred, except through the failure to find a market for the large potato crop of the year 1917. TEMPLES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.74 There were 175,525 baptisms for the dead performed in the temples, and there were 78,001 endowments for the living and the dead. The Hawaiian Temple is now practically completed at a cost of about $200,000.00. The Cardston Temple is nearing completion and will cost, when finished, about $600,000.00. SACRAMENT MEETINGS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.74 In consequence of the quarantine and conditions prevailing during the epidemic of influenza in the latter part of the year 1918, the attendance at Sacrament meetings has fallen off and the visits of the ward teachers have not been as regular as in other years. FINANCES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 The following are some of the expenditures paid out of the tithes and other Church funds during the year 1918: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 There has been expended for assisting the worthy poor -- $ 279,244.30 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 For missionary work, and building of meeting houses in the missions, mission houses and return fare of Elders. -- 345,761.51 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 For the maintenance and operation of the Church school system, including the erection of new Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 school buildings -- 605,561.70 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 For the maintenance and operation of the St. George, Logan, Manti and Salt Lake Temples-- 170,000.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 For the construction and equipment of the Hawaiian and Cardston Temples -- 340,036.17 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 For the erection of meeting houses (This does not include donations for the same purpose by Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 members of the respective wards) -- 288,766.76 For the maintenance of stakes and wards in all their various departments -- 526,002.91 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 Total expenditures -- $2,645,373.35 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 Attention has been called to the fact that the work which the Pioneers did in planting trees and in beautifying homes, farms, ward meeting houses, schools and other buildings, is being sadly neglected in the Latter-day Saint communities. Our advice and counsel to the Latter-day Saints is to plant more trees, to get the best kinds adapted to each locality and grow them wherever they can be grown. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 In my remarks here yesterday I referred to the comments of a gentleman from St. Louis, who makes a specialty of parking and beautifying cities, and who stated that we are not living up to the very splendid record made in this particular by the early pioneers. A gentleman remarked to Brother McMurrin, on one occasion, that our whole city is a park, and it would be indeed a park if we carried out the advice given in early days, by President Brigham Young and others, that we should plant trees in the vacant spaces in front of our homes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.75 As stated yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the Semi-centennial Celebration of the completion of the Union and Central Pacific Railroads at Ogden, and regretted that a report was not taken and published of the speeches of four officials of the Southern Pacific Railroad. I have just received a letter from one of the speakers, Mr. J. M. Fulton, enclosing a short extract from his address, on which I had personally complimented him. I desire to read this extract, in order that it may become part of our proceedings: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.76 But we all do, and must, remember that before either survey or construction of the Central or Union Pacific Railroads had commenced, a hardy, thrifty, industrious, God-loving people had shown that the desert, from the Missouri river to Utah, could be conquered. They were the pioneers who blazed the trail to where we now are, and it is they who have made of Utah what it is today, but in my judgment, they did not then, do not now, conceive of the great future that lies before them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.76 We find in this Valley, a vast production of sugar-beets, grains, fruit, livestock, and everything that man needs, and the blessing is that there is a home market for all that is produced. You have vast sugar factories, flour mills, canning plants, and your splendid meat packing establishment, all standing ready to take from the farmer for cash all that he produces. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.76 This cooperation will surely make of Utah a great and rich land. Nowhere else in the world do I know of such helpful cooperation between the producer and the manufacturer as shown in Utah, nor have I ever known a more hospitable people. It is the blood of those brave men, whom we all revere, who, for their love of God, dared the desert and sought a new land, who are now building and will soon make of Utah one of the greatest states of the Union. Even now, Utah manufactured commodities are finding a market in nearly every state, and in many foreign lands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.76 And now, in conclusion, I want to say to you that on this day you are driving a Spike of Gold into our hearts that will stay put, and we hope so worthy a people as you have a similar feeling for us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.76 The chief engineer of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Mr. Wm. Hood, delivered a magnificent speech upon that occasion, paying one of the finest tributes to the pioneers that I have ever heard. I regret exceedingly that the enterprise of our newspapers was such that we only had pictures of the procession, page after page, but nothing of the very splendid remarks that were made. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 We have been listening to truth, so we will ask the congregation to arise anti join in singing John Jaques's inspired hymn -- "O, Say, What is Truth:" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 O, say, what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gem Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 That the riches of worlds can produce; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 And priceless the value of truth will be when Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 The proud monarch's costliest diadem Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Is counted but dross and refuse. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Yes, say, what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 To which mortals or Gods can aspire: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Go search in the depths where it glittering lies, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 'Tis an aim for the noblest desire. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 The sceptre may fall from the despot's grasp, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 When with winds of stern justice he copes, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 But the pillar of truth will endure to the last, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 And the wreck of the fell tyrant's hopes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Then, say, what is truth? 'Tis the last and the first, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 For the limits of time it steps o'er: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Though the heavens depart, and the earth's fountains burst, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Eternal, unchanged, evermore. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 J. Jaques. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Following the singing of the hymn, President Grant said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Usually, in our conference proceedings, the hymn is mentioned and the first line recorded, but I would request Brother Edward H. Anderson, our clerk, to see that in publishing the proceedings of this conference, this inspired hymn shall appear in full. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.85 Since our last meeting the vacancy caused by the death of our beloved President has been filled by my being taken from the Council of the Twelve, creating a vacancy in that Council, and Brother Melvin J. Ballard has been sustained by you here, yesterday, to fill the vacancy in the Council of the Twelve. We will now ask Brother Ballard to occupy the balance of the time in this meeting. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.109 I am sure that all the presidents of our missions have had the perfect love, confidence and respect, and the daily faith and prayers of all the Church leaders, as they have had mine, morning and night, for their success in the mission field, each and all of them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.109 CONCERNING THE MISSION PRESIDENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.109 I regret to learn that in some sections there is a feeling that there must be something wrong or releases would not be given to the men who have labored so long, so faithfully, with such energy and zeal and with the inspiration of the Lord in the mission field. I desire to correct any such impression on the part of any of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.109 Some years ago it was the unanimous opinion of the Council of the Twelve that it would be fair to the men who had been many years in the mission field, to be released and to have the opportunity of returning to their homes. The Council so unanimously recommended, but further action on the matter was deferred. Soon after the death of President Smith the Twelve Apostles again recommended to the presidency the honorable release of some of the men who had spent long years in the mission field. It so happened that this recommendation was made at a meeting where President Anthon H. Lund presided, and it so happened that Brother Heber J. Grant and Brother Charles W. Penrose were members of the quorum when the original recommendation was made. So you can plainly see that it happened to be strictly unanimous with the First Presidency and all of the Twelve that we should honorably release some of our mission presidents. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.110 I want to say that they have labored with untiring zeal and energy: that they have gained not only the love, the confidence and respect of line general authorities of the Church, but I am sure from my experience in traveling in all of their missions that they have gained the love and confidence of the people with whom they have labored; and because of that intense love, which has grown up in the hearts of the people for those who preside over them in the mission field, some of the Saints have been broken-hearted over the releases that have been made. I felt that it was only fair to say this. I want to say that all of these brethren will always have a seat here and be counted as mission presidents. They have our love and our confidence. When I called for one of the brethren yesterday, be had to come from the gallery. He perhaps felt that, as his successor had been installed, this was not his place. But we expect those men always to come here. We expect to look upon them as faithful. diligent mission presidents. Whenever an announcement is made from this stand that there will be a special priesthood meeting to which presidents of missions are invited, it will include all of those who have presided and who are now released. We want them to feel that they belong with the mission presidents and are invited. I wanted to say this much. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.110 OUR CHAPLAINS IN THE ARMY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.110 As was read here yesterday in the statistical report, we were entitled to twenty chaplains and we only have had three. Two of these chaplains -- Calvin S. Smith and Herbert Maw saw active service on the firing line. I understand that Brother Smith was wounded three times, and has been decorated for bravery. He is a son of President Joseph F. Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.110 In that wonderful charge of the marines, at Chateau-Thierry. which will go down in history, where six thousand, two hundred out of eight thousand men were killed or wounded, one of President Francis M. Lyman's sons, named after your humble servant, lost his life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.110 I wish to say here that the general authorities of the Church are very grateful to General Richard W. Young who volunteered, although beyond the age limit, to accept the position of colonel in the army. He had a very excellent oversight and care of the boys fromthe state of Utah, and was subsequently advanced to the rank of brigadier general. Our hearts go out in gratitude to him for again offering his services to his country, as he did in the Spanish American war, when he served in the Philippines. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.110 We are grateful to Brother B. H. Roberts, who also volunteered, notwithstanding be was beyond the age limit, and did splendid service in looking after our boys, as chaplain. He gained their love and their confidence and had an excellent influence over them for good. I desire to say this much with reference to the patriotic service of these men. President Heber J. Grant. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 I have in my hand a little book entitled Abraham Lincoln's Don'ts. I wish to read just two or three selections: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.138 SAYINGS FROM PRESIDENT LINCOLN. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 "I feel that I cannot succeed without the Divine blessing, and on the Almighty Being I place my reliance for support." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 "Two principles have stood face to face from the beginning of time and will ever continue to struggle. The one is the common right of humanity: the other is the divine right of kings." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 The common right of humanity has come very near achieving a complete and perfect triumph in the great war that is now closed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 "Teach men that what they cannot take by an election they cannot take by war." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 "Take all the Bible upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a better man." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 "Never send a wrathful letter -- burn it, and write another." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.138 WORK FOR A SUNDAY LAW AT THE NEXT LEGISLATURE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 I wish that I could impress this sentiment which I am about to read, upon the heart of every Latter-day Saint who shall hear it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.138 "Let reverence for the laws be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap; let it be taught in schools, in seminaries and colleges; let it be written in primers, spelling books and almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and gay of all sexes and tongues and colors and conditions sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 And remember that God Almighty has told us to reverence the Sabbath day and to keep it holy. We have tried for years to get a Sunday law, but up to date, we have failed. The good representatives from the outside counties have said: "If you want a Sunday law, you Salt Lake people enact it." We cannot get the men in the legislature to give it to us. We appeal to the good sisters who have the vote, to try and see that no one shall be sent to the legislature from this county or any other county, at its next session, who is not in favor of a Sunday law. (Applause.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.139 MORE SELECTIONS FROM LINCOLN. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 "What's the matter with my two boys? Just what's the matter with the whole world. I've got three walnuts and each wants two." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 "The prudent, penniless beginner in the world labors for wages for a while, saves a surplus with which to buy land or tools for himself, then labors for himself another while, and at length hires another new beginner, to help him. This is the just and generous and prosperous system which opens the way to all, gives hope to all, and consequent energy and progress and improvement of condition to all." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 I wish to the Lord that this could be burned into the very heart of the I. W. W. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.139 ANONYMOUS LETTERS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 I have received a lot of anonymous letters, since I became President of the Church, telling me a great many things that people would like me to announce here, positions they would like me to take, etc., to all of which I shall pay no attention. Any person who wishes to write me a letter and give me pointers should not be afraid to sign his name: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.139 KIND WORDS FOR THE GERMANS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 I did, however, receive one letter from a good sister who signed her name, asking me to say some kind words, if I could do so, regarding the German people. She said it was generally understood, among many of the German Latter-day Saints, that I had hatred in my heart for the German people. I suppose that came from the fact that a year ago last April I spoke of infamous German conceptions, and paid my respects to the Kaiser, with all the force and ability with which God has endowed me. I quoted from that same inspired poet, Goethe, to whom Brother Nibley has referred here today. I did not quote from Goethe's very wonderful play "Faust," but from a simple little poem of four verses which I will read again: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 "There are three lessons I would write, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 Three words as with a burning pen, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 In tracings of eternal light Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 Upon the hearts of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 Have faith, though clouds environ round Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 And gladness hides her face in scorn, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 Put off the darkness from thy brow; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 No night but hath its morn. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 Have hope, where'er thy bark is driven, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 The calm distorts the tempest's mirth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 Know this, God rules the Hosts of Heaven, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.139 The inhabitants of earth." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 I said last year, that I hoped Kaiser William will live to have these words burned into his very brain. I guess he has learned that lesson, by this time, over in Holland: "Know this, God rules the Hosts of Heaven, the inhabitants of earth." I hope he has learned that simple truth. But there was a time when he thought he had so much power that he was going to rule the earth. Goethe closes his poem with this supreme declaration of love -- a declaration in keeping with the teachings of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 "Have love -- not love alone for one, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 But man as man thy brother call, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 And scatter as a circling sun Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 Thy charities on all." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 Every German who believes in these inspired teachings of Goethe has my love and confidence, but the Germans who believe in force, and who sustained the Kaiser, do not have my love and my support. My remarks were concluded in such a way that I am astonished any good German would imagine I had any ill will toward the German people. I will read what I said a year ago last April: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 "In my anxiety to get through with as many items as possible in twenty-five minutes I came near neglecting to say one thing which I desire to say:" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 Those of you who were here will remember that I sat down and afterwards asked permission, of President Smith, to add a few remarks, and this is what I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 "I have never traveled with a man who impressed me more as loving God, and more determined to give to this work of our Redeemer his life's labor, than did the late Karl G. Maeser. I believe that the men and women whom the gospel found in Germany, and who in all honor embraced it, are as loyal, as true, and as patriotic as any other people who have joined the Church of Christ. The night following my call for a mission to Japan I lay awake until after three o'clock in the morning, and in thinking of those who were aged, and whom I hoped and prayed might live until I returned, I thought of my own dear mother, of John R. Winder, of George Romney, of Karl G. Maeser, and of others whom I loved with all my heart. I feel that the Germans who have embraced the Truth and who have the love of God and the love of our Redeemer in their hearts are as willing to go forth to battle against wrong and error as the people of any other nation who have embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.140 "May the Lord help us who know the Truth to go on proclaiming it, and bringing people to a knowledge of the Redeemer, and teaching them to love their fellow men instead of robbing and killing them, is my prayer and desire, and I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Now that is exactly how I felt a little over a year ago, and I have not changed my opinion. God bless the German Latter-day Saints. I love them. I love the honest, the world over. I expect a bountiful harvest of souls in Germany. I believe that there are millions of people in Germany who have never sustained, in their hearts, the course that was taken by the ruling classes; but it would have been as much as their lives were worth for them to have dared to assert themselves in opposition to the men who were in power. I hope the time is near at hand when liberty will prevail, when there will be peace, as far as we can get it -- and efforts to that end will be put forth by a League of Nations, and the people will strive to the best of their ability to bring about that condition. When that time comes, I expect a reign of liberty in Germany, and there will be a great harvest of souls in that land. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.141 FATHER AND SONF--TRAINING CHILDREN. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 When Brother E. Wesley Smith was speaking here this morning about the necessity of parents being one with their children, giving them proper teachings and knowing where they are, holding up to us the example of his father, I thought of two splendid poems in a little book entitled A Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Heap o' Livin'. As they contain some excellent thoughts on father and son, I decided to read them to you today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.141 ANSWERING HIM. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 "When shall I be a man?" he said, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 As I was putting him to bed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 "How many years will have to be Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Before Time makes a man of me? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And will I be a man when I Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Am grown up big?" I heaved a sigh, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Because it called for careful thought Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 To give the answer that he sought. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And so I sat him on my knee, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And said to him: "A man you'll be Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 When you have learned that honor brings Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 More joy than all the crowns of kings; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 That it is better to be true Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 To all who know and trust in you Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Than all the gold of earth to gain, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 If winning it shall leave a stain. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 "When you can fight for victory sweet, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Yet bravely swallow down defeat, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And cling to hope and keep the right, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Nor use deceit instead of might; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 When you are kind and brave and clean, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And fair to all and never mean; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 When there is good in all you plan, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 That day, my boy, you'll be a man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 "Some of us learn this truth too late; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 That years alone can't make us great; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 That many who are three-score ten Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Have fallen short of being men, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Because in selfishness they fought Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And toiled without refining thought; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And whether wrong or whether right Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 They lived but for their own delight. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 "When you have learned that you must hold Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Your honor dearer far than gold; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 That no ill-gotten wealth or fame Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Can pay you for your tarnished name; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 And when in all you say or do Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Of others you're considerate, too, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Content to do the best you can Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 By such a creed, you'll be a man." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.141 Edgar A. Guest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.142 FATHER AND SON. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Be more than his dad, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Be a chum to the lad; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Be a part of his life Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Every hour of the day; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Find time to talk with him, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Take time to walk with him, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Share in his studies Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 And share in his play; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Take him to places, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 To ball games and races, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Teach him the things Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 That you want him to know; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Don't live apart from him, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Don't keep your heart from him, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Be his best comrade, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 He's needing you so! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Never neglect him, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Though young, still respect him, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Hear his opinions Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 With patience and pride; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Show him his error, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 But be not a terror, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Grim-visaged and fearful, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 When he's at your side. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Know what his thoughts are, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Know what his sports are, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Know all his playmates, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 It's easy to learn to; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Be such a father Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 That when troubles gather Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 You'll be the first one Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 For counsel, he'll turn to. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 You can inspire him Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 With courage and fire him Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Hot with ambition Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 For deeds that are good; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 He'll not betray you Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Nor illy repay you Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 If you have taught him Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 The things that you should. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Father and son Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Must in all things be one-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Partners in trouble Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 And comrades in joy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 More than a dad Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Was the best pal you had; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Be such a chum Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 As you knew, to your boy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.142 Edgar A. Guest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.142 MISCONSTRUCTION AND MISAPPLICATION OF PUBLIC UTTERANCES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.143 Some years ago I preached a sermon in this Tabernacle. At the close of the service, on my way home, between here and the Eagle Gate, six or seven men complimented me for "spanking in public" Brother Abraham H. Cannon who had spoken just before I did. Two or three days later some seven or eight men were in the President's office, and I was summoned before them and taken to task for "spanking" Brother Cannon. They were very angry. They were all Republicans, and all those who had complimented me were Democrats. Brother Abraham and I were there at this meeting, and I asked him if he knew that he was spanked. He said, no, he did not; and I remarked, "If I spanked you in public, I must have done it in my sleep. I quite frequently sleep when other people are talking; but, up to date, I have not learned to sleep while I am talking. I am not aware of saying one single, solitary word that reflected on what you said." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.143 I requested that those two sermons be published in the Deseret News, one following the other; that neither Abraham nor I be permitted to read them before publication. When they were published I was to appear at the President's office and I would make any apology that was necessary for spanking Brother Abraham in public. Brother Cannon and I read them to ourselves and then read them aloud, and we could not find one single, solitary word, wherein I had found any fault with what he had said, neither could the Presidency. So I did not have to apologize. Do you know, it is a very easy matter for us to misconstrue what people say, and make such an application that it may appear partisan or as if it were intended for personal advantage, in some way, shape or manner. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.143 ENDORSEMENT OF THE SPEECHES OF THIS CONFERENCE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.143 I believe, as I believe the gospel, that all the speakers in this conference have spoken the honest sentiments of their hearts. I feet sure that the same may be said of those who spoke in the Assembly Hall and in the other overflow meetings, although I did not hear their remarks. I am confident all that has been said was intended for your good and my good, and for the advancement of God's kingdom here on earth. I endorse all that has been said here, by every speaker. I thank every man to whom I have listened, for the inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord that has come to him. I thank the Saints from the bottom of my heart for their vote of confidence. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, June 1919, p.143 A PLEDGE AND DECLARATION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.143 I can pledge to you the best that is in me to fulfil the high and holy calling that has come to me, to exercise in righteousness the power of the Priesthood of the living God, which centers in me, and to administer my office as the Trustee-in-Trust, holding your property, to expend it and use it to the very best of the ability with which God shall endow me. I expect to counsel with my counselors, with the Twelve Apostles and with the Presiding Bishopric of the Church -- the men to whom the Lord refers in revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, naming the men who are to expend the funds of this Church; although I realize and know that legally and technically, I have the right to handle your funds personally, because of your vote, just as my predecessors have had that right. Yet I know that in a multitude of counsel there is safety, and I expect to have multitude of counsel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.144 Again I pray God to bless all Israel, and to bless all men and all women, the world over, who are honest in heart, who are prayerful, who are virtuous and who desire to do good. I pray God to have mercy on the sinners and to inspire them to repent. God bless you all, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.144 The choir and congregation sang: "Up, awake, ye defenders of Zion." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.144 PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.144 In announcing the hymn President Grant said: President Charles W. Penrose wrote this hymn at the time Johnston's army was coming to Utah to destroy the "Mormons." Apparently the army did not make a very good job of it, because we are here. This hymn, by President Penrose, was sung in many places in England, creating considerable enthusiasm. In the London conference alone over $3,000 were raised to pay return fares of elders who were in England, that they might return Zion and be among those who were to be "destroyed." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.3 I rejoice again at having the opportunity of meeting with the Saints in general conference. It was a source of great regret to all of us that we could not hold our April conference because of health conditions throughout the state. I am gratified, seeing that our postponed conference was only last June, that we have as large an attendance as we have here today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.3 DEPENDENCE UPON THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.3 In standing before you today I feel my weakness and my dependence upon the Lord, and I pray for the faith, sympathy and good will of all who are here assembled, that what I may say shall be for their benefit as well as for my own. I can hardly realize that I am standing here as your representative, at the head of the Church. When I think of the men who have occupied this position, from President Brigham Young to President Joseph F. Smith, I indeed feel weak, but my faith and my knowledge regarding the divinity of the work in which we are engaged are so perfect that I have no doubt whatever that the Lord will give to me, with the aid of my counselors and the Council of the Twelve, with whom I meet in council every week, the inspiration to guide and direct the affairs of this Church in a way and manner which will be pleasing and acceptable to him. I have the same faith as that expressed by Nephi of old: namely, that the Lord requires no labor or work at the hands of man but what he will prepare a way whereby that labor can be accomplished. If I know my own heart, it is set absolutely upon seeking for the mind and the will of the Lord, and then laboring, to the full extent of the ability with which I am endowed, to accomplish his purposes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.3 THE HYMN, "COME, COME, YE SAINTS" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.3 Yesterday, or the day before, when I received a list of the songs that would be sung during this conference, I read them over without any particular thought as to their meaning or inspiration, but this morning while lying in bed thinking of this conference, I remembered that the first hymn that we were to sing here today was, "Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear." I concluded to make that my text for my opening remarks, and then speak as I might be led during the remainder of the time I should occupy. To me this is a wonderful hymn, and the circumstances under which it was written, as I have been informed, give it an additional interest to me. I understand that when the pioneers were about to start across the trackless wilderness, to go a thousand miles to a place they knew not where, a place that President Brigham Young had seen in vision, he said to Elder William Clayton, "William, go and write a hymn that the Saints may sing at their camp fires, that shall be an inspiration and an encouragement to them in their journey across the plains," and Brother Clayton withdrew and returned in a couple of hours with this great pioneer hymn that we have just sung. I was asked in Liverpool, by President Lyman, the day I arrived there to preside over the European mission, which of all the hymns was my favorite, and he said, "We will sing it tonight!" I told him I had none, that there were many of the hymns I loved dearly, but I had never selected any one as my special favorite. He said, "My favorite is 'School thy feelings, oh, my brother, Train thy warm, impulsive soul;' President Snow's favorite was, 'Zion stands with hills surrounded; * * * All her foes shall be confounded;' John Henry Smith's was, 'Up, awake, ye defenders of Zion;' President Wilford Woodruff's was,'God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform;' and President Lyman said that President Brigham Young's was, "Oh, ye mountains high;" but I have since been told by one of his daughters that this is a mistake, that his favorite was Brother William Clayton's hymn, "When first the glorious light of truth, burst forth in this last age, How few there were with heart and soul, to obey it did engage." President Daniel H. Wells' favorite was, "Oh, ye mountains high." I said, "Brother Lyman, you don't need to go any further; I will pick mine inside of a minute. I will take, "Come, come, ye Saints," as my favorite." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.4 I believe that William Clayton was inspired of the Lord when he wrote this hymn, and also the other hymn that was President Young's favorite. It was a wonderful trip the Pioneers were about to make. I can never think of it but I have admiration for the courage, the faith, and the will power of our fathers and our mothers who started out in the wilderness, not knowing where they were going, but singing: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.4 Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear, But with joy wend your way. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.4 I have talked with hundreds of those who crossed the plains and they had real joy and happiness in wending their way to this country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.4 Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.4 Certainly God did give them grace as their day. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.4 'Tis better far for us to strive, Our useless cares from us to drive, Do this, and joy your hearts will swell -- All is well! all is well! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.4 And not only was that good advice to people traveling across the plains, but it is good advice to each and to all of us every day of our lives. A cheerful, happy spirit of serenity is pleasing to our heavenly Father. The capacity and the ability to believe and accept the scripture that teaches us to acknowledge the hand of God in all things is pleasing to our heavenly Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.5 Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so; all is right! Why should we think to earn a great reward, If we now shun the fight? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.5 The trouble with a great many people is, they are not willing to pay the price; they are not willing to make the fight for success in the battle of life. They are much like the people of whom I read in Brother N. L. Nelson's book on preaching -- which I happened to open one day, and I read about people taking literally the instructions to take no thought of what one should say; and Brother Nelson wrote that many of those who took no thought at all never said much, as they were going contrary to the teaching, that we were to prepare ourselves; and he says, regarding the people who take no thought, that when they speak they ought to say, "Oh, Lord, here I am. I have a mouth and a pair of lungs that I will loan thee for a brief season; fill me with wisdom that I may edify the people," which he seldom does. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.5 Why should we think to earn a great reward, If we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, Our God will never us forsake; And soon we'll have this tale to tell -- All is well! all is well! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.5 This magnificent audience here, our beautiful temple, our Church office building, and the temples from Canada to Southern Utah, and the Hawaiian Islands, bear witness to all the world that God has never forsaken his people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.5 We'll find the place which God for us prepared, Far away in the West; Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid; There the Saints will be blest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.5 I believe there is no true Latter-day Saint who does not believe that God did prepare this land for his people. Brigham Young stood on the hill, beyond Fort Douglas, and, looking over this valley, said: "This is the place." God had shown him this place in vision, before he ever came here. Men tried to persuade him to go to California to that rich country, but this was the place which God had prepared, and we stopped here, and no mistake was made. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.5 We'll make the air with music ring, Shout praises to our God and King: Above the rest these words we'll tell -- All is well! All is well! And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! All is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too, With the just we shall dwell. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.6 What sublime faith -- that all is well! even should you die in the wilderness, and be buried in an unknown grave, so to speak; and yet that was their faith; and they could sing these words, night after night, with their hearts in what they sang. They were verily praying to the Lord. They had full faith in the revelations given to the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, wherein it is written: "The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." Also: "My soul delighteth in the song of the heart." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.6 And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! All is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too, With the just we shall dwell. But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, O how we'll make this chorus swell -- All is well, all is well! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.6 I remember upon one occasion, and I have often spoken of it, -- I may have mentioned it here, -- that my father-in-law, the late Oscar Winters, said: "Heber, I believe that the young people of Zion do not thoroughly appreciate what Brother Clayton's hymn meant to us, as we sang it, night after night, crossing the plains; and I believe that choir leaders do not appreciate it, or they would not stop after singing only three verses. I have listened in vain," as I remember it, he said. "for between twenty-five and thirty years, to hear the last verse of that song sung by a choir, and I have never heard it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.6 We are beginning to sing it now, because in almost every stake of Zion I have asked the people and the leaders of choirs, that if they only wished to sing three verses, please not to do it when I was present --but to sing the other verse also." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.6 A TOUCHING INCIDENT OF THE PLAINS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.6 Brother Winters further said. "I want to tell you an incident that happened as I was coming to the valley. One of our company was delayed in coming to camp. We got some volunteers, and were about to go back and see if anything had happened, -- if he had had trouble with Indians, or what was the matter, -- when we saw him coming in the distance. When he arrived, we unyoked his cattle and helped him to get his supper. He had been quite sick and had to lie down by the road, a time or two. After supper he sat down on a large rock, by the camp fire, and sang the hymn, "Come, come, ye Saints." It was the rule in the camp that whenever anybody started to sing that hymn, we would all join with him; but for some reason, no one joined with this brother. His voice was quite weak and feeble; and when he had finished. I glanced around, and I don't believe there were any of the people sitting there whose eyes were tearless. He sang the hymn very beautifully, but with a weak and plaintive voice. and yet with the spirit and inspiration of the hymn. The next morning we discovered that he was not hitching up his oxen; we went to his wagon, and we found that he had died during the night! We dug a shallow grave and laid his body in it. We then thought of the stone on which he had been sitting the night before when he sang: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.7 "And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! All is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too, With the just we shall dwell. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.7 "We then rolled that stone over in place as a headstone for his grave." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.7 I noticed tears in Brother Winters' eyes. He started, as if he was about to tell me something more, but he hesitated and did not. I subsequently learned that after he had been in the valley for some time he came from his home in the country to Salt Lake to meet his mother, only to learn that she, too, had died before her journey was through. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.7 ALONG THE "MORMON" TRAIL. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.7 Some years ago, as the Burlington Railroad was building through Nebraska and Wyoming, the engineers found a piece of wagon tire sticking in the ground, on which was chiseled the word, "Winters." They wrote to Salt Lake City, telling of this discovery, and they returned several miles and kindly changed the line, of the road so as to miss that spot, knowing that it was the grave of some Utah pioneer. We have since erected, there, a little monument to the memory of Grandma Winters; and, on one side of that little monument, built of temple granite, we have had chiseled the words in the last verse of, "Come, come, ye Saints." Never can I hear this song, never can I read it, but my heart goes out in gratitude to my father and to my mother, and to thousands of those noble men and women who journeyed over the plains. Many of them, time and time again, crossed the plains to help others, enduring the hardships cheerfully, carrying out, in very deed, the teachings of this inspired hymn! I can never think of them but I am full of admiration and gratitude, and utter a prayer to the Lord to help me, as one of the descendants of that noble band, to be loyal, to be true, to be faithful as they were! In very deed, they were a band of men and women who, as the years come and go, will command greater and greater admiration and respect from the people of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.7 REASONS FOR THE PEOPLE'S COMING. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.7 They came here, for what? Because of the burning and living testimony in their souls regarding the divine mission of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. They came here because they had an abiding knowledge that God lives, that he hears and answers prayers, that Jesus is the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith is his prophet. God had given them that knowledge! When I think of this land today, and of the prosperity and peace that reign here, from Canada on the north to Arizona on the south, I indeed marvel and thank God. When I think that there is, perhaps, no other part of the United States more peaceful, more free from mob violence, and from those evils which disturb the serenity of people and cause them great unrest and anxiety, I am indeed grateful, and feel to bear witness to the inspiration of William Clayton, under a direct appointment from Brigham Young, the prophet of the Lord, to write a hymn that should so cheer the Saints. I acknowledge the inspiration expressed in the words that they would find the place that God had prepared far away in the West! When I think of the awful devastation that swept over the country, from which the Latter-day Saints were driven in Missouri and Illinois and other places during the Rebellion I am grateful that the Latter-day Saints escaped that awful state of affairs, and I feel to acknowledge the hand of the Lord. They came here for what? For the express purpose to serve God, to do right, as stated in the next hymn that we sang. I think this other hymn is worthy to be counted as a battle hymn: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.8 Do what is right; the day-dawn is breaking, Hailing a future of freedom and light; Angels above us are silent notes taking Of every action; do what is right! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.8 Do what is right; the shackles are falling; Chains of the bondsmen no longer are bright; Lighten'd by hope, soon they'll cease to be galling; Truth goeth onward: do what is right! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.8 Do what is right; be faithful and fearless, Onward, press onward, the goal is in sight; Eyes that are wet now, ere long will be tearless; Blessings await you; do what is right. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.8 Do what is right, let the consequence follow; Battle for freedom in spirit and might. And with stout hearts look ye forth till tomorrow; God will protect you; do what is right! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.8 That is what our fathers and mothers came here for. Our late beloved President, Joseph F. Smith, from the time he was a child, ten years of age, when he crossed the plains, driving the team for his beloved mother, until the day of his death, labored seventy long years, in season and out of season, doing what was right, on all occasions and under all circumstances. I asked him, one day, which was his favorite hymn, and he said he did not have any. I said, "Well, Brother Lyman told me I ought to have one. I wish you would select one." "Well," he said, "I think I would hardly care to, but perhaps I am partial to the hymn by that heroic little soul. Sister Emily Hill Woodmansee, entitled, "Uphold the Right:" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.9 Uphold the right, tho' fierce the fight, And pow'rful is the foe; As freedom's friend, her cause defend, Nor fear nor favor show. No coward can be called a man -- No friend will friends betray; Who would be free, alert must be; Indifference will not pay. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.9 Note how they toil, whose aim is spoil, Who plundering plots devise; Yet time will teach, that fools o'erreach The mark, and lose the prize. Can justice deign to wrong maintain, Whoever wills it so? Can honor mate with treach'rous hate? Can figs on thistles grow? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.9 Dare to be true, and hopeful too; Be watchful, brave and shrewd; Weigh every act; be wise, in fact, To serve the general good. Nor basely yield, nor quit the field -- Important is the fray; Scorn to recede, there is no need To give our rights away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.9 Left-handed fraud let those applaud Who would by fraud prevail; In freedom's name contest their claim, Use no such word as fail; Honor we must each sacred trust, And rightful zeal display; Our part fulfil, then, come what will, High heaven will clear the way. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.9 WHY WE ARE UNDER OBLIGATIONS TO SERVE GOD. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.9 Certainly President Smith's life was an example of courage and willingness to do the right, without fear to announce himself on any proposition for the good of mankind. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.9 As I think of the wonderful prosperity. of the Latter-day Saints, of what they have accomplished, of what they are accomplishing, and of the respect that is being shown them today, in comparison with the contempt that was shown to them years ago, I certainly feel to thank the Lord for all of his mercies and blessings to us, and to beg, entreat, and implore every Latter-day Saint to so order his or her life that they will in very deed do that which is right, let the consequence follow. With all the power that I possess, I would urge upon the Latter-day Saints the keeping of the commandments of the Lord. There is nothing truer than the statement that obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. The man and the woman who obeys the commandments of the Lord grows and increases in light, in knowledge, in intelligence; and above all, they grow in the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. When I think of all that we have accomplished and of our being here in fulfilment of the prediction of Joseph Smith that the Latter-day Saints should come to these Rocky Mountains and become a great and a mighty people, I am reminded of the sufferings, the hardships, and the trials that the people underwent in their drivings and expulsions from Missouri and Illinois, and I feel to say, truly God has preserved and blessed us in this land, and we are under obligations to him to serve him, so that those who know not the truth, may see the honesty, the integrity, the devotion of our lives, that these may inspire them to investigate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.10 We are told in revelation from the Lord that we should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and that we should bring to pass much righteousness of our own free will and choice, for we are agents unto ourselves; and wherein we do good, we shall in no wise lose our reward. I am always thankful when I read in the D&C that there is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of the world, upon which all blessings are predicated, and that when we obtain any blessing it is by obedience to the law upon which it is predicated. When I go into a house to administer to those who are afflicted, if I know that they have observed what is known as the Word of Wisdom; if I know they have fulfilled the law whereby they are entitled to the blessings of the Lord, I can administer to people of that kind with faith, knowing that if it is not the will of the Lord for them to pass away, he will hear and answer the prayer of faith, and they will be restored. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.10 GOD'S ANSWER TO A PRAYER OF JOSEPH, THE PROPHET. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.10 When I stop to think of the condition our people was in years ago and that some of the great and important revelations that have come to this Church, came to us from prison cells -- today, I say, what a wonderful contrast! Certainly God has been good to this people. I think one of the greatest of all the revelations that we have is the one that came to us in answer to a prayer from the Prophet Joseph Smith when he was in Liberty Jail, in Clay county, Missouri, on the 20th day of March, 1839. He prayed to the Lord: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.10 O God! where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold, from the eternal heavens, the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? etc. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.10 In answer to this, the Lord states, among other important items: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.10 "How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty, from pouring down knowledge from heaven, upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.10 "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 "Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 "That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 "That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priesthood, or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 "Behold! ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks; to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. "We have learned, by sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. "Hence many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by love unfeigned; "By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile, "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy. "That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy sceptre an unchanging sceptre of righteousness and truth, and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee for ever and ever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 Placing the Prophet in a jail did not stop communication between God, our heavenly Father, and his chosen instrument here upon the earth. One of the greatest of all the great lessons that has come to us who hold the Priesthood, was given while he was in jail, -- "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy," and so on. The Lord being my helper, standing at the head of this great Church, I shall endeavor to exercise the Priesthood that I hold in conformity with this revelation from the living God to the Prophet of the Lord, who was used as his instrument in founding the Church of Christ again upon the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 GRATITUDE TO GOD. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.11 I thank the Lord for all his manifold blessings to us as a people. Saints are prosperous, they are in good health now. We are meeting with blessings on all hands. I rejoice in this and feel grateful to the Lord. I pray that, while we are together, we may be abundantly blessed by those that shall speak to us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.12 POSITION ON THE QUESTION OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.12 I did think of making some remarks similar to those I made here two weeks ago today, but I believe that I will do as the congressmen do. Instead of referring to my position upon the League of Nations and other matters, as I did two weeks ago, I will simply have printed in the conference proceedings the sermon that I then delivered, and you can read it at your leisure. It was printed in the Deseret News, I believe, a week ago last Tuesday. I will not take the time to repeat what I said. I read there a manifesto sent to the Senate of the United States begging them to pass the Peace Treaty, and I will simply have my sermon incorporated in our conference proceedings so that any of the Saints who want to read it can do so, and I will ask Brother Edward H. Anderson, the editor of the Era also to print my sermon in the Era, so that those of you who take that magazine will have the privilege of reading it. If there is any home in all the Church that does not have the Era, it simply shows that the people there are lacking in faith, that they think more of two dollars than they do of getting communications from the authorities of the Church, and important sermons, things which are of more value than the things of this world. You know there are a great many people who hold up copper cents in front of their eyes and hide dollars, and there are a great many who keep two dollars in their pockets and hide hundreds of dollars of inspiration and knowledge of great value to them through all time, and which will be of value to them in the great eternity to come. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.12 UPHOLD THE LAW. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.12 As Latter-day Saints we have what is known as The Articles of Faith, and one of them reads: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law," and no Latter-day Saint can in very deed be a Latter-day Saint if he does not honor and sustain and uphold the law. Nearly all over the world, at the present time there is a spirit of lawlessness, a spirit of ridicule, and one lacking respect for the men who hold positions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.12 One of the most terrible crimes that I have read of in years was enacted in Omaha, a few days ago, where a mob of citizens, because the policemen were trying to fulfil their duty as sworn servants of the law -- had the officers in a building that was burning and said: "Let them burn," Let them burn -- why? Because they would not deliver a prisoner to the mob, but kept that prisoner so that he could have a fair trial under the law. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.12 When I was in Los Angeles a short time ago, they were selling whisky all over the city, and I was told that the officials of the city said, "You can sell it if you want to, we do not object, but you will have to take your chances with Uncle Sam." What kind of public servants are they? Elected to enforce laws, they defy the laws of their own country, and allow people to sell whisky and to break the law! No wonder mob violence comes, when some of the leaders themselves break the law. No wonder they had this great war in Europe when the leaders of nations broke treaties and treated them as scraps of paper! No man can do that which is dishonest, or break laws of his country and be a true Latter-day Saint. No nation and no leaders of nations can do wrong, and break their obligations, but what they are just as much under condemnation before God and man as the other individual who does wrong. Truth will prevail. "Uphold the right, though fierce the fight," should be the motto of every Latter-day Saint, as it was the motto of our beloved leader who recently passed away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.13 ON LABOR UNIONS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.13 I want to say that I am perfectly willing that men shall join labor unions, that they shall band together for the purpose of protecting their rights, provided they do not interfere with the rights of other people. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness belong to all people in the United States, according to the laws of our country, and should, upon all the face of the earth; and I say that, to my mind, a provision in a labor union is all wrong that favors boycotting and the laying down of tools or the quitting of employment because a nonunion man obtains employment while exercising his God-given right to stay out of a union. Men who have that kind of a rule have a rule that is in direct opposition to the laws of God. There was a battle fought in heaven -- for what? To give to man his individual liberty. An attempt to take the agency of man away is made when he does not see fit to join a union, when men in that union, without any complaint, or grievance, strike, because a non-union man is employed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.13 Now I'd better not say any more, perhaps, on this question, or I may offend somebody. I may hurt somebody's feelings: but it is the God-given right of men to earn their livelihood. The Savior said it was the first great law or commandment to love the Lord with all our hearts, and that the second was like unto it, to love thy neighbor as thyself. That is the doctrine for every true Latter-day Saint. How much love is there in starving your neighbor because he will not surrender his manhood and his individuality, and allow a labor union to direct his labor? Mighty little love, mighty little of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in any such a rule! I hope to see the day when no Latter-day Saint will join a union unless the union eliminate that clause from its rules. I am not going to ask them to leave their union. I am not going to lay it down that they must, that it is the mind and the will of the Lord for them to leave a union. I want, as I said here two weeks ago, to give every man his free agency, to give every man the right to act as he thinks proper, but I cannot see how a Latter-day Saint who is a member of such a union can get down on his knees and pray for God to inspire and bless him, to bless the Saints and to protect them, and then be a party to allowing one of his own brethren to go, year after year, without employment, because that brother will not surrender his manhood and join a union with him. There is none of the Spirit of the Lord in that, to my mind. That is exactly the way I see it. I will quote again what I quoted here two weeks ago: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 Should you feel inclined to censure Faults you may in others view, Ask your own heart, ere you venture, If that has not failings too. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 Let not friendly vows be broken; Rather strive a friend to gain; Many a word in anger spoken., Finds its passage home again. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 Do not then in idle pleasure Trifle with a brother's fame, Guard it as a valued treasure, Sacred as your own good name. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 Do not form opinions blindly; Hastiness to trouble tends. Those of whom we thought unkindly Oft become our warmest friends. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 Also this poem: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 Let each man learn to know himself: To gain that knowledge, let him labor, Improve those failings in himself, Which he condemned so in his neighbor. How lenient our own faults we view, And conscience' voice adeptly smother; But oh! how harshly we review The self-same errors in another. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 And if you meet an erring one, Whose deeds are blameable or thoughtless, Consider, ere you cast the stone, If you yourself be pure and faultless. Oh! list to that small voice within. Whose whisperings oft make men confounded, And trumpet not another's sin, You'd blush deep if your own were sounded. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.14 And in self-judgment, if you find Your deeds to others are superior; To you has Providence been kind, As you should be to those inferior; Example sheds a genial ray Of light, which men are apt to borrow; So first, improve yourself today, And then improve your friends tomorrow. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.15 CLOSING TESTIMONY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.15 I thank the Lord that I am able to bear witness to you here today that I know that God lives, that he hears and answers our prayers; that I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind. I bear my witness to you here today that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, that he was the instrument in the hands of God of establishing again upon the earth the plan of life and salvation, not only for the living but for the dead, and that this gospel, commonly called "Mormonism," by the people of the world, is in very deed the plan of life and salvation, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, that the little stone has been cut out of the mountain, and that it shall roll forth until it fills the whole earth. We believe in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; we believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and we believe that Zion shall be built upon this, the American continent, and that Christ shall reign personally upon the earth. May God help us who have a testimony of the gospel to so live that if we are upon the earth when he comes to reign, we will be worthy to be welcomed by him; and if we go beyond before he comes to reign, that we shall receive the plaudit, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of the Lord," is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.15 DISCOURSE OF PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.15 In Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, September 21, 1919, in the afternoon of Salt Lake stake conference -- Defines attitude on Treaty of Peace -- "Standard Works of the Church are not not opposed to the League of Nations -- United States should stand by her allies -- Change in Change in treaty terms making resubmission to Germany necessary, would be a calamity" Allusions to great event in Church History occurring ninety-six years ago -- Visits of Angel Moroni and other heavenly beings to Joseph Smith -- Analysis of Articles of Faith -- Personal experiences -- Powerful testimony of restoration of the gospel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.15 I am grateful for the opportunity of again meeting with the Latter-day Saints in public worship. It is ever a pleasure to me to meet with the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also, when opportunity presents, to meet with those not of our faith, to explain our faith to those who are not familiar with it, and to bear witness of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.15 Before speaking today on matters pertaining to our faith, I desire to make a brief statement. I have been requested, by word of mouth and by letter, on more than one occasion, to state my opinion regarding the league of nations. I received a telegram asking me to join ex-President Taft, ex-Attorney General Wickersham, President Lowell of Harvard, and other leading Americans, in signing the following manifesto: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 In the senate at Washington, now that the committee on foreign relations has reported the treaty, the lines are sharply drawn between the immediate ratification of the treaty of peace with Germany, and its amendment with a reassembling of the conference and a reopening of negotiations that would bring great delay and prolonged uncertainty in settling the great issues of the peace. No partisan plea can be made. Party lines are already broken. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 Standing at a distance from the conflict in the senate chamber, we plead for immediate ratification without delay. Our land requires it. A state of nervous strain, tension, and unrest exists, manifesting itself in disturbances, which in some cases have no self-evident connection with the war, but which are in fact its aftermath. The world is put in imminent peril of new wars by the lapse of each day. Dissensions between us and our former allies are being sown. We firmly believe and solemnly declare that the states and cities in which we dwell desire immediate peace. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 The waging of war steadied and united the American people. Peace will bring prosperity, and prosperity content. Delay in the senate postponing ratification in this uncertain period of neither peace nor war has resulted in indecision and doubt, bred strife, and quickened the cupidity of those who sell the daily necessities of life and the fears of those whose daily wage no longer fills the daily market basket. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 We beseech the senate to give the land peace and certainty by a ratification which will not keep us longer in the shadows of possible wars, but give the whole world the light of peace. Reservations m the nature of clarifications in the meaning of the treaty, not inconsistent with its terms. will not require the reopening of the negotiations with Germany and with our associates in the war, which we all and each united to win. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 But there is no possibility of doubt that amendment of the treaty, as is now proposed by the senate committee on foreign relations, would require negotiation and a reopening of all the questions decided at Paris. Months of delay would follow. The perils of the present would become the deadly dangers of the near future. All the doubt engendered would aid the plots for violent revolution in this and other lands. The issues here and elsewhere between capital and labor, the conspiracy of speculator and profiteer, would all grow, and become more perilous. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 This cannot be. The American people cannot, after a victorious war, permit its government to petition Germany, which has accepted the treaty, for its consent to changes in the treaty. Yet, if the United States should amend the treaty for its own purpose and policy, Germany would have full right to ask for concessions. Germany has agreed to make no claim in regard to enemy property seized in this country to an amount of seven hundred million dollars. Our recent foe could ask for a reopening of this issue and of the Lusitania claims. It could raise every question open before hostilities in regard to submarine warfare and the treatment of its nationals in this country. All the provisions for our trade in Germany raised by the economic clauses of the treaty, many of them vital to our industries and our farms, as in dye patents, dye supplies and fertilizers, the working of the reparation commission which superintends the trade of all with Germany could all be brought up by Berlin for readjustment by our negotiators, acting for the United States alone and no longer associated with other victorious powers or supported by a victorious American army on the German border. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 Peace is delayed until ratification comes. And any amendment postpones peace. Germany and England alone of the principal powers have ratified. The other principals necessarily await our action, influential and powerful as we are today, in the world's affairs. The ravages of war on more than a score of fighting fronts are continued by our needless delay. Let the senate give the world peace by ratification without amendment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.16 Even the amendment for which most can be said, the provision in regard to Shantung, will secure nothing which cannot be gained if China, backed by the powerful advocacy of the United States, addresses itself to the machinery for righting international wrongs and meeting just claims created by the league between nations, China after eighty years of oppressive treaties and despoiled rights, by which all the great powers have profiled directly or indirectly, has for the first time, in this covenant and treaty, the means and method to secure justice and the removal of the oppressive economic interference of stronger nations whose citizens are within her gates, protected by a long succession of international agreements. Moreover, it should be remembered that the clause regarding Shantung was made upon the statement by Japan that she will return the territory to China and, therefore, upon that condition; compliance with which promise the league can require. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 The peace of the present and the righteousness of the future can be best secured by the ratification of the covenant and treaty without amendment. Let the senate take no action that will give any party to the treaty, and especially Germany, ground for maintaining that the ratification of the United States is not complete and that changes requiring a resumption of conference and negotiations have been made in it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 I replied as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 I have pleasure in joining ex-President Taft and other leading Americans in signing manifesto as outlined in your telegram of yesterday. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 The sentiments contained in the above manifesto express my personal position with regard to the league of nations; and since signing the telegram I have neither heard nor read anything that has in any degree changed my position on this important question. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 I regret exceedingly that the standard works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been brought into this controversy. which has now become practically a partisan controversy. It is my opinion that this important question should have been kept absolutely out of politics. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 On one important matter I desire to place the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fairly before the people. An illustrated hand-bill has been circulated and has been widely republished in newspapers under the heading: "Mormon Bible Prophecies Become Issue in Opposition to the League of Nations." The position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that the standard works of the Church are not opposed to the league of nations. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 As stated in what I have read to you, I regret exceedingly that this great and important question has become a political issue, and I desire to ask each and all of the members of the Church, over which I have the honor to preside, that in all their controversy in connection with this great issue, they express themselves as to their views with due deference to the opinions of others. During the controversy I would like them to read, occasionally, the very wonderful and inspired hymn "O say, what is truth?" written by John Jaques, to be found on page 71 of our hymn book: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.17 O, say what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gem That the riches of worlds can produce; And priceless the value of truth will be when The proud monarch's costliest diadem Is counted but dross and refuse. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Yes, say what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize To which mortals or Gods can aspire; Go, search in the depths where it glittering lies, Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies; 'Tis an aim for the noblest desire. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 The sceptre may fall from the despot's grasp, When with winds of stern justice he copes But the pillar of truth will endure to the last, And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast, And the wreck of the fell tyrant's hopes, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Then say, what is truth? 'Tis the last and the first, For the limits of time it steps o'er; Though the heavens depart and the earth's fountains burst, Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst, Eternal, unchanged, evermore. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 On page 66 of our hymn book we find the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Should you feel inclined to censure Faults you may in others view, Ask your own heart, ere you venture, If that has not failings too. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Let not friendly vows be broken; Rather strive a friend to gain; Many a word in anger spoken Finds its passage home again. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Do not then, in idle pleasure, Trifle with a brother's fame, Guard it as a valued treasure, Sacred as your own good name. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Do not form opinions blindly; Hastiness to trouble tends. Those of whom we thought unkindly, Oft become our warmest friends. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Seeing that I have gotten into the habit of quoting poetry, another poem has just come to mind, which I will repeat, as I think it will be of value to us in teaching us to have respect for the opinions of other people: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 LET EACH MAN LEARN TO KNOW HIMSELF. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 Let each man learn to know himself: To gain that knowledge, let him labor, Improve those failings in himself, Which he condemns so in his neighbor. How lenient our own faults we view, And conscience' voice adeptly smother; But oh! how harshly we review The self-same errors in another! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.18 And if you meet an erring one Whose deeds are blamable or thoughtless, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.19 Consider, ere you cast the stone, If you yourself be pure and faultless. Oh! list to that small voice within, Whose whisperings oft make men confounded, And trumpet not another's sin, You'd blush deep if your own were sounded. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.19 And in self-judgment, if you find Your deeds to others are superior; To you has Providence been kind, As you should be to those inferior; Example sheds a genial ray Of light, which men are apt to borrow; So first, improve yourself today, And then improve your friends tomorrow. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.19 Philip De La Mere. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.19 I regret exceedingly that in political controversies men seem to lack that courtesy and that respect for their opponents that I believe all Latter-day Saints ought to have. I have never yet heard a Democrat make a political speech that I felt was fair to the Republicans. Being a Democrat, I shall not say anything about what I think of the speeches of Republicans regarding Democrats. It is a strange thing -- but they say that "Love is blind," and some people have added, "and can't smell." I have sometimes thought that both statements were true. From my own personal contact with dear and near friends, Republicans and Democrats, I have not been able to discover the exercise of what you might call charity, if you like, for the opinions of others who oppose them politically at least not as much charity as should exist among our people. I am a thorough convert myself to the idea that it is not possible for all men to see alike. You know the remark made by a man once: "It is a splendid thing that we do not all see alike, because if we did, everybody would want to marry my Sally Ann;" and the other man remarked, "Yes, thank the Lord. If everybody saw your Sally Ann as I see her, nobody on earth would have her, and she would die an old maid." (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.19 I am convinced in my own feelings that Great Britain, France, and the United States have common aims, common desires, common objects, and that a league in which those three nations are combined will mean peace as far as the acts of nations can bring peace to mankind. The three thousand miles of border between the United States and Canada, maintained for over a hundred years without the slightest trouble, without any great forts, such as they have felt obliged to have between Germany and France, and other European countries, gives me the absolute assurance in my heart that Great Britain and her subjects have the same desires for the welfare of mankind, and for the liberty of mankind, that we have here in the United States. Confidence begets confidence; good will begets good will; and I believe that having fought -- for what? For our own existence, because I believe that but for the fact of our joining with the Allies in the great war, Germany would have conquered France and Great Britain, and that immediately thereafter she would have picked a quarrel with the United States, in the hope that this country, too, might be conquered. That Germany could not have conquered the United States I have no doubt. While representing you, as chairman of the Liberty loan committee of the State of Utah, I attended a banquet in San Francisco, and in the course of a little speech of ten minutes -- the limit given to me -- I announced that we were sure to sure to win the war; that there was no doubt of it in my mind, absolutely none, because I accepted the statement of an inspired prophet of the living God, who resided on this continent hundreds of years ago, who said that this is a choice land above all other lands, and that no king should rule on this land. Therefore I have no fear of Germany or any other country conquering these United States of America -- none whatever. But if Germany had conquered France and England -- which I believe she would have done but for our help -- there would have been been slain, instead of less than 100,000 of our boys, hundreds of thousands before we would have won the victory. I believe in my heart that it is our duty to stand by those nations that stood the brunt of the battle, and that saved us the loss of perhaps millions of our boys in the great struggle. I am not saying that I would not be delighted if this league of nations, or the terms of this covenant of peace, could be changed in some particulars, but they cannot be changed without submitting the treaty again to Germany. To my mind, that would be a calamity. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.20 Now, I did not intend to say this much regarding the league of nations, but rather to preach a little on the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.20 AN IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.20 Today is the ninety-sixth anniversary of that wonderful manifestation from God, the visitation of an angel from heaven to the boy Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith testified to all the world that Moroni, an ancient prophet of God who resided upon this continent, appeared to him in answer to his prayer to the living God for light and knowledge. He states that his room started to become light, until it was as light as the noonday sun, and then a personage appeared before him, conversed with him, delivered a most important message, and quoted many important passages of scripture, as you will find recorded here in a brief account of this wonderful event, given by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price. I marked a number of passages that I thought I would read, but I will not take the time to do so. This angel delivered a message to Joseph Smith, and told him that in the Hill Cumorah there were buried golden plates containing a record of the forefathers of the American Indians. After delivering his message and quoting a lot of scripture to the boy, the messenger disappeared. He returned and repeated all that he had said before, and added a little additional scripture, then disappeared. He returned once more and repeated all that he had said upon the previous visits -- and by this time it was morning. The boy dressed himself and went to the field to work, but his father, seeing that something was the matter with him, as he had been awake all night and was feeble, told him to go home. On his way home, while trying to climb over a fence, he fell and was awakened by the voice of the messenger, and for the fourth time these messages were delivered to the boy Joseph Smith, after which he told the boy to go to his father in the field and tell him all that he had heard from the messenger. Joseph went to his father and repeated the message that had been delivered to him by an angel of God, a former prophet who lived upon this earth, and his father said: "This message is from God," and told him to follow the instructions of the angel. Joseph Smith went to the place where the plates containing the Book of Mormon record were buried, and when he was about to remove them, the angel told him the time had not yet come when the plates were to be delivered into his hands, but that he was to return to that spot once a year for four years, and then the plates were to be given to him. He did return once a year for four years, and upon each of those visits the angel of the Lord instructed this young man in the things of God, and prepared him to be the chosen instrument in the hands of the living God to restore again to the earth the plan of life and salvation, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Subsequently, John the Baptist, the man who baptized the Lord Jesus Christ, came and laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, and ordained those men to the Aaronic Priesthood, giving them the authority to baptize. After this ordination they went down into the waters of baptism and baptized each other. Subsequently, Peter, James, and John, the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, who had ministered in the days of the Savior and after his crucifixion, came to the earth, and they laid their hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, and ordained the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving them all the keys, the powers, the rights and the authority to establish again the gospel plan and the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. "Oh," says the unbeliever, "we do not believe that any messenger ever appeared to Joseph Smith; we do not believe that John the Baptist laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery; we do not believe that Peter, James, and John ordained these men apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ." The unbelief of all the world cannot change those facts, if they are facts; and we proclaim to the world that by the witness of the Holy Spirit we know that they are facts, and that they shall stand forever, for they can never be overthrown. The angel Moroni told the boy Joseph Smith that the day should come when an ancient prophet should appear and bestow the authority to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers. This promise was made years before the organization of this Church, and before the Book of Mormon was ever revealed, and a number of years later that promise was fulfilled, when that authority was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in a wonderful vision and manifestation in the Kirtland temple, April 3, 1836 (Section 110, Doctrine and Covenants): Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 The vail was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us, and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold in color like amber. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 His eyes were as a flame of fire, the hair of his head was white like the pure snow, his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 I am the first and the last, I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain, I am your advocate with the Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 Behold, your sins are forgiven you, you are clean before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 Yea, the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands, and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us, and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying, that in us, and our seed, all generations after us should be blessed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us. Elijah the prophet who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 Therefore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 WHY WE BUILD TEMPLES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.22 Millions of dollars have been invested in the Salt Lake temple. Month after month, as a boy, I contributed $1 a month. As my wages increased I contributed $2 a month, and later $3, $4, $5 and finally gave several thousands of dollars, towards the completion of that temple. Why? Because the Lord God Almighty had given me a knowledge that the hearts of the children have been turned to their fathers; that the keys held by Elijah the prophet were in very deed delivered to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The very granite bears witness to the faith, the knowledge and the testimony that God has given to the Latter-day Saints -- not only this temple, but in Logan, in Manti, in St. George, temples have been erected to the same effect. In Canada there is another temple, not yet completed, and one recently completed in the Hawaiian Islands, wherein ordinances for the dead can be performed. The temple still stands in Kirtland, Ohio, where these wonderful manifestations from God were given to the Latter-day Saints. By the revelations of the Spirit of God to them, they testify that these things did occur. There was also a temple at Nauvoo, Illinois, which was built under great stress -- which our people built with the rifle in one hand, so to speak, and the trowel or the instruments used in building in the other. These temples, erected by the Saints in the days of their poverty, bear witness to all the world of the inspiration of God to those men and to the truthfulness of the visions in the Kirtland temple. No men and women would spend their money by the millions of dollars for the erection of temples, and spend their time, year after year, laboring for the salvation of their dead, if they did not have the witness of the Holy Spirit that in very deed the promise has been fulfilled that was made to the boy Joseph Smith ninety-six years ago today, that Elijah should come and restore these keys. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.23 Almost simultaneously with this wonderful manifestation to the boy, this visitation of an angel of the living God, delivering a message and making promises regarding the organization of the Church and of many wonderful things, all of which have since been fulfilled, came a widespread impulse among men to acquire information concerning their dead progenitors. No person can deny, who will stop to reason upon it, that from the time of Elijah's visit, restoring the keys that he held, turning the hearts of the children to their fathers, there has come into the hearts of people all over the world a desire to know something about their ancestors: No truthful person can deny that this is the case. People will not believe, perhaps, that the turning of their hearts to the fathers, causing them to seek for information regarding their progenitors, is due to the fact that the keys had been turned in the temple at Kirtland; but we know that is the case. I have met men and have conversed with them, who have spent years and years of their lives gathering the genealogy of their forefathers, and compiling books containing that information. When I have asked them why they did it, they would say that they did not know, but that they were seized with a strong, irresistible desire to find out the names of their ancestors and to compile them. Now that they have finished the record, they Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.23 have lost all interest in it. To a Latter-day Saint a book of this size [holding up the Book of Mormon], containing the names of his ancestors, is worth many, many times, hundreds of times more than its weight in gold, because to the Latter-day Saint has come a knowledge that he can in very deed be "a savior upon Mount Zion" of his kindred who have died without a knowledge of the truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.23 A VISITOR'S CONVERSION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.23 I am reminded of the wonderful testimony that comes into the of men regarding the divinity of this work in which we are engaged, by the labors that were performed by a gentleman named R. M. Bryce-Thomas, a retired colonel in the British army. Colonel Thomas came to Salt Lake City and stopped at the Templeton hotel, a small hotel in the Zion's Bank building at that time. His wife was taken sick, and as he sat there in his room and looked across the street to the old two-story adobe building that stood where the Hotel Utah now is, he saw a sign, "Mormon Publications." He read this sign "Mormon Publications," day after day, until it got on his nerves, and so he went over and bought some "Mormon Publications." When his wife recovered, he returned to his home in London, and he read these publications. He afterwards attended "Mormon" meetings and became convinced of the truth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, as again revealed to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. He traveled all the way from the great city of London to Salt Lake City upon two separate and distinct occasions, for the privilege of going into the temple of the Lord, that stands on this block, and becoming a savior of his progenitors. As he was an educated man, and a man of importance, his friends thought that he had practically gone crazy, or he would not have joined the "miserable 'Mormons'." He received so many letters of inquiry, asking why he had joined the "Mormons," that he decided to write out his reasons for leaving the Church of England and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He did so, and sent those reasons to the Liverpool office to Brother Rulon S. Wells, who was then president of the. European mission, asking him to have a few hundred copies printed so that he could distribute them among his friends. Brother Wells asked permission to utilize, in the shape of a tract, the arguments and reasons that he gave for leaving the Church of England. This request was granted. Tens of thousands of copies of "My Reasons for Leaving the Church of England and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" have been distributed in this country and in Europe, and I commend that very scholarly and splendid pamphlet to all Latter-day Saints who have not read it. I am sure I have, at least a half dozen times; I have given away thousands of copies of this tract, and I want to bear witness here today, regarding this man -- for I have met him and conversed with him -- that he has the spirit of the gospel; that gospel; that he has in his heart a testimony of the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged; and it is the spirit that giveth life, that giveth understanding, that testifies of the things of God. This man is converted to the gospel. He is not only converted to the gospel, but he can give his reasons, scriptural reasons, in addition to the witness of the Spirit that he has received from the Lord as to the divinity of this work. Furthermore, he lives the gospel, and that is one of the great evidences of its divinity. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.24 DEMANDS UPON THE POCKET. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.24 It has been said that the tenderest part of the human anatomy, of the male variety of the species, is the pocket; and I think there is little doubt of it, from my experience with mankind. The laws of the gospel of Jesus Christ are most exacting on the pockets of men, and our Church expects more from its members in this regard than any church upon the face of the earth. I remember reading of an incident where a man away up in northern Scandinavia, in that cold, hard country, where it is difficult to make a living, heard an elder proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ again restored to the earth -- faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. He received the witness in his heart to the truthfulness of this message, and he went down into the waters of baptism. He soon received the spirit of gathering, and he gathered from Scandinavia to Utah. After he had been here a little while the bishop called on him and said: "You do not pay any tithing." "Why, I never heard about tithing." And the bishop taught him the law of tithing, that one-tenth of all that he made belonged to the Church for the spread of the gospel and the building up of the work at home and abroad. This man was shocked at the outrageous "tax," of the Church, as he termed it, but he said: "The gospel is true, and I guess I ought to live all the laws." After a great struggle he finally decided to comply with this law, and he honestly paid his tithing. The bishop later came to him and said: "You do not pay any fast-day donation to take care of the poor:" and the man said, "For the love of heaven, isn't ten per cent of all you make enough to take care of the poor?" "No," the bishop said; "but we do not ask you to give a dollar. All we ask is that you fast, that you fail to partake of food for two meals once a month -- you are not asked for any money, but simply to give to us the equivalent of what you save. You can consult your doctor, and you will find that this is beneficial to your health to fast for a couple of meals once a month." Well, he said, he did not know about that, but he finally concluded he ought to do his share for the poor, so he fasted, and in fasting he partook of the Spirit of the Lord that is given to us when we fast and pray to God; and he rejoiced in paying his fast-day donation. Pretty soon the bishop came to him and said, "We need a new ward meetinghouse." "Well, let the Church build it -- the tithing ought to be enough for that." The bishop said, "No, the Church will not build it, but the Church will give one dollar for each two dollars that we give. You know we need a new meetinghouse, in which to worship the Lord." He kicked and kicked hard, to use a slang phrase, but finally concluded that they needed a new meetinghouse, and he wanted to do his share. Next the bishop came around and said, "We need a Church academy, so our children may not only be educated in the things of the world -- the sciences, arts, literature and so on -- but in the things of God;" and he finally persuaded him to donate for an academy. Then he came and said to this man: "We need a stake meetinghouse." He complained again, but finally donated for a stake house. Then the bishop came around and said: "Here, brother, we are making an extra effort to complete the Salt Lake temple, and we want a very large and splendid donation from you. You have been very prosperous; the Lord has blessed you since you came to this land." He hemmed and hawed and complained, but he finally gave the donation, because in the meantime he had learned this glorious principle of vicarious labor for the dead. Some people ridicule that principle; they say it is absurd, it is ridiculous that we, the living, can do work for the dead. People may ridicule this principle, but the very foundation of all Christianity is based upon the vicarious labor and the death of our Lord Jesus Christ for us. So this man finally contributed for the temple. The academy was soon completed, and his boy attended and in due time graduated with honor. Then the bishop called on him and said: "That boy of yours has graduated; he has made a fine record, and we would like him to go on a mission to his father's native land. It will cost you about $25 a month to send him and take care of him." To this the man replied: "Bishop, that is the straw that breaks the camel's back. I paid tithing; I paid fast-day donations; I paid for a ward house; I paid for a stake house; I paid for an academy; I paid for the completion of the temple; but if the Church wants my boy, whom I had expected to bring me in at least seventy-five dollars a month now that he has graduated, they will have to pay his expenses or he will not go on a mission." "Well," the bishop said, "that will be all right, he will not go, because the Church is not paying the expenses. All they will do for him is to bring him home free of charge when his mission is completed. They will do that, they will bring him home again. That will be the limit." "Well, then," he said, "he will never go." The bishop said, "All right. Let us dismiss the subject and talk on something else." They talked on for about an hour. The bishop went around and around, and finally he came to the native land of this man, the country from which he had come, as well as his relatives and friends. Then he said: "By the way, whom do you love more than anybody else on the earth, except your own flesh and blood, your own family?" "Why," he said, "Bishop, more than any other person that draws the breath of life I love the man who came to me, away up in the midnight-sun country of Scandinavia, and brought to me the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the man who came there with the Spirit of the living God, who touched my heart, and melted my very soul, and implanted in my being a knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God; I love him beyond my power to tell." The bishop then said, "Wouldn't you like somebody to love that boy of yours just as you love that elder," "Bishop," he said, "You have conquered me fair and square. The boy can go. I will pay his expenses." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.26 AN ARMY OF MISSIONARIES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.26 Love of God and love of our fellow men -- the first great command, the Savior said, the first great law is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our might, mind and strength; and the second is like unto it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. I want to bear witness to all the world that no other people upon the face of the earth can show such love of God and such love of their fellow men as do the Latter-day Saints. We have about 2,000 missionaries, on an average, out in the world preaching the gospel, without money, without price, without being sustained except from their own pockets or the pockets of their relatives -- for what? Because of their love of God, and because of their love of their fellows, to deliver the message to all the world that God has again opened the heavens; that he has spoken from on high; that he has sent his messengers; that they have laid their hands upon the servants of God in this day, and restored again to the earth the authority of the Priesthood of the living God, and the power to build up the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.27 We have recorded here in the back of this book, the little Pearl of Great Price, the Articles of Faith of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.27 "We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.27 BELIEF IN A PERSONAL GOD. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.27 We believe absolutely in God our Father. I remember reading, while I was in England, a book entitled, "The Young Man and the World." In that book, written by Senator Albert J. Beveridge, there was one chapter on "The Young Man and the Pulpit." In his book, Mr. Beveridge says that any man who enters the pulpit to preach, if he is not converted in his heart of hearts to the truth of that which he preaches, commits a sacrilege every time that he stands up in his pulpit. Then he said: "A certain man, with good opportunities for getting correct answers, during an entire summer vacation asked three questions of all the ministers with whom he came in contact. The first question was: "Do you believe in God, the Father -- God a person. God a definite and tangible intelligence -- not a congeries of laws floating like a fog through the universe -- but God a person in whose image you were made? Don't argue; don't explain; but is your mind in a condition where you can answer yes or no?". Not a minister answered "Yes." I wish to say that there is not a boy, there is not a girl, in the intermediate classes of the Sunday schools of the Latter-day Saints, nor is there a man or a woman in all the Church of Jesus Christ, who would not answer "Yes" to that question. We believe that we are the children of the living God, and that he is in very deed an exalted person. Why? Because the Lord God Almighty, nearly a hundred years ago, appeared to a little boy 14 years of age, and spoke to him. This boy saw that God our Father is a glorified man, so to speak; and he pointed to his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and said to this little boy: "This is my beloved Son, hear him." In answer to a simple question from that boy, as to which of all these denominations of the world he should join, the Savior told him to join none of them, because they had all gone astray; and later he was called to be the instrument in the hands of God of restoring again the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 The next question in Senator Beveridge's book was: "Yes or no, do you believe that Christ was the Son of the Living God, sent by Him to save the World? I am not asking whether you believe that he was inspired in the sense that the great moral teachers are inspired -- nobody has any difficulty about that; but do you believe that Christ was God's very Son, with a divinely appointed and definite mission, dying on the cross and raised from the dead -- yes or no?" Not a minister answered, "Yes." They went on to explain that he was a great moral teacher. Permit me to deny the fact that he was a great moral teacher, unless he was the Son of God. He himself announced that he was the Savior of the world, that he was the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, that he was the Son of God; and therefore, if he was not the Son of God, he could not have been a great moral teacher, because the foundation of his mission was that he was God's Only Begotten Son. If he was not God's Son, he could not be a great moral teacher, because his foundation would be a falsehood. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 The next question was: "Do you believe that when you die you will live again as a conscious intelligence, knowing who you are and who other people are? Answer yes or no." Not one of them answered "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 Every man and every woman married in the temple on this block, or in any of the temples of God, are married for time and for all eternity. We believe that the marriage covenant is an eternal covenant, and there is not a Latter-day Saint living who does not expect to have his or her conscious identity beyond the grave. Thank God for the first article of our faith and our absolute knowledge, of God and of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins; and not for Adam's transgression." I shall not comment on that. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 We find the following in a revelation from the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith, section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 And this is the gospel, the glad tidings which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 That through him all might be saved whom the Father has put into his power, and made by him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.28 Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition, who deny the Son after the Father hath revealed him; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony last of all, which we give of him, that he lives; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God, and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 That by him and through him, and of him the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 FIRST PRINCIPLES AND AUTHORITY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of bands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 I want to say to you that all those missionaries who have gone out to preach the gospel -- and we have had at least 80,000 of them, from the day the Church was first organized -- have had laid upon their heads, the hands of God's authorized servants, men who held his authority; and all over the wide world, in every land and in every clime, from the midnight-sun country of the north to South Africa, wherever they have gone, the Spirit of the living God has attended them. From every land and from every clime men and women have received the witness of the Holy Spirit, and have embraced the gospel; and all the wisdom of all the world, the wisdom of all the churches, in all the world, has never yet been able to convert any Latter-day Saint elder. They say we have not the truth; they say that we are deluded! How the Lord Almighty has neglected for nearly 90 years, the honest, faithful, virtuous, upright Latter-day Saints, having failed to allow any of their missionaries, or of their converts in the world, to discover the error of this gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints! Yet these men have gone forth after having had hands laid upon their heads, giving them authority as God's ambassadors to go and proclaim the truth, and from every denomination under heaven men and women have been converted to the gospel which some people regard as a delusion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 BELIEF IN PROPHETS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 "We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive Church, viz; apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.29 I shall not take your time further than to refer to the Prophet Joseph Smith. We believe that he was a prophet of God, and we not only believe it but we know that he was. Why? He declared that he would be chosen, when he was a child, and he was chosen. He announced to the world that he would receive the Book of Mormon, and he did receive the Book of Mormon, which he translated from the plates, to which reference has been made. Eleven men, in addition to himself, bear witness that he had the plates. Eight of these men handled them and saw the engravings, and the plates were shown to three of these men by an angel of God who came down from heaven. "Oh, but," says one, "I don't believe it," but if eleven honest, reputable men testified that a man had committed murder, that man would hang all right or be shot. There is no one who can say that the statement of the witnesses regarding the Book of Mormon, is not true, and there are tens of thousands who can say, by the witness of the Spirit of God, that these things are true. Joseph Smith proclaimed that he would yet be a prophet, before he was one, and he was chosen. He predicted that the Latter-day Saints would be driven from city to city from county to county, from state to state, and finally driven from the confines of the United States to the Rocky Mountains, which was then Mexican territory. People laughed him to scorn for saying that he, whom they considered a miserable upstart, at the head of a deluded lot of people, would attract the attention of anybody to the extent that they would be driven out of a state, and particularly be driven beyond the confines of the United States. He also announced that the day would come when not only a city, not only a county, not only a state should be arrayed against the handful of Latter-day Saints, commonly called "Mormons," but the day should come when the whole United States would be arrayed against them. People hooted at that statement, but the day did come when we were driven from city to city, from county to county, and state to state, and the day did come when we were driven to the Rocky Mountains, where he had said we should become a great and mighty people. And that is exactly what we have become, because in proportion to our numbers we are a great and mighty people, and people are beginning to recognize it today. Finally the United States of America, on the statements of lying judges and others sent an army against us -- for doing what? For doing what we never did, but subsequently the government pardoned us for our sins that we had never committed, but they sent their army here all the same. And later, because of false statements made to Congress, the government confiscated all the property, both real and personal, belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as if the Lord desired doubly to fulfil the prediction of Joseph Smith. I picked up the paper day after day myself, when the trial was going on here in the courts, and read in bold headlines, "The United States of America vs. the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," and laid the paper down and said: "Thanks be to Uncle Sam for putting the absolute stamp of divinity upon the utterances of the Prophet Joseph Smith!" This is one of the reasons why we believe in prophets -- because their prophecies are fulfilled. It is only fair to say that this property was afterwards restored to the Church by acts of Congress. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.30 EVANGELICAL INSPIRATION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.30 "We believe in pastors, teachers, evangelists" -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.30 There is no need of believing in an evangelist unless he has the evangelical inspiration of his office. I want to say to you that when I was a baby my mother took me to the patriarch, or the evangelist, Brother Perkins, who afterwards moved to St. George and located there, and that patriarch put his hands upon my head and bestowed upon me a little blessing that would perhaps be about one-third of a typewritten page. That blessing foretold my life to the present moment. The promises made to that baby have been fulfilled. I went to Tooele as a boy not twenty-four years of age, to preside over that stake of Zion. I was without experience, and I felt mightily my weakness. Soon after I arrived there with my wife and two little babies, my youngest baby was taken very sick and came nigh to death's door. I did not know one single solitary soul in Tooele City when I went out there except John Rowberry and Francis M. Lyman. Brother Lyman lived next door to me, but he was not at home. Knowing that my little baby was in a dying condition, I sent for my friend, John Rowberry, the patriarch, the evangelist in that stake of Zion, asking him to come and assist me in blessing the baby. After blessing the little one he said: "Brother Grant, looking at it naturally, your baby is going to die." I said, "I have no doubt of it, unless the Lord hears and answers our prayers." He said, "Well, the Lord is going to hear and answer them. Go and get a table and a piece of paper, and sit down by the bed; I want to give this baby its patriarchal blessing." He laid his hands upon that baby and promised her that she should live; that she should grow to womanhood; that she should marry a servant of the living God; that she should become a mother in Israel; that she should become a leader among the sisters in the Church. A year or so ago, President Joseph F. Smith handed me the list of Church authorities to present to the people, as he quite frequently did. I read the names and presented them, and when I came to the last name, as one of the General Board of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, I had to read that name through tears of gratitude, because I was presenting the name of my daughter, who, I believe, but for the power of God, would have died when a baby -- I was presenting her name to be one of those to preside among her sisters, over thirty or forty-odd thousand of the young women in the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.31 Why do we believe in evangelists? Because they have the inspiration of God, the inspiration of their office and they are able to foretell the lives of the men and women upon whom they place their hands. While in Tooele. I received a patriarchal blessing myself from this same man, John Rowberry, and he promised me that I should be taken from that stake of Zion and become a leader in the Church of Christ; and I stand here today a witness of the inspiration of God to that man, John Rowberry. Not only did he promise me that, but many other things, all of which have been fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.31 THE GIFTS PROMISED, AND BESTOWED. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.31 "We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.31 healing, interpretation of tongues," etc. -- we believe in the gift of tongues. When I was a little child, in a Relief society meeting held in the home of the late William C. Staines, corner South Temple and Fifth East streets, my mother was there, "Aunt Em" Wells was there, Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. Young, and many others. After the meeting was over Sister Eliza R. Snow, by the gift of tongues, gave a blessing to each and everyone of those good sisters, and Sister Zina D. Young gave the interpretation. After blessing those sisters, she turned to the boy playing on the floor, and pronounced a blessing upon my head by the gift of tongues, and Zina D. Young gave the interpretation. I of course did not understand one word that Aunt Eliza was saying. I was astonished because she was talking to me and pointing at me. I could not understand a word, and all I got of the interpretation, as a child, was that some day I should be a big man. I thought it meant that I would grow tall. My mother made a record of that blessing. What was it? It was a prophecy, by the gift of tongues, that her boy should live to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ; and ofttimes she told me that if I would behave myself, that honor would come to me. I always laughed at her and said: "Every mother believes that her son will become president of the United States, or hold some great office. You ought to get that out of your head, Mother." I did not believe her until that honor came to me. Tell me that the gift of tongues is not exercised in this Church? As well tell me that I do not know that I stand here today. Subsequently my own wife, the mother of the baby to which I have referred, upon one occasion when I came home at 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning, having been working early and late trying to meet the interest on my obligations, read me a lecture about breaking the Word of Wisdom. She said to me: "You'd better drink tea or coffee, or even use tobacco, rather than sit up all night working. You are breaking the Word of Wisdom." Finally she stopped suddenly, and by the gift of tongues she made a prediction and several wonderful promises, among others that I should live to pay all my obligations. This was at a time when my friends were begging me to take the bankruptcy act. Among other things she promised that I should live to lift up my voice in many lands and in many climes, proclaiming the gospel. Since then I have lifted up my voice in the Hawaiian Islands, in Japan, in Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, the three Scandinavian countries, in Canada, in Mexico, and in almost every state in the Union of the United States, proclaiming that I know that God lives, proclaiming that I know that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. I have dote this in fulfilment of a promise made on my head by my wife, whose body now lies in the tomb, who made this promise years before it came to pass. I will not take up further time on that article of our faith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.32 OTHER ARTICLES OF FAITH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.32 "We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.32 "We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.33 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.33 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.33 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.33 Yet some people write that we are in rebellion against the United States; that we would like to set up a republic of our own; that we are a great financial combine of people who are arranging to eventually conquer our country. Our boys who gave their lives in France; our boys who went forth in far greater number than the government had requested, according to our population; our money so freely given for Liberty and Victory bonds; our declaration to all the world, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the men who wrote the Constitution of this country were inspired of the living God -- all of these things give the lie to all the liars who are perpetually saying that we are opposed to this country. When the Latter-day Saints were being driven from their homes, when they were coming to these Rocky mountains in fulfilment of the prediction of Joseph Smith -- they were being expatriated; they were driven from the confines of the United States, and were coming to Mexican soil. Our country was then in trouble with Mexico, and the government called on Brigham Young for 500 men to help fight Mexico. To this call President Young replied: "You shall have your men, and if we have not enough men we will furnish you women;" and within three days the men were ready. That Mormon Battalion went to California and discovered gold. Show to me, if you can, in all the history of the world another case of a people being expatriated, being driven from their own country, from their own lands which they had purchased, being driven out from a beautiful city, the last remnant of them crossing the Mississippi river in the dead of winter, on the ice, nine babies being born during the night of that terrible expulsion, with no shelter but their mother's breasts, going forth on their journey of a thousand miles in the wilderness, after having appealed to the president of their republic, who could only say: "Your cause is just, but we can do nothing for you" -- show me another people, I say, who under like circumstances would have furnished 500 men to fight their country's battles! Show me greater patriotism and loyalty to country than this! It can't be done. Allow me to announce that from the day of Joseph Smith to this identical day, the leaders of this people have had absolute respect, love and reverence for their country. Allow me to announce further that we are patriotic Americans to the core, and that we have learned it, many of us, at our mother's knees, where we said our prayers. We believe absolutely in the inspiration of God to the men who framed our Constitution. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.34 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.34 JUDGED BY THEIR FRUITS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.34 All we ask of the world is to remember the articles of faith of the Latter-day Saints and to judge the Latter-day Saints by their fruits. This was the standard that the Savior gave for a righteous judgment. What are the fruits of "Mormonism?" No people in these United States of America have higher financial credit than the "Mormons." No other people in these United States of America have as low a death rate as the "Mormons." Vileness and wickedness do not decrease the death rate. No people of the same number can produce as many fine singers -- and fine singing does not go with corruption and wickedness. The Lord said in a revelation to the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and shall be answered with blessings upon their heads." No people have a better reputation for fulfiling the first great commandment of God -- "Multiply and replenish the earth." No race suicide in Utah; that is, in the "Mormon" sections of Utah, or in the "Mormon" communities of southern Idaho, or in Canada, or in Arizona, or Old Mexico. No people can make a finer record in failing to produce insane than the Latter-day Saints, and yet insanity generally comes with wickedness. No people can produce fewer criminals than the Latter-day Saints. The governor of the state of Arizona remarked some time ago that we were being robbed of several hundred per cent of our taxes, because none of our people were in the insane asylum, and we were entitled to quite a number. He further said that we were being robbed of two or three thousand per cent of our taxes because we had only one inmate in the penitentiary, although we were entitled to twenty-five or thirty, according to our population. I referred to this statement when I was in Arizona a short time ago, and the district judge, who was sitting in the audience, jumped up and said: "Pardon me, Mr. Grant, but that one has since been pardoned." (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.34 I see I have talked much longer than I had intended. I rejoice in the witness of the Holy Spirit to me that I can stand up in all sobriety and testify to you that the angel of God, ninety-six years ago today, did appear to the boy Joseph Smith, and that the promises made to that boy have been fulfilled; that he did become a prophet of God; that he died a martyr to the truth; that his blood testified, as the blood of all martyrs has done in ages past, to the divinity of the work that he has established; and I bear to you my witness that God has given to me a knowledge that he lives; that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I pray for light and knowledge and power and ability that you and I, every one of us who have received this testimony, may so order our lives that all men, seeing our sobriety, seeing the Uprightness of our lives, may be led to investigate the fruits of the gospel of Christ, and that they, too, may receive the witness of the Holy Spirit. This is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.42 It is a source of regret to all of us, I believe, to learn from the dispatches received this morning, that the President of the United States is in a very critical condition of health. I wish to say that I was profoundly impressed with all that he said from this stand, during his recent visit, and that it met with my hearty approval. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the hotel, and I was impressed with the honesty and sincerity of his motives. I believe that he desires, with all the power of his being, to accomplish that which, in his estimation, is for the good of mankind the world over. After the singing of the Doxology, by the congregation, we will ask that you all join Elder Orson F. Whitney in the benediction, and pray for the recovery of the health of our President of these United States. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.44 It has fallen to my lot, from the time that I became one of the general authorities, to come in close business relations with many influential people, both on the Pacific and the Atlantic coasts, as well as in the cities between. When I was a small boy, about twelve years of age, Colossians Alex G. Hawes, the Western Manager of the New York Life Insurance Company, came to board at my mother's home. He subsequently returned with his bride, and his first child was born in our house. He became, without any exception, the dearest and best friend that I had in all the world, aside from my own people, and my association with him, I believe, was as intimate as it was possible to have with any man. He treated me almost like a father; and in the panic of 1893, hearing that I might fail in business, he wrote and told me he had arranged to mortgage his home, to get money to assist me. He had tried at every commercial bank in the city where he lived to borrow money on first class collateral security, to send me; none of them were making loans. "But," he said, "the savings banks are loaning; they loan only on real estate, and I have no real estate except the home in which I live. I have arranged for a loan on my home, and if it will save your financial life, do not write, but telegraph immediately upon receipt of this letter, and I will transfer the money to you by wire, as delays are dangerous." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.44 I could not hold back the tears of gratitude that filled my eyes, to think that a man of the world would make such an offer as this to me in my time of distress. He subsequently secured for me the agency for Utah of the great company with which he was connected, and for one year I was their representative in connection with my associates in this city. At that time a gentleman by the name of Darwin P. Kingsley was the superintendent of agencies, and subsequently became the president of that company. The day before yesterday I received a very beautifully bound volume of some four hundred pages, containing speeches made by himself mainly upon this great question of peace, and questions connected with the war. I have read with intense interest something over one hundred and fifty pages of these speeches, since the book arrived, and they strike a very responsive chord in my understanding of the situation. I remarked here this morning that, like the congressman, I was going to ask permission to reprint my speech of two weeks ago. I am going to do the same here again this afternoon, and shall have printed in tomorrow night's News one of President Darwin P. Kingsley's speeches on the League of Nations, containing also a splendid tribute to President Wilson. We will now be addressed by President Charles W. Penrose. President Heber J. Grant I have been delighted with the blessings of the Lord that have been poured out upon us during this conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.123 I had no intention to speak but have decided to make a few remarks to this very wonderful congregation of Latter-day Saints, occupying the short time which remains. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.123 OVERWHELMING RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESIDENCY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.123 As I stated, I rejoice in the rich outpourings of the Spirit of the Lord. When I first came to the Presidency the thought of the responsibility that rested upon me was overwhelming and for several weeks it was impossible for me to obtain my needed rest. It became absolutely necessary for me to go to the coast to get the needed amount of sleep; because men cannot live very long who do not get rest at night. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.123 A WONDERFUL MANIFESTATION AND TESTIMONY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.123 When I was chosen one of the apostles -- as I stated this morning in a little meeting of the Religion Classes -- from October until February, I was very unhappy, notwithstanding the fact that my call had come by direct revelation; and the reason was because of my having had such a wonderful reverence and respect, almost adoration for the men who held the apostleship. If there was one thing that my dear departed mother impressed upon my very soul it was reverence and respect for the Priesthood of the living God, and for the men who stood at the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the call came to me to be an apostle, the spirit of the adversary pursued me day and night, from October until February, telling me that I was unfit to occupy that exalted office. Every time that I bore witness of my knowledge that Jesus was the Christ, the words would fly back in my face: "You lie; you have not seen him." I would wake up in the night feeling that I should resign, that I was unworthy. A relative of mine said to me one day: "Do you know that Brother - -- - declared that no man was man was fit to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ who had not seen the Lamb of God?" He had first asked me the question, "Have you ever seen the Lamb of God," I said, "No." Then he referred to this man's declaration. I said: "Yes, I know that." "Well then, how is it that you stand as an apostle?" I answered: "Which would you rather believe -- the Lord Almighty or Elder - -- -?" He said: "The Lord." I said: "So would I; and he sent a revelation calling me, and I will take his word for it that I am fit to occupy the position." But, just the same, I did not confess that, day and night, there was a feeling upon me, calling upon me to resign. I took a trip, in January, 1883, with Brigham Young, Jr., to San Luis Valley, Colorado, to San Juan, to the Arizona stakes, to Mexico, where we visited the Yaqui Indians. In Arizona we visited the Navajos and also the Moquis. Speaking of the Navajos, I regret very much that I did not have a shorthand reporter with me when we held a meeting with Manulita, the war chief of the Navajo Indians. I could not understand a word he said, but I knew that he spoke with a fire and a force and fervor that I had seldom heard in all my life, and the interpreter, Brother Ernest Titjen, said that it was the most wonderful speech he had ever heard. The Indian chief was speaking about the wrongs of the Indians and the diseases that had come among the Indians from the whites; and he spoke of the failure of the whites, except only the "Mormons" to treat the Indians rightly. He announced that the women of the Indian nation were safe in the hands of the "Mormons." There was trouble, at that time, in that section of the Navajo Indian Reservation, but he said: "You are absolutely safe to travel among the Navajos, because I will send word ahead that you are 'Mormons,' and they know that 'Mormons' are the friends of the red men." While in the Navajo Indian Reservation, traveling in a company of perhaps half a dozen wagons and eight or ten horsemen, we would alternate riding in the wagons and on horseback. I was riding at the rear of the company with the late President Lot Smith of the Little Colorado stake, and as we were traveling in a southeasterly direction, suddenly the road turned and went northeast. But continuing from where the road changed was a well-beaten path, I said: "Wait a minute, Lot, where does that trail lead?" He said, "O it reaches down there three or four miles and swings back into the road. We will make a regular mule-shoe with the road, and then join the trail. There is a deep gully that a team cannot cross, therefore we have to go around." I said: "Can a horseman cross it?" He said, "Yes." "Well," I said, "Lot, I want to be alone. Go ahead, follow the crowd. I will go over here all alone and meet you when the trail joins the road." First I asked him, "Is there any danger from the Navajos?" He said, "None whatever." I undoubtedly asked this question because only a few days before I had visited the spot where George A. Smith, Jr., -- I believe the only son of that beloved and saintly woman, Bathsheba W. Smith, had been killed by the Navajo Indians, and I was naturally a little nervous, going off alone in that section of the country. The reason that I wanted to be alone was that I was oppressed, as I had never been before, even from October until that moment, with that awful feeling of dread and doubt and with the suggestion hammering away at my brain that I ought to resign as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, that I had never done anything that entitled me to that distinction, that I had never performed any special labor, that I was not posted on the gospel, as an apostle ought to be; that my mind had been given to the ordinary affairs of life, and that I should step aside and let some other man be called who, I believed, was better qualified for the position than myself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.125 With this awful depression upon me, I desired to be alone, and I rode across there, tortured, so to speak, by the devil. After riding about a mile, I suddenly stopped the mule on which I was riding, and I communed with High Heaven. It was revealed to me there, sitting alone in the Navajo Indian Reservation, that I had done nothing to entitle me to the great honor of being an apostle, except that I had kept my life pure and sweet. It was revealed to me there that a council was held in heaven exactly the same as we hold councils here. Matters were discussed, and there was presented the question of filling the two vacancies existing in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles; that the conference had adjourned, and those two vacancies remained and ought to be filled. The question was: "Whom shall we call, in sending a revelation to fill those vacancies?" My father, Jedediah M. Grant, who died when I was a baby, only nine days old, asked God, our heavenly Father, that his son, Heber J. Grant, be called as an apostle, and Joseph Smith, the Prophet of this last dispensation, the man who, as a child, communed with God, our Father -- who had communed with Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, and was told by the Savior of the world to join none of the churches then extant, as they had all gone astray, and that he should be the instrument in the hands of God to restore the gospel again to the earth -- that great Latter-day Prophet joined in the request made by my father, and the revelation was sent calling me to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.125 JOY IN PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.125 No man, I believe ever had less happiness or less joy than I had in proclaiming the gospel from October, 1882, when I was called to be an apostle, until February, 1883, when the Lord Almighty gave to me this manifestation. But I believe that no man lives who has ever had sweeter joy, who has ever had greater happiness than I have had in testifying to the divinity of this work, in Japan, in the Hawaiian Islands, from Canada to Mexico, in nearly every State of the Union, in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, -- testifying that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is his prophet. There is no joy, there is no happiness in all the world, that can compare with that which comes into the heart of a Latter-day Saint when, under the inspiration of the living God, he is able to bear witness: "I know that God lives, I know that Jesus is the Christ, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the true and the living God, and that this work called 'Mormonism' is in very deed the plan of life and salvation;" and I bear that witness before you here today, for I have the knowledge from God, and I lie not. God bless you all. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 Elder Joseph Fielding Smith informs me that I made a mistake, he thinks, in announcing that his father's favorite hymn was, "Uphold the Right." He believes his father's favorite hymn was, "I know that my Redeemer lives." As I read the other favorite hymn, I will read this one. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, He lives, who once was dead, He lives, my ever-living head. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 He lives to bless me with his love, He lives to plead for me above, He lives, my hungry soul to feed, He lives to bless in time of need. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 He lives to grant me rich supply, He lives to guide me with His eye, He lives to comfort me when faint, He lives to hear my soul's complaint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 He lives to silence all my fears, He lives to wipe away my tears, He lives to calm my troubled heart, He lives, all blessings to impart, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend, He lives and loves me to the end, He lives, and while he lives I'll sing, He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 He lives, and grants me daily breath, He lives, and I shall conquer death, He lives, my mansion to prepare, He lives to bring me safely there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 He lives, all glory to His name! He lives, my Savior, still the same; O, the sweet joy this sentence gives, "I know that my Redeemer lives!" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.201 You will note that I have changed one word in the second line of the last verse. I remember that whenever we sang this hymn in the Temple, President Smith insisted on reading that line as I have given it, "He lives, my Savior, still the same." I believe that I am safe in saying that no man who has ever stood at the head of the Church, within the recollection of us who were born in this valley, ever thrilled the hearts of the people in testifying that his Redeemer lived, as did our late beloved President Joseph F. Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.202 The choir sang: "Hear Him," from the Oratorio, "The Restoration," by B. Cecil Gates, solo by Emma Lucy Gates. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.202 That is very beautiful, indeed, and it seems very appropriate, in this magnificent structure, erected under the direction of President Brigham Young, that his grandson and his granddaughter should be connected with this beautiful singing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p.202 I sometimes feel that we should have at least four days, instead of three, for conference, as there are so many from whom we would like to hear, but time will not permit. We will now hear briefly from the members of the First Council of Seventy. PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT We would have been very much pleased, indeed, to have heard from one or two more, but time will not permit. I wish to say that each and all of the general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, without any reservations whatever, have my unbounded love and confidence. They have sustained me with their faith and their prayers, and have fulfilled every request that I have made of them. I wish to say that there is not a stake president in all the Church who does not have my love and confidence. The Latter-day Saints throughout the Church have sustained me beyond anything that I could have expected or believed possible. I pray God to sanctify all that has been said and done in this conference to the good of the Latter-day Saints. I pray for the welfare of mankind, at home and abroad. I bear to you my testimony that God has spoken again from the heavens, that we have the gospel of life and salvation; and I pray God to help us to live it, all of which I ask, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.2 It is certainly an inspiring sight to see so many of the Latter-day Saints gathered here at the opening of our conference. Considering the weather I had expected that there would be no need this morning of having an overflow meeting in the Assembly Hall, but I was mistaken. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.2 I rejoice exceedingly in the faith that is in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints. I rejoice in the loyalty of the people to the Church of Jesus Christ, wherever they are located, from Canada on the north, to Mexico in the south, and in all the various missions throughout the world. I am convinced, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that there are no other people upon the face of the earth who are as devoted to their religion, or who are ready and willing to and who do in very deed make as many sacrifices for their church, as an absolute practical demonstration of their faith, as do the Latter-day Saints. THE SAINTS ABSOLUTELY SINCERE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.2 When we realize that thousands of Latter-day Saints who are absolutely honest in the payment of their tithes, who look upon the obligation to pay one-tenth of all they make as sacredly as they would look upon the obligation to divide with a partner, if that partner had a one-tenth interest in their business; when we think of the donations that are made for the support of the poor, for the erection of meetinghouses in the various wards, for the erection of stake tabernacles, for the building of academies, the construction of temples, and last, greatest of all, when we think of the wonderful sacrifice that is made by the men and women, giving two, three and five years of their time for missionary work, and some of them ten and fifteen years, at their own expense or the expense of their families, not only giving their time but paying their own way--I am sure that any person who stops to reflect upon these sacrifices must acknowledge that there can be no greater evidence of absolute sincerity and devotion given by any people to their faith and to the cause of God, as they understand it, than is given by the Latter-day Saints. DISPOSITION OF TITHING. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.3 I will read for your information some of the things that have been assisted by your tithing during the past year. The Saints themselves have contributed $500,000, because it has been the custom for the Church to pay one-third only in the building of meetinghouses. During the latter part of the year, however, the Church has been doing one-half in the constructing of meetinghouses, and I would like to call attention to the fact that there are no applications now made for assistance from the Trustee-in-Trust, but what the different wards and stakes ask for one-half of the money needed to erect their meetinghouses and their schoolhouses, and there are applications on file now with the Trustee-in-Trust for considerably above one million dollars. It is just as well for you to know that it is a financial impossibility for us to comply with all of those applications. Buildings cost today twice as much as they did a few years ago, so if a building that would cost $30,000 three or four years ago were erected now it would cost $60,000. In the past the Church has given ten thousand; today it is asked for thirty thousand, which is an increase of two hundred per cent. We can not possibly comply with all the requests, much as we would like to. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.3 There has been appropriated for maintenance of meetinghouses in the various wards during last year $254,108.59; for stake tabernacles, $35,811.82; appropriations to the various stakes, $167,410.96; for wards throughout the Church, $444,763.60; for hospitals, $70,121.00; for temple maintenance and construction, $214,476.51; for the various missions, $420,359.88; in addition to money contributed in these missions. Expended for charity, $354,283.26. For education, the Church gave $722,353.83, and the applications now for our schools amount to over one million for the coming year. We can not reach all that is required, but we will do as much as we possibly can. The total amount that has been expended in the various stakes, wards and missions of the Church funds, for the year 1919 is $2,683,689.45. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.3 I am reminded of the fact that in two more days we will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth in this last dispensation. Before the Church was organized there were a few people who believed in the vision that the prophet Joseph Smith had had as a boy, fourteen years of age. They also believed that he had been visited by heavenly messengers, that he had had years of instruction, and they believed beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he had in his possession the golden plates from which he was translating the Book of Mormon. They believed in the many revelations that God gave to him and which he wrote out and delivered to the few with whom he was associated prior to the organization of the Church. One of those revelations was to the prophet's father--it is brief and I will read it--given a little more than a year before the organization of the Church. REVELATION TO THE PROPHET'S FATHER. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men; 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 perish not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. 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. (D&C, Section 4.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 Truly a great and marvelous work has come forth and been proclaimed in every land and in every clime all over the wide world. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored--by a personal visitation of the apostles Peter, James and John, laying their hands upon the heads of Oliver Cowdery and the Prophet Joseph Smith and ordaining them to the apostleship; by a personal visitation of John the Baptist, who baptized the Savior, laying his hands upon Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith and ordaining them to the Aaronic, or the lesser priesthood--the gospel is again restored to the earth, with the power and authority that existed in the days of the Savior. Millions of dollars in money have been expended for erecting and maintaining temples wherein ordinances are performed for the salvation of those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. All these things bear witness of the inspiration of God to that man Joseph Smith, when he delivered this statement in a revelation to his father, that a great and a marvelous work was about to come forth among the children of men. TRIBUTE TO LATTER-DAY SAINTS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 The readiness, the willingness, the spirit of sacrifice among the Latter-day Saints are an inspiration to those not of our faith. I had intended to read here this morning some of the very splendid things that were said in the United States Senate regarding the Latter-day Saints by the senators from Nevada, from Colorado and from Arizona. I did not intend to read anything said by our own senator from Utah, but I rejoice when men not of our faith can bear the testimony that these men did, respecting the loyalty of our people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 [President Grant here read selections from the speeches of the senators referred to. The tributes, in full, however, including the speech of Senator Smoot, are here given]: BY SENATOR SMOOT, OF UTAH, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 Mr. Smoot. Mr. President, I am not going to occupy more than about 15 minutes of the time of the Senate. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 For over 16 years I have paid no attention whatever to any of the false and malicious newspaper reports and statements made against the so-called "Mormon" Church. The only excuse that I have to offer for doing so at this time is that I have received a request from members of a number of the principal clubs of the State of Utah to call the attention of the Senate and of the country to certain false statements published in different newspapers throughout the United States. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 First, I desire to call attention to an article that appeared in the New York World of October 22, under the date line of London, October 21. This same article, I will state, was published in many other newspapers throughout the United States. It is as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 "Girls, Mormon Converts, Want to Leave England.--Fully 1,200 of them, Says Authoress, Have Asked Passports so They Can go to Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.4 "London, October 21. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 "Winifred Graham, the well-known English authoress, who has done much in this country to expose Mormonism, told the World correspondent today that fully 1,200 English girls have recently been persuaded by Mormon propagandists here to go to Utah. 'During the war,' she said, 'the Mormons made great headway in the United Kingdom. I hope the American authorities will prevent the departure of these girls for America. From reliable sources I learn that there are 1,200 of them anxious to sail immediately. Only last week one was bound over in a London police court for falsification of a passport in her efforts to go to Utah.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 "Winifred Graham is the pen name of Mrs. Theodore Cory. She sails on the Baltic October 29 as the British delegate to the World Citizenship Congress in Pittsburgh, which begins November 9. She will speak on Mormonism. Her anti-Mormon work here, she says, has caused her to be shadowed and threatened by the Mormons. United States consuls are on the lookout for any Mormon converts. Owing to the strict passport regulations there is little chance that any of these English girls will be able to sail. Some of the girls to whom passport vises were refused recently were suspected of being Mormon converts." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Mr. President, I thought the time had arrived when the newspapers of the country would cease publishing such rot. How easy it is for any newspaper to send a representative to the Bureau of Immigration and find out just the number of immigrants entering the United States going to the State of Utah for any year in the past, and also to find out the professions and occupation of the immigrants, and the different classification of each as provided by the department. If the newspaper doing so wants to publish the truth it would never publish such statements as I have just read. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 I went to the department, upon my attention being called to the newspaper article and asked for a statement of the number of immigrants for Utah for the years of 1917, 1918, and 1919. The statistics taken from the annual report of the Commissioner General of Immigration show some interesting facts. I have taken the State of Utah and compared it with the State of Colorado and the following is the result: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Immigration in Utah: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Professional--1917, 6; 1918, 8 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Skilled laborers--1917, 96; 1918, 49 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Miscellaneous occupations--1917, 501; 1918, 202 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 No occupation (including women and children)--1917, 362; 1918, 254 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Grand total of all immigrants--1917, 956; 1918, 513; 1919, 588 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Total immigrants from England--1917, 118; 1918, 48 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Immigration in Colorado: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Professional--1917, 33; 1918, 19 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Skilled laborers--1917, 98; 1918, 43 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Miscellaneous occupations--1917, 448; 1918, 185 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 No occupation (including women and children)--1917, 398; 1918, 326 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Grand total of all immigrants--1917, 977; 1918, 573; 1919, 738 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Total of immigrants from England--1917, 136; 1918, 56 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 The above table shows that the total number of immigrants with no occupation--including women and children--going to Utah was smaller on a percentage basis than the same class going to Colorado. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 It also shows the percentage of English immigrants of the total which went to both states, the percentage being about the same. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Mr. President, the Commercial Club of Salt Lake City, the leading business club of the State of Utah, upon seeing this scurrilous article against the "Mormon" Church published throughout the United States, prepared and issued a statement, dated November 4, 1919, entitled "Refutation issued by the board of governors of the Commercial Club of Salt Lake City," which I desire to read, as follows: A STATEMENT OF REFUTATION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.5 Issued by the Board of Governors of the Commercial Club, Salt Lake City. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 The attention of the Salt Lake Commercial Club has been called to the appearance in newspapers in the United States, of a "syndicate article" bearing the date line of London, Eng., in some instances as "October 19," from the pen of one purporting to be George Selden, writer of the English metropolis, which is vicious, inconsistent and maliciously false in its accusations against the "Mormon" Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 This article, sent broadcast through the United States, contains quotations credited to one Winifred Graham, to whom the article refers as a novelist, some of which are as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 "What is Mormonism doing in England? It works secretly as in America and snaps its fingers at law in both countries. This very minute the Church elders have twelve hundred girls ready for shipment to Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 "The Mormon Church pays the fares and offers excellent wages, but once it gets women over it uses them as it pleases. The war gave the Mormon elders their greatest opportunity for proselyting. In the absence of the men folk and because of the deaths of thousands of soldiers, the women of the poorer classes fell easy victims. Secret meetings were held in homes that attracted the neighborhood without attracting suspicion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 "Every girl is baptized. They then become silent about polygamy, but they become either polygamous wives or slaves of the Mormon Church. Occasionally we hear of girls who are slaving on Mormon farms." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 The Commercial Club of Salt Lake City, Utah, through its duly constituted Board of Governors, hereby desires that it be known that it has taken cognizance of and read these statements, which it brands as being vicious in intent and so obviously inconsistent as to be their own refutation, and they are scandalous, pernicious and false. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 The Commercial Club, in line with its activities from the time of its organization, is critically persistent and thorough in its survey of conditions relating to the interests of our commonwealth and is fully qualified by its knowledge of facts to thus brand these sensational stories as unmitigated falsehoods. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the "Mormon" Church, is working in harmony with other institutions in Utah, ecclesiastical and civic, for the maintenance of the highest attainable standard of morality, and has made an enviable record in their accomplishment, as also in patriotic and devoted service to the country's needs. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 This Commercial Club disavows and condemns with disapprobation equally strong the circulated falsehoods of "Mormon" interference in State or National politics. The "Mormon" people exercise their political rights and preferences in common with their fellow-citizens who are not of their faith; and this Club unhesitatingly affirms that the stories alleging "Mormon" control of political parties in this State or elsewhere are but myths and fables, without even the merit of apparent consistency to excuse their periodical retelling. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 (Sgd.) Lester D. Freed, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 President Commercial Club, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 H. N. Byrne C. B. Hawley A. N. McKay Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 H. M. Chamberlain J. C. Howard C. W. Nibley Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 Joseph Decker S. R. Inch F. C. Schramm Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 Lester D. Freed Jas. Ingebretsen M. H. Sowles Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 R. C. Gemmell D. Carlos Kimball Charles Tyng Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 (Board of Governors) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.6 Mr. President, I protest against the libelous press matter that has been published throughout the country, that the blatantly heralded announcement of the falsehoods an English writer of fiction has come here to tell. The Church has nothing to conceal. I want the people of the United States to know that as far as polygamy is concerned it is dead, and scandal mongers in the future must find some other hobby to ride. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 All I ask is that the "Mormon" Church and its adherents be judged by the fruit of the tree. No one can examine the record made by that people during the World War without coming to the conclusion that no more loyal people live on this earth. No call was made upon them without an immediate response, and not only for the amount asked for but for nearly double the amount in most every case. They not only furnished their quota of soldiers but in some of the calls 100 and 200 per cent more. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 Mr. President, I would not have taken the time of the Senate to make this short statement if it had not been requested of me. I will say: The signers of the statement of refutation are at least three-fourths non-members of the "Mormon" Church, and they are the leading business men of the State. It seems to me that the people of this country ought now to understand the true situation and if the "New York World" or the "New York American" desires to learn the truth about the "Mormon" people, I will gladly pay all expenses of a representative of either paper, if it desired to make an honest investigation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 I am a Senator of the United States. I represent all the people of Utah and not any Church as such. I have never felt called upon to defend the "Mormon" Church against false attacks, because I felt that sooner or later the truth would be understood by all the people. I am not making this statement as a representative of the "Mormon" Church but as a United States Senator. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 The "Mormon" Church has been foully misrepresented from many sources in the past. I confidently look forward to the day when the "Mormon" people will be known as they are and not as represented. BY SENATOR ASHURST, OF ARIZONA. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 Mr. Ashurst. Mr. President, I am very glad that the Senator from Utah [Mr. Smoot] has spoken as he has. It was time for such a speech. A matchless maker of epigrams said that when "once a lie or a counterfeit statement gets into circulation it is well-nigh impossible to overtake it," and therefore I believe the Senator has done a service to his country in exposing this infamous slander, which has been published broadcast against so many worthy people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 When I read the article, I felt offended because there are in Arizona a large number of "Mormon" people, or people who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and I would be false to that principle of fair play for which I have always pretended that I stood if I failed at this time to say a word on the subject. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 It may be true that I do not understand fully the theology of the "Mormon" Church; but, Mr. President, the first church I ever attended was a "Mormon" Church. When there was no other church within 100 miles of the lonely frontier cabin where my parents lived, we found solace and comfort in attending the "Mormon" Church situated 9 miles distant. Our nearest--in fact, our only--neighbors for years were the "Mormon" people. Better neighbors no pioneer ever had. I am proud of the "Mormon" people. I am proud of the friendship that I have for them, and that I believe they have for me; and while, as I said before, I do not completely understand their theology, I am able to say here, in the Senate of the United States, that their church has elevated many intellects and purified many hearts in my State. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.7 As pioneers in a new country, the "Mormons" are unrivaled. They are sober, industrious, frugal, honest. They are pre-eminently state builders; and today, if called upon to name a people who could most expeditiously transform a desert of swirling and heated sands into splendid fields and farms, I would unhesitatingly choose the "Mormon" people. In many places where once cacti lifted their thorny arms into the brazen and heated air, "Mormon" industry has reared temples, hospitals, homes, factories, and schools. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 Moreover, I never saw a "Mormon" I. W. W.; but I have, at some county courthouses in my State, heard disgruntled, lazy, and indolent men who did not belong to the "Mormon" Church, sit on the steps of the courthouse and curse the Government and curse the President, while "Mormon" citizens were going into the same county courthouse to pay taxes without complaint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 Mr. Owen. Mr. President-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 Mr. Ashurst. I yield for a question. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 Mr. Owen. I should like to ask the Senator if it is not a tenet of the "Mormons" to teach and preach industry and thrift? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 Mr. Ashurst. I am able to state that industry and thrift are amongst the foundation stones of the "Mormon" Church. Absolute and unquestioned obedience to law is a tenet of the "Mormon" Church. Respect for authority is one of the tenets of the "Mormon" Church. We need more of such people in these perilous times of the Republic; and again I would be false to every principle of justice and to every sentiment of gratitude if I failed to state at this time that when savage Indians galloped along by our pioneer homes, burning and murdering, plundering and scalping as they went, it was to the "Mormon" people that my defenseless but heroic parents went for refuge and defense. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 So, Mr. President, I say the Senator from Utah has done well in "scotching" this falsehood, which has been given such wide circulation. I believe the American people are coming at last fully to understand the "Mormon" people. Their temples, schools, fields, homes, industry, frugality, their morality and their patriotism testify for them in more eloquent terms than the Senator or I could speak. Then, again, observe their Representatives in the House and in the Senate. Look at the high class of public servants they send here. I ask that the "Mormons" be judged as a people, judged as a religion, as the Senator says, by their fruits; and if they be judged by their fruits the verdict of the world will be in their favor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 It seems to me that the time should be welcomed in America when men shall not further be assailed because of their religion or lack of religion. Men ought not further to be assailed or discriminated against because of their particular view of how to follow the Master. America was built up, and one of the reasons why the migrations came from the old countries to these shores was that our ancestors desired to find a place to build free and strong states where such ignoble sentiments as bigotry could not survive. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 Mr. President, I do not forget that this splendid domain of Arizona, one of the imperial states of this Union, came into being largely through the brave exploits of the "Mormon" people. When General Stephen Kearny was beleaguered near San Diego during the Mexican War, and it seemed as if the Mexicans were going to capture and annihilate him and his entire command, it was the "Mormon" battalion that marched all the long way from Iowa into Tucson, Arizona, and occupied in Mexican territory a domain we now know as the Gadsden Purchase, which was purchased by our Government in 1854. When the commanding officer, Lieut. Colossians St. George Cooke, entered the Mexican town of Tucson and raised the American flag, he issued a pronunciamento, and I wish the German outragers had read that document before they invaded Belgium. The lieutenant colonel entering the city of Tucson, nearly 1,500 miles from civilization, said in his manifesto to the people of Mexico: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 "We do not war upon civilians. We make war against men in uniform only. The property of individuals will be held sacred. All civil rights will be upheld. Those who obey the law and conform to order will be protected." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.8 The command remained there some days to refresh itself and then marched on to the relief of General Kearny, who, as I said, was beleaguered and surrounded near San Diego. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 So, Mr. President, the "Mormon" people, as pioneers, as state-builders, as statesmen, as people of industry and patriotism, in every department of life, compare well and favorably with the general mass of their fellow citizens. This much I feel I should have said; more than that I need not say. BY SENATOR THOMAS, OF COLORADO. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 Mr. Thomas. Mr. President, I am not and never have been a communicant of any church, and if I live to be as old again as I am now, I would not change. In my youth I was greatly impressed with a remark of Gibbon, that "all religions are to the vulgar equally true, to the philosopher equally false, and to the statesman equally useful," and the experience of mature years has served to deepen the impression. I have never been able to reconcile the tenets and doctrines of all religious faiths with that spirit of persecution and fanaticism they develop toward each other, and which has so many times culminated in destructive and decimating wars. I believe in religious toleration, without any conditions whatever, except those required by the tenets of morality and of law and order. Hence I have remained aloof from identification with any faith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 Up to this time I have never found occasion to publicly defend the "Mormon" people, because it has not seemed necessary; but I can not allow the occasion to pass without paying tribute to their morality and usefulness, not only to their own communities, but as exemplars to the whole country in perilous times like these. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 Mr. President, when respect for the law is the exception and not the rule, when the different forces of society are so antagonistic that the political structure is menaced with danger, it is refreshing to note that the adherents of this faith have at all times been the advocates and the exponents of peace, of justice, of law, and of order; and however just the criticisms aimed against former institutions, the fact remains, as established by more than half a century of practice, that the communities professing the "Mormon" faith are among the best and highest exemplars of American citizenship. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 During the war there was much disloyalty in America. Scarcely any commonwealth was entirely free from it. During the war resistance to the draft occasionally punctuated our dispatches, and the expression of toleration or friendliness to the enemy was one of the commonest of occurrences. But during that critical period upon no occasion which I can remember did the people of Utah, "Mormon" and Gentile, fail to whole-heartedly, loyally, and enthusiastically respond to every call made by the Government for soldiers or for money. Not in a single instance did this people falter. Their splendid youth were given freely to our armies, and the blood of their boys sanctifies the soil of every battle field in France. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 Every loan drive was responded to, not by the quota, but far beyond it, and in everything that contributed to good citizenship, to patriotism, to loyalty, and to love of country, these people were ever conspicuous; and it is due to them, as one of the representatives from a neighboring state wherein many of these people are located, and are among our best citizens, that I should say so. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 We have not many "Mormons" in the State of Colorado. Some years ago a settlement was established in what is known as the San Luis Valley. It has grown, it has flourished, it is prosperous. Its people are law-abiding, they are industrious, they are hard working, they pay their debts, they obey and support the authorities. Bolshevism, anarchism, and socialism are foreign to the atmosphere of that community. They can not take root in such a soil. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.9 These people are today, therefore, one of the pillars of the social, economic, and political systems of the country, whose removal might imperil the entire structure of our social, economic, and political life. Their faith I am not concerned with; their character and their achievements are a credit to them and an incalculable benefit to the country. BY SENATOR HENDERSON, OF NEVADA. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.10 Mr. Henderson. Mr. President, I wish to express my approval of and join in all that has been said by the senior Senator from Colorado [Mr. Thomas] relative to those of the "Mormon" faith. We have in eastern Nevada a number of "Mormon" settlements. I have visited a number of them. I wish to say that there are no better citizens in the country than those of that faith. In one community that I know of, established over 40 years ago, there has never been a jail. I believe that is true of the others. These people never have any use for jails. Where they go, law and order prevail, and thrift and economy are taught and practiced. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.10 Mr. President, the record of the "Mormon" people, throughout the war has been without a blemish. Their sons were amongst the first to enlist and their quota was quickly filled. They oversubscribed their proportion of Liberty bonds. Their patriotism has been of the highest order and without question. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.10 There is much that can be said in their favor, Mr. President, but I shall not detain the Senate longer, as there are some Senators waiting to address the Senate on the proposed reservation to article 10. I am glad, however, of the opportunity to express my disapproval of the attack directed against the "Mormons" referred to by the Senator from Utah [Mr. Smoot]. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.10 I thank the Lord that these Senators can truthfully pay such tributes to our people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.10 I wish to lift my voice and to warn every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against the destruction of the property of any man, of any corporation or of any city in these United States of America. LATTER-DAY SAINTS WORK AGAINST DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.10 Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable, it is a positive good in the world; that some should be rich shows that others may become rich and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built."--Abraham Lincoln. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.10 There is an evil rampant, at the present time, among some who are teaching that it is justifiable to destroy property, and even to destroy life in trying to accomplish their purposes, and I desire to lift my voice, with all the ability and with all the power with which God has endowed me, against anything of this kind. I have been criticized and letters have been written to me by professed Latter-day Saints, finding fault with my remarks at the last conference, about upholding the law; and the only answer that I desire to give to these criticisms, as I have not taken the time to answer the letters, is to read again the identical words that I delivered when I stood here before you six months ago. They were not premeditated or thought out and I have concluded that I could not do any better than to read them, word for word, and say they are my sentiments today: MUST RESPECT RIGHTS OF OTHERS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.11 As Latter-day Saints we have what is known as The Articles of Faith, and one of them reads: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law," and no Latter-day Saint can in very deed be a Latter-day Saints if he does not honor and sustain and uphold the law. Nearly all over the world, at the present time there is a spirit of lawlessness, a spirit of ridicule, and a lack of respect for the men who hold positions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.11 I want to say that I am perfectly willing that men shall join labor unions, that they shall band together for the purpose of protecting their rights, provided they do not interfere with the rights of other people. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness belong to all people in the United States, according to the laws of our country, and should, upon all the face of the earth; and I say that, to my mind, a provision in a labor union is all wrong that favors boycotting and the laying down of tools or the quitting of employment because a non-union man obtains employment while exercising his God-given right to stay out of a union. Men who have that kind of a rule have a rule that is in direct opposition to the laws of God. There was a battle fought in heaven--for what? To give to man his individual liberty. An attempt to take the agency of man away is made when he does not see fit to join a union, and when men in that union, without any complaint or grievance, strike because a non-union man is employed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.11 Now, I'd better not say any more, perhaps, on this question, or I may offend somebody, I may hurt somebody's feelings; but it is the God-given right of men to earn their livelihood. The Savior said it was the first great law or commandment to love the Lord with all our hearts, and that the second was like unto it, to love thy neighbor as thyself. That is the doctrine for every. true Latter-day Saint. How much love is there in starving your neighbor because he will not surrender his manhood and his individuality, and allow a labor union to direct his labor? Mighty little love, mighty little of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in any such a rule! I hope to see the day when no Latter-day Saint will join a union unless the union eliminate that clause from its rules. I am not going to ask them to leave their union. I am not going to lay it down that they must, that it is the mind and the will of the Lord for them to leave a union. I want, as I said here two weeks ago, to give every man his free agency, to give every man the right to act as he thinks proper, but I cannot see how a Latter-day Saint who is a member of such a union can get down on his knees and pray for God to inspire and bless him, to bless the Saints and to protect them and then be a party to allowing one of his own brethren to go, year after year, without employment, because that brother will not surrender his manhood and join a union with him. There is none of the Spirit of the Lord in, that, to my mind. That is exactly the way I see it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.11 I desire, as stated, to emphasize and re-emphasize those statements delivered here six months ago. I believe that it is the absolute right of men to combine together for their protection, for their advancement, for their welfare in unions, but as stated here, I deprecate the idea of their undertaking to dictate to those who will not join them. I believe this is all I desire to say upon that subject. PROGRESS IN THE MISSIONS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.12 Since we last met here, it has fallen to my lot to hold meetings in the Central States Mission, in the Eastern States Mission, in the Canadian Mission, and three times in various parts of the California Mission. It has fallen to my lot to visit the capital of our Union and to hold a meeting there. It has fallen to my lot to visit some of the stakes of Zion, especially two in Arizona, the Maricopa and the St. Joseph stakes, and to hold a meeting in the capital of Arizona. I wish say that I rejoice in the wonderful change of sentiment regarding the Latter-day Saints that has come to people wherever I have met with them during the past six months. In addition to these visits I have had the privilege of visiting the Hawaiian Islands, with some of the brethren of the general authorities, and of dedicating there to the Lord one more temple for holy ordinances for the salvation of the dead. And I want to bear witness to the Latter-day Saints that there was, with our small party on that trip to the Hawaiian Islands, in the dedication of that temple, in the various services that were held there, lasting for a number of days, the inspiration of the Lord God Almighty, and that we were blessed abundantly, beyond our power to tell. There is something that no mortal tongue can tell, when an individual realizes and knows that while proclaiming the gospel of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ he has been blessed by the inspiration of the Lord; and that was our experience in dedicating another temple to the Lord in that far-off land. The Hawaiian people have a dark skin, but their hearts are white, their loyalty to God is perfect, and the Lord Almighty has abundantly blessed many of that people by giving to them an absolute knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. RESPECT GROWING FOR OUR CHURCH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.12 I am thankful that wherever I have traveled during the past six months I have found a feeling of respect, a feeling of love in the hearts of many for the Latter-day Saints, in the hearts of those not of our faith. I heard many very splendid compliments while in Washington by members of the president's cabinet, by senators and representatives, and by officials of the government in the Federal Reserve banking departments, and in others, wherever I went, and with all the people that I met, bankers in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and other cities, I heard good things said of the Latter-day Saints; we are coming into our own, so to speak. Our character is becoming known, and no longer can men lie about the Latter-day Saints, or women either, and get away with the lies with the great majority of the people in our country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.13 While our reputation has been bad, this reputation has come to us, how? Because of the lies, as a rule, by men who have been excommunicated from this Church. No loyal, patriotic American citizen wants the people of our country to be judged by the Benedict Arnolds that the country has produced; but the men of America desire that our country shall be judged by its achievements, by the men who have been loyal to that God-inspired instrument, the Constitution of our country. All we ask of any people upon the face of the earth is that they shall judge the Latter-day Saints by Joseph Smith, the prophet of the living God, by the record that he made in the few short years that he stood at the head of the Church. The Church was organized in 1830, 90 years ago, and he presided over it for only 14 years. The accomplishments of those 14 years under his administration, what he did, and what he left to the Church in the wonderful revelations that he gave to us, in the translating of the Book of Mormon, that sacred Scripture of the forefathers of the American Indian, and the wonderful labors that he performed, these stand as a monument stamping him, in very deed, a prophet of the living God. No man without the inspiration of God, in 14 short years, could have accomplished what Joseph Smith did; could have laid the foundation of this great work to which you and I belong. And as the years come and go, men are beginning to recognize the greatness of the labor he performed. MAKE SACRIFICES FOR GOSPEL. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.13 I remember as a boy that I borrowed a book from the Thirteenth ward Sunday School library; it was on the evidences of Christianity by Dr. Paley, and I remember among other things, in that book, that he stated that the strongest evidence of the divine mission of the Savior of the world was the absolute loyalty of those who embraced Christianity, and their willingness to lay down their lives, if need be, for the testimony that they possessed of the divine mission of the Savior. I remember thinking as a boy: If that is the strongest evidence, of men being willing to lay down their lives and to voluntarily make sacrifices and to stand up under persecution, then that same identical evidence applies to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Latter-day Saints were driven from city to city, county to county, state to state, and finally beyond the confines of the United States to the Rocky Mountains, then Mexican territory. They could have had immunity, they could have dwelt in peace, had they renounced their faith; but our fathers and our mothers had received the witness of the Holy Spirit and they knew that Jesus was the Savior, they knew that Joseph Smith was in very deed a prophet of God. The Lord Almighty had implanted in their hearts a knowledge that God did, one hundred years ago this spring, appear to a boy; that he did speak to that boy; and that when the boy asked of our Father in Heaven, "Which of all the religious denominations in the world is the true Church of Christ?" in answer to that question our God and our Father pointed to the Savior of the world and said: "This is my beloved Son, hear Him." The Savior of the world told that boy to join none of the sects, that they had all gone astray, that they were teaching for doctrine the ideas and the commandments of men, and that they did not have the true Church of Christ. When that boy returned from that wonderful and marvelous vision, the greatest event in all the history of the world, excepting only the birth and death of the Savior, his mother saw that there was something strange about his appearance and asked him some questions; and he simply answered, m substance, and said to his mother (who was a Presbyterian): "Mother, there is one thing I know now, and that is that the Presbyterian church is not the Church of Christ." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.13 When he related his vision to ministers and others the boy was ridiculed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.14 Three years later an angel of God appeared and told him there was buried in the hill Cumorah some golden plates containing a record, a sacred record of the forefathers of the American Indian, and that he should be the instrument in the hands of God of translating those plates. The angel gave him many wonderful instructions and quoted much Scripture to him; then disappeared. He returned and repeated his instructions and disappeared. He returned again and repeated those instructions, the three visitations occupying the entire night. The next day when that boy went to his work in the field with his father, having had no rest during the night, his father saw that he was not feeling well and told him to go home; and as he was climbing a fence he fainted, but he was aroused from his faint by the voice of the messenger who for the fourth time repeated all that he had said during the previous night, and told him to go back to his father and tell his father all that he had heard and seen. This he did, and the boy's father answered: "This is of God. Listen to the teachings of the angel." The boy visited the hill Cumorah; he saw the plates and was instructed by the messenger to come there once a year for four years, to be instructed by that angel of God, regarding the great and marvelous work that was to come forth in the last days. At the end of four years the plated containing the record were delivered to him by the angel Moroni. He translated those plates, and the translation is the Book of Mormon. VAST MULTITUDE HAVE TESTIMONY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.14 O but, says one, I don't believe a word of it. There are thousands, there are tens of thousands of men and women, from the midnight sun country in Scandinavia to South Africa, all over Europe, from Canada to South America, in every state of the Union of the United States, upon the islands of the Pacific, who stand up and in all humility bear witness before high heaven that God has given to them a knowledge that Joseph Smith did see him, that Joseph Smith did see the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith was visited by angels of God, that he was ordained to the apostleship, that he did in very deed commune with the Savior of the world, that he was a prophet of the living God. All the non-belief, all the lack of faith of all the people in all the world cannot change that fact, if it be a fact, and God has given many of us a knowledge, an absolute knowledge that it is a fact, that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that this Gospel, called by the world "Mormonism," is in very deed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. TESTIMONY OF PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.14 I want to read one of the latest testimonies regarding the divinity of this gospel, given from this stand by our late beloved Prophet, Joseph F. Smith, as to where divine authority exists today: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.15 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no partisan church. It is not a sect. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the only one today existing in the world that can and does legitimately bear the name of Jesus Christ and his divine authority. I make this declaration in all simplicity and honesty before you and before all the world, bitter as the truth may seem to those who are opposed and who have no reason for that opposition. It is nevertheless true and will remain true until he who has a right to rule among the nations of the earth and among the individual children of God throughout the world shall come and take the reins of government and receive the bride that shall be prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.15 Many of our great writers have recently been querying and wondering where the divine authority exists today to command in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, so that it will be in effect and acceptable at the throne of the Eternal Father. I will announce here and now, presumptuous as it may seem to be to those who know not the truth, that the divine authority of Almighty God, to speak in the name of the Father and of the Son, is here in the midst of these everlasting hills, in the midst of this intermountain region, and it will abide and will continue, for God is its source, and God is the power by which it has been maintained against all opposition in the world up to the present, and by which it will continue to progress and grow and increase on the earth until it shall cover the earth from sea to sea. This is my testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, and I have a fulness of joy and of satisfaction in being able to declare this without regard to, or fear of, all the adversaries of the truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.15 We heard sung here three verses of the hymn, "O, say what is truth?" and I request that in the future the choir sing all four verses, and not omit the last. OH, SAY, WHAT IS TRUTH? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.15 O, say, what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gem That the riches of worlds can produce And priceless the value of truth will be, When the proud monarch's costliest diadem Is counted but dross and refuse. Yes, say what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize To which mortals or Gods can aspire: Go search in the depths where it flittering lies. Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies; 'Tis an aim for the noblest desire. The scepter may fall from the despot's grasp, When with winds of stern justice he copes; But the pillar of truth will endure to the last, And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast And the wreck of the fell tyrant's hopes. Then, say, what is truth? 'Tis the last and the first, For the limits of time it steps o'er: Though the heavens depart and the earth's fountains burst, Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst, Eternal, unchanged, evermore. CLOSING TESTIMONY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.16 And I bear witness to you, here today that we have the truth, that God has spoken again, that every gift, every grace, every power, and every endowment that came through the Holy Priesthood of the living God in the days of the Savior, are enjoyed today. God lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. "Mormonism," so called, is in very deed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given me a witness of these things. I know them and I bear that witness to you, in all humility, and I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.16 The choir and congregation sang, "Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah." Three verses were sung and President Heber J. Grant stated that hereafter he would like to have the fourth verse sung by the choir whenever sung in his presence. He then read the last verse of the hymn. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 There is so little time left that we will not impose on anyone of our speakers by asking him to try to concentrate his thoughts and condense his remarks to occupy the few minutes that remain. Perhaps I can overrun the time myself without creating much criticism, so I will take the time and a few minutes beyond. THE "ERA" AND "THE VISION" BY EVAN STEPHENS ENDORSED. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 I hold in my hand the last issue of the Improvement Era. I read it, from cover to cover, before it was printed, when it was in proof sheet form. I am very grateful to the men and women who have written for this number, every article of which refers to the vision given to the Prophet Joseph. The words of the sacred historical cantata entitled "The Vision," written by Professor Evan Stephens, which will be sung here tomorrow night is also recorded in this number. I have requested the Deseret News to print ten thousand extra copies of this issue of the Era. I think that every person who believes in that wonderful vision ought to get this number of the Era. STATISTICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Since our last General Conference the following changes have occurred in stakes, wards and missions. NEW MISSIONS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Danish mission, Carl E. Peterson, president. Norwegian mission, Andrew S. Schow, president. Chihuahua mission, Joseph C. Bentley, president. NEW WARDS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Lost River ward, Lost River stake; Colonia Chuichupa ward, Juarez stake; Rigby Second ward, Rigby stake; Lehi Fifth ward, Alpine stake; Starrh's Ferry ward, Burley stake; Jackson ward, Burley stake; Stockton ward, Tooele stake; Mountain Home branch, Woodruff stake; Thatcher West ward, St. Joseph stake; Clay's Springs branch, Snowflake stake; West Tintic branch, Tintic stake; Nibley ward, Hyrum stake. NEW PRESIDENTS OF STAKES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Parowan stake, Henry W. Lunt, president; succeeded Wilford Day. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Utah stake, Thomas N. Taylor, president; succeeded Joseph B. Keeler. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Ensign stake, John M. Knight, president; succeeded Richard W. Young. NEW STAKE CLERKS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 St. Johns stake, Dewey Farr; succeeded Levi S. Udall. Granite stake, Milton H. Ross; succeeded Wm. McEwan. STAKE PRESIDENT DIED. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Ensign stake, Richard W. Young. BISHOPS DIED. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Timpanogos ward, Utah stake, Otto J. Poulson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Vineyard ward, Utah stake, William Varley. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.23 Sugarville ward, Deseret stake, Norman Stillwell Anderson. IN MEMORY OF RICHARD W. YOUNG. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 As announced, Richard W. Young, President of the Ensign stake, and a Brigadier General in the United States army, has passed away, by death, since the last conference. He spoke at the overflow meeting in the Assembly Hall, on the afternoon of October 5, 1919, and I desire to read a few words from that address: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 I was just looking over that wonderful poem, "The Seer," Written by President John Taylor, that remarkable, splendid father of President Frank Y. Taylor who is here today. I find written there, concerning the Prophet Joseph, that Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 "He shared their joys, their sorrows too, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 He loved the Saints, he loved Nauvoo." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 I have been away from this people long enough to develop a strong love for the Saints of God; the good people, who make up the congregations of the Church are the dearest people in all the world to you and me. There is no experience that touches my heart more deeply than the sight of the face of a good old brother or sister whom I have known, and known to be faithful for many years. I share their joys and their sorrows too. I deeply love the Saints and their association, and am proud of being a member the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 I was thinking during the noon hour how much reason we all have to be proud of the record of the Church. When you stop to think about it, you must conclude that this Church has been right throughout its whole history upon all of the important moral questions that have affected our welfare. In the nature of things there is not within the United States a people more patriotic than the Latter-day Saints. I know of no sect that assumes the position that the constitution of the United States was written as it were by the very finger of God. Surely that belief is an inspiration to the highest patriotism. You remember reading in the history of the Church that this people were accused in Missouri of being opposed to slavery. In that slave-holding state such an attitude became one of the reasons of our persecution and drivings. You remember that the first message that flashed across the completed telegraph line from here to the Atlantic ocean was a message of congratulation from Brigham Young to Abraham Lincoln that the Union was preserved or was in the way of preservation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 President Grant spoke this morning of the attitude of the Navajo Indians toward the "Mormons." They had confidence in the "Mormon" people because the "Mormon" people had never abused their confidence. Books have been written, one book that I remember in particular, called "A Century of Dishonor," an indictment covering hundreds of pages against the American people for treatment of the American Indians. But no indictment had ever been framed, or would be formulated against the "Mormon" people for their attitude or treatment of the aborigines of this continent. We have always treated them fairly and squarely, as of course they should have been treated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 We have stood square upon women's suffrage. We were among the very first--the second, as I now recall it--of the states to give what should have been given years before, the right of equal suffrage to the women, now recognized not only in this country but throughout the world as a long delayed measure of justice. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 We have stood fairly and squarely upon the prohibition question throughout the Church. IN MEMORY OF OSBORNE J. P. WIDTSOE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.24 Since our last conference, one of our greatest educators has passed away, Osborne J. P. Widtsoe. One of the splendid articles in this April number of the Improvement Era was from the pen of our departed brother, and I will read the last paragraph or two: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.25 But while it is well it is not enough. Steadily to maintain the narrow way throughout the generations, there must needs be communion with the director of all. Where there is no revelation, the people perish; they wander from paths of rectitude; they deny even that which has given them life. This, then, is the sum of all: Not alone because the doctrines revealed through Joseph the Prophet spurs the energies of man to work, and to know, and to do; nor yet alone because it is based on the law of association, will it thrive and prosper; but because there is added hereto the still more basic principle of faith in God and his power to guide man by continued revelation--as times and seasons and countries shall require--will ultimate triumph be achieved. The far-reaching extent of the work of the Prophet Joseph Smith cannot be declared; the monument he has erected to his memory cannot be measured. But this much is certain: It is as natural as that the rising sun shall appear in the east to spread its glory gradually over the world, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should prosper and progress to come ultimately to inherit the earth. THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.25 Richard W. Young offered his life twice, by volunteering in the service of his country, going once to the Philippine Islands, and once to France. Osborne Widtsoe gave his life to the service of the Church and for the uplift, educationally, of the people. The lives of these two noble men stand as a testimony to the divinity of this work. No more upright clean men ever drew the breath of life. We thank God for the record that they have left and pray God to bless and comfort their families and to assist them to walk in that straight and narrow path in which their fathers walked. May God's comforting influence be and abide with them and with all those who have been called upon to mourn, since we were last here, is my prayer and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.165 The Government of the United States is endeavoring to the very best of its ability to encourage the people to be thrifty and to save. It is trying to overcome the wave of extravagance that at present seems to be sweeping over the country, notwithstanding the high cost of living. IN THE INTEREST OF ECONOMY, NO LARGE PARTY WILL BE TAKEN TO THE SACRED GROVE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.166 We desire to announce that the Church authorities are in full accord with this campaign of the Government in favor of thrift. In view of the present conditions and of the marvelous and wonderful rendition of the "Vision" last night in this building, the cantata by Professor Evan Stephens, it has been deemed wise--in view of the immense amount that it would cost to carry a large number of people, probably a thousand, judging from the many applications that have come to us--not to take a large party to the Sacred Grove. We feel it would be an expense that ought to be avoided; and therefore only a small company, if any company at all, will visit that sacred spot. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.166 We had here last night the most magnificent audience that has ever been in this building for any entertainment of any kind or description. The receipts were larger, although the admission was only 50 cents, than when we have had the world-renowned artists of the country here, charging $2 and $3 admission. Hundreds, yes more than a thousand, I am sure, were turned away last evening. THE "VISION," BY STEPHENS, TO BE REPEATED IN JUNE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.166 We expect to repeat "The Vision" again during the June conference, and to make that occasion as memorable as this conference. We believe that more good will come from this conference and from the June conference than by having an excursion to the Sacred Grove. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.168 I want to indorse with all my heart the very wonderful testimonies that have been borne here. I want to say that there has been a response in my heart to these marvelous testimonies. I want to pay my tribute of respect to the splendid audience that was here last night and to the wonderful rendition of the "Vision" by the choir. I desire to thank Professor Stephens and each and every one of those who took part in that very remarkable rendition, and to pray God to bless them and inspire them, that when it is repeated the same wonderful spirit may be with them. I am grateful for the splendid speech that was made here last night upon the "Vision," brief, but to the point, by Elder Melvin J. Ballard. I pray that the spirit and inspiration of the living God may accompany each and every one of the Latter-day Saints to their homes. It is the spirit that giveth life. I rejoiced in listening to the testimony of our Patriarch whose great grandfather was the father of the Prophet Joseph Smith and of the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, who lost their lives as a testimony for the divinity of this work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.168 My heart was filled when I thought of the missionary labors time and time again of John Henry Smith, as I listened to the wonderful five-minute testimony of his son. They say that "Mormonism" is dying out in the second and the third generations; but "Mormonism" is progressing and growing day by day, year by year. This is no mushroom growth but it is the growth of the sturdy oak. We have in very deed the truth. God lives; Jesus is the Christ; Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and he is a prophet of God. He stands at the head of this dispensation. He did see God, he did receive a message from the Redeemer of the world. We have the truth. May God help us to live it, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.168 We will now sing the hymn, "O My Father." The great majority of this audience I am afraid are not acquainted with the old English tune, by which tune Aunt Eliza R. Snow said she loved to hear her hymn sung, better than any other. The choir will lead us in singing the hymn by that tune. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1920, p.168 I was once asked by Professor John J. McClellan, "Why did you learn 'O My Father' by the old tune instead of the Moody and Sankey tune?" I said: "Because it is all wool and a yard wide and the other is shoddy." He said: "Had you been a musician, you could not have made a better criticism." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 I rejoice again to have the opportunity of meeting with the Latter-day Saints in another general conference. I am very happy to see so many here at this, our opening session. I desire with all my heart that all that I may say during this conference, and all that is said by my associates who speak to you, shall be inspired of the Lord. I am grateful beyond expression for the rich outpourings of the Spirit of the Lord during our conferences that we have held since it fell to my lot to preside over the Church. I am free to confess that I approached our June conference, and the other conferences that have been held here since my presidency; with fear and trembling. When I thought of the wonderful blessings of the Lord in the past at our general conferences and the inspiration to Brigham Young and those who have succeeded him, I desired with all my heart that there should be no falling off in the inspiration of the Lord to those who might address us, and earnestly supplicated him to this effect. And I am indeed grateful for the blessings that we have enjoyed, and I pray that that same blessing, that same rich outpouring of his Spirit may be given to all who shall speak to us during the sessions of this conference. A MAGNIFICENT GIFT TO THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 I received a letter last night that was very gratifying to me, and before making any remarks, I will read it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 Salt Lake City, Utah, October 7, 1920. President Heber J. Grant and Council: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 Dear brethren: We desire to give to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints our home on Main and First North streets to be used preferably for the women's building, thus housing the three women's organizations, or for such other purpose as may be deemed best. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 Yours faithfully, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 (Signed) A. W. McCune, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 Elizabeth A. C. McCune. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.2 I remarked to one of the wealthy men of our Church, within the last forty-eight hours: "When you come to pass away don't leave all of your property to your family, but give a portion of it as an endowment for some good cause for the advancement of the work of God." I have always regretted that those who have been abundantly blest of the Lord with the wealth of this world have failed to leave a part of it to some of our charitable institutions or our various organizations. I believe that where a man is worth a half million dollars or even less, if he were to give a tenth or even a quarter of his means for some charitable purpose in this Church, the remainder that he left to his family would do them more good and they would have greater wisdom in handling it and would accomplish more than though all the wealth had been left to the heirs of the departed man or woman, as the case may he. My heart has gone out in gratitude to the late Matilda M. Barratt for building us the splendid building known as the Barratt Hall, in the days of the adversity and financial hardships of our schools. And I pray God to bless Brother and Sister McCune for this magnificent gift, and to multiply their substance. HISTORICAL EVENTS SINCE APRIL LAST Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 Since our last conference the following bishops have passed away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 Bishops Who Have Died Since April Conference Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 Norman S. Anderson, Sugarville ward, Deseret stake; Otto J. Poulson, Timpanogos ward, Utah stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 New Stakes Organized Since April Conference Franklin stake, Samuel W. Parkinson, president; Logan stake, Oliver H. Budge, president; Roosevelt stake, William H. Smart, president; Garfield stake, Charles E. Rowan Jr., president. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 New Stake Clerks Since April Conference Oneida stake, Joseph W. Olson; Cache stake, John C. Peterson; Duchesne stake, LeRoy W. Rust; Franklin stake, Jessie P. Rich; Logan stake, John E. Olson; Roosevelt stake, William H. Gagon; Twin Falls stake, Wilford Johanson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 New Wards Organized Since April Conference Manavu ward, Utah stake, Nephi Anderson, bishop; Lost River ward, Lost River stake, Henry N. Mickelson, bishop; Logan Eleventh ward, Cache stake, Hans A. Pederson, bishop; Manassa Second ward, San Luis stake, Silas S. Weimer, bishop; Roosevelt Second ward, Roosevelt stake, David Bennion, bishop; Star ward, Burley stake, Alma C. Tilley, bishop; Payson Third ward, Nebo stake, Leonard A. Hill, bishop; Rupert Second ward, Blaine stake, Richard T. Astle, bishop. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 Mission Changes (Called But Not Yet in the Field) Australian mission, Don C. Rushton, president; New Zealand mission, George F. Taylor, president; Swiss mission, Serge F. Ballif, president. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 THE SPIRIT OF HELPFULNESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 This morning, after coming to my office, I happened to see lying upon my desk the first volume of what is known as Heart Throbs. I had brought it from my home to have a couple of poems copied, several days ago, and as I looked at the book I remembered a poem in it that I decided to read here today: "I shall not pass again this way," is the title. Preceding the poem is the following note: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.3 (For several years before his death, Mr. Daniel S. Ford, the proprietor, editor and builder of the "Youth's Companion," because of delicate health, did his work and managed his mammoth business from a little room in his home in one of the beautiful parks of Boston. When loving hands cleared the plain, but convenient desk, there was found, in a conspicuous place, much worn with frequent handling, the following poem. If the poet had intended to describe Mr. Ford's daily words and actions, he could not have done so in more appropriate language.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 The bread that bringeth strength I want to give, The water pure that bids the thirsty live; I want to help the fainting day by day; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. I want to give the oil of joy for tears, The faith to conquer crowding doubts and fears. Beauty for ashes may I give alway; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. I want to give good measure running o'er, And into angry hearts I want to pour The answer soft that turneth wrath away; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. I want to give to others hope and faith, I want to do all that the Master saith; I want to live aright from day to day; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 I feel that every Latter-day Saint ought to have the same desire as Mr. Ford found expressed in this very beautiful poem. I am sure I have it in my heart this very day, as I stand before you. I feel, as expressed in the Psalms: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -- 139:23, 24. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. -- 19:9, 10. PAINED OVER POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL DIFFERENCES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 In speaking to a few friends the other day I made some remarks and as my secretary happened to be present to take notes, I decided to read what I said on that occasion: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 "I am anxious to see the Latter-day Saints devoted to the work of God above everything else in the world; and I have never been so pained in my life as I have been during the past few months over the conditions -- political, financial, and otherwise -- that we find among among the people. The spirit of bitterness that seems to exist in the hearts of some true, faithful and honest Latter-day Saints, because of their difference of ideas and opinions on business matters and political matters is very painful to me. I do hope and pray, with all my heart, that the Spirit of the Lord may come to the Latter-day Saints in great abundance; that this spirit of almost hatred and animosity, that seems to be existing today among the, people may disappear." THE LORD'S DEMAND Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 In section 64:8-13, D&C, we find the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.4 My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another, and forgave not one another in their hearts, and for this evil they were afflicted, and sorely chastened: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 Wherefore I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another, for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses, standeth condemned be fore the Lord, for there remaineth in him the greater sin. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 And ye ought to say in your hearts, let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 And he that repenteth not of his sins, and confesseth them not, then ye shall bring him before the Church, and do with him as the Scripture saith unto you, either by commandment or by revelation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 And this ye shall do that God may be glorified, not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the law, that ye may not offend him who is your Lawgiver. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 And in section 121:45, 46, we read: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy sceptre an unchanging sceptre of righteousness and truth, and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee for ever and ever. ILLUSTRATION FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 I have a very wonderful respect and regard for this quotation from page 240 of the D&C. Some years ago a prominent man was excommunicated from the Church. He, years later, pleaded for baptism. President John Taylor referred the question of his baptism to the apostles, stating that if they unanimously consented to his baptism, he could be baptized, but that if there was one dissenting vote, he should not be admitted into the Church. As I remember the vote, it was five for baptism and seven against. A year or so later the question came up again and it was eight for baptism and four against. Later it came up again and it was ten for baptism and two against. Finally all of the Council of the Apostles, with the exception of your humble servant, consented that this man be baptized and I was then next to the junior member of the quorum. Later I was in the office of the president and he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 "Heber, I understand that eleven of the apostles have consented to the baptism of Brother So and So," naming the man, "and that you alone are standing out. How will you feel when you get on the other side and you find that this man has pleaded for baptism and you find that you have perhaps kept him out from entering in with those who have repented of their sins and received some reward?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.5 I said, "President John Taylor, I can look the Lord squarely in the eye, if he asks me that question, and tell him that I did that which I thought was for the best good of the kingdom. When a man holding the holy Priesthood of God goes forth to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, to call the wicked to. repentance; goes to proclaim that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that the gospel has been restored again to the earth, and that man in the mission home of the Church of Christ commits adultery, I can tell the Lord that he had disgraced this Church enough, and that I did not propose to let any such a man come back into the Church." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.6 "Well," said President Taylor, "my boy, that is all right, stay with your convictions, stay right with them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.6 I said, "President Taylor, your letter said you wanted each one of the apostles to vote the convictions of his heart. If you desire me to surrender the convictions of my heart, I will gladly do it; I will gladly vote for this man to come back, but while I live I never expect to consent, if it is left to my judgment. That man was accused before the apostles several years ago and he stood up and lied and claimed that he was innocent, and the Lord gave to me a testimony that he lied, but I could not condemn him because of that. I got down on my knees that night and prayed God to give me the strength not to expose that man, seeing that he had lied but that we had no evidence, except only the testimony of the girl that he had seduced. And I prayed the Lord that some day additional testimony might come, and it did come, and we then excommunicated him. And when a man can lie to the apostles, and when he can be guilty while proclaiming repentance of sin, I think this Church has been disgraced enough without ever letting him come back into the Church." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.6 "Well," repeated President Taylor, "my boy, don't you vote as long as you live, while you hold those ideas, stay right with them." A CHANGE OF HEART--THE SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.6 I left the president's office. I went home. My lunch was not ready. I was reading the D&C through for the third or fourth time systematically, and I had my bookmark in it, but as I picked it up, instead of opening where the bookmark was, it opened to: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.6 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men; but he that forgiveth not his brother standeth condemned before the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.6 And I closed the book and said: "If the devil applies for baptism, and claims that he has repented, I will baptize him." After lunch I returned to the office of President Taylor and I said, "President Taylor, I have had a change of heart. One hour ago I said, never while I live, did I expect to ever consent that Brother So and So should be baptized, but I have come to tell you he can be baptized, so far as I am concerned." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.6 President Taylor had a habit, when he was particularly pleased, of sitting up and laughing and shaking his whole body, and he laughed and said, "My boy, the change is very sudden, very sudden. I want to ask you a question. How did you feel when you left here an hour ago? Did you feel like you wanted to hit that man right squarely between the eyes and knock him down?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 I said, "That is just the way I felt." He said, "How do you feel now?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 "Well, to tell you the truth, President Taylor, I hope the Lord will forgive the sinner." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 He said, "You feel happy, don't you, in comparison. You had the spirit of anger, you had the spirit of bitterness in your heart toward that man, because of his sin and because of the disgrace he had brought upon the Church. And now you have the spirit of forgiveness and you really feel happy, don't you?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 And I said, "Yes I do; I felt mean and hateful and now I feel happy." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 And he said: "Do you know why I wrote that letter?" I said: "No, sir." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 "Well I wrote it, just so you and some of the younger members of the apostles would learn the lesson that forgiveness is in advance of justice, where there is repentance, and that to have in your heart the spirit of forgiveness and to eliminate from your hearts the spirit of hatred and bitterness, brings peace and joy; that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy, peace and happiness to every soul that lives it and follows its teachings." LOVE AND FORGIVENESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 And so he went on. I cannot remember all of the teachings, but he continued in this way, telling me that he could never have given me that experience, that he could not give to me a testimony of the gospel; that I must receive that testimony for myself; that I must have the right spirit come into my heart and feel it -- the spirit of forgiveness, the spirit of long-suffering and charity -- before there would any good come to me as an individual; that by simply surrendering my will to his, and voting to baptize this man, I would never have learned the lesson that the spirit of joy and peace comes in the hour of forgiveness, and when our hearts are full of charity and long-suffering to those who have made mistakes. From that day to this I have remembered those teachings. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 The Prophet of the Lord said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 My boy, never forget that when you are in the line of your duty your heart will be full of love and forgiveness, even for the repentant sinner, and that when you get out of that straight line of duty and have the determination that what you think is justice and what you think is equity and right should prevail, you ofttimes are anything but happy. You can know the difference between the Spirit of the Lord and the spirit of the adversary, when you find that you are happy and contented, that you love your fellows, that you are anxious for their welfare; and you can tell that you do not have that spirit when you are full of animosity and feel that you would like to knock somebody down. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 I am reminded of one of the finest chapters in all the Bible (One- Corinthians 13): Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.7 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Charity, suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Many people imagine that charity is giving a dollar to somebody; but real, genuine charity is giving love and sympathy, and that is the kind of charity that the apostle had reference to in this 13th chapter of First Corinthians. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 I remember that after that teaching given to me as a young man, as a boy, almost, by the President of the Church. I read this chapter about once a week for quite a while, then once a month for several months. I thought I needed it in my business, so to speak; that it was one of the things that were necessary for my advancement. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 I remember that a year ago, here at the conference, I read a very splendid and wonderful song, the half of the first verse of which reads as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Let each man learn to know himself, To gain that knowledge let him labor, Improve those failings in himself That he condemns so in his neighbor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 The whole poem was published in the conference pamphlet. I quoted it some weeks ago, and was asked where one could get a copy, and again last Sunday, when I told some people that they could read it in next Saturday night's News. So I shall not take up your time by quoting the whole poem. I also quoted the four short verses from our hymn on page 66, a part of which reads as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.8 Should you feel inclined to censure Faults you may in others view, Ask your own heart, ere you venture, If that has not failings too. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.9 I had not the slightest idea when I quoted these poems, that I would desire to quote from them again today; but in view of the condemnation and the spirit, almost, of animosity, and hate that seems to be manifested by some people among the Latter-day Saints, at the present time, regarding business and political affairs, I desire to emphasize, with all the power of my being, the last verse of that little hymn, on page 66: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.9 Do not form opinions blindly, Hastiness to trouble tends, Those of whom we thought unkindly Oft become our warmest friends. EVERY MAN INNOCENT UNTIL PROVED GUILTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.9 There are a great many people who believe that if a person is indicted, he is undoubtedly a criminal. There are very few people who stop to reflect upon the fact that when a Grand Jury finds an indictment against any man, it is seldom, if ever, the case that he is permitted to appear before the Grand Jury, or to have a representative there to state his case. The law itself provides -- as I understand it -- although I am not a lawyer -- that every man man shall shall be considered innocent until such time as he is proved guilty; and no man is guilty, in the true sense of the word, of an offense, just because a Grand Jury finds an indictment against him. In criminal cases a man is to be considered innocent unless the evidence against him shall be so conclusive that there is not even a reasonable doubt as to his guilt. Certainly Latter-day Saints ought to be as liberal in their judgments, as the cold law of the land; and certainly every man ought to be considered innocent in the estimation of the Latter-day Saints -- particularly if that man is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has devoted his life for the up-building of God's kingdom until such time as he has what is known as "his day in court." We can afford, I believe, to be as liberal as the cold law itself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.9 I desire to repeat the last verse of that excellent hymn, which I learned thirty-five or forty years ago, when Francis M. Lyman first sang it for me. I wrote it that very night, and learned it the next day. I would like every Latter-day Saint to apply the teachings of this splendid verse in his or her life, and if we do that I believe we will grow in love and charity; that the spirit of peace and happiness, that President Taylor promised me when I entertained the feeling of determination to keep a man out of the Church, and the spirit of joy and peace which came to me, after the change of heart, will come to Latter-day Saints: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.9 And in self-judgment, if you find Your deeds to others are superior, To you has Providence been kind, As you should be to those inferior. Example sheds a genial ray Of light, which men are apt to borrow, So first improve yourself today And then improve your friends tomorrow. REGRETS THAT THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS QUESTION IS IN POLITICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.10 A year ago, at our conference, I expressed sincerely my regrets that bitterness was being engendered in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints, because what was known as the League of Nations had been rejected into politics. I expressed my sincere regrets that this great document should ever have been made a subject for political discussion. I felt that all people in these United States of America should approach the consideration of this great document, independent of party affiliation. I desire to express my regrets that, if anything, it is in politics more today than it was a year ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.10 I sincerely regret that what is known as the "sugar question" has been injected into politics, in this State of Utah. I feel in my heart of hearts that it has engendered bitterness, that it has created a great deal of animosity, and I think it is something that ought to have been eliminated from politics, and that all questions of that kind should be settled by the interested people. I desire, beyond my power to tell, that there shall always be perfect harmony and perfect justice between the farmer and the sugar producer. I desire that all judgments by Latter-day Saints upon the course of men connected with any industry in this state, shall be withheld, at least, until there has been passed a final judgment by a court that has the right to pass upon it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.10 I wish to say to all Latter-day Saints: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.10 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.10 I beg every Latter-day Saint to cultivate the spirit of charity, of long-suffering, and brotherly love. I say to all Latter-day Saints: Keep the commandments of God. That is my keynote speech, just those few words: Keep the commandments of God. Read the psalm that tells you not to fret your soul about the sinner. It is a magnificent psalm to read. I thought some of reading it here to this congregation, but I have read so much that I am, afraid you will get tired of the reading. Keep the commandments of the Lord. Be honest with God. Never fail to pay an honest tithing to the Lord, on every dollar that comes into your hands. "Oh but," says one, "the Church does not need it." You are right; you are correct. The Church does not need it, but the man who has made covenant with the living God to keep his commandments, and then does not keep them, he needs it. A man who is not honest with the Lord should repent and be honest with the Lord, and then the windows of heaven shall open and God will pour down upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints blessings, if they are financially honest with the Lord. Observe the Word of Wisdom. Never indulge in those things that the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, has told us are not good for man. CONCLUSION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.11 I rejoice that we have national prohibition. I rejoice that many, even in our own community, who were wrecks financially, almost wrecks spiritually, because of prohibition and the taking away of temptation, are making men of themselves today. I rejoice that prohibition -- to my mind the greatest financial and moral blessing that has ever come to humanity -- has come to the people of the United States, and I hope and pray that it may soon come to every nation under heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.11 I rejoice that the women have the franchise. I rejoice in all of the great and wonderful advancements that are being made for the benefit of mankind; and I rejoice, above all things, in a knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the true and living God; that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation, has been restored to the earth. I rejoice that you and I have a knowledge of that gospel; and oh, may God help us to live it; may he fill our hearts with charity, with love,. with forgiveness, with the desire to serve him, and may we in very deed be Latter-day Saints, is my prayer and desire, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant: "Boys who smoke cigarettes are like wormy apples. They drop long before the harvest time. They rarely make failures in after life, because they don't have any after life. When the other boys are taking hold of the world's work these are concerned with the sexton and the undertaker." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.83 I had no idea of saying anything more at this conference, but after listening to the very splendid remarks of Elder Ballard, I desire to read a revelation given a year before the Church was organized. REVELATION TO HYRUM SMITH AND COMMENTS THEREON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.83 This revelation, among other things, says that it is not only for the man to whom it was given -- Hyrum Smith, who was martyred Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.83 with his brother, the Prophet Joseph Smith -- but that it is to all of us, and therefore I desire to read it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.83 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.83 Behold, I am God, and give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Behold the field is white already to harvest, therefore whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 I will say that Hyrum Smith and many other men came to the Prophet Joseph, believing that he was in very deed a prophet, believing that God had chosen him to organize again the Church of Christ upon the earth, they came to him and asked: "What does the Lord desire at our hands?" And many of the revelations in the fore-part of the D&C were given, before the organization of the Church, to individuals, in answer to this inquiry that they made of the prophet. This section I am reading is one of those revelations: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments. THE KEY-NOTE OF THIS CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Remember, ye Latter-day Saints, that that is the key-note of this conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.84 Seek not for riches, but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me, so it shall be done unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. TRIBUTE TO HYRUM SMITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 No mortal man who ever lived in this Church desired more to do good than did Hyrum Smith, the patriarch. I have it from the lips of my own sainted mother, that of all the men she was acquainted with in her girlhood days in Nauvoo, she admired Hyrum Smith most for his absolute integrity and devotion to God, and his loyalty to the prophet of God. And God honored that man by allowing to come from his loins the late beloved President Joseph F. Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 The devil, through his emissaries, thought to destroy this Church by having them kill the prophet and the patriarch; but the son of the patriarch lived to be the Prophet of the living God, and his great-grandson sits here today as the Presiding Patriarch of the Church. Nothing can be done by the people of the world to retard the progress of the work of God. Murder and all that has been done against the Latter-day Saints has had no effect whatever. The work of God has gone steadily on from the day that the Church was organized with only six members. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me, so it shall be done unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation: keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Behold thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good; yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously, and this is my Spirit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 No man in all the Church put his trust in that Spirit more perfectly than did Hyrum Smith, or than did his son, the late prophet, Joseph F. Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit; which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Behold, I command you, that you need not suppose that you are called to preach until you are called. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Remember, the Church was not yet organized. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my church, and my gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 And then behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith, shall it be done unto you. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Keep my commandments, hold your peace, appeal unto my Spirit. Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which have been spoken; yea, the translation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 The work of the translation of the inspired record, the Book of Mormon, was in progress at the time of the giving of this revelation. "Behold, this is your work," and it is the work of all the Latter-day Saints: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind, and strength; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea the power of God unto the convincing of men; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.85 But now hold your peace, study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereunto. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.86 Behold, thou art Hyrum, my son, seek the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added according to that which is just. Build upon my rock, which is my gospel; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.86 Deny not the Spirit of revelation, nor the Spirit of prophecy, for woe unto him that denieth these things; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.86 Therefore, treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom that you shall go forth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.86 Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap. (D&C Secs. 6 and 11.) THE SAINTS EXPECTED TO STUDY THIS REVELATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.86 Read this revelation, ye Latter-day Saints, over and over again, because it applies to you; and time and time again you will find that the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave this revelation, repeats himself in saying: "Keep my commandments." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.86 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.86 I am the same who came unto my own and my own received me not; But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen. President Heber J. Grant I am inclined to think that we will have to arrange, in the future, to have four days for conference. It seems that we can't get through in three days. A LETTER FROM ELDER GEORGE ALBERT SMITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.155 I have a letter from the absent member of the Council of the Twelve, Brother George Albert Smith. I would like to read it all to you -- some four or five pages -- but I shall read shall read only a very few words: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.155 Owen Woodruff is making good. He is a splendid man, and I hope to give him every opportunity and encouragement that lies within my power. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.156 Owen Woodruff is a grandson of President Wilford Woodruff, and the son of the late Elder Abram O. Woodruff, of the Council of the Twelve: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.156 President Angus J. Cannon is doing a wonderful work. and in my judgment ought not to be released until next spring, unless you have somebody to take his place who is thoroughly familiar with conditions in Switzerland and Germany. President Cannon has endeared himself to the members of the Church all over. He loves them and they love him, and his heart is in the work. But for his mother and son I am sure he would be pleased to remain here indefinitely. His wife is doing a noble work, she stands by him and does her best all the time. I visited, as far as my time would permit, the various conferences of Switzerland and Germany. President Cannon has nine men working full time in Switzerland, and thirty-eight giving full time in Germany, in addition to the five elders who have come from Utah. These men are all expecting to perform missions of two years or more. Many of them are traveling without purse or scrip and it is a real joy to see the faith that they manifest and to hear how the Lord blesses them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.156 We held a meeting with the German missionaries at Leipzig. There were thirty-three present. As neat and fine a class of missionaries as I have ever seen. I was sorry to be compelled to leave them. We held conferences in different parts of Germany, the largest being at Chemnitz where more than seven hundred people assembled. We had a joyful time. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.156 From present indications the Swiss and German mission will be the big end of the European mission, so that in selecting a successor for President Cannon, I hope you will choose a strong man who understands the people and can do the work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.156 I wrote Brother Smith that we had chosen just that kind of a man; no better; and I believe you can all testify to that fact, after hearing Brother Ballif here today: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.156 The New Home in Basel is all that could be desired. It is a commodious place that will be a credit to the Church, and there is plenty of room to build a chapel sufficiently large to take care of all our people who assemble there. I feel to compliment President Cannon on the purchase that he has made. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1920, p.176 Before the close of this conference I desire to express to our heavenly Father, on behalf of myself and associates, the deep gratitude of our hearts for the rich outpouring of his Holy Spirit that has been with all those who have addressed the conference since the first opening remarks. I pray God to bless the Latter-day Saints, to fill their hearts full of charity and love and long-suffering, to give them a love of God and of their fellows that they may, in very deed, remember the teachings of the Savior. May the people of Christ love God with all their might, mind, and strength, and may they love their brother as themselves. May the peace of heaven attend the Latter-day Saints. May the Lord bless their flocks, their herds, all their possessions, and all that pertaineth unto them. May they grow in a love of the gospel, in a love of truth, in a love of their fellows; and I, as the mouthpiece of the Lord here upon the earth, bless all the Latter-day Saints and the honest the world over, and pray God to confound the wicked and to bring their schemes to naught, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.2 I am indeed delighted to see such a wonderful audience here this morning. It is gratifying to note the interest that has been manifested by the Latter-day Saints in their assembling together, throughout the various stakes of Zion, during the past six months, in fact, during the past year, in their houses of worship, to render thanks to the Lord for his goodness and mercy to them, and to testify of the blessings they have received. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.2 I have prepared some items that I believe will be of interest to this conference. It has been usual, in the opening address, to give some items regarding the condition of the Church. INCREASED ATTENDANCE AT SACRAMENT MEETINGS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.2 Our reports show that there has been an increased attendance at our sacrament meetings and fast meetings, all over the Church. I never listen to the revealed prayers that came from God, to be used in our sacrament meetings, wherein we, through those who administer the sacrament, express our determination to remember our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and to express our willingness to obey him and to keep the commandments which he has given us but what I rejoice in the inspiration of Joseph Smith, in translating the Book of Mormon, and giving to us those two wonderful sacramental prayers, those two marvelous covenants that all Latter-day Saints make when they assemble together and partake of the sacrament. I rejoice in knowing that there has been an increase in the attendance at these meetings, and also at our fast meetings, where we are able to testify of the many blessings of God to us as a people. I am grateful to our young people for adopting the slogan that they were in favor of developing spiritual growth by attendance at our sacrament meetings. The attendance has increased, and therefore there has been a spiritual growth. LOCAL MISSIONARY LABORS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.2 The missionary work which was outlined in our general Priesthood meeting at the last October Conference, has been successfully conducted in most of the stakes and has been the means of doing a great deal. of good. This labor is twice blessed. It blesses him that gives and him that receives. Some of the choicest meetings that I have been permitted to attend, during the last six months, have been gatherings of those who are engaged in missionary work in the various stakes of Zion; and I rejoice to know that many people who have heard the word of God, through these missionaries, have been baptized into the Church. I believe that in proportion to the amount of labor that has been put forth in the various stakes of Zion, of a missionary character, among those who are in our midst, but who know not the gospel, there have been as many, if not more, baptisms than there have been in the missionary fields throughout the different parts of the world. TEMPLE WORK. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.3 The work in our temples is progressing very satisfactorily; the attendance has been increased, and the great interest throughout the Church in temple work is very encouraging. We are now having four companies daily in the Salt Lake Temple. I think that it was a very wonderful example of the faith of the Latter-day Saints in temple work, when a fast-day was declared and the people were requested, last September, to make donations to aid in the erection of the temple in Arizona, that over one hundred eighteen thousand dollars was collected without one cent of expense, by donation upon the special fast-day set apart for that purpose. Nothing could more conclusively show the loyalty of the Latter-day Saints to that principle of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, revealed again to the earth, namely, the right and the privilege to perform labors in the holy temples of God for those of our ancestors who have passed beyond the veil than to have upon a single fast day throughout this Church one hundred eighteen thousands dollars contributed by the people for the erection of the Arizona Temple. TEMPLE BLOCK LABORS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.3 I wish to commend the splendid missionary work done on the Temple Block, under the direction of the Bureau of Information, together with the free organ recitals which are given to the public. The amount of good done by this excellent labor can hardly be estimated. I have met people who have visited the Temple Block, from Salt Lake City to the Hawaiian Islands, and from Salt Lake City to New York, and to San Francisco, and in Canada and other places, and I know from my conversation with them of the splendid impression that has been made upon their minds by coming in contact with those devoted men and women who are working upon the Temple Block here as missionaries. CHANGES OF OFFICERS IN STAKES AND MISSIONS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.3 There has been a slight increase in the payment of fast offerings, although there is still room for much improvement in this matter. Since our last Conference there have been two new Stakes organized -- North Sevier stake, with Moroni Lazenby as president and South Sevier stake, with John E. Magleby president. Since our last Conference, John N. Henrie, President of the Panguitch stake, has passed away. He was a faithful, diligent president of that stake of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.4 Since our last Conference the following bishops have passed away: Bishop Herbert Beck, of Centerfield ward, South Sanpete stake; Bishop Godfrey Fuhriman, of Providence First ward, Logan stake; Bishop Walter Roberts, of Sutherland ward, Deseret stake, and Bishop Clyde A. Hammond, of Moab ward, San Juan stake. We extend the blessings of the General Authorities to the families of these our brethren, who have been called from us since our last Conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.4 The following changes in stake presidencies have been made since our last Conference: Albert Choules has succeeded Don C. Driggs as President of the Teton stake, William J. Henderson has succeeded the late John N. Henrie, as president of the Panguitch stake. Brother Driggs was released with the love and confidence and blessing of his brethren, as the President of the Teton stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.4 In the Netherlands mission, John T. Lillywhite has been appointed president, to succeed John A. Butterworth. Mark Coombs has been appointed as President of the Tonga mission to succeed Willard L. Smith. J. Wiley Sessions has been appointed president of the South African mission to succeed Nicholas G. Smith. I have received a letter from Brother Sessions announcing his arrival in South Africa. Brother Sessions had been trying for nearly a year to get to South Africa, but on account of the obstructions put in the way by officials, who refused to vise passports and to allow him to go there, we have been under the necessity of keeping Brother Nicholas Groesbeck Smith in that mission another year after we felt that he should have been released. Brother Smith has filled a splendid mission in South Africa and will return with the love and blessings of all the authorities of the Church. VITAL AND EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.4 Seventy-five per cent of the families of the Church in the Stakes of Zion own their homes. The birth rate of the Church is now 38 per 1,000. The death rate is 9 per 1,000. The marriage rate is 15.5 per 1,000. There has been expended for educational purposes $718,497.19. There has been expended for tabernacle, meeting houses and amusement halls, $346,203.17. MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.4 There has been expended for missionary activities $511,709.97. This does not take into account the amount expended by the individuals who go upon missions, nor the amount that they lose by giving up their employment to go upon missions. This, I am sure, would be more than two million dollars a year, in addition to this half million dollars. So that the Latter-day Saints, as a people, are giving to the world an object lesson, such as I believe no other people upon the face of the earth are giving of their love of God, that first great commandment given to us, and also the second commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we stop to reflect that a handful of people, numbering in all parts of the world only five hundred thousand men, women, children and babies, that they are expending $2,500,000 a year in time and means to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, with no hope of earthly reward, we find an object lesson of the love of our fellows that I believe cannot be matched, in fact I know it cannot be matched, in all the wide world. HELP FOR THE POOR. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 There has been expended for assistance rendered to the poor, $450,000, of which $110,000 was raised during a single fast day for the relief of the sufferers in Europe, in Armenia and other places. There has been expended for Temple purposes $158,715.29. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 I received a splendid letter from the Near East Relief Committee, in New York, which I failed to find this morning; but a day or two ago the following letter was received from Herbert L. Gutterson: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "New York City, March 21st, 1921. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "Mr. Heber J. Grant, 47 E. South Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "Dear Mr. Grant: We are in receipt of your letter of the 16th, addressed to Mr. Hoover, which we wish to acknowledge in his behalf. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "The contribution of $68,318.21 from your Church is a most splendid testimonial to the cause, which was the basis for the formation of the European Relief Council. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "Please accept in the name of the European Relief Council as a body, our most sincere, heartfelt thanks for the contribution from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and we beg that you will express to them this sentiment and gratitude for their co-operation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "With kindest wishes, we are, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "Very sincerely yours, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "CONTROL COMMITTEE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 "By Herbert L. Gutterson." DEATH OF PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.5 Since our last Conference we have suffered the sorrow of parting with one of the Presidency of the Church, President Anthon H. Lund, than whom, from the day of his baptism as a boy in Scandinavia, to the day of his death, no more faithful, diligent, energetic, painstaking, conscientious and intelligent worker have I known in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Lund was a man beloved by all. I never heard one soul in my life say anything but good of the late President Anthon H. Lund. His ability and capacity were known to all the General Authorities as that of a great and noble and a true man, a Latter-day Saint to the very core. We mourn his loss. But in the providences of the Lord we feel that he will raise up others to assist in the rolling on of this great work. We had here a most wonderful audience at his funeral, the house being crowded to overflowing, thus showing the love and confidence and the respect of the people for President Lund. CHANGES IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.6 I believe that in the promotion of Brother Penrose to be First Counselor in the First Presidency after he has labored from the time that he was a boy, nineteen years of age, for ten long years in his native land, proclaiming the gospel, and returned to that land to fulfill three more missions, a total of over twenty years of missionary work, and then labored here at home constantly with pen and tongue to proclaim the gospel; after his having accomplished all this, I feel sure that the Latter-day Saints; rejoice in the promotion of this aged man, now in his ninetieth year, to be the First Counselor in the Presidency of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.6 I believe that the Latter-day Saints generally have approved in their hearts of the selection of Anthony W. Ivins to be my Second Counselor, to become a member of the Presidency of the Church. We have not yet presented these names but they will be presented before the Conference adjourns. CHOICE OF A NEW APOSTLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.6 I am convinced in my own heart that if President Anthon H. Lund had had the privilege of nominating a man to fill the vacancy caused in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, through his death, and through the promotion of Brother Ivins, that he would have named Brother John A. Widtsoe. The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has gathered from the British Isles and from the Scandinavian countries many thousands upon thousands of honest, energetic, faithful, loyal, true Latter-day Saints. Scandinavia, second only to the British Isles, has furnished great numbers of converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe that the Saints generally approve of those who have been called to these positions. I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Presidency and the Apostles, under the inspiration of the Lord, nominated the proper man to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and I have absolutely no doubt but what the Latter-day Saints will sanction our having set apart and ordained to the Apostleship Brother John A. Widtsoe. HEARTY RESPONSE TO INSTRUCTIONS AT LAST CONFERENCE. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.6 I rejoice in what I believe has been a response to the speeches made here six months ago. The keynote of our Conference at that time was to obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ, to have in our hearts a love of God, a love of our fellows, to have in our hearts the spirit of forgiveness and of long-suffering, to have in our hearts a desire to do those things that would be pleasing and acceptable to our heavenly Father; and I feel grateful that, during the past six months, there has been a spiritual growth. I believe that there has been a better feeling, that some of the animosities that were existing six months ago, because of political differences, have disappeared, now that men have had time, figuratively speaking, to "cool off." I would rejoice beyond all the power which God has given me to express my feelings, if the Latter-day Saints could express their opinions in times of political campaigns without animosity, without vindictiveness, that they could simply proclaim those principles in which they believe, without indulging in personalities. CHANGE OF SENTIMENT FAVORING THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.7 I think that we as a people have very great cause to rejoice in the era of good will and fellowship that is existing today for us as a people, among those not of our faith, in comparison with the conditions that existed some years ago. I do not know of any single thing that has happened in my experience, during the long time that I have been one of the General Authorities of the Church, that has impressed me more profoundly with the change of sentiment towards the latter-day Saints than the reception that was accorded to me December last when I went to Kansas City and delivered a speech upon the accomplishments of "Mormonism." When I reflect upon the fact that in the leading hotel in that wonderful and progressive city -- (I don't know that all of the people here, in fact I feel sure that perhaps the majority of those here are not aware of the fact that although that city is only one-half as large as St. Louis, its bank clearings are larger than those of St. Louis, that in some particular items they stand first, in commerce, among all the cities of the United States; and I do not know whether you are aware of the fact that they have one paper there that is conceded to be one of the six leading newspapers of the United states, the Kansas City Star) -- I was permitted to stand up within ten miles of Independence, the place from which the Latter-day Saints were expelled, by an expulsion and exterminating order of the Governor of the State, Governor Boggs, and to proclaim the accomplishments of the Latter-day Saints; to relate the prophecies of Joseph Smith, to give to those men that were there assembled -- over three hundred of the leading influential business men of the city -- the testimony of Josiah Quincy regarding the Prophet Joseph Smith; to repeat to them the great Pioneer hymn, "Come, come, ye Saints;" to relate the hardships, the drivings and the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints and to have that body of representative men receive that address with approval, applaud it in many places, and many of them come to me after the meeting and shake hands and congratulate me upon the address; and to have some of the members of the Board of Directors of that great club -- the Knife and Fork Club of Kansas City -- (which I have been have been informed is the second greatest dinner club in the United States, the Gridiron of Washington standing first) to have them say that they hoped for a return date so that they could hear more of our people; and then stop to reflect upon the fact that the Prophet and his followers, in the early days, were expelled from Missouri; that many of them were murdered; that all kinds of crimes were committed upon the people; that their property was confiscated; that we have never received anything for our property that belonged to us in that section, that today some of the valuable country that we traveled over there is the very property that our people owned, (for when you follow up many abstracts of valuable property you will find that the title centers in the bishop of the "Mormon" Church, and only because of lapse of time have people secured a proper title to these lands, and not because it was ever paid for) -- I say to stop and reflect that the drivings and the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints, of which no tongue can tell and no pen can paint the conditions; and then to realize that there is a feeling in that community now, among the people residing in the very place, so to speak, from which President Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the living God, and others were driven out; to be invited to go there and be asked to talk of the accomplishments of "Mormonism," and to have that talk received, with open arms, shows the most wonderful change of sentiment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.8 A short time ago the editor and publisher of the Coast Banker a paper that has a circulation all over the Twelfth Federal Reserve banking district, asked me to write an article on the accomplishments of our people. I did not have time to write the article, but I sent him my speech delivered before the Knife and Fork Club, and told him if that would fill the bill, I would be very glad indeed to have him publish it. Of course, I realized it was a very long speech, because I talked pretty rapidly and I talked for fifty-seven minutes, but he published all that I said. He published, besides, an introduction of such a character that I am very proud of it. I thanked him kindly, when I met him, for this introduction to my speech. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.8 Now, I pray the Lord to bless the Latter-day Saints. I pray the Lord that we may remember that same keynote that was given here six months ago -- keep the commandments of the Lord. Why, you know, if we can just remember those first two great things, to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our might, with all our mind, with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, we are sure to walk in that straight and narrow path that shall lead us to life eternal. God bless you one and all, and all Israel, and all the honest, the world over, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J. Grant CHANGES IN CONFERENCE PRESIDENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.21 We announced here at the last conference, the changes in the Australian, New Zealand and the Swiss and German missions. At that time Brother James N. Lambert who had been to New Zealand was with us and spoke to the congregation. Since then, Brother Arnold G. Miller, from the Australian mission, and Brother Angus J. Cannon from the Swiss and German mission have arrived home. We welcome them and tender them our sincere thanks for the very splendid, long and arduous labors that they have performed in those missions. INCREASE IN PAYMENTS OF TITHING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.21 In reading a number of items this morning, I read what became of several millions of dollars of the funds of the Church during the last year, and lo and behold, I skipped the all-important item of tithing. The Saints have done remarkably well, during the past year, in the payment of tithes, especially when we consider the hard times through which we are passing. I wish to commend the bishops, and other officers of the Church, as well as the membership of the Church, in general, for the faithfulness exhibited by the Saints in payment of their tithes. I think that it is nothing less than wonderful in view of the great hardships financially, through which all sections of the country have been passing, during the year that is just closed, that there should be no falling off at all in the tithes of the Latter-day Saints. The tithes for the past year have been slightly in advance of those for the previous year, which was one of the largest years for the payment of tithes in the history of the Church. AN EDITORIAL IN THE "COAST BANKER." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.23 Elder Joseph W. McMurrin, President of the California Mission, came up and suggested that I should waive my insurance modesty, and that I should read the introduction to my speech, as written by the editor of the Coast Banker; and I shall do so. One of my insurance friends in San Francisco, president of one of the greatest companies in the United States, remarking on the photo of myself that is printed with the article, stated that he would pay a great deal if he could only have a picture taken of him that would flatter him as much as this picture flatters me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.23 (The editorial, which was here read by President Grant, and the speech in full may be found at the close of this record. -- Clerk.) THE CANTATA "THE MARTYRS," BY EVAN STEPHANS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.23 The sacred cantata, "The Martyrs," by Evan Stephens, and a chorus of 400 will be presented in the Tabernacle, Monday evening, April 4. I read an editorial in The News, last night, and felt that Brother Stephens was entitled to have this splendid editorial read to you here today: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.23 "Among other events of the approaching Conference season claiming the attention of both residents and visitors the rendition of Evan Stephans' sacred cantata, "The Martyrs," in the Tabernacle, on Monday evening next, is deserving of special notice. A year ago this gifted home composer fairly electrified a mammoth audience in the Tabernacle with "The Vision" -- an appropriate precursor of the present work; and those who are in a position to speak with intelligence and authority on the question, affirm with enthusiasm that 'The Martyrs' is in all respects the equal of, and in some respects is superior to, the earlier masterpiece. Certainly in the matter of attention to detail in presentation, Mr. Stephens has allowed nothing to be overlooked a -- a fact upon which those who know his artistic and indefatigable nature will need no assurance. He has in conspicuous degree the talent of infusing into his performers a measure of his own zeal, so that to the most exacting demands of practice and rehearsal they yield without demur. The result is that when at length the hour for the public performance arrives, all those who have been engaged upon it are prepared to give it a rendition as nearly faultless as is humanly possible. Apart from the fame of the soloists, the heavier choral work of the great chorus of four hundred voices should prove at once a mighty attraction and inspiration. In short, it is to be hoped, and it is the probability, that, vast as is the auditorium where the performance will be given, the demand for seats will be so great that not all can gain admission, for it promises to be in all respects a stupendous and memorable occasion." President Heber J. Grant ARIZONA APPROPRIATES $2,500 TO "MORMON" BATTALION MONUMENT. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.42 I have rejoiced in all that has been said here today and endorse most heartily the remarks of my brethren. I have a little note from Brothers J. W. Lesueur and Andrew Kimball of Arizona, the presidents of Maricopa and St. Joseph stakes. They call my attention to the fact that the Arizona legislature has appropriated $2,500 for a Mormon Battalion Monument; that the majority of all the agricultural settlements in Arizona were begun by the "Mormon" people; that the State of Arizona will issue next month the Mormon Settlement book giving an account of the settlements of our people in Arizona, a book of four hundred pages, with sixty illustrations. The state of Arizona is publishing a history of that state, and this volume is a part of it. This volume alone will cost approximately $15,000. The Governor of Arizona and the Historian of the state have devoted a great deal of time, and our friend and brother, LeRoi C. Snow, has been employed in the Historian's office there. We understand that if this volume is sold at the price at which they will sell it, the state will be at a loss of fully $10,000. I have had a brief letter from Brother Snow, enclosing a full account of the contents of the book, but I have been too busy, since I returned from the coast, to read the same. "THE DESERET NEWS" COMMENDED. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.43 After announcing the time and place of various meetings, President Grant continued, referring to the Cantata of Prof. Evan Stephens, and to the splendid editorial in the Saturday News regarding the Cantata, and said: "You should all take the News. The Deseret News is the organ of the Church, and it is entitled to the support of all Israel. Because it is an excellent paper, and also because of the announcements which are made there by the Presidency, from time to time, and other matter it contains, the paper should be in the homes of the people. Read the editorial regarding the Cantata when you get home. REFERENCE TO CHANGES IN THE RELIEF SOCIETY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.43 There is one thing I forgot -- and I regret it exceedingly. In the meeting of the Relief Society yesterday, I forgot to invite all of the honored and released members of the General Board of the Relief Society, who in years past have sat there to the right of this stand to continue to occupy seats with the new members of the Board. They have our love, our confidence and our blessings, and we want them to know, as we have said to our retired mission presidents, that there is always a place reserved for them at our General Conference meetings. I have been sorry this afternoon, in looking for the familiar faces, that I forgot to make this announcement yesterday. We want our sisters here, they have our love and our confidence, and our blessing for their past labors, and our prayers for their future happiness. President Heber J. Grant CONCERNING THE JEWS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.124 Some of you may be familiar with the agitation that is going on at the present time, in the publications, against the Jewish people. There should be no ill-will, and I am sure there is none, in the heart of any true Latter-day Saint, toward the Jewish people. By the authority of the Holy Priesthood of God, that has again been restored to the earth, and by the ministration, under the direction of the Prophet of God, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ have been to the Holy Land and have dedicated that country for the return of the Jews; and we believe that in the due time of the Lord they shall be in the favor of God again. And let no Latter-day Saint be guilty of taking any part in any crusade against these people. I believe in no other part of the world is there as good a feeling in the hearts of mankind towards the Jewish people as among the Latter-day Saints. President Heber J. Grant APPRECIATION OF STEPHENS' "THE MARTYRS." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.141 I want to express my unbounded approbation and delight with the very splendid cantata that we had here of "The Martyrs" last night. I am sure all who were here were very much delighted and pleased, and that all feel grateful to the Lord for the inspiration to our beloved brother, Evan Stephens, in furnishing us such a wonderful piece of music, and such a splendid tribute in poetry to our beloved dead. THE SCHOOL OF ART AND MUSIC. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.141 Perhaps you have noticed in the papers that the magnificent McCune residence, which would probably cost over half a million dollars, and which was presented to the Church at our last Conference, has been set aside by the Presidency for the use of a School of Art and Music. And I am pleased to say that this disposition of the property has met with the very hearty approval of A. W. McCune and his wife, the donors of the property; in addition to having given this imposing structure, when they learned it was to be used as a School of Music and Art, they presented to us the two magnificent pieces of statuary that are now in that home, which would probably cost something over twenty thousand dollars, as a beginning for art collections that may go there. I trust that the people will call and partake of the hospitality of the School of Music. Of course, as to this designation for the use of the place, I do not know exactly that it will always be permanent, but we are inclined to think it will be. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.141 There have been a great many people, of course, who have urged me to move there and use that magnificent house as the official residence of the President of the Church. I appreciate the compliment and the many expressions of good will and desire for me to occupy such a magnificent structure; but I consider it would be a vast waste of the money of the good people to maintain me in any such an elegant place, for the reason that if I went there I would want everything to be in keeping with the house, and it would be in direct opposition to what Brother Stephen L. Richards has said here today, all of which I endorse with all my heart. For the time being I shall be perfectly satisfied to live in my little bungalow, one story and a half high in about the nicest spot in all Salt Lake City. During the first six months of my residence there, I don't believe I missed a half dozen times sitting up in bed every morning and taking a view of the whole valley and singing President Charles W. Penrose's hymn, "O ye mountains high." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.141 I endorse with all my heart the excellent remarks that have been made here this morning, and if time would permit, would like to add a few comments, but we aim to start on time and to close on time, barring the musical selection after twelve o'clock. May the Lord bless us, and may we have a time of rejoicing this afternoon and on the morrow in our conference, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant THE NECESSITY OF THE CIGARETTE LAW. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.146 I believe that Brother Joseph W. McMurrin first called my attention to an article published in the Scientific American and reproduced in the Literary Digest, announcing that for fifty long years no young man in Harvard University had ever graduated at the head of his class, as the principal student, who was a user of tobacco, notwithstanding the fact that eighty-one or two per cent used tobacco and only nineteen or eighteen didn't use it -- so that, taking it man for man, for those many years, the tobacco users had not become the head students of that great institution. I don't think anybody, with an ordinary, common, every-day head on him, needs any greater evidence than that of the necessity of passing anti-cigarette and other laws of this kind. INTRODUCING PROF. PERRY G. HOLDEN. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.147 We have with us today Professor Perry G. Holden of Chicago, a man with a national and international reputation as an extension worker. I have been handed one or two statements made by Professor Holden that I will read before we have the pleasure of hearing from him: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.147 "Every American ought to have his own home, and every family ought to have an acre of ground. Men don't fight for their boarding houses -- they usually fight in them." And we might add, with their tongues, mostly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.147 "Men who own their own homes don't go out on riotous strikes." That reminds me of a man who was a socialist, over in France, working for a very wealthy man. He went out two or three nights a week to his socialistic meetings, advocating the dividing up of all the property. Finally he quit going, and the wealthy man for whom he worked asked him why he hadn't gone. "Why," he said, "at the last meeting which I attended some months ago, there was a calculation which had been made, and they read how much each family would have after we got all the property divided up, and lo and behold, I have more in the savings bank already than would be my share." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.147 "If the community will take care of its boys today, its boys will take care of the community tomorrow." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.147 To his son leaving for the army: "My son, keep your standard." On his return: "Have you kept your standard?" "Yes, father." "Money spent on education is not a tax. It is an investment." "Am I a better man today than I was yesterday?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.147 I have very great pleasure in introducing Professor Perry G. Holden. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.155 I feel gratified for the very splendid compliments that have been paid to our people by the previous speaker, and on behalf of the Saints here we thank him, particularly for the words of praise that he has spoken regarding us, away from Salt Lake City. I feel, as he has said, that we are coming into our own. It was like an oasis in the desert, a few years ago, to find anybody who was willing to say anything good about the "Mormons;" but some of the finest and most energetic and most faithful men in all America today, educationally and in other lines, are beginning to say good things of the Latter-day Saints. I want to say to Professor Holden that the Latter-day Saints sang "Come, come, ye Saints," as they crossed the plains, with all their hearts and with all their souls, feeling every word of the lines: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.156 "And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil, and sorrow too, With the just we shall dwell," Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.156 The young men and the young women of the "Mormon" Church who live up, to the principles of their fathers, are as loyal and as determined and as willing to sacrifice today as were their fathers, their grandfathers, and their great grandfathers, for that which we know and proclaim to all the world to be, in very deed, the plan of life and salvation, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 I read here last evening at the priesthood meeting some items regarding our missionary work, and I thought they would be interesting to all the Saints, so I will read these items again: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 MISSIONARY STATISTICS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 The mission membership of the Church at the close of 1920 was 99,870. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 Tithes paid in all missions of the Church, $456,699; an increase of more than a hundred thousand over any previous year. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 Value of mission property, $1,467,571. This does not include all of the Hawaiian property. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 Spent for charity in all the missions, $34,532. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 Baptisms in all the missions last year, 5,087. This is the highest record in many years. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 There were 1,727 missionaries in all the missions on January 1, 1921, an increase of 574 over January 1, 1920; while the average expense of the missionaries of the Church was $37 per month in 1920, or $10 per month higher than in 1919, and that is the highest expense per elder in the history of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.187 The number of baptisms per elder in 1920 was about three. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.188 Calls of the missionaries were answered at 2,926,416 homes, and the elders had 2,617,345 gospel conversations. They sold 34,703 copies of the Book of Mormon, and distributed 7,023,378 tracts and held 135,532 meetings. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 A revelation was given to the Church ninety years ago last February from which I have read during this conference, and I will read from it again. This revelation is to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the elders in it. A VERY IMPORTANT REVELATION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 "Oh, hearken, ye elders of my church, and give an ear to the words which I shall speak unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 "For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye have received a commandment for a law unto my church, through him whom I have appointed unto you, to receive commandments and revelations from my hands." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 I want to emphasize once more, "A law unto my church." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 "And this ye shall know assuredly that there is none other appointed unto you," [Who? "my church,"] "to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 "But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him, for if it be taken from him, he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 "And this shall be a law unto you," [and who is this law unto? "Unto my church,"] "that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 "And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 "For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received, and shall receive through him whom I have appointed." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 And I said that anybody who taught contrary to that was a plain, simple, every-day liar. That is what I said; that is what I mean. The idea that any man claiming to believe the teachings of this revelation saying that he has today the right to perform plural marriages, is utterly absurd. We have cut such men off from the Church. CONCERNING PLURAL MARRIAGES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.201 Perhaps I owe an apology -- in fact I will make one -- for speaking with anger in this building last Sunday night. As I came to the meeting Sunday night, I was told that a person had said that neither Heber J. Grant nor any other man had any right to say that an individual could not perform a plural marriage; that God had revealed plural marriages, and therefore that I had no right to say that they could not be performed, and that one party had remarked that it would take an angel from heaven to convince him, even if I did say it. In my remarks on Sunday evening I had no thought of referring to anybody outside of this Church, or that I ever had any right to undertake to say that I had anything to do with directing any other people than the Latter-day Saints. But I branded as plain, simple liars those who undertake to say that anybody, aside from the President of the Church, had any right to give revelations to this people. I had just heard that one more pretended plural marriage had been performed, and after all the teachings from this stand, and all the declarations, and after excommunicating, as we have done, within the last year, one man for marrying -- or pretending to marry -- a plural wife, I confess I was angry and "rebuked with sharpness." NO PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO PERFORM PLURAL MARRIAGES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.202 But I want to say to the Latter-day Saints that no man upon the face of the earth has any right or any authority to perform a plural marriage, and there are no plural marriages today in the Church of Christ, because no human being has the right to perform them. Therefore, any person pretending to have that right is attempting to exercise an authority that he does not have, and therefore be does not perform a marriage and there is no marriage covenant when such ceremonies are performed. SEVERAL PERSONS EXCOMMUNICATED FOR PERFORMING PRETENDED MARRIAGE CEREMONIES. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.202 We have excommunicated several patriarchs because they arrogated unto themselves, the right, or pretended right, to perform these ceremonies, and after our having excommunicated several patriarchs, another one, so I am informed, has committed the same offense. I announce to all Israel that no living man has the right to perform plural marriages. I announce that no patriarch has the right to perform any marriages at all in the Church. We have delegated, at the present time, to the presidents of stakes and to the bishops of wards, the right to perform lawful marriages, and there has been delegated to some elders who held positions as county clerks, the right to exercise the authority of the Priesthood to perform legal marriages for time. And it was in view of the lie that was going out, and a desire to protect virtuous, noble, good girls who were being deceived and entrapped into doing what, under the law of God today, and under the law of the land, is adultery, that I was branding the liar. CONCERNING INSPIRATION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.202 I want my friends to know that the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declare that God inspires men. We heard Elder Whitney read to us the twenty-ninth chapter of Alma. When I was the junior member of the council of the twelve apostles, I knew that chapter off by heart, and I used to repeat it, time and time again, in my public addresses. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.202 "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.203 This same chapter further states that men are inspired, and are given all that is wisdom in God that they should have, and Alma says that he ought to be content with the things that were allotted unto him. And the thing allotted unto him was to declare repentance to the people, and he had had great joy in that many men, because of the word he had declared, had come unto God. Perhaps there is no other passage, no single chapter, in all the Book of Mormon, that I have preached from as often as I have from that twenty-ninth chapter of Alma. We believe absolutely, as has been said here, that God inspired Columbus. I commend to all Latter-day Saints when the conference pamphlet is published, to read what Elder Orson F. Whitney said about the inspiration of God being given to men in all parts of the world. We endorse his remarks. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.203 One of the fundamental articles of faith promulgated by the Prophet Joseph Smith was: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.203 "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience; and allow all men the same privilege -- let them worship how, where, or what they may." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.203 But we claim absolutely no right, no prerogative whatever, to interfere with any other people. We desire the good will of all mankind, and we desire the advancement of all mankind, and we pray God to bless every man that is striving for the betterment of humanity in any of the walks of life; and we say of every man who believes that Jesus is the Christ and who proclaims it: O God, bless that man. But we cannot pray for those who pretend to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and deny the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, and who proclaim that he was only a man. Jesus is the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, who came to the earth with a divinely appointed mission to die for the redemption of mankind. Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God, the Only Begotten in the flesh. He is our Redeemer, and we worship him, and we praise God for every individual upon the face of the earth who worships our Lord and Master as the Redeemer of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.203 I rejoice in the blessings of the Lord that have come to us during this conference. God bless the Latter-day Saints. God bless every honest-hearted soul all over the world, all who are striving to do good, striving to benefit mankind. I thank the Lord for the rich outpouring of his holy Spirit during our conference. May we all go home and take the Conference spirit of love and of fellowship and good will to all the congregations of the Saints, and thus inspire them to serve God and to keep his commandments is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.204 I want to read just one more thing: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.204 "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates; in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.204 The law provides that any person performing a marriage shall record the marriage, and I haven't heard of this last marriage I referred to being recorded; and there should be a license issued also; I haven't heard of any license. Heber J. Grant: Strength of the "Mormon" Church (See Conference Record, April, 1921, p. 23) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.205 (From the "Coast Banker," San Francisco and Los Angeles, March, 1921.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.205 Glimpses From Its History, With Reference to Its Trials, Travels, Beliefs, Achievements, and Plans for the Future, as Shown in an Address Delivered by Invitation at the Banquet of the Knife and Fork Club at Hotel Muhlebach, Kansas City, December 16, 1920, by Heber J. Grant, President of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.205 One of the greatest forces, in temporal and religious affairs of the United States is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the "Mormon" Church. Its head is Heber J. Grant, who officiates under the title of President. Mr. Grant possesses the characteristics of a real leader -- strength of purpose, nobility and humility of character, enthusiasm for all causes in which he enters, and indefatigable industry. He is well known and respected by the business men of the western third of the United States, regardless of their religious affiliations. For years he has been a banker, and he holds the office of president of the Utah State National Bank, and of the Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Company, Salt Lake City, and for many years he has been strongly identified with the insurance business as well; so that when, on the death of President Smith, he succeeded to the headship of the "Mormon" Church, he brought with him an equipment that fully qualified him to take up the leadership in the various corporations in which the "Mormon" Church either holds a dominant position or is interested in a lesser degree. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.205 The important place the "Mormon" Church occupies, not only in Utah but in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, and other parts of the Western Hemisphere, is told by President Grant in a most thorough study and analysis; therefore we recommend to our readers, the financial people of the western third of the United States, that they read this address by him, because it will explain to them, not alone his plans, but those of the organization which is so great a factor in their territory. The Editor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.205 I consider it a very distinct honor indeed, gentlemen, to be invited to speak here tonight to this representative body of business men in your wonderful city. It is remarkable, to me, that your bank clearings should exceed the showing of St. Louis, although you have only one-half the population. Utah is one of the most enterprising of all the enterprising states in the United States, and the reason I consider it an honor to speak here is the fact that early "Mormons" were driven from this section of the country. (Laughter.) I am grateful for this opportunity of addressing a body of representative men in the very place from which our people were expelled by an exterminating order of Governor Boggs. This is a good illustration of the wonderful change of sentiment in the United States regarding the people with whom I have the honor to be associated. My mother was cast out as a thing of evil, by some of the Ivins family of the East, when she became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Forty-two years later, when I took her back to Philadelphia to meet her relatives and friends, her brothers and sisters having passed away, the nephews and nieces fell in love with the "very fine old lady." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.206 Many people imagine that the "Mormons" have no faith in what is known as the Bible. You will pardon me for taking a little of your time to correct a few erroneous impressions of this kind, and to refer briefly to the travels of our people before the pioneers reached Utah. The "Mormons" accept the Bible as the word of God, but they also believe in the Book of Mormon. Comparatively few people know what the Book of Mormon purports to be. It is the sacred history of the forefathers of the American Indian. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.206 The Latter-day Saints started in New York, where the Church was organized in 1830. They later located at Kirtland, Ohio, where they built quite a large temple, which is still standing. The opposition and ill will which they encountered were so great that they decided to move to Missouri, there locating in and around Far West. Previously they had established a colony at Independence, a few miles from this city, where they met with much opposition and were forced to leave. Afterwards, as I have stated, they were expelled from the State of Missouri under the exterminating order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. Later they were invited to locate at Commerce, Illinois, where there were very few people. They built a city known as "Nauvoo, the Beautiful," in which within a few years there were 20,000 inhabitants. Here, too, they met much opposition. The prejudice against them caused them to be bitterly persecuted, and the prophet Joseph Smith crossed the Mississippi River, intending with a chosen body of men to explore the Rocky Mountains for a place of settlement and gathering for the people. A short time before that he had uttered a prophecy "that the Saints would' continue to suffer much affliction, and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains; many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease; and some would live to go and assist in making settlements, and build cities, and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." At the time this prophecy was delivered, one of the foremost statesmen in the United States, Daniel Webster, is quoted as having made a remarkable statement with reference to the western part of our country, in which Joseph Smith had predicted the Saints would become a mighty people. Said Webster: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.206 "What do we want with this vast, worthless area? This region of savages and wild beasts, of deserts, of shifting sands and whirlwinds of dust, of cactus and prairie dogs? To what use could we ever hope to put these great deserts or those endless mountain ranges, impenetrable and covered to their very base with eternal snow? What can we ever hope to do with the western coast of three thousand miles, rockbound, cheerless, uninviting, and not a harbor on it? Mr. President, I will never vote one cent from the public treasury to place the Pacific Coast one inch nearer Boston than it now is." (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.207 Even statesmen, it appears, sometimes make mistakes. There are some very fine harbors on the Pacific Coast, and the whole section west of the Missouri River certainly has developed into a very marvelous country. THE MARTYRDOM AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.207 Joseph Smith had foreseen that his people would be forced again to leave their homes, and, as I say, he had started West with a picked body of men to find a place of refuge. But some of the people in Nauvoo accused him of running away and deserting his flock. He thereupon returned to Nauvoo, remarking that if his life was of no value to his people, it was of no value to him. He surrendered to the Governor of the State of Illinois. He, with his brother, Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, and Willard Richards, was incarcerated in Carthage jail, with a pledge of protection from the Governor. On his way to Carthage he said: "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God and towards all men. I shall die innocent. and it shall yet be said of me, 'he was murdered in cold blood.'" He and his brother were killed by a mob. John Taylor, who afterwards became president of the Church, received four gunshot wounds and carried in his body some of the rifle-balls to his grave. Brigham Young, as leader of the stricken people, then entered into an agreement that the latter would move to the West. He, with others, began exploring the country, and the migration started. Quite a number of the people located at Council Bluffs; but that winter, after many of the able-bodied men had left, the mob drove the remnant of the "Mormon" people from their beloved city of Nauvoo, which was then the largest city in the State of Illinois. It was a beautiful and populous town of twenty thousand souls when Chicago was a mere trading post; and they deserted that city willingly, because they had to. (Laughter.) The first detachments of the people crossed the Mississippi River on the ice, in the dead of winter, and during that terrible night nine babies were born with no shelter save the rude tents and wagon covers under which their mothers were huddled. No tongue can tell, no pen can paint the sufferings and the hardships of the "Mormon" people in these drivings from Missouri and Illinois. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.207 They next located at Council Bluffs, moved across the river and built Winter Quarters, now known as Florence. In the meantime, a state of war had grown out of difficulties between the United States and Mexico, and a government recruiting officer was sent to the "Mormon" camps at Council Bluffs soliciting five hundred men for military service to march against Mexico. The leaders of our people had previously petitioned the President of the United States, Martin Van Buren, for a redress of wrongs, only to have the President announce: "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you," a pusillanimous remark, to say the least. Yet now five hundred men were demanded from whom? From a people who were being expatriated, a people who had been driven from Missouri under circumstances of indescribable cruelty, a people who had also just been expelled from Illinois in the dead of winter. Yet Brigham Young said: "Captain Allen, you shall have your battalion; and if we haven't enough young men, we will give you old men." An American flag was hoisted, recruiting started, and in three days the five hundred men were furnished. I maintain that you will search the history of the world in vain to find elsewhere such evidence of patriotism! In spite of their expatriation, in spite of the fact that in order to save their lives they had been compelled to abandon and flee from their homes, they responded to the call of their country. And as to the nature of the service rendered by the heroic volunteers, the gallant commander, Lieutenant Colonel St. George Cooke, said in his general order announcing the completion of their march: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.208 "History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found; or deserts where, for want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost hopeless labor, we have dug deep wells which the future traveler will enjoy. Without a guide who had traversed them, we have ventured into trackless tablelands where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and axe in hand, we have worked our way over mountains which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewed a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.208 I might incidentally remark, as a further instance of the service of the Mormon Battalion in making the West, that some of its members were among the discoverers of gold in California, which subsequently enriched our nation many millions of dollars. THE GREAT MIGRATION TO UTAH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.208 Crossing to the west bank of the Missouri River, as I have said. the "Mormon" camps established Winter Quarters, and here many log houses were built, and a frontier settlement was made. In this place Brigham Young planted a cottonwood tree, under which I had the honor of standing two weeks ago last Sunday, with some of my companions; and a snapshot was taken of us, which by the way did not come out very well. (I hope we did not spoil the camera.) It is a large tree, with its branches extending a hundred feet, and its trunk about twenty feet in circumference. It is distinctive, historically and otherwise, among all the other trees in the park where it stands. A short distance from that spot many hundreds of the early "Mormons" are buried; and from there, in 1847, Brigham Young started with his pioneer company of 143 men, three women, and two children to explore the unknown West, and find an abiding place for the homeless people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.208 I shall not relate the many incidents of peril and anxiety on that memorable trip, which required many weary weeks in traveling from the Missouri River to the Salt Lake Valley, which was then practically an unknown country. Nor was the prospect pleasing when they reached the spot where our chief city now stands. "Weary and worried as I am," said one of the three women, "I would gladly go another thousand miles rather than stay in such a desolate place;" and another, her sister, echoed the same sentiment. But Brigham Young had said, "This is the place," asserting that he had seen the valley in vision some time before, and that it was the spot where the Latter-day Saints should locate. He had been taken sick just before reaching the valley, and a small advance company was sent out two days ahead of the main body of pioneers to look over the country and if possible prepare a bit of land for planting. They had brought some plows, but found the ground so hard that several plowshares were broken. They finally turned the water of a small stream on the parched and baked soil, and the first day succeeded in planting a few acres of crops. So far as I know, this was the beginning of that system of irrigation which has meant so much in the development of the United States of America, a system which has reclaimed millions upon millions of acres of land, and has led to the expenditure of very many millions of dollars by the government in reclamation projects in Idaho, Arizona, Utah, and other sections of the country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.209 The pioneer company later returned to Winter Quarters, where in the meantime the work of outfitting and preparing for the general migration to the West had gone on apace. Large trains of ox teams were organized that took several months to cross the plains. My own father had the privilege of commanding one of those companies -- the third company of emigrants that went to Utah that first season; and by the fall of 1847, there were 1600 people in the Salt Lake Valley. They had built a log fort with extensions, and a number of log houses. Their industry was prospectively to be rewarded with fruitful harvests in 1848, when myriads of crickets appeared, devouring everything before them. Immigration had continued meanwhile, and now the people felt that ruin and starvation stared them in the face, because they were a thousand miles from anywhere, so to speak, and it appeared that the crops would be utterly lost in spite of all they could do. Unless that harvest could be saved, there was nothing for them to look forward to but absolute starvation. As a people they believe God came to their rescue; that it was His providence that from the islands in the Great Salt Lake the flocks of gulls came which devoured the crickets. In commemoration of this deliverance there has since been erected a very beautiful monument, and I shall take occasion to get from Secretary Tufts a list of the members of your club, and when I return home will mail to each of you a booklet entitled "Utah," on the front cover of which is a picture of the monument, erected in remembrance of the mercy of God in saving from starvation the many hundreds of early pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. Our Legislature has enacted a law prohibiting the killing of gulls; and the birds are so tame that they will come into our fields, and follow the plowman to feast on the worms that are uncovered by his furrow. PIONEERING THE INTERMOUNTAIN COUNTRY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.210 In the next few years the "Mormons" redeemed the valleys for a hundred miles north and three hundred and fifty miles to the south. Originally, Utah included all of the present State of Utah, all of Nevada, part of Colorado, and part of Wyoming and Idaho; but pieces have been sliced off from time to time, until it is small in area compared with what it was in the early days, perhaps no more than one-half its original size. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.210 The "Mormon" people have been not only the pioneers in settlement and in irrigation and reclamation in Utah, but they were the pioneers also in Idaho. A little settlement that was once in Utah is now in Idaho, and it is the city where the pioneers of the Gem state meet once a year to celebrate "Idaho Day," being the starting point of civilization in that section. In the other direction, the San Luis Valley in Colorado was considered altogether too high in elevation to be of any value for agriculture until a "Mormon" colony went there and reclaimed the locality. They proved that it was a good country for raising crops, notwithstanding the fact that it was seven thousand feet in elevation. The "Mormons" were also among the very first pioneers to go into Arizona. There was a great deal of prejudice against them, but it has practically all disappeared. Today there is perhaps a better feeling toward our people in Arizona than in any other section in which they are located. As an illustration of the goodwill existing there regarding the "Mormon" people: when a novelist by the name of Winifred Graham came over here from England, telling a lot of unconscionable lies about the "Mormons," a Senator from Arizona stood up in the Senate of the United States and voluntarily and emphatically branded her statements as the falsehoods which they were. The ex-Governor of the state also said that no better class of people could be found anywhere than the "Mormons" of Arizona, adding that in one respect they were being robbed of between 2500 and 3000 per cent of a certain class of taxes in Arizona -- because, according to population, they were entitled to have twenty-five or thirty inmates in the state penitentiary, and they had only one (laughter); also, that we were entitled to 700 or 800 per cent more of the taxes set aside for the support of the insane, being entitled, according to population, to seven or eight inmates in the insane asylum, whereas we had none. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.210 We ask people to judge us by the standard laid down by our Savior: "By their fruits ye shall know them." I was reading last Saturday, in Chicago, from Phil Robinson's book, Sinners and Saints, in which he states that he is at the defiance of any man to find a single book, with one exception, written on the "Mormon" question, that is not absolutely untrue, because practically all the books on that subject were written by the enemies of our people, and are unfair. In the book I refer to, Mr. Robinson gives the "Mormons" a fine certificate of character, and among other things says that he nearly choked to death for "a drink" among the "Mormons" while traveling 350 miles to the south and a hundred-odd miles to the north, until after inquiring for a "back-slider" he was successful in finding a demijohn. After that he got along very well. He said he had always supposed water was for the cleansing of the body until he arrived in Utah, and there he found it was used for drinking purposes. Mr. Robinson also refers to the fact that although we had 80-odd per cent of the population in Utah, the remaining 17 per cent (as I recall) furnished 80 per cent of the inmates of the territorial penitentiary. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.211 The first great commandment is to "multiply and replenish the earth;" and Utah's best crop is babies. (Laughter.) We feel very proud of the record of our people in that particular. We can not begin to compare with other people in furnishing divorces. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.211 Before we divided on party lines in Utah as Democrats and Republicans, I heard a Congressman say, while making a campaign speech in Salt Lake City, that hanging on the wall in one of the houses of Congress in Washington there was a map showing the states and territories of the Union. The map was black originally, but as education grew, it was painted white; and he stated that there were only four whiter spots upon that map than Utah. At that time Utah was a territory and we had no public lands to sell to help us in education; we had forged to the front without receiving one single, solitary dollar from the sale of public lands from the United States. We have been branded as an ignorant lot, and yet for ninety-odd years we have been sending our young men to Harvard and other universities to get an education, and they have made a record of which we are proud. While I was presiding over the European mission of our Church, I read in the newspapers that we have overtaken and equalled one of the states in the Union for second place in literacy. Doctor Winship, one of the great educators of our country, has given us credit, in recent lectures, for having the finest laws on education of any state or territory in the Union. TEMPLE BUILDING AND HOME INDUSTRY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.211 As I have already told you, the early "Mormons" erected a temple soon after they reached Ohio, and considering the small number of people that were there, it was a wonderful accomplishment. They erected a large temple at Nauvoo, which was destroyed by the mob, after the expulsion of the people. The second day, after the arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young walked to the spot where the great temple was later erected, drove his cane into the ground, and said, "Here we will build the Temple of our God." The corners were laid forty years, to a day, before the temple was completed. For forty long years the people contributed of their means toward the erection of that temple. As a child I contributed fifty cents a month; later as a boy I gave a dollar a month, then five dollars, and finally made a contribution of several thousand dollars to aid in its completion. In the meantime the pioneers were redeeming a country which was considered absolutely worthless before they undertook its reclamation. The noted trapper, Jim Bridger, had told Brigham Young and his pioneer company that he would give one thousand dollars for the first ear of corn ripened in the Salt Lake Valley; it was quite generally considered a worthless wilderness. Yet, when years later the United States government offered a handsome prize for the best five acres of wheat raised in any part of the United States, Salt Lake Valley carried off the prize. The temple which, as I have said, was forty years in building was erected at a cost, of over four millions of dollars. I imagine it could be built today, even at the high prices of labor and material, for a million and a half. But in those days it took an ox team several days to go to the mountains and bring one solitary stone for the structure. It took several weeks of work by hand to cut that stone. The footings of the building are sixteen feet; the walls are eight feet thick; and it was built, as Brigham Young advised everybody to build, "to last a thousand years." He erected, at that early day, a theatre in Salt Lake which still stands, in which all of the leading companies that visit Utah put on their plays. It was built when I was a child. Every nail in it was carried a thousand miles from the frontiers at the Missouri River, when nails were a dollar a pound. Those were the days when sugar was selling at one hundred one dollars a bag -- one hundred for the sugar and one dollar for the sack. When people went to the theatre they took their molasses in a can, or brought a squash or something else to pay the price of admission. Fortunately there was no war tax; for they could not have paid it; they had no money. Within twenty years after the arrival of the pioneers, the "Mormon" Tabernacle was built, with a seating capacity of eight thousand. On special occasions, when the building has been crowded, more than ten thousand people have been counted. The Tabernacle was erected without the use of nails, the roof being pinned together with wooden pins and tied with rawhide thongs. At the time of its completion, although a thousand miles from civilization, it was the largest auditorium in the United States of America without a center support to the roof; and it is today the largest except where steel girders have been used to support the roof. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.212 A concert was given in the building, by our Tabernacle Choir of five hundred voices, for the relief of the sufferers from the Johnstown flood. The net receipts, at a $1 a seat, amounted to $7500, which was remitted to the sufferers. Yet under those conditions our people built some splendid irrigation projects. Some of them would cost today millions upon millions of dollars, and they were built by the cooperative labor of the people and the exchange of their products. Brigham Young taught the people to sustain home manufacture, to be economical, to avoid extravagant habits, and not think of getting this, that, and the other which would not add to any actual comfort. In those days we were clothed in what was known as "homespun." In nearly every home the wife would take the wool and prepare it for spinning, she would have in her home a loom on which she would weave the rag carpets. When we built a canal, the only money we needed was for the purchase of plows and scrapers and for powder to blast the rocks. Most of our early, great enterprises were made possible by co-operative labor. I know of one little canal on which the settlers worked each winter for twelve long years, and reclaimed the ground where now stands a little settlement of eight hundred or a thousand people. The accomplishments of Utah have been brought about by pulling together, by "teamwork," by absolute unity, and co-operation, which I believe existed there to a greater extent than in any other community. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.212 Brigham Young has the honor of having established in Utah the first department store in our country -- Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution, of which I am now president. This list of companies (pointing to program) of which I am credited with being president fails to mention those which come my way accidentally, one may say, because I became president of the Church, all of which are of more importance than the ones on the list here published. One of the institutions over which I have the honor to preside, and over which my predecessors from Brigham Young to Joseph F. Smith have presided, is Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution, established in early days to prevent excessive profits and to protect the people by giving them fair goods at a fair profit. That institution now does a business of some twelve million dollars a year. ESTABLISHING BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.213 Another institution that I have the honor of presiding over is the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. I wish to say to you gentlemen here that we have the honor of having erected the first beet-sugar factory ever built in the United States of America with American machinery. There had been several factories built with imported machinery; in fact, away back in 1862, the "Mormons" sent John Taylor (who afterwards became president of the Church) to France to bring machinery from there to try to establish the beet-sugar industry in the Great Basin. To my mind, perhaps one of the most substantial illustrations of the loyalty and of the co-operative work of the "Mormon" people is seen in the following: In 1891 when Baring Brothers failed in London, with their investments largely in the Argentine Republic, that failure reached clear out to Salt Lake City; and as there was very little money in the country it made it very hard indeed for our people. Many of those who had subscribed for stock in the sugar company were unable to pay their subscription; but the president of the Church said: "We will build that factory if it breaks the credit of the Church itself; we must build it, because it will make an increased product from the soil and therefore be beneficial to the people." The president sent me East, West, North and South, all through the country, as his agent, to borrow money with which to build that factory. After we had failed in New York and other Eastern centers to get money to finish it, I went to San Francisco and appealed to Henry Wadsworth, then manager of the Wells Fargo Bank, to loan the last hundred thousand dollars that we needed. In my appeal I said to him: "Mr. Wadsworth, when you were in Salt Lake you believed in me as a boy when I worked for you; you gave me $100 as a New Year's present, and stated that no one else in the bank should have a dollar because all the others watched the clock to see how soon they could get out of the front door after 3 o'clock, whereas I came back occasionally and worked at night. Now that I am one of the leading officials of the 'Mormon' Church I ask you to believe in me and to furnish the hundred thousand dollars necessary to complete this factory. I have just succeeded in getting fifty thousand dollars from the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company of San Francisco; they know me well. But I must have a hundred thousand dollars more, and I must have it from you." I pleaded with him to deposit the money in Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Company, in Salt Lake City, and told him we could convince that bank that our securities were good. His reply was that "banks were failing everywhere and he could not let me have the money." Finally I said: "Mr. Wadsworth, the beet-sugar industry must and shall be established. I have no authority to offer you the note of the Church, but I pledge you four notes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- twenty-five thousand due in six months, twenty-five thousand in a year, twenty-five thousand in eighteen months, and twenty-five thousand in two years, with twenty indorsers, individually and severally liable for the obligation; you to write out twenty-five names of the strongest financial 'Mormon' men in Salt Lake City, and I will guarantee to get twenty indorsers out of the twenty-five." He said: "My boy, that is an impossibility; no twenty men on earth would guarantee, individually and collectively, one hundred thousand dollars for any church." "Well," I replied, "we are a little different from any other church; I will get you the notes and indorsers all right." He insisted that it could not be done. "Then you don't need to give me the money," I said at last; "all I ask is that you give me the opportunity." Then he said: "I will go you one better; I will write thirty names, and if you can get any twenty out of the thirty, it will be satisfactory, and you can have your money." He wrote five or six names, tore up the paper, and said: "Heber, you were my office boy fifteen years ago. Many a man has gone broke in fifteen years. I will just write up to my successor in Salt Lake and tell him to write the names." When I got back home, his successor wrote a list of names, and as he looked at them he said: "Those names remind me of an incident in early days in a California mining camp. There was a saloon-keeper who had on his front door a list of names of the people who owed him for whisky. One day his wife in a streak of cleanliness scrubbed the floor and even washed the door, and when the man discovered it he exclaimed: 'Good heavens! you have ruined me; give me a pencil quick, and maybe I can still make them out.' Then he studied out the names as best he could, and rewrote them, and stood and looked at the list. You know some people say that 'damn' is only emphasis; and with emphasis he said: 'That is the best lot of -- names that was ever on that door.'" So this banker said: "This is the best lot of names I ever saw." A FINANCIER'S FAITH AND AID. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.215 I got twenty-four indorsers out of the thirty men on his list; three of the thirty were out of town, and one man volunteered to sign whose name was not on the list, but who happened to hear two of the gentlemen that were on the list refusing to sign the note, these taking the ground that it was not good morals for a church to borrow money to loan to a private corporation. I said to them: "I will agree, when you and I meet the Lord, if we ever do, to absolve you from all trouble if you will put your name on the back of these notes. (Laughter.) It will be time enough for you, or me, to decide the morals of the question when we become members of the presidency of the Church. The presidency have signed the notes, and they will have to answer to the Lord for the moral part of it. Will you sign the notes, or will you not?" They declined. Then I had this conversation with the voluntary signer to whom I have referred. He lived in Ogden and was worth more than any ten men who had signed the note -- when he died his estate was worth fifteen to twenty millions of dollars. He had been writing a letter and after the two men declined, he said: "Heber, I have heard your story. Is my name on the list?" "No," I replied, "there are only Salt Lake men on the list." He said he would like to look at the notes. I handed them to him, and he wrote his name on the back of each one without even reading the notes. He handed them back, with the remark: "I don't think my name will hurt them." Then he said to me: "Heber, tell the president of the Church that any time he wishes those notes paid, if he will notify David Eccles thirty days ahead -- I always keep from one to three hundred thousand dollars in bank, on certificates of deposit, so that on thirty days' notice I can draw it out -- I will be glad to pay these notes, and the Church can pay me in one year, or five years, or ten years, or when convenient." Maybe you think I did not want to hug this man about that time. (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.215 Then Mr. Eccles added: "Tell the president of the Church that if he wants my name on another hundred thousand dollars of notes, just to send you up to Ogden. You have never been in my house. I will give you supper, bed and breakfast; and we have pen and ink." By the way, I went up there some time later, and got his signature for another $100,000. (Laughter). When he told me the street on which he lived, I said: "Don't tell me what street you live on. Step across the road to my office and I will show you a plat of your house. I have it insured." (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.216 I have referred to some of the buildings erected by the Latter-day Saints, among them the great Salt Lake Temple. When I was a boy they erected a temple also at St. George, three hundred fifty miles south of Salt Lake City, at a cost of several hundred thousand dollars. Later, when I was a young man of twenty-six, they completed a temple in Logan, costing several hundred thousand dollars. Some three or four years later they erected another temple, just as large, at Manti, Utah. Last November, on my birthday, I was in the Hawaiian Islands and dedicated a temple there which cost over two hundred thousand dollars. This coming summer we will dedicate, in Canada, a temple costing over six hundred thousand dollars. We have spent millions of dollars in the erection of ward chapels and district meeting houses, also millions of dollars in erecting Church-school buildings, from Canada to Mexico. During the present year we will supply, for maintenance of Church schools alone -- to say nothing of erection of buildings -- three-quarters of a million dollars. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.216 Time will not permit me to speak in detail of the part the Church has played in establishing and fostering institutions for the good of the people. I have referred to Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution and to the beet-sugar industry. The latter, the first year produced only one million one hundred thousand pounds of sugar. The Dyers of Cleveland, Ohio, who built this factory, left Utah after two or three years, believing that the sugar industry in Utah would be a failure; but among the "Mormon" people there is a considerable percent of Scotch, Dutch and Scandinavian blood, and they are somewhat stubborn. You know it is said there is nobody on earth quite as stubborn as a Scotchman, except a Dutchman. I happen to be Scotch on my father's side and Dutch on my mother's. Our people have been brought together from all sections of the country; in fact, we have converts from all parts of the world. They did not allow difficulties to discourage them; they did not give up; and in 1920, the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company will produce over two million one hundred thousand bags of one hundred pounds each of sugar, instead of one million one hundred thousand pounds as in the first year. There are other sugar companies in Utah and Idaho and their combined product will be equally as much as ours. So that the beet-sugar industry in the intermountain section will produce this year over four million bags of sugar. It is true that Colorado has outstripped us in the beet-sugar production; but the original people who went over into Colorado and built the first factory, received their education in the first factory built in Utah. "MORMON" PIONEER HYMN. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.216 Some day a story will be written about the sufferings and hardships of the "Mormon" pioneers while crossing the plains. I feel disposed to tell at least one little incident in connection with the pioneer journey. When the "Mormons" were at Winter Quarters, preparing to outfit their companies to travel by ox team to Utah, Brigham Young turned to a man named William Clayton and said: "Before the first company starts for Salt Lake Valley, I want you to write a hymn that will inspire and comfort and cheer and bless the people on their long journey." William Clayton went away, and is reputed to have returned the same day with what is known as the great "Mormon" pioneer hymn. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.217 When I arrived in Liverpool to preside over the European mission, as successor to the father of Doctor Richard R. Lyman, who is here with us tonight (a professor of engineering in the University of Utah and graduate from Michigan University), President Lyman said: "We will sing your favorite hymn tonight." I replied that I hadn't any favorite. "All the leaders of the Church ought to have a favorite song," said President Lyman; "my favorite is, 'School thy feelings, O my brother; train thy warm impulsive soul.' The favorite of my bosom friend John Henry Smith, is 'Up, awake, ye defenders of Zion.'" And he named the favorite hymns of about a dozen of our Church leaders. Finally I said: "Hold on; I can choose my favorite in a quarter of a minute -- 'Come, come ye Saints.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.217 Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear, But with joy wend your way; Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. 'Tis better far for us to strive Our useless cares from us to drive, Do this, and joy your hearts will swell All is well! All is well! Why should we mourn, or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so; all is right! Why should we think to earn a great reward, If we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, Our God will never us forsake; And soon we'll have this tale to tell -- All is well! All is well! We'll find the place which God for us prepared, Far away in the West; Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid; There the Saints will be blest. We'll make the air with music ring, Shout praises to our God and King; Above the rest these words we'll tell -- All is well! all is well! And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toll and sorrow too; With the just we shall dwell. But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, O, how we'll make this chorus swell -- All is well! All is well. PATHETIC INCIDENT OF THE PLAINS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.218 One day my father-in-law said to me: "Heber, for twenty long years I have listened in vain for our choirs to sing the fourth verse of 'Come, come ye Saints.' I believe the rising generation know nothing whatever of the comfort and cheer which we received, while crossing the plains, from singing that pioneer hymn or they never would be guilty of leaving off the fourth verse, which we looked upon as a prayer." In one of the revelations to our Church we are told by the Lord: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." My father-in-law said that hymn was a blessing to every one who sang it, and particularly the last verse, which they sang, and meant every word of it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.218 And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too; With the just we shall dwell. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.218 Then he related the following incident: "One of the men in our company crossing the plains was late coming into camp one night. (In those early companies they traveled a day and a half or two days apart, and had three companies going practically together, so that in case of Indian trouble, having a few horses with each company, men with guns could go back or forward.) As this man had not reached camp, and it was getting late, we organized a volunteer company to go back to see if he had been waylaid by Indians. Just as we were ready to start, we saw him coming in the distance. He explained that he had been sick, and as he happened to have the last wagon in the company, he was alone, and had to lie down by the road for a few hours' rest. He was very feeble when he came into camp, so we unyoked his oxen, and got his supper ready. After supper he sat on a large rock by the campfire and sang 'Come, come ye Saints.' It was the rule of the camp that whenever any one started to sing this pioneer hymn, all the others should join in; but in this case it happened that none of us joined in the song. When he had finished. I looked around and I did not see a dry eye. The next morning, noticing that he had not yoked up his oxen, we went to his wagon and found that he had died during the night. We dug a shallow grave, buried his body, and to the head of his grave we rolled the stone on which he sat the night before. while singing. 'And should we die before our journey's through, happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too; with the just we shall dwell.'" My father- in-law started to tell me something else, but stopped and said: "Never mind." Years later the Burlington railroad, while surveying its line through Nebraska and Wyoming, found a broken wagon tire sticking out of the ground, on which there had been chiseled the words: "Rebecca Winters; age 50 years." The surveyors with delicate kindness and consideration went back three or four miles, and changed the line of the road in order to miss that lonely grave. The railroad company fenced the spot and wrote to Utah to find out if any one knew Rebecca Winters. She was my wife's grandmother. No doubt my father-in-law had intended to tell me during the conversation above quoted, that when he came to Salt Lake City from his home in another part of the territory, to meet an immigrant train on which he expected to find his beloved mother, he learned that she, too, had died before her journey "was through." We have erected a little monument at the grave, inscribing on one side the history of Grandma Winters, and on the other side the fourth verse of "Come, come ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear." AS COLONIZERS AND NATION-BUILDERS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.219 It is this spirit among the "Mormon" people, of co-operation, this willingness to stand one by the other, and to build up the communities, that has helped to redeem the desert, that has enabled them to make a record in Canada, in Mexico, as well as in our own country -- that has given them the splendid standing and reputation they enjoy. They were regarded as the foremost colonists of all Mexico, in the estimation of that great leader of the republic, the late General Diaz. No one would suspect that that iron character would be guilty of shedding a tear, and yet on the last trip he took to Chihuahua to visit the state fair, when he saw the exhibit of industry and frugality, the saddles and the harness, the canned fruit, the bottled fruit. the exhibits from the "Mormon" academy and the pictures of the "Mormon" Church schools in Juarez, the old warrior wiped his eyes and said: "What could I not do with my beloved Mexico if I only had more citizens and settlers like the 'Mormons.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.219 Wherever we have gone, we have made a success. The "Mormon" people believe in education; they believe in art, in literature, in science, in advancement. They sent their tabernacle choir of two hundred fifty voices to the Chicago Fair in 1893, and won the second prize in competition with all the world, for the best choir of that number of voices. The choir that won first prize, I understand, had hired the best fifty voices from Wales to help them out. (Laughter.) We put in a little protest, but the protest did not work. One of the producers of operas, concerts, and lectures, a great theatrical man of New York, told me that he was at the fair and heard the choirs sing; and his verdict was that those fifty voices did not help the other choir, their strength and power destroyed perfect harmony: "but, of course," he said, "it never would have done to give you miserable 'Mormons' the five-thousand-dollar prize, although if I had been the judge you would have received it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.219 It was my intention to speak from notes on this occasion, because this is my first attempt at talking to an audience like this. The first thing I had intended to do was to read a poem, but I forgot all about it until I looked at these notes. Now that I see my time is about up, I am going to close with what should have been the beginning and use the remaining few minutes in reading this poem and a statement regarding Joseph Smith. Some four years ago I happened to buy this book, and since then I have given away over five hundred copies. I have just ordered something over a thousand to send out, at the expense of the Church, to our missionaries in the United States. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.220 I am very grateful to be here, as I said in the opening of my remarks, and I hope you will get acquainted with me. This poem is from the pen of Edgar A. Guest, and is entitled: WHEN YOU GET TO KNOW A FELLOW. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.220 When you get to know a fellow, know his joys and know his cares, When you've come to understand him and the burdens that he bears, When you've learned the fight he's making and the troubles in his way, Then you find that he is different than you thought him yesterday. Then you will find his faults are trivial and there's not so much to blame In the brother that you jeered at when you only knew his name. You are quick to see the blemish in the distant neighbor's style, You can point to all his errors and may sneer at him the while, And your prejudices fatten and your hates more violent grow As you talk about the failure of the man you do not know, But when drawn a little closer, and your hands and shoulders touch, You find the traits you hated really don't amount to much. When you get to know a fellow, know his every mood and whim, You begin to find the texture of the splendid side of him; You begin to understand him, and you cease to scoff and sneer, For with understanding always prejudices disappear. You begin to find his virtues and his faults you cease to tell, For you seldom hate a fellow when you know him very well. When next you start in sneering and your phrases turn to blame, Know more of him you censure than his business and his name; For it's likely that acquaintance would your prejudice dispel And you'd really come to like him if you knew him very well. Then his faults won't really matter, for you'll find a lot to praise. When you get to know a fellow and you understand his ways, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.220 (Applause.) TRIBUTE TO THE FOUNDER. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.220 Brigham Young, some day, will be acknowledged as one of the greatest leaders and pioneers that the world has ever known, and yet I want you to know that all that has been accomplished, by so-called "Mormonism" and by our people, was built upon the broad foundation laid by the man who was martyred in Carthage jail. He gave the Church a book of revelations of hundreds of pages. Brigham Young gave but one revelation pertaining to the organizing of the pioneer companies. John Taylor gave but one revelation during his presidency; and his successors promulgated no new revelations. The foundation was laid by the prophet Joseph Smith for all that has been accomplished. He gave his life, in Carthage jail, sealing with his blood the divinity of his testimony, and credit is due to this wonderful leader for what has been accomplished. I desire to read a testimony given by Josiah Quincy, a man who knew Washington and others of the country's great founders, a man who was once Mayor of Boston, and a man who was on the reception committee to welcome Lafayette when he came over here from France. In his book, Figures of the Past, he says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.221 "It is by no means improbable that some future textbook for the use of generations yet unborn will contain a question something like this: What historical American of the nineteenth century has exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his countrymen? And it is by no means impossible that the answer to that interrogatory may be thus written: 'Joseph Smith, the "Mormon" Prophet.' And the reply, absurd as it doubtless seems to most men now living, may be an obvious commonplace to their descendants. History deals in surprises and paradoxes quite as startling as this. The man who established a religion in this age of free debate, who was and is today accepted by hundreds of thousands as a direct emissary from the Most High -- such a rare human being is not to be disposed of by pelting his memory with unsavory epithets. Fanatic, impostor, charlatan, he may have been; but these hard names furnish no solution to the problem he presents to us. Fanatics and impostors are living and dying every day, and their memory is buried with them; but the wonderful influence which this founder of a religion exerted and still exerts throws him into relief before us, not as a rogue to be criminated, but as a phenomenon to be explained. The most vital questions Americans are asking each other today have to do with this man and what he has left us. * * * A generation other than mine must deal with these questions. Burning questions they are, which must give a prominent place in the history of the country to that sturdy self-asserter whom I visited at Nauvoo. Joseph Smith, claiming to be an inspired teacher, faced adversity such as few men have been called to meet, enjoyed a brief season of prosperity such as few men have ever attained, and, finally, forty-three days after I saw him, went cheerfully to a martyr's death. When he surrendered his person to Governor Ford, in order to prevent the shedding of blood, the prophet had a presentiment of what was before him. 'I am going like a lamb to the slaughter,' he is reported to have said, 'but I am as calm as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense and shall die innocent.' I have no theory to advance respecting this extraordinary man. I shall simply give the facts of my intercourse with him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.221 "A fine-looking man -- " Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.221 [Incidentally, my mother tells me he was the finest looking man she ever saw; he stood over six feet high.] Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 "A fine-looking man is what the passer-by would instinctively have murmured upon meeting the remarkable individual who had fashioned the mold which was to shape the feelings of so many thousands of his fellow mortals. But Smith was more than this, and one could not resist the impression that capacity and resource were natural to his stalwart person. I have already mentioned the resemblance he bore to Elisha R. Potter, of Rhode Island, whom I met in Washington in 1826. The likeness was not such as would be recognized in a picture, but rather one that would be felt in a grave emergency. Of all men I have met -- " Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 [Remember the writer had met Washington, he had been private secretary to John Adams, and he had met Lafayette and the great men of his day] NATURAL LEADER AND STATESMAN. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 "Of all men I have met, these two seemed best endowed with that kingly faculty which directs, as by intrinsic right, the feeble or confused souls who are looking for guidance." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 In passing, I may remark that you can read in one book written against the "Mormons" that Joseph Smith got all his inspiration and revelations while he was having fits. (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 "We then went on to talk of politics. Smith recognized the curse and iniquity of slavery, though he opposed the methods of the abolitionists. His plan was for the nation to pay for the slaves from the sale of the public lands. 'Congress,' he said, 'should be compelled to take this course, by petitions from all parts of the country; but the petitioners must disclaim all alliance with those who would disturb the rights of property recognized by the Constitution and which foment insurrection. It may be worth while to remark that Smith's plan was publicly advocated eleven years later by one who has mixed so much practical shrewdness with his lofty philosophy. In 1855, when men's minds had been moved to their depths on the question of slavery, Ralph Waldo Emerson declared that it should be met in accordance 'with the interest of the South and with the settled conscience of the North. It is not really a great task a great fight for this country to accomplish, to buy that property of the planter, as the British nation bought the West Indian salves.' He further says that the 'United States will be brought to give every inch of their public lands for a purpose like this.' We, who can look back upon the terrible cost of the fratricidal war which put an end to slavery, now say that such a solution of the difficulty would have been worthy a Christian statesman. But if the retired scholar was in advance of his time when he advocated this disposition of the public property in 1855, what shall I say of the political and religious leader who had committed himself, in print, as well as in conversation, to the same course in 1844? If the atmosphere of men's opinions was stirred by such a proposition when war-clouds were discernible in the sky, was it not a statesmanlike word eleven years earlier, when the heavens looked tranquil and beneficent? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 "General Smith proceeded to unfold still further his views upon politics. He denounced the Missouri Compromise as an unjustifiable concession for the benefit of slavery. It was Henry Clay's bid for the presidency. Doctor Goforth might have spared himself the trouble of coming to Nauvoo to electioneer for a duelist who would fire at John Randolph, but was not brave enough to protect the Saints in their rights as American citizens. Clay told his (Smith's) people to go to the wilds of Oregon and set up a government of their own. Oh, yes, the Saints might go into the wilderness and obtain the justice of the Indians, which imbecile, time serving politicians would not give them in the land of freedom and equality. The prophet then talked of the details of government. He thought that the number of members admitted to the lower house of the National Legislature should be reduced. A crowd only darkened counsel and impeded business. A member for every half-million of population would be ample. The powers of the President should be increased. He should have authority to put down rebellion in a state, without waiting for the request of any Governor; for it might happen that the Governor himself would be the leader of the rebels. It is needless to remark how later events showed the executive weakness that Smith pointed out -- a weakness which cost thousands of valuable lives and millions of treasure. ... Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 "Born in the lowest ranks of poverty, without booklearning and with the homeliest of all human names, he had made himself at the age of thirty-nine a power upon the earth. Of the multitudinous family of Smith, none had so won human hearts and shaped human lives as this Joseph. His influence, whether for good or evil, is potent today, and the end is not yet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 "I have endeavored to give the details of my visit to the 'Mormon' prophet with absolute accuracy. If the reader does not know just what to make of Joseph Smith, I can not help him out of the difficulty. I myself stand helpless before the puzzle." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1921, p.222 I thank, you, gentlemen, for your attention. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.2 It is indeed a great pleasure to have again the opportunity of meeting with the Latter-day Saints in General Conference. I desire most earnestly that the prayer of President Chipman may be realized and that all of us, who may have the opportunity of speaking during the sessions of this conference, may be inspired of the Lord. I know that I not only speak for myself but for all of my associates of the General Authorities of the Church when I say that we desire only to say those things, during this conference, that shall be for the benefit, spiritually as well as temporally, of the Latter-day Saints. I know not only my own heart, but I know the hearts of those with whom I am associated, as the General Authorities of the Church, and I know that each and all of us desire more than anything else in the world the advancement of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We desire the welfare spiritually of the people, and also their temporal welfare; and it is our daily and constant prayer to God that his blessings may be and abide with the Saints in all parts of the world, and also with every honest-hearted soul who dwells upon the earth. THE SANCTIFYING POWER OF DISTRESS, AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE HISTORY OF THE SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.2 I would like to express my firm conviction as to the application to each and every faithful Latter-day Saint, of the last verse that we have just sung, verse number four of the hymn, "How firm a foundation:" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.2 When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.2 When I think of the distress of the Latter-day Saints, the dangers and persecutions through which they went in New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois; when I think of the trouble and difficulties of the great pioneer journey from the Missouri river to these valleys; when I think of the reign almost of terror at different times from my childhood until now -- the coming of an army against our people; when I think how near they came to starving because of the crickets; when I think of the confiscation of all the Church's property, and the many trials and tribulations through which the people have passed, I say when I think of these things I realize that the Lord has sanctified all their trials to the good of the Latter-day Saints, for these afflictions and tribulations have fitted and qualified them more perfectly to live the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. PRESENT DISTRESS AND DEBT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.3 At the present time the Latter-day Saints and the people of this intermountain country are in great distress financially. Perhaps there has never been a time from the early days of the settlement of the valley, when there was a greater scarcity of money in proportion to the needs of the people, and when so many people find themselves in financial difficulties, mainly due to the fact that they launched out beyond their means, and ran in debt, in many cases for luxuries. I happened to pick up in Chicago a bank advertisement which I think is very fine and timely just in this particular condition of affairs. The words are the words of that wise man, Benjamin Franklin: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.3 Taxes are indeed very heavy; but if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might the more easily discharge them. But we have many others and much more grievous to some of us; we are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly, [and they didn't even have automobiles in that day] and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing an abatement. FAITH, INTEGRITY AND DEVOTION OF THE SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.3 From my earliest recollections, from the days of Brigham Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.3 Young until now, I have listened to men standing in the pulpit in the old Tabernacle, and before that in the Bowery, before we had the old Tabernacle, and from this stand, urging the people not to run into debt; and I believe that the great majority of all our troubles today is caused through the failure to carry out that counsel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.3 I certainly hope that the lessons that we are learning today will turn out a blessing to us, that they will be sanctified to our good, as illustrated in the words of this verse from the hymn that I have read. And I believe that they will. I have an abiding and perfect faith in the integrity and the devotion and the loyalty of the Latter-day Saints to God and their desire to serve him. I have full faith in the people that have embraced the gospel. Why? Because they know the Lord; because they know our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ; because they know that this gospel, commonly called "Mormonism," is in very deed the plan of salvation; because they have an absolute and abiding knowledge that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and living God, and that the revelations contained in the D&C are in very deed the words of God. There is no doubt in the minds of the Latter-day Saints that God our heavenly Father, the Creator of heaven and earth; did speak to Joseph Smith. There is no doubt in the minds of the Latter-day Saints that God pointed to his Son and announced that he was his Son, and told the boy to hear him, and that the Savior of the worm gave instructions to Joseph Smith. I read a few months ago of one of the great "divines" in Great Britain -- a great student of the Bible, declaring that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God, and quoting as part of his authority another great "divine" and a famous theological student and teacher. Thank the Lord for the revelations of God to us, for the revelations from Jesus Christ where, time and time again, he announces himself as the Son of the living God, and the Redeemer of the World! Knowing as I know, and as the Latter-day Saints do know, that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the revelations contained in this book are in very deed the words of God, and the words of our Redeemer, I repeat that I have full faith in the integrity to God of the Latter-day Saints; and I am convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that the work of the Lord will continue to spread, notwithstanding the hard times financially through which we have been passing. PROGRESS IN THE MISSION FIELD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.4 We have, at the present time in the missionary field, seventeen hundred and ninety-eight missionaries, not including hundreds of workers in foreign lands who are local missionaries, who have been working in that capacity because of the lack of material in sending elders from the stakes of Zion. Our missionary activities for the first six months of this year indicate an increase in all the missions of the Church of 65 per cent in baptisms, as compared with the same period a year ago. This proves that the work of the Lord is spreading, that notwithstanding hard times, notwithstanding financial difficulties, there is a most remarkable and wonderful increase in the number of those who are embracing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have practically the same number of missionaries now that we had a year ago, so this growth is not because of the increase in the laborers in the fields, but is because of increase in the power of the missionaries and the blessings of the Lord to those who are engaged in the work. There has also been an increase of over 50 per cent in the mission fields in charities obtained during the past six months. ABOUT THE LABORS OF MISSIONARIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.5 In this connection, I desire to say to all the Latter-day Saints that we wish they would refrain from writing to laborers in the mission field suggesting that it is about time they were coming home. Where parents have had sons in the mission field for, say 15, 16 or 18 months, and feel, because of financial difficulties that it is impossible to keep them longer, we advise that they state the circumstances to the bishop of their wards, who should then apply to the elders and seventies, and these should endeavor to raise the means to keep those young men in the field for at least two years or two years and a half. In most cases a young elder is just coming to himself and to a capacity and ability and power to preach the gospel with force and with the inspiration of God, when he has been in the mission field 18 months, and it is a great injustice to the boy who is growing spiritually -- as he cannot grow in any other labor in all the world -- that he should have to have to come home too soon. Those who are at home ought to realize this, and ought to feel a responsibility and a willingness and a desire to keep in the field the young men from the various wards until they have completed at least two years of service; and in many cases it would be a god-send to the young men, as well as to those who help, if their mission were extended to two and a half or even three years. I remember President Lyman's idea was that a missionary who had been in the field two years and a half could do more by remaining another six months than he had done in the entire year of his previous term; and I believe this. APPEAL TO THE SAINTS TO KEEP MISSIONARIES IN THE FIELD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.5 So where young men have the spirit of their missions and are themselves willing and anxious to stay, but whose parents, because of financial difficulties are unable to keep them, I appeal to the Latter-day Saints to respond to the calls of the elders and the seventies and the bishopric of the wards, and assist in keeping these young men in the field. Our mission to the world is to proclaim the gospel; one reason why the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was placed upon the earth was that men should come to a knowledge of the truth; and the one supreme object above all other objects of every Latter-day Saint should be to bring people to a knowledge of the truth. MISSIONARY WORK THE GREATEST OF ALL IN THE WORLD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.5 The missionary work of the Latter-day Saints is the greatest of all the great works in all the world. We find recorded in the eighteenth section of the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth. Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 And if it so be that you should labor all your day in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 And if we have not faith we cannot please the Lord, the revelation goes on to say. We should have faith in God and not only have faith, but works also, and exhibit our works by supporting those who are in the missionary field. WONDERFUL MISSIONARY LABORS IN THE STAKES OF ZION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 I wish to say that I am delighted with the excellent and wonderful labors that have been accomplished in some of the stakes of Zion in converting and baptizing people. Missionary work that has been carried on here at home during the past six months has been far more fruitful than it has ever been before. We have not really done our duty here at home in our missionary work. It is only within the last year or two that we have taken up a systematic labor of visiting those who are not of our faith and explaining the gospel; and in proportion to the amount of this work that has been done, the results in baptisms have been greater than the same amount of work anywhere. I am grateful for this labor, and commend those stakes of Zion where it has been most energetically carried on. THE BEST LAW IN THE WORLD TO MAKE BETTER LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.6 In these hard times financially, I want to repeat to the Latter-day Saints my firm belief that God our heavenly Father prospers and blesses and gives wisdom to those men and to those women who are strictly honest with him in the payment of their tithing. I believe that when a man is in financial difficulty, the best way to get out of that difficulty (and I speak from personal experience, because I believe that more than once in my life I have been in the financial mud as deep as almost anybody) is to be absolutely honest with the Lord, and never to allow a dollar to come into our hands without the Lord receiving ten per cent of it. The Lord does not need your money or mine. Compliance with the law of tithing and donations for ward meetinghouses, stake houses, academies, temples, missionary work and these various needs, are all for our good. They are but lessons that we are learning which will qualify and prepare us to become more godlike and to be fitted to go back into the presence of our heavenly Father. The very lessons of a financial nature that are given us are the same as lessons that are given in a school to a boy or a girl; they are for the benefit of the boy; they are for the benefit of the girl, for their advancement, for their joy and happiness in after life; because of all the knowledge and information we acquire, and in the improvement that we make, we ourselves are the ones who are benefited. God our heavenly Father has instituted laws to improve his people physically, spiritually, intellectually, and one of the best laws in all the world to make better Latter-day Saints is the law of tithing. There are many people who believe the gospel and would probably embrace it, but for the fact that they are like that young man of whom we read in the Scripture, when the Savior told him, after the young man declared that "all these things have I done," to sell what he had and give to the poor. Many people cannot endure the gospel because of financial requirements that are made of them, and they allow the things of this world, which they have grasped firmly and steadfastly, to rob them of the greatest of all God's gifts, namely, life eternal. I commend the law of tithing to the Latter-day Saints, and I am entitled to commend it, because from my childhood days I have never made a dollar that the tithing has not been honestly paid upon; and I acknowledge the blessings of Almighty God to me because of obeying this law. THE LAW OF HEALTH AND WEALTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.7 I want to exhort the Latter-day Saints to observe and keep the Word of Wisdom. I consider it almost a crime for men and women who acknowledge that they know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that this gospel commonly called "Mormonism" is in very deed the truth -- I consider it almost a crime that when the Lord Almighty gives to them a law whereby they can have health and vigor of body and mind, they disregard it. Every single dollar that is expended in breaking the Word of Wisdom goes out of the country. It is so much of the vital fluid, so to speak, financially drawn from the community every time a man or woman drinks a cup of tea or coffee or uses tobacco or uses liquor, because we do not produce those things at home. If they actually believed thoroughly the Word of Wisdom it seems to me you couldn't possibly persuade people not to obey it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.8 "A Word of Wisdom for the benefit of the Council of High Priests, assembled in Kirtland, and Church, and also the Saints of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.8 "To be sent greeting -- not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God" -- remember this is the will of God -- "in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.8 I believe firmly that if all the money which has been sent out of this country from the day the Saints first located in these valleys, for those things that the Lord has said in this revelation are not good for man, had instead been kept here, the accumulation of wealth in our country would have been so great that this intermountain section where the Latter-day Saints are located, would be one of the richest and most prosperous in all the United States. A dollar is to the financial body what a drop of blood is in the body. We only have, as I understand, about twenty pounds of blood in the body. The heart beats about eighty times a minute and handles about four ounces every time it beats; therefore that twenty pounds of blood is handled every minute and there is about ten tons of it handled every twenty-four hours -- ten tons although there are only twenty pounds of it. Of course they say we just accidentally came here, our hearts just accidentally keep a-going and handles ten tons of blood a day -- a little bit of a pump, the size of your fist -- and if it accidentally stopped two or three minutes, none of us would be here. The heart alone is one of the greatest testimonies of the divine power of God, because we don't even have to think to ask it to beat. If we did, we wouldn't have anything else to do but sit down and tell the heart to work. It would keep us busy all the time. There is nothing in all the world devised by the utmost ingenuity of man, that can do the same amount of work as that little piece of machinery, the human heart, operating after the manner of a pump, with twenty pounds doing practically ten tons of work every twenty-four hours. Now, as I say, money, a dollar, is just the same. It is estimated that a dollar does all the way from twenty to over a hundred dollars of work a year, going round and round, and circulating, and buying and paying and doing work; so when we stop to think that there are hundreds of thousands of dollars sent out of this country every year for breaking the Word of Wisdom -- true, the great majority of it is not sent by the Latter-day Saints -- we can form some idea of what could have happened if money thus sent out had been kept at home and each dollar of it permitted to do its hundred dollars' worth of work. A PRACTICAL LESSON ON THE WORTH OF A DOLLAR IN HOME INDUSTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.9 Speaking of the work a dollar does at home reminds me of an incident that I have related many times. Years ago there was a great drive in this section of the country to support home-made goods, and I was one who was deeply interested in it, being a member of several committees that were working to bring about this policy. I remember that during our conference we had a meeting in the Assembly Hall one evening and one of the speakers on that occasion was the then bishop of Smithfield, George L. Farrell, Brother Farrell said that for twenty odd years, or perhaps he said thirty, he had been coming down to conference twice a year and, knowing that all the stock in the railroad running through that country was owned by eastern capitalists, he had marked the money which he paid for his tickets to see if he ever got any of it back again. "I have also," he said, "marked the money that I paid for home-made goods to see if I got any of that back again, I never got any of my railroad money back," he continued, "but one reason that I always buy home-made goods is that I think a whole lot of George L. Farrell and I like to get my money back again, and time and time again when I have bought homemade goods and marked the money, that identical money, staying in the community and circulating around, has come back to me. And it is because I think a great deal of myself, as well as my neighbors, that I buy shoes made at home for my children, that I buy homemade cloth out of which to make clothes for those children." Then he said: "To give you a practical illustration: When starting for this identical conference, standing at the depot at Smithfield I saw a man who had made some shoes for my children, and I walked up and handed him five dollars to pay for those shoes; he saw somebody else in the group to whom he owed five dollars, and he handed him the five; this man saw another to whom he was indebted and handed him the same piece of money; and he in turn saw another man and handed it to him until finally after five or six debts had been paid with the same piece of money the last man to receive it came up to me and said, 'Brother Farrell, I owe you six dollars. Here is five on my account' -- and I put my home-made shoes money back into my trousers pocket." Twenty or thirty dollars' worth of debts were thus paid by patronizing one shoemaker in Smithfield, the money was saved at home by circulating around, it paid these many debts and at length landed back into the pocket where it started from. That was a practical lesson, and a practical lesson that ought to count. HOME MANUFACTURED GOODS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.9 It would be a very easy matter to increase the use of this one product in this country by thousands and tens of thousands of dollars. Before me is an audience of at least five to ten thousand people, and I would like to know how many of you are standing, or sitting I should perhaps say, with your feet in home-made shoes. I dare not ask those of you who are thus shod to stand up -- I am afraid the showing would be altogether too thin. I am myself standing in home-made shoes; it is the kind I have been standing in for over thirty years, and I find that they are good enough for me. Another reason why I like them is that they wear longer than any I used to get before I commenced wearing them, and in addition to wearing longer they look better; and in addition to looking better, they cost less. So I am like Brother Farrell. It is not altogether patriotism, it is because I think a whole lot of Heber J. Grant that I wear home-made shoes. I have been converted to home-made goods from the time that, as a young man, I heard a sermon from this stand by Brigham Young, that great leader, that man of wonderful foresight for the benefit of his people spiritually, financially, and intellectually, one of the greatest pioneers and most remarkable men that ever lived. In passing let me say that in conversing with a great banker in New York only a few days ago, I made the remark that Brigham Young would yet be recognized as one of the greatest organizers and one of the greatest leaders of men that ever lived, and this banker replied in substance: "There is no one who knows anything of Brigham Young's history that does not acknowledge it today. I do. I have read his history and it is one of the most intensely interesting books I have ever read." And my belief is that one of the very things which caused the banker to have confidence in the Latter-day Saints today was that many years ago he read the history of Brigham Young and was impressed by the wonderful things that had been accomplished by him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.10 But coming back to the sermon. President Young pleaded with the people to support the Provo Woolen Mills; and from that day until these mills shut down some years ago, I never bought a suit of clothes in Salt Lake City that was not made from Provo goods which I selected and handed to the tailor to make up for me. I was honored once with being in the legislature when we gave a ball to the members of the Wyoming legislature. I was wearing at the time a gray Provo suit; and, realizing that everybody who would be at the party in the Theatre would have a black suit -- a swallow-tail or Prince Albert, -- I went went to the Z. C. M. I., bought me a black suit, Prince Albert coat. I didn't want to be the only white sheep in the bunch, and so went to the ball in black. The very next day I gave it away to a poor relative: the ball cost me thirty odd dollars -- the cost of a black suit. A friend asked me, "Why didn't you wear it a little while, and get a little benefit out of it before you gave it to your neighbor?" I answered that I didn't want to have the suit on if I happened to want to preach in favor of home-made goods. I was afraid that it being a black suit, I might by chance wear it some Sunday, and I have always felt that I would not ask the people to do anything that I didn't do myself. I didn't know until yesterday that the Provo Woolen Mills were again making cloth for suits and overcoats and I do not propose to buy any overcoats in the future except those made from the Knight Woolen Mills goods or some other Utah establishment which is making them. BUY HOME MADE GOODS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.11 I call upon the Latter-day Saints to buy home-made goods of every kind that they can possibly get here at home. In other words, let cane sugar alone and buy some beet sugar. Some people think you can't make the finest kind of candy unless you have cane sugar. Well, I have been guilty of swapping sacks, you know, and lo and behold, Utah beet sugar in a cane sugar sack will "jell" all right, will make all kinds of candy; but cane sugar in a Utah beet sugar sack won't do any of these things. I had the same experience years ago with soap. As a young man I was agent for Franklin MacVeagh & Co.'s grocery house, of Chicago. The soapmaker employed by James A. Kirk & Co. had left that firm and MacVeagh & Co. secured his services and proceeded to make all the kinds and brands of soap which he had been making for his former firm. There was a good hired woman working for us who couldn't read English, but knew all the wrappers on the Kirk soap; and she insisted she couldn't create a lather on wash day. She couldn't wash clothes at all with the MacVeagh soap. But when I took the MacVeagh soap out and put in Kirk wrappers she declared it perfect; and when I took the Kirk soap and put it in MacVeagh wrappers the poor woman again insisted she couldn't lather with it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.11 I say to the people, buy all things that you possibly can which are produced here at home. No section of the inter-mountain country has been hit so hard financially as ours -- Utah and southern Idaho -- because of the tremendous slump in the prices of the products of the soil and because of the great fall in live stock values. I was given a place of honor as state chairman and I esteemed the privilege of calling upon the people to subscribe for Liberty bonds. I went to California with Mr. Farnsworth, chairman of our state defense committee, and other loyal, patriotic, men, to discuss ways and means in connection with raising money for our government and as chairman of the Liberty Loan committee for Utah. I said to Mr. Lynch, then governor of the Federal Reserve Bank: "I pledge you the absolute loyalty of the people of Utah. I promise to put over any requirement, no matter how much it is, that is placed on the people of Utah, on one condition, and that is that you will give us a federal reserve branch in Salt Lake City. We haven't got the resources, we haven't the war activities, we haven't the money. But we have the loyalty, and if you will bring the bank there, we will borrow the money and we will do our share. The Bank organized a bank and they expected that five or six clerks, ten at the most, were all they would need for some time; and it was a little less than five months, as I remember it, when we were owing that branch bank, because of financial distress, between forty and fifty millions of dollars. We did our duty. Then since the slump came, inasmuch as it was all borrowed money, it is wearing the life out of us to pay the interest. I have conversed with men from San Francisco and they acknowledge that this inter-mountain country has been hit hardest because of difficulty in getting our products to market. Our distance from market creates a discrimination -- not that I am blaming this all upon the freight rates, which are costing us heavily, being in some cases almost prohibitive. But if we have to suffer in having to pay so much to get our goods to far-away markets, if we are suffering more than most other sections in this respect, all the more reason to avail ourselves of the great relief and remedy that will come from our purchasing and using every single solitary article that can be made at home. Now, I am not getting any commission for talking home manufactured goods; but I feel that it is clearly for the people's financial benefit that they should support home-made goods to the fullest possible extent. CO-OPERATION ADVISED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.12 I have been much delighted with the splendid work that President Alonzo A. Hinckley is doing in trying to arrange for a co-operation so that our alfalfa, which is quarantined and cannot be shipped away, can be utilized by the people who have livestock to feed. I would rejoice if we could mature our livestock, quit killing the lambs and the breeding cattle, and arrange to feed our stock here at home. I commend all the co-operative work in this direction that is going on, and hope that the farmer and the stock raiser can get together and use up all the hay and other products of the soil for the feeding of our own stock instead of carrying these products over for another year. As an illustration of the imposition in being obliged to pay so much for mutton, I ordered a couple of muttonchops -- 80 cents -- during my recent trip east; and while I haven't such a fearfully large mouth, I mouth, I honestly believe I could have taken one of them entire in just one bite, if I had cut the meat off the bone -- two bites -- forty cents a bite. On other occasions, I ordered and paid for chops which I am sure I could have got in my mouth without the least trouble in the world, in two bites to a chop -- twenty cents a bite. Now, when you think of the stock-raiser having to sell his ewe lambs and getting about five cents a pound, it will be evident that the time has come when we need a little co-operation between the man who is running the restaurant, the man who is running the meat shop, the man who has hay and grain, and the man who has got mutton for sale. Perhaps some of us then could raise enough money so that instead of getting two bites for eighty cents, we might get three chops for a meal instead of two and get them for thirty or forty cents. CHARITY ENJOINED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.13 We want to try to get back to first principles, and to co-operate to carry out that second great commandment. The first is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our might, mind and strength; and the second is like unto it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let us be charitable in these hard times. Let us not oppress our brothers who may be owing us a little, if we can possibly avoid it. Let us he hopeful and cheerful and happy. Why, we are in a magnificent condition in comparison with the time when the crickets were destroying the crops of our fathers and mothers. We are in a magnificent condition in comparison with the early days when people went around bare-footed, when they had one suit of clothes, when they had one pound of butter in a whole year, as some of us did in our houses. Let us study economy, let us be kind and charitable, and above all, let us serve God with full purpose of heart, be honest in our tithes and offerings, liberal in doing these things with our means that shall be for the benefit and uplift of God's kingdom. May the Lord bless us and pour out his Spirit abundantly upon us during this conference is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Since our last conference new stake presidents have been appointed as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.13 President Thomas L. Allen, Summit stake. President Wallace Calder, Uintah stake. President John V. Bluth, North Weber stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.13 New wards have been organized as follows: Logan Twelfth ward, Logan stake. Fairview North ward, North Sanpete stake. Escalante South ward, Garfield stake. Topence ward, Idaho stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.13 There have been new independent branches organized: Boulder branch, Garfield stake. Standardville branch, Carbon stake. Kenilworth branch, Carbon stake. Rains branch, Carbon stake, Soldier Summit branch, Utah stake. Grovont branch, Teton stake. Jackson branch, Teton stake. Wilson branch, Teton stake. Ophir branch, Tooele stake. MacKay branch, Lost River stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.14 We have to announce the death of President Orville L. Thompson, president of the Millard stake of Zion, a man of devotion as a president of the stake, an honorable, upright member of many sessions of the legislature, a splendid father, husband and Latter-day Saint. We extend to his wife and family the sympathy of all of the people here assembled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.14 Bishops who have died: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.14 Bishop Clyde A. Hammond, Moab ward, San Juan stake. Bishop Isaac C. McFarlane, St. George East, St. George stake. Bishop Frederick W. Passey, Lanark ward, Bear Lake stake. Bishop Robert Siddoway, Rockport ward, Summit stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.14 Bishop Henry K. Thatcher, Thatcher Second ward, Bannock stake; also was Bannock Stake Clerk. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.14 Mission presidents released: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.14 George Albert Smith, European mission. Nicholas G. Smith, South African mission. Theodore Tobiason, Swedish mission. Mission presidents appointed: Orson F. Whitney, European mission. J. Wyley Sessions, South African mission. Isaac P. Thunell, Swedish mission. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.64 Elder Hart has asked you to read from the scripture. I thought I would do the same; and then while considering it, I believe that nine out of ten of you would not do it, so I am going to read an entire section of the Doctrine and Covenants: Remember this is the word of the Lord Almighty, a revelation from God to his people, the very first section in the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.64 Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say, hearken ye people from afar, and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.64 For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape, and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I, the Lord, have commanded them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Wherefore, fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I, the Lord, have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And verily, I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 man according to his work, [not according to his profession, not according to his knowledge, not according to the testimonies he bears, but according to his work] and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles shall be cut off from among the people; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own God, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Wherefore I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 That faith also might increase in the earth; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 That mine everlasting covenants might be established; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.65 And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received, for my spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 And also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself: and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth for ever and ever. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.66 A revelation from the Lord God to the Latter-day Saints. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.86 I really believe that this is the largest gathering I have ever seen in this Tabernacle of a Sunday morning. I am told that the Assembly Hall is full and running over, and that there are several hundred people still standing up. It will therefore be necessary to hold an overflow meeting. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.86 In announcing the hymn, "When dark and drear the skies appear," President Grant remarked: The words of this very splendid hymn are by Sister Emily Hill Woodmansee, the music by our late organist, Joseph J. Daynes. No person that I ever knew, lived more perfectly in keeping with these beautiful words than the good sister who wrote them. She came to this country, dragging a hand cart all the way from the Missouri River to the Salt Lake Valley. She lived and died one of the true and faithful Latter-day Saints. She has written some of the most inspiring of the many inspiring hymns that we have in our hymn book. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.191 We have with us today the only living survivor of the Pioneers who came here with President Brigham Young -- Brother Lorenzo Zobriskie Young. I doubt if he could be heard, so we will only ask him to stand up and let us take a look at him. This is Brother Young, the only surviving member of President Brigham Young's company, which came here in 1847. [He was one of the two children who came with the company -- Perry Decker, being the other child. -- Clerk.] PRESENTATION OF PEACE RESOLUTION. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.191 President Grant presented the following resolution: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.191 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brought forth and established by the power of God and dedicated to the mission of preparing the way for the glorious coming of the Son of God to reign in the earth, in truth and righteousness and peace, beholds with deep interest every authoritative movement taken by the nations in the interest of World Peace. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.192 It is believed that the conference called in Washington to consider the limitation of armaments and questions concerning the Pacific and nations of the Far East may, under the favor of Heaven, promote this great objective. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.192 To the end that it may do so, the Latter-day Saints in general conference now assembled approve the appointment of a Sabbath day before the eleventh of November, 1921, on which in all the wards and stakes of Zion, and in all branches of the Church in the United States and in the Missions throughout the world, the members of the Church shall be called together in their usual places of worship to engage in special and solemn prayer for Divine guidance of the International Conference on the Limitation of Armaments, that the cause of Peace may be thereby enhanced, and an amelioration of the burdens of mankind secured. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.192 President Grant: It is moved and seconded that this resolution be adopted by the Latter-day Saints in General Conference assembled. All in favor raise the right hand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1921, p.192 There was a unanimous vote of approval. President Heber J. Grant PRESIDENT EMMELINE B. WELLS. Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.199 Since our last meeting here, in general conference, one of the most faithful and best beloved, and most remarkable workers in the Church among our sisters, has passed away, the late Emmeline B. Wells, who lives in the hearts and memory of the people. She bore testimony to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, from my earliest recollection until she passed away, some ninety-odd years of age, with a power, a force, and a spirit that I have seldom heard from the lips of any person. I rejoice that she had the opportunity of traveling over the stakes of Zion, from Canada to Mexico, and in many foreign lands, in attending many gatherings of noted women in the world, at home in these United States and abroad. Wherever she went she bore that testimony and, by the integrity of her heart, by the wonderful and splendid intellect that she had, and above all, by the burning testimony of the divinity of this work, in which we as Latter-day Saints are engaged, she made friends for this people among all those with whom she came in contact. REGRETS THE LIMIT OF TIME. Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.201 There has been but one regret in my mind during this conference, and that is that we have had to limit the time of the speakers, asking some not to exceed ten minutes, others not to exceed fifteen, and allowing none to go beyond twenty minutes. I sometimes feel that we make a mistake in not having four days of conference, so that when men are speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit of the living God, they will not feel that they have to say "Amen" upon the moment. At the same time, I believe that we feel better and that we accomplish more, if we can start on time and close on time. BLESSINGS FOR TIlE PEOPLE. Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.201 I feel to bless the people for the wonderful attendance at this conference. I feared on account of the hard times, and the great financial depression, that our conference would not be as largely attended as heretofore; but our gatherings here this morning, in this building, in the Assembly Hall, and in the overflow meetings, and our gatherings this afternoon in all three of those meetings, I believe have been larger than upon any other occasion in the history of the Church. Zion is growing. The faith of the people is enlarging. Their attendance at their sacrament meetings, and at their priesthood meetings is increasing and they are becoming more and more faithful in performing the duties and the obligations that rest upon them in the auxiliary associations. They are doing better; more work is being accomplished in the temples than ever before; and the people are growing in the light and the knowledge and testimony and the love of the gospel. I pray God to bless the Latter-day Saints in every land and in every clime, I pray for his blessing upon the honest the world over, and I pray for peace and happiness to come to the inhabitants of the world. We will now close our conference for six months, by the choir singing the words of a song given by revelation from God contained in the D&C, Section 84. Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.202 The music was written by a former citizen of this state, Arthur Shepherd, who has gained for himself a national reputation as a composer of music. Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.202 The Lord hath brought again Zion: The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel, According to the election of grace, Which was brought to pass by the faith And covenant of their fathers. Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.202 The Lord hath redeemed his people, And Satan is bound and time is no longer: The Lord hath gathered all things in one: The Lord hath brought down Zion from above. The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath. Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.202 The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength: And truth is established in her bowels: And the heavens have smiled upon her: And she is clothed with the glory of her God. For he stands in the midst of his people; Emmeline B. Wells, Conference Report, October 1921, p.202 Glory, and honor, and power, and might, Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy, Justice, grace and truth, and peace, For ever and ever, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.2 I am delighted once more to have the opportunity of meeting with the Latter-day Saints in General Conference assembled. I am pleased indeed to see so large a congregation here today, considering the inclement weather of some months past, and the great need of our farming community to stay at home to prepare their farms for the coming harvest. It shows the faith of the Latter-day Saints when they neglect their ordinary temporal affairs, and, upon a week day, assemble in such large numbers as we see here before us. I believe this is one of the largest congregations I have seen for a number of years, except on the Sabbath day, of Conference when, as you know, the building is overcrowded and we have to hold overflow meetings. THE INSPIRATIONS FROM A NOTED HYMN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.2 I never hear the opening hymn, "Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear, but with joy wend your way," but that my heart goes out in gratitude and thanksgiving to God for these wonderful men and women who sang this hymn, day after day, and week after week, and month after month, as they were crossing the plains, coming fifteen hundred miles from the city of Nauvoo, where, as you know, they had been expelled by a mob. A gentleman said to me in substance, when I sang him this hymn one day as I was taking him up one of our beautiful canyons, "Mr. Grant, I have never heard a single verse of any hymn that has impressed me more with an absolute and perfect faith in the immortality of the soul of man than that last verse in your hymn, 'Come, come, ye Saints.'" Previously he had asked me for a copy of the hymn which I gave him, and in addition, I had given him a copy of The Songs of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.2 "And should we die before our journey's through, happy day, all is well. We then are free from toil and sorrow too, with the just we shall dwell." I am convinced that every one of the people who traveled a thousand miles over an almost trackless trail to these valleys of the mountains, and who sang this hymn, had an absolutely abiding testimony in their hearts and souls of the immortality of man. There is no doubt in the mind of any Latter-day Saint that the body shall be literally resurrected, that we shall meet God, our Father, in whose image we were made, that we shall meet our Redeemer, our elder brother, the Son of the living God. We have in very deed found the place which God for us prepared. We have in very deed been blessed of God. We have become, as the Prophet Joseph Smith predicted, a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. He said that the Saints should continue to suffer much persecution and affliction, that many should be put to death by our persecutors, and others should live to go and assist in building cities and making settlements and should become a great and a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. This part of the country was then considered a worthless tract; it was put down upon the maps as the "Great American Desert," but the inspiration of the living God to Joseph Smith as shown by the prophecy that he uttered and had recorded, was that we were to come here; and we have come here, and we have become a mighty people in the midst of these mountains. Brigham Young announced that in vision the Lord had shown him this valley, and when he stood upon the hill to the east and saw the valley, he said "This is the place." When I think of this great building erected by him and remember that the few nails used in it cost at the rate of $1.00 a pound, and that it is held together with wooden pins and tied with raw-hide -- when I think of the erection of this building and the organ here and all the great things that were accomplished under the direction of that wonderful pioneer, especially when I hear this hymn, my heart goes out in gratitude, that I, too, had a father who was one of those who came here in early days as a pioneer and that he had in his heart the love of God and the faith that God had prepared a place for us, far away in the West. CONCERNING THE GREAT SUGAR INDUSTRY OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN COUNTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.3 I have received a communication asking me if I did not think I had charged a little bit too much when I received $900,000 commission for raising $2,100,000 to help out the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. I did not get one dollar of commission, neither did the "Mormon" Church get a dollar of commission; but the "Mormon" Church used its credit for $2,100,000 to buy $3,000,000 of preferred stock, (less the limited amount which the share holders took, which was a little less, as I remember it, than 10 per cent of the capital stock). We did this to save the sugar industry, and I spent weeks of my time borrowing money for the Church -- something we do not like to do, and would not have done except to save a great industry, for the benefit of the farmers and the stockholders of the company. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.4 I want to say to the Latter-day Saints that the first beet sugar factory ever built in the United States of America, with American machinery, was built by the people of Utah, at Lehi; but for the fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints used its credit and borrowed the money to build that factory, during the panic of 1891, that factory would never have been built. I was utilized by President Woodruff and his counselors as the financial agent of the Church, and I went to New York, to Boston, to Hartford, to Philadelphia, to San Francisco and other places, and borrowed money upon the credit of the Church to finish that factory, for the people who had subscribed for stock in it, because of the panic, failed to fulfil their pledges. It is only fair to say that many of the bankers were not willing to loan money to build that factory, even to the Church, because banks were failing all over the country. I made a proposition to the bank that loaned the last $100,000 for the building of the factory that if the banker, the cashier and manager of Wells Fargo Bank of San Francisco, would write the names of twenty-five of the strongest financial men in Salt Lake City who were "Mormons" I would promise that twenty out of that twenty-five would individually and collectively guarantee the payment of the $100,000. I used to be his office boy in Salt Lake City when he was the manager of Wells Fargo Bank here, and I pleaded with him that as he believed in me as a boy, to believe in me now as a man and as one of the leaders of the "Mormon" Church. He laughed and said, "Why, Heber, that is an impossibility, no set of men on the face of the earth would guarantee four Church notes for $25,000 each. I said, "All I ask is for you to give me the privilege, and if I fail to get the twenty signatures, then I do not ask you to loan me the money." He said, "My boy, I will go you 100 per cent better; you offer me a margin of five; I will give you a margin of ten. I will write thirty names, and if you can get twenty out of the thirty, your Church can have the money." He wrote four or five, tore up the slip of paper, threw it in the waste-basket and said, "By the way, Heber, twelve or fourteen years have passed since I left Salt Lake, many a man who was wealthy then may be busted now; I will just have my successor in Salt Lake write those thirty names and when you take him the notes he will pay you the money. I came home and the man wrote thirty names. I secured twenty-four signatures out of the thirty and three of the men on the list were out of the city, and I secured one endorser who was not on the list, the late David Eccles, who was worth more than any half dozen of the men who signed. David Eccles who heard me telling the story, asked me the question, "Is my name one of the thirty?" When I said, "No," he said, "I would like to look at those notes." I had said they were payable, one in six months, one in twelve months, one in eighteen months and one in twenty-four months. He did not look at the face of them; he turned them wrong side up and wrote his name on the back of them and said, "My name won't hurt them." Then he said, "You tell President Wilford Woodruff that David Eccles always keeps two or three hundred thousand dollars where he can put his hand on it by giving thirty days' notice, and that, as these notes fall due, if he will give me thirty days' notice, I will take them up, and he can pay me in one year or five years or ten years or whenever convenient. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.5 There is, perhaps, nothing more tiresome to an audience, accustomed to hearing a man speak always without reading, than for him to read to them, but I am going to tire you by reading an editorial from the Improvement Era, entitled, "Integrity and Industry:" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.5 "In the practical religion of the Latter-day Saints, we find not only spirituality, but integrity; not only faith, but works" * * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.5 I may not have been a very good preacher of the gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ, from the standpoint of doctrinal preaching, but I have endeavored, to the best of my ability, since I was called as a boy forty odd years ago, to preside over the Tooele stake of Zion, and forty years this coming October, to be one of the apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ, to preach the doctrine of St. James, "I will show thee my faith by my works." He wanted men to show their faith by their works: and I have announced to the Latter-day Saints time and time again from my first public speech lasting seven and a half minutes, after my call to the ministry, that I did not ask any man to be a more honest tithe payer, or a more perfect observer of the Word of Wisdom, or to be a better observer of his family and secret prayers, or to be more liberal in proportion to his means, for the advancement of God's kingdom, than I would be; and, thank the Lord, I have kept that promise, made to the people of Tooele. I believe in the Latter-day Saint who is honest with the Lord, God Almighty, who believes it a privilege to contribute to the Lord one-tenth of all that the Lord puts into his hands, I believe in the man who goes down on his knees and supplicates God every day of his life for the guidance that comes from above; I believe in the man who observes the Word of Wisdom and who has faith enough not to take into his system those things that the Lord, God Almighty has revealed to us are not good for man. "* * * * not only thrift, but industry,. not only co-operation, but unselfish service. In a community where these characteristics predominate, the consequence must necessarily result in a God-fearing, clean, loyal, prosperous and dependable people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.5 "As an illustration of these remarks, we cite the wisdom displayed in the saving of the sugar industry of Utah and Idaho from the recent threatened disaster. The rounding of the sugar industry was one of the grandest happenings that could come to the West, and is an illustration of the wisdom, faith, and integrity of those who stood and who stand at its head. Had this great industry, which was seriously threatened, not been sustained and protected, the disastrous effects would indeed have been far-reaching, the loss most dreadful, not only to business, but to individual producers as well. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.6 "In view of these facts, and considering the benefits to be derived from this accomplishment, the following statement, from one who is well-in-formed on the subject, must prove of great interest, both to manufacturers and farmers, as well as to the people in general: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.6 "'For the various sugar companies of Utah and Idaho during the season of 1921, there were approximately 160,000 acres of sugar beets grown by approximately 16,000 farmers. About half of this amount was raised for the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. The 16,000 farmers delivered from the 160,000 acres to the various companies in the two states approximately 1,600,000 tons of beets, from which upwards of 4,000,000 bags of sugar have been manufactured, which, if sold at the present price of about $4.50 per bag, would amount to approximately $18,000,000, this being distributed, about one-half to the farmer, and the other half to the workmen and manufacturers for material, etc. While the manufacturers of this sugar will undoubtedly sustain a loss, unless the price of sugar increases, yet the benefits to be derived from the circulation of this vast sum of money, during this period of financial distress is of inestimable value. It furnishes the very life's blood of our industrial pursuits, and will assist in tiding this section of the country over, in some of its financial difficulties. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.6 Speaking of circulation of the blood reminds me of the fact that a dollar as the circulating medium of finance, is to the body of the financial world, exactly what a drop of blood is to the human body. I understand there are about twenty pounds of blood in the human body, and that the heart handles about four ounces every time it beats; therefore it handles, since the heart beats about eighty times a minute, the whole twenty pounds every minute. Multiply this quantity by sixty, and then multiply it by twenty-four, and you get more than ten tons -- yet there are only twenty pounds of blood which circulate continuously every twenty-four hours. Twenty pounds of circulating medium; ten tons of work every twenty-four hours -- the heart, just about the size of my hand, is a wonderful little pump. It goes, with some people, over ninety years, without even being told to go. Of course, it just accidentally dropped inside of us, and just accidentally goes on, according to the ideas of some people! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.6 Now, it is estimated that a dollar does from $25 to $100 worth of work every year. Just figure it out -- if you can get a string of figures long enough -- what this $18,000,000 would would do, if it did a hundred times that much work every year. Brother Ivins had an interesting check. A man in Arizona, where they have had great money depression and are hard up on account of the discontinuance of the high prices for cotton, drew up a check for $25. When the check was returned it had paid $500 in debts, having twenty endorsers. I heard the manager of the Federal Reserve bank in our city say that some six or seven months ago there were forty odd million dollars of rediscounts in that bank, and that they had been reduced to twenty-two and a fraction. I want to give it, as my judgment, that as 85 per cent of all the sugar that is raised in the intermountain country has to go to or beyond the Missouri river, if the vast sum of money, resulting from sugar sales had not been brought here, instead of the Federal Reserve Bank having only twenty odd millions of rediscounts today, it would have nearer thirty odd millions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.7 I have often told the story about Bishop Geo. E. Farrell, who bought some home-made shoes and paid for them at the depot, and then found his $5 went around and around and at last landed in his own pocket after paying $25 worth of debts. He said he bought homemade goods because it kept the money at home and helped build up the community. I recommend this, because, since I was a youth of 17 or 18, I bought but one suit of clothes in Salt Lake, until the mills closed, not made from cloth manufactured in the old Provo Woolen Mills. I heard Brigham Young deliver a sermon here, telling the people who were then a thousand miles from supplies, that we should be self-sustaining and should patronize home manufacturing institutions. I patronized the Provo Woolen Mills from that day until the day the mills closed. The one suit purchased in Salt Lake that was not made from Provo goods, was when I had the honor of being in the Legislature. We gave a ball to the members of the Wyoming legislature. I was wearing at that time a gray Provo suit; but did not want to be the only white sheep at the ball in the theatre; so I bought a hand-me-down black suit from the Z. C. M. I. -- "Prince Albert." The next day I gave that thirty odd dollar suit to a poor relative. I said I did not want to have it on, if I should happen to want to preach on supporting home manufacture. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.7 "'Had this financing not been accomplished, business concerns throughout this section would have been shaken to their very foundations and would have suffered great losses. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.7 "'To produce the $18,000,000 resulting from the 160,000 acres of beets and the sugar manufactured therefrom, it would take 1,000,000 acres of grain or 1,500,000 acres of alfalfa at the present prices. Therefore the sugar beet crop manufactured into sugar has produced, in the gross, five or six times, at least, as much per acre as that of the other standard crops of this section. It also furnishes thousands of people with employment both in and out of the factories, which the other crops do not furnish. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.7 "'Besides, the by-products of the beet crop, such as tops, pulp and syrup, have fed thousands of head of cattle, sheep and dairy cows, thus producing abundance of beef, mutton and dairy products, for home consumption and shipment abroad, the returns for which have been brought back to the two states above mentioned. Further, the feeding of the livestock on the farms helps to keep up the fertility. It has been thoroughly demonstrated that the growing of sugar beets raises the standard of farming and in creases the yields of other crops to follow. The countries of the old world, as well as the new, where sugar beets have been grown for a long period of years, have proved that where 25 per cent of the land has been used for beet culture the remaining 75 per cent has raised as much in cereals as the 100 per cent produced before sugar beets were grown. The deep plowing required for this crop, the intense cultivation of the soil, and the small, fine rootlets of the beets, that penetrate deeply into the soil, and are left there to pass off into the soil, are all beneficial to other crops in the rotation system which so many of the farmers have learned to follow.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.7 This is the end of the quotation from whoever furnished this information. The associate editor of the Era, Edward H. Anderson, than whom no more faithful, no more upright, no more diligent man is in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, makes the following comment: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.8 "Both business and agriculture have indeed cause to be thankful that the policy pursued in the beginning of the sugar industry in Utah, about thirty years ago, is still to be continued." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.8 After hearing an adverse report to establishing the industry, made by a committee of leading financial minds of Utah, President Wilford Woodruff said, "The beet sugar industry will be beneficial to this community, and although it may break the Church, it shall be established." To the inspiration of the Lord to that man, we are indebted for the establishment of this great industry. HOME MANUFACTURE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.8 I am delighted to say that within the last week, I have placed an order for a suit of clothes from goods made at the Knight Woolen factory. Go thou and do likewise. I am delighted to say that I am stranding in shoes that are made here at home. Go thou and do likewise. We sing, "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us in these latter days," but many of us ought to put a postscript on it, "Provided he doesn't guide us to do something that we do not want to do." GOVERNMENT AID TO INDUSTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.8 During the past year, on account of the financial distress and other troubles, I have had to go to New York and Washington three times. I want to say that I am delighted to be a citizen of this great Republic. I am delighted that we are a great and powerful nation; I am delighted that the men who stand at the head of this nation are anxious for the welfare of the farmer, the stock-growers, the beet industry and every other industry in our country. I believe that, except for the aid extended by the Government of the United States, through the War Finance Committee, amounting to about nine million, five hundred thousand dollars, our beet sugar industry could not have survived. Bankers from San Francisco, Chicago and New York declined to assist when we appealed for aid to harvest our beet crops, for some of our factories here. We asked for an adjournment of forty-eight hours. The next day a committee of influential men from this City and from Denver presented our claims to Mr. Eugene Meyer, Jr., the manager of the War Finance Committee, and to his associates. Mr. Meyer introduced us to the President of the United States, who very kindly said, "These men are entitled to your help." Before the day was over we were pledged ten million dollars upon our stock of sugars, with which to harvest the beet crop and to furnish the money to pay the farmer. That money came to us rapidly. The next day, when we went back to New York, where we had been met with a cold reception and no promise of help, arrangements were made for a year's extension upon several millions of obligations of some of the sugar companies. I am grateful for our wonderful country. SERVICES AND LIBERTIES OF OUR GREAT AND GLORIOUS COUNTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.9 Speaking of our wonderful country reminds me that recently I heard three speeches by Herbert Hoover, which are among the most remarkable that I have heard in my life. One was given at the Commercial Club, one before the Engineer's Association of Utah and the third one before the Rotarians. I have just sent a copy of the speech before the Rotarians to the Deseret News, to be printed next Saturday. I would to the Lord that every American citizen would read that speech. I will read the closing paragraph. He had told of the feeding of millions upon millions by our great and glorious country, and he closed by saying: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.9 "I feel certain that it is more important to our country both spiritually and materially that we should have planted the American flag in the hearts of 250,000,000 people, than that we should maintain it at the masthead of any battle-ship we have yet built." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.9 While I think of it, I am grateful for the success of that wonderful Disarmament Conference recently held in Washington, as a result of which millions upon millions of dollars of battleships will be peaceably sunk, instead of being used as engines of war to kill hosts of people and to be sunk in battle; and that the armaments of the great countries have been reduced. A FIVE WEEKS' REST AND ACTIVITY IN CALIFORNIA Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.9 I recently had the pleasure of spending a little more than five weeks in Southern California. After the strenuous time that I had in the East, and the multiplicity of duties that devolve upon me, I took my first long rest since I was a boy of fifteen. Nevertheless, mail followed me and I kept a stenographer busy most of the time while I was resting. In addition I had the pleasure of attending meetings in the wonderful city of Los Angeles, which is growing by leaps and bounds, in Ocean Park, in San Bernardino, in Fresno, in Bakersfield, in Long Beach and in San Diego. I attended nine meetings in five weeks. Notwithstanding the "loaf," so to speak, that I had down there, I did quite a bit of work. We dedicated a meeting-house in San Bernardino, and I feel to rejoice that upon the spot of ground that was originally settled by "Mormon" pioneers, we now have our own meeting-house. The United States sent an army against us because some run-away judges lied and said that we had burned the court records and that we were in rebellion, etc., etc.; when these charges were afterwards proved to be false we were pardoned for sins that we had not committed. At that time the "Mormon" pioneers in San Bernardino were called home from the great California ranch which they had bought and which today, no doubt, is worth more than all the possessions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, several times over. The fact is that those who remained there and who did not come back when Brigham Young called them, lost their faith; and every Latter-day Saint who believes and knows that we have the truth, realize that the saving of one soul is of greater value than all the wealth of the world. Therefore we feel to thank the Lord that about 95 per cent of the San Bernardino settlers came back to Utah. I thank the Lord that upon the spot in California where once the Latter-day Saints were established, we now have our own meeting-house. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.10 I rejoice thoroughly in the wonderful spirit of the gospel which I found in my recent labors in California. There are no people in all the wide world that can compare with the Latter-day Saints in fulfiling the admonition of our Redeemer to keep the first and second great commandments, "Thou shalt love thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind"; and the second is like unto it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." WONDERFUL MISSIONARY WORK OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.10 When I think of the wonderful missionary work of the Latter-day Saints, the five hundred, the thousand, and some years two thousand men at a time who go out at their own expense, with no hope of earthly reward, to proclaim an unpopular doctrine, solely because of the love of their fellow men, I rejoice in this gospel of Jesus Christ that inspires men with a willingness to perform such service. When I think of the twenty long years that have been given in proclaiming the gospel without money and without price, by my counselor, President Charles W. Penrose, now 90 years old -- twenty long years in his native land, ten years as a young man from nineteen to twenty-nine, without purse and without scrip -- without hope of earthly reward, I rejoice in the testimony and the knowledge of the gospel that must be in a man's heart who will give such wonderful evidence of the love of God and the love of his fellow man. No peoples in all the world can compare with the Latter-day Saints in giving of their time and their money for the benefit of their fellows, to carry to them the glad tidings of great joy. The California mission is growing by leaps and bounds as are all of our missions. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES -- CHURCH AND SECULAR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.10 That reminds me that I have a few missionary statistics here in connection with some others, that I will now read: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.10 "There have been expended for the year 1921 for stake and ward purposes in the maintenance of operation of the stakes and the wards of the Church, $925,270. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.10 "Education -- Expended for the maintenance and operation of Church schools and seminaries, $893,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.10 I will read something about education from a great educator, Nicholas Murray Butler, President of the Columbia University. This was sent to me by the President of the Brigham Young College: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.11 "The little red schoolhouse of the generation that followed the Civil War, with its wretchedly poor equipment but with an earnest and devoted teacher who laid stress upon character-building and upon the fundamentals of intellectual training, did more for the American people than does many a costly and well-equipped educational palace such as may be seen in any part of the United States today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.11 "It is significant, too, that in this period of vigorous and able-bodied reaction the world should be without a poet, without a philosopher, and without a notable religious leader. The great voices of the spirit are all stilled just now, while the mad passion for gain and for power endeavors to gratify itself through the odd device of destroying what has already been gained or accomplished. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.11 "The simple business of training young children in good habits of diet and exercise and conduct; of teaching them the elementary facts of the nature which surrounds them and of the society of which they form a part; and of giving them ability to read understandingly, to write legibly and to perform quickly and with accuracy the fundamental operations with numbers, has been pushed into the background by all sorts of enterprises that have their origin in emotionalism in ignorance, or in mere vanity. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.11 "There is no man, there is no people, without a God. That God may be a visible idol, carved of wood, or stone, to which sacrifice is offered in the forest, in the temple, or in the market-place; or it may be an invisible idol, fashioned in a man's own image and worshiped ardently at his own personal shrine. Somewhere in the universe there is that in which each individual has firm faith, and on which he places steady reliance. The fool who says in his heart, "There is no God" really means there is no God but himself. His supreme egotism, his colossal vanity, have placed him at the center of the universe which is thereafter to be measured and dealt with in terms of his personal satisfactions. So it has come to pass that after nearly two thousand years much of the world resembles the Athens of St. Paul's time, in that it is wholly given to idolatry; but in the modern case there are as many idols as idol worshipers, and every such idol worshiper finds his idol in the looking-glass. The time has come once again to repeat and to expound in thunderous tones the noble sermon of St. Paul on Mars Hill, and to declare to these modern idolaters "Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.11 A gentleman sent out several hundred letters to representative ministers, and asked them the question: "Do you believe in God, a personal God, a definite and tangible intelligence, not a congeries of laws floating like a fog in the universe, but God a person, in whose image you were made?" Not a minister answered, "yes." They said they could not be certain about a thing of that kind. There is no Latter-day Saint who does not believe absolutely in God as a Personal being, and that the scripture tells the truth when it says "In the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." The foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ, organized ninety-two years ago today, is based upon the appearance of the Lord, God Almighty, a glorified Being beyond the power of man to describe to a boy not yet fifteen years of age. It is based upon the appearance of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the express image of the Father, to that boy. In answer to the boy's simple question, "Which of all the churches on earth today is the true one," the Lord God Almighty pointed to His Son and said to that boy, "This is my beloved Son; hear Him." When the question was repeated, which church to join, that boy was told to join none of them; that they had all gone astray. He was given to understand that he would be the instrument in the hands of God of again establishing upon the earth the gospel of Jesus Christ. We declare to all the world that God lives, that He is the Father of our spirits, that He is absolutely the Father of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world. Men say we lack liberality and breadth, because we say we are the only true Church. We are not lacking in liberality or breadth; the Redeemer of the world, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, said it, and we are repeating what He said. We believe in allowing all men absolute freedom to worship where and what they may, but we declare to all the world the truth as it has been revealed to us through the Prophet Joseph Smith. All men, all women, from the midnight sun country of Scandinavia to South Africa, from Canada to South America, or upon the Islands of the sea, who have entered the waters of baptism and joined the Church of Christ, believe that Joseph Smith was in very deed a prophet of the true and living God, and that God is a person and talked to the boy Joseph. The whole world may declare they do not believe that Joseph Smith saw God, the whole world may declare that they do not believe that Jesus Christ appeared to him or delivered a message, but all the disbelief of the world cannot change that message and the truth of it, as it was delivered. Joseph Smith declared that three years after the First Vision, in answer to fervent prayer, an angel of God appeared and delivered a message to him; that the angel disappeared and returned and repeated his message again; that he again dissappeared and returned the third time. The entire night was consumed with the three repetitions of that message which was that there were buried, in the Hill Cumorah, some golden plates upon which was inscribed the sacred history of the forefathers of the American Indians, and that he should be the instrument in the hands of God of translating those plates. The plates have been translated and the translation is now known as the Book of Mormon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.12 "Oh," says one, "I do not believe he ever had the plates." If he had the plates, the disbelief of the world cannot change it. Joseph Smith announced that John, the Baptist, came to the earth laid his hands upon the heads of Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith, and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood, with authority to baptize; and he also announced that Peter, James and John came to the earth and delivered the authority to build up the Church of Christ, by laying their hands upon them and by ordaining them to the Melchizedek or the higher Priesthood and by bestowing upon them the Apostleship. So, to all the world we declare these truths, and the disbelief of all the world cannot change the fact, for it is a fact. God has given to the Latter-day Saints by the revelations of His Spirit a knowledge that this is true. Again reading from Pres. Butler's remarks: "We are trustees of a great inheritance. If we abuse or neglect that trust, we are responsible before Almighty God for the infinite damage that will be done in the lives of individuals and of nations." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 I will have this extract from the speech of Nicholas Murray Butler, part of which I have read, published in full in the Era. I think you will all enjoy reading it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 I rejoice in the very splendid exercises that we had yesterday up at the University. You will undoubtedly be able to read the speeches that were made. I thoroughly enjoyed them, and I am sure you will. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 There has been expended for educational purposes $893,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 This is over 100 per cent, nearly 150 per cent more than it was a few years ago. I regret, because of the falling off in tithing, the discontinuance of dividends from sugar companies and other institutions, that we will have to curtail very materially during the coming year, our school activities. CHURCH CHARITIES AND MISSION EXPENDITURES Expenditures for Temples: -- Expended for the construction, maintenance and operations of temples, $170,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 Charities:-Amount expended from the tithes, $266,649. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 There was expended for charities through the Relief Societies and other sources, $459,769, therefore the total expenditures for Church charities last year was $726,733. You will notice that the total expenditures not including the Relief Society disbursements, amount to $2,255,234, which is for stake and ward purposes, education, temples and charities. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 Mission Expenditures For the erection of chapels and the maintenance and operation of all the missions $518,647. In additions to the payments made from Church funds for mission purposes, we estimate there has been sent to missionaries by their families and friends, $860,640. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 By the way, we have heard it remarked by some people, that they had quit paying tithing because all the tithing comes to Salt Lake City, and that they would like to build up their own local section. For the benefit of the Saints, I will announce that 84 2-3 per cent of all the tithes collected, in the missions and in the Church, is sent back to the stakes, wards and missions. So the immense amount that is up here won't hurt anybody very much. CHURCH GROWTH AND VITAL STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the stakes and missions 20,441. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 baptized in the stakes and missions 15,404. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 entered on the records of the Church by baptism 7,113 increase in Church membership for the year 1921 22,779 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 There are now 86 stakes of Zion, 879 wards, 24 missions and 789 branches in the missions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 Birth rate, 37.3 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 Death rate, 8.2 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.13 Families owning their own homes, 75 per cent. VITAL STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.14 We are a very wicked and bad people, according to liars over England and some other places, even in this country. As a rule no bad people have a high birth rate. No civilized people, who are bad, have a low death rate. No bad people have a low proportion of the inmates of the penitentiary. The Ex-Govcrnor of Arizona was reputed to have said -- I did not hear him say it, but George Albert Smith and Joseph F. Smith say they did; that no better citizens could be found in Arizona than the "Mormons." In one particular, considering the expenditure of the state taxes, he said they were being robbed of between 2500 and 3000 per cent, because in proportion to their population they ought to have in the Arizona State Penitentiary from twen-ty-five to thirty inmates and they only had one. He said that in another respect they were being robbed, also, for they ought to have seven or eight in the Insane Asylum, and did not have any. The first time I went to Arizona, after I heard this story, I was speaking in the St. Johns meeting house, and when I expressed my gratitude that we were lacking twenty-four to twenty-nine inmates in the state penitentiary, a gentleman got up and said that he was the District Judge in Apache county and that the one "Mormon" inmate of the penitentiary had been pardoned. When Governor Campbell was here with the Governors of the states of the Union, he and some others did us the honor to call upon my counselors and myself, and I repeated this story to the Governor. He laughed and said, "Yes, I remember, he was from Apache county." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.14 I have been connected, since the time I was a boy of fifteen -- fifty long years -- with the the insurance business. The death rate in the great life insurance companies, like the Mutual Life and the New York Life, that I also represented, (neither of whom would insure me, because I was too long and lean, and they had a rule you know, that a man has to be somewhere within the bounds of proportion before he is fit to be insured) is ten and a fraction to the thousand, yet this bad, immoral people that are sending out missionaries to secure girls practically for brothels and houses of ill-fame, according to the liars in England, whose lies have caused mobs to break all of the windows in our London meeting house and to have the Government itself consider the question whether they will let a "Mormon" preach in that fair land; this people has a death fate nearly 20 per cent lower than the great life insurance companies. "By their fruits ye shall know them." I am at the defiance of the world to prove that there can be found in any land or in any clime a community that by their fruits of honesty, of integrity, of virtue, of sobriety, of all these things that go to make a good community -- can show anything better by their vital statistics than can the Latter-day Saints. I rejoice indeed, my brethren and sisters, in the knowledge that we have, that we are serving God and that we are keeping His commandments and that sooner or later those who know not the Truth, if they will investigate our message and will investigate the record we have made, will have to put the stamp of honesty, of sobriety, of integrity, of love of fellow-men and of love of God and the love of country upon the Latter-day Saints. MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES Number on foreign missions 1,688 Missionaries laboring in the stakes of Zion 2,046 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 Books of Mormon and standard Church works distributed in stakes and Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 missions 252,879 Gospel tracts distributed in stakes and missions 83,746,793 Gospel meetings held in stakes and missions 171,049 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 Temple Work Baptisms, endowments, and sealing for living and dead performed in the Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 temples in the year 1921 ...................................... 646,410 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 Changes Since October Conference New Stakes Organized: -- Lethbridge Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 New Stake Presidents: -- President Hugh B. Brown, Lethbridge Stake; President Lewis R. Anderson, S. Sanpete Stake; President James W. Funk, Benson Stake; President John A. Beckstrand, Millard Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 New Wards Organized: -- Moffatt ward, Roosevelt Stake; Grand View Ward, Utah Stake; Solomonville Ward, St. Joseph Stake; McCornick Ward, Millard Stake; Brigham City Sixth Ward, Box Elder Stake; Cedron Ward, Teton Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.15 Bishops Who Have Died: -- Bishop Gilbert Taysome, Afton So. Ward, Star Valley Stake; Bishop Frank Stanley, Poplar Grove Ward, Pioneer Stake; Bishop John W. Clinger, Labelle Ward, Rigby Stake; Bishop Thomas H. Blackburn, Brigham City Second Ward, Box Elder Stake; a former Bishop, Thomas R, Cutler, of Lehi. DEATH OF WM. W. RITER We have lost by death the chairman of our auditing committee, William W. Riter, the Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University, a pioneer, one of the stalwart, faithful, diligent men of our Church. The last time I heard him preach, he delivered a sermon, which I sincerely regret was not reported. He announced that for some fifteen or twenty years, as I remember it, he had religiously, once a year, read the Book of Mormon through; and he said, to his mind, it contained more inspiring and uplifting doctrine than any book that had ever been published. He said he was at the defiance of any man to find anything in the Book of Mormon, from cover to cover, to offend; that everything taught was uplifting to mankind. He stated that he loved the contents of that book with all his heart. He bore a wonderful testimony of the divinity of this work; and of his intimate acquaintance and knowledge of the integrity of the men, from Brigham Young down to the present time who had stood at the head of the Church. He was only a boy when the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, but he knew him; he came here as a boy; he was one of the stalwarts of the business world in Utah. We mourn his loss. RETURN OF ELDER DAVID O. MCKAY FROM CIRCLING THE GLOBE I rejoice in this wonderful gathering. I rejoice in the knowledge which I possess that we are engaged in the work of the living God. I rejoice in the fact that Brother McKay is with us today. Brother McKay has circled the globe since he was last at a conference -- has visited our missions in nearly every part of the world, and has returned, as every missionary does return who goes out to proclaim this gospel and comes in contact with the people of the world and with all the varieties of faiths of the world, with increased light, knowledge and testimony regarding the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. THANKFULNESS AND CAUSES FOR REJOICING I thank God for the knowledge that I have that He lives. I thank God for the knowledge I have that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world. I thank God for the knowledge that I possess that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, and that this gospel, commonly called "Mormonism" is in very deed the plan of life and salvation. I thank the Lord that I know that the souls of men are precious in the sight of God, and that no other people upon all the earth are so ready, so willing, so anxious, as the Latter-day Saints are, to proclaim and spread the gospel so that those who embrace it may go back and dwell eternally in the presence of God, our heavenly Father. We, as a people, have cause to rejoice because of the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the living God upon the people all over the wide world, who have embraced the restored gospel. I do pray with all the power, with all the fervor of my soul, that every Latter-day Saint who knows that God lives, who knows that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, who knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet, may live the gospel, may proclaim it by their works of honesty, of integrity, of devotion, of a prayerful, upright life, that those who know not the truth, by our example and our works may be led to investigate the message that we have to bear. This ismy prayer and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant PRAYERS ANSWERED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.164 My attention has been called to the fact that a resolution was passed here some time ago, recommending that a day be set apart for a general fast and prayer meeting among the Saints, to ask for the success of the great International Conference on the Limitation of Armaments. We thank the Lord that our prayers and those, undoubtedly, of the great majority of all the people in the United States, for the success of that conference, have been answered. AIM AND DESIRE OF THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.164 I believe that I am in a position to know, better than any other living man, the heart, the aspiration, the desire and the ambition of each of the twenty-six men who constitute the General authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Starting with myself and ending with Brother John Wells, and without any mental reservation whatever, I announce to you that I believe -- I not only believe, but I know, that each and every one of these men has his heart set upon the accomplishment of the purposes of God. While we all have our faults, our failings, our imperfections, our weaknesses, nevertheless there is no mental reservation in saying to you that these brethren, one and all, desire the advancement of God's Kingdom, and that it is first and foremost in their affections. When we become perfect we may not he able to stay here. AN APPEAL TO FATHERS AND MOTHERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.165 Once I was able to quote the following stanza correctly, but I am not quite sure of it now: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.165 "Vice is a monster of such frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; But seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.165 I can remember when a young lady walked the streets of Salt Lake with her dress high enough to show the tops of her shoes, and an inch or two more, that we were shocked; but I have seen many a knee on the Temple grounds today, because the dresses were too short. Fathers and mothers, use your influence with your modest, pure, sweet girls who, in their anxiety to follow fashion, are causing men to blush with shame! USE NO DRUG THAT CREATES AN APPETITE FOR ITSELF Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.165 The head of the health department, Dr. Beatty, has requested me to say to the Latter-day Saints that there are more injurious ingredients in coca-cola than there are in coffee, and particularly when some of the good people say: "Give me the double shot." I say to the Latter-day Saints, and it is my right to say it -- because you have sung, since this conference started (whether you meant it or not, I am not saying) -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.165 "We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet, To guide us in these latter days; We thank Thee for sending the gospel To lighten our minds with its rays; We thank Thee for every blessing Bestowed by Thy bounteous hand; We feel it a pleasure to serve Thee, And love to obey Thy command." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.165 Now, if you mean it -- I am not going to give any command, but I will ask it as a personal, individual favor to me, to let coca-cola alone. There are plenty of other things you can get at the soda fountains without drinking that which is injurious. The Lord does not want you to use any drug that creates an appetite for itself. A WORD TO FARMERS AND POULTRYMEN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.165 Fifteen years ago, yes longer than that, when I was presiding over the European mission, I remember reading an article on the poultry industry, and I was dumb-founded to learn that the products of the poultry industry -- eggs, chickens, ducks, etc., were greater than all the products of any other industry in the United States of America. Cotton was not "in it." Corn was not "in it." I would not be positive as to the figures, but my recollection is that in the state of Utah there were not two hundred thousand chickens, and in the state of Iowa there were over ten millions; and yet, I believe we have as good feed for chickens here as they have in Iowa. I ate butter all the way from Denmark, when I went to Japan. We ought to export butter, but never import it. We ought to export eggs and chickens, but never import them. I have known of poultry coming in here by the car-load, which ought never to come. It is really almost a moral obligation on us to provide these things here at home. THE TESTIMONY OF THE GOSPEL FAR-REACHING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.166 We had at our Priesthood meeting here, two thousand three hundred ninety-eight men -- lacked only two of two thousand four hundred men -- the largest Priesthood meeting that has ever been held within my recollection, and in another six months it will be forty years since I first had the privilege of occupying this stand to proclaim the gospel to the Latter-day Saints. I thank the Lord for that power and that inspiration of His Spirit which abides in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints, men, women and children. No other people like them: no other people have the absolute knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that God has spoken, and that He did reveal Himself to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The testimony of the divinity of that man's mission has been given to people from the country of the mid-night sun, Scandinavia, clear away to South Africa. It has been given to men and women all over Europe, from Canada to South America, and in the islands of the sea. The Japanese and Chinamen, and men all over the world have been blessed by Almighty God through His giving to them a knowledge that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. THE ABSENT BRETHREN OF THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.166 Brother J. Golden Kimball is not with us today on account of poor health. He is in San Francisco, or in the neighborhood of San Francisco. Our prayers and faith go out for his recovery. With the exception of Brother Kimball, the only members absent from this conference, of the twenty-six men standing as the general authorities of the Church are: Elder Reed Smoot, who is in Washington, and Brother Orson F. Whitney who is presiding over the European mission. Brother Whitney is accomplishing a wonderful work. I have read with the keenest interest some of his splendid editorials in the Millennial Star. I believe that it is needless, now, for me to say anything in praise of Elder Reed Smoot. From the President of the United States down, he is being commended for his splendid labors as a senator. A MEETING OF STAKE PRESIDENCIES WITH THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.167 Now, I agreed to quit in thirty-five minutes, and I am through in ten, with one single exception, two exceptions; maybe I will find three before I get through. I have found three. The Presidency and the general authorities desire to meet tomorrow morning at 9:30 in the Temple -- entrance from the west door -- all the presidents of stakes who are here at this conference, and their counselors. We will not promise to close that meeting till we get through. You know if you were at a picture show you could stand it for three hours without getting tired, but when you are in a meeting somewhere, you know it nearly kills you to sit a little over the regular time. PRAYER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IN THE FAMILIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.167 I have here a note from Elder Stephen L. Richards, who is an attorney, and he says: "A notion seems to be prevalent among educational people that the offering of prayer in our public schools contravenes the law of the State. I believe a reputable legal opinion will not support this view; since provision is made for prayer in the Federal Congress, the State Legislatures, and other public assemblies, why prohibit prayer for the children?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.167 President Brigham Young said: "Prayer keeps a man from sin, and sin keeps a man from prayer." We ought to have enough interest in our children to have prayers. I will thank the Lord when the public sentiment of America shall say that a man who does not believe in prayer cannot teach our children, at the expense of the public. Why should my money be used to employ a man to teach my children infidelity and a lack of faith in God? I remember as a boy, when we had our small common schools, that they hired a non-"Mormon," to teach in the Twelfth Ward school. He got up and said: "I understand that in the past you have prayed in this school. We will not have any more prayers, because we do not know whether or not there is anybody to pray to." I consider it an outrage that the money of people who believe in the Lord God Almighty can be spent to teach our children that kind of "rot." I endorse Nicholas Murray Butler's words. "The fool who says in his heart: 'There is no God,' finds his god when he is looking in a mirror." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.167 Mr. Babson, the greatest statistician in America, and he knows what he is talking about, says: "Much of the prosperity of the nation is due to the family prayers which were once held in the homes of our fathers. To a very large extent, this custom has gone by. Whatever the argument pre and con may be, the fact remains that such family prayers nurtured and developed the spiritual resources to which the prosperity of the nation is due. The custom of family prayers should be revived, along with many other good New England customs which some radicals may ridicule, but to which they owe all they possess." HAPPINESS CONSISTS IN GIVING AND SERVING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.168 Those are the two things I nearly forgot. Here is the other. Henry Drummond has written some of the best essays, and has delivered some of the finest speeches that I have ever read. In one of his books entitled, The Greatest Thing in the World, he says: "Half the world is on the wrong scent in its pursuit of happiness. They think it consists in having and getting and in being served by others. It consists in giving and in serving others." The happiest men in the world are the missionaries who are giving the gospel free of charge to the people of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1922, p.168 May the Lord sanctify all that has been said and done in this great conference. May He bless our organizations. I thank the Lord for that wonderful oratorio, "The Restoration," that came from the brain of the daughter, Susa Young Gates, and partly from the voice of the granddaughter, Emma Lucy Gates Bowen, and from the inspired pen in writing the music of the grandson, B. Cecil Gates -- of the great man, Brigham Young, under whose direction was erected this building, and our great organ. May the Lord inspire us one and all who have a knowledge of the gospel to live it. May we obey the Word of Wisdom, because God tells us to, to say nothing about the advantages to ourselves by so doing. May we pay our tithing so that we will be on the right road to happiness, is my prayer. May we pray to God, so that we will have His Spirit; may we live the gospel, so that we may inspire our children to do the same, I ask it, with my blessing upon you all, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.2 It is a source of great pleasure and satisfaction to me to see such a magnificent audience here today, almost completely filling this house. I am sure that those who are standing in the gallery and on the south side of the building, by a little closing up on the part of the audience, could all have a seat. I have no recollection of ever seeing an audience here on a week day, in the opening of our conference, where there were so many people standing when we commenced speaking. There could be no greater evidence of the interest of the Latter-day Saints than is shown by this great outpouring of people at the first meeting of our General Conference, and I am grateful to all those who are here assembled. I know you have come here with a desire to be fed the bread of life. I have no desire whatever to say anything to you this morning except that which may be for your benefit, as well as for my own. ENGAGED FOR MANY YEARS IN PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.2 Forty years ago this October conference, I met the late Elder George Teasdale of the Council of the Twelve, at the south gate, and he shook hands with me and said: "Brother Grant, I am delighted to see you. You and I are going to be" -- and he stopped suddenly and his face turned red; but the Lord gave me the balance of the sentence. Four times in my life I have been permitted to read the thoughts of people. The balance of Brother Teasdale's sentence was -- "sustained this afternoon as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ to fill the vacancies in the Quorum," and that went through me like a shock of electricity. I came to the Sunday afternoon meeting of the conference, because of this partial sentence, and the balance that was given to me, with the assurance in my heart that Brother Teasdale and myself would be sustained as apostles. Those of you who were at that conference remember that it adjourned without filling those vacancies. I do not believe that any mortal man ever more humbly supplicated God during the next few days to forgive him for his egotism than I did for thinking that I was to be chosen as an apostle. As you are aware, within a week a revelation came to John Taylor calling Brother Teasdale and myself to those positions. For forty years I have been engaged in proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and bearing witness to my knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the true and the living God. I have had the privilege of bearing that testimony in nearly every state of the Union, in Canada on the north, in Mexico on the south, in the Hawaiian Islands, in far-off Japan, in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and I have had exceeding great joy, during all of those forty years, in bearing this testimony. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.3 I was undecided in my mind, before coming to this meeting which of the many things that I had read in the Book of Mormon and in the D&C I would speak upon. The only question was: Which is the one theme to present? I have no hesitancy now as to the thing to talk about, because the opening prayer was on the identical subject of the first item that I read this morning in the D&C, and that was to sustain and to uphold the laws of the land. BELIEF OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ON GOVERNMENT AND LAWS IN GENERAL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.3 I have been criticized, time and time again, by friends and others, and have had much splendid advice given to me not to read so much in public because nothing could be more tiresome to an audience than reading; but I am not here for the purpose of saying something to tickle your ears or to please you, but I am here with a prayer in my heart to say those things that shall be for your best good and benefit, and mine also. I honestly believe that it will be for our best good to hear every word of an entire section of the D&C which is: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.3 "A Declaration of Belief regarding Governments and Laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835." (Section 134.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.3 "We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.3 "We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life." (And that means the right to labor without taking the chance of being killed.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.3 "We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people (if a republic) or the will of the sovereign. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.3 "We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality, and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility, all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world's goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their fellowship. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted, or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.4 "We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with bond-servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them, contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least, to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situation in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude." DUTY OF THE SAINTS TO SUSTAIN AND LIVE THE LAW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.5 I endorse with all my heart this declaration sustained by the unanimous vote of the general conference in 1835. I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that it is the duty of every Latter-day Saint to sustain and live the law. I believe that every Latter-day Saint who has any idea in his or her heart that some law has been passed that is not a righteous law, after it has been fought out in the courts and has been decided, whatever the decision may be, by the highest tribunal of our great and glorious country, the Supreme Court of the United States, that it is his duty to obey such law. I believe that every Latter-day Saint -- and by the way no man is a Latter-day Saint who drinks whiskey -- but any "Mormon" who drinks whiskey today knows that he is in condemnation before the Lord Almighty, whether he is the one who bought the whiskey, or whether he is simply a partaker of it. I believe that every Latter-day Saint owes it to himself to uphold and sustain what is known as the cigarette law, and I believe that we as a people should know by the announcement of every man who is to be elected to the legislature, that he will stand for that law, and if he will not so announce himself, if his opponent, no matter what his politics may be, will stand for that law, that we ought to bury our politics and vote for the man favoring the retaining and enforcing of the cigarette law. BEST MEN SHOULD BE CHOSEN REGARDLESS OF POLITICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.5 Politics reminds me very much of the measles. The measles don't hurt much if you will take a little saffron tea or something else to keep them on the surface, but if they once set in on you, they turn your hide yellow and sometimes make you cross-eyed. So do not let politics set in on you. I believe absolutely in the best men for office. I believe in honest, upright, good men being chose to occupy places and positions in the state and in the Church. THE SAINTS BELIEVE IN THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.5 We testify to all the world that Joseph Smith met the Creator of heaven and earth. We testify to all the world that in answer to the question asked of God, as to which of all the various religions in the world had the truth, that God pointed to his son, Jesus Christ, and announced that he was his well beloved Son and said: "Hear him," and that the Savior of the world told Joseph Smith to join none of them. We believe that the man who promulgated these statements regarding government and laws was a prophet of the living God. We believe the statements made in the section following what I have read to you -- and by the way, as I am not here to please you, I will also read Section 135: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 "Martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and his brother, Hyrum Smith the Patriarch, at Carthage, Illinois, June 27, 1844. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 "To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p. m., by an armed mob -- painted black -- of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord, my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 "John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of D&C, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 "When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: 'I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me -- he was murdered in cold blood."' (And that is said of him all over the world, whether by members of the Church or not, who are familiar with all the circumstances. A more dastardly, outrageous murder was never before committed in the world.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 "The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go -- shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was -- he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 "'And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments are clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I * * * bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood.' The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.6 My mother, as a young woman, lived in Nauvoo for years. She assured me that no more God-fearing, upright mortal ever trod the earth than Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, and I have no doubt whatever as to the absolute exaltation of Joseph and Hyrum in the presence of the Lord. I have no doubt that these two men are assisting in directing, by the power that they have on the other side, the work of God here on the earth, notwithstanding their martyrdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.7 "Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty-eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of, Mormon, and this book of D&C of the Church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how, easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.7 "They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to 'Mormonism' that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth." THIS AUDIENCE A TESTIMONY TO THE DIVINITY OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.7 I have understood that this splendid account of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith was written by President John Taylor, known as the "Champion of Liberty" who received four shots in his body and who lived carrying some of those bullets to his grave, and who, years after the martyrdom, stood before the people in this stand as the President, Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ. Men may conspire, men may work against the Church of God again established upon the earth, but the statement here made that no man, saving Jesus Christ himself, has done more for the salvation of humanity than did Joseph Smith, cannot be controverted. I am at the defiance of the world to have any religious people, I do not care where you go, with no more members than the Latter-day Saints have, to call a conference of the people and have such a splendid audience as there is here today. This very audience is a testimony to every living soul who stops to reflect upon it, that God has in very deed, through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith, established again upon the earth the plan of life and salvation; that Jesus Christ did direct him. All the disbelief of all the world that God and Jesus Christ spoke to him, cannot change the fact, if it is a fact -- and God has given to me, to hundreds and thousands, and tens of thousands of his Children, from the country of the Midnight Sun, Scandinavia, clear down to South Africa, all over Europe, from Canada to South America, and all over the Islands of the sea, an absolute witness by the Holy Spirit that Joseph Smith is in very deed a Prophet of the living God. FALSEHOODS STILL PROMULGATED CONCERNING THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.8 Allow me to read a news clipping sent me in a letter by former Governor John C. Cutler. He says: "I thought the annexed clipping would be information to you, as it was to me": "MORMON LEADER POLITICAL BOSS SAYS REFORMER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.8 (Exclusive Dispatch) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.8 "Winona Lake (Ind.) August 9. -- The most powerful political private individual in America today is H. J. Grant, head of the 'Mormon' Kingdom," declared Dr. James S. Martin of Pittsburgh, superintendent of the National Reform Association, in addressing the annual Christian Citizenship Institute here today. "Twenty-six years ago," he continued, "there was not a principal man in all 'Mormondom' who had even so much as a vote. All had been disfranchised by the United States government on account of their crimes. Today H. J. Grant patronizes presidents, makes bargains with great political parties, dictates the political policies of Utah and at least five surrounding states and wields effective political influences in at least five others." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.8 The gentleman must have been listening to one of the lying speeches of a notorious anti-"Mormon" woman. Martin is the Superintendent of the National Reform Association. If he is properly quoted he better reform himself, and purge himself of falsehood. There is a special place prepared for his kind, and if he does not repent he will land there. I announce to all the world that I do not even control, politically, Utah, and that I have no desire to control Utah, that I have never opened my mouth in favor of or against any individual in any of the adjacent states that he is reported to say I control politically. Joseph Smith was told that his name "should be had for good and evil among all nations," or that it should be both "good and evil spoken of among all people," and we, his successors, have had the same privilege. We have been lied about most scandalously. One anti-"Mormon" is reported to have said that I had fifteen million dollars in a Wall Street bank, as Trustee-in-Trust for the Church; and I never had fifteen cents. DISBELIEF AND LIES OF THE WORLD CAN NOT STOP THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.8 As I have said, all the disbelief of all the world and all the lies of men like Doctor Martin, who might inform themselves and therefore do not need to tell these lies, cannot stop the progress of this work. Just to show you that it cannot be stopped, let me read again what the Lord told Joseph Smith when he was incarcerated in Liberty Jail. You cannot keep the revelations of the Lord even from coming to the Prophet while in a jail. I will let you read some of it yourselves. It is Section 121. Read it all. I will start with the 33rd Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, or any one of his successors, cannot, and never could, handle the powers of heaven only in righteousness, and they never tried to. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin exercise unrighteous dominion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "Hence many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, test he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 Liberty Jail did not keep back the inspiration of the living God from Joseph Smith; as few if any greater revelations have ever been given us than this one received in Liberty Jail. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 I will now quote from section 76: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.9 "And this is the Gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.10 "That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 76.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.10 That is the testimony of the gospel that we bear to all the world. Men have said: "We believe that Jesus Christ lives, but we don't know it." Two men at least knew it, and here is their testimony; this is the testimony of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.10 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.10 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.10 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." OUR SACRIFICES FOR THE GOSPEL A PROOF OF OUR LOVE FOR IT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.10 "Oh but," says one, "I don't believe it." Once more allow me to announce that all the disbelief of all the world cannot change the fact, if it is a fact, and God has given to thousands and tens of thousands the witness by the revelations of his Holy Spirit that it is a fact, that "Mormonism" so called by the world, is in very deed the plan of life and salvation; that Joseph Smith was in very deed the Prophet of the true and living God. People say: "We cannot understand the strength of "Mormonism," we cannot understand why two thousand young men and young women at one time, at their own expense or at the expense of their families, will go into the world, giving their time without money and without price, to proclaim the gospel losing their wages, paying their own way, to proclaim your faith." Every Latter-day Saint can understand it. They understand it because those young men and those young women who go out to proclaim the gospel, live it, they in very deed are fulfilling the requirements laid down by the Savior "to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, might and strength," and the next great commandment, "to love our neighbor as ourselves." No other people in all the world are giving such an evidence of the love of God and the love of their fellows as is given by our missionaries. Day after day the majority of all the letters that come to the desk of the Presidency of the Church are from young men and young women who are called upon missions, and it is the rarest thing in the world to find a missionary call that is not favorably and willingly answered. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.10 When we send out these calls for missions the answer comes back: "I thank the Lord that he has seen fit to inspire his servants to call me upon a mission. It has been the dream of my life." Another: "My heart has always longed to go forth and proclaim this gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that the call has come." That is the class of letters that we get day after day. There are tens of thousands of men and women who have gone forth to proclaim this gospel, and the amount of sacrifice in actual dollars, in proportion to our numbers, is almost beyond calculation. When you figure that these people could earn probably, on an average, $100 per month, that they are spending from $20 to, in same cases, $60 and $70 a month, an average probably of nearly $50; that two thousand or nearly that number, and sometimes it has been in excess, are giving all this time and this expense; add it together and it amounts to several million dollars a year, and all done with no hope of earthly reward. THE UNCERTAIN REPLIES OF THE MINISTERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.11 I remember while proclaiming the gospel in England I ran across a book written by ex-Senator Beveridge, I believe he was then a senator, entitled, The Young Man and the World. I have referred to it many times here, but I desire to refer to it again. In that book I found chapters on, "The Young Man and the Pulpit," "The Young Man and His Home," "The Young Man and the Law;" and in the chapter on "The Young Man and the Pulpit," he said that a certain individual with very splendid chances for favorable answers, with good opportunities during an entire summer vacation asked of all the ministers that he met, three questions and he announced before coming to those questions that one of the greatest transportation men in all the United States had said that he would rather have a knowledge that we live again and that the soul is immortal than to have the greatest honor and the greatest position that could be given in all the world, and he told of another man that was just an ordinary ward politician who said he thought of many strange things -- "Is the soul immortal and what is the soul anyway?" The three questions were as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.11 "First, yes or no, Do you believe in God, the Father; God a person, God a definite and tangible intelligence -- not a congeries of laws floating like a fog through the universe; but God a person, in whose image you were made? Don't argue; don't explain; but is your mind in a condition where you can answer yes or no?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.11 "Not a man answered, "Yes." Each man wanted to explain that the Deity might be a definite intelligence or might not; that the 'latest thought' was much confused upon the matter, and so forth and so on." Then the next question: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.11 "Yes or no: Do you believe that Christ was the Son of the living God, sent by him to save the world? I am not asking whether you believe that he was inspired, in the sense that the great moral teachers are inspired -- nobody has any difficulty about that. But do you believe that Christ was God's very Son, with a divinely appointed and definite mission, dying on the cross and raised from the dead -- yes or no?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.11 "Again not a single answer with an unequivocal, earnest 'Yes.' But again explanations were offered and in at least half the instances the sum of most of the answers was that Christ was the most perfect man that the world had seen, and humanity's greatest moral teacher." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 He was not a great moral teacher if he was not the Son of God, because he announced himself as the Son of God. He announced himself as the Redeemer of the world, and therefore he could not be a great moral teacher, if the foundation upon which he stood was a falsehood. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 The third question was: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 "Do you believe that when you die you will live again as a conscious intelligence, knowing who you are and who other people are?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 "Again, not one answer was unconditionally affirmative. 'Of course they were not sure as a matter of knowledge.' 'Of course that could not be known positively.'" THE DEFINITE ANSWER OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS TO THESE QUESTIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 The Latter-day Saints everywhere in the wide world, without one moment's hesitation, would answer: "Yes, yes, yes," to all three of those questions. We have no doubt that God is a person. Joseph Smith saw him and talked with him. We have no doubt that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world because he declared that to Sidney Rigdon and to Joseph Smith in the declaration that I have just read to you. We have no doubt, because Jesus Christ appeared in the Kirtland temple to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. We have absolutely no doubt whatever regarding the immortality of the soul-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 "And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too, With the just we shall dwell." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 I had a letter from the vice-president of a great banking institution, to whom I sang this song when he was in Utah, and he asked me for a copy of it. A few days later he repeated to me the last verse, and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 "Those are wonderfully inspiring words. I have never read a verse of any hymn that taught such an absolute, firm conviction in the immorality of the soul." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 In a letter which he wrote to me he referred to those words again, and he said: "I consider these the most sublime words I have ever heard. They inspire to courage and that beautiful confidence in the immortality of the soul that raises man to the stature of a God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 Latter-day Saints answer those questions "Yes, yes, yes." Mr. Beveridge says that these ministers were among the most eloquent and high-grade ministers in the Eastern and New England states, and that they felt there was a decline of faith among the people. In that connection he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.12 "Is it possible that such priests of interrogation could warn the hearts of men?" He went on to say before he asked these questions that any man who stood up in the pulpit and undertook to teach the doctrines of Christ, when he lacked a faith in those doctrines himself, committed a sacrilege every time he entered the pulpit. BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.13 I have heard it said that "damn" is not swearing, that it is only emphasis. I was preaching one night with the late President John Henry Smith, in the opera house in Phoenix. The legislature was in session. Hearing that two of the "Mormon" apostles were there, some of the members of the legislature waited on us and said they had arranged to hire the opera house, and they would agree to fill it if we would condescend to preach. Well, we usually hire our own hall and condescend to preach to empty benches; so, of course, we condescended, and were delighted with the opportunity. One of the good sisters who came down from Mesa was sitting behind a man while I was preaching, and she heard him say, with emphasis, that I was an earnest preacher. Pretty soon, with that emphasis again, he said I was a good preacher, and finally once more with emphasis he said: "That man believes (with emphasis) every word he is saying." I ask no greater compliment. GRATITUDE TO PARENTS WHO WERE TRUE TO THE FAITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.13 Before I sit down I want to say that I have never heard and never expect to hear, to the day of my death, my favorite hymn: "Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear, But with joy wend your way," but what I think of the death and the burial of my little baby sister, and the wolves digging up her body on the plains; but what I think of the death of my father's first wife, and the bringing of her body here for burial, from Echo Canyon; but what I think of others that I know of, who laid down their lives; but what I think of that wonderful journey of Brigham Young and his band of Pioneers, and those who followed him, and my heart goes out in gratitude beyond all the power with which God has given me to express it, that my father and my mother were among those who were true to God, and who made those sacrifices for the conviction of their hearts, because of the knowledge that they had that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith is his Prophet. I never hear this Other hymn that we have sung here today -- "Do what is right" -- but what I desire with all the power of my being to impress upon the Latter-day Saints the necessity of following the teachings of the last verse of that hymn, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.13 "Do what is right; be faithful and fearless, Onward, press onward, the goal is in sight; Eyes that are wet now, ere long will be tearless, Blessings await you in doing what's right. "Do what is right, let the consequence follow, Battle for freedom in spirit and might, And with stout hearts look ye forth till tomorrow, God will protect you, do what is right." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.13 God bless you all. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.174 When this great auditorium was built, we were a thousand miles from civilization; nails were worth a dollar a pound, therefore the building is mostly pinned together with wooden pins. Elder Junius F. Wells handed me a memorandum day before yesterday and I have had it copied, and I am sure it will be of interest to all of the people here assembled: THE FIRST CONFERENCE IN THE GREAT TABERNACLE "Fifty-five years ago today, October 6, 1867, the first General Conference ever held in this building convened, on Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. "The building was incomplete -- there was no gallery. The gallery was added in 1870; improvised seats; the organ was partly built, 700 pipes, and it was announced that when finished there would be 2000 pipes. Joseph J. Daynes played upon it. Choir was led by Robert Sands. The choirs of Springville, Payson and Spanish Fork attended -- Elder Fishburn conductor. Croxall's Brass Band, Eardley's Ogden Band and the Nephi Brass Band attended. A hymn by Eliza R. Snow composed for the occasion was sung. Solos were sung by W. C. Dunbar and J. T. D. McAllister. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.174 "The General Authorities were: First Presidency: Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells. Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Sen., John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith. (All present but F. D. Richards presiding in the European Mission.) Patriarch: John Smith. First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Harriman, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott. Presiding Bishopric: Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Jesse C. Little. Reporters: George D. Watt, David W. Evans, Edward L. Sloan, Clerk of the Conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "Of the General Authorities sustained that day all died in the faith. (Four of the Twelve became Presidents and three Counselors in the First Presidency.) Neither before this period nor for thirty years afterwards could this be said. The Church then numbered less than 120,000. It has increased three-fold if not four in the fifty-five years. SUBJECTS AND REMARKS BY THE SPEAKERS 55 YEARS AGO Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "President Young congratulated the workmen and the people on the good work done towards completing the building and gave out a number of texts for the brethren to preach upon: The Perpetual Emigration Fund; Education of Children in the Ways of the Lord; and of Young Women in Business, so that they could be profitably employed in Light Labor, such as Bookkeeping and Store Work; On Raising Five Hundred Teams to Haul Rock for the Temple; On the Southern Mission; On Temperance in Eating and Drinking: and the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "Elder Orson Hyde said: 'This is the largest congregation I ever addressed and the largest assembly of religious worshipers I have ever seen together.' The house was filled to overflowing. He testified that at a meeting in Iowa, in 1848, the Lord revealed to the Twelve Apostles and others that Brigham Young should be their leader. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "Elder Orson Pratt remarked upon how the great tabernacle appeared towering above other buildings like an artificial mountain -- "the Mountain of the Lord's House in the tops of the mountains," as he came down Parley's Canyon, returning from his late mission to Europe. He delivered a powerful discourse on the personality of God, and touched on the resurrection. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "President Young said he did not know how the resurrection would be but supposed he knew as much about it as any one. 'No man can explain it except he has received the keys of it by revelation.' He said that we should preserve our personality and that the essential parts of our bodies endure forever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "Elder John Taylor spoke upon the supremacy and superiority of the laws and government of God over the governments of men, and of the comprehensiveness of the gospel, comparing savage and civilized peoples. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "Elder Wilford Woodruff spoke of the wonderful providence of God in the growth of the people, in means and members, and advised the young people to marry and lay the foundation for homes and happiness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "Elder George A. Smith advocated home manufactures, recommending the use and economy of wooden-soled shoes and urged the people to emigrate the poor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.175 "President Brigham Young delivered a wonderful sermon on the Word of Wisdom. He said: 'It is wisdom for us not to drink liquor, tea and coffee, and to let tobacco alone.' If there are any cases when a cup of tea or a little tobacco will do good he would not object to their being taken; but who is to be the judge of, when they will do good? He was satisfied that when the least lenity is given, there would be a disposition to treat resolution. Some seem to think that this counsel will soon die away and that the people will return to the use of tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor. He would say that if any of the Elders of Israel should treat this counsel lightly he would promise them the curse of God would be upon them. It is required of the Latter-day Saints that they keep the Word of Wisdom and if they trifle with it they will be sorry for it. He spoke briefly several times during the conference. He offered the opening prayer and he made the benediction. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.176 "Elder Ezra T. Benson spoke on home industries, and referred to the good effect of President Young's recent trip in the North. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.176 "Elder Charles C. Rich spoke briefly on home industries and upon the Unity of the Saints, saying there never had been a time when they were more united than at the present. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.176 "Elder Lorenzo Snow spoke on education and preaching the gospel, warning the nations of the judgments and calamities coming. He illustrated his theme by reciting the dreams of Joseph and their fulfilment in Egypt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.176 "Elder Erastus Snow spoke prophetically of the South country saying there were elements of great worth there, which in time, would justify the wisdom of colonizing that country. About one hundred and fifty young men were called to go south and live, and strengthen the settlements there. This was the 'Muddy Mission.' The names were called out by Elder George Q. Cannon, who also presented the General Authorities sustained as above. He spoke on education, and of the regeneration of a people through observing the Word of Wisdom. He also laid before the audience the plan of the Sunday School Union soon to be organized. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.176 "Elder Joseph F. Smith was called into the Twelve to fill the existing vacancy. He delivered an interesting discourse on individual duty and obligations and advised all foreign born Saints to learn to speak the English language. He said: 'Our mission is to work righteousness and to bring all things subservient to the will of God.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.176 "President Young paid Brother Joseph F. Smith a remarkable tribute, and commented upon the honors, rights and privileges of every man holding an office in the Priesthood. 'No man succeeds to the crown or honors of another; each secures his own by his faithfulness and his deserts.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.176 "On Tuesday, October 8, the President said there were things he would like to teach the people that would keep them together continuously, but it was not prudent to hold them too long. A vote was then taken to decide whether to adjourn conference for six months or to continue it over another day. The vote was to continue, and so the fourth day, Wednesday, October 9, meetings were held all day. The emigration of Saints from Europe was stressed by all the speakers. A REMARKABLE GATHERING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.177 "This was a remarkable conference. There were no railroads here then, no street cars, no paved streets, no sewers, electric or gas lights, no telephones, automobiles or radiographs, nor three story buildings in Utah. There were no High Schools, Improvement Associations or Primaries. The University had but a nominal existence. The instructions were nevertheless to preach the gospel of Christ; emigrate the poor; build up Zion substantially; educate the children; cultivate the land; produce our own wares, food and fabrics; set our own fashions; be kind to families, charitable to all people, clean, refined, virtuous, lovers of God, obedient to his counsels, and loyal to country and one another." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.177 I felt sure that this audience would be pleased to hear what transpired in that conference fifty-five years ago -- before I was eleven years old. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.184 There has never been, within my recollection, anything to compare with the wonderful outpouring of people, to our semi-annual conferences, such as we have had during the past three days. CONSIDERING A FOUR-DAYS CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.184 I think that, perhaps, in the future it may be well -- and we will seriously consider it -- to have four days of conference. Several of our speakers limited themselves to sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen minutes, and, as you know, only two of the seven presidents of seventies have had the opportunity of addressing the vast congregations that have appeared in this building, and only one of the presiding bishopric. The suggestion made fifty-five years ago and carried by a vote of the people, that they continue the Conference for another day, if carried out at our next meeting, in six months from now, would, in all probability, give each of the brethren of the general authorities, and some of our mission presidents, an opportunity to express themselves without feeling very much limited for time. I am not sure but that the addresses of the three or four of our brethren, including the addresses of the presidency, that were beyond the short limit of fifteen to twenty odd minutes, gave the brethren who delivered them greater liberty of utterance, and a freer flow of the Spirit, than was enjoyed by those I had to request to make their addresses short. It is only fair to say that a great many of the Latter-day Saints have expressed to me, time and time again, the idea that if we cannot all find the time to bear our testimonies and deliver our messages at a general conference, it would be better to only have a number of us talk at one of the conferences, and the balance at the next one. But, I have felt in my heart an anxiety that each of those who are presiding over our missions throughout the United States, and each of the general authorities of the Church whom you have voted to sustain here this day -- the twenty-six members that stand as the presiding authority in the Priesthood -- should lift up their voices in each and all of our conferences and bear witness of the goodness of God to them. For that reason we have always had them speak, and occasionally we have heard from some others in addition. I have heard a great many people say that one cannot very well deliver much of a sermon in ten minutes, but some of the very choicest of all the choice sermons that I have ever heard in this building, have been delivered in five and ten minutes. EXPRESSED THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE TAKEN PART Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.185 When I think of the scores and scores of conferences I have attended in October, through driving storms and snow, to say nothing about the cold and the blizzardly weather we have had, I have rejoiced and been thankful to the Lord for the very wonderful and splendid weather we have enjoyed during this conference. I extend to the Saints my thanks and my blessing for the wonderful outpouring of the people at these conference meetings. I am grateful to our choir and to all who have taken part in rendering to us the very splendid music that we have enjoyed during our conference. I am thankful to each and all of the speakers who have spoken here in this building, and to those who have spoken in the overflow meetings. I feet that the Lord has abundantly blessed us, and poured out his spirit upon us, and that we will go from this meeting refreshed in spirit, renewed in our determinations to serve him and keep his commandments, and to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by the uprightness, the honesty, the integrity and the devotion of our lives. THEY ARE THE GREATEST SPEAKERS WHO LIVE THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.185 The Latter-day Saints, as a people, have the greatest number of preachers in all the world, for the reason that nearly every lay member has been on one or more missions of from two to five years, proclaiming the gospel, without money and without price. We are a nation -- small nation, so to speak -- of preachers, but the greatest and the most wonderful preacher among the Latter-day Saints is the man or the woman who lives the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Show me thy faith by thy works" is the thing that counts. James said that he would show his faith by his works, and that faith without works is dead. It is like the body without the spirit, and you know that needs to be buried very soon after the spirit departs, or it becomes obnoxious. It is by our works, our diligence, our faithfulness, our energy, that we can preach this gospel, and the people of the world are beginning to recognize, to know and to comprehend the fact that the fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by the Latter-day Saints, are good fruits. To have the lowest death rate, to have the highest birth rate, to have Utah tie -- (nearly twenty years ago, when I was in England, presiding over the European Mission) for second place among the states of America, for literacy only one state ahead of us -- show that we are making a record that we can well be proud of. I have said to people, in my travels as a member of the Council of the Twelve, during the past forty years, that all we ask any man or of any woman, at home or abroad, that they do for the Latter-day Saints, is to judge them by their fruits. The one great standard laid down by the Savior of the world was, "By their fruits ye shall know them." For happiness in their homes, for contentment, prosperity, business integrity, sobriety, for observance of the laws of God and of man, I am at the defiance of the world to find any other people superior to the Latter-day Saints. I am not speaking now of "Mormons" who do not keep the commandments of God. THE STANDARDS BY WHICH WE WISH TO BE JUDGED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.186 No true Americans desire to be judged by the Benedict Arnolds of our country, but they desire to be judged by men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and others who have been devoted to the principles upon which this country stands and to the Constitution of our country, who respect that Constitution, who stand for the obeying of the laws of the country, and who have given their lives, or offered their lives, for the country. Those are the people whose lives we desire shall be the standard by which the United States of America shall be judged -- not by the law-breakers. We desire that the Latter-day Saints shall be judged by those who keep the commandments of the Lord, who obey the word of wisdom, who obey the commandment to give to the Lord one-tenth of all that shall come into their hands, who attend to their family and their secret prayers, who are ready and willing to go, without money and without price, to the uttermost ends of the earth to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who do it under the inspiration of the Spirit of the living God. A PROMINENT EXAMPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.186 We desire to be judged by men, for instance, like Colossians R. M. Bryce Thomas, who came to Salt Lake City about thirty years ago, a retired Colonel in the British Army. His wife was taken sick and they were stopping in what was then known as the Templeton hotel, and, across the road from that hotel was the headquarters, then, of the Deseret News. Over the front door was a sign "'Mormon' publications for sale." Day after day he read this sign, until it got on his nerves, so he went and bought a lot of "Mormon" publications, and he read and studied them. When he returned to London, he attended our meetings, and later joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He made two trips all the way from London to Salt Lake, to perform ordinances for his dead ancestors, in the temple of the living God, on this block. He wrote a long letter -- I imagine fully a hundred, if not more, pages, telling his friends why he had joined the Church of Jesus Christ. It is entitled My Reasons for Leaving the Church of England and Joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was written for the express purpose of enlightening his friends. He received so many letters asking him why he had joined this unpopular people, that it kept him constantly busy and so he decided to publish his reasons, with no idea that his pamphlet, or the letter that he sent to Liverpool to have published for his benefit, would be used as a tract. We ask to be judged by men like Colonel Thomas. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.186 It has been said, and I believe truthfully, that about the tenderest part of the human anatomy, of the male variety of the species, is the pocket, and Colonel Thomas, from the day that he was baptized sends once a month to the London office a fast-day offering; once a month a check comes for one-tenth of his compensation as a retired Colonel in the British army. THE JOY OF CONVERTING SOULS AND PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 We ask to be judged by those men who are giving their all -- their talents and their lives -- and those women who are doing the same, for the advancement of God's kingdom, by those who feel a desire in their hearts to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, that feel exactly as did Alma of old, when he said (Alma 29): Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "O that I were an angel, and could have the Wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires; whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.187 "Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full." There is no living soul in all the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who has gone forth to proclaim this gospel, from the midnight sun country of Scandinavia, where the mother of Reed Smoot heard the gospel, down to South Africa; from Canada to South America, but who like Alma of old has had that same joy and that same happiness, when he or she has been an instrument in the hands of God of bringing some soul to a knowledge of the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 "But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 "Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and, how great shall be their reward! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 "Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 "And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they, may praise him for ever. And may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 I know of no joy on earth that can compare with that which comes to the heart of the man who is an instrument in the hands of God of saving some soul and turning it from that broad way that leadeth to destruction, into that straight and narrow path that leadeth to life eternal. AN ILLUSTRATION IN THE CONVERSION OF THE SPEAKER'S BROTHER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 As I stand here today, I remember what to me was the greatest of all the great incidents in my life, in this tabernacle. I saw for the first time, in the audience, my brother who had been careless, indifferent and wayward, who had evinced no interest in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and, as I saw him for the first time in this building, and as I realized that he was seeking God for light and knowledge regarding the divinity of this work, I bowed my head and I prayed God that if I were requested to address the audience, that the Lord would inspire me by the revelations of his Spirit, by that Holy Spirit in whom every true Latter-day Saint believes, that my brother would have tO acknowledge to me that I had spoken beyond my natural ability, that I had been inspired of the Lord. I realized that if he made that confession, then I should be able to point out to him that God had given him a testimony of the divinity of this work. Brother Milton Bennion was sitting on the stand that day, and he had been asked to address the congregation. President Angus M. Cannon came to me and said, "Before you entered the building, Brother Grant, I had invited Brother Milton Bennion to speak, but he can come some other day." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 I said, "Let him speak." Brother Cannon said, "Well, I will ask him to speak briefly, and you will please follow him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.188 Brother Bennion told of his visit around the world; among other things, of visiting the sepulchre of Jesus. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 I took out of my pocket a book that I always carried, called a Ready Reference, and I laid it down on the stand in front of me, when I stood up to speak. It was opened at the passages that tell of the vicarious work for the dead, of the announcement that Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison, and proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. I intended to read about the baptism for the dead, and I intended to preach upon the fact that the Savior of the world had not only brought the gospel to every soul upon the earth, but that it reached back to all those who had died without a knowledge of it, or in their sins, that they would have the privilege of hearing it; that, as I understood and had read in the D&C, Jesus came into the world to be crucified for the world and to die for the sins of the world and that he saved all except only those who denied the Son after the Father had revealed him -- those who had lived and those who had died. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 I remember standing here feeling that that was perhaps the greatest of all the great themes that we as Latter-day Saints had to proclaim to the world. I laid the book down, opened at that page; I prayed for the inspiration of the Lord, and the faith of the Latter-day Saints, and I never thought of the book from that minute until I sat down, at the end of a thirty-minute address. I closed, my remarks at 12 minutes after 3 o'clock, expecting that President George Q. Cannon would follow me. Brother Angus came to the upper stand, and said, "George, please occupy the balance of the time." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 He said, "No, I do not wish to speak," but Brother Angus refused to take "No" for an answer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 Brother Cannon said, finally: "Alright, go take your seat, and I will say something," and he arose and said in substance: "There are times when the Lord Almighty insures some speaker by the revelations of his Spirit, and he is so abundantly blessed by the inspiration of the living God that it is a mistake for anybody else to speak following him, and one of those occasions has been today, and I desire that this meeting be dismissed without further remarks," and he sat down. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 I devoted the thirty minutes of my speech almost exclusively to a testimony of my knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and to the wonderful and marvelous labors of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and bearing witness to the knowledge God had given me that Joseph was in very deed a prophet of the true and living God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 The next morning my brother came into my office and said, "Heber, I was at meeting yesterday and heard you preach." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 I said, "The first time you ever heard your brother preach, I guess?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 "Oh, no," he said, "I have heard you lots of times." I said, "I never saw you in meeting before." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.189 "No," he said, "I generally come in late and go into the gallery. I often go out before the meeting is over. But you never spoke as you did yesterday. You spoke beyond your natural ability. You were inspired of the Lord." The identical words I had uttered the day before, in my prayer to the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 When I heard George Q. Cannon, after I sat down, and before his brother spoke to him, say to himself, "Thank God for the power of that testimony," the tears gushed from my eyes like rain and I rested my elbows on my knees and put my hands over my face, so that the people by me would not see that I was weeping like a child. I knew when I heard those words of George Q. Cannon, that God had heard and answered my prayer. I knew that my brother's heart was touched, and the next day when he came and repeated my words, I said to him, "Are you still praying for a testimony of the gospel?" He said, "Yes, and I am going nearly wild." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 I asked, "What did I preach about yesterday?" He replied, "You know what you preached about." I said, "Well, you tell me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 "You preached upon the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 I answered, "And I was inspired beyond my natural ability; and I never spoke before -- at any time you have heard me, as I spoke yesterday. Do you expect the Lord to get a club and knock you down? What more testimony do you want of the gospel of Jesus Christ than that a man speaks beyond his natural ability and under the inspiration of God, when he testifies of the divine mission of the prophet Joseph?" The next Sabbath he applied to me for baptism. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 If I were offered today, all the wealth of all the world, and had my brother in the condition he was in -- without a knowledge of the divinity of this work, I know, as I know that I live, it would not be the slightest temptation to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 I do rejoice beyond all the power with which God has endowed me, in the divinity of this work in which we are engaged, and in the joy and the happiness that it brings to everyone of the Latter-day Saints who keeps the commandments of God. SARCASTIC ARGUMENTS AGAINST PROHIBITION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 I had here a lot of things I was going to read, and I have forgotten about all of them but one. There is one thing I want to read and I want to call attention to the hypocrisy of a certain article in Judge, now combined with Leslie's Weekly. It is a contemptible and sarcastic sample, as we find here in an editorial in the Improvement Era, which says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.190 "As a sample of the sarcastic and contemptible argument made by the anti-prohibitionists, Judge, which is a combination of the former Leslie's Weekly and the comic paper, Judge, has this editorial in a recent number: "LIGHT WINES AND BEER "Volstead Prohibition has -smothered us in prosperity, -solved our labor problems. -diminished crimes of violence. -improved, our morals. -cut down our divorce rate. -produced greater respect for the law - -discouraged corruption. -improved our foreign relations. - lessened the privileges of wealth. -increased our patriotism. - made us happier. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 "This list contains eleven lies. To make it an even dozen, we'll add that Judge is a prohibitionist" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 I lack language to express my contempt for any such an editorial as that in Judge, therefore I will not attempt to do it. The Lord has not given me the power. BABSON ON PROHIBITION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 I want to read something from the greatest statistician in America -- Mr. Babson: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 "Another optimistic factor in our present business situation is national prohibition." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 Mr. Babson, I guess, is paid more money for what he writes than any other living man in the United States, even, I venture the assertion, about ten times as much as Judge with all the whisky money that they get for writing such stuff as I have read from Judge for you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 "Before the Prohibition Act was passed, $3,000,000,000 were spent annually for drink." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 What is $3,000,000,000? Three dollars a minute for every minute until now, since the birth of the Savior of the world -- three dollars a minute -- three billion dollars, and no human being is benefited one particle by that $3,000,000,000 of expenditure, and hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands are ruined physically, morally and every other way, and many hundreds commit murder because of the liquor that they have. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 "Now, this $3,000,000,000 that was formerly spent for drink, goes to the buying of merchandise, the building of homes, the furnishing of homes and the starting of savings accounts. No matter what interpretation may be put on the law or what new legislation may be enacted, of this we are quite certain that same $3,000,000,000 which formerly went to drink will hereafter be used for stimulating the regular channels of business. It will be used to buy merchandise, start savings accounts and do those things which tend to make people happy and prosperous." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 It will increase and has increased, in every land and in every clime, by a hundred to two or three hundred per cent, the amount of milk consumed, and milk is the best food that human beings can have. GETTING THE TOWEL DRY IN BUSINESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.191 "As a successful merchant needs delivery wagons, so a successful nation needs a good merchant marine. Thanks to the war, the United States has such today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.192 "Finally, we are today citizens of the richest country in the world. Where formerly we were a country owing the other nations of the world, we are today a credit country, with the rest of the world owing us. For this and other reasons, this country, fundamentally, is all right. Even at the present time, this medial line which represents fundamental conditions, is slowly but constantly going upward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.192 "During 1917-19, however, [he is referring to the towel as representing business] the towel became saturated with water. This is just what happened to business. The drops of water that fall off the towel when lifted out of the water may be indicative of orders for goods which fall to us during such inflated times. The saturated towel represents business when we were at the highest point in January, 1920, thoroughly saturated with water. Such saturation must be taken out. We must always get the towel dry again." ADVICE TO THE SAINTS TO GET OUT OF DEBT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.192 I say to the Latter-day Saints: Get the water out of your business at the earliest possible date; get down to bed-rock. Remember the wonderful teachings of Joseph F. Smith from this stand, years ago, that would have saved hundreds and thousands of Latter-day Saints from ruin financially if they had listened to it. He said, "Get out of debt and keep out of debt." Cattle and sheep men, merchants, farmers and everybody, in the days of the boom, who got more land, more sheep, more cattle, more everything, by running into debt, would thank the Lord Almighty if they had only listened to President Joseph F. Smith. THE SECRET OF "MAKING GOOD" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.192 I want to read a little story. I do not think it will take me over five minutes, and then I am through. I read so much that I make people tired, but I do it in the hope they will read it again after it is published: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.192 "There were two boys named Brown; they were brothers. The mother had died with tuberculosis when the children were young. The father was a sea captain, one of the best of the town, but he was lost when these boys were fourteen and sixteen years of age, respectively. They, however, lived together in their three rooms, did their own cooking and housework, and went to School. The people called them 'hatchet and handle' because they were always together. The older boy, Jimmie, finally went into a store, but the younger boy got that longing for the sea which only those brought up near the ocean can appreciate, and when sixteen years old he went out 'on the banks' for a fishing trip. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.192 "The boy had been away only two weeks, when to that New England town came word that the vessel with all hands had gone down. The disaster was, of course, a great blow to the older brother, Jimmie -- a terrible blow. It occurred in February or March. The spring came on; the birds returned. The summer followed; and again the trees changed their color in the autumn. Still Jimmie was very sad. In, November a rumor came through the town that a great four-master schooner had gone on the rocks near the Point. The boys of the town, as always, went with the crowd to the Point to see the wreck. When they reached the shore, the life boat had already gone out." "THE SPIRIT WHICH MAKES GOOD." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.192 And I want every Latter-day Saint to make good. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.193 "It was a wicked afternoon; that life boat would rise to the top of the waves and then go completely out of sight. Every one held his breath until it would come in sight again. Finally, the boat reached the ship, tookoff the crew, and came back to shore. As soon as it landed, the Life Saving men and the shipwrecked crew came stumbling out, falling exhausted on the beach. They were taken to a fire which had been built of driftwood, were given hot food and rubbed. They were gradually recovering when a rumor ran about the crowd that a chap, sick and helpless, had been left aboard the ship; that because of his weak condition they could not get him into the life boat, since the waves were too severe, the sea running too high. Well, that didn't go with the people of that New England town and they urged the life boat crew to go back and save the other man. The crew replied: 'No, we cannot. It is too much to attempt again in these waves this afternoon.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.193 "Then to the surprise of every one, little Jimmie Brown jumped up on a rock and shouted: 'I have nothing to live for. I have lost my brother. Let me go and I want some boys to go with me.' So the boys formed a volunteer crew, went out to the ship, and brought the other chap ashore. They also fell exhausted on the beach on their return. But they were rubbed and warmed: while the unconscious lad was taken to another fire to be nursed by the good women living near by. Finally, the unconsciousone smiled and opened his eyes. Every one was happy. Gradually, one by one, the volunteer boy crew came up to the fire to look at this chapthey had saved. Finally Jimmie Brown came and looked. Lo and behold, it was his younger brother! The crew of the fishing schooner had all been lost excepting this young Brown. He had been picked up by the four master on its way to Manila, which, on its homeward voyage, was wrecked on the New England coast. "Young men and women who read this book: Remember Jimmie Brown. Forget yourselves. Think of the other fellow. Become interested in doing what is right; in standing for industry, integrity, service. If you do, you (like Jimmie Brown) will find what is dearest to your hearts, namely, PROSPERITY. The secret of making good is being good and doing good." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.193 No other people upon all the face of the earth have done as much good, have spent as much time, have spent as much money in proclaiming the gospel and in living the gospel, by paying their tithes and their offerings and doing the things that God has commanded, as have the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1922, p.193 God bless you all. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.2 It is indeed a source of pleasure to see such a magnificent audience here this morning at the opening of our General Conference. DEDICATION OF THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE THIRTY YEARS AGO Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.2 I am reminded of the fact that thirty years ago today we were dedicating the Salt Lake Temple. I am reminded of the fact that of the twenty-six General Authorities of the Church who were then alive, Presidents Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, J. Golden Kimball, Rulon S. Wells and I are the only ones now living, and that four chosen during the past thirty years, have also passed away from this life. TEMPLE CORNERSTONE LAID SEVENTY YEARS AGO Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.2 My attention has also been called to the fact that seventy years ago today the corner-stones of the Salt Lake Temple were laid by the General Authorities, and that a contingent of the Nauvoo Legion was in attendance, under the direction of my father, as major-general, and marshal of the day. GREAT PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 I am grateful for the preservation of my life until the present moment, and I desire to live as long as I can be of any benefit to the Latter-day Saints. I am grateful for the very wonderful work that has been accomplished in the Salt Lake Temple, since its dedication. I am grateful for the prosperity, for the advancement spiritually, temporally, and in every other way, of the Church of Jesus Christ during this period. I am thankful for the great increase in the attendance at our General Conferences, in comparison with that of thirty years ago. It was very seldom that we had, then, more than two-thirds as many in the audience as we see here today, with the exception of Sundays, when, of course, we always had more people than this building could accommodate. GENERAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 It has been customary at the April Conference to give some statistics regarding the expenditure of the tithes of the people, our mission work, and other items; and, as a rule, during the time that I have presided over the Church, I have read those statistics at the close of my remarks; but, today I have decided to read them first and trust to the inspiration of the Lord that the latter part of my remarks may perhaps be more interesting and more inspiring than statistics. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 Following are the expenditures from the tithes of the Church for the year 1922: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 STAKE AND WARD PURPOSES: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 There has been returned from the tithes to the stakes and wards for their maintenance and operation $928,859.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 EDUCATION: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 Expended for the maintenance and operation of Church schools. 771,490.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 TEMPLES: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 Expended for the construction, maintenance and operation of temples. 168,371.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 CHARITIES: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 including hospital treatment 273,657.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 MISSIONS: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 For the maintenance and operation of all the missions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions 615,461.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 TOTAL: $2,757,838.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 which has been taken from the tithes and returned by the Trustee-in-Trust to the Saints for the maintenance and operation of the stakes and wards, for the maintenance and operation of Church schools and temples, for charities and for mission activities. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 OTHER CHARITIES: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 In addition to charities paid out of the tithes, (as above stated) there have also been disbursed the fast offerings and Relief Society charities, amounting to $323,638.00, which, added to the $273,657.00 paid from the tithes, makes a total of Church charities $597,295.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.3 MISSIONS: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 In addition to the large sum paid out of Church funds for mission purposes, amounting to $615,460.00, we estimate that there has been sent to missionaries by their families and friends, the sum of $887,500.00. Estimating the value of the services of 1,775 missionaries at $1,000.00 per year each, viz $1,775,000, makes a total expenditure for the missionary work of the Church for the year 1922 $3,277,960.00 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 STATISTICAL REPORT COMPILED FROM THE RECORDS OF THE YEAR 1922 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Church Growth: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the stakes and missions. 19,703 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Children baptized in the stakes and missions. 14,440 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions. 6,376 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 There were at the close of the year 87 stakes of Zion, 883 wards, 61 independent branches connected with the stakes, 24 missions and 733 branches in the missions. Since the first of the year the Los Angeles stake has been organized, making 88 stakes today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Social Statistics Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Birth rate--36 per thousand. Marriage rate--14 per thousand. Death rate--8.3 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 There are 155,606 persons in the Church who are married; of this number, there were 243 persons divorced in the year 1922. Families owning their own homes--75 per cent. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Missionary Activities Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Missionaries laboring in the stakes of Zion 2,552 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Number on foreign missions 1,775 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Total number performing special missionary labors at home and abroad 4,327 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Books of Mormon and other Church books distributed in stakes and missions 286,702 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Gospel tracts distributed in stakes and missions 6,601.132 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Gospel meetings held in stakes and missions 153,437 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Temple Work Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 There were 43,207 persons recommended to the temples during the year 1922. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Ordinances for the living and dead performed in the temples in the year 1922 768,546 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Educational Statistics Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Attending colleges and universities 3,845 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Enrolled in high schools 27,230 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Enrotled in district schools 100,513 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Total attending schools 131,588 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Nearly every child of school age is attending school, except 480 physically unable to attend, and 2,497 who, in consequence of distance from school, and other conditions, are not attending. There are only 535 adult persons in the stakes who cannot read the English language. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 Occupations Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.4 There are 113,000 Latter-day Saints employed in all kinds and varieties of occupations. Of this number 86,780 are employed in productive occupations. "Productive occupations" means those that the Government classes as productive. CLEAN UP TOWNS AND VILLAGES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 It is expected there will be a great increase in the tourist travel through the state from this time on, particularly through the southern part of the state, where the government and the railroads are spending large sums of money to induce tourists to visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, and the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. In view of this, our people should take pride in cleaning up, and grading their streets, fixing their fences, planting trees, and in every way making their towns and villages more attractive. TEMPLES AND MEETING HOUSES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 The Alberta Temple is practically completed. Its furnishing and equipment is in process. It will be ready for dedication by August 1, 1923. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 The building of the Arizona Temple is under way. It is expected that it will be completed within two years. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 Extensive alterations and improvements will be carried out this year in the Salt Lake Temple, to provide facilities for the large number who visit the temple. Comparative report of total ordinances performed in the Salt Lake Temple: 1918, 158,887; 1919, 189,593; 1920, 212,514; 1921, 300,474; 1922, 413,478, an increase of nearly three hundred per cent since 1918,--a most remarkable and wonderful record. And our other temples, with the exception of St. George, where the population has decreased, have also had remarkable and splendid increases. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 A splendid new meetinghouse has been erected in Honolulu and will be dedicated in the very near future. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 A mission home is in process of erection in Atlanta, Georgia, for the accommodation of the president and office staff of the Southern States mission, the only mission of the United States that has not been furnished with suitable quarters for its president. Quite a number of chapels, some large and beautiful, are being erected in most of the missions of the United States. THE PRIMARY CONVALESCENT HOME Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 The Primary Home is taking care of from twenty-five to thirty children, who need expert surgical and nursing treatment. The Church has expended considerable means in preparing and equipping this home for these little children. Since then it has been very largely supported by the gifts of the Primary children and other benevolent persons. The Rotary Club of Salt Lake City has just donated $1,000 to this children's home. TRAINING OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.5 A commendable work is being done in all the wards and stakes in the development and training of the Aaronic Priesthood and this good work should be continued. TITHES RETURNED TO THE STAKES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.6 I should like to call attention to the fact that the amount of tithes returned to the stakes, and the total amount of charity, including that of the relief society and the Fast day donations, amounts to over $3,300,000. Considering the limited membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to my mind this is a marvelous and wonderful showing of the liberality of the people, and of their willingness to contribute for the support and erection of meetinghouses, the support and erection of schoolhouses, and for educational, charitable and church purposes generally. REMARKABLE INCREASE IN TEMPLE WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.6 I am particularly pleased with the very remarkable increase in the labor being performed in our temples. There is no work in which the Latter-day Saints are engaged which brings greater peace and joy to the human heart than laboring in the temples for the salvation of our dead. This vicarious labor is one of the greatest that Latter-day Saints can be engaged in. It is one that brings greater satisfaction and joy than almost any other in the world, and it is one in which the Latter-day Saints have always taken great pride and great interest. I believe there is no money expended by the Church or by the individual members that has brought more comfort and happiness to the people than that expended for the erection of temples and for the labor performed therein. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.6 I am pleased to hear that the temple erected in the Hawaiian Islands is doing a great deal by way of advertising the Latter-day Saints and causing a great many influential people,--tourists visiting those wonderful islands,--to take an interest in the literature of the Latter-day Saints. I hear nothing but good reports from that temple; and I also hear very wonderful and splendid reports concernig the spirit of good-will that comes through such visits to the temple that is not yet dedicated in Canada. I believe Brother Wood, the president of the Alberta stake, might be willing to put off the dedication another year, on account of the great good that he thinks would be accomplished by admitting strangers into our temple before it is dedicated. But, we have erected that temple, of course, for temple ordinances, and when it is ready for dedication, we will dedicate it that it may be utilized for the purposes expected of us by the Lord. THE BEET INDUSTRY AND THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.6 A year ago, in this stand, at the opening of the Conference, I devoted nearly the entire time in my address, to the beet industry. I urged upon our people, during that conference, the planting of sugar beets, and announced that I believed it would be greatly to their advantage if they would do so. This was my opinion then. I am pleased to say that during the past year the industry has been very successful, and that today it is in a very much better financial condition than it was a year ago. Two years ago this coming October the Church went in debt for the first time in many years; the Trustee-in-Trust borrowed in New York and Chicago in the neighborhood of two millions of dollars, to help the sugar industry. It went against the grain, to run the Church in debt, but it was the unanimous opinion of the Presidency and Apostles that it was a wise thing to foster this industry, by borrowing the money necessary to protect and safeguard it. I am very pleased to announce to the Latter-day Saints that all of those obligations of the Trustee-in-Trust, incurred for the support of the sugar industry, have been paid, and once more the Church has no direct floating indebtedness, barring one little note of $10,000, that we did not get a chance to take up. PEOPLE ADVISED TO STAY ON THE FARM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.7 I believe it will be to the interests of the farmers to raise sugar beets during the coming year. I believe that the sugar industry, in our community, is one of the greatest beneficial industries that has ever been established. I feel that President Wilford Woodruff was inspired of the Lord to call upon the people to invest their means in that great enterprise; although some of the brightest of our business men had no faith in the final outcome. President Woodruff felt that the inspiration of the Lord pointed to the establishment of that industry, so as to have an increase of the products of the soil. It has always fallen to the lot of the Latter-day Saints to be engaged in tilling the soil. From the days of President Brigham Young until the present time, the leaders of this people have always advised the Latter-day Saints, as far as possible, to be engaged in tilling the soil, and in manufacturing, and in other productive enterprises. Brigham Young preached that the Saints perhaps could go to California and get sudden wealth and come back with gold, but said it would do them very little good, while if they stayed on their farms and engaged in cultivating the soil, making homes and in rearing their families, they would gain eternal riches. I believe firmly that the very best place in all the world to rear Latter-day Saints is on the farm, and that about the poorest place to rear Latter-day Saints is in the biggest city in which you can locate them. There seems to be strength, physical, moral and religious, which comes to those engaged in cultivating the soil which, on an average, is far superior to that of any other occupation I know anything about. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.7 At the present time there is quite a feeling that it is not worth while to stay on the farm, that the thing to do is to sell the farm, or if it is mortgaged for a large amount, to say: "Well, we will let the man who owns the mortgage cultivate it. It does not pay us to cultivate it." This is wrong. I believe that with the blessings of the Lord and with economy and the raising of products from the ground, and utilizing those products to feed cattle, sheep and hogs, and to increase your income by producing butter, egges, cheese and in other ways, that the farms can be made profitably productive. I remember that when I was in the far-off land of Japan, I ate butter from Scandinavia, and I know that while I was in England the great majority of the time I ate butter from Scandinavia. If butter can be shipped all the way from Scandinavia to Japan, I believe that butter can be raised and shipped at a profit out of this inter-mountain country. There are no finer farms to be found anywhere than can be found in this inter-mountain country. It is the best dairy country. There is no stronger, more substantial and splendid soil that will produce year after year if it is only treated right, than that of this inter-mountain country. THRIFT, ECONOMY AND HARD TIMES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.8 We talk about hard times. I wish to say that I have read more than once the wise sayings of Benjamin Franklin, on thrift and economy, and his reference to the people's complaint against the tax burdens laid upon them. He says that the luxuries in which the people indulge and the wasteful expenditure of their money is a far greater burden, many times over, than the taxes and the public burdens the people have to meet. Today, the great majority of all the money put into automobiles is for pleasure. In the state of Utah we have about 50,000 automobiles. I think we have a few more than that. I do not believe the depreciation, wear and tear, the oil, gasoline, and the tires, will cost less than $50.00 a month per car on an average; 50,000 cars at fifty dollars each a month is $2,500,000; multiplied by twelve, is $30,000,000 a year, principally an unnecessary expense. I believe that this figure could be cut squarely in two, if the people made up their minds to do it. I believe that nearly all of the hardships of a majority of the people would disappear if they were willing to forego the habit of wearing silk stockings, so to speak, and get back to the ordinary manner of dressing in a rather quiet, unassuming way; stay away from about nine-tenths of the picture shows that they attend; return to the ways of thrift and economy that I have heard preached from this stand from the days of President Brigham Young until today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.8 I believe that the burdens that are upon the Latter-day Saints would be very light indeed had the people listened to the advice of our late beloved President Joseph F. Smith, to get out of debt, when everything was booming, when they could sell all of their sheep and their cattle and nearly everything they, had for about two or three times its cost instead of running, as they did, further in debt, increasing their mortgages on homes and live-stock, believing that every dollar they could borrow meant increased wealth to them. President Joseph F. Smith's warning sank into my heart. If I have had one opportunity, being in debt, to go in deeper, I have had scores offered to me, but I remembered the teaching of President Smith and I went to work that day to get out of debt and not to speculate one single solitary dollar until I did get out of debt; and, with the exception of some small loans on my life insurance policies,--I have saved by investing in a building society every month enough to pay these loans--I do not today personally owe a dollar. If I had not listened to and taken the inspired advice of Pres. Smith, I think I should be everlastingly "busted," because of the very many good things that have been offered to me since for financial investments. Pres. Smith's inspired words found echo in my heart, and I went on from then until his death, singing, "We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us," instead of adding, "providing he does not guide us to keep out of debt," as a good many people should be singing today. AN APPEAL TO SUPPORT HOME INDUSTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.9 Brethren and sisters, support our home manufactured goods of all kinds and all descriptions. At a recent conference, I pleaded with the people to do this, and told story after story about home-made goods, and announced that I was going to have a Provo suit of clothes. I got that suit and have been wearing it every since, but it is a little old now, and so I thought I would put on my black suit again this morning. Let us support our home industries. Let us stay on the farm. Let us remember that our fathers sacrificed and came here for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.9 I want again to assure you that the best place in the world to rear Latter-day Saints is on the soil. I know of people who have sold their farms, gone to California or some other place to work, and spent all their farms brought them. Now they are wishing they had enough to get back to Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.9 "O say what is Truth? 'Tis the fairest gem That the riches of worlds can produce; And priceless the value of truth will be, when The proud monarch's costilest diadem Is counted but dross and refuse." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.9 We have the Truth to give to the world. We have the plan of life and salvation. We have the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we will live our religion, the Lord God Almighty will bless us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.9 "Yes, say, what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize To which mortals or Gods can aspire; Go search in the depths where it glittering lies, Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies; 'Tis an aim for the noblest desire." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.9 Every Latter-day Saint should have a desire, above all other things, that his life Should proclaim the Truth, and that his life should be a teacher of the Truth, not only to the world, but especially to his own family. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.9 "The Sceptre may fall from the despot's grasp, When with winds of stern justice he copes, But the pillar of truth will endure to the last, And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast And the wreck of the fell tyrant's hopes. Then, say what is truth? 'Tis the last and the first, For the limits of time it steps o'er; Though the heavens depart, and the earth's fountains burst, Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst, Eternal, unchanged, evermore. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 I pray the Lord to bless us abundantly in this conference. We are going to have more speakers than ever before, for we are going to limit the time of the speakers including myself. I usually talk an hour in my opening address; I decided to take thirty minutes this morning and I have just about a minute left. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 We are going to depart a little from our usual custom, and call on the presidents of stakes and others to make brief addresses, not exceeding ten minutes. I earnestly pray the blessings of the Lord to attend you. Amen. NEW MISSION PRESIDENTS AND RELEASES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 I find that I omitted reading some of the statistics I had intended to present. The following have been released as Mission Presidents: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder Nephi Jensen of the Canadian mission, succeeded by Brother Joseph Quinney, Jr. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder Winslow Farr Smith has been released as President of the Northern States mission, succeeded by Elder John H. Taylor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder Orson F. Whitney as President of the European mission, succeeded by Elder David O. McKay. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder Carl E. Peterson as President of the Danish mission, succeeded by Elder John S. Hansen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder John P. Lillywhite of the Netherlands mission, succeeded by Elder Charles S. Hyde. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder August S. Schow of the Norwegian mission, succeeded by Elder Albert R. Peterson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder Isaac P. Thunell, of the Swedish mission, succeeded by Elder Gideon N. Hulterstrom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 We are going to release Brother Hulterstrom during the coming week and he will be succeeded by Brother Hugo D. E. Peterson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder Serge F. Ballif, President of the Swiss and German Mission, succeeded by Elder Fred Tadje. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder E. Wesley Smith, President of the Hawaiian mission, succeeded by Elder Eugene J. Neff. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.10 Elder George S. Taylor, released as President of the New Zealand mission, to be succeeded by Elder Angus T. Wright. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.11 Brothers Nephi Jensen, Winslow F. Smith, Orson F. Whitney, Carl E. Peterson, John P. Lillywhite, August S. Schow, Isaac P. Thunell, Serge F. Ballif, E. Wesley Smith and George S. Taylor have all given very splendid and satisfactory service in the missions over which they have formerly presided, and they return to their homes with the love and blessings of the Presidency, and I am sure with deep satisfaction on their own parts for the privilege that they have had of laboring in spreading the gospel. I am sure that the Lord has abundantly blessed them and rewarded them with a rich outpouring of his spirit for their splendid labors. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 While Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were engaged in translating the Scriptures, they said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "And while we, meditated upon these things," [the things they refer to were in regard to the resurrection] "The Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God and the Lamb who worship him forever and ever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 Thank the Lord that Joseph Smith saw and conversed with the Redeemer, that the Redeemer of the world was introduced to him by God our Father. Thank the Lord that somebody else, in addition to Joseph Smith, has left us his testimony that Jesus is the Son of God, and that the voice from heaven bore record. Thank the Lord for the gospel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "That through him all might he saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 These passages came to my mind as I was listening to the remarks of Brother Winslow Farr Smith. I want to read just a few words for the benefit of all Latter-day Saints, from the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies which are in them shall all he fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.23 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.24 "For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.44 My attention has been called to the fact that seventy years ago today the corner stone of the Salt Lake Temple was laid, and that the Nauvoo legion was called out under the direction of my father as Major-General. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.96 I would like to ask the people who are outside of this building to quit whispering and talking to one another, for the benefit of those who would like to hear what is going on in this building. There are a great many people outside who are anxious to hear, and those who are talking and carrying on conversations are preventing them from having the privilege of doing so. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.157 While listening to Bishop Nibley I thought of some quotations from a book, a copy of which was sent by the Presidency to the 1775 missionaries of our Church, in all the world. This book is entitled Fundamentals of Prosperity, and the author is Roger W. Babson. I brought it here to hand to a friend after the meeting, and not for the purpose of reading from it, but some of the things that have been said this afternoon have caused me to turn to the book, and I desire to read some things from it, and to make a few comments: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.157 "The need of the hour is not more legislation. The need of the hour is more religion. More religion is needed everywhere, from the halls of Congress at Washington, to the factories, the mines, the fields and the forests. It is one thing to talk about plans or policies, but a plan or policy without a religious motive is like a watch without a spring or a body without the breath of life." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 "Why is it that most of the able men in our great industries came from the country districts? The reason is that the country boy is trained to work. Statistics indicate that very seldom does a child, brought up in a city apartment house, amount to much; while the children of well-to-do city people are seriously handicapped. The great educator of the previous generation was not the public school, but rather the wood box." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 There is hardly an individual in all the Church who has not some responsibilities. We have ward teachers, two of them for every block in all the Church. In addition, we have two Relief Society teachers for each block. There are a bishop and two counselors in every ward. There are from fifteen to twenty high counselors in every stake. Responsibility develops people. I want to read just a word on responsibility, from Mr. Babson's book: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 My little girl has a black cat; about once in four months this cat has kittens. Opposite our place is a man who has an Airdale dog. When that dog comes across the street and that cat has no kittens, the cat immediately "beats it" as fast as she can, with the dog after her. But when that dog comes across the street and that cat has the responsibility of some kittens, she immediately turns on the dog and the dog "beats it" with the cat after him. It is the same dog, the same cat, and the same back yard; but in one instance the cat has no responsibilities and in the other case she has. Responsibilities develop faith, vision, courage, initiative, and other things which make the world go round. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 I will read a comparison between the people who settled North and South America: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 Just before I went to Brazil I was the guest of the President of the Argentine Republic. After lunching one day we sat in his sun parlor looking out over the river. He was very thoughtful. He said, "Mr. Babson, I have been wondering why it is that South America with all its natural advantages is so far behind North America notwithstanding that South America was settled before North America." Then he went on to tell how the forests of South America had two hundred and eighty-six trees that can be found in no book of botany. He told me about many ranches that had thousands of acres under alfalfa in one block. He mentioned the mines of iron, coal, copper, silver, gold; all those great rivers and waterpowers which rival Niagara. "Why is it with all these natural resources, South America is so far behind North America?" he asked. Well, those of you who have been there know the reason. But, being a guest, I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 "Mr. President, what do you think is the reason?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 He replied: "I have come to this conclusion. South America was settled by the Spanish who came to South America in search of gold, but North America was settled by the Pilgrim Fathers who went there in search of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 Friends, let us as American citizens never kick down the ladder by which we climbed up. Let us never forget the foundation upon which all permanent prosperity is based. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 That foundation is religion, faith in God and determination to serve God. Our fathers came here for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and for nothing else. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.158 Again, I say to the Latter-day Saints, that we can rear better citizens and better Latter-day Saints upon the farms than in any other place. Mr. Babson goes on to say that over thirty per cent of all the great men in the industries today have come from the farms, or are sons of poor preachers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1923, p.159 May the Lord bless the people of Zion. May we keep his commandments in a way and manner that all men, seeing our good deeds, our honesty, our integrity, may be led at least to respect us, whether they believe in our faith or not. God bless you. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.2 It is certainly an inspiring sight to see this building so well filled at the first session of our semi-annual conference. I feel truly grateful to the, Lord for his blessings to us as a people during the past year. Our harvests have been very abundant. There is a feeling of contentment today throughout this intermountain country, where the Latter-day Saints are located, that is very different, financially speaking, from what it was two years ago today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.2 We are grateful indeed for the blessings that have come to the people during the past two years, and we humbly pray that they may be continued upon the Saints, that the land may yield abundantly, and that peace and prosperity may continue with all of the people of the Lord. Above all it is the desire of the Presidency of the Church and the General Authorities that the Latter-day Saints may grow in the light, the knowledge, and the testimony of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, which has been restored to the earth again, through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith. While we rejoice in the material prosperity of the people, we rejoice more in the growth of faith and knowledge and the love of God and a desire to serve him on their part. PRESIDENT'S VISIT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.3 During the past six months we have had the privilege of receiving a visit from the President of the United States, who spoke from this stand, and who later visited the Southern part of our State. We all know that he has since been called from this life. As I stated here upon one occasion, I am very grateful that President Harding had the opportunity of meeting and mingling with the people of our State and of the adjoining States, where so many of the Latter-day Saints are located. I rejoiced when he said to me as I was dining with him in the Yellowstone Park, that his good opinion of our people had been enhanced by his visit among them. I am grateful that the high office he held until his death is now occupied by a man who I believe with all my heart is worthy of that exalted position. I desire, and I am sure that all Latter-day Saints desire, that the inspiration that comes from God may be given to President Coolidge in the great office which he holds, and that wisdom may come to him and his cabinet in directing the affairs of our beloved country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.3 We as Latter-day Saints have much to be thankful for. We are just completing in Idaho Falls a magnificent hospital, which when completed and furnished, will cost about four hundred thousand dollars, and will be a lasting monument to the integrity of our people and their devotion to God. Otherwise we would not have had the means to have created such a magnificent structure in our adjoining state. TEMPLE DEDICATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.3 There has been dedicated a temple to the Most High God in a foreign land, the first that has ever been erected outside the confines or dependencies of the United States. The cost of the Alberta Temple, including furniture, equipment, lawns, grounds, and in fact the building complete, is seven hundred and eighty-one thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine dollars and ninety cents--over three quarters of a million dollars expended there in completing a house to God, dedicated for sacred purposes. Many of us had the opportunity of attending the sessions, eleven in all, at each of which the dedicatory prayer was read, and remarks were made upon more than one occasion by all of the General Authorities who were in attendance, by many of the officers of the Church, and by many of the people who were there as visitors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.3 I rejoice in being able to say that that same sweet, peaceful, Godlike and inspiring spirit that I have had the opportunity of enjoying at the dedication of the Logan Temple, of the Manti Temple, of the Salt Lake Temple, and the one in the Hawaiian Islands, was present with us upon all of the occasions when we met in the Alberta Temple. I rejoice that there was a rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord during all of the eleven sessions that were held in that Temple, and that those who were present partook of that spirit, and that the visitors and the local people were satisfied in their hearts and able to bear witness that the Lord, by the rich outpourings of his Spirit was with us throughout the sacred services. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.4 There stands out in my mind in the various dedications of temples that I have had the privilege of attending, a feeling of gratitude and thanksgiving to God that I was permitted to be present at these dedications, and to partake of the spirit that was always present. It is the spirit that giveth life, while the letter killeth; and I can testify that the spirit of the living God has been present at the time of the dedication of each and all of the temples that I have had the great privilege and honor of attending. SPIRITS ATTUNED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.4 If we, as Latter-day Saints, live the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, our spirits are perfectly attuned, so that we really partake of the inspiration of the living God that is present in the conference gatherings of the Latter-day Saints and I know that no faithful Latter-day Saint could have been present at Logan, at Manti, at Salt Lake City, in the Hawaiian Islands, or in Cardston at the dedication of the several temples but what he or she was thrilled by the spirit of God that was present upon all of those occasions. No Latter-day Saint has attended any of those sessions who has not gone away with an increased love of God, with an increased desire to serve God, with a renewed determination to live more faithful the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that we have espoused. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.4 It call to mind two occasions while in the missionary field that were remarkable to me, for they compared in my affections and in my feelings with the blessed experiences incident to the dedication of these temples. One of them was when we had all of the Elders of the British mission and representatives from Europe present at Bradford--several hundred missionaries, and we had a spiritual feast. We had what would be called "a red letter day," spiritually. The Lord God Almighty blessed us abundantly upon that occasion. I call to mind another instance in Rotterdam, where many of the missionaries of the Netherlands mission, including Belgium and Holland, and many from the Swiss and German mission were present. Our meeting lasted until midnight, and I am sure that no one of the many elders who were assembled there was the least bit weary because of the length of the meeting. There were tears of gratitude and thanksgiving to the living God for an abiding knowledge and testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, shed in great profusion upon that occasion. The fear of God was with us, and we rejoiced exceedingly. CUMORAH CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.5 On the 22nd day of last month we had the privilege--four of the General Authorities from this city and one who was located at Brooklyn as the president of the Eastern States mission, Brother Brigham H. Roberts--of being present at the wonderful conference held at the Joseph Smith farm, in the Sacred Grove, and at the Hill Cumorah, celebrating the one-hundredth anniversary of Joseph Smith's first view of the plates from which the Book of Mormon was later translated. A very remarkable conference for three days was held there. A rich outpouring of the Spirit of the living God was experienced. I am grateful, indeed, to President Brigham H. Roberts for arranging that conference, for I am free to confess, that in the multitude of duties and responsibilities resting upon me, I might have neglected that one-hundredth anniversary. I feel grateful to Brother Roberts that he did not allow it to pass without a very splendid conference. It was one that each and every person who attended will look back to with that same pleasure and joy and satisfaction with which we look back upon the dedication of our temples, and the passing of other mile-stones, so to speak, in the history of this Church. IN THE SACRED GROVE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.5 I remarked in the first meeting that we were sorry beyond expression that President Roberts' health was such that he could not be present, that it seemed to me very much like the great play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. Brother Roberts had prepared a very remarkable program, covering many episodes and historical matters in connection with the rise of the Church through the one hundred years, nearly, of its history; and there were no words with Which we could convey adequately our regret that the man to whom we were indebted for all of these labors could not take a more active part than he did because of his poor health upon that occasion; and yet we rejoiced that he was able to lift up his voice on several occasions during that conference, and also to be present during some of the meetings, although his health was such that he had to withdraw from a few of them before their close. I have expressed, and heard others who were present express sincere and heartfelt regret that the prayer delivered by Brother Roberts in the Sacred Grove on Sunday morning, Sept. 23, was not taken down in writing. I cannot remember when my heart has been more stirred, and when I have had my affection called out to the Lord more perfectly than upon the occasion when Brother Roberts uttered that prayer in the Sacred Grove, where the Lord God 'Almighty, and where Jesus Christ our Redeemer had appeared and conversed with the prophet, or more properly speaking, with the boy Joseph Smith, afterward the prophet of the living God. FAITH INCREASED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.6 We know, of course, that the world doubts that God and Jesus Christ spoke in that grove to Joseph Smith; but there is no Latter-day Saint living who has kept the commandments of God, and has received the witness of the Holy Spirit, that we are engaged in his work, who has any doubt in his or her mind that the Lord God Almighty, that Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, did talk to that boy. And those of us who had the privilege of assembling in that Grove Sunday morning, Sept. 23, and partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's supper, in witness to God of our remembrance of the death and suffering, and of the atoning blood of our Redeemer, and who listened to the inspiring words of the prayer of supplication by Brother Roberts, had our faith increased and strengthened, and had our hearts mellowed in gratitude to the living God for the rich outpourings of his Spirit at that sacred spot. I believe that if I had more thoroughly partaken of the spirit of that conference prior to going there, that arrangements would have been made to have had hundreds of the Latter-day Saints present. It was only a very short time prior to this one-hundredth anniversary that I felt impressed that I ought to go there. Last May I thought, perhaps I would go, but scarcely felt the full inspiration of it. However, just before the conference was to be held, the impression came to me that it would be a very serious mistake if the man whom the Lord had seen fit to honor in placing him to preside over the Church of Christ, established through the instrumentality of that boy who, one hundred and three years ago, conversed with God, the Father, and the Savior, and one hundred years ago saw for the first time the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, did not attend that celebration. I was very grateful that two of the Council of the Twelve happened to be in the East at the time, so that they could also be there; and in thinking the matter over I felt that it would be very fitting indeed for one of the blood relatives of the Prophet Joseph Smith to be there at that remarkable celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the first view of the plates from which the Book of Mormon was transcribed. NEW INSPIRATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.6 I have read within the past few weeks what a lot of rot the Book of Mormon is, what an absurd, ridiculous book it is. I want to say that it was my pleasure to be very intimately acquainted with the late William W. Riter, than whom there are few men in all the Church who were greater readers and greater students and who had more analytical and thoughtful minds. The last time that I heard Brother Riter speak was in a meeting in the ward where I reside. He was a man who read and studied a great deal. Among other things he made the statement, which was greatly to my surprise, that for many many years he had read the Book of Mormon through regularly every year, I never dreamed that he would take the time to do so. And he said that he found new inspiration, new uplifting thoughts, that he enjoyed the book, he believed, more each time that he read it than he had previously done. He said that nobody could find anything in that book that was not calculated to uplift mankind, and to improve them; that there was no book that more perfectly inspired a love of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, by its contents, than did the Book of Mormon; that there was not one single incident, not one paragraph in that whole book, that could offend the most sensitive soul. I have regretted beyond expression that the very remarkable and splendid sermon that he gave that night was not taken down in shorthand. THE ARIZONA TEMPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.6 I am pleased to be able to inform the people that the work on the Arizona temple is progressing satisfactorily, that next month we hope to lay the corner-stone and deposit some records in that stone, and that we hope in the near future to have that building completed for sacred ordinance work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 We are making very extensive improvements, almost completed now, giving greater facilities for taking care of larger numbers of people in the Salt Lake temple. Many of those improvements, however, have had to be made underground because of the conditions that face us. We have made some improvements, also, in the Logan temple for increased capacity in doing temple work there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 There have been changes in the following missions: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 Hugo D. E. Peterson has been made the president of the Swedish mission, succeeding Gideon E. Hulterstrom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 John S. Hansen has been made president of the Danish mission, succeeding Carl E. Peterson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 Angus T. Wright has been made president of the New Zealand mission, succeeding George F. Taylor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 Ernest LeRoy Butler has been made president of the Samoa Mission succeeding John Quincy Adams. MISSIONARIES SAFE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 Martin A. Robertson has been appointed to succeed Lloyd Ivie as president of the Japan mission. Brother Ivie has not yet returned. We received a cablegram, however, from him, stating that our missionaries in Japan were safe. We have not yet had a letter from him since the terrible catastrophe of earthquake and fire in that land, but we are grateful indeed to the Lord that all of our missionaries in Japan were preserved during the awful calamity that came to that country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 Albert R. Peterson has been made president of the Norwegian mission, succeeding August S. Schow. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 Fred J. Tadje has been made president of the Swiss and German mission, succeeding Serge F. Ballif. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 Charles S. Hyde has been made president of the Netherlands mission, succeeding John T. Lillywhite. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.7 The work in all of our missions is progressing very favorably indeed. We are thankful for the splendid labors being performed in all of the missions throughout the world. The one cry that comes to us from every mission is: Send us more elders. The people are becoming interested in the work of the Lord. "We could use twice as many elders," is the word that comes from many of the missions. IMPRESSIVE SLOGAN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.8 The Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church have an impressive slogan this year. They stand for spiritual growth among the Latter-day Saints through family and secret prayers. I wish to commend the young people for adopting this slogan. I am convinced that one of the greatest and one of the best things in all the world to keep a man true and faithful in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, is to supplicate God secretly iu the name of Jesus Christ, for the guidance of His Holy Spirit. I am convinced that one of the greatest things that can come into any home to cause the boys and girls in that home to grow up in a love of God, and in a love of the gospel of Jesus Christ, is to have family prayer, not for the father of the family alone to pray, but for the mother and for the children to do so also, that they may partake of the spirit of prayer, and be in harmony, be in tune, to have the radio, so to speak, in communication with the Spirit of the Lord. I believe that there are very few that go astray, that very few lose their faith, who have once had a knowledge of the gospel, and who never neglect their prayers in their families, and their secret supplications to God. I am grateful for this slogan. I am also grateful that in addition to this slogan the fifty thousand or more of our young ladies are being requested that they shall, during the next six months, observe rigidly and strictly the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.8 If you or I possessed a letter from the late President Warren G. Harding, I am sure that we would prize it, that we would hold it as a keepsake all the days of our lives, and that we would leave it as a legacy for our posterity--a communication from a man that had been honored by being the President of our great country. Do we ever stop to think that the Creator of heaven and earth, the Maker of all that we see in this great universe, the Father of our spirits, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in the spirit and in the flesh, has communicated with us, that he has given us counsel and advice such as will lead us back into his presence, that will give us vigor of body and of mind? A MATTER OF REGRET Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.8 And yet there are hundreds, there are thousands among the Latter-day Saints to whom the Lord God Almighty has given a testimony and a knowledge that he lives, a knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, a knowledge that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and living God, and who are able to bear that witness and to testify of it at home and abroad, who, when the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, tells them what is good for them, physically and spiritually, and writes them a letter, neglect to pay any attention to it. I am sorry to say that today there are many of the sons and daughters of the Latter-day Saints--some of the sons and daughters of leading men and women in this Church, who are having social gatherings and who think that it shows a spirit of liberality and of broadness to drink wine and to have their tea and coffee and to play their cards, and to do those things that we have been taught are not good for us. I am going to read to you a letter from the Lord to the Latter-day Saints: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.8 "Revelation given through Joseph Smith, the prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833." Ninety long years ago since the Lord wrote this letter to you and to me, and to every man and woman and child in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Word of Wisdom. What is there in all the world so valuable as wisdom? Nothing. The one thing of all others that King Solomon sought after was wisdom. "Abstinence from wine, strong drink, tobacco and hot drinks enjoined--moderation in the eating of meat--twholesome foods--promises to those who live according to these these precepts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "A Word of Wisdom for the benefit of 'the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the Church, and also in Zion. GIVEN WITH PROMISE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "To be sent greeting: not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God," in a letter telling you telling me, the will of God "in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "Given for a principle with promise," don't forget that promise, "adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "Behold verily thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "And behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the Vine, of your own make. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 I remember hearing the most eloquent address that I heard during all of the campaign for prohibition of liquor delivered by Dr. Geisel, a lady who was connected with the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan, and she stated that there were scores and hundreds of doctors that had become absolutely convinced from their scientific investigation, from their personal experience, that alcohol or strong liquors were absolutely worthless as medicine when taken internally, but that they were good for the washing of the body, that there was a stimulating and invigorating effect that those who were sick enjoyed by washing their bodies with alcohol. FAVORABLY IMPRESSED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 I remember after hearing her remarks in the Twenty-fifth ward Sunday school that morning, that I asked permission. to ride to the depot with her in the automobile. She had a watch lying in front of her and agreed to talk within ten minutes of train time. In going to the train I said: "Dr. Geisel, I am delighted to hear that your investigations in America, France and Russia regarding alcohol confirm what we knew seventy-five years ago through a revelation of the Lord to Joseph Smith the Prophet." And I told her of the Word of Wisdom, and she said she was coming back here some time to spend an entire summer vacation, that she had found so many remarkable things in our faith and our doctrines, that she wanted to investigate them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.9 "Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of Winter, or of cold, or famine." TEACHINGS CONFIRMED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 I remember recently reading that many of the doctors had come to the conclusion that excessive use of meat was one of the great causes of cancer, and of many other of the diseases that are destroying the human race. Year by year the inspiration comes to men through study and research to confirm, one by one, the teachings that came by the inspiration of the living God to Joseph Smith, the prophet of this last dispensation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of Life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals than run or creep on the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 Now, O ye Saints, listen to the promise of the Lord God Almighty in this letter written to you as to what shall be your heritage if you obey these simple words of wisdom: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "And all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them Amen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 Let me read the last verse once more: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.10 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." BENEFIT OF OBEDIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.11 In the same book you will find it recorded that there is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the foundations of the world, upon which every blessing is predicated, and when we receive a blessing we receive it because we fulfil the law upon which the blessing is predicated. I wish to bear my witness here that I believe with all my heart and soul that if I had not obeyed the Word of Wisdom, if I had not kept these commandments, that I would not be standing before you this day as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe that I would not be alive but for having obeyed this commandment, but for having fulfilled the law which was irrevocably decreed before the foundation of the world, whereby I was entitled to live. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.11 We have the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have the plan of life and salvation revealed to us--temporal salvation, spiritual salvation. We have the gospel that will bring to us life eternal in the presence of God our Father, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and of our loved ones who have gone before, who have been faithful. REJOICE IN TESTIMONIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.11 I thank the Lord God Almighty for the faith, for the integrity, for the devotion to him and the gospel of his Son Jesus Christ in the lives of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. I thank the Lord that they were true, even to the day of their martyrdom. I rejoice in the testimonies at the Hill Cumorah, at the Joseph Smith farm, and at the Sacred Grove, regarding these men. I rejoice in the marvelous integrity and devotion to God of Brigham Young in the days of apostasy, in the days when murder was in the hearts of many who had once been Latter-day Saints. I rejoice that when men said that Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet, Brigham Young was as true as steel, and would have given his life at any time for the Prophet Joseph Smith. I rejoice in the wonderful accomplishments of Brigham Young. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.11 I rejoice in the integrity and devotion to God of John Taylor, of Wilford Woodruff, of Lorenzo Snow, and of Joseph F. Smith with whom I was intimately associated for forty-one years this identical month. I know the hearts of these men. I knew the inmost desires of their lives, that which they desired most to accomplish, and I know that every one of these men loved God with all his heart, and with all his being that they all loved the people of God, and that the one and only thing in their heart's desire above everything else in the world, was the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the spread of it, that men who knew not the truth might learn and accept the plan of life and salvation. LOYAL TO COUNTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.12 I know that their thoughts, their prayers, their ambitions, were all for the good of this people and their advancement spiritually and morally, intellectually and patriotically. I know as I know that I live that no men ever graced the footstool of God who were more loyal to their country, who believed more firmly that the Lord God Almighty inspired the men who brought freedom to this country trader George Washington and inspired the men who wrote the Constitution of our beloved country. I thank God for these men, and with all the power of my being I pray God that I, having been honored in my weakness and my lack of strength in comparison to them, may lead this people as they did, in that straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. I desire to read just two paragraphs from the prayer given at the dedication of the Alberta temple: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.12 "We thank thee, O Father, for the knowledge which we possess, that thou dost live, and that thy Son Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and our Savior, and that thy servant Joseph Smith, Jr., was and is a prophet of the true and living God. And, O Father, may we ever be true and faithful to the gospel of thy Son Jesus Christ, revealed through thy servant Joseph. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.12 "We especially pray thee, O Father in heaven, to bless the youth of thy people in Zion and in all the world. Shield them from the adversary and from wicked and designing men. Keep the youth of thy people, O Father, in the straight and narrow path that leads to thee, preserve them from the pitfalls and snares that are laid for their feet. O Father, may our children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ. Give unto them a testimony of the divinity of this work as thou hast given it unto us, and preserve them in purity, and in the truth." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.12 And I say unto you, O fathers in Israel; if you will set an example by being honest before God in the payment of your tithes, if you will observe the Word of Wisdom, if you will observe your family and your secret prayers, God will give you strength to preserve the youth of Zion as mentioned in this supplication. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.12 May the Lord bless us and pour out upon us richly his Holy Spirit during this conference, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant PART OF THE HILL CUMORAH PURCHASED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.23 I forgot one item that we have here, namely that we are now the owners of a part of the Hill Cumorah. The Church, a few weeks ago, purchased a farm of ninety odd acres, which embraces the West slope of the Hill Cumorah, about one-third of the way up the hill. There is a nice farm house, and it is a very fine piece of property. Elder Willard Bean, in charge of the Memorial Home, or the Smith Farm, wrote us that he could purchase this property, and we are glad now that at least part of the hill is in the possession of the Church. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.84 I wish to say that I have been very gratified indeed with our meetings here today. I feel that the Lord has abundantly blessed us in our gatherings and that we have had a rich outpouring of his Holy Spirit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.84 I regret exceedingly that we have to limit our brethren to a very few minutes when they speak here. There is hardly one of the brethren who has stood upon his feet but what, I am sure, could edify this congregation for an hour or more if the opportunity were presented; but if you stop to think of the fact that there are twenty-six of the general authorities, and that we are anxious to hear from the mission presidents and from as many stake presidents as we possibly can, you will realize that we can only barely have testimonies borne by most of the brethren in these conference meetings. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.85 I regret to say that Brother Whitney's health is of such character that he has not been able to be with us during our conference, so far, and he feels that he cannot come this morning nor this afternoon. I am pleased to inform you, however, that his health has very greatly improved, during the past six months, and that he is again able occasionally, in fact nearly always, to meet with us once a reek in the temple in the regular council meeting of the Presidency, the Apostles and the Patriarch. But considering the state of his nerves at the present time, he does not feel that it is wisdom to be here and mingle with a large crowd. He is with us in spirit and we hope and pray that he may be here in vigor of body and mind six months from today. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.101 The inspired hymn that Elder Ballif read was also one of the hymns sung at the conference at the Hill Cumorah. The author of it is William W. Phelps. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.102 David O. McKay is absent from us, as you all know, he is performing an excellent work, presiding over the European mission and also over the British mission, and is accomplishing a splendid labor. We hear from him frequently. He is thoroughly enjoying his work. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.148 There are five members of the First Council of Seventy that have not had the opportunity of speaking to. us, and I had the names of some of our honored returned missionaries who have presided in some of the foreign missions, on my list. Time will not permit of our brethren speaking to us, as I am sure they would like to do, but we are going to stay here-those of us who are not so hungry that we are anxious to get away--until we hear from these brethren of the First Council of Seventy. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.156 I regret exceedingly to have had to limit the time of any of the brethren in these conferences. I am sure that every speaker, judging by myself, would have been pleased to occupy more time in talking to the Saints. When we stand up to speak and the Lord blesses us with the light and inspiration of his Spirit, it is rather a difficult matter not to want to talk and keep on talking. I confess freely, that it is very seldom when I am addressing the Latter-day Saints, that I do not have very many ideas come into my mind that I would like to express; but I feel the necessity of not continuing my remarks, as a rule, longer than I have done in the past. I therefore regret that it is not possible to give the brethren the opportunity and the chance to more fully express themselves; but I am sure that many of them who have been limited to ten minutes have done themselves proud, under the inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord, in testifying to us during the short time that was allotted them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.156 Now to the law and testimony as we believe in it. BELIEF OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.156 "We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men, on the right of property or life, to take from them this world's goods, or put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw form them their fellowship." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.157 "We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the rights of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.157 I spent considerable time while Brother Ivins was preaching, looking through a lot of old papers for a few words that I wanted to read to this congregation. It fell to my lot to be honored, by playing a game of golf with the President of the United States. It also fell to my lot, when a very noted attorney, Judge James A. Emery, came here to make a very important speech as an industrial expert, to be invited to play a game of golf with him. And after playing that game of golf, I had the privilege of hearing him deliver his speech at the Country Club. He expressed pleasure in coming back to Utah and he announced--I do not know that I can give his words--that the people of Utah stood like a great rock in the ocean against the waves of discontent. A ROCK OF CERTAINTY. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.157 I just wish to read one little tribute from his address: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.157 "In renewing an old acquaintanceship comes a peculiar source of inspiration. I have been impressed with the continuing evidence which the light of Utah has had in the development of the state. Tell me what a man thinks and I will tell you what he does. This community has stood like a rock of certainty and decision in the midst of radicalism and discontent. Utah has stood as one of the cornerstones of reliability in the American political structure." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.157 That is from one of the great lawyers of the United States. After his speech, I had the pleasure of riding to the Country Club in the automobile with him, and afterwards of having a little ride to enjoy some of the scenery. The gentleman owning and driving the automobile, was not a member of our Church, but in complimenting judge Emery upon his magnificent address, he said: "Credit is due to the 'Mormon' people for not defending those things that are contrary to the fundamental laws, and the sustaining of the institutions of our country," or some words to that effect; and the Judge said: "Why, everybody knows that." I might add: except some people here at home. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.157 We hear a great deal about the wonderful influence of the "Mormon" priesthood and the tyranny of it; and this reminds me of a little incident in my own life. When I was a vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce and a certain gentleman was made the secretary, I suggested that we have that gentleman write a pamphlet upon the resources and attractions of Utah, inviting people to come here and make permanent homes--but of course we do not want anybody to come, so we are told ! FALSE, AND TRUE PROPAGANDA. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.158 And he wrote that pamphlet, and I suggested that after the cost of setting up the type had been returned and we had had our investment returned, that this man have an increase of salary because of the selling of the pamphlet. A few months later he thanked me for having made that motion, because he said that he was getting $20 or $25 per month from it and it was adding to his meager salary. I said: "It is contemptible for any man to receive thanks from his fellow-man in a favor that he did not extend. I did not nominate you, and suggest that you write that pamphlet because I wanted to increase your salary, although I did announce that it would increase it. I nominated you to write that pamphlet because I knew you would have to tell the truth in your writing, and that the truth printed in that pamphlet would brand the articles that you had written upon this city years ago as a United States official, as plain, simple lies. That is why I nominated you, sir. Among other things, you said that the "Mormon" Priesthood controlled the people in every city, in every home, and all over this Territory, and that they were getting rich by robbing the people, in the articles you wrote for eastern publication. In this pamphlet you say that in no other state or territory of the United States are such splendid opportunities for settlers to be found as in Utah and that the city, community and territorial taxes are lower than in any other state or territory in the Union. What a pity that .these robbers could not be exported to rob other people by reducing their taxes!" About that time he looked as if he would like to hit me instead of thanking me. I decided that I was quick enough to dodge if he should attempt to do so. AUTHORITY OF PRIESTHOOD. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.158 Now, with reference to the authority of the Priesthood of God and how it is to be exercised: The Prophet of the living God was imprisoned in Liberty jail and there was a desire that he should be tried and executed; but all the prison doors in all the world cannot prevent the revelations of the mind and the will of God coming to those that are entitled to receive them; and while in Liberty jail the Prophet Joseph Smith received one of the very greatest of all the great revelations from God that are contained in the Doctrine and Covenants. I read from Section 121: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.158 "How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.158 "Behold, there are many called but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.158 "Because their hearts are set so much upon the thinks of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.158 "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or Compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens. withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "Hence many are called, but few are chosen." INSPIRED WORDS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 Now, I want to emphasize the balance of this. revelation, given in a jail. With all the power of a State trying to take away the liberty of Joseph Smith, they could not prevent the communication of that prophet with the heavens, and he received the following inspired words that should never be forgotten 'by any bishop or any president of a stake, or any apostle, or any president of the Church as long as they hold office in this Church: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion," MORE PRICELESS THAN WEALTH. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 More priceless than all the wealth of all the world is to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 "and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and with out compulsory means it shall flow unto thee for ever and ever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.159 We are an ignorant people, are we? Why, Dr. Winship announces that we have the best laws on education of any state in the United States, and yet the majority of the legislature come from the ignorant "Mormons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 We are a vile people, are we? Consider this: the governor of Arizona announced that if we had our just dues we would not have been robbed of between twenty-five hundred and three thousand per cent of some of the taxes in Arizona, namely: that we were entitled to twenty-five or thirty inmates in the state penitentiary and only had one. He also announced that we were being robbed because we did not have six or seven, in proportion to our population in the insane asylum. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 When it comes to divorces--the crying evil of the age--we are not in it at all! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 When it comes to marrying, we can lead them every time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 When it comes to, fulfilling the first great commandment of God: to multiply and replenish the earth--we lead. Utah's best crop, and Canada's and Mexico's best crop, in every true, loyal, faithful Latter-day Saint family, is babies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 Our death-rate is lower. Our birth-rate higher. BY THEIR FRUITS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 "By their fruits ye shall know them," and we are at the defiance of the world in all the vital statistics that go to show that we are a Christian people, that we do acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world, and are living up to his teachings. We are at the defiance of any honest man upon the face of the earth to point out that we do not lead in all those things; and the Savior said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 Speaking of the accomplishments in our Mexican colonies, that great president and warrior who ruled Mexico with an iron hand for so many years--Porfirio Dias, when he visited, just a short time before he was driven from his country, the fair in Chihuahua, when he came to the exhibits of industry and frugality; when he saw the products of our canning factories, our harness factories, the shoe factories; when he saw the exhibits from our academy there--as fine an academy as is in all Utah, barring only Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake, and Provo, our four principal cities--when he saw all the exhibits there, that warrior, whom nobody would expect to shed a tear, when he saw what this "ignorant" people had done in Mexico, wiped his eyes and said: "What could I not do with my beloved Mexico if I had more citizens like these 'Mormons?'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 In Canada we have made a record second to no people. GOOD COLLEGE RECORDS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 In every college of the United States where our boys have gone, in every university attended by them, they have made a record that is the equal to the best. We expended of the Church funds and the people's funds, last year, a million dollars because we are a lot of ignoramuses and want to keep the people in ignorance. "The Glory of God is intelligence." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 Let me read some more from the Prophet Joseph Smith: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 "Whatever principles of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 "And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.160 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 "And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 Latter-day Saints realize, know and comprehend that one of the greatest duties devolving upon them is to gain knowledge, and to study and get information out of good books. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 God lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God; and this work called "Mormonism" is the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and is the plan of life and salvation; and all the disbelief of the world, all the opposition of all the world cannot stop it, God has established it and it will go on and on until it has fufilled its destiny! And may God help you and me and every soul that has a knowledge of the divinity of this work, to live the Gospel, that our acts may preach it, is my prayer and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 The Deseret News has been broadcasting all the remarks made here this morning and this afternoon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 I desire to express my gratitude and thanks to all the Saints for the very remarkable and splendid order we have had during all our conference meetings. I believe it has been the very best of any conference I have ever attended. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 I am very grateful for the very large attendance. I am thankful for the inspiration of the Lord to all those who have spoken. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 I am grateful indeed that President Penrose, who will soon be 92 years of age, has been able to be with us and lift up his voice in testimony of the divinity of this great work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1923, p.161 We will now ask you to arise and President Penrose will offer the benediction. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.2 It certainly is a very inspiring sight to see this house full and people standing at this our first session of the conference. THE CHURCH IN EXCELLENT CONDITION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.2 I rejoice in the growth Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at home and abroad. I rejoice in feeling that we have every cause to be grateful to the Lord for the blessings that have come to us during the past year. I believe that I am within the bounds of truth when I say that the Church was never in a better condition than at the present time, that there was never greater unity existing among the general authorities of the Church, more anxiety and determination to serve the Lord, than today; that we never had more energetic and faithful men presiding over the stakes of Zion and in the wards and missions of the Church than today; neither have we had more energetic, faithful men and women, than have been presiding and are presiding at the present time, as general, stake and ward officers in our various auxiliary organizations. GOOD WORK BY THE AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 It fell to my lot, yesterday afternoon, to address the conference of the Relief Society for a few minutes. The Assembly Hall was filled to overflowing, and many people were standing. I am convinced that such a gathering as that of active, wide-awake, energetic women-members could not be witnessed among any other people, who are no more numerous than are the Latter-day Saints. Our Relief Societies are doing a very remarkable and wonderful work in looking after the sick and the afflicted. I remember one very good friend of mine, a non-member of the Church, said to his wife just before he passed away, so she told me, that no other people, in his estimation--and he had traveled nearly all over the world--took as good care of their sick and looked after their poor as well as do the Latter-day Saints. They are really one great family of brothers and sisters, united with a common bond of love and respect. Our young people, and those who look after the children of the Primary Association are also doing a splendid work. SATISFACTORY REPORTS FROM THE MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 The reports from our Missions from all over the world are very satisfactory; and the one call, claim, or plea that is made is, "Send us more missionaries." There is only one real exception to this, and that is in Japan. There is no exception in the call for more mission aries in that field, but, after twenty-odd years of labor in that country, we are convinced that not a dozen people have been thoroughly converted to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have seriously considered the question of closing that mission, but have not yet arrived at any conclusion. ENLIGHTENING STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 It has been customary, at April conferences, to give some statistics to the people regarding the expenditure of their tithing. Nearly the entire tithing paid during the past year has been returned, in various appropriations, to the different stakes of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 General--The amount returned to the stakes from the tithes, for stake and ward purposes, during the past year and for maintenance and operation of the same, has been (I shall not read the odd figures) $ 993,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 The amount expended for the maintenance and operation of Church schools has been 835,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 The amount expended for the construction, maintenance and opera- tion of temples has been 449,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 Expended for hospital construction 146,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 Since our last General Conference our hospital in Idaho Falls, costing in the neighborhood of $400,000 has been dedicated, and is open for the care of the afflicted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 For Charity--For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment 171,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 Missions--For the maintenance and operation of all the missions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions 586,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 The grand total--Taken from the tithes, and returned by the Trustee-in-Trust to the Saints for the maintenance and operation of the stakes and wards, for the maintenance and operation of Church schools, temples, charities, and for mission activities is $3,182,207.22 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 Other Charities--In addition to charities paid out of the tithes, as before stated, there have also been distributed the fast offerings and Relief Society and other charities, amounting to $471,000 which, added to the $171,000 paid from the tithes, makes a total of Church charities of $643,060.47. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 Following statistics and other reports are compiled from the Church records for the year 1923: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 Church growth--Children blessed and entered upon the records of the Church, in the stakes and missions 19,199 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.3 Children baptized in the stakes and missions 13,020 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and mission 7,492 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 The organized stakes of Zion now number 90. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Wards and independent branches 972. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 There are 24 mission of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 There are branches in the missions, 635. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 The birth-rate in the Church is 35 per 1000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 The marriage-rate is 14 per 1000. I think that ought to be increased. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 The death-rate is 7.2, which is certainly very satisfactory indeed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 There are 157,990 persons in the Church who are married. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 There were 241 persons divorced in the year 1923. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Families owning their own homes, 75% Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Temple Statistics--In 1918 and 1923--A comparison for the past five years--Baptisms, five years ago 175,000; last year 393,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Ordinances, five years ago 154,000; last year 442,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Total ordinances in 1918 329,529; in 1923 836,053 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 or an increase of more than 150%--over 500,000 more ordinances performed last year than five years ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Missionary statistics--On Foreign missions, from Stakes of Zion, there are 1,798 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Local elders laboring in foreign missions 83 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Special missionaries laboring in the stakes of Zion 2,137 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Total missionaries 4,018 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 Stake presidents--There have been appointed since last October the following Stake Presidents: Wayne H. Redd, San Juan stake. Henry M. Mickelsen, Lost River stake. M. Howard Randall, Morgan stake. James Berkley Larsen, Shelley stake. Winslow Farr Smith, Ensign stake. William H. Callahun, Wayne stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 There have been new wards organized: In the Roosevelt Stake, Mountwel; in the Liberty stake, Yale; in the Los Angeles stake, Belvedere and Glendale. TEXT FOR AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 I am requested to read this announcement. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 "Mendelssohn's oratorio entitled, Elijah, will be given this evening, Friday, in the Tabernacle, commencing at 8:15. In addition to the choir of two hundred and fifty voices selected from the Tabernacle Choir, ten talented soloists, and an orchestra of forty men, will take part. The committee announce popular prices of 25c and 50c. Tickets may be obtained at the box office and at the Bureau of Information. The choir and musicians have been preparing this splendid oratorio for many months, and a musical treat is promised to all who attend. Will you kindly emphasize the above, and oblige, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 "Sincerely, The Committee." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 I have decided to emphasize it by devoting my talk, entirely, or practically so, to that subject. I had not made up my mind until this morning what I would talk about. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 On the 21st day of September, 1823, nearly seven years the organization of the Church, Moroni, an angel, made the following statement to Joseph Smith the Prophet: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.4 "Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 In the revelation known as the Preface to the Doctrine and Covenants we are told: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen." THE APPEARANCE OF ELIJAH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 In 1836, about thirteen years after the angel Moroni declared that Elijah should restore again the Priesthood, Elijah appeared to Oliver Cowdery and the Prophet Joseph Smith, in the Kirtland temple. The record of this appearance is to be found in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 110. Not only did Elijah appear, upon that occasion, in the Kirtland temple, to the Prophet and to Oliver Cowdery, but the Savior and others appeared, and I will read not only regarding Elijah's appearance, but also that of the Savior. The Savior stated: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father." OUR SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST LIVES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 I know of nothing for which we, as Latter-day Saints, should be more grateful than the absolute knowledge that every Latter-day Saints has, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, the Son of the living God. All over the world today, even among professed Christians, there is a lack of faith in the divinity of the Savior. Even some ministers of the gospel go far enough to declare from their pulpits that they do not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. There is no doubt in the mind of any Latter-day Saint living regarding the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, because when the boy Joseph Smith, not yet fifteen years of age, went into the woods to pray in the Sacred Grove, he saw God the Father and God introduced to him his well-beloved Son, and told this boy to hear Him. Every Latter-day Saint believes absolutely in the revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, that they are true; and in one of these revelations we have this recorded by Sidney Rigdon and the Prophet: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.5 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 We have an account of the actual appearance of the Savior in the first temple erected in this dispensation which was at Kirtland. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall he here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 Then after the appearance of the Savior we have the following: KEYS TO GATHERING OF lSRAEL RESTORED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 One of the Articles of Faith of the Latter-day Saints is: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "We believe in the literal gathering of lsrael and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion shall be built upon this [the American] continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed. VISITATION OF ELIJAH IN FULFILMENT OF MALACHI'S PREDICTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "Behold the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi--testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 "Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.6 This visitation of Elijah to the Kirtland temple was on April 3, 1836, the 88th anniversary being yesterday. THE FAITH OF THE SAINTS VERIFIED BY TEMPLES AND WORKS THEREIN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.7 I rejoice in the fact that the Latter-day Saints believe absolutely beyond the peradventure of a doubt, that Elijah did come, that he did commit the keys to Oliver Cowdery and to Joseph Smith, and the temple erected in Kirtland, the temple erected in Nauvoo, and the temples that have been erected here in this state of Utah, and those in Hawaii and in Canada, and the one that is now being erected in Mesa City, Arizona, bear testimony, to the extent of millions of dollars of money, of the faith of the Latter-day Saints that the keys have been given, whereby we can, in very deed, be saviors upon Mount Zion for those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. AN AWAKENING ON THIS SUBJECT IN ALL THE WORLD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.7 And simultaneously, almost, with the declaration way back in 1823 by the Angel Moroni, (Section 2, D&C that I have read to you, ) all over the world there came into the hearts of people, not of our faith, a desire to organize genealogical societies, to compile records of names by the thousands, and tens of thousands. I have met in many lands and in many climes, men who have spent years, and a large amount of treasure, and almost their entire time, in compiling records of their ancestors. I have asked them why they did it. They said they did not know, they were seized with a great desire to compile records of their ancestors; and, as we know, these records are worth their weight in gold to the Latter-day Saints. INTEREST IN WORK FOR THE DEAD INCREASING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.7 It fell to my lot last night to make a brief address to the representatives of the Genealogical societies and organizations of the Church, on the top floor of the Bishop's Building. The auditorium there was crowded to overflowing. We have had a great many gatherings there at one time and another, but I have never attended a gathering in that building when the room was as well filled as it was last night. It was a meeting of enthusiastic laborers, whose works testify to the coming of Elijah, to the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children, and of the children to the fathers. This work is being carried on, and as I have read to you in the statistics here this morning, over five-hundred thousand more ordinances were performed in our temples this past year than were performed during a like period five years ago. I rejoice in the splendid work that is being accomplished, and in the wonderful loyalty of those who are working in the temples, and those who are gathering information for genealogical work of different kinds. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.7 I believe that the Committee will be reasonably well satisfied with my emphasis of the great oratorio here tonight, of Elijah. I hope the house will be crowded to overflowing. WE ARE ENGAGED IN THE MARVELOUS WORK OF THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.7 I rejoice in the blessings of the Lord, I rejoice in a knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. We are engaged in the work of the Lord, and I wish to read the words of the Lord given to the grandfather of our late beloved President Joseph F. Smith, the father of the Prophet Joseph and the Patriarch Hyrum Smith. These words were given, remember, before the Church was organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "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. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Therefore, if ye have desire 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; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen. THE GREAT PURPOSE OF OUR LABORS DECLARED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 And before the Church was organized a revelation was given to the father of our beloved President Joseph F. Smith. I will not read it all, but it is Section II, given in May, 1829, nearly a year before the organizing of the Church. Hyrum Smith desired that his Brother, the Prophet, should inquire of the Lord as to what labor he should perform. He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments," I desire with all the power that God has given me to emphasize that. That applies to every man, woman and child in all the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Say nothing but repentance unto this generation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 Remember that, O all ye people: Say nothing but repentance. Teach and live the first principles of the gospel, and let the mysteries of heaven wait until you get to heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Behold, thou hast a gift or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ or in my power which speaketh unto thee: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good--yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Build upon my rock, which is my gospel; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.8 "Therefore, treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom that you shall go forth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "I am the same, who came unto mine own and mine own received me not; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 Please remember, Latter-day Saints, that this revelation declares that the Lord speaks unto all of us who have a desire to labor--to seek not for riches, but to bring forth the work of God, and to labor for the accomplishment of that purpose. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 Now I see the time that I desired to occupy has expired, but I want to speak just a little more and read a few words that I have been studying occasionally, now for forty long years, since it fell to my lot to be one of the apostles: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the Living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "For this shall be a law"--not an exhortation remember, but a law--"unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord." THE SACRED DUTY OF COMMUNION WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 And the way to teach our children to pray is to pray ourselves in secret and in our families. There is too much neglect in having communion with God on the part of many of the Latter-day Saints. I feel a joy and a happiness every day of my life in communicating with my Maker, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. And those who do not have a radio communication, so to speak, with our Heavenly Father and our Redeemer, are losing the inspiration that comes from the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "And the inhabitants of Zion also shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.9 "These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them; wherefore, let my servant Oliver Cowdery carry these sayings unto the land of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.10 "And a commandment I give unto them--that he that observeth not his prayers before the Lord in the season thereof, let him be had in remembrance before the judge of my people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.10 "These sayings are true and faithful; wherefore, transgress them not, neither take therefrom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.10 "Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, and I come quickly. Amen." TAKE TO HEART THE DUTY OF TEACHING FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.10 I pray that the parents who are within the sound of my voice, and those who may read in the conference reports, or in our papers, what I say, may take to heart the duty that devolves upon them under a commandment from the Lord Almighty to teach faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to their children, that they shall pray and walk uprightly. That the Lord may help us to rear our beloved children in the nurture and admonition of the gospel, and in a love of God and of our Redeemer, and that each and every soul who has a testimony of the divinity of this work may live the gospel in uprightness, in virtue, and in truth, that their lives may preach the truth to those with whom they come in contact, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.45 Of the General Authorities of the Church, there are absent from our conference Elders Reed Smoot, David O. McKay, John A. Widtsoe, and George Albert Smith, of the Council of the Twelve. As you all know, Brother Smoot's duties prevent his attendance. We had hoped Brother Widtsoe might be here, but the Commission of which he is a member demands his attention, and he has written his sincere regrets for not being present at the conference. We have a cablegram from Pres. David O. McKay, that "the conference presidents of the mission in special assembly send greetings to the First Presidency and other authorities and the Church at home. God bless you." Brother George Albert Smith is absent on account of sickness. We hope he will be with us before the conference is concluded. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.65 It is certainly very gratifying to see this building filled to overflowing with people, many standing in the aisles and the doorways. We have never before had such an attendance upon a week day at any of our conferences as we had yesterday and as we are having today. Amplifiers have been installed in the Assembly Hall, so that those who do not have seats here, and would like to go over there, can be comfortably seated, and hear whatever is said in this building. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.152 I will announce that the auditors have made the usual report, and reported that they found the books and accounts, and everything in the Bishop's Office and the Trustee-in-Trust's in perfect order. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.152 The Church Stenographer, Brother Frank W. Otterstrom, handed me the following, which appeared in last Sunday's issue of the New York Times, being a statement made in 1911 by Dr. Eliot, President Emeritus of Harvard University: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.152 "How to live long-Go to Church. Keep a clean heart and a good conscience. Give your mind exercise as well as your body--really think. Exercise regularly, eat in moderation, take a full allowance of sleep. Avoid indulgence in luxuries and the habitual use of any drug whatsoever--not only of alcohol, but tobacco, tea and coffee." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.152 In 1833, the Lord told us, in a much more substantial way than President Eliot, to refrain from all those things. Among other things, my brethren and sisters, keep the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.152 I am very pleased to announce that Brother George Albert Smith is with us this afternoon on the stand, but it is scarcely considered wisdom for him to attempt to address this vast congregation. FOR THE SUFFERERS IN EUROPE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 There was a special drive made during the past season for the suffering people in Europe; and in addition, there was a drive made for clothes, and we have been able to send four carloads of clothing to Europe. The railroad and steamship companies have furnished us transportation for these clothes, practically free of charge, for which we are grateful indeed. It has been estimated that the cash received, $12,500 of which went to the Near East organization, and the clothing, would amount, in round numbers, to fully $100,000. Sixty and thousand dollars was the estimate placed upon the clothing sent. We have received word from our European missions that this clothing very good indeed, that they were surprised at the high quality of clothing that was delivered. There were extensive repairs made on the shoes that were given, which made them very much more acceptable. This assistance has been rendered to the Netherlands and Germany, to the Armenians, and also the Near East, as stated, and some assistance also to Great Britain. PROGRESS AND INCREASE IN MANY CHURCH ACTIVITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 There has been a substantial increase in the attendance at our sacrament meetings during the past year. There has been better ward-teaching and an increase in the number of families visited monthly; statistics show an increase in our tithes, a large increase in the number of tithe-payers, and a splendid record of the stake and ward officers in the payment of tithes, for which we are grateful. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 An extensive building program is being carried out in many of the stakes of Zion. New meeting-houses are being erected and the people are very liberal in their donations for the same. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 In the conservation of life, the records show a marked decrease in the deaths of children under five years of age, showing that better methods are being adopted all through the state to prevent our little ones from passing away in their infancy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 For the first time, more people have removed to the missions of the Church from the stakes of Zion than have been received from the missions. A splendid work is being done, as I announced here at the opening of our conference, by the missionaries in every part of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 It is estimated that there have been 1200 converts to the Church as a result of our home missionary work in the various stakes of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 The work of increasing the accomodations in the Salt Lake temple has been completed, and has proved a great convenience to those attending this temple. The facilities have been very greatly enlarged Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 and are highly appreciated by those who are working in that temple. The Manti temple has been thoroughly overhauled and renovated. The frame-work of the Arizona temple is now completed and the terra-cotta is being delivered. The building is to be covered with terra-cotta--the same general style of covering as the Hotel Utah. The walls will be completed within a few months. CONDITION IN THE MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.153 There is a marked improvement in the conditions for missionary work in Great Britain. The Netherlands mission is very prosperous, having very many investigators. A French mission has just been created, comprising the French people in the devastated regions of France, the French-speaking people of Belgium, and the French-speaking people of Switzerland. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.154 In the Scandinavian missions we are still having difficulty in getting people into Sweden. I regret that the present condition is altogether different from what it was in the days of King Oscar. It fell to my happy lot, with Brother Alex Nibley, whom I see here, and some of my friends, to have the privilege of calling on King Oscar on the 4th day of July, many years ago. With characteristic American assurance, I presented myself at the king's palace and requested an interview and the man who came to the door looked at me as if he thought I was crazy, not to be properly presented through the minister plenipotentiary. I wrote a letter of introduction to his majesty and enclosed a letter from Governor Heber M. Wells of the state of Utah, told him that day, July 4th, was the day that we Americans celebrate, and asked for an audience; and added that I knew that I ought to be presented in proper order, that I had letters from the Utah senators to our minister; but, the day being the 4th of July, we hoped that he would waive all of the customary formalities necessary to see a king. And he very kindly consented, stepped out of the palace, and greeted us; and after learning that only two or three in our party understood the Swedish language, he immediately changed to faultless English, perfect English. He was a magnificent specimen of humanity, standing over six feet high. He made this remark to me: "Mr. Grant, I have sent my personal representatives, unknown to the people, to nearly every state in the Union of the United States, to find out how my former subjects are getting along, how they are prospering; and in no other state in the Union are the former subjects of Sweden and Norway more contented, more prosperous and happier than in Utah; and, as long as I am king of Norway and Sweden, your people shall have religious liberty, notwithstanding all the priests and religious denominations are against you." I wish he was still alive. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.154 An extensive building program is now in operation in many of the missions of the United States. Meeting houses of a substantial character have been erected in some of the missions--in far off New Zealand, in Australia, and in some other places. We are grateful for the very excellent progress that we are making all over the world in our missionary work. WORK OF THE M. I. A. SCOUTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 Some remarks have been made here, telling of the good opinion that people have of us today, in comparison with what it used to be. It fell to my lot to be at a Boy Scout gathering at the Westside High school, where representatives from this section of the country were present. President Moore, the head of the great World's Fair at San Francisco, was one of these men, Stewart French was another, and other influential national representatives were there. One of the men present upon that occasion was George J. Fisher, who is the second in command of the Boy Scouts of America. The man in charge, the head man, Mr. West, was with us in this building about a year ago, and he delivered a magnificent address and paid splendid compliments to our people. He remarked to me that it was a great pleasure to him to have nominated Oscar A. Kirkham to have charge of the Boy Scouts who went to Europe--a great compliment, I feel to the American people. Oscar A. Kirkham has received a letter from Dr. George J. Fisher, which I think every Latter-day Saint would like to hear read. Every Latter-day Saint ought to have read it, because, in every Latter-day Saint home there ought to be the Improvement Era. But, for fear there is not one in every home of those who are here, I will read this from the March number of the Improvement Era: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "It was my pleasure recently to meet the representatives of the Boy Scout movement in Utah and to observe Scouting in action. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "I was deeply impressed not only with the extent to which the boys of Utah had been reached, but with the quality of the program of Scouting which was being conducted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "Utah excels in Scouting. In Salt Lake City and in Logan, the headquarters of two Councils of the State, I witnessed actual demonstrations by the boys themselves. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "I was profoundly moved and greatly inspired by what I saw. Utah excels in the number of boys reached in proportion to the population. In many communities practically all of the boys available are scouts. There are more boys of advanced rank and a greater percentage of Eagle scouts than in any other section of America. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "Scouting reaches the boys not only in the large centers of the state, but in the remotest villages. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "So well is scouting administered that the boys themselves manage much of their activities under wise adult guidance. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "I saw a great rally directed entirely by scents in Salt Lake City. The dispatch, precision, efficiency and spirit with which they conducted the affair was worthy of high praise. I have never seen it excelled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "Scouting is raising up a fine breed of boys in Utah. It is giving them splendid executive training that will fit them for effective leadership in the affairs of state in the years immediately ahead. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "Scouting is a course in the practice of patriotism. It is developing patriots in Utah, yes, boys who will be felt in the public and private life of the nation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "That state is a great state which gives to its youth its first attention. Utah excels in that regard. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "The secret of it all is that splendid, high motivatied men are giving themselves unselfishly to the boys of the state. This is the way to success and real achievement. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "These men are taking serious training for their tasks. I associated for part of two days with almost a hundred of them in training at the State Agricultural College at Logan. They came from the remotest parts of the state and of nearby states. It was an inspiration. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "These men will determine the standards of boy life in the state. It is a noble enterprise, a worthy and commendable service. All praise to them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.155 "These scouts in the state are catching and demonstrating the spirit of Scouting. It is a great spiritual crusade. They are living the Scout Oath and Laws. They are practicing the 'daily good turn.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.156 "Scouting is reaching all boys; poor boys as well as those who are more favored. Utah is setting standards for the whole country. Utah is repeating history. Just as she developed the early scouts, the great heroes of pioneer days, so now she is raising up boy scouts, caught by the same spirit of enterprise, by the same spirit of adventure. It is the pioneer spirit, the holy crusade of olden days applied in practical, yet romantic fashion to the youth of this later age. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.156 "The 'Mormon' Church is the largest factor in this splendid achievement. She it is that is furnishing men and vision and ideals to the young men throughout the state, and they as scoutmasters in the great majority are inspiring the youth of the state to become good scouts. Splendid cooperation is given by other religious agencies in this work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.156 "And for this good service we are deeply grateful. Scouting is marching on in Utah, an excellent example to all the nation." PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG'S ADMONITION SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO APPLIES TODAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.156 October 6 to 9, 1853: Words of President Brigham Young: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.156 "We will now bring our conference to a close. I wish the Latter-day Saints to hearken to the counsel they receive from time to time, and especially to the counsel I will now give to all Latter-day Saints in this house, in the valleys of the mountains, and to all who are scattered among the nations of the earth. I ask one thing at your hands, and that is, to live your religion day by day. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.156 "The religion we profess is the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ; a religion of revelation, ministering of angels, and the power of God on the people through the ordinances of God. My counsel is, to live their religion. If they do, they will live watchfully, prayerfully, humbly; and their hearts will be filled with compassion one towards another, and they will seek to do good all the days of their lives; and when an evil is presented to them they will shun that evil, and will cleave to that which is right before the Lord; otherwise they will bring disgrace upon themselves, and dishonor their religion. This is my counsel to all Saints, and I wish you to carry it from this conference to your neighbors, and spread it abroad, throughout all the churches of the Saints, upon the face of the whole earth;--Live the religion you profess!" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.156 Brother Junius F. Wells was indexing some of the Journals of Discourses and ran across the above and handed it to me; and I felt I would like to read it here. THE SUGAR INDUSTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.157 I am very happy to inform the Latter-day Saints that there has been a very wonderful and remarkable "come-back" in the sugar industry of this inter-mountain country. Instead of the various sugar factories being in debt many, many millions of dollars of money to the banks in New York and Chicago, with large stocks of sugar on hand and no sale for it, there is now a demand for sugar throughout the entire country; and almost without exception, if not without exception, (I am not thoroughly posted) the companies are not in debt to bankers who were unwilling three years ago, without additional capital being invested, to renew obligations that they held. Today, most if not all of the companies are free from bank obligations in the East and the industry has come back in a splendid way; for which we are grateful. The farmers are giving loyal support and raising larger quantities of beets, which means an increased product, which means an increase of prosperity to this intermountain country. GIVE LOYAL SUPPORT TO HOME INSTITUTIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.157 From my earliest recollection, I have heard Brigham Young and all of his successors preach to the people and beg them to support and sustain all of the various industries that were established throughout this inter-mountain country; and I appeal to the Latter-day Saints today, to all who are here present, to carry the message to the people throughout the entire Church--to support the institutions of our state, to be loyal to those institutions through which employment can be given to the people, and from which you can secure articles that are manufactured here at home. Give them the preference; help to build Up our country; sustain this inter-mountain country. We need support for everything that is started in the nature of a manufacturing institution in this country. We are so far away from the centers of consumption for many of our products that railroad freight charges prevent tis exporting many goods which, but for the long distance to the markets, we could do. Therefore, let us be loyal to our institutions here at home. BUILDING OF THE ARIZONA TEMPLE PROGRESSING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.157 I am pleased to inform you that it has fallen to my lot, during the past six months, to visit Arizona and to see the progress that is being made there upon our temple; and I am sure that when that building is completed we shall all be proud of it. I am sure that it will be one more monument testifying to the faith and the loyalty of the Latter-day Saints to the work of the Lord and to the message that has come to us in our day--to labor for the redemption of our dead. I am sure that it will be a credit to our people that will be recognized by those not of our faith, in seeing one more splendid monument of the kind and this in the state of Arizona. INCREASED TESTIMONY AND FRESH INSPIRATION FROM READING THE BOOK OF MORMON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.158 I have rejoiced during the past six or seven weeks in reading carefully through, at the rate of about ten pages a day, with a prayerful heart, the Book of Mormon. I do not think that I have ever before enjoyed that book so much. I do not think the wonderful testimonies contained in it regarding the divine mission of the Savior, have ever made a more profound impression upon my heart and soul than they have made this last time that I have read the Book of Mormon. I remember, and have often spoken of the fact of reading it in my youthful days, and how there came into my heart an abiding testimony that that book was true, that it was in very deed exactly what it purports to be--the sacred history of the forefathers of the American Indian. I could not as a child or as a young man, comprehend and understand as fully as today the splendid discourses regarding the divine mission of the Savior. His wonderful teachings to the people upon this continent, the wonderful inspired teachings of Alma and Abinadi and many others, as contained in that book. But I am thankful beyond expression that I did read the book in my boyhood days and that the assurance came into my heart that it was in very deed the truth, and that I fell in love with the character of Nephi. More than any other mortal man that we have any record of in the Bible, the Old, or the New Testaments, or in the Book of Mormon, more, I believe, than the influence of my friends and associates with whom I have lived, Nephi has made an impression upon my heart and my soul and has been one of the guiding stars of my life--a man who endeavored upon all occasions never to become discouraged or disheartened, never to complain; but who endeavored to the full extent of his ability to carry out his own wonderful words spoken to his father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.158 "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanded them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.158 That remarkable declaration, exemplified through his entire life, has stayed with me, I am sure, now for fully fifty long years; and I rejoice in the fact of the impression that was made upon my heart and soul by that statement. I also rejoice in his immediately exemplifying the statement that he would do what the Lord required. What had the Lord required? The Lord, through Lehi, his father, had received a dream to the effect that his sons were to return to Jerusalem and secure the brass plates upon which some of the ancient scriptures and the genealogy of the forefathers of Nephi were recorded. And his brethren were complaining, when he made that impressive announcement that he would go and do the thing which the Lord had required. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.158 They made a failure of their first attempt, and his brothers desired to return to their father in the wilderness, but Nephi said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.158 "We will not go down unto our lather in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.158 And they went up again to Jerusalem, and they gathered their riches and they offered them to Laban for the record. Instead of making the exchange, Laban sent his servants to kill them, and he stole their wealth. Nephi's brothers then commenced beating him; and an angel of the Lord appeared and told them to go up again unto Jerusalem and the Lord would deliver Laban into their hands and they would obtain the plates. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.159 No sooner had the angel disappeared than these men, lacking faith--and men that do not keep the commandments of the Lord are always lacking in faith and always will be lacking in faith, and always will find fault; and those who are perpetually seeking for some great and wonderful manifestation will never amount to very much in the Church; while those who keep the commandments of God never find fault, they have faith, they believe--these brothers of Nephi said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.159 "How is it possible that the Lord Will deliver Laban into our hands ? Behold he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?" And the answer of Nephi was: "Let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.159 Many men say: "If I could only see an angel, if I could only hear an angel proclaim something, that would cause me to be faithful all the days of my life!" It had no effect upon these men that were not serving the Lord, and it would have no effect today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.159 As I say, I rejoice in the increased testimony that has come into my heart and soul regarding the divinity of the Book of Mormon, in the reading that I have just completed while on my recent trip to the south. THE TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE AT CASTLE GATE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.159 We have had one of the most terrible catastrophies in the history of the state of Utah, on which occasion one hundred seventy-three, as I remember it, lives were lost in the Castle Gate coal mine explosion. It fell to my lot, with Elder Richard R. Lyman and others, to visit Castle Gate and to see the effects of that terrible calamity there. The Governor of the state and others have inaugurated a drive for the benefit of the families that have been left destitute of a provider. I hope and pray that in every hamlet and in every home there will be a disposition to contribute something toward this great drive for the benefit of the families of the men who were killed in that great disaster. There is nothing truer than the statement in ancient writ that "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and I say that the greater blessing will come to those who give than to those who are not willing to give in this case. Let us do our part, as we have ever done our part in all of the various calls that have been made by our nation in times of trouble and by those in distress. I am sure that the appeal will not be made in vain. The Church has been solicited to assist and we have contributed $2,500 of the tithing funds for this purpose, which was somewhat more than the request made by the chairman who called upon us. THE SAINTS LOVE THE GOSPEL, AS WITNESS THE CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.160 I have been very pleased indeed, my brethren and sisters, with the wonderful attendance at our conference. We have never had anything like it within my recollection, nothing to compare with the wonderful outpouring of the people at these conference meetings. To have our week-day meetings so crowded in this tabernacle that many have had to stand up is a new experience, and it shows to me that the Latter-day Saints are awake, that they are alive, that they have a love of the gospel, that they are anxious to come here to partake of the spirit of our conferences, that spirit which has been with the Latter-day Saints, in this building, from the very day it was first opened. It has fallen to my lot, from my childhood days until now, excepting when I have been absent from the state upon foreign missions, to attend conferences in this building twice a year, and I have never come into this building and been disappointed; I have never come here but what I have been benefited and fed with the bread of life and built up in the faith, and strengthened in my knowledge and testimony regarding the divinity of the work in which we as Latter-day Saints are engaged. PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.160 I pray that the Lord will bless the President of the United States of America and his cabinet, and that he will vindicate the President and every honest member of his cabinet; and I believe that there are honest, upright, God-fearing, patriotic men in the cabinet of President Coolidge. I believe he is a man worthy of the blessings of Almighty God. That is my opinion of the President of the United States. I believe that he has the welfare of the people of this great country at heart. BLESSINGS ON ALL ISRAEL, AT HOME AND ABROAD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.160 I pray that the Lord will bless each and everyone of the Latter-day Saints throughout all the stakes of Zion, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south. I pray that he will bless the Saints all over the wide world, in all the different missions, that they may grow and increase in the light and the knowledge and the testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.160 I bear my witness to you here today that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, the Redeemer of mankind, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, and that each man, woman and child who lives the gospel of Jesus Christ shall find life eternal in the presence of our heavenly Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1924, p.160 I pray for the blessings of the Lord to abide with all Israel, and I do it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.2 I rejoice again at having the opportunity of meeting with the Saints in General Conference. It is a very inspiring sight to see this large Tabernacle filled to overflowing, and people standing, at the first session. THE RADIO Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.2 The exercises of today and throughout the conference are to be broadcasted; and it is estimated that in the neighborhood of a million people will be able to hear all that is said, provided they are listening in during the conference sessions. The radio is one of the most marvelous inventions man knows anything about. To have the voice carried for thousands of miles seems almost beyond comprehension. LET US SERVE GOD WITH ALL MIGHT, MIND AND STRENGTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.2 I rejoice in the remarkable and wonderful growth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in our day. Over a year before the Church was organized a short revelation was given through the Prophet Joseph, directed to his father. It reads as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.2 "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.2 "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. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.2 "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.3 "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; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.3 "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.3 "Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.3 "Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.3 If there is any one thing more than another that I desire to impress upon the hearts of the Latter-day Saints it is that we should in very deed serve God with all our might, mind and strength, that we may keep pace with the progress of his work here upon the earth. This very audience here today, the immense auditorium filled to overflowing, testifies more eloquently than any language of mine regarding the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ. When I recall the revelations that were given to the Prophet Joseph prior to the organization of the Church foretelling the growth and the accomplishments of the work of God here upon the earth, it is one of many testimonies to me regarding the divinity of this work in which you and I are engaged. OUTSTANDING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CHURCHIN THE PAST SIX MONTHS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.3 I believe the Saints will be interested in knowing something of the progress in various ways that has taken place in the Church since we last assembled here. Within a few weeks after the April conference it fell to my lot to go East and to hold meetings in Denver, of the Western States mission, in Independence, Kansas City and St. Louis of the Central States mission, and later to visit Omaha in the Western States mission. I had the privilege of speaking in all of these places. Also meeting with and instructing our elders. I found a wonderful spirit of loyalty on the part of the Mission presidents, of the elders, and of the lady missionaries in all of these places. I rejoiced exceedingly in visiting with them. I came in contact with a number of influential men, some of whom attended our services. Several of them afterward expressed their pleasure in having heard something regarding our faith that was new to them. The great majority of mankind pay little or no attention to the message of the Latter-day Saints, but many pay a great deal of attention to the things of a detrimental character that are published against us. Today men of intelligence, men of thought, and men who are studying, in seeing the wonderful progress of the work of God here on the earth, are beginning to realize that there must be something good in it, considering the class of people that are attracted to it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.4 I had the pleasure of playing a game of golf in Kansas City, and learned that the title to part of the very ground upon which we were playing originally stood in the name of the Bishop of the "Mormon" Church. I also learned that a large proportion of Kansas City stands upon ground once owned by the Latter-day Saints. The title to much of it has never passed, and the only title people today have to a portion of that great city is by possessing the ground. In tracing the abstracts back they find that the title originally was in the name of the Bishop of the "Mormon" Church. We all remember with gratitude the wonderful courage and manhood of General Doniphan in saving the life of the Prophet Joseph. Part of our holdings in that section of the country--thousands of acres, as I remember it--was turned over to Doniphan as a fee for legal services. The price of those lands then was very insignificant, but I was assured that the very land turned over to General Doniphan is today worth more than ten millions of dollars. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.4 After returning from visiting the Western and the Central States missions, in June, I went East and visited the Northern States mission, the Canadian mission and the Eastern States mission. I had the privilege for the first time of visiting Montreal, in Canada, and of attending one of the sessions of the Rotary Club in Toronto. The work in all of the missions I have visited since the last conference is progressing in a splendid way. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.4 Since our last conference, President Anthony W. Ivins and Elder Richard R. Lyman have visited the Hawaiian Islands with members of their families. The work there is progressing splendidly. Our sugar plantations there are progressing more satisfactorily at the present time than for many years past. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.4 New chapels are being erected in many of our missions. A site for a new chapel has been purchased on one of the principal streets in Washington, D. C., and we expect to erect a place of worship there that will be a credit to the Latter-day Saints, and worthy of that city of beautiful churches, wonderful public buildings, and palatial residences. We hope to have a building there that will be as much of a credit to us at Washington as our magnificent office building is to us here--not as expensive, of course, but in every respect worthy of the Church of Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.4 Brother James E. Talmage has been chosen to preside over the European mission. Elder David O. McKay will have been in that mission two years by the time he leaves it. Previous to his being called there, he and Brother Hugh J. Cannon spent a year in traveling around the world, visiting nearly all of the missions in the world. Therefore we felt it was only fair to him to allow him to return to his mountain home without staying the usual three years that the brethren spend in England. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.4 We have sent considerable sums of money to the Norwegian and Danish missions for final payment on meetinghouses purchased years ago. We have purchased a fine large meetinghouse at Rotterdam. There has been erected a splendid meetinghouse at Honolulu; and others are now authorized in the Hawaiian Islands. We have secured a long lease of farming lands for the Tongan mission, not being able to purchase and get title there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 The baptisms in the missions during the past six months number 3,156, a very decided increase over the average in years past. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 Two new stakes have been organized since our last conference, namely, the Grant stake, taken from the Granite stake, and the Minidoka stake, a part of the Blaine stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 Twelve new wards have been organized during the past six months. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 A large number of new meeting houses are being erected in Zion. I believe more building is going on at the present time in the various stakes of Zion than for many years past. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 We have ordered a monument to be erected at the grave of Martin Harris, in Clarkston, Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 A new home is being provided for the Lamanites located near Cedar City, in order that they may be more comfortably situated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 Successful conventions of auxiliary organizations are in progress at the present time all over the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 Quite a number of seminary buildings have been erected by the Saints in various parts of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 There is a large and increased attendance at the Brigham Young University and our other Church schools. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 A very remarkable increase is noted in the attendance at all of our temples. The Manti temple has been overhauled, and extensive repairs made there, making it very much more comfortable and convenient than in the past. The repairs being made at the Salt Lake temple are now all completed. Rapid progress is being made in the erection of the Arizona temple. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 We have decided to erect on this block a monument in honor of the Three Witnesses (perhaps we will include the Eight Witnesses), to be located in the rear of the statues of Presidents Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The design has not yet been decided upon; but we will endeavor to have something that will be as attractive and as creditable, and that will preach the wonderful message proclaimed in the Book of Mormon as effectively as the Sea Gull Monument preaches the wonderful deliverance wrought by the Lord in the days when the crickets threatened to destroy everything. Undoubtedly some of the inspirational passages of the Book of Mormon, also the fact that these three witnesses declare that an angel of God came down from heaven and laid before their eyes, that they beheld and saw the plates of the Book of Mormon, and the engravings thereon, and that the voice of the Lord commanded them that they should bear record of it, with other incidents that proclaim the divinity of the Book of Mormon, will be features of the monument. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.5 We are pleased to note that there is an improvement in the support of our foreign newspapers. There are many faithful, diligent Latter-day Saints who, having embraced the Gospel in foreign lands at an advanced age, cannot read the English language, and it is a great comfort and blessing to them to have some of the sermons, messages, and news, regarding the work of God published in their own language. We bespeak for these papers the loyal patronage of those of foreign birth. Young men who have prospered here in the things of this world should be willing to assist in circulating at home and abroad the word of God through the papers published in the mother tongue of their parents. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 We have been called upon during the past six months to part with one of our loyal stake presidents,--President Andrew Kimball. It fell to my lot to have the privilege of going to Thatcher, Arizona, and attending the funeral, at which there was a wonderful outpouring of the people, showing their respect and love for their president. It was a source of satisfaction to me to have the opportunity of paying a tribute of love and respect to him at the services. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 We have to announce the death of Sister Elizabeth C. McCune, who, in connection with her husband, presented to the Church some years ago the magnificent McCune mansion on upper Main street, the name of which has been changed since the death of Sister McCune to The McCune School of Music and Art. We hope at no far distant date to have a portion of that building devoted to the fine arts in the form of beautiful paintings and sculpture. There are two magnificent pieces of sculpture there now, probably the finest in our state, which were presented with the mansion at the time it was given to us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 I believe this covers the activities of the past six months that I thought would be of interest to the people. Of course, you will realize that if I were to enter into detail regarding these activities I could occupy not only the entire time of this morning's session with interest to the Saints, but even longer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 On my way home after attending the funeral of Brother Kimball, in Arizona, I stopped for a few days in California, and the work in the California mission is progressing in a very favorable way. THE DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 There is one thing that I desire to refer to, and a part of one of the revelations that I desire to read. There are no revelations in the D&C that have made such a profound impression upon my heart and my mind as the one known as The Vision, recorded in the 76th section, and the one known as Prayer and Prophecies, given in Liberty Jail, and to be found in the 121st section. I rejoice every time I read the wonderful testimony of the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon as contained in The Vision. When bishops over large churches in England announce that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God; that he was not divine, but merely a great moral teacher; when men who are ministers deny the divinity of Christ and are being tried for their lack of faith, I rejoice in reading the testimony of these two men, and never read it but my heart swells with gratitude to God: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.6 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.7 I rejoice that the Church of Jesus Christ is founded upon the first great vision that was enjoyed by the boy Joseph Smith over one hundred years ago. He declared that he saw two heavenly beings, whose glory and grandeur were beyond the power of man to describe and that one of them addressed him and pointed to the other and said: "This is my beloved Son, hear him." There cannot be any doubt in the heart of a Latter-day Saint regarding Jesus Christ being the Son of the Living God, because God himself introduced him to Joseph Smith. It is a fundamental truth of the Church of Jesus Christ in our day that Joseph Smith was and is and ever will be a prophet of the living God; and with Joseph Smith recognized as a prophet of God, and the testimony in our hearts of that fact, there will never be any schism, so to speak, in the Church of Christ. Any individual who does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, has no business to be associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This Church is, as I read to you it should be, a marvelous work and a wonder. There is nothing like it in all the world, because Jesus Christ, the Son of God established it, and is the head of it; because Jesus Christ manifested himself to the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, and to others; and because God, in answer to prayer, has given to people all over the wide world where the Gospel has gone, an individual knowledge and testimony regarding the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. A PROFOUNDLY IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.8 Never have I been more profoundly impressed with the power and blessing of God than I was when I visited Nauvoo upon my recent trip East. Three quarters of a century ago there were twenty thousand prosperous Latter-day Saints in that city, with a magnificent temple. Today there is not a single stone left of the temple where it was once erected, and the population has dwindled to about one thousand people. Men have told me that the site of the City of Nauvoo is one of the finest, if not the finest, to be found upon the great Mississippi river, yet to get there now you have to cross the Mississippi river in a little tub of a steamer, on the deck of which there are but five chairs, and as there happened to be six in our party one of us had to stand; and there are cities with thousands of inhabitants on the Mississippi and on the Missouri that have grown up since that was the great city of Illinois. When I contemplate all these things and then come home and gaze upon the Temple of God in the eastern part of this block; when I look at our office building, at the Utah Hotel, and at the magnificent bank buildings in our city; when I think of the prosperity of the Saints, with beautiful temples, not only in Utah, but in Canada and in the Hawaiian Islands, as well as one in course of construction in Arizona; when I think of all the accomplishments of the work of God, my language utterly fails me to speak in just praise of all that has been done. When I realize the condition of the place from which we were driven, the lack of prosperity and of success in that country, I thank God that we are located here in these mountains. I feel that the very persecutions and troubles through which we passed prepared us and educated us and strengthened us as a people for greater things. Perhaps the very finest residence, with one exception, to be found today in Nauvoo is the one erected by Erastus Snow. They told me that it was erected by Lorenzo Snow, but I have since been informed that the people there were mistaken, and that it was erected by Erastus Snow. One of the fine dwellings there was built with stones taken from the Temple Block. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.8 I rejoice in the testimony of my own dear mother, also in the testimony of Aunt Emmeline B. Wells and scores of men and women who were present upon that memorable occasion, after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph, when Sidney Rigdon endeavored to be appointed as guardian of the Church. I rejoice in the wonderful manifestation that was given to the people there, including my mother and other relatives of mine, when the mantle of Joseph Smith fell upon the Prophet Brigham Young, and he, Brigham, stood there and talked as with the voice of Joseph, his face being illumined and in appearance like unto the face of Joseph. The sheep knew the voice of the true shepherd. And from that day to this, of the hundreds who were present on that occasion, nearly every one has lived and died faithful and true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, loyal supporters of the Prophet Brigham Young and his successors. HOW TO EXERCISE THE POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.8 I desire to read part of the wonderful revelation given to the Prophet Joseph in Liberty Jail. Remember, though he was chained in that prison, the Lord Almighty could and did speak to him, and gave to him a revelation that I commend here today to every Latter-day Saint. I particularly commend it to every man presiding in the stakes and wards of Zion, and in the various missions throughout the world. If we exercise the power of the Priesthood of the living God as he tells us in this wonderful revelation to exercise it, then there never can be and there never will be any just complaint made against the Church of Jesus Christ, because of the use of the Priesthood that has been restored again to the earth. It is when men do not follow the teachings and the revelations given of God to us through his prophet that mistakes are made. This revelation declares that by incarcerating the Prophet Joseph men could not rob him of the inspiration of the Living God, which revealed to him these wonderful words in that prison. Starting with verse 33, I read: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.8 "How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, or vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the Saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. "Hence many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.9 I feel that I cannot close my remarks with anything better than this wonderful revelation given to the Prophet of the living God. GOD'S BLESSINGS INVOKED UPON THE CHURCH AND NATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.10 I pray God's blessings to be upon the Latter-day Saints all over the wide world. I pray for those who stand as the General Authorities of the Church. I pray for those who preside in the stakes and the wards and the branches, and in all parts of the Church, from Canada on the North to Mexico on the South, and for those who preside and labor in the various missions all over the wide world. I pray for the people of the world; not only for the Latter-day Saints, but I pray God's blessings upon every loyal, patriotic man and woman that is endeavoring to do right, and to uphold the laws of the countries where they reside. I pray God's blessings upon the President of these United States of America. I thank God for the loyalty and the patriotism of the Latter-day Saints. I thank God that we believe that the constitution of our country was given to us under the inspiration of the Living God, and that the Lord supported George Washington and the patriot fathers of this country. I pray that God will inspire us to continue loyal and true to him, to our country, and to its institutions; and that we may in very deed preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by our acts; that, as we grow in years and increase in understanding, we may grow in the power and ability to live the Gospel, that our example of integrity, of honesty, of loyalty to God and country may inspire others to investigate the message of life and salvation. CLOSING TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.10 Before sitting down, I bear my testimony to you and to all the world that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the Creator of heaven and earth; that Joseph Smith was his prophet, the instrument in his hands of establishing again the Gospel of life and salvation. That we who have that knowledge may live the Gospel is my prayer, and I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.83 I doubt very much whether President Penrose will be with us tomorrow. I feel in my heart that it will be wisdom for him not to make the attempt. We all know his marvelous and wonderful will power and his determination to be with us, but in view of his weakened condition I almost feel that it would be tempting Providence for him to be here tomorrow. He sent word that he expects to be here, but I am in hopes he will change his mind. We have him in mind as we sing this magnificent hymn. Few men in all the world have written anything finer in our day or in any other day than the many splendid hymns that Charles W. Penrose has written: President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.84 Parley P. Pratt has written more inspirational hymns for the Latter-day Saints to sing than any of the other of our poets; and there are few, if any, of his hymns that touch my heart more than this wonderful hymn to which we have just listened, so beautifully rendered by our sisters and the choir. It was written by inspiration, and, to my mind, if we omit the last verse, the wonderful prayer, contained in this hymn, is marred and lost. There has never been any doubt in the minds of the Latter-day Saints that Jerusalem will be rebuilt and re-established, and the prediction contained in this last verse is in prospect of being fulfilled. From the day that the British army rode into Jerusalem a change has come. We believe absolutely in the inspiration of this hymn, and that every word of this last verse will be fulfilled: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.84 "Lo, Israel, filled with joy, shall now be gathered home, Their wealth and means employ to build Jerusalem; While Zion shall arise and shine, And fill the earth with truth divine." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.97 President Charles W. Penrose is hearing everything that is going on here this morning, a radio having been installed in his room, and he is thoroughly enjoying the morning service. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.97 Brother David O. McKay, in Europe, is well and happy but slightly disappointed that he is soon to return home. He is thoroughly enjoying his missionary work, and I am sure that he would really like to remain there until Spring. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.98 You have probably heard of the great Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, the largest contemplated by the United States, up to date. Brother Richard R. Lyman has been requested, by the government officials, to be present there as one of the consulting engineers, hence his absence from this conference. He wrote that he would get excused, if possible, but we wired him that we did not care to disappoint his associates, and that he was at liberty to remain. He is with us today in spirit, and it is a source of sincere regret to him that he is not present. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.98 One of the most remarkable and splendid hymns that we have is this: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.98 "School thy feelings, O my brother, Train thy warm impulsive soul." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.98 This hymn was written by President Charles W. Penrose, at a time When he was falsely accused by his brethren, after laboring in the British mission for ten long years without purse or scrip. Upon completing his mission, as I understand it, and when he was about to go home, these false reports or accusations were made against him, and, as he has told me, the Lord gave to him that night, for his own consolation, the thoughts of this very wonderful poem. I shall not take time to read, or for us to sing, the entire hymn, but I will ask the choir and congregation to arise and sing the first verse; and when you go home be sure and read it all. Be sure and get it into your hearts. Be sure and make it a part of your lives, and this conference will not have been in vain, even if you have heard nothing else or received no other lesson here. It was the favorite hymn of President Francis M. Lyman, and he lived his life in perfect accord with the teachings of his favorite hymn: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.98 School thy feelings, O my brother, Train thy warm, impulsive soul; Do not its emotions smother, But let wisdom's voice control. School thy feelings; there is power In the cool, collected mind; Passion shatters reason's tower, Makes the clearest vision blind. School thy feelings; condemnation Never pass on friend or foe, Though the tide of accusation Like a flood of truth may flow. Hear defense before deciding, And a ray of light may gleam, Showing thee what filth is hiding Underneath the shallow stream. Should affliction's acrid vial Burst o'er thy unsheltered head, School thy feelings to the trial, Half its bitterness hath fled. Art thou falsely, basely slandered? Does the world begin to frown? Gauge thy wrath by wisdom's standard, Keep thy rising anger down. Rest thyself on this assurance: Time's a friend to innocence. And that patient, calm endurance Wins respect and aids defense. Noblest minds have finest feelings Quiv'ring strings a breath can move, And the Gospel's sweet revealings Tune them with the key of love. Hearts so sensitively moulded, Strongly fortified should be, Trained to firmness, and enfolded In a calm tranquility. Wound not wilfully another; Conquer haste with reason's might; School thy feelings, sister, brother, Train them in the path of right. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.102 I failed to mention in my opening address that the following presidents of stakes have been appointed during the past six months: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.102 James A. Christensen, North Sevier stake. Harry L. Payne, St. Joseph stake. Albert H. Belliston, Juab stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.102 I also forgot to mention the fact that we have established, since our last conference, a French mission with Russell H. Blood as the president. I take it for granted that he is a son of Henry H. Blood--I do not know it, but his signature resembles Henry's writing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.102 I also failed to mention that we now have a total of wards, stakes, missions, conferences and branches, of 1,959, or 41 lacking of 2,000. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.137 We have a message from the radio operator in President Penrose's room. President Penrose heard all of the proceedings this morning, most of it as perfectly as if he were here on the stand. He was very grateful in listening to one verse of his own remarkable and wonderful song, "School thy feelings," and tears of gratitude filled his eyes, while listening to this, that he could enjoy the spirit and inspiration of our meeting almost as perfectly as if he had been here upon the stand. Certainly, one of the most marvelous, if not the most marvelous, inventions to date is radio. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.137 President Penrose wishes the Saints to know that his testimony is as profound and strong as it was when he first embraced the gospel, in 1850. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.137 Brother George Albert Smith has visited President Penrose, during the intermission, and brings this message from him. He wishes to bear his testimony to this audience that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the world of mankind, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, that his successors are servants of the Lord, and that his Church is divine and led by inspiration. He is grateful for membership therein. He sends love and greetings to all lsrael. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.145 All over the Church today, at this hour, from Canada on the North to Mexico on the South, with the exception of the immediate vicinity of Salt Lake City, fast meetings are being held in all the wards and branches, and men and women are testifying as to their knowledge, individually, regarding the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. These testimonies, as a rule, occupy only a minute or two or three, very seldom more than five minutes, and a great many people in each of these meetings pour out their hearts in gratitude and thanksgiving to God for the knowledge they have, individually, of the divinity of this work. I shall call a half dozen men to the stand and ask them to bear their testimonies regarding the divinity of this work, speaking not to exceed five minutes, each one. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.145 We will start with Canada on the North, Brother Hugh B. Brown; and Brother Joseph C, Bentley on the South, from Mexico; Brother Winslow Farr Smith, of this city; Brother Edward C. Rich of Idaho, and Brother Robert I. Burton of Ogden. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.152 In calling on the five speakers who have just borne their testimonies to you, I did not do so with any preconceived thought of who they were. It so happens that Winslow Farr Smith is the great grandson of Patriarch John Smith, and the grandson of George A. Smith who has thrilled the hearts of the Latter-day Saints, as his father, the late John Henry Smith, has done many and many a time from this stand. It happens that Hugh B. Brown is the grandson of James S. Brown, one of the great missionaries of this Church, a man that I knew in my childhood, and I rejoiced in hearing him preach the gospel here at home. Edward C. Rich is the grandson of Apostle Charles C. Rich and also of Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter, the man who came with money, after selling a fine farm in Pennsylvania and buying some wild land at Nauvoo, and presented the remainder of his means to the Prophet Joseph, because he was in financial distress. Robert I. Burton is the son of William W. Burton, one of the late stalwarts of the Church. Joseph C. Bentley is the son of one of those early pioneers who went to Dixie--that country which I heard belittled by one of our wealthy men who said he would not give his forty acre farm in Davis county for the entire Dixie country. Richard Bentley went there and stayed. He lived there and pioneered that country, and was one of the loyal, true men of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.152 We will now hear from one of the brethren that the gospel found in a foreign land--President Soren Rasmussen, of the Jordan stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.152 By the way, the world said that by the time grandchildren came along this work would perish from the earth. We have heard today from one great-grandson. That is a pretty good specimen of its perishing. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.153 I rejoice that the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has found converts in all parts of the world--from the country of the midnight sun, Scandinavia, to South Africa, from Canada on the North to Mexico on the South, in the far off lands of New Zealand and Australia, in the Hawaiian Islands and in Japan, and that the Lord has been so merciful that no matter where the message of life and salvation has gone, men have received for themselves, individually and not for another the knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. One of the truest, most loyal and magnificent men that has ever been connected with this Church of Christ was the late Karl G. Maeser, from Germany. He gave his very life and all the strength, the ability and power that he possessed for the advancement of the work of the Lord, and for the uplift, educationally, of the youth of Zion. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.157 I desire to express my sincere gratitude and thanksgiving unto God for the very rich outpouring of his Holy Spirit, during all of the sessions of our conference. I feel that we have in very deed had a spiritual feast, that the Lord has blessed us abundantly, and I hope and pray that we may all return to our homes in safety; that those who are not located here, but have come from other sections of the state and from other states, from Canada to Mexico, and from the various missions, that we may all go home and carry with us the inspiration that has ben manifest during this conference/ Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.157 I have nothing on my mind that I desire to say further than that I endorse the remarks that have been made, and rejoice in the wonderful testimonies that have been borne. Particularly have I enjoyed the remarks of the last seven speakers who were called upon, who had no expectation of being called. All of the other speakers were rather inclined to worry, as the Bishop said, knowing that their turn would come sooner or later. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1924, p.158 Although I have already borne my testimony I feel impressed that I would like to leave with this body of people, once more, my testimony regarding the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. I know, as I know I live, that God lives, that he hears and answers the prayers of those who honestly seek him. I know that Jesus is the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the Son of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, and that there are thousands and tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints who have this knowledge, as perfectly as I have it; that God has revealed it to them, that they are not indebted to any man or set of men for this light, knowledge and testimony regarding God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, and regarding the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the instrument of our heavenly Father and of our Savior in restoring again and establishing upon the earth the gospel of life and salvation, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, which will bring to us salvation, if we are faithful in keeping his commandments, and we shall thus enjoy the privilege of mingling with God and our Redeemer, and the faithful ones who have gone before, throughout the countless ages of eternity. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 It is very gratifying, indeed, to see this immense congregation here this morning, bespeaking the interest of the Latter-day Saints in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is customary at the opening session of our conference to give some statistics and to refer to the condition of the Church at home and abroad. I am very pleased to be able to announce that the work of the Lord is growing all over the world; and that there is never a month or a year but what the Church is stronger, spiritually and financially, than it was the month or the year previous. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 The following financial statement I am sure will be of interest to the people here assembled: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 From the tithes of the Church there has been expended for stake and ward purposes, $1,352,663.43, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 For education, the maintenance and operation of Church schools, $727,808.93. For construction, maintenance and operation of temples, $442,018.46. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment, $175,520.77. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 For the maintenance and operation of all the missions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions, $700,664.09. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 This makes a total of $3,398,675.68, taken from the tithes for the maintenance and operation of the stakes and wards, for the maintenance and operation of Church schools and temples, for charities, and for mission activities. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.2 In addition to charities paid out of the tithes as before named, there have also been disbursed the fast offerings and Relief Society and other charities, amounting to $489,406.61, which amount added to the $175,520.77 paid from the tithes, makes a total of Church charities, $664,927.38. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 CHURCH GROWTH FOR THE YEAR 1924 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in stakes and missions, 19,955. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 Children baptized in the stakes and missions, 14,047. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions, 7,556. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 There are now 94 stakes of Zion, 907 wards, 70 independent branches connected with the stakes, 24 missions and 654 branches in the missions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 SOCIAL STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 Birth rate, 33 per thousand. Marriage rate, 13 per thousand. Death rate, 7.3 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 There are 160,634 persons in the Church who are married; of this number 256 persons were divorced in the year 1924. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 Families owning their own homes, 72 per cent. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 PRESIDENT C. W. PENROSE SERIOUSLY ILL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 As announced in the opening, President Charles W. Penrose is in a precarious condition. He sends his love to all the brethren, and desires them to know that they have his confidence in all that they may do; and his message to the Saints is to obey the law, wherever they reside. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 Elder Seymour B. Young, President of the First Council of Seventy, has passed away since our last conference, having been a faithful member of the Council for something over forty years. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 A MISSION HOME IN SALT LAKE CITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 A home on State street has been dedicated for the entertainment of missionaries, and for the purpose of giving them instructions for a week or more, prior to their departure upon their missions; and also to take care of any returning missionaries who may be stopping briefly in this city on their way home, after having filled an honorable mission. We are pleased to announce that at the dedication there was a rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, and we feel assured in our hearts, judging from the inspiration of the occasion, that it will be a source of great benefit to our young men and young women who are called to go out into the mission field. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 CHANGES IN STAKES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.3 There have been some changes in a number of the stakes, and the new men chosen to preside are as follows: Curlew stake, Colen H. Sweeten. Yellowstone stake, John M. White. Nebo stake, Lee R. Taylor. San Luis stake, James P. Jensen. Young stake, Elmer F. Taylor. New wards have been organized since our last meeting as follows: Hillcrest ward, Grant stake. Inglewood ward, Los Angeles stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.4 LaGrand Second ward, Nebo stake. Payson Fourth ward, Nebo stake. Santaquin Second ward, Nebo stake. Genola ward, Nebo stake. Virginia City ward, Los Angeles stake. Home Gardens ward, Los Angeles stake. Ballard ward Lost River stake. New stakes organized since our last conference: Kolob stake, President George Ray Murdock. Palmyra stake, President Henry A. Gardner. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.4 In addition to the death of President Seymour B. Young we announce the death, since our last meeting, of David H. Cannon, president of the St. George temple, for many years; Bishop James A. Wright, of Bingham ward, Jordan stake, and Bishop Armond T. Rose, of North Farmington ward, South Davis stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.4 MISSIONARY WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.4 Perhaps no one thing in connection with the Church is as dear to the hearts of the Latter-day Saints as our missionary labor. Counting the time, the salaries that might be earned by those who are in the mission field, and the expense of maintaining them there, the Latter-day Saints are expendtin today something over $2,000,000 a year for the spread of the gospel in the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.4 We know that the first and most important duty for us is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, might, mind and strength; and second to that is love for our fellowmen. No people in all the world in proportion to their numbers, are giving such evidence of a love for their fellowmen, and a desire for their welfare, as are the Latter-day Saints. Our missionary work proclaims to all the world our willingness to make financial sacrifice and to labor with no hope of earthly reward for the salvation of the souls of the children of our Father in heaven. I am sure that a general statement of the missions will be of interest to this congregation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.4 We have in the California mission, presided over most ably by President Joseph W McMurrin, 125 missionaries. There are 8,625 people in that mission. We own Church property in that mission valued at $289,114.04. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.4 President American Missions Missionaries Members Church Property California, Joseph W. McMurrin 125 8,625 $289,114.01 Canadian, Joseph Quinney, Jr. 71 716 23,021.47 Central, Samuel O. Bennion 158 8,712 110,410.26 Eastern, Brigham H. Roberts 143 4,689 232,818.55 Mexican, Rey L. Pratt 76 2,683 15,184.12 Northern, John H. Taylor 127 5,141 88,694.57 Northwestern, Brigham S. Young 99 5,599 82,535.76 Southern, Charles A. Callis 197 23,047 64,066.14 Western, John M. Knight 96 4,977 102,385.44 Total 1,092 64,189 $1,008,230.35 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.5 Each and all of the men presiding over these missions are giving the best in their power for the advancement of their missions. They are men of God, devoted to the welfare of their respective missions. And this can be said also of all the other missions, the statistics of which I shall now read, giving the name of the mission, the president, the missionaries, the membership and the Church property. European Missions: Armenian, Joseph W. Booth 2 164 450.00 British, James E. Talmage 151 5,670 78,518.17 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.5 (Here let me mention the splendid work Elder James E. Talmage is doing presiding over the European mission. The fact that he is a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh gives him a standing in Europe that perhaps none of the rest of us could possibly have. He is receiving excellent consideration from newspapers there, and is working early and late, as he has done all his life. He is one of the most industrious, energetic men I have ever known, and is making a very splendid successor to President David O. McKay, who did such a good work as the president of the European mission.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.5 Danish, John S. Hansen 24 1,621 55,284.95 French, Russell H. Blood 30 468 1,242.03 Netherlands, Charles S. Hyde 61 3,189 57,229.02 Norwegian, A. Richard Peterson 17 1,621 52,774.43 South African, J. Wyley Sessions 18 485 17,823.30 Swedish, Hugo D. E. Peterson 30 2,051 53,350.17 Swiss and German, Fred Tadje 226 11,102 51,497.79 Total 559 26,371 $368,169.86 Island Missions : Australian, Charles H. Hyde 40 1,115 40,911.18 Hawaiian, Eugene J. Neff 61 13,083 195,830.00 Japan [Discontinued] 164 New Zealand, Angus T. Wright 45 6,184 150,575.66 Samoan, Ernest L. Butler 44 3,462 92,789.24 Tahitian, Ole B. Peterson 11 1,721 13,403.70 Tongan, Mark V. Coombs 19 1,051 24,853.52 Total 220 26,780 $518,363.30 General: Smith Mem. Farm, Angus J. Cannon 20,000.00 Palmyra Farm, Willard Bean 20,000.00 Temple Block, Benjamin Goddard 40,000.00 Total 1,871 117,340 $1,974,763.51 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.5 The grand total of our missionaries is 1,871; of members in the missions, 117,340; the grand total of Church property in these missions is $1,934,763.51, lacking but a very few dollars of $2,000,000 of money invested in Church property in the missions throughout the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.5 Certainly when we consider the limited means of the people who embrace the gospel all over the world--for the gospel seems to reach the poor--we have great cause to rejoice in the financial showing in our missions, as well as the wonderful showing financially here at home. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.6 PRESIDENT GRANT'S TOUR OF THE MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.6 Since I last had the privilege of meeting with you in general conference, I have visited the missionaries in the east, and given them instructions--in Indianapolis, Indiana; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; also in Chicago, and held public meetings in all of these places except Chicago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.6 At Minneapolis we had the pleasure of dedicating a very splendid meetinghouse and recreation hall erected there, and of meeting with a most excellent class of Latter-day Saints. We have chapels also at St. Paul and Minneapolis. The Saints at Detroit and at Indianapolis are gathering funds for the purpose of assisting in erecting chapels in those places. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.6 On Nov. 27, I left Salt Lake City for Independence to attend the funeral of my cousin and the cousin of President Joseph F. Smith, Thalia Grant Smith. The services were well attended. After that I had the privilege of holding meetings in Independence, Kansas City, and St. Louis; also at Fort Worth, San Antonio and Kelsey, Texas, and in Wichita, Kansas, and instructing the missionaries in all of these places, as well as holding public meetings, which were well attended. In a number of places we have excellent meetinghouses to meet in. In others we have rented halls. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.6 During this trip I had the privilege of speaking before the Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City, Missouri. The secretary announced his regret that all of the six thousand members of that great body had not had the privilege of listening to my twenty minute talk. I said in reply: "I can remedy that very easily. I will have six thousand copies of this speech delivered at your office so that when you send out your next monthly statements you can enclose a copy." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.6 He expressed his pleasure in doing it. They were printed, and delivered, and I have received many letters from men who have read the speech, expressing their pleasure in having heard or read what I had to say regarding the faith of the Latter-day Saints. In that short address, speaking very rapidly (much more rapidly than I am doing now), I quoted all the Articles of our Faith and made comments upon them. It took four columns of the Christmas News to print that twenty and one-half minutes speech. I rejoice that there were at least a score of influential men who shook hands with me and expressed their pleasure in having heard the plain statement of the faith of the Latter-day Saints, as embodied in our Articles of Faith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.6 When I stop to reflect that the Latter-day Saints were expelled from the state of Missouri under the exterminating order of the governor of that state, then to think that representative men of one of the largest business organizations in Kansas City--one of the most progressive cities in the Union--would listen with attention and afterwards congratulate the President of the Church upon a speech in which he quoted the Articles of Faith, and some of them expressed regret that I did not have an hour instead of twenty minutes, and invited me to come back again, and take the hour, certainly we have to acknowledge that God is moving in a mysterious way his wonders to perform, and that the Latter-day Saints are becoming known for what they really are--a God-fearing, upright people, who are loyal to God and to their country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 The newspapers in all these places gave me better notices and published fairer reports of the speeches I made than I have ever had before on any trip I have taken. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 On January 9, I left Salt Lake City for Los Angeles, for a brief visit, feeling very much the need of a little rest. I had the pleasure, on that short trip of only ten days, of speaking in the Adams ward and the Matthews ward in Los Angeles stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 Feb. 3, I left Salt Lake City for a visit to the California, the Central States, and the Southern States missions, first treading the sands of the Pacific, and a few days later the sands of the Atlantic. Meetings were held upon that trip, in Ocean Park, Oakland and San Francisco; also in New Orleans, in Jacksonville, Florida, and in Atlanta, Georgia. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 In all of these places there was a splendid attendance, and again the newspapers gave very fair notices of the meetings and of what was said. In no case was there any attempt to ridicule or belittle or to change the remarks that I had made in public, where reports were taken, or where interviews were given. Some slight mistakes were made, but they were all unintentional mistakes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 I have never enjoyed greater liberty in proclaiming the gospel than I did in some of the meetings on this last trip, lasting something over five weeks, visiting the California, the Central States and the Southern States missions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 I believe this fully covers the activities of the Church that would be of interest to the Latter-day Saints, and of my own labors since we were together six months ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 ABSOLUTE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.7 I rejoice beyond the power with which God has endowed me to express my feelings, in the knowledge I possess regarding the divinity of this great Latter-day work in which we, as Latter-day Saints, are engaged; and as I travel I find a lack of belief in God, and in the divinity of Jesus Christ, even among the ministers of the gospel. I rejoice in the fact that every man and woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an absolute faith in God, in his individuality, and an absolute faith that Christ is the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world; that he came to the earth with a divinely appointed mission to die for the sins of the world, and that he is in very deed the head of the Church of Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 Upon the trip last mentioned, I cut from a newspaper a clipping which I had intended to read at this conference, but I have misplaced it. It was a recommendation by an English lord that people discard the "absurdity" of Jesus Christ as a God on earth and a Redeemer of the world, and that they accept the Mohammedan philosophy; suggesting that they could believe in all of the ethical teachings of the religion of Christ and Mohammed, but that they should get away from the absurdities of Christianity, and settle the various disputes and troubles that they were having in the Christian religion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 Wherever I read that statement--and I read it in a number of places--I took the trouble to state to the people in the various places where I preached, the position of the Latter-day Saints as to the gospel in which we believe. I quoted the vision of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 "And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 "That he came unto the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to hear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 "That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 "Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 I announced to the people that in the Church of Jesus Christ no man or woman would be admitted into the Church, or be permitted to retain fellowship who is not willing to accept this statement absolutely without mental reservation. I also read to them: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 "That by him and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.8 I announced in those meetings, in some of which the majority of the audience were non-members of the Church, that every Latter-day Saint must subscribe to the doctrine that God himself visited the boy Joseph Smith, and that God himself introduced Jesus Christ to the boy as his well-beloved Son. I announced to these audiences that among the Latter-day Saints there is no evidence of "modernism" so-called, and that no man or woman will be fellowshiped in this Church who denies the individuality, the personality of God, or that Jesus Christ is in very deed the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 THE WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 I regret to say that there is becoming evident among the Saints, a lack of interest and a looseness in observing the Word of Wisdom. I regret to have heard that there are men occupying positions as bishops' counselors, and as members of high councils, who do not observe this law; that certain bishops' counselors and members of high councils are not only drinking tea and coffee, but some of them are using tobacco. No man who uses tobacco is worthy to stand as high councilor in this Church. He owes it to himself to clean himself up or step aside and allow a man with more faith, with more manhood, with more integrity to God and his laws, to take the position that he occupies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 President Wilford Woodruff from this stand, many years ago, called upon every man holding the Priesthood and occupying any office in this Church, to obey the Word of Wisdom or to resign and step aside. I reiterate that men who do not obey the Word of Wisdom are not worthy to stand as examples before the people, to be invited into private priesthood meetings and to discuss matters for the welfare of the Church of God. Their disobedience shows a lack of faith in the work of God. I shall not take your time to read all of the Word of Wisdom, but I shall take time to read the words of the living God that must be acknowledged by every Latter-day Saint to be the word of God, or he or she is not entitled to be a member of this Church. After telling us what is good for us, the Lord makes a promise that is one of the most marvelous, one of the most uplifting and inspiring promises that could possibly be made to mortal man. He says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 THE PROMISE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 "And all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE DESTROYER REBUKED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 I shall never forget the occasion when a friend appealed to me, upon learning that the doctor had announced that his daughter, stricken with diphtheria, would die before morning. He asked me to pray for that daughter, and after leaving his office I prayed with all the earnestness of my soul that God would heal that girl. While praying, the inspiration came to me: "The power of the living God is here on the earth. The Priesthood is here. Hurry! Hurry! Get John Henry Smith; go and rebuke the power of the destroyer, and the girl shall live." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9 The doctor waiting upon that girl, said she could not live till morning; but when morning came he explained that he could not comprehend it, and that he believed the girl was going to get well. He could not refrain from expressing his surprise at the change in the girl's condition over night. The power of the living God rebuked the destroyer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." The Lord has told us through the Prophet Joseph Smith: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 "If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life, through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 No man who breaks the Word of Wisdom can gain the same amount of knowledge and intelligence in this world as the man who obeys that law. I don't care who he is or where he comes from, his mind will not be as clear, and he cannot advance as far and as rapidly and retain his power as much as he would if he obeyed the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 TITHES AND REAL PROSPERITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 The law of financial prosperity to the Latter-day Saints, under covenant with God, is to be an honest tithepayer, and not to rob the Lord in tithes and offerings. Prosperity comes to those who observe the law of tithing; and when I say prosperity I am not thinking of it in terms of dollars and cents alone, although as rule the Latter-day Saints who are the best tithepayers are the most prosperous men, financially; but what I count as real prosperity, as the one thing of all others that is of great value to every man and woman living, is the growth in a knowledge of God, and in a testimony, and in the power to live the gospel and to inspire our families to do the same. That is prosperity of the truest kind. I would rather die in poverty knowing that my family could testify that, to the best of the ability with which God had endowed me, I had observed his laws and kept his commandments, and by my example, had proclaimed the gospel, than to have all the wealth of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 OUR RELIGION THE TRUTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 Either we have the truth, and this gospel called "Mormonism," is in very deed the plan of life and salvation, the power of God unto salvation, through his Son Jesus Christ, and by following its teachings the greatest of all the gifts of God to man, namely, life eternal, will be ours, or it is not the truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.10 God has given to men and women all over the wide world, seeking for the light of his spirit, in answer to tremble prayers, a testimony and a knowledge that this gospel is exactly what it purports to be--that it is the truth, that it will stand forever, and that those who live it shall be exalted eternally in the presence of our heavenly Father, and his Son, our Redeemer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.11 CLOSING TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.11 May God help each and every one of us who have a knowledge of the divinity of this work to live so that other men, seeing our good deeds, may glorify God and be led to investigate the plan of life and salvation. I bear witness to you here today, that I know God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of the true and living God, that he was a martyr, that he gave his life for this cause, and that his blood bears witness to the integrity, the honesty and inspiration of his mission as a prophet of the living God, because he was true even unto death. May God help us one and all to live the truth, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.52 I saw President Ivins turn this book down. He said before he started to speak, he was going to read the last verse of the inspired hymn by Parley P. Pratt that we have heard sung today: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.52 "Lo, lsrael filled with joy Shall now be gathered home, Their wealth and means employ To build Jerusalem; While Zion shall arise and shine, And fill the earth with truth divine." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.52 Another prophecy that was uttered by Parley P. Pratt over three quarters of a century ago is being fulfilled. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.151 CLOSING REMARKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.151 I desire to express my gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord for the rich outpouring of his spirit during our conference. It seems to me that we have never had as large an attendance at any other conference within my recollection as we have had during this conference. I feel that all those who have spoken here have been blessed of our heavenly Father. As nearly as I can judge, the people have been deeply interested in what has been said to them and their hearts have responded to the teachings of those who have addressed them during the conference. I regret that we did not have at least another hour, so that I could have announced that during my presidency every stake president has had the privilege of speaking or of uttering a prayer from this stand. As it is, I believe all our 94 stake presidents have had that privilege with the exception of those chosen last year--not more than half a dozen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.151 SOURCE OF OUR POWER, SUCCESS AND UNITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.151 I know of nothing that I have enjoyed more in our conference than the brief testimonies of the men who stand at the head of the various stakes of Zion. There was a burning power in those testimonies of their individual knowledge regarding the divinity of this work, it is that personal knowledge, that still, small voice of revelation coming to every honest, prayerful soul, in answer to prayer, which gives the power to this Church. Without this individual testimony, coming as it does to men and women all over the world when they hear this gospel and supplicate God for his spirit, we would not be what we are today--a united people, one in heart and soul, one with God and one with our Savior. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.151 That God our heavenly Father may help us to be loyal and true to him and that we may ever show by our faithfulness, by our honesty to men and women, and by the uprightness of our lives that we are in very deed the servants and handmaidens of the living God, striving for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is my earnest prayer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.151 A PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE LEADERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.152 I leave my blessing with the people who have assembled in this conference, and with all Israel, as well as the honest the world over. I pray God from the bottom of my heart to bless the president of the United States of America, to bless his cabinet, to bless the senators, to bless the representatives, to bless those who stand at the head of all the states of our great country, that they may supplicate their God and their Redeemer for guidance, so that this country may in very deed be under the guidance of the Creator of the universe. This is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.2 I think the hymn to which we have just listened is entitled to the place it occupies in our hymn book, namely, the first hymn--the place of honor. It was written by the late Apostle Parley P. Pratt: A FIRST PLACE POEM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.2 "The morning breaks, the shadows flee; Lo! Zion's standard is unfurled! The dawning of a brighter day, Majestic rises on the world. "The clouds of error disappear Before the rays of truth divine; The glory bursting from afar, Wide o'er the nations soon will shine. "The Gentile fulness now comes in, And Israel's blessings are at hand; Lo! Judah's remnant, cleansed of sin, Shall in their promised Canaan stand. "Jehovah speaks; let earth give ear, And Gentile nations turn and live, His mighty arm is making bare, His cov'nant people to receive. "Angels from heaven and truth from earth, Have met, and both have record borne; Thus Zion's light is bursting forth, To cheer her children's glad return." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.2 I earnestly desire the faith and prayers of this vast audience to assist me in that which I may say to you today. I sense the great responsibility of addressing so large an audience--for this building is filled to overflowing--and I desire that my remarks shall encourage and bless the Saints here assembled. A TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT PENROSE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.3 Since we last convened in general conference one of the great and faithful laborers in the Church has departed this life--the late President Charles W. Penrose. Perhaps no man in all lsrael has written more in defense of the people than Charles W. Penrose, and I believe that the literature from his pen has been more widely distributed than the writings of any other of our leading men. He spent nearly twenty years of his life as a missionary in his native land. As I announced at his funeral, during the last nine months that I presided over the European mission we distributed about eight million pages of the writings of Charles W. Penrose. I have been thrilled by his discourses from this stand, from my childhood days until the time of his last public address. He was inspired in his utterances, and he had the capacity and the ability to make plain the principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as perfectly as any of our speakers that I have ever heard. We also rejoice from time to time in listening to the inspired hymns that he has written. We mourn his loss, but we rejoice in the wonderful record of labor and service that he made in the spread of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ at home and abroad. WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN'S VISIT TO SALT LAKE CITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.3 At one of our general conferences some years ago we were honored with the presence of Senator Owen from Oklahoma and Honorable William Jennings Bryan. These gentlemen remained until after the conference session, when an informal organ recital was given in their honor. Perhaps a hundred or a hundred and fifty people were present and following the recital, requests came from different parts of the small audience that Senator Owen and Mr. Bryan make some remarks. They did so, and from the press reports of the occasion we read the following: HIS ESTIMATE OF "MORMONISM" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.3 "Mr Bryan said the truths he had heard expounded there that day he should endeavor to carry with him throughout life, and he believed that through him many people might hear the truth concerning 'Mormonism,' for be would endeavor to give an exposition of what he had heard in plain truth to the people with whom he associated. Mr. Bryan said he had been undecided about coming to Salt Lake. He had been asked to speak in Los Angeles Monday, but he had obeyed a whim almost and had come to Salt Lake. He did not know why, but now he said he believed it was providential. At any rate he said he had beard truths uttered that impressed him deeply, and he knows that he is better equipped to perform his work in the world for having heard 'Mormonism' expounded. Particularly was he impressed, Mr. Bryan said, with the 'Mormon' belief in the personality of God. It is a beautiful belief, he said, and one by which the world might profit. He referred to the application of the gospel in the lives of the 'Mormon' people, and said such principles applied to the problems of the world would in very deed solve the difficulties with which the world is beset. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.3 He referred to the single standard of morality, as expounded by one of the speakers, and said that in very truth that is a principle that might well be applied to the lives of all men." HIS LAST SPEECH SHOWS HIS PERFECT FAITH IN GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.4 The publishing house of Revell & Co. have published a book containing the last address of William Jennings Bryan, which address was prepared for the celebrated evolution case in Tennessee, but was never delivered. I have had the privilege of reading and re-reading the book. It shows that he had perfect faith in God our heavenly Father and in my judgment it is a very strong defense of the divinity of Christ and of the Godhood of our Father in Heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.4 I had the pleasure of visiting with Mr. Bryan, after his remarks following our conference, and he said that he was expected to deliver three speeches in California before leaving, but that he believed the world at large would get more benefit from what he had learned in our conference than the people would have received had he remained in California and delivered those three speeches. He promised to send me a little pamphlet containing his ideas about God. After reading it I remember saying to my family that William Jennings Bryan ought to be a Latter-day Saint, because many of his views were in perfect harmony with our faith. Every Latter-day Saint upon the face of the earth believes in the individuality and personality of God our Father, and of the Lord Jesus Christ. A man who does not so believe has no right to be called a Latter-day Saint. Every Latter-day Saint believes absolutely that God conversed with Joseph Smith, and introduced to him the Lord Jesus Christ as his well-beloved Son. President Grant Present At Historical Events Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.4 During the past six months I have had the privilege of visiting in California and meeting with the Saints there. I had the pleasure of being present at the official opening of Zion's National Park in southern Utah, and of attending the general conference in June of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement association, and also the Primary association. That great celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement association was one of the grandest that we have ever had. It was a marvelous outpouring of the youth of lsrael upon the streets of this, the central city of Zion. The parade was an honor to the Mutual Improvement association and a credit to the Church. I believe that special credit for that parade was due to the insistence of Junius F. Wells, the man called originally by Brigham Young to organize the Young Men's Mutual Improvement association. For the very splendid and orderly way in which it was conducted, credit is due to Governor Mabey and to each and every one of those on the committees. Credit is also due to the various people who took part in speaking, singing, or giving orations or the various contests, musical and otherwise, at the conference. My heart was filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to know that we have today one hundred thousand young men and young women in these Improvement associations interested in laboring with zeal and energy for the advancement of the work of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.5 I had the pleasure of being present at a celebration in connection with the great dam that is to be erected at American Falls, where millions of money will be expended and a vast empire redeemed through utilizing the waters of the Snake River. It was also a pleasure later to attend the Burley stake conference. Saturday evening I held a meeting at Oakley at which thirty odd per cent of the people of Cassia stake were in attendance. I first visited that section of the country forty-four years ago this fall, when it was only a branch of the Grantsville ward of the Tooele stake of Zion, numbering perhaps a hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty Latter-day Saints. There are now in that section of the country a number of stakes of Zion, among them the Twin Falls stake. The city of Twin Falls has over eight thousand inhabitants. None of our people were located there at that time, but I rejoice in the wonderful growth of our people and others in redeeming that section of the country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.5 I was requested to go to Pocatello and dedicate an amusement hall--a fine large building. I thought back to the time when I first went there and met with just a handful of Latter-day Saints in a little rented hall and when I contemplated the fact that there are now six organized wards of the Church at Pocatello, and thought of the wonderful growth of Latter-day Saints in that section, I rejoiced in the material and spiritual advancement of the people there. VISITS MANY SCIENTIFIC WONDERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.5 I was requested to send a speaker to hold a meeting at the West entrance of the Yellowstone National Park the Sunday evening that I was at Pocatello. I made several efforts to secure a speaker to go there, but all those to whom I applied were engaged. So I decided to drive from Pocatello myself Sunday afternoon, and attend the meeting at West Yellowstone. The next day and the day following I had the privilege of going through the Yellowstone Park, and then driving down to Driggs, where I held a meeting Tuesday night. Yellowstone Park can be reached from here in anight's ride on the train and the scenery there is among the grandest in all the world. Upon my return home Thursday I found an invitation from my son-in-law to climb Timpanogos the following Saturday, which I did. From the top of that mountain, the view of Wasatch, Utah, and Salt Lake counties, the cities therein, and other sections of the country in the distance, is one of the grandest that my eves have ever beheld. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.6 The following Sunday night I left for the scenic wonders of southern Utah, reaching Cedar Monday morning with President Ivins and wife, Sister Grant and my niece. We visited Cedar Breaks and Zion canyon, and the next day going to the Grand Canyon, or at least to the V. T. ranch in the Kaibab forest. We saw between two hundred and three hundred deer that afternoon as we were traveling to this ranch. The next day we visited Point Sublime and saw the Colorado river and that wonderful gorge in which you could drop about one hundred Grand Canyons of the Yellowstone. It is twelve miles wide and one mile deep as compared with the gorge thirteen hundred feet deep and two thousand feet wide at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It is a sight that beggars all description. It is a marvel; it is a wonder! We drove that afternoon to Kanab and in the evening held a meeting with the Saints. I rejoice in the fine meeting house that they have erected there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.6 The next day we visited Bryce Canyon, and I was more charmed with it than the first time I visited this, one of the scenic wonders of the world. The next morning, Friday, September 11, I parted with Brother Ivins; he returned to Salt Lake by way of Fish Lake, and I returned to Cedar City via Cedar Breaks and was present in the afternoon at the opening of the bridge over Ash Creek, which connects with the Black Ridge. I had the privilege of traveling over the road fifty-nine years ago, when the wagon in which I was riding jumped from one black rock to another, seldom finding any ground to light upon. On that old route which was selected by the pioneers who first went into St. George there is now, over the Black Ridge, one of the finest dirt roads that I have ever had the privilege of motoring over. It is a real delight to travel upon it. The bridge over Ash Creek is certainly a very creditable structure indeed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.6 In my travels (in Europe) from Scandinavia on the north to Italy, on the south, and from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, in Hawaii and in Japan, I have witnessed many wonderful scenes; but if they were rolled in together they do not compare with the Yellowstone and these wonderful sights in southern Utah--Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Zion Canyon and the scenic points from the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. THE GREAT MISSION OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.6 Saturday and Sunday following the opening of the bridge over Ash Creek I attended the Parowan stake conference and enjoyed visiting there with the Saints and taking part in one of the conferences. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 I rejoice in the wonderful growth in all the stakes of Zion from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, and in the increase of interest and faith on the part of the Saints throughout the world. I rejoice that there is a cry for more missionaries, from all parts of the world. The one great mission of the Latter-day Saints at home and abroad is to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, to preach the individuality and personality of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to preach the restoration again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation. There is nothing that qualifies a man so much for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as to study the revelations that the Lord has seen fit to give us in our day. In them he says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and earth pass away, my word will not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "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. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good--yea to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed." A CENTRAL THOUGHT APPLYING TO US Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 This last revelation from which I have read was given to Hyrum Smith, the brother of the Prophet Joseph. He was martyred with Joseph Smith, as you all know, in Carthage jail. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 I wish to emphasize one passage in this revelation: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 So that it applies to you, to me and to all the Latter-day Saints. The central thought in this revelation is that we are to keep the commandments of God. It is reiterated in this one revelation some three or four or five times, that the duty was upon Hyrum Smith to keep the commandments of God and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 The previous revelation from which I quoted was given to the father of the prophet. I will repeat the words of that part of it, as I did before, and I wish to emphasize it with all my heart: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.7 "Behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men." (As I look at this marvelous audience and think of the people on the outside, who are hearing what I say, as well as the audiences in Barratt Hall and the Assembly Hall, surely I can say that this revelation, given to the father of the prophet and the patriarch, has been literally fulfilled.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "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." WORTH OF SOULS GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 I am well aware of the fact that it is tiresome to any audience to listen to a speaker when most of his time is occupied in reading; but when I contemplate the fact that my words uttered here today will be published in The Deseret News, which goes into the homes of the Latter-day Saints from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south; when I realize that what I am saying here is to be published in a conference pamphlet, copies of which will be sent to the missionaries all over the world, then I am far more anxious to have the words of the Lord and the Savior of the world published in this address than to make remarks myself. I desire therefore to read what the Savior said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "For, behold, the Lord, your Redeemer, suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! "Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it he one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "And now, if your joy shall be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation. "Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 "And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 This quotation is from the 18th Section of the D&C. TESTIMONIES OF RETURNED MISSIONARIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.8 It fell to my lot two weeks ago today to sit upon the stand in the Assembly Hall and listen to the testimonies of five young men who had just returned from missions, and then listen to the testimony of James H. Moyle, the father of one of those young men. My heart was thrilled with the testimony they bore, and their undoubting knowledge that God lives, that Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the true and living God, and that the gospel, commonly called "Mormonism" by the world, is in very deed the plan of life and salvation again restored to the earth. A TESTIMONY OF THE DIVINITY OF THIS WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 I rejoice in the absolute knowledge which I possess, of the truth as contained in section 76 of the D&C, which is known among us as "The Vision." I have been thrilled with the testimony there borne by the Prophet Joseph Smith, as I have repeated it time and time again; and if it were repeated every day of my life, as I supplicate God from day to day, it would do me no harm: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 "This is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 "That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 "That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 "Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him." (Thank God they are few and far between.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 "And now, after many testimonies which have been given to him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.9 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.10 When preaching to those not of our faith, in different parts of the world, I read, whenever I have the opportunity, the articles promulgated by Joseph Smith known as the 13 Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I rejoice in reading them and in testifying to those who know not the truth that in very deed those articles have been vindicated; that we believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and I testify to the world that we know that they live, because they appeared to Joseph; that we believe men must be called of God, and we know that they have been called of God in our day, because the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. We believe that men should receive the Holy Ghost, and we testify to all the world that they have received it in this Church. I rejoice that all the gifts and graces, that were enjoyed in ancient days--the speaking in tongues, the interpretation of tongues, the healing of the sick, and kindred gifts as enumerated in the Articles of Faith, are enjoyed by the Latter-day Saints all over the world, wherever this gospel has gone. I rejoice in the wonderful faith and knowledge of the Latter-day Saints regarding the divinity of this work. I am thankful beyond expression that wherever this gospel has gone, in answer to humble, faithful prayers, God has given to individuals all over the world a knowledge of themselves concerning the divinity of this work. What kind of men and women should we be, as Latter-day Saints, in view of this wonderful knowledge that we possess, that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God? We should be the most honest, the most virtuous, the most charitable-minded, the best people upon the face of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.10 That God may help us to live up to the knowledge we possess, that we may grow in the light and knowledge and testimony of the gospel, and that our lives shall be a bright and shining testimony of the divinity of this work in which we are engaged is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant MISSIONARY CALLS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.10 President Heber J. Grant made the following additional remarks at the close of his opening speech, concerning missionaries, and missionary calls decided upon: OPENING OF SOUTH AMERICAN MISSION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.10 One announcement I intended to make, which undoubtedly all of you have seen in the paper, is that Elders Melvin J. Ballard, Rulon S. Wells and Rey L. Pratt, have been called to go to South America and open a mission there. APPEAL FOR ONE MAN FROM EACH WARD FOR MISSION IN THE UNITED STATES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.10 In addition to opening a mission in South America, as the President of the Church and the Apostles, we desire to make an appeal to the Latter-day Saints throughout the Church, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, that a special effort be made to secure in every ward, from among men of mature years and sound judgment, who have had experience in the preaching of the gospel, one missionary, and where possible more than one, who is financially able to go forth and labor in the mission fields of the United States, Canada or Mexico for at least six months, at his own expense, both going and returning. MEN OF MEANS AND EXPERIENCE WANTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.11 Since there are a thousand wards in the Church, this would mean a thousand or more men of experience to perform this labor. We feel that men who have been prospered and blessed should be ready and willing to respond to such a call. We know more than a thousand, more than two thousand, have been so blessed. Many of them may have come to this land without a dollar. Some may have borrowed the money to come here. The parents of some of them were perhaps assisted by what was known as the Perpetual Emigration Fund. Many of these men are now worth twenty-five thousand, fifty thousand, one hundred thousand, and some more than one hundred thousand dollars. We ask, in view of the wonderful material blessings which God has bestowed upon them, that they be and proclaim this gospel, and if they can stay longer, all well and good. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.11 Many of them have gone on trips, time and again, for three and four months, for pleasure only, and spent large sums of their money. Now we want during the coming year to have the greatest of all the great missions that the Church has ever had, given to the people of the world by one or two thousand men who have been thus wonderfully blessed financially--men of experience, ability and testimony. We believe, in view of the wonderful harvests that will be of such great benefit to the people in all sections of the country where the Saints are located, that we are not asking too much when we, as the Presidency and Apostles of the Church, make this great appeal for missionary service. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.11 The choir and Hyrum Christensen, and Alvina Ridges, grand daughter of Joseph Ridges, builder of the Tabernacle organ, sang the hymn, "An angel from on high," after the hymn had been announced and read in full by President Heber J. Grant. President Heber J. Grant SYMPATHY EXTENDED TO THOSE WHO MOURN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.37 Since our last Conference, President Peter M. Hansen, of the Bear River stake, has passed away, also Brothers Arthur A. Paxman, Edgar A. Hunsaker and Hans C. Sorenson, Bishops of Washington, Mesa, and Mount Carmel wards, respectively. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.37 The fine singing today reminds me of the fact that our organist, the late John J. McClellan, has also passed away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.37 We extend our heartfelt sympathy to those who have been called upon, through the death of their loved ones, to be separated from them. President Heber J. Grant PRESIDENCY OF THE PRIMARY ASSOCIATION REORGANIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.152 We will now present the General Authorities and the general officers of the Church and of the auxiliary associations for your support. Before doing so, however, I wish to announce that Sister Louie B. Felt who, for forty-five years, has faithfully and diligently presided over the Primary General Board, has requested that she be released from those labors; and her counselors, Sisters May Anderson and Clara W. Beebe, will naturally be released with her. These sisters are with our love and blessing and with our sincere thanks for their very splendid labors. Sister Felt not only has presided for forty-five years, with dignity and energy and for the benefit of these Associations, but she was also, as I remember it, the president of the second Primary Association organized in the Church, which was in the Eleventh Ward of this city. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.153 Sisters Louie B. Felt and Counselors were released as the Presidency of the General Board of the Primary Association, with a vote of thanks. President Heber J. Grant INTRODUCING ELDER REY L. PRATT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.169 If this were a picture show or some silly thing we could laugh at, we could stand it for two hours and a half and perhaps three, but if we should run ten or fifteen minutes over the time today I expect many of you would get up and go out. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.169 Before the close of this conference I desire to hear the testimony of Brother Rey L. Pratt. I desire this grandson of Parley P. Pratt who was one of the greatest of all the great writers of inspired hymns in our Church, and one of the great preachers, to bear testimony to us before departing upon his mission to South America. And if there is anybody who cannot stay until Brother Pratt gets through, I would be much obliged to them if they would leave now. President Heber J. Grant TESTIMONY OF MILANDO PRATT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.174 "President Heber J. Grant, Beloved President: My bosom has swelled with exceeding joy in listening to the most interesting conference services over the radio, from my bedroom, where I have spent most of the time for the past nearly ten years, through a severe operation, followed by a prolonged, painful illness. I have heard distinctly all the tabernacle services, about three miles distant from my home. I am quite sure all the Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.174 speakers were greatly inspired. Your brother in the Gospel, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.174 "MILANDO PRATT." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.174 Milando Pratt is a cousin of our last speaker, and a son of Orson Pratt who was one of the greatest writers and defenders of the truth that the Church has ever had. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.174 Brother Roberts reminds me that way in the 50's the grandfather of Brother Rey L. Pratt, namely, Parley P. Pratt, first carried the gospel to the land of Chile, in South America. Elder Joseph Barlow Dead Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.174 I overlooked announcing that Brother Joseph Barlow, counselor to the President of the Raft River stake, has passed away since our last conference. We extend to the family our sympathy. MISSIONS ESTABLISHED SINCE LAST CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.175 There have been established since our last conference the North Central States mission, with John G. Allred as President; and the German-Austrian mission, with Elder Fred Tadje as President, formerly president of the Swiss and German mission. NEW PRESIDENTS OF MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.175 Six presidents of missions have been appointed as follows since last conference: J. Howard Jenkins as president of the New Zealand mission; Herbert B. Foulger, acting president of the Tahitian mission; John H. Anderson, president of the Swedish mission; Hugh J. Cannon, president of the Swiss and German mission; and Ernest C. Rossiter, president of the French mission. MISSION PRESIDENTS RELEASED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.175 Mission presidents released since our last conference: Angus T. Wright, New Zealand mission; Ole B. Peterson, Tahitian mission; Hugo D. E. Peterson, Swedish mission; Russell H. Blood, French mission. All of these released mission presidents have our love and blessing and full confidence, and also those who have been appointed. ABSENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.175 There have been absent from this conference, as you know, Elder Reed Smoot, of the Council of the Twelve, in Washington, and Elder James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve, who is presiding over the European mission. The reports from Brother Talmage are very encouraging and very satisfactory, and he is thoroughly enjoying his labors. The newspapers keep us well posted on the very wonderful and magnificent labors that Senator Reed Smoot is performing in Washington. These brethren have our love and confidence and constant prayers for their success. APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE EXPRESSED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.175 I feel to say on behalf of the Presidency of the Church that we are very grateful for the wonderful outpouring of the people during this conference. We are grateful for the light and inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord accompanying those who have spoken to us, and we give to the Saints the love and blessing of all of the General Authorities of the Church, and we echo the sentiment that has been uttered here, time and again during this conference, in the opening and closing prayers and in some of the remarks, that the inspiration and spirit of this conference may be carried by the people who have been here to the various stakes of Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1925, p.176 May God bless you one and all. May each and every one of us who have a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, so order our lives that those who know not the truth, seeing our diligence, our faith, our humility, and our desire to serve God, may be led to investigate the truth that we have to bear to them. This is my prayer and desire, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.2 This is a very wonderful gathering of Latter-day Saints, the Tabernacle being crowded to overflowing. It is certainly an inspiring sight, and bears witness to the interest and devotion of the Latter-day Saints. I humbly pray that while I stand before you this morning I may be able to say something that shall in some small degree fulfil my share of this conference, and which you can take away wills you and feel that you have received some benefit by leaving your homes, some of you from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, and from New York to San Francisco. CAUSE FOR REJOICING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.2 I rejoice in the growth of the work of God. I rejoice in the integrity and devotion and the willing self-sacrifice of the people. I am very thankful for all of the many blessings that have come to us as a people, from the thee when that great pioneer, Brigham Young, and that wonderful band of men and women, one hundred and forty odd, first came to this valley. I am thankful for the blessings of the Lord that have attended the Saints, notwithstanding the drivings and the persecutions and the mobbings that they have had to endure during the 96 years since the organization of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 It is generally expected that at the April conference of the Church something shall be given in the nature of statistics regarding the condition of the Church. Therefore, before making any special remarks, I shall give you a few items of interest. CHANGES IN OFFICERS. AND CHURCH STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Stake Presidents Honorably Released. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Mark Austin, Fremont stake; Peter M. Hansen (deceased), Bear River stake; Nelson J. Hogan, Idaho stake; Heber C. Austin, Idaho Falls stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 New Stake Presidents Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 George S. Romney, Fremont stake; Milton H. Welling, Bear River stake; J. Fred Corbett, Idaho stake; Frederick A. Caine, Idaho Falls stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Mission Presidents Honorably Released Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Albert R. Peterson, Norwegian mission; John S. Hansen, Danish mission; Charles S. Hyde, Netherlands mission; Herbert B. Foulger, Tahitian mission (acting). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Mission Presidents Appointed Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Martin Christopherson, Norwegian mission; Joseph L. Peterson, Danish mission; John P. Lillywhite, Netherlands mission; Alma G. Burton, Tahitian mission. STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 There are at present: stakes of Zion, 94; wards, 909; independent branches, 76; missions, 26; branches in missions, 716, making a total of 1701 wards and branches now in the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 There were less than twenty stakes of Zion at the time I was chosen to be one of the twelve apostles of the Church, 43 years ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Since our conference in 1925, 69 stake and ward meeting houses have been erected and 24 buildings in our missions, which makes a total of 93 structures during the year. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 We have not yet completed the Arizona temple, but the expenditures up to the 31st of December, 1925, on that building were $540,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 We rejoice in the wonderful growth of work in our temples. In the Salt Lake temple. I learn from brother Geo. F. Richards, we have had as high as 1800 people go through in a single day. Many companies go through there each day, laboring for the salvation of their dead. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 In our Church educational system we have enrolled: in Church schools, 4,184; in Seminaries, 10,341; in Religion Classes, 57,000; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Total number receiving week-day religious education, 71,525. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 This says nothing of religious education that is being given to 59,000 women in our Relief Societies, 100,000 in our Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, and a quarter of a million in our Sunday schools. And I am informed that the enrollment of our children in Primary Associations now reaches 100,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 There were ordinances performed in the temples for the living and the dead last year, 986,321. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Number of people recommended to the temples, 55,695. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 We have somewhat more than 2,500 missionaries in the field at the present time. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.3 Following are the expenditures from the tithes of the Church for the year 1925: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Stake and Ward Purposes Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 There has been returned from the tithes to the stakes and wards for building construction, maintenance and operation, $1,486,351.81. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Education Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Expended for the construction, maintenance and operation of Church schools, $958,440.67. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Temples Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Expended for the construction, maintenance and operation of temples, $319,415. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Charities Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment, $172,352.74. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Missions Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 For the maintenance and operation of all the missions and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions, $769,926.79. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Making a total, which has been taken from the tithes and returned by the trustee-in-trust for the maintenance and operation of the stakes and wards, for the maintenance and operation of Church schools and temples, for charities and for mission activities, of $3,706,397.01. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Other Charities Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 In addition to charities paid from the tithes, as before named, there has also been disbursed the fast offerings, other charities and assistance rendered by the Relief Society, in the sum of $442,868.07, which amount, added to the $172,262.74 paid from the tithes, makes the total charity assistance rendered by the Church, $615.130.81. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 There has been collected by the various wards of the Church and paid to missionaries to assist in their maintenance, $131,941.31. STATISTICS REGARDING THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the stakes and missions, 20,233. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Children baptized in the stakes and missions, 14,390. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions, 6,373. SOCIAL STATISTICS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 Birth rate, 32 per thousand; marriage rate, 15 per thousand; death rate, 6.7 per thousand. Divorces--There was one divorce in every 20 marriages. Average in the United States is one divorce in every seven marriages. Families owning their own homes, 73 per cent. OBEDIENCE TO LAW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 There is at the present time an agitation going on in the United States against the enforcement of prohibition. Straw votes are being taken which show that the overwhelming sentiment of those who have seen fit to vote on this straw ballot are in favor of the repeal or modification of the present law. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.4 There is also a wave of crime sweeping over the country. Perhaps there is nothing of greater importance, next to our spiritual growth, than a determination on the part of the Latter-day Saints to observe the laws of our country. I wish to quote from the immortal Lincoln: LINCOLN ON THE SUBJECT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 "Let every American, every lover of Liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country, and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of '76 did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and laws let every American pledge his life, his property and his sacred honor. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles in her lap; let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in primers, in spelling books and almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, enforced in courts of justice. In short, let it become the political religion of the nation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 One of the Articles of our Faith declares that we believe in sustaining the law and supporting the rulers. So that not only should Latter-day Saints follow the advice of the immortal Lincoln, but they should follow the doctrines of the Church to which they belong. THEODORE ROOSEVELT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 Theodore Roosevelt has the following statements to make that would apply more or less to sustaining the law: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 "In character we must have virtue, morality, decency and square dealing as the foundation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 "Any man who claims there can be liberty in spite of and against the law is claiming that anarchy is liberty. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 "We need strong bodies; more than that, we need strong minds, and finally we need what counts for more than body or mind--character." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 "The man who counts is the man who is decent and who makes himself felt as a force for decency." THE WORD OF WISDOM A REVELATION TO THE SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.5 The Latter-day Saints have a revelation from God regarding strong bodies. In that revelation it is recorded that tobacco is not good for the body. It is also recorded there that strong drinks are not to be taken internally, but are only for the washing of the body. We are told in this same revelation that hot drinks are not good for man. This revelation was given to the Latter-day Saints in 1833, only three years after the organization of the Church. Yet, there are many of the people who have never lived up to that revelation. But I am thankful that the great majority of the Latter-day Saints are observers of the Word of Wisdom--that tea, coffee, liquor and tobacco are let alone by the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.6 I have read to you that we have seventeen hundred wards and branches in the Church. In each of the wards of the Church there is a bishop and two counselors and a ward clerk, and in each of the independent branches there is a president and two counselors. There are sometimes three presiding officers in the branches throughout the missions, and sometimes only one. But we have an army of men presiding amounting to four or five thousand, and every one of those men must pledge his honor that he will observe the Word of Wisdom. We have now ninety-four stakes, with a presidency of three men, and a stake clerk, and we have twelve high councilors in each of these stakes. In addition we have many alternate high councilors. It will average, I am sure, twenty men to the stake, So we have an army of two thousand there, and every one of these leading men must obey the Word of Wisdom. ON WOMEN AND SMOKING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.6 I read recently in a paper published in our city: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.6 "The woman smoker is the prominent professional and business woman in every community." I desire to broadcast all over the world that that statement is an absolute falsehood so far as the Latter-day Saints are concerned. Never in my life have I seen a Latter-day Saint woman or girl smoking a cigarette. This article states that last year there were 9,000,000,000 cigarettes smoked by the women of these United States, and that there were 7,000,000,000 cigarettes smoked by women the year before, an increase in round numbers of thirty per cent. The writer said that the woman smoker is "the prominent commercial and business woman in every community." I say: Leave out every Latter-day Saint community, because it is a falsehood. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.6 "She is the wife of your local physician." She is not the wife of any physician in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints so far as I know. "She is the wife of the town banker, the attorney. She is the president of your parent-teacher club, your literary club." These statements are reputed to have been made by Cynthia Grey. I would not be a bit surprised if Cynthia Grey is but a newspaper name, and it is one of the tobacco trusts who furnished the article. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.6 "In other words, it is stuff and nonsense, nowadays, to say that the women who smoke are scarlet ladies." We do not say that. So she has put that in to weaken the fight against this awful curse, cigarette smoking. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.6 "Does nicotine harm the woman any more than the man, if it harms either?" Nicotine harms every man, woman and child that uses tobacco, and we as Latter-day Saints have the word of the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, to that effect, this lady (or perhaps man), to the contrary notwithstanding. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.6 "I am inclined to believe that even a woman smoker, quite firm in her conviction that she is doing the proper thing" [I do not believe that any woman smoker believes she is doing the proper thing] "would stop smoking, if any real authority could prove she was harming any possible future child of hers." The trained athletes of the nation are pretty good authorities on the harm to the physical body, and they are practically a unit that tobacco and liquor do harm the body. Some of the great baseball clubs of America, who have won championships, won't allow liquor or tobacco to be used by their men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 The head of the New York Athletic club, one of the greatest in this country, announces that there is no prospect of success in the athletic line to the man who uses tobacco and liquor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 "But medical savants, when pushed to the wall, seem not much alarmed." When they are not pushed to the wall, the great majority of them acknowledge the harmful influence of these things. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 "The president of the Association of Railway Chief Surgeons is quoted as saying 'Fags help men work out problems. Why not women?'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 A whip helps a horse to go a little bit further, but it does not add any strength to the horse, and no narcotic or stimulant that creates an appetite for itself is good for man or woman. And thank the Lord we have his word to that effect. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 I will not take any more of your time reading from this article, for it is "rot." COMMENTS ON SUSTAINING THE LAW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 I meant after reading Lincoln's wonderful appeal to sustain the Constitution, to read the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 Gladstone said, speaking of the Constitution of the United States: "It is the greatest document of its kind that ever sprang from the mind of man." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 The faith of the Latter-day Saints and the teaching that I have had since I was a child at my mother's knee, as well as from this stand, is that the Constitution of our country was written by men inspired of the Lord God Almighty. Therefore we, as Latter-day Saints, more than any other people, ought to be supporters of the Constitution, and all constitutional law. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 I read a clipping from a great financial paper, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 "'Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.' is as true today as it was 2,500 years ago. The indications of surface conditions are not satisfactory. A crime wave is sweeping the country; hope is necessary to give a thrill in the movies; temperance and self-control have become a joke; observance and respect for law are considered old-fashioned; honest labor is looked upon as something to be avoided; too many are trying to get something for nothing and are going into debt for needless luxuries and harmful pleasures." LATTER-DAY SAINTS WARNED AGAINST DEBT AND WEALTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 Right here let me warn the Latter-day Saints to buy automobiles and to buy the ordinary necessities of life when they have the money to buy them, and not to mortgage their future. I have heard of people over in England who regularly mortgage their Sunday clothes Monday morning and take them out of "hock" the next Saturday night. I want to say to you that those who discount their future, who run in debt for the ordinary necessities of life and for the luxuries of life, are laying burdens upon themselves that will come back with compound interest to cause them great trouble and humiliation. To quote again: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.7 "Nasty magazines are building up great circulations, while the colleges are closing up their chapels and opening up smoking rooms for the women students." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.8 Again let me say that that cannot be found in any of the Church schools or seminaries. Once more, please leave out the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.8 "I sincerely hope that these things are merely a phase and that the American people are still a God-fearing race. If not, these things are a tremendous indictment of schools and colleges as well as parents. Yes, America has every material blessing at the present time and if we will keep our feet on the ground, the present era of prosperity should continue for years. On the other hand, all wealth is a mere tool which can be used either to upbuild or to destroy. Everything depends on the motives, ambition and tastes of the people who have this tool in their hands." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.8 Wealth is leading to folly and almost to that which would be counted as sin. Pope says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.8 "Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,; As, to be hated, needs but to be seen, But seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace." AVOID SERVING THE GOD OF FASHION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.8 I am ashamed, as I walk the streets of our cities, at the lack of modesty in the dresses, not only of our young people, but our mothers and even grandmothers. I will rejoice when there shall come over this land again an increased respect for the sacredness of the body and a willingness on the part of our good, pure, upright ladies to dress themselves in a more becoming manner. I shall rejoice when the Latter-day Saints shall endeavor to find out that thing which will bring to them and to their posterity peace and comfort of body and of mind. The Lord said that he was a jealous God, and that we should serve no other God before him. So we should not serve the god of fashion. When our Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations were organized they were organized under the title of the Young Ladies' Retrenchment Associations, and one of the purposes was re-trenchment and more modesty in dressing; and I shall rejoice if the Lord will inspire the Latter-day Saints to set a better example in the future than they are setting at the present time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.8 I want to announce that I shall be glad if we will quit giving notices to the papers of what is termed "teas" that are being held in our homes. I read of a "tea" being given in the home of President Heber J. Grant, and of the "tea" table being decorated. There is no tea table in the home of President Heber J. Grant. There has been no tea served either to our friends or visitors, in the home of Heber J. Grant. I would like us to change that name in our newspapers, at least so far as Latter-day Saints are concerned, and have it a "social gathering," or a lunch, or anything you have a mind to call it, and quit calling it a "tea" when every Latter-day Saint is asked by the Lord to leave tea, coffee and tobacco alone. PROMISE OF GOD TO OBERVERS OF THE WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 And for fear I forget it, I want to read to you one of the most marvelous and wonderful promises that God has made to every Latter-day Saint that keeps this Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom was given, as stated, only three years after the Church was organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 It is being acknowledged by the great doctors today that an excessive use of meat is not good for humanity, and the Word of Wisdom teaches us that: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horses, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 Now listen, all ye Latter-day Saints, to the word of the Lord and the promise of the Creator of heaven and earth: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "And all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow in their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of lsrael, and not slay them. Amen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 What a marvelous promise! And as there is no promise made by the Lord only upon the condition that we fulfil the law upon which that promise is predicated, the law of life and health to the Latter-day Saints is to obey the Word of Wisdom. THE SUPPORT OF HOME INSTITUTIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 Generally at these conferences I have made just a few remarks about supporting our home institutions. I thought I would simply read what I said once before: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "The support of home institutions is the main foundation of any state's prosperity. The support of home industries keeps money at home, furnishes employment, reduces cost and insures prosperity. If all the people of Utah and the other intermountain States would adopt the principle of buying the product of the factories of the Intermountain territory, most of our industrial problems would vanish. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.9 "From the earliest days the people of Utah have been taught to support home industries, and to keep money at home. Where the advice has been followed prosperity has resulted. Now, more than ever, the people of the Intermountain country should stand together and support the institutions which are assisting in the up-building of the territory." APPEAL TO FARMERS ON THE SUGAR INDUSTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 I want to say a word to the Latter-day Saints regarding the beet sugar industry. The credit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was utilized to the extent of something over $3,000,000 a few years ago in borrowing and loaning money to the sugar industry, to keep it from going into the hands of the receiver. This industry was established by the Church running in debt to secure the money to build the very first factory that was ever built in the United States of America with American machinery, for the manufacture of beet sugar, and the Church has always fostered the industry. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 I appeal to you farmers, every one of you, in all the various parts of Utah and Idaho, and in Canada now--wherever a sugar factory has been established--to support those factories by planting a goodly portion of suitable land in beets which may be manufactured into sugar. A great many of the farmers seem to feel that they are under no obligation whatever to support these factories, some of which have been built upon the earnest solicitation and upon the absolute pledge of the farmers that they would furnish so many thousand acres of beets for each factory. Several of these factories have had to remain idle. Why? Because these pledges have not been fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 Our Lord and Savior said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 "This is the first and great commandment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 As one of your neighbors, who has labored diligently and invested all he had originally, and lost every dollar of it, in establishing this great industry, I appeal to you farmers to love me and others who established it. My personal stock amounts to very little, I could not sell it today for $500, but the Church has invested several million dollars in establishing and maintaining this industry for the benefit of the farmers. Therefore, I appeal to you to have no idle beet sugar factories in your communities; and by supporting these factories you will bring additional money into your communities, and will be fulfilling the second great commandment; to love your neighbors. WHAT THE CHURCH REQUESTS AS TO CARD PLAYING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.10 By the way, I hear that card playing is becoming very, very popular, and that the Church must be in favor of card-playing because the Church authorities never say anything against it. From the time I was a child and read the Juvenile Instructor, published for the benefit of the people, I have read nothing except condemnation of card-playing and the wasting of your time in doing something that brings no good, bodily, intellectually or in any way, and sometimes leads your children to become gamblers, because they become expert card-players. The Church as a Church requests its members not to play cards. I hope you understand me, and I want you to know that I am speaking for the Church when I ask the people to let cards alone. SUSTAIN THE DESERET NEWS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.11 Again I am speaking for the Church when I ask Latter-day Saints to sustain the newspaper published by the Church. I have gone into the homes of bishops and other leading families in this Church, and have failed to find The Deseret Evening News. We desire the support of The Deseret News because it is your paper. We are the Church and the Church owns The Deseret News, and if you make it a great financial success you will be sharing in that success because it is your paper. And I want to say to the Latter-day Saints that there have been a score or more of speeches published in The News in the past year, nearly every one of which to my mind was worth the price of The Deseret News. I called up an influential man the other day and asked if he had read one, two or three of those sermons. He said no. I want to tell you that a sermon by one of the greatest educational minds in Utah, (I doubt there is a superior one) Dr. Joseph F. Merrill, over the radio and subsequently enlarged upon from this stand, was published in The News. I would not take a fifty dollar bill for it if I could not get it again. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.11 We are here--for what? For the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we get it in The Deseret News. I will say to you that one of the finest sermons on Priesthood that I have listened to--(by the way, I did not listen to it, but I read it in The News)--was by one of the great lawyers of America, one of the international lawyers, a man honored by our country to be called to Washington in the great conference on disarmament, J. Reuben Clark. You did not read it if you do not take The News. It was a splendid talk. I want to say to you that the talks by Adam Bennion and by Milton Bennion are worth the price of The News for a year. I will have to stop talking about The News, or I won't get through with the other things I want to say. AUTHORITIES ABSENT FROM CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.11 There are absent today of the General Authorities, Elders Reed Smoot, James E. Talmage, and Melvin J. Ballard of the Council of the Twelve. Elder Reed Smoot, as you all know, is a Senator from Utah, and thank the Lord for such a senator, a man who has gained for himself a national and an international reputation for his honesty, for his integrity, and for his great and wonderful ability, and he stands today at the head of the greatest committee in the senate of the United States. I remember when ex-President Taft was here he said, with that little chuckle of his that made us all laugh, "And to think that when he first came down to Washington nearly everybody tried to keep him out of the senate. Now I have come all the way to Utah to plead with the people to be sure and send him back again." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 Elder James E. Talmage is doing a wonderful and splendid work in the British Isles as president of the European mission. Elder Talmage, as you know, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the distinction of being a member of one of the greatest scientific societies in the world has enabled him to get favorable articles into the newspapers, in such a way as we have never been able to do before in the British Isles. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 Elder Melvin J. Ballard is opening a mission, as you all know, in South America, and is meeting with some success. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 Elder Brigham H. Roberts of the First Council of Seventy, has appointments in the East, and on account of the death of his wife and having to come here to her funeral, he has been excused from this conference. He is accomplishing a remarkable and wonderful labor in the Eastern States. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 Elder Rey L. Pratt of the First Council of Seventy is with Brother Ballard in South America. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 Elder Rulon S. Wells of the same council went to South America, as you all know, but on account of ill health had to return. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 Splendid missionary work is being done by all those who are engaged in the different missions in the United States and all over the world, for which we are grateful. CALLS FOR MISSIONARIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 We have calls for missionaries from every quarter of the globe--more missionaries, more missionaries. The lady missionaries, we want it understood, are called to labor only in the United States. There are requests coming constantly that we send lady missionaries to other parts of the world, but we feel it is a mistake to send our sisters further away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 A very remarkable and splendid work has been done by the short term missionaries that were sent out. We regret that the call came so late, and many of them have only been able to stay in the field three months, some of them four and some of them five months. We hope we can have more short-term missionaries, and that they will be able to spend the full six months in the mission field. Some of the accomplishments of these men have been very remarkable. Men of experience, men of testimony, and of undying faith in the gospel have brought many souls to a knowledge of the truth. Perhaps some of our school teachers daring their vacations can volunteer and will be willing to do missionary work. AN EASTER GREETING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 This is Easter, and I wish to read to you a greeting that was published in The Deseret Evening News for Christmas and I believe it is equally as appropriate for Easter Sunday: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 Greetings from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 As Christmas tide approaches our minds revert to that never to be forgotten night when shepherds who were watching their flocks on the hills of Judea were startled as the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and the angel of the Lord stood before them and said: "Fear not, for behold I bring you good, tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.12 "For unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 It was a night which was distinct from all other nights which had come and gone since the creation of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 The birth of Christ our Lord was more than an incident, it was an epoch in the history of the world to which prophets had looked forward, of which poets had sung, and in which angels joined their voices with mortals in praise to God. It was the day decreed and foreordained by our Father who is in heaven when he would manifest himself to his children, who are here upon earth, in the person of his Only Begotten Son. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 Whether or not the 25th day of December is the proper date of the birth of Christ, our Lord, matters little. We join with other Christian people in celebrating it as such and if we observe it in the true spirit of the Master, renewing the covenant which we have made that we are willing to take upon us his name, and keep the commandments which he has given, our offering will be accepted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 He came that man might see and know God as he is, for he bore witness that whoever had seen him had seen the Father, for he was the express image of his person. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 He came to teach us the character of God, and by example and precept pointed out the path which, if we walk in it, will lead us back into his presence. He came to break the bands of death with which man was bound, and made possible the resurrection by which the grave is robbed of its victory and death of its sting. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 After his crucifixion and the death of the apostles whom he had chosen, who suffered martyrdom at the hands of those who were opposed to the truths which he taught, it appeared that his mission and ministry had been a failure; but as time passed, and the doctrines of Christianity became better understood, thoughtful men turned to him as their source of light and strength, thus preserving faith in his mission and ministry, with the result that Christianity became the dominant influence in the civilization and development of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 As time passed dissensions occurred in the primitive church. The laws governing the church established by the Redeemer, were transgressed, the ordinances were changed, the everlasting covenant was broken. Men began to teach for doctrine their own commandments; a form of worship had been established which was called Christianity, but was without the power of God which characterized the primitive church. Spiritual darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 Then there came another epochal period in the history of the world. The time had arrived, fore-ordained by the Lord, and foretold by his prophets, when another gospel dispensation was to be ushered in, when the gospel of the kingdom was to be restored, and preached in all the world, as a witness unto all people before the end shall come. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 Again the heavens rejoiced, again heavenly beings communicated the will of the Father to his children who are here upon the earth, and men were made glad as the Dispensation of the Fulness of times was ushered in. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.13 Joseph Smith was the agent through whom the Lord saw fit to begin the great latter-day work. To him the Father and Son appeared in heavenly vision, upon him the keys of the everlasting priesthood were conferred, with authority to transmit them to others, with the promise that the priesthood should, never be taken from the earth again, until the purposes of the Father were accomplished. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 Under his direction the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on the 6th day of April, 1830, and the command given to its members to bear the gospel message to all people, calling them to repentance and faith in Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, with the promise that whosoever should repent and obey would know, by the gift of the Holy Ghost, that the message which they brought was true. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 As the result of this message many thousands of people have been gathered out from the various nations where the gospel has been preached and brought to Zion, the place designated by the Lord as the gathering place of Latter-day lsrael. The desert has been made glad because of them, and has been converted into fruitful fields. Springs of living water have broken out to moisten the thirsty land, and cities have sprung up where before was only desolation and wilderness. Music and the voices of children are heard in the streets where silence had reigned supreme. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 It is the Lord our God, through his Only Begotten Son, who has done it. To him be the praise and glory forever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 We exhort our brethren and sisters of the Church, wherever they may be, to remain steadfast in their faith. Hold fast to the word of the Lord, which is the iron rod that will lead us to the Tree of Life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 To the people of the world we appeal to come unto Christ, through whom redemption cometh to all those who take upon them his name, and keep the commandments which he has given. We bear witness that the fulness of his gospel has been restored, that his Church is established, and will continue to spread until peace shall prevail among men, and his kingdom come and his will be done upon earth as it is done in heaven. O Lord, hasten that glorious day. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 HEBER J. GRANT, ANTHONY W. IVINS, CHARLES W. NIBLEY, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 First Presidency. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.14 God bless you. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.44 We have received somewhat more than seventy telephone calls since the meeting started, announcing that people are listening in at various places. I received one from a nephew-in-law of mine. Edward W. Spencer, of Evanston, in which he said: "I got every word of your opening address over the radio." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.44 I remember being ridiculed because I believed in the Book of Mormon, because an alleged absolute impossibility was recorded in that book, namely that the Savior's words were heard all over the land. I remember saying to the professor (I was a young, unmarried man at the time), that I believed in a God who could arrange, if he saw fit to do so, that the words of Jesus Christ could be heard all over the world. I remember reading recently of a man who heard a song nine thousand miles over the radio. He was in a house with the doors closed, and the song was sung in a house or station with the doors closed, nine thousand miles away. Thank the Lord for faith as a boy, in the truths that are being demonstrated, which were miracles beyond all belief in early days! Thank the Lord for the testimony of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.44 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.44 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.44 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Conference Report, April 1926, p.44 Following the announcement of the general Priesthood meeting to be held in the Tabernacle on Monday evening at 7 o'clock; the Sunday School Union conference meeting to be held at 7 o'clock on Sunday evening; and the special Priesthood meeting to be held Wednesday morning, April 7, the choir sang the "Hallelujah Chorus." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.118 In speaking yesterday of the missionary work that is being done throughout the world, although I had a note about it on a piece of paper in front of me, I forgot to mention what I consider one of the greatest of all the missions we have, namely, the one on the Temple Block, presided over by Elders Levi Edgar Young, Benjamin Goddard, and Axel A. Madsen, aided by a number of faithful workers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.118 The work which they are doing in allaying prejudice and in making the acquaintance of influential people, I feel is among the very finest missionary labors performed in any of our missions. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.138 I wish to say that the Latter-day Saints have undoubtedly spent more money and more time in endeavoring to educate and benefit the Lamanite people, whom we believe to be the descendants of the father Lehi, than any other people. The Church today, I believe, numbers among its converts in Hawaii over one-half the native population of that land. We are given the credit by leading officials in that land of having done more for the uplift, morally, intellectually and physically, and for the temporal benefit of the people of Hawaii than all other missionaries who have been in that land. And we have invested there at the present time in plantations considerably more than a million and a half dollars in money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.138 We have assisted the Indians in Arizona and in different parts of Utah and Montana. and have done everything within our power for the benefit of this people, and we look forward to the day when hundreds and thousands of them will be abundantly blessed of the Lord, and when they shall eventually become a white and a delightsome people. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.147 "Beautiful Zion For Me," was written by Brother Charles W. Penrose upon the spur of the moment when bidding good-bye to Brigham Young, Jr., who had presided over the European mission, and who was about to sail for home. Brother Penrose remarked, "Oh, Brigham, beautiful Zion for me! I wish I were going with you." Then he asked Brother Brigham Young, Jr., "Do you know the tune, 'Beautiful Isle of the Sea?'" And he said, "Yes." "All right, I will write you a hymn to that tune that you can sing on the ocean." And President Penrose wrote this hymn. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.159 Brother Junius F. Wells has handed to me the following memorandum that I feel sure will be of interest: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.159 PRESIDING AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.160 "There have been sustained since the Church was organized, seven presidents, 19 counselors in the First Presidency, 54 apostles, 5 presiding patriarchs, 34 of the First Council of Seventy, and 14 of the Presiding Bishopric. A total of 133 besides the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon." A FEW WORDS ON DEBT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.160 Apropos of my remarks to the effect that we should not run in debt or mortgage our future, I will read a poem that has been handed to me, written by Stoddard King: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.160 SAID THE PIEMAN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.160 A study of pie salesmanship will be made by the National Pie Bakers Association.--News item. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.160 "The story of Simon called Simple Is one everybody has read; It is sweet, it is sad, and it tells of a lad Who wasn't quite right in the head. When he sought to buy pie of the pieman, Poor Simon was hopeful but rash, For he childishly thought that a pie could be bought Without any transfer of cash. "But we mustn't speak harshly of Simon, Who was simply ahead of his time-- Today he could buy a whole carload of pie By merely investing a dime. The up-to-date salesman would land him-- Or, rather more likely, his wife-- By letting him pay a few cents right away And installments the rest of his life. "It's the way they sell pins and pianos, And paintings, potatoes and pants-- For a few dollars down you can buy the whole town-- As a prospect you haven't a chance. The fact that you're broke doesn't matter, Your only escape is to die-- And as long as they take all the money you make, You might as well spend it for pie!" U. S. COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.160 I am pleased to state that sitting on the stand Sunday, at the opening session of our conference, was the Commissioner of Education of the United States of America, Honorable John J. Tigert, and he expressed himself as very well pleased with our wonderful gathering. PASSING OF PRESIDENT THOMAS P. COTTAM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.161 Since our last conference one of the most faithful and diligent of all workers in the Church, for many years a counselor in the presidency of the St. George stake, and subsequently the president of the St. George temple, Brother Thomas P. Cottam, has passed away. He was one of the noblemen of the earth, one of the most faithful, loyal, true, upright Latter-day Saints that it has ever fallen to my lot to know. EVANGELINE BOOTH ON PROHIBITION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.161 I had intended to read something here from Evangeline Booth, Commander of the Salvation Army in this country, but, like the congressmen, I will beg leave to have it put in my speech when it is printed in the Conference Pamphlet, or when it appears in the Deseret News. It was published in the Literary Digest of March 20, 1926: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.161 "Park benches are emptied of their drunken derelicts, and the men who used to make their wives and children the victims of their thirst and besotted rage have sobered up and returned to work to feed their families. And that one fact, believes Evangeline Booth, Commander of the Salvation Army in the United States, is the most convincing argument in favor of prohibition and against the return of the saloon. She is sure, however, that the Eighteenth Amendment is so firmly entrenched in public favor that it will never be repealed, and equally sure that it can be enforced. Such drinking as is indulged in now, she asserts, is a fad of the idle rich which will die out, or else society--society, that is, with the big 'S'--will be turned upside down and furnish rum wastrels for the Salvation Army to salvage. Miss Booth's utterance is no careless statement of fact and possibility, for there is no more seasoned worker among the submerged tenth than she, none among the world's greatest moral clean-up organizations more familiar with the sodden aspects of drunkenness and debauchery and their devastating influence on the home. It was while convalescing from attack of appendicitis that she issued her statement on prohibition, which is quoted in part by the New York Times as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.161 "'After all these years of hard fighting to protect the home, emancipate the neglected children and wipe from our national escutcheon the disgrace of the evils arising from drink, it is good to find that the people of America have come to a correct judgment concerning the drink evil. It is unthinkable that the country will ever return to the deadly saloon system and a resumption of liquor pending. "'Surely it will be conceded that the Salvation Army knows something about the evils of strong drink. From the day my father founded the organization in England to combat the degradation and vice that are inevitable consequences of liquor drinking, the Salvation Army has held rigidly to its purpose, and feels that it had a great deal to do with the enactment of prohibition in America."'It is an illogical thing to say that because a new law has not worked like magic it is best to cast it aside and return to the original state of vice which, because of its awfulness, prompted the enactment of that law. Such a thing would make civilization march backward. It is rather the duty of the citizen, the State and the Government to find ways and means to make the law work out its unquestioned benefits to humanity. It can be done. It is being done. "'Enemies of the Volstead Law waste their time when they try to tell organizations like the Salvation Army that national prohibition will not work. Vast changes have come about, and to undo them would be to strike a blow at every fireside and every industry in this country. "'Why try to tell the Salvation Army that the park benches are crowded with drunken men, as they were before prohibition when we used to gather them in on Thanksgiving Day, for example, and fight to salvage them? They are gone. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.161 The benches still remain, but the occupants are not drunk any more; they are climbing upward to better things while the public rushes by all unheeding. Why try to tell us that workingmen spend their wages before their families can get the money for food, and that men beat their wives and children as in the old days? It simply is not the case. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.162 "'If the idle rich persist in making a sport of the prohibition law, the day may come when the boulevardiers, vastly in the minority, will have to be salvaged out of their attractive places for secret drinking and rescued, if possible, by the Salvation Army, just as the poor saloon victim used to be. In that event the sober and progressive working classes will automatically become the aristocrats, and society, so-called, will be turned upside down in its system of organization. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.162 "'In other words, drinking and flouting the prohibition law are a fad and will die out.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.162 In testimony of Miss Booth's experience and of her fitness to pass judgment on prohibition, Arthur J. Davis, State Superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of New York, says, as he is quoted in the same paper: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.162 "She led her band of salvationists against the drink evil in the United States and consistently opposed the saloon while she salvaged its wrecks and bound up the wounds of its victims. Evangeline Booth has been knocked down by drunkards and so badly injured that she spent months in hospitals. In the early days of her work in New York slums salvationists were murdered by drunkards. She, therefore, knows what she is talking about when she attacks the illegal liquor traffic and upholds prohibition. For seventy years her organization has fought the saloon and she knows the advantages of its banishment." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.162 A study was made in Munich by a professor in which it was discovered that in that great beer-drinking city seventy-two out of every one hundred babies that were born there were unsound. The same professor visited prohibition Maine and found that 71.5 per cent of the babies there were born sound. There have been born to me twelve babies and forty-four grandchildren, all of whom were sound, and I am convinced that among the Latter-day Saints who are observing the Word of Wisdom not more than one to two per cent of the babies are born unsound. And yet, I quoted from an article published in one of our local newspapers that if any woman believed that tobacco would injure her child she would not be guilty of using it. ON MOVING FROM PLACE TO PLACE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.163 I would like to appeal to the Latter-day Saints who are thinking of moving from one place to another, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south (I believe that four hundred miles north of Lethbridge is the farthest north, or the closest to the north pole, any Latter-day Saint has gone), that before moving they do some consulting with or writing to the presidents of stakes and others in the section where they contemplate going, and ascertain if they can identify themselves with some of the regular organizations of the Church; instead of going beyond the bounds of the Church, and then writing and asking us to please send some missionaries to hunt them up; that they really do belong to the Church, but that they have gotten so far away everybody seems to have forgotten them. Move where you cannot be forgotten and where there is an organized stake or ward of the Church. There is plenty of opportunity in the organized stakes of Zion for those who want to change their location here in Utah and in Idaho and in Canada. ON SMOKING CIGARETTES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.163 There are two items which I had intended to quote here this afternoon, but I shall not do so; instead, as before stated, I will adopt the system of the congressmen, and beg leave to print. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.163 I quote a statement which profoundly impressed me, from Mr. Henry Ford's pamphlet: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.163 "'Several of my young acquaintances are in their graves who gave promise of making happy and useful citizens,' declares Luther Burbank, the wizard of the plant and vegetable kingdom whose experiments have caused the civilized world to wonder, and whose experiments have benefited the civilized world by millions upon millions, in increase of prosperity, by the increase in the various things that he has done in improvement in flowers and in seeds and in fruits and in the redemption of the cactus in Arizona, taking the thorns; he is in very deed the wizard of the agricultural world and one of the benefactors of mankind. He says: 'And there is no question whatever that cigarettes alone were the cause of their destruction.' No boy living would commence the use of cigarettes if he knew what a useless, soulless, worthless thing they would make of him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.163 I quote from David Starr Jordan, President Emeritus of the Stanford University: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.163 "The boy who smokes cigarettes need not be anxious about his future. He has none." BENEDICTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1926, p.163 I rejoice beyond measure in the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord during our conference, from the first session until the present time; and, insofar as God has endowed me with ability and power and his Priesthood, I bless the people. I bless each and every soul who has taken part in this conference, in singing, in praying and in speaking, and I bear witness to you that they have spoken under the inspiration of the living God, and that they are entitled to the blessings of God. I bless the people of the Latter-day Saints who have come here and listened so patiently and in such great numbers to the testimonies which have been borne. May God's choicest blessings attend all Israel, and the honest the world over, and I ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.2 I am very thankful indeed for the opportunity of meeting with the Saints in another General Conference. I rejoice in the very splendid turnout that we see here today, and realize that, even with the overflow meeting in the Assembly Hall, there are many who will be disappointed in not getting room in this building or the adjoining one. But it is estimated that fully one hundred thousand people will hear these services today over the radio. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.2 I understand that the amplifier installed here will make it entirely unnecessary for me to raise my voice beyond that which would be needed in an ordinary hall. I am very glad of this for the reason that exerting oneself in order to be heard is very much more of a strain than to talk in just an ordinary voice. I should be very glad to know if any in this audience are failing to hear distinctly what I am saying at the present time. If so, will they kindly raise their hands. I discover that everybody is hearing my remarks, and I am not talking any louder than would be necessary in a room containing only a few hundred people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.2 I earnestly and sincerely desire the faith and prayers of the Latter-day Saints to attend not only myself but all of the speakers during this conference, that they may be inspired by the Lord to say those things which will be calculated in their nature to encourage the Saints to renewed diligence in discharging the duties and obligations that rest upon them as members of the Church. CHANGES IN OFFICERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.2 It will be interesting to you, no doubt, to know regarding the changes that have taken place since our last conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 The Wayne stake now has a new president--Brother William F. Webster. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Mission presidents released and appointed during the past six months: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Mark V. Coombs has been released as president of the Tongan mission, and J. A. Cahoon appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Eugene J. Neff has been released as president of the Hawaiian mission, and William M. Waddoups appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 J. Wyley Sessions has been released as president of the South African mission, and Samuel Martin appointed as his successor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Melvin J. Ballard has been released as president of the South American mission, and Karl B. R. Stool appointed as his successor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Brother Kenneth L. Haymore has been released as acting-president of the Mexican mission on account of the return of Rey L. Pratt, president of that mission, from South America. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Hyrum W. Valentine has been appointed to succeed Fred Tadje as president of the German-Austrian mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 The following new wards have been organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Eden ward, Minidoka stake; Emerson ward, Minidoka stake, Hazelton ward, Minidoka stake; Ogden 19th ward, Weber stake; Conda ward, Idaho stake; Wendell ward, Blaine stake; Jewett ward, Young stake; Ely ward, Nevada stake. NEW STAKES ORGANIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Lyman stake, formerly a part of Woodruff stake, President Melvin H. Rollins. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Nevada stake, formerly a part of North Weber stake, Carl K. Conrad, president. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 Bishops who have died: William C. Hegstrom of Central ward, Bannock stake, and Bishop John A. Hunt of St. Charles, Bear Lake stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 At the present time we have 96 stakes of Zion, 915 wards and 74 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 independent branches, making 989 wards and branches. And we have 27 missions. ALMA'S CRY FOR REPENTANCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 I will read from the 29th chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 "Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 "But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.3 "I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.4 "Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he, that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.4 "Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.4 "Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.4 "For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.4 "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy." THE JOY OF MISSIONARY WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.4 I believe that every Latter-day Saint who has received a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged has this same feeling that Alma had--a desire that all the world might hear the testimony of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When men and women receive a testimony of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, they are anxious that all the world should have that same knowledge and faith. They are anxious that the gospel should go to every honest soul. And there is no other labor in all the world that brings to a human heart, judging from my own personal experience, more joy, peace and serenity than proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I remember that while I was laboring in Japan, on account of my failure to learn the language, I was not entirely happy in my work there. I remember going out into the woods, kneeling down and praying to God that when my work was finished there I would appreciate it if I were called to the British Isles to succeed Brother Francis M. Lyman. Shortly after uttering that prayer I received a cable: "Come home on the first vessel." When I arrived home President Smith told me that they had decided to send me to Europe to succeed Brother Lyman. He said, "We realize that the two years or more that you have been in Japan have been anything but satisfactory from the standpoint of the joy that comes into the hearts of the missionaries in bringing souls to a knowledge of the truth, and we want you to have at least a year of real, genuine, missionary experience." When I went into his office and bade him goodbye, and said, "I will see you in a year," he said, "We have decided to make it a year and a half." I said, "Multiply it by two and say nothing about it, and it will please me," and that is exactly what he did. I was there a little over three years, and never have I had sweeter joy, more genuine satisfaction in my life than during those three years, when I had no thought except the spreading of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. THE WORTH OF SOULS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 We have recorded in the 18th section of the D&C the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore, he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! "Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation. "Ask the Father in my name, in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "And if you have not faith, hope and charity, you can do nothing. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 The foregoing revelation was given through the Prophet Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, and they were instructed to seek out twelve apostles who should have the spirit of the mission to go forth and proclaim the gospel of glad tidings which the voice out of the heavens declared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "And this is the gospel, the glad tidings which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him." (Doc. and Cov. 76:40-42.) MEN HAVE SEEN CHRIST IN OUR DAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 In that same revelation we find, and I have repeated it time and time again: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the only begotten of the father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.5 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the world's are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 We have this testimony to bear to the world, that men in our day have seen Jesus Christ; that he has restored to the earth the gospel of life and salvation; that in the Kirtland temple the Savior appeared to Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith, also Moses, Elias and Elijah and that the keys of every dispensation of the gospel were committed into the hands of those two men. They were given this authority and it is a source of great joy. (Doc. and Cov. 110.) WHAT THE CHURCH IS DOING TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 I rejoice in announcing that the Church is doing more today in the spreading of the gospel, and it has a larger body of missionaries in the field proclaiming the gospel, than at any other time in its history. A year ago we called for volunteers of men of maturity, men of experience and testimony, men who were seasoned in the gospel, to go out into the field for a period of six months. Hundreds responded to that call, and I have listened to some of the most remarkable and wonderful testimonies of the manifestations and blessings of the Lord to those men, as I have conversed with them upon their return home, that I have ever heard. The signs verily follow the believers in this Church, and people receive the witness of the Spirit wherever the gospel is preached. THE COMMAND TO PREACH THE GOSPEL SUPREME Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 I have culled out a few quotations from the D&C that I would like to read here: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 "Go ye into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, acting in the authority which I have given you, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 "And he that believeth shall be blest with signs following, even as it is written."--(Section 8: verses 8, 10.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 "And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 "And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; "And worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water."--(Section 133:37-39.) "I the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."--(Section 82:10.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.6 The one supreme thing that devolves upon me, upon you and upon every Latter-day Saint is the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, in public and in private, and above all to proclaim the gospel in our lives, by being absolutely honest in keeping the commandments of the Lord. WHO IS FITTED TO TEACH THE GOSPEL? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 No man can teach the Latter-day Saints under the inspiration of the Spirit of the living God, or proclaim to the world, that there has come a commandment from the Lord in our day for men to observe the ancient law of tithing, unless that man is a conscientious and honest tithe-payer. On the other hand, the inspiration of the living God attends those men who proclaim the law of tithing when they are obeying it themselves. No man can, under the inspiration of the spirit of the Lord, warm the hearts of the Saints, or benefit the people of the world, by proclaiming the Word of Wisdom, who does not obey it himself. But the man who obeys the Word of Wisdom can touch the hearts of the Latter-day Saints in proclaiming that wonderful revelation that the Lord has given to us for our health and our benefit, and above all that has been given to us with a promise attached thereto. I desire to read that revelation from first to last: THE WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "A Word of Wisdom for the benefit of the council of High Priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the Church, also the saints in Zion-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days--" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 And let me say right here that I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that if the Latter-day Saints had observed the Word of Wisdom, and if the money that has been worse than wasted for tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor, had been utilized for missionary service, we would have had the millions of dollars for the work of the Lord that has been expended for that which the Lord Almighty says is not good for man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "Given for a principle with premise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "And, again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle to be used with judgment and skill. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "And, again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature and use of man-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.7 "Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "And all saints who remember to keep and, do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow in their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 Let me read again: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when you do not what I say, ye have no promise." PROMISES OF GOD CONDITIONED ON OBEDIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 There is no promise made to you or to me or to any Latter-day Saint that the destroying angel shall pass us by, or that we shall have hidden treasures of knowledge, unless we obey the Word of Wisdom, and the way above all other ways for men and women to teach their children the necessity of obeying the Word of Wisdom is by obeying it themselves. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (Doc.' and Cov. 130:20, 21.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 I believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that there are hundreds and thousands of Latter-day Saints who but for the obeying of the Word of Wisdom would not be here today. When they have been attacked by serious diseases and have been in a critical condition physically, having obeyed that law, having fulfilled an irrevocable law of God, he was bound to bestow the promised blessings, and they have come to the afflicted ones. PARENTS MUST TEACH THEIR CHILDREN BY EXAMPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 We find recorded in section 68: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.8 "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.""For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized. "And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins wheneight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands." "And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightlybefore the Lord." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.9 And the best way in the world to teach your children to pray and to walk uprightly before the Lord is to pray yourselves, thus setting an example of prayer, and to walk uprightly before the Lord yourselves. When a man fails to be honest as a tithe-payer, when he fails to observe the Word of Wisdom, the teaching of his children to obey those laws will have but very little effect. There is more in example than can possibly come by teaching. No amount of knowledge will save a man; no amount of marvelous revelations and visions and dreams will save a man. But the keeping of the commandments of the Lord and the obeying of those things which the Lord has revealed to us for our salvation, will give us a power and influence with our children for good, and we will be able to make an impression upon their hearts that will keep them in the straight and narrow path which leads to life eternal. JOSIAH QUINCY'S TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH SMITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.9 When I picked up the memorandum that is supplied to me of the songs that are to be sung here this morning, I found that the first song that we were to sing today was, "We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet," and I remembered and immediately hunted up the quotation, a very remarkable tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith, from Josiah Quincy, at one time the mayor of the great city of Boston; and while it has been read time and time again in our hearing, and published often at home and abroad, I thought I would like to read to you again the wonderful testimony of Josiah Quincy, from a book entitled, The Figures of the Past. He says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.9 "It is by no means improbable that some future text-book for the use of generations yet unborn will contain a question something like this: 'What historic American of the nineteenth century has wielded the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his country-men?' And it is by no means impossible that the answer to this interrogatory may be thus written: 'Joseph Smith, the "Mormon" Prophet.' And the reply absurd as it doubtless seems to most men now living, may be an obvious commonplace to their descendants. History deals in surprises and paradoxes quite as startling as this. The man who established a religion in this age of free debate, who was and is today accepted by hundreds of thousands as a direct emissary from the Most High--such a rare human being is not to be disposed of by pelting his memory with unsavory epithets. Fanatic, imposter, charlatan, he may have been; but these hard names furnish no solution to the problem he presents to us. Fanatics and imposters are living and dying every day, and their memory is buried with them; but the wonderful influence which this founder of a religion exerted and still exerts throws him into a roller before us, not as a rogue to be incriminated, but as a phenomenon to be explained. The most vital questions Americans are asking each other today have to do with this man and what he has left us. * * A generation other than mine must deal with these questions. Burning questions they are, which must give a prominent place in the history of the country to that sturdy self-asserter whom I visited at Nauvoo. Joseph Smith, claiming to be an inspired teacher, faced adversity such as few men have been called to meet, enjoyed a brief season of prosperity such as few men have ever attained, and finally, forty-three days after I saw him. went cheerfully to a martyr's death. When he surrendered his person to Governor Ford, in order to prevent the shedding of blood, the prophet had a presentiment of what was before him, 'I am going like a lamb to the slaughter,' he is reported to have said, 'but I am as calm as a Summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense and shall die innocent." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.10 (And a further quotation: And it shall yet be said that I was murdered in cold blood," which is not in Josiah Quincy's statement.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.10 "I have no theory to advance respecting this extraordinary man. I shall simply give the facts of my intercourse with him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.10 "A fine looking man is what the passer-by would instinctively have murmured upon meeting the remarkable individual who had fashioned the mold which was to shape the feelings of so many thousands of his fellow mortals. But Smith was more than this, and one could not resist the impression that capacity and resource were natural to his stalwart person. I have already mentioned the resemblance he bore to Elisha R. Potter of Rhode Island, whom I met in Washington in 1826. The likeness was not such as would be recognized in a picture but rather one that would be felt in a grave emergency. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.10 "Of all men I have met these two seemed best endowed with that kindly faculty which directs, as by intrinsic right, the feeble or confused souls who are looking for guidance. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.10 "We then went on to talk of politics. Smith recognized the curse and iniquity of slavery, though he opposed the methods of the abolitionists. His plan was for the nation to pay for the slaves from the sale of the public lands. 'Congress,' he said, 'should be compelled to take this course, by petitions from all parts of the country; but the petitioners must disclaim all alliance not recognized by the Constitution and which foment insurrection.' It may be worth while to remark that Smith's plan was publicly advocated eleven years later by one who mixed so much practical shrewdness with his lofty philosophy. In 1855, when men's minds had been moved to their depths on the question of slavery, Ralph Waldo Emerson declared that it should be met in accordance 'with the interest of the south and with the settled conscience of the north. It is not really a great task, a great fight for this country to accomplish, to buy the property of the planter, as the British nation bought the West Indian slaves.' He further says that the United States will be brought to give every inch of their public lands for a purpose like this.' We who can look back upon the terrible cost of the fratricidal war which put an end to slavery, now say that such a solution of the difficulty would have been worthy a Christian statesman. But if the retired scholar was in advance of his time when he advocated this disposition of the public property in 1855, what shall I say of the political and religious leader who had committed himself, in print as well as in conversation, to the same course in 1844? If the atmosphere of men's opinions were stirred by such a proposition when war clouds were discernible in the sky, was it not a statesmanlike word eleven years earlier when the heavens looked tranquil and beneficent?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.10 It was a statesmanlike and an inspired proposition from a man who was in very deed a prophet of the true and living God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.11 "General Smith proceeded to unfold still further his views upon politics. He denounced the Missouri Compromise as an unjustifiable coucession for the benefit of slavery. It was Henry Clay's bid for the presidency. Dr. Goforth might have spared himself the trouble of coming to Nauvoo to electioneer for a duelist who would fire at John Randolph, but was not brave enough to protect the Saints in their rights as American citizens. Clay told his (Smith's) people to go to the wilds of Oregon and set up a government of their own. Oh, yes, the Saints might go into the wilderness and obtain the justice of the Indians, which imbecile, time-serving politicians would not give them in the land of freedom and equality. The prophet then talked of the details of government. He thought the number of members admitted to the lower house of the national legislature should be reduced. A crowd only darkened counsel and impeded business. A member for every half million of population would be ample. The powers of the president should be increased. He should have authority to put down rebellion in a state, without waiting for the request of any governor; for it might happen that the governor himself would be the leader of the rebels. It is needless to remark how later events showed the executive weakness that Smith pointed out--a weakness which cost millions of treasure. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.11 "Born in the lowest ranks of poverty, without book learning and with the homeliest of all human names, he had made himself at the age of 39 a power upon the earth. Of the multitudiuous family of Smiths, none had so won human hearts and shaped human lives as this Joseph. His influence, whether for good or evil, is potent today, and the end is not yet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.11 "I have endeavored to give the details of my visit to the 'Mormon' prophet with absolute accuracy. If the reader does not know just what to make of Joseph Smith, I cannot help him out of the difficulty. I myself stand helpless before the puzzle." JOSEPH SMITH'S PROPHECY OF THE MIGRATION WEST Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.11 The Latter-day Saints do not stand helpless before the puzzle. They rejoice in the wonderful inspiration of the man who prophesied that "the Latter-day Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and many would be put to death by their persecutors, and others would lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, but some would live to go and make settlements, build cities and see the Saints become mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.11 What kind of a place was the Rocky Mountains when this remarkable prophecy was uttered? One of the greatest American statesmen, Daniel Webster, is reported to have said regarding it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.11 "What do we want with this vast, worthless area? This region of savages and wild beasts, of deserts of shifting sands and whirlwinds of dust, of cactus and prairie dogs? To what use could we ever hope to put these great deserts or those endless mountain ranges, impenetrable and covered to their very base with eternal snow? What can we ever hope to do with the western coast of three thousand miles, rock-bound, cheerless, uninviting and not a harbor on it? Mr. President, I will never vote one cent from the public treasury to place the Pacific coast one inch nearer Boston than it now is." GOVERNMENT PLACED STAMP OF DIVINITY ON PROPHETS UTTERANCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.11 I rejoice in an individual testimony of the truth of the statements of Joseph Smith, that his name should be had for good and evil in all parts of the world; that the time would come when not only a city, a county and a state should be arrayed against the handful of people called "Mormons," but the day would come when the whole United States of America should be arrayed against them. And the army of the United States was sent against them, and the government of the United States did confiscate all of the property belonging to the Church. Day after day and month after month during the litigation for the return of the Church property I picked up the paper and read, "The United States of America versus the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." And I have laid the paper down and said, "Thank the Lord that the United States have placed the stamp of divinity upon the utterances of the Prophet Joseph Smith." THE GREAT OBLIGATION OF THE SAINTS TO DECLARE THE RESTORATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.12 Our boys and girls go out into the world with a love of the gospel, young, inexperienced men and women, and God gives to them the witness of the Spirit and an individual testimony so that they can stand up and say before all the world, "I know that God lives, I know that Jesus is the Christ, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the true and living God, and that the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation, has been restored to the earth through his instrumentality. The one and great thing that devolves upon me, upon you, and upon all Latter-day Saints is that this proclamation shall be sent to all the world, and I rejoice in knowing that it has never been carried with more force and by a greater number of faithful, diligent workers than at the present time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.12 May God bless each and every one of us who has a testimony and a knowledge that He lives and that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and living God, so to order our lives that all men seeing our diligence, our humility, our charity, our love of our fellows, may be led to investigate the gospel of Jesus Christ, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of the Lord our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant CONCERNING PLURAL MARRIAGES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.12 Here is a statement that I would like to read: "Notwithstanding frequent verbal and printed instructions issued by President Joseph F. Smith and counselors to the effect that the solemnization of plural marriages was prohibited by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and these instructions having been reiterated time and time again by myself as President, cases occasionally arise where certain individuals are teaching that it is legitimate to enter into plural marriage, and that such marriages can be performed by certain members of the Church claiming to have authority to do so. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.13 "The revelations of the Lord inform us most plainly that there is but one man on earth at a time who holds the keys of this sealing power; namely, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As President of the Church, I once again solemnly declare that no man living has the authority to solemnize a plural marriage; and I hereby announce that it is the bounden duty of every Latter-day Saint, male and female, who knows of any such pretended marriage being performed, to inform the proper officers of the Church, in order that the Church's honor may be maintained and that such individuals may be dealt with according to the rules and regulations of the Church and excommunicated therefrom." President Heber J. Grant TABERNACLE CHOIR VISITS CALIFORNIA Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.41 About the first of July members of the choir numbering 250 took an excursion to California, where they gave a series of fine concerts. The expense incurred was approximately $12,000. All of this amount except $991.25 was paid from the receipts of the concerts given. The balance was paid out of the treasury of the choir, it being their proportion of receipts from concerts given locally prior to that time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.41 Credit should be given the authorities and members of the Los Angeles stake for helping to make this trip a success, for they all gave of their time, and were enthusiastic in their efforts to have the people of Los Angeles and surrounding territory hear the choir. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.41 The choir is worthy of the support of all the people who hear it so often, but when they give a concert many of us do not feel the moral obligation, as well as the small financial obligation, to assist the choir by attending their concerts. PETER WHITMER FARM PURCHASED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.41 President Brigham H. Roberts was authorized to purchase, and succeeded in purchasing, the Peter Whitmer Farm, where the organization of the Church took place. The deal has been closed, and we are now the owners of the building where the Church was legally organized. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.100 After the meeting this morning I was informed that hardly any of the audience heard what Brother Widtsoe said. Yesterday we had a very large machine here to emphasize what we were saying, and the one we have today is not so good, so far as the sound is concerned. It was suggested that if I move this machine in front of me you could hear much better. Did my voice sound louder the last minute? (Answer from voices in the audience: Yes, yes.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.101 We will ask the speakers to face the machine and maybe that will help. Somebody sent word that they were not hearing Brother Clawson. He then raised his voice and we all heard him, so I understand. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.120 I made a memorandum to speak of the statue which has been completed and installed in the Bureau of Information, commemorating one of the most remarkable incidents in the history of the Church; namely, the migration to these valleys of men and women in this great cause, pulling handcarts and bringing their blankets with them. Brother Knaphus has done himself proud in producing this small statue, which can be seen in the Bureau of Information building. Some of the most heroic and self-sacrificing pioneer work that was ever done by those coming to the valleys is accredited to the people who came in the handcart companies. President Heber J. Grant THE LABORS OF PRESIDENT JAMES E. TALMAGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.155 I wish to say that we hear from time to time very favorable reports regarding the work being accomplished by Brother James E. Talmage as president of the European mission, and also as president of the British mission. He has succeeded in getting many communications into the papers in Great Britain, setting forth the faith of the Latter-day Saints, and he is accomplishing a very remarkable and splendid work while presiding in that far-off land. He has the constant faith and prayers of the Presidency, Apostles and Presiding Patriarch in their weekly meetings in the temple. THE SAINTS REQUESTED TO APPLY SCRIPTURE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.155 I desire to read the words of the Savior, which I would like the Latter-day Saints to apply to the teachings of the servants of the Lord who constitute the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ, and who are promulgating his teachings and his sayings and calling people to repentance. I feel that these words should find lodgment in the hearts of those who have listened to the wonderful testimonies that have been borne: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.156 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.156 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.156 "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.156 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." A BLESSING FOR PRIESTHOOD AND AUXILIARY WORKERS AND THE SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.156 I desire to extend my blessing to all the men and the women who preside in all the stakes of Zion throughout the Church, in all the missions, in all the wards, in all the quorums of the priesthood and in all the auxiliary organizations. I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that there cannot be found in any part of the world men and women giving so unselfishly of their time, of their talents, and of the best that is in them, for the Salvation of the souls--of men." I am satisfied that there are no other people who are devoting so much of their time, of their money, of their thoughts, and of their very being for the advancement of God's work at home and abroad, as are the Latter-day Saints. And with all the power that God has given me, I desire to bless the men and the women who are thus giving their time and thought and are setting examples that are worthy of the imitation, not only of those over whom they preside, but of all men. Every man and woman who is laboring for the salvation of the souls of men and keeping the commandments of God is entitled to be blessed, and I pray God that his blessings may come to them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.156 I rejoice in the remarkable and splendid testimonies that have been borne, during our conference, under the inspiration and by the light and power of God, and I pray that these testimonies may find lodgment in the hearts of the people, and that they will remember that those who obey the Lord and keep his commandments are building their house upon a rock, and those who fail to do this are building their house upon the sand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1926, p.156 May the God of heaven bless us and be and abide with us until we meet again in six months from now in general conference, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.2 It has been customary at the April Conferences to make announcements and to read some statistics. We regret the absence of Elder Reed Smoot, of the Council of the Twelve. I have a telegram from him reading as follows: TELEGRAM FROM ELDER REED SMOOT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.2 "I send greetings to the Saints assembled at the General Conference. Allie's serious sickness, only thing that prevents my presence. Blessings of God is the only power that can save her. I would appreciate the faith and prayers of the people assembled, asking our heavenly Father to grant, if it is his will, that she be given further life, with renewed health and strength." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.2 REED SMOOT. OTHER AUTHORITIES ABSENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.2 The Presiding Patriarch is absent on account of ill health. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.2 As you all know, Elder James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve, is presiding over the European mission, and cannot, therefore, be with us. I regret, on account of the .serious illness of a daughter of Brother Joseph W. McMurrin, of the First Council of Seventy, that he also is absent. All the others of the General Authorities of the Church are in attendance today. CHANGES AND RELEASES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.2 There has been a change in the presidency of the Lethbridge stake, President Hugh B. Brown being honorably released, and Asael E. Palmer appointed president; a change also in the Maricopa stake, J. W. Lesueur being honorably released and James Robert Price being sustained as president. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Changes and releases in the mission field: John H. Anderson has been released as president of the Swedish mission, and Andrew Johnson appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Ernest LeRoy Butler has been released as president of the Samoan mission, and Willard L. Smith appointed as president. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Brigham S. Young has been released as president of the Northwestern States mission and William R. Sloan appointed as his successor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Joseph Quinney, Jr., has been released as president of the Canadian mission, and Charles H. Hart appointed as his successor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Brigham H. Roberts has been released as president of the Eastern States mission, and Henry H. Rolapp appointed as his successor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 New wards have been organized: Kimball ward, St. Joseph stake; Cedar Third ward, Parowan stake; Manila ward, Lyman stake; Lankershim ward, Los Angeles stake; Littlefield ward, Moapa stake; Ogden Twentieth ward, Ogden stake; and the Graham and Hibbard. wards in the St. Joseph stake have been combined. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 We mourn the loss of the following bishops since our last meeting: John A. Hunt of St. Charles ward, Bear Lake stake; Edgar O. Nielsen of Cleveland ward, Bannock stake; Edwin Olpin of Pleasant Grove First ward, Alpine stake, and John J. Burgnet of Darby ward, Teton stake. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Following is a list of expenditures from the tithes of the Church for the year 1926: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Stake and Ward Purposes--There has been returned from the tithes to the stakes and wards for operation, maintenance, and building construction, $1,530,243.64. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Education--Expended for the construction and operation of Church schools, $837,810.47. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Temples--Expended for the construction, maintenance, and operation of temples, $322,500.36. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Charities--For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment, $187,570.43. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Missions--For the maintenance and operation of all the missions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions, $738,737.75. Total Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 $3,616,862,65. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 Other Charities--In addition to charities paid from the tithes, as before named, there have also been disbursed the Fast Offerings, other charities and assistance rendered by the Relief Society, in the sum of $436,055.44, which amount, added to the $187,570.43 paid from the tithes, makes the total charity assistance rendered by the Church, $623,625.87. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.3 There were transferred from the California mission, at the time of the organization of the Los Angeles stake of Zion, the Adams ward chapel and other chapels to the value of $200,000. The California mission at the present time owns chapels of a value of over $400,000. The chapel at Oakland is as fine a chapel, and holds about as many people, as any of our ward chapels in the stakes of Zion. It has been decided to, organize another stake of Zion in Northern California, with San Francisco, Oakland and surrounding country to compose that stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 There have been collected by the various wards of the Church and paid to missionaries, to assist in their maintenance, $128,299.65. REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 "President Heber J. Grant and Counselors, Building. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 "Dear Brethren: As the Church Auditing Committee, we have to report that the accounting of the Church, as shown by the records in the First Presidency's office and in the office of the Presiding Bishopric, is all that could be desired. The receipts and disbursements, the revenues and expenses of the Church are so carefully and accurately kept that the present worth or financial status of the Church is clearly shown. The affairs of the Church are wisely administered, and the present showing is excellent. It is gratifying to know that the credit of the Church comes under the very highest rating, but it is still more gratifying to know that the Church is under no necessity at present to use its credit in the commercial world by borrowing money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 "(Signed) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 "HENRY H. ROLAPP, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 "JOHN C. CUTLER, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 "PETER G. JOHNSTON, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 "Auditing Committee." STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Church Growth--Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the stakes and missions, 19,701. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Children baptized in the stakes and missions, 15,024. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions, 6,663. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 There are now 96 stakes of Zion, 915 wards, 77 independent branches connected with the stakes, and 27 missions and 734 branches in the missions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Social Statistics--Birth rate, 31 per thousand. Marriage rate, 13.9 per thousand. Death rate, 7.7 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Families owning their own homes, 72 per cent. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Number of Persons recommended to the temple is 58,958, or 6 per cent more than in 1925. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Number of Missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1926 is 2,188. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Number of Local missionaries is 72. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Number of Missionaries engaged in missionary work in stakes is 1,140. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 Total of Missionaries is 3,400. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.4 The Assistant Historian of the Church, Elder Andrew Jenson, has handed me a compilation of the missionaries that have been in the field from the year 1830 until 1926. The lowest number is 16 missionaries, the first year of the Church. The highest number sent out in any year is 1,313, in 1925; 1,235 in 1926, and 1,211 in 1919. The total is between 35,000 and 40,000 missionaries that have been sent into the field. REPORTS FROM THE MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 Speaking of the missions, I will read some few requests from a number of mission presidents: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 The Northcentral States: "We shall be losing about twenty missionaries in the next twenty days, which will bring us down to about fifty-seven. Our greatest need, therefore, is more missionaries." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 Central States: "We need long-term missionaries more than anything else right at the present time." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 California mission: "We are parting with short-term missionaries almost daily, and need fifty elders and twenty-five lady missionaries to care properly for the districts that are open. More missionaries will he released during the next three months than the foregoing number." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 Australian mission: "In this report we have four fewer missionaries than a year ago, and in February we have nine who will leave this mission, and unless we receive recruits very fast we will be very shorthanded by the first of March." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 German-Austrian mission: "Our work is going forward by leaps and bounds. We are needing four or five elders each month in order to hold our present field. We should be opening new fields." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 Danish mission: "Elders are needed as we will soon be seriously handicapped on account of so many who will receive releases to return home." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 Swedish mission: "During the coming month there will be about five other elders released. We would appreciate receiving more brethren, especially those who understand Swedish; or better still if they can speak it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 The French and Swiss-German missions also make the same appeal. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 (At this point President B. H. Roberts remarked: "I wish to join the chorus in behalf of the Eastern States mission.") Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 I might say that the chorus will be unanimous, for I do not believe there is a single mission that has not made appeals, but I have just put down a few to read here this afternoon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 (President B. H. Roberts: "President Grant, remember our great population in proportion to our number.") Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 I find that each and every mission president is thoroughly converted that he needs more missionaries than the others. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.5 There is another thing that I rejoice in, above everything else in our missionary work, and that is, all the missionaries are thoroughly convinced that their mission president is the finest of all the mission presidents, and that their mission is the best, although it may be in far-off Australia, or any other place. The outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord upon our missionaries is such that they rejoice and are happy in their labors. VISITS SINCE LAST CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.6 Since our last conference visit has fallen to my lot to be actively engaged in visiting some of the stakes of Zion. I have visited the Big Horn section of the country and other sections of Wyoming and Montana. I also visited some of the wards in the San Luis valley, dedicating a small chapel in Wyoming and one in Denver, Colorado. I visited the St. Joseph, Maricopa and Los Angeles stakes, and some of the stakes in Utah, holding meetings with the Saints in Arizona and dedicating two chapels there and four in the Los Angeles stake. I have had the pleasure of holding meetings with the Saints and missionaries in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska; Rock Springs and Green River, Wyoming. This was the First time that I have had the pleasure of being at Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska, or at Green River and Rock Springs. In addition I have visited a number of the wards in the different stakes here in Utah, dedicating chapels, during the last six months. FAVORABLE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.6 There is a most wonderful change in the attitude of the people of the world towards the Latter-day Saints. I find no difficulty whatever in getting publicity in the various papers; and when I travel, in different cities in the east and west, the north or the south, those who have interviewed me have given correct reports of the interviews. Brother James E. Talmage is also getting splendid .publicity in the European papers. He has extensive notices and there seems to. be no prejudice in the press of Great Britain at the present time. AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE FORMER ATTITUDE IN ENGLAND Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.6 When I was in Europe, as the president of the European mission, during the entire three years that I was there, they published no article that we presented, and no report of a favorable nature was ever published in any of the papers. I call to mind visiting one of the great London papers that had published from seven to ten columns of the vilest statements regarding the Latter-day Saints. I took with me a letter of introduction from the manager of the shipping house in Liverpool with which we had done business for over 60 years, vouching for the integrity, not only of myself but of all my predecessors as the presidents of the European mission of the Church. The editors of this paper positively refused to make any refutation of the slanderous articles they had published, or to publish a single thing that I wrote, announcing that they thought they had published exactly what they ought about the "Mormon" people. I told them that I defied them to find a man that had written any of those articles who could furnish them with a .certificate of character, but that I carried with me a certificate of my integrity and honesty, signed by all the non-"Mormon" bankers in Salt Lake City at that time; that I also had letters from bankers and influential business men from New York to San Francisco; that I did not carry with me any recommendation from "Mormon" institutions or from "Mormons." Had I done so, I told the editor, it would be like writing a letter myself: "To Whom It May Concern: The bearer, Heber J. Grant, is honorable. Respectfully, Heber J. Grant." He said, "Never mind your opinion, Mr. Grant, we will not publish anything regarding your people." I happened to remember that the gentleman's name was Robinson. As I reached the door and put on my two-story hat--which it is necessary to wear in Europe, if you are considered anybody--I turned around, took it off and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.7 "I understand that your name is Robinson, that the editor-in-chief, to whom my letter is written, is out of the city." He said: "Yes, that is right." "Are you acquainted with Phil Robinson?" "Yes." "Would you believe anything and everything that Phil Robinson says about the "Mormons?" He said: "I certainly would." I said: "Was he the correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph, one of the two greatest--and I emphasized 'greatest' because his paper was not one of-- the twoin London?" He said: "He was." "And you would believe everything he wrote ?" "I would." "Buy his book entitled Sinners and Saints, and you will find that everything you have published about the 'Mormons' is a lie, pure and simple. If you can't afford two shillings, I will buy the book and present it to you with my compliments." He said: "You astonish me." I said: "You are not the first man who has been astonished when confronted with the truth regarding the 'Mormon' people. I have met your kind from Tokyo, Japan, to London, who have refused to publish the truth about the 'Mormons.'" He said, "Write a half column." I said, "Thanks for small favors, large ones received with greater thanks. Seven to ten columns of falsehoods written against our people, and a half column allowed for refutation!" Within a couple of hours he had the half column. He kept it the usual 30 or 60 days and returned it with the usual printed slip that I have seen many times: "The Editor regrets that he cannot find space for the enclosed manuscript, and it is returned." When I see those "regrets" I cannot but think of the saying: "Polite lying is an accomplishment. It lubricates business, varnishes unpleasant facts, and promotes friendships." TRIBUTES PAID TO THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.7 Since that time there have been thousands of splendid tributes paid to the Latter-day Saints. I have before me one which was written, I think, seven years ago this coming June. I have never heard it quoted in this Tabernacle, so I am going to read it. It is from Franklin K. Lane, secretary of the interior, as I remember, under President Wilson: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.7 "Cross the border you come down into Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.7 "Never speak disrespectfully of the 'Mormon' Church. It has as law-abiding, steady, hard-working, kindly a group of people in Utah as will be found anywhere this round globe over. Brigham Young may not have been a prophet, of Almighty God, but he worked a miracle when he crossed from the Missouri river over that desert, leading his band of a few hundred followers with their push carts, going out into that unknown waste, and turned the land that lies around Salt Lake City into a garden. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 "I brought from Egypt, several years ago, the greatest irrigation expert in the world, perhaps, the man who built the Assuan Dam upon the Nile--Sir William Willcocks, the man who claims to have discovered where the Garden of Eden was located, at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers--and I sent him to look over the irrigation enterprises of the United States, and he said: 'Nowhere else have I seen people who understand so wisely how to apply water to land as around Salt Lake City.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 "Utah has wonderful beauty in it as well as great stretches of desert that are to be reclaimed. We have just discovered a new beauty spot there, Bryce canyon." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 And many of them are just discovering Cedar Breaks, Zion canyon and the north rim of the Grand canyon, also. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 As I stated before, I say again, I rejoice in the change of sentiment of the press of Great Britain, the splendid fruits that are attending President James E. Talmage in getting publicity in the newspapers. MONUMENT TO THE THREE WITNESSES DEDICATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 I had the pleasure here, yesterday, of dedicating a little monument to the memory of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. THOUSANDS IN ALL PARTS HAVE A TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 I rejoice that there are thousands and tens of thousands of people from the country of the midnight sun, Scandinavia, to South Africa, from Canada to South America, and upon the islands of the sea, reaching clear out to New Zealand and Australia, who can testify that God has seen fit to answer their earnest prayers and has given to them, as is promised here in the Book of Mormon, a testimony regarding this remarkable and wonderful record. I read the words of Moroni: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 "Now I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my brethren, the Lamanites; and I would that they should know that more than four hundred and twenty years have passed away since the sign was given of the coming of Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 "And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with, a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ. he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. "And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is." CHRIST IS DENIED BY MANY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.8 The Christ is denied today by hundreds of thousands of people. Many of the men who are teaching in our great universities are denying that Christ was the son of God. Many men who are teaching from the pulpit do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ was in very deed the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the World. coniing to the earth with a definite mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 While in Europe I purchased a book by Senator Albert J. Beveridge entitled The Young Man and the World. One of his chapters was devoted to the young man preparing for the ministry. He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "Any man who assumes to teach the Christian faith, who, in his own secret heart questions that faith, commits a sacrilege every time he enters the pulpit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "He is like the chemist's grain of wheat, perfect in all its constituent elements except the mysterious spark of life, without which the wheat grain will not grow. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "If, then, you do not believe what you say, and believe it with all your soul, believe it in your heart of hearts, do not try to get other men to believe it. You will not be honest if you do. The world expects you to be sure of yourself. How do you expect to make other people sure of themselves if you are not sure of yourself? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "I would rather be sure that when a man dies he will live again with his conscious identity, than to have all the wealth of the United States, or to occupy any position of honor or power the world could possibly give," said a man whose name is known to the railroad world as one of the ablest transportation men in the United States. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "A few years ago a certain man with good opportunities for the investigation and a probability of sincere answers, asked every young preacher whom he met during a summer vacation these questions: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "'First: Yes or no; do you believe in God, the Father; God a person, God a definite and tangible intelligence--not a congeries of laws floating like a fog through the universe; but God, a person in whose image you were made? Don't argue; don't explain; but is your mind in a condition where you can answer yes or no?' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "Not a man answered 'Yes.' Each man wanted to explain that the Deity might be a definite intelligence or might not; that the 'latest thought' was much confused upon the matter, and so forth and so on. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "Second: Yes or no; do you believe that Christ was the Son of the living God, sent by him to save the world? I am not asking whether you believe that he was inspired in the sense that the great moral teachers are inspired--nobody has any difficulty about that. But do you believe that Christ was God's very Son, with a divinely appointed and definite mission, dying on the cross and raised from the dead--yes or no?' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "Again not a single answer with an unequivocal, earnest 'Yes.' But again explanations were offered and in at least half the instances the sum of most of the answers was that Christ was the most perfect man that the world had seen and humanity's greatest moral teacher." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 I maintain that Christ could not have been humanity's greatest moral teacher unless he was in very deed the Son of God, because he announced that he was the Son of God, that he was the express image of his Father, and that those who had seen him had in very deed seen the Father; therefore if the foundation of his structure were false, he could not be a great moral teacher. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "Third. Do you believe that when you die you will live again as a conscious intelligence, knowing who you are and who other people are? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "Again not one answer was unconditionally affirmative. 'Of course, they were not sure as a matter of knowledge.' 'Of course, that could not be known definitely.' 'On the whole, they were inclined to think so, but there were very stubborn objections,' and so forth and so on. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.9 "The men to whom these questions were put were particularly high-grade ministers. One of them had already won a distinguished reputation in New York and the New England states for his eloquence and piety. Every one of them had had unusual success with fashionable congregations. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 "But every one of them had noted an absence of real influence upon the hearts of their hearers, and all thought that this same condition is spreading throughout the modern pulpit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 "Yet not one of them suspected that the profound cause of what they called 'the decay of faith,' was not in the world of men and women, but in themselves. How could such priests of ice warm the souls of men? How could such apostles of interrogation convert a world?" THE TESTIMONY OF THE SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 I rejoice that every Latter-day Saint living can answer without a moment's hesitation all three of those questions, "Yes, yes, yes." The very foundation of the Church rests upon the fact that a boy not yet 15 years of age saw God himself, a glorified man, beyond the power of any individual to describe, and that God introduced Jesus Christ to this boy. The very foundation of the Church rests upon the further fact that the man who baptized the Savior of the world, John the Baptist, laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdory and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood, with the authority to baptize each other and commanding them to do so; that Peter, James and John, the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, laid their hands upon the heads of these men and ordained them to the apostleship, giving to them the power to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and build up his Church in the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 There is no Latter-day Saint that would deny the vision in the D&C which I have quoted time and. time again, and perhaps did so at our last conference, stating: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." MARRIAGE FOR TIME AND ETERNITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 I rejoice in the fact that every man and every woman married in the temples of the Lord are married for time and for all eternity. What an absurdity for us to believe in a ceremony uniting our wives to us for eternity if there were no existence beyond the grave. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 The Church is also rounded upon the fact that Moroni came and delivered the plates to Joseph Smith. We have no doubt as to the individuality of Moroni who delivered these plates. AN ILLUSTRATION, WITH TESTIMONY AND COMMENTS THEREON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.10 It seems that there are others who lack faith in addition to those that I have referred to in my quotation from Senator Beveridge's book. Away back in 1910, January 31, Reverend T. H. Martin made some very remarkable confessions that were published in the Anaconda Standard. A man challenged me, after I had read these statements and commented upon them, and said I would get myself into trouble because it was only a lot of "Mormon" lies; that no minister ever delivered such a sermon, and he warned me to stop or I would get into trouble. The warning, however, did not take root nor yield any fruit. The next time that I spoke he asked me if I had seen the Anaconda Standard. I told him no, but inasmuch as I gave the exact date that it appeared, it was up to him to bring an Anaconda Standard and to come and show me that it was not in it. The very next time that I saw fit to preach upon this subject was in the North Sanpete stake of Zion. After my sermon Elder Barrus Cox came to me, and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 "Brother Grant, I am the identical elder who sent that Anaconda Standard to the Liahona, from which they published extracts. I have an extra copy. Would you like it?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 I told him I needed it in my business, and he gave it to me; so I have read this sermon with my own eyes in the Anaconda Standard. Reverend Martin said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 "For a long time the following questions have been uppermost in my mind: "Is the church anything but a mere social organization? Is the Christianity of today the true doctrine of the Christ of the Bible? Has the so-called Christianity of today anything in it that ought to attract more than any other creed that is supposed to help humanity? Is not the church of today being boycotted and that justly? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 "I know that such interrogations will not be very savory to many people, but knowing something concerning the church from top to bottom, and as I fear God, and would rather be true than be esteemed, I fearlessly propound them. But with all of this I maintain that the Christianity of the present is face to face with a lamentable loss. The Christianity of today has acquired much, but in its getting it has lost its own soul, it has lost the Holy Ghost." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 I declare in all soberness that all over the wide world wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ has gone, (the gospel revealed to us through the Prophet of the living God, Joseph Smith), the Holy Ghost has been bestowed upon men and women by the hundreds and thousands, if not tens of thousands, and they are willing to testify to their knowledge regarding the divinity of this work and to bear witness that God has, by the revelations of the Holy Ghost to them, given them a testimony of the divinity of this work, also a testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith and the divinity of the Book of Mormon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 "No true man will dare to refute this argument, for go where you may in .Christendom today you will find that our religion is void of the supernatural element which the Bible claims it must have in order to exist." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 Go all over the wide world, wherever you will today, and you will find that the supernatural element does exist in the Church of Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 "The commission to the early Christian teachers was that they must be imbued with power from on high and then go and baptize all nations in the name of the Holy Ghost, and that power was always manifested when they performed the deed." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 And that power has been mainfested among the Latter-day Saints all over the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.11 "The Christian religion of the present is merely a social code and has nothing in it whereby it could claim a divine origin. It is truly pitiable to behold the church religion of today trying to save this sinful world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.12 "We have lost our magnet. The Christ who said he would draw all men to him if he is lifted up is disobeyed and ignored in the multiplicity of our present church life. Since we have presented many substitutes to the world for genuine spiritual power, but they are of no more value in the saving of the sinner than an artificial heart would be in pumping blood through the arteries. We are like men trying to run an engine without steam. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.12 "The church of today is the church of man, not the church of God. I predict its crashing to pieces like a ship on the rocks before a heavy sea, in the near-by years, unless there is a mighty turning to God in our ranks." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.12 I announce to all the world that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in very deed the Church of God, and that there are thousands and tens of thousands who have been given this knowledge just as absolutely and as perfectly as I have it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.12 "We have a great, educated, school-made ministry, but an unconverted ministry." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.12 We have a great converted ministry. I remember on one occasion preaching in Phoenix, with the late President John Henry Smith. The legislature was in session at the time. They called upon us at the hotel and asked if we would condescend to preach, stating that they had rented the opera house and would crowd it to overflowing. As we were in the habit of renting our own houses and generally failing to get an audience we very kindly condescended. They fulfilled their pledge. The house was crowded to overflowing. Some of the good people came from Mesa, about twenty miles away. After the meeting one of the Saints told me that a man in front of her, turned to his friend, and, with the word "damn," that some people claim is only emphasis and not. swearing, said with emphasis, "That man is an earnest talker." Pretty soon he said, with emphasis, again: "That man is a good talker." Pretty soon he said, with double emphasis: "That man believes every word he is saying." TESTIMONY OF A MINER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.12 On another occasion I remember being with Elder John Henry Smith and Charles W. Penrose in Park City. The opera house was filled to overflowing, and men were standing up. Someone, afterwards told one of our brethren that he heard a man sixteen hundred feet under the earth, one of the miners, turn to his friend and say: "Did you hear those three 'Mormons' preach?" "Yes." "What did you think of it?" "Oh, I did not pay much attention." "Well, I want to say to you, away down here sixteen hundred feet in the earth, that what those men said rings in my ears. They said, each one of them, they knew that God lives, they knew that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God. They said they knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I have been dropping into their meetings occasionally since then. They have a little bit of a rented hall but they have decided to organize a ward here instead of a branch and to build a meeting house, and I have sent ten dollars in an envelope from an unknown friend.' There were no if's, no and's, no but's, about what those men said. It was an absolute, direct declaration of their faith." KNOWLEDGE COUNTS IN TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.13 I remember one occasion when a professor, who was studying in Berlin in preparation for his doctor's degree, said to my daughter, who was there studying the German language, that it was a shame the way the three young elders murdered the German language, and how poorly they had explained our faith. He said that he had read a hundred tracts about our faith and all our Church books, and he would be very glad to stand up and deliver a lecture of an hour on the faith of the Latter-day Saints and make a fair explanation of it. I was very glad that my young daughter gave him to understand that he did not know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, or that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and she would prefer to have those young boys who murdered the German language declare those three things, than to have somebody explain that which he thought was the faith of somebody else. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.13 It is knowledge that counts. I have had as high as twenty missionaries arrive at once in the Liverpool office, scarcely one of whom had ever stood upon his feet to say a word about the gospel, and I have known the entire lot of them to run out of ideas in less than two hours, after I had told them that we sometimes held meetings for five hours, and that they would be permitted to speak as long as they desired. Those same elders, who did not deliver more than a half dozen sentences, have returned to the Liverpool office at the end of two years, and they have delivered clear-cut sermons, bearing testimony of the absolute knowledge that God had given them of the divinity of the work in which we as Latter-day Saints are engaged. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.13 "We have a great host on our Church rolls, but they are, with but few exceptions, an unconverted host." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.13 We have a converted host. It is very seldom indeed that any individual out in the world receives "Motmonism," the gospel of Jesus Christ, except with the opposition of family and friends and relatives. Very many young men have been turned out of their homes by their parents for embracing the gospel. I could give you incident after incident where young men and young women have been cast out as a thing of evil, by their own parents, for embracing "Mormonism." It is not popular. It has never been popular, and nothing short of an absolute conversion in the hearts of men and women would lead them to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.13 "There are periods in the Christian era we look back upon with wonder and admiration. In those days men were convicted of sin and a judgment to come." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.13 In our day men are convicted of sin and a judgment to come, and all over the world where that conviction comes into their minds they go down into the waters of baptism for the remission of their sins and they do receive the Holy Ghost. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.13 "Then the more than human element was visible in our creeds." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 The more than human element is visible today in the Church of Christ all over the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 "Holy men had heavenly visions." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 Holy men and holy women have had heavenly visions by the hundreds and the thousands in our Church. TESTIMONY OF HEALING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 "Sickness was cured by spiritual power." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 I could stand here and relate to you by the hour instances where sickness has been cured by spiritual power in this Church of Christ, where men and women and children who have been given up to die have been healed by the power of Almighty God. I spoke here of Brother Joseph W. McMurrin being among those who are absent. Brother McMurrin was shot clear through his vitals, and the bullets lodged right under the skin on his back. I heard John Henry Smith promise that man, when blessing him, by the authority of the apostleship of the living God, that he should live and not die, as he had received these wounds while guarding the servants of the living God, and that there should be left upon his body no physical weakness because of these terrible wounds that he had received. I have it from the lips of Brother McMurrin himself that he has never felt any physical weakness because of these wounds. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 While relating this incident in the Farmers' ward, upon one occasion, Stanley Taylor, the one-armed hackman, arose and said: "Brother Grant, it was in my hack that Brother McMurrin was picked up and carried to his home. I heard the doctors say: "Take his dying statement, because no man ever lived who was in such a condition." But he did live. Right at that identical time a man was shot in this city, with one bullet through him, exactly where the two went through Brother McMurrin, and he died on time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 The very last time that I had the pleasure of conversing with President Joseph F. Smith, except the night before he died, he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 "Heber, I never saw you looking better. I recall that as I was in the hospital when you were operated upon, the chief surgeon, Dr. Allen Fowler, turned to me and said: 'Mr. Smith you don't, need to discuss the possibility or the probability of this man living. He has to die. It would be a miracle if he were restored to health, and this is not the day of miracles.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.14 I give to the Lord Almighty the credit and the glory, for it is by his power that I am here today. There were nine doctors present when I was operated upon, and eight of them said I had to die.' The nurse told me this the day I was leaving the hospital. I said: "I have no desire to meet the eight, but I would like to meet the ninth, the one who said I would live." I asked him why he disagreed with all the other doctors. He was a southerner and he said: "Mr. Grant, I just took a chance, sir. I have felt the pulse of thousands of gentlemen in my life, but I never felt a pulse just like yours, sir. That heart of yours never missed one, single, solitary beat during the one hour and three-quarters, sir, that you were under the knife, and I said to myself: 'that heart will pull him through'; so I just took a chance." ON OBSERVING THE WORD OF WISDOM--ANOTHER TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.15 We have in our D&C a revelation which says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.15 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.15 "And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.15 One of the laws of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that each and every Latter-day Saint shall keep what is known as the Word of Wisdom; that we shall abstain from tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor. Had I not lived the Word of Wisdom, had my blood not been pure, I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that I would not have been entitled to that wonderful promise contained in the Word of Wisdom, that those who obey this Word of Wisdom shall be blessed, and that the destroying angel shall pass them by as he did the children of Israel and not slay them. I am convinced that my heart would not have had pure blood, had I not fulfilled the law, and I would not be standing here before you today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.15 Upon one occasion when my brother, Joseph Hyrum Grant, (who in later years, presided over the Davis stake of Zion) was in Charge of a livery stable in this city, a number of employes of the Z. C. M. I. shoe factory were enjoying an outing at Calder's Park, now known as Nibley Park. My brother who had charge of the transportation, called their attention to the fact that a storm was threatening, and he urged them to return home, stating that a part of the road between the park and Salt Lake City was a turnpike and there was danger of this long drag being overturned in a storm and in the darkness. But they passed a resolution that they would hold the firm blameless if any accident occurred. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.15 Going home in the darkness the vehicle was overturned and several people were quite seriously injured. One of the girls had a number of bones broken and as a result of her injuries and exposure in the storm, pneumonia set in. The doctor in attendance declared that she could not live, and would probably die before morning. My brother felt very much distressed about the matter, having been the driver of the vehicle. He asked me to go with him to administer to that girl, stating that he had received the witness of the spirit that she should live. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.15 When we stepped up to the bed, I told him that she was dying and would be dead before we could get our hands off her head. He turned deathly pale and declared that he had received a manifestation of the Lord. and that he knew, as he knew that the gospel is true, that if we would 'bless her she would live. We did bless her, and in confirming the anointing I was impressed to promise her that the bones should knit, that she should be made well and go back and run her machine in the Z. C. M. I. shoe factory. I did not know that she had been running a machine or what was her work. That evening I met the superintendent of that factory and he said: "I have just returned from the home of Marie DeGray, and she was dying. I am convinced she is dead by now." I said: "Brother Rowe, you go up into your office and sit down and write: 'Marie DeGray is not dead. Marie DeGray will not die, but she will get well and come back and run her machine in your factory.' It has been manifested to me by the spirit of the living God." He said: "I don't need to write it, because from what you say, I know that she will live." STILL ANOTHER TESTIMONY OF THE HEALING POWER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.16 He then related to me an incident which had occurred in his own family. Said he: "In London, before I came to this country, one of my daughters was very sick, and the attending physician said she could not live till morning." He sent, as I remember, three miles across the great city of London, for Junius F. Wells and his companion to come and administer to his daughter, and she was restored to health. "The next day," said Brother Rowe, "the doctor came to my home and handed me a written certificate, duly signed, stating that my daughter was dead. I invited him into the parlor and introduced him to the 'corpse.' So when you tell me that this girl will recover, I accept your statement, for I know that the healing power of God is in this Church, as well as I know that I live." TESTIMONY OF THE GIFT OF TONGUES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.16 "Holy men spoke with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.16 Holy men and holy women have spoken with other tongues, as the spirit has given them utterance. One of our Articles of Faith reads: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.16 "We believe in the gift of tongues," and in the interpretation thereof. Karl G. Maeser--than whom no more devoted Latter-day Saint ever lived--told me with his own lips of such an incident as I took a trip with him to Baker City. He said: "Brother Grant, the night that I was baptized I looked up into heaven and said: 'Oh, God, I have found, as I believe, the gospel of thy Son Jesus Christ. I have rendered obedience to it by going down into the waters of baptism. Give to me a manifestation, give to me an absolute witness of the spirit that I have found the truth, and I pledge to you if necessary my life for the advancement of this cause.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.16 At that time Brother Franklin D. Richards was president of the European mission, with headquarters at Liverpool. He went over to Germany to be present at the baptism of the first converts to the gospel in that great empire. Walking from the place where he was baptized to his home, a distance of several miles, Brother Maeser expressed a desire to converse upon different principles of the gospel, through an interpreter. That interpreter was Brother William Budge, afterwards president of Bear Lake stake, and finally president of the Logan temple. Brother Maeser, who understood no English, asked questions in German, and Brother Richards, who understood no German, answered them in English; Brother Budge interpreting the questions and answers. After a few questions had been asked and answered through the interpreter, Brother Richards said: "Do not interpret those questions, I understand them;" then Brother Maeser said: "Do not interpret those answers, I understand them." They conversed for miles, the questions in Germam the answers in English; neither man understanding the language of the other. They arrived at the River Elbe and while crossing the bridge they were separated; when they reached the other side Brother Maeser asked another question, and Brother Richards said: "Interpret it, Brother Budge." When the answer came, Brother Maeser said: "Interpret it." His next question was: "How was it, Apostle Richards, that we understood each other, and now we cannot understand?" Brother Richards told him that one of the fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ was the gift of tongues and the interpretation. Then he said: "God has given to you and to me this night the privilege of partaking of one of the fruits of the gospel by having the interpretation of tongues. Brother Maeser, you have received a witness from God that you have found the truth." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.17 Brother Maeser told me: "I trembled like a leaf, and I again raised my eyes to heaven and said: 'Oh, God, I have received the witness that I asked for, and I pledge to you my life, if need be, for this cause.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.17 Every Latter-day Saint knows that Karl G. Maeser did give his life; that he labored without ceasing, without any thought of personal advancement, personal honor or credit, but he labored untiringly for the advancement of God's kingdom at home and abroad, as a missionary in his native land, and at the head of our great educational system. TESTIMONY OF PROPHECY THROUGH THE GIFT OF TONGUES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.17 When I was a child, in a Relief Society meeting, Eliza R. Snow, by the gift of tongues, and Zina D. Young, by the interpretation thereof, promised that child playing on the floor--in the home where Grandma Whitney, my mother, Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. Young, Clara Kimball and other leading Relief Society sisters in early days were meeting--that that child should grow to manhood and become an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. My mother often said to me: "Heber, behave yourself, and you will some day be one of the apostles in the Church." I always laughed at her and said: "Get it out of your head. Every mother thinks her son will be the president of the United States or something wonderful. I have no ambitions in that regard." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.18 When I was called to be one of the apostles she asked me if I remembered that meeting in the home of the late William C. Staines on the corner of South Temple and Fifth East. I told her I did. "Do you remember anything that was said?" I replied: "No." "Well," she said, "do you remember Aunt Eliza talking to you on the floor?" I said. "Yes, but I did not understand it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.18 "Of course, you did not, because she spoke by the gift of tongues." Then she said: "Do you remember anything that Aunt Zina said?" "Yes, I do, mother. I remember that she lifted her hand and said that I would become a great big man." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.18 So when I became tall I used to think of it occasionally, that Aunt Zina said I would be a big man. My mother responded: "She said nothing of the kind; she said you would be a great big man in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that you would be an apostle." That is why I have told you, knowing that the gift of tongues was in the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.18 I wish to say to you that my wife, who is dead, promised me, by the gift of tongues, that I should live to proclaim this gospel in many lands and in many climes, and after she passed away, and at a time when eight doctors out of nine said I had to die, I had not then proclaimed this gospel "in many lands and in many climes," but I recovered, and since then I have lifted up my voice in the far-off land of Japan, in the Hawaiian Islands, in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada and Mexico, bearing witness that I know that God lives, that I know that Jesus is the Christ, that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, and that every gift, every grace, every power that this man says should be in the true Church of Christ, is in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have the Pearl of Great Price, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.18 That God may help me and you and every soul within the sound of my voice who has a testimony of the divinity of this Gospel of Christ so to live it that other men, seeing our devotion and seeing our integrity and our determination to live the lives of saints may be inspired to investigate the message that we have to bear to them, is my prayer, and I ask it in all humility, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.24 Telephone calls from various parts of the state report exceptionally fine radio reception this morning. Reports from Provo are to the effect that the lower floor of the Provo tabernacle is crowded and the people are hearing every word. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.152 President Charles H. Hart's remarks about the Catholic Encyclopedia have brought the following memorandum from Brother Orson F. Whitney: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.152 "President Grant: I wrote the article on 'Mormons' for the new Catholic Encyclopedia, by request of President Joseph F. Smith, and at the solicitation of Dean Harris. He signed it, and sent it to New York, where it was changed, things being written into it that the article, as it left my hands, did not contain. The assertion that the Three Witnesses denied their Testimony was one of these interpolations. I protested to the Dean, and he invited me to correct the misstatement, which I did. Whether they published my second article in the Encyclopedia (as promised) I know not. (Signed) Orson F. Whitney." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.152 Apparently they did not. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.174 The time has passed when we are supposed to dismiss, but there are a few things that I would like to say and I crave your indulgence while I do so. GROWTH OF THE CHURCH IN POWER AND TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.174 When I was made one of the apostles of the Church we did not have twenty stakes of Zion. We now have ninety-six, and we have voted to divide the Jordan stake, which will make ninety-seven, and to divide the Los Angeles stake, which will make ninety-eight, to organize a new stake to embrace Oakland and San Francisco vicinity, making ninety-nine stakes of Zion, or a little more than five times as many as there were when I was chosen to be one of the apostles. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.174 Anybody who thinks the Church of Jesus Christ of Saints is not growing, is ignorant, to say the least. Zion is growing in power, strength and testimony. REGRET NO TIME TO HEAR FROM MORE STAKE PRESIDENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.174 I regret that we did not have the opportunity of hearing from at least a dozen more of our stake presidents. There are a dozen men who were ordained as far back as 1924, who have not yet had. the opportunity of speaking in General Conference. But it that we can never quite get through, although we have had an extra meeting of two hours in this conference. In addition, Brother Murrin, Brother Smoot, Brother Talmage and Brother Hyrum Smith are away. Somehow or other we never quite have enough to hear from these presidents of stakes. Occasionally we hear from a few of them, but I would like to hear all of the ninety-six men, whom God has seen fit thus to honor, bear their for a few moments before this congregation. I hope that we may hear from more of them next time. NEW STAKE TABERNACLE IN LOS ANGELES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.174 Speaking of the division of the Los Angeles stake, I have a telegram from Leo J. Muir, the chairman. of the tabernacle finance committee, it having been decided to erect a tabernacle, to be utilized by both stakes after the new one is organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.175 "Reports received this morning from the ward chairmen indicate tonight's total will reach $125,000 pledged for the Los Angeles stake tabernacle." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.175 I can remember when there were not a half dozen Saints in Los Angeles. The Church will match this $125,000 which has been pledged locally, so that there will be in southern California quite a fine building, as a further evidence of the "decaying of the Church." OURS AN AMERICAN CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.175 There is one thing that I desire to emphasize, and that is that we are engaged in an American Church, born in the land of freedom, born in fulfilment of prophecy. We believe and teach, and have taught from my earliest recollection that God has protected and fought on the side of America in all of the struggles we have had for liberty; that he was with Washington and his armies. We sustain and uphold the president of the United States and the officers of this great country. We rejoice in the wonderful response that has been made upon all occasions by the Latter-day Saints to calls for money and for men to fight the battles of our country, and in all things to sustain and uphold this country. TESTIMONIES AND WARNINGS ENDORSED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.175 I want to say that I endorse with all my heart the many splendid remarks that have been made here. I rejoice in the virtue of the Latter-day Saints as a people. I endorse with all my heart, however, the warnings that have been given here. I have the most supreme and absolute contempt for men who are guilty of proclaiming that virtue should not be maintained; that there is no sin in sexual intercourse. It is the doctrine of devils. It is an inspiration from the devil himself, and the men who defend things of this kind are instruments in his hands to try to destroy virtue and to .wipe from the earth liberty and right, and all that is of real genuine worth to humanity. CALL TO REPENTANCE OUR SUPREME OBLIGATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.175 I want to emphasize that we as a people have one supreme thing to do, and that is to call upon the world to repent of sin, to come to God. And it is our duty above all others to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the restoration again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation. Appeals are coming from all over the world for more missionaries. The Latter-day Saints should so organize their affairs, and so shape their finances, that more will be ready and willing, especially those of age and experience, with a testimony and knowledge of the divinity of this work, to go forth, not only on short, but on long missions. Too many of us are gradually setting our hearts upon the things of this world. We have so much to look after, so many business interests, so many important things, so far as dollars and cents are concerned, that we are neglecting the one great thing of all; namely, the proclaiming of the gospel, and making what people call sacrifices but what actually are the exact opposite. We have in very deed the pearl of great price. We have that which is of more value than all the wealth and the scientific information which the world possesses. We have the plan of life and salvation. The first great commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart's, might, mind and strength; and the second was like unto it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. And the best way in the world to show our love for our neighbor is to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which he has given us an absolute knowledge concerning its divinity. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.176 God bless all of the Saints. God bless the president of the United States of America and his cabinet, and the governors of our states and the mayors of our great cities. And bless every honest-hearted man and woman upon the face of the earth, and give to those who seek for it (and he will) a testimony of the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1927, p.176 God bless and multiply the substance of the Latter-day Saints. May we cooperate for the advancement of the Church and for the advancement of this magnificent country that God has given to the people who are located in it, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 It is a source of satisfaction and pleasure to greet so many of you here this morning at our semi-annual conference. VISITS TO STAKES, WARDS AND MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 It has fallen to my lot since our last conference to visit a number of the stakes of Zion, to be present at the dedication of a number of meeting houses in the various wards, and to dedicate four chapels and recreation halls in the missions of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 I have also had the pleasure of being present at a meeting on the Hill Cumorah, which was held in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the delivery to Joseph Smith of the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated by the inspiration of the living God, and also to attend a meeting in the Sacred Grove at Palmyra, where God, our heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith--the most remarkable and wonderful vision that we have any record of in the Holy Scriptures. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 I rejoice in the growth of the Church and in the general prosperity of the people. There have been quite a number of changes in the various stakes and wards since our last conference. STAKE PRESIDENTS APPOINTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 East Jordan stake, Heber J. Burgon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 West Jordan stake, Joseph M. Holt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 Los Angeles stake, Leo J. Muir. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 San Francisco stake, W. Aird Macdonald. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 Hollywood stake, George W. McCune. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 The former president of the Los Angeles stake, George W. McCune, is now the president of the new Hollywood stake. MISSION PRESIDENT RELEASED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.2 Brother Martin Christopherson was released as the president of the Norwegian mission, and since his return home he has passed to the great beyond. Brother Lorenzo W. Anderson was appointed to succeed Brother Christopherson. NEW WARDS ORGANIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Osgood ward, Idaho Falls stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Soldier Summit ward, Kolob stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Wiltshire ward, Hollywood stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Winslow ward, Snowflake stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Riverton Ward, West Jordan stake, divided into Riverton first and Riverton second wards. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Berkeley ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Diamond ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Elmhurst ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Martinez ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Mission ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Oakland ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 San Francisco ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Richmond ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Sunset ward, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Daly City ward, San Francisco stake. NEW STAKES ORGANIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Los Angeles stake was divided into the Los Angeles and Hollywood stakes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Jordan stake was divided into East Jordan and West Jordan stakes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 San Francisco stake. BISHOPS WHO HAVE DIED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Sylvester C. Williams of Glenwood ward, Alberta stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 Thomas J. McCann of Turner ward, Bannock stake. NUMBER OF STAKES, NINETY-NINE--INCREASE IN SIX MONTHS, THREE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 We now have 930 wards, an increase of 15 in the past six months. We have 75 independent branches, an increase of four in the past six months, making a total of wards and branches from Canada to Mexico of 1,005. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 We have 27 missions, covering all parts of the world. STATEMENT BY THE U. S. ATTORNEY GENERAL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 I have decided this morning to make rather brief remarks personally, and to read from the revelations of God to the Latter-day Saints, but before doing so I want to call attention to a very remarkable statement made by the attorney general of the United States. This statement was made at Bedford Springs, Penn., June 22, 1927: ON OBSERVANCE OF LAW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.3 "When intelligent, educated men hold up to ridicule the rules for its conduct which society has made, intimate and by innuendo and suggestion advise that such rules ought to be violated; ridicule and revile as undesirable members of a community, men sworn to defend and enforce its rules; devote their intelligence, wit and resources to making crime and criminals interesting and attractive, why is it not expected that the thoughtless, the unfortunate, the ignorant, the vicious, will try to get rid of the oppressors of the criminal in any way, by any means, any violence that will be most effective? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "Because someone pays for the doing of it, and because the great body of law-abiding citizens is complaisant and says nothing to show its disapproval, flippant, jeering writers, publishers, soap-box orators, cabaret performers sow the wind; and society reaps it in whirlwinds which blast and destroy." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 The attorney general, without mentioning prohibition, asserted that in buying any commodity, traffic in which is forbidden by law, the purchaser is directly sanctioning and rewarding a violation of the law in exactly the same manner as does the receiver of stolen goods, by making the transaction profitable. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "It will not do," he asserted, "to say in the same breath: 'I believe in and demand enforcement of the laws of the country, and I will pay well any man who will violate these laws.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 I regret that his speech was not published in full in the dispatches, because it is the speech of a statesman, the speech of a man who loves his country and is desirous of maintaining and upholding the laws of that country. THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS ON THE SUBJECT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 In the very first revelation in the D&C we find the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 We read in one of the revelations: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "I the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 I wish that I had the ability to impress upon the Latter-day Saints the necessity of searching the commandments of God, the revelations from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, as contained in the D&C. If we as a people would live up to those wonderful revelations that have come to us, we would be a bright and shining light to all the wide world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until be reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.4 "According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "And for this purpose I have established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood." LOYALTY TO THE CONSTITUTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 All Latter-day Saints believe absolutely that the Constitution of our Country was inspired of God, and that he used wise men, noble men, as instruments in his hands for establishing that Constitution, and when any law is enacted and becomes a constitutional law, no man who spends his money to help men break that law can truthfully say that he is a loyal citizen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this cometh of evil. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore you are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "But he that doth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But woe unto such for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 Another statement in this book is that "there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.5 "And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." THE WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 "A Word of Wisdom for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the Church, and also the Saints in Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 "To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 "Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 And every Latter-day Saint knows that tea, that coffee, that tobacco, that liquor, are the things that this Word of Wisdom says it is not pleasing unto God that we should partake of. There are many Saints who say: "Oh, that is not by way of commandment;" but it is "the order and the will of God." And what does the Lord promise to you and to me and to every Latter-day Saint who observes this Word of Wisdom? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 "And all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." A CALL FOR HELP TO DO RIGHT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.6 May God help you and me and every Latter-day Saint to observe the Word of Wisdom, that we may have health and hidden treasures of knowledge, and that God will allow us to live here upon the earth until we have filled out the measure of our creation; and may God help you and me to uphold the laws of our land in every way within our power, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Elder James E. Talmage Released And Elder John A. Widtsoe Appointed Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.24 In announcing the changes that have taken place during the last six months I overlooked a most important change namely, Brother James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve, has been honorably released, with his good wife, to return home, from presiding over the European mission, and Brother John A. Widtsoe and his wife will succeed them in presiding over the mission and the Relief Society in that great mission. We will now hear from Brother John A. Widtsoe President Heber J. Grant INTRODUCING STAKE PRESIDENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.80 With the exception of some of the brethren who have been absent, all of the stake presidents have had the opportunity of offering a prayer in our general conference. There are still some thirty-three stake presidents who have not had the privilege, during the past five years, some of them during the past seven years, of saying anything in our general conferences. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.80 I would appreciate it if the stake presidents, when they cannot be at our conferences, would notify us of that fact, because it must be a little humiliating for me to call upon brethren to pray or to preach for a few moments and they not be here. There are many occasions when it is not possible for men to be at these general conferences, and I have been very glad to receive excuses from those who are not here. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.80 I am going to call upon some of the brethren to make five or six-minute speeches. Of course, I do not know whether they are here or not, but I am going to start with those who have been longest neglected. President Heber J. Grant HEARD BY RADIO Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.137 We have received word from Elder David A. Broadbent of the Wasatch stake presidency, that the Heber tabernacle is filled with Saints who are getting perfect reception of the conference services. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.137 We have a telegram to the effect that there is a large gathering of listeners at Ephraim, who wish to express their appreciation of the KSL broadcast of the conference services. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.137 It is only fair to say that the interruption that occurred during the opening meeting of our conference, at which time the broadcast of baseball news came into our meeting, was by reason of the fact that the KSL radio service is rented by the hour; and our time expired at ten minutes after twelve o'clock. They, therefore, thought we had adjourned our meeting. President Heber J. Grant CLOSING THOUGHTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.154 I rejoice in the very splendid testimonies that we have heard during this conference, and in the advancement of the work of the Lord. I rejoice, as I look into the faces of this body of men who are here before me, the presidencies of stakes, the bishops of wards, the men who have dedicated their lives to God, all that they have, for the advancement of his kingdom; men who are seeking first the Kingdom of God. I rejoice as I look at these sisters, on Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.154 my left, who are as devoted as mortals can be, for the advancement of this work. When I think of our auxiliary organizations and the integrity and devotion of the men and women who preside over them, my heart goes out in gratitude and thanksgiving to God for such men and such women. BLESSINGS UPON THE PEOPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, p.154 I pray God's choicest blessings to attend each and all of you, that every blessing which your hearts can desire may be yours. I pray God's for all Zion, for people in every part of the world, at home and abroad, for every soul that is laboring for the salvation of the souls of men and women. I beseech God to give to each and all of us who have partaken of the inspiration of this conference his Spirit, that we may be representatives of him, to labor particularly among the youth of Zion, that they may not get into that broad way that leads to destruction, but may the Lord help you and me and every soul having a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged to so order our lives that we can bring the wayward back into that straight and narrow path that will lead them back into the presence of God and our Redeemer. I thank the Lord for the inspiration of his Spirit during this conference, and I leave my blessing upon all who are here assembled, all who are listening in, and upon the honest the world over. May God help the Saints to be in very, deed a shining light to the world, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 It is certainly an inspiring sight to see this magnificent audience in attendance here this morning at the ninety-eighth anniversary of the birth of the Church. When I contemplate the fact that just a handful of people were in the Church ninety-eight years ago (the organization was effected with six members) and that now there are over a half million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I am reminded of the very wonderful revelation given to the father of the prophet over a year before the organization of the Church: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 "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. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 "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; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 "Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 "Ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 This audience testifies to the fact that a marvelous work and wonder has been established. It testifies to the diligence of those who have gone forth by the thousands and tens of thousands during the last ninety-eight years, proclaiming the gospel in all parts of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 I had not the slightest idea of reading this revelation when I first stood up. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.2 It has always been customary at our annual conferences to give a little account of the activities of the Church during the past year. CHANGES IN STAKE AND MISSION OFFICERS SINCE LAST OCTOBER CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 (Those who have been released have been released with the love, blessings and good will of the authorities of the Church and of the people where they reside. ) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 Stake Presidents Appointed: Uriah G. Miller has been honorably released as president of the Cottonwood stake, and Henry D. Moyle appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 Samuel W. Parkinson has been honorably released as president of the Franklin stake, and Walter K. Barton appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 Joseph R. Murdock has been honorably released as president of the Wasatch stake, and David A. Broadbent appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 John E. Magleby has been honorably released as president of the South Sevier stake, and appointed president of the New Zealand mission. A new stake president has not yet been sustained. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 Mission Presidents Appointed: Apostle James E. Talmage has been released as president of the European mission, and Apostle John A. Widtsoe appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 Andrew Johnson has been released as president of the Swedish mission, and Gideon N. Hulterstrom appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 J. Howard Jenkins has been released as president of the New Zealand mission, and John E. Magleby appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 John M. Knight has been released as president of the Western States mission, and Elias S. Woodruff appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 John H. Taylor has been released as president of the Northern States mission, and Noah S. Pond appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 Hugh J. Cannon has been released as president of the Swiss and German mission, and Fred Tadje appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 New Wards Organized: Manchester ward, Los Angeles stake; Temple ward, Maricopa stake; Idaho Falls First and Second wards, Idaho Falls stake, divided into four wards to be known as Idaho Falls First Second, Third and Fourth wards; Phoenix ward, Maricopa stake, divided into two wards to be known as the Phoenix First and Second wards; Solomonville ward, St. Joseph stake, formerly an independent branch; Ocean Park ward, Hollywood stake, divided into two wards. The name of Ocean Park ward changed to Santa Monica and the new ward known as Mar Vista ward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 Bishops Who Have Died: Hyrum M. Lau of Soda Springs ward, Idaho stake; Henry J. Bodily, of the Iona ward, Idaho Falls stake: Alfred R. Wilson of Payson first ward, Nebo stake. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.3 The following is a list of expenditures from the tithes of the Church for the year 1927: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Stake and Ward Purposes Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 There has been returned from the tithes to the stakes and wards for building construction, maintenance and operation, $2,041,920.46 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 (Of this amount there has been expended for meeting houses alone $1,062,163.84.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Education Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Expended for the construction and operation of Church Schools, 805,117.84 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Temples Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Expended for the construction, maintenance and operation of temples 230,110.77 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Charities Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 For care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment, 196,119.48 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Missions Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 For maintenance and operation of all the missions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions, 767,647.80 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Total, $4,040,916.35 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 This amount has been taken from the tithes and returned by the Trustee-in-Trust to the Saints for the maintenance and operation of the stakes, and wards, for the maintenance and operation of Church schools and temples, for charities, and for mission activities. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Other Charities--In addition to charities paid from the tithes, as before named, there has also been disbursed the fast offerings, other, charities and assistance rendered by the Relief Society, in the sum of $441,575.89, which amount, added to the $196,119.48, paid from the tithes, makes the total charity assistance rendered by the $637,695.37. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 There has been collected by the various wards of the Church and paid to missionaries to assist in their maintenance, $98,143.56. STATISTICAL AND OTHER REPORTS COMPILED FROM CHURCH RECORDS FOR THE YEAR 1927 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 We have at the present time: Stakes of Zion, 99; Wards, 938: Independent branches, 72. Total wards and branches in the stakes of Zion, from Canada to Mexico, 1010; Missions, 27; Mission branches 757. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.4 Church Growth--Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the stakes and missions, 19,209. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Children baptized in the stakes and missions, 14,604. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions, 6367. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Number of long-term missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1927,1,943 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Number of short-term missionaries from Zion, December 31,1927,122 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Number of local missionaries, 108 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Total number of missionaries on foreign missions, 2,173 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Number engaged in missionary work in stakes, 1,032 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Total missionaries, 3,205 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Number of missionaries who received training at the Missionary Home, 985 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Persons recommended to the temples, 61,567. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Social Statistics--Birth rate, 30 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Marriage rate, 14.5 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Death rate, 7.5 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Families owning their own homes, 70 per cent. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Church Edifices--The number of sites purchased for Church buildings, and the number of edifices purchased, or under construction during 1927: Stakes and wards, 119; Missions, 32. Total 151. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Church Education--Number of persons enrolled in Church schools, 3,851; Number of persons enrolled in seminaries, 10,835; Number of persons enrolled in religion classes, 61,131. Total number receiving week-day religious education, 75,817. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 During the year the very efficient man who stood at the head of our educational system for a number of years, Dr. Adam S. Bennion, has been honorably released, with appreciation for his most splendid work, and Dr. Joseph F. Merrill has been made the commissioner of education for the Church. Dr. Merrill has been associated with the University of Utah for many years as one of the deans of that great institution. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 Teacher training (average attendance, 1927) 10,670. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 During the last six months the clerk of our general conferences, and the editor of the Improvement Era, Elder Edward H. Anderson, has passed away, than whom no more capable, faithful, diligent, God-fearing man has ever been engaged in the service of the Lord in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brother Hugh J. Cannon, now presiding over the Swiss and German mission, has been selected to succeed Brother Anderson as the editor of the Improvement Era--a most splendid successor to a most splendid man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.5 I feel that we have great cause to be grateful for the blessings of the Lord to us as a people. IMPRESSED WITH HYMN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.6 I was profoundly impressed this morning in listening to the congregation sing, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet." I am sure that whenever we as Latter-day Saints sing this hymn our minds go back to the time when it was written, and we think of the marvelous and wonderful work accomplished by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I am going to take the time, although you all know it by heart, perhaps, to read this hymn. I do not think I have ever done so before in public in my life : Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.6 We thank thee, O God, for a prophet To guide us in these latter days; We thank thee for sending the gospel To lighten our minds with its rays: We thank thee for every blessing Bestowed by thy bounteous hand; We feel it a pleasure to serve thee, And love to obey thy command. When dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us And threaten our peace to destroy, There is hope smiling brightly before us. And we know that deliverance is nigh; We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness, We've proved him in days that are past: The wicked who fight against Zion Will surely be smitten at last. We'll sing of his goodness and mercy, We'll praise him by day and by night. Rejoice in his glorious gospel, And bask in its life-giving light: Thus on to eternal perfection The honest and faithful will go, While they who reject this glad message Shall never such happiness know. THE PROPHET JOSEPH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.6 Speaking of the Prophet Joseph, an eminent writer refers to him in the following language: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.6 "Yet he being dead yet speaketh. The work he began has never ceased. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.6 "Who can explain Joseph Smith? What are revelations from God? What is their test? Is it not beyond all reason that a lad, born of poor parents, devoid of any save the commonest education, too poor to buy; books, should have accomplished what he did in less than forty years, unless there were some great reason for it? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.6 "Let anyone, even a literary genius, after forty years of life, try to write a companion volume to the Book of Mormon, and then almost daily for a number of years give out 'revelations' by the score that internally harmonize one with another, at the same time formulate a system of doctrine for a new church, introduce many new principles, resuscitate extinct priesthoods, and formulate a system of church government which has no superior on earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.7 "Would he succeed in making the system coherent? Could he influence scores of intelligent, wise, thoughtful, educated, religiously trained men, like John Taylor, Dr. Richards, and scores of others, besides attracting thousands to the fold of his church, as did Joseph Smith? Even if one were assured that the prophet was an imposter, that does not lessen the marvel. The mystery, the riddle, the problem, is even greater than before. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.7 "I offer no explanation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.7 "To deny such a man a wonderful power over the human heart and intellect is absurd. Only fanatical prejudice can ignore it. However he may be accounted for by the reasoning mind, Joseph Smith, the 'Mormon' prophet, was one of the wonders of his time. That he is not an enigma to his followers (as he certainly is to his critics) is only another proof of his wonderfulness." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.7 I will read a part of section 135, Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.7 "To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith, the patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June. 1844. CITES ACHIEVEMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.7 "Joseph Smith, the prophet and seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon which he translated by the gift and power of God and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of D&C, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day, Saints, rounded a great city, and left a fame and a name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.7 "When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me--he was murdered in cold blood'." THE ARIZONA TEMPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.8 I rejoice in the testimony of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. During the last year it has fallen to my lot to have the privilege of visiting from here to New York, and in the northern section of the country, and to have the blessed privilege of going into Arizona and there dedicating one more temple to the Most High God. I rejoice in the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord that was enjoyed by those of us who had the opportunity of attending the dedicatory services of that temple. I rejoice exceedingly in the remarkable publicity that was given to us by the newspapers of Arizona. Never in the history of the Church has there ever been manifest a more friendly feeling toward the Latter-day Saints by those not of us than was exhibited by the good people of Arizona. They devoted page after page of their papers to an account of the erection of the temple, in publishing a sermon upon the vicarious labor for the dead, by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, in giving illustrations and having interviews of a favorable character. In addition the president of the Church and some of those who were at the dedication services were invited to meet with the legislature that was then in session, and the president of the senate made some very complimentary remarks regarding the splendid edifice--one of the finest buildings in Arizona. He also complimented the people themselves on their integrity and their remarkable accomplishments in that section of the country. I could not help but contemplate the difference in conditions as compared with the time when there was a feeling of animosity, almost of hatred, existing in the minds of the people of the state of Arizona, regarding the Latter-day Saints. I rejoiced in being able to pay tribute, in answer to the speech by the president of the senate, to the senators of the United States from Arizona and their defense of the "Mormon" people, and their uniform testimony of the integrity and devotion of our people. PURCHASE OF HILL CUMORAH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.8 Within a short time the Church has purchased the Hill Cumorah. The purchase embraces the farm where the hill stands, and the adjoining farm, which together with one that we had already purchased, including a part of the hill, gives us now the entire possession of the Hill Cumorah. I know that the hearts of the Latter-day Saints thrilled with pride when the announcement was made that we had secured this property. We now have the home where the prophet was born, and have erected a monument there. We now have the house and farm of Peter Whitmer, where the Church was born. We now have the Palmyra home. We have nearly all of the spots that are sacred in the history of the Church; and we rejoice in the financial condition of the Church whereby we have been able to accomplish these things. TEMPLE WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 I rejoice in the temple work that is being done, and I wish to ask the Saints to try to shape their affairs so that they can occasionally go to the temple. For years I felt that I was too busy to find a day or an evening in which to go to the temple. A little over a year ago I made up my mind that by planning my affairs, by staying away from lectures or concerts or theatres or operas, that I could go to the temple at least once every week and have ordinances performed in behalf of some of my loved ones who had passed away. By making up my mind that I could do this I had no difficulty whatever in going through the temple once a week during the entire year. Starting this year I felt that by a little extra effort I could go twice a week, and I have had no difficulty in doing this. True, I have had to miss, perhaps, an opera or theatre or some other function at which I should have liked to be present, but I have had no difficulty whatever during the past three months, in going to the temple twice a week, and when I can do so I go more than twice a week, so as to make up for the time when I am absent from the city. Up to the first day of April I had endowments to my credit of more than two a week for this year. We can generally do that which we wish to. do. A young man can find an immense amount of time to spend with his sweetheart; he can arrange his affairs to do that. We can arrange our affairs to get exercise in the shape of golf and otherwise; we can arrange our affairs to have amusements; and if we make up our minds to do so we can arrange our affairs to do temple work, judging from my own experience of the last fifteen months. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 I pray that the Lord will inspire each and all of us to greater diligence in performing to the full extent of our ability the duties and the labors that devolve upon us in doing vicarious work for our dead. A WONDERFUL DECLARATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 A very wonderful declaration was made by Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith one hundred and five years ago this coming September: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 "Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 And the priesthood with all its powers, rights and privileges, has been restored to us. Elijah has come. I will not take your time to read from the 110th section of the D&C, which declares that the Savior appeared to Joseph Smith and to Oliver Cowdery, and that Moses, and Elias and Elijah also appeared and conferred upon them all the keys of all the dispensations of the gospel that have ever existed upon the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 "And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 "If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.9 No more wonderful thing has ever been accomplished in the history of the world than the turning of the hearts of the children to their fathers. From the day this message was declared by Moroni to the Prophet Joseph, men and women all over the world have been organizing societies, hunting up their ancestors, and compiling genealogical records of their families. Millions of dollars have been expended for these purposes. I have spoken to and heard many times of men who have spent large sums of money to compile a record of their forefathers, and after it was compiled, when asked why they did it, they said: "I do not know; I was seized with an irresistable desire to compile that record and to spend money freely to do it. Now that it is compiled I have no special use for it." The Latter-day Saints value books of that kind beyond price or money, and when we seek earnestly, year after year, to gain knowledge regarding those of our family who have passed away without a knowledge of the gospel, I am sure the Lord blesses us in obtaining it. There is a little account of a remarkable and wonderful blessing bestowed in connection with the ancestors of my wife which is contained in the last issue of the Genealogical Magazine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.10 That the Lord may bless you and me and every soul that has an abiding testimony of the divinity of the gospel in which we are engaged, to whom he has given a knowledge that he lives and that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was his prophet, to so order our lives that our light shining forth through the example of our lives may bring those who know not the truth to a knowledge of the gospel, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.24 There will be held, the first of next week, in San Francisco, the annual convention of the Boy Scouts of America. I promised myself the pleasure of being there, but circumstances prevent me from going. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.24 As most of you are aware, the states of Utah and Idaho have taken a very active part in this movement, as a great many of our boys belong to the Boy Scouts of America. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.24 We are honored today with the presence of Dr. Roy O. Wyland who is the Director of Education of the National Council of Boy Scouts of America. We will now have the pleasure of hearing Dr. Wyland. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.91 Certainly Zion is growing. I hope some time we will be able to have an auditorium that will hold all who would like to attend our meetings. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.91 We have learned that the majority of the people prefer to hear the sermons that are preached in this building on Sundays, rather than attend overflow meetings. For that reason we have discontinued the meetings in the Assembly Hall, and are giving the people who can not get into the tabernacle the privilege of sitting in the Assembly Hall and other places and listening to the singing by the Tabernacle Choir and the remarks that are made from this stand, as they are broadcast over the radio. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.120 Before closing this Conference, although the time has expired, I desire to say a few more words. I realize that there are people here from all our stakes from Canada to Mexico, and I feel assured in my heart that they will be perfectly willing to stay a few minutes beyond the allotted time. GRATITUDE FOR SPIRIT OF THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.120 I desire to express my gratitude for the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord during our three days of conference, for the splendid music, for the inspirational prayers, expressive of the heartfelt devotion of those who have prayed for us, for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the Lord's many blessings unto us. TIME INSUFFICIENT TO HEAR ALL AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.120 I am truly grateful for the inspiration of the Lord to each and all of those who have spoken. It would have been a source of pleasure to me to have heard from all of the General Authorities of the Church; also from some of the stake presidents and others that I had in mind to call upon; but time forbids. As I have remarked upon several occasions, I think we ought to have at least one more meeting of two hours in addition to the six meetings we now have in our conferences; there are so many that we should like to hear; but, to date, we have been contented with twelve hours of general conference meetings Twelve hours once in six months is not a very long period for the people to stay together, and yet we notice considerable restlessness in a meeting the moment the two hours are up. But, even at the risk of wearying you, there are a few things more I desire to say. A BLESSING FOR AUTHORITIES AND MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.121 I wish to endorse the remarks that have been made at this conference from start to finish. I wish to say to the Latter-day Saints that I believe God is blessing every one of us who is keeping his commandments, beyond even that of which we are worthy. I know he has blessed me beyond all that I could have asked or expected in my ministry, from the day that I was made the President of the Tooele stake of Zion to this moment. And I, as the President of the Church, standing at the head of the Church, pray God our heavenly Father to bless each and every one of the general, stake, ward, auxiliary, temple, school and mission authorities, all over the world, all men and women who are striving honestly and conscientiously to fulfil the duties and the obligations that rest upon them. I pray that all men and all women who hold any place of responsibility, no matter how high or how low, may magnify their callings and preach the gospel by their example of righteousness, that they may grow and increase in influence with God, and with those over whom they preside. I promise every soul holding any place of responsibility that the blessings of the Almighty shall be and abide with him if he strive, to the full extent of his ability, to magnify his callings. A BLESSING FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1928, p.121 I pray God to bless his Saints all over the wide world, and I bless them by the authority of the priesthood which I hold. I pray for our country and ask the Lord to bless those who preside in the nation, in the states, in the cities and in the counties. I pray God to inspire the people that they will obey his commands, and elect good men to office; that they will bury their political differences and seek for good men to hold office, and not men who connive with those who are breaking the laws of our country. It is one of the articles of our faith to obey and uphold the laws of the land. May God help us to do it. May the sweet influences of his Spirit attend every honest-hearted soul the world over. And I pray for their welfare and particularly for the welfare of all who are striving for the spread of the gospel, and I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 I rejoice in having the opportunity of again meeting with the Saints in general conference. I am delighted to see the splendid audience that is here this morning. CHANGES IN STAKE AND MISSION OFFICERS SINCE LAST CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 I am sure that it will be of some interest to those who are here assembled to learn regarding the changes that have been made since last conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 New Stakes Organized: The Alpine stake has been divided into three stakes, to be known as the Alpine, Lehi and Timpanogos stakes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 Stake Presidents Appointed: John E. Magleby has been released as President of the South Soviet stake, and James R. Ware has been appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 John M. Baxter has been released as president of the Woodruff stake, and William R. Smith appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 Stephen L. Chipman has been released as president of the Alpine stake, and Clifford E. Young appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 Anchor Carlos Schow has been appointed president of the new Lehi stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 Wilford W. Warnick has been appointed president of the new Timpanogos stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 Frank Y. Taylor has been released as President of Granite stake and Hugh B. Brown appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 John A. Beckstrand has been released as president of the Millard stake, and T. Clark Callister appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 Joseph B. White has been released as president of Hyrum stake and Dan forth M. Bickmore appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.2 Mission Presidents Appointed: J. A. Cahoon has been released as president of the Tongan mission, and Newel J. Cutler appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 Charles H. Hyde has been released as president of the Australian mission, and Clarence H. Tingey appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 Ernest C. Rossiter has been released as president of the French mission, and Peter Rulon Christensen appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 New Wards Organized: Elberta ward, Tintic stake. Echo ward, Summit stake; Midvale ward, East Jordan stake, divided into two wards to be known as Midvale First and Second wards; Green River ward, Carbon stake; Compton ward, Los Angeles stake; Hurricane North ward, St. George stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 Bishop who has passed away during the past six months: William A. Stringer of Milburn ward, Lyman stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 Stake clerks who have died: Nelson J. Hansen of Uinta stake; F. C. Mickelson of Shelley stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 All of the retiring stake presidents retire with the confidence, love, respect and good will of the General Authorities. They have done most excellent work, some of them serving over a quarter of a century. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 The Church today has 101 stakes of Zion; 940 wards; 72 independent branches. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 When we speak of an independent branch we mean a branch with a president and two counselors. There are many small branches of wards in addition. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 We have 1,012 organized wards and branches in the Church, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 We have at the present time 27 missions in different parts of the world. EXPENDITURES FOR CHURCH EDIFICES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 The building program of the Church is progressing as rapidly this year as it did last year. There was expended last year for the erection of Church buildings and amusement halls throughout the Stakes of Zion over one million dollars of Church funds and a like amount by the people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.3 There has been expended in the first nine months ending October first, this year, $868,892.54. During the same period last year there was expended for stake and ward edifices $742,282.40. So that over $125,000 more money has been appropriated by the Church for the nine months ending October 1st this year, for the erection of public buildings, than for the same period last year. And the Saints have contributed a like amount. Therefore, over $1,700,000 has been expended up to date from the tithes and by the people in the various stakes for these purposes. VISITS MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.4 It has fallen to my lot during the past six months to visit the following branches in the missions: Chicago, Ill., Washington, D. C., New York and Brooklyn, N. Y., Charleston and Huntington, West Virginia. I have had the pleasure of meeting the mission presidents and many of the elders and holding meetings in the places in the mission fields that I have mentioned. BUILDINGS DEDICATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.4 In addition I have had the pleasure of holding meetings in many of the wards and in some of the stakes, and of dedicating meeting houses and amusement halls. I dedicated a chapel and amusement hall in Kirtland, New Mexico, in the Young stake of Zion. There has been erected there a very beautiful little ward meetinghouse, one of the finest in the Church. The people there are very much more prosperous than they were some years ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.4 I was reminded of the wonderful change that has taken place since I went over the mountains from Alamosa down to Durango and then by wagon to Kirtland, with the late Brigham Young, Jr., forty-five years ago. We covered the same ground on this recent trip in between three and four hours, that it took us four or five days to cover with a team on my first visit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.4 I dedicated a splendid meetinghouse and amusement hall at Smithfield, in the Benson stake, a very fine building in the small town of Mapleton, in the Franklin stake, and a meetinghouse costing between sixty and seventy thousand dollars at Mar Vista, one of the wards of the Hollywood stake. The last named ward was organized only five months ago, its members having originally belonged to the Ocean Park ward. It is remarkable that in less than five months from the time the erection of the building was commenced, it was completed and paid for. Men, women and children worked on this building. The little children carried tiles for the roof; the good sisters nailed on laths; and some of our non-Mormon friends devoted time and attention to laboring there. The people did more than one-half of the total cost of erecting this building. I think it is the most remarkable accomplishment in that length of time of any building we have erected in the various wards. There were one thousand people in attendance at the dedicatory services, and by opening the doors between the amusement hall and the chapel, they were all comfortably seated. When the building was commenced the membership of the ward was less than four hundred people, and few of them have large means. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.4 The Los Angeles stake has built a large amusement hall which is utilized for conference purposes, adjoining the Huntington Park ward meetinghouse. The combination of the meetinghouse and stake hall gives them one of the finest plants in the entire Church. This building for stake purposes and recreation has cost about $110,000, as I remember it. BUILDINGS IN COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.4 The Hollywood stake, in connection with the Wilshire ward, is erecting a most magnificent chapel and ward building and recreation hall combined, which will cost, I would say, in the neighborhood of $120,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 We are now erecting in Portland, Oregon, a magnificent chapel that will cost us over $100,000. We own an entire block there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 The work that is being accomplished in erecting meetinghouses with the funds that the people pay into the various missions as tithing is very remarkable. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 In the California and other missions many meetinghouses are being erected at the present time, and many have been erected. Several hundred thousand dollars have been expended in the last few years in the California mission alone. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 It fell to my lot recently to attend the conference of the San Francisco stake held at Oakland, and also to hold a meeting at San Francisco. That stake is growing very rapidly indeed. So also are both of the stakes in Los Angeles. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 I also had the privilege of attending a three days' hike or outing of the Mutuals of the San Francisco stake at Stinson Beach on the Pacific ocean, enjoying a very splendid time there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 We have erected a fine seminary building at Moscow, Idaho, facing the university buildings there. It is a very creditable structure, and the president and other officers of the university are very much delighted with it, and speak in the highest terms of our having done something along religious and educational lines for the members of our Church who are attending the university. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 We are erecting a similar building near the Agricultural College in Logan. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 The building program of the Church during the past nine months I feel is all that we could have asked or expected. AN INTERESTING AND PROFITABLE TRIP Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 It fell to my lot with President Anthony W. Ivins, to be one of the guests of the Union Pacific Railroad and of the National Parks, in visiting the Grand Canyon of the Colorado and the scenic wonders of Southern Utah--Zion Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Cedar Breaks--than which, to my mind, there is nothing liner in the world. There is a great tunnel and road being built, winding up over the mountains to come out of Zion Canyon, that is costing a vast sum of money, the government alone, as I remember it, having appropriated over a million dollars to build this tunnel. It will be the most remarkable and scenic route that any automobile has ever traveled over when it is completed. There will be an abundance of room for two automobiles to pass all through this great tunnel. It will save a vast amount of time which is now spent in traveling over the bad roads and through a strip of Arizona to get to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. Many miles will be saved, and as I say, it will be the greatest scenic road ever traveled over by automobiles, when it is completed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.5 I need not enter into any details here regarding these four scenic wonders. They are marvelous. They cannot be duplicated in any part of the wide world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.6 There were about two hundred guests, as I remember it, in the party-a special train from Los Angeles and a special train from Salt Lake City. I wish to express to President Carl R. Gray and to the chairman of the finance committee of the Union Pacific Railroad, Mr. Seger, and to Stephen T. Mather, the sincere gratitude of President Ivins and myself, Mayor John F. Bowman, Congressman Don B. Colton and many other people who were with us, citizens of Utah, for the most marvelous and wonderful trip that it has ever fallen to my lot to take. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.6 The splendid compliments paid to our people for their accomplishments in Southern Utah by President Gray, Chairman Seger, Mr. Mather and others who spoke, filled our hearts with gratitude and thanks to them. We rejoice that the Latter-day Saints are coming into their own. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.6 It fell to my lot after this dedication to travel to Los Angeles with over one hundred of the men who had the privilege of being on this excursion, and they were universally pleased with what they had seen. They spoke in the highest terms of the very splendid singing of our choir at Kanab, of the wonderful singing of our choir at Cedar City, and of the very fine singing of our Sunday School children at Kanab. They also spoke of the healthy, fine looking children and of the fine young men and the fine young ladies that they met on this trip, and I rejoiced in it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.6 I forgot to say in speaking of dedicating meetinghouses that I had the pleasure of getting up at 6 o'clock in the morning at the Grand Canyon and driving to Kanab where I arranged for the Sunday School to stay in session so that the visitors might meet them and that the children might sing a song for them. I also remained there for the afternoon meeting and dedicated the Kanab meetinghouse. These gentlemen were favorably impressed indeed with such a splendid meetinghouse in such a small town as Kanab. Several of them announced to me in Los Angeles and also in San Francisco, (as I had to go up there for a couple of days on business) that one of the outstanding things with which they were more pleased than anything else in making this trip to Southern Utah, was to become better acquainted with the Mormon people, with their aims, their objects and their accomplishments. Several said to me: "Mr. Grant, we have never seen anything but unfavorable notices regarding your people in magazines and newspapers." More than one of them said: "I am convinced that you will now have a couple of hundred non-Mormon missionaries sounding the praises of the Latter-day Saints and of the fine class of children, young men and young women and citizens generally that you have in your state." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.6 I am very grateful, indeed, for the wonderful expenditure of money by the government of the United States, and by the Union Pacific Railroad of over $700,000 in building a magnificent lodge on the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. It is an architectural dream. THE LORD'S PROMISES TO BE FULFILLED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 There is nothing that I am about to say that I have not said many times to the Latter-day Saints. We find in the very first revelation in the D&C these words: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 I wish that I possessed the power to impress upon the hearts and the minds of the Latter-day Saints the necessity of becoming familiar with the commandments contained in the D&C, and not only becoming familiar with them, but that I might have the power to impress upon their hearts and souls a determination to keep those commandments, to live them in very deed and in their every-day lives. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 We find recorded in the D&C that "there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." BLESSINGS PREDICATED UPON OBSERVANCE OF WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 Some very wonderful promises are made to us if we observe the Word of Wisdom. The blessings will come if we observe the Word of Wisdom, and they will not come unless we do observe it. I feel at the present time that it is very appropriate for all Latter-day Saints to have their attention called (although I have called their attention to it time and time again) to this marvelous and remarkable Word of Wisdom. I shall not take the time to read but very little of it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 ""To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.7 Nearly 90 per cent of all the time of the saints is spent in laboring for their temporal advancement, and I have announced before and I announce again that if the Latter-day Saints had observed the Word of Wisdom as a people, every one of them, from the day that they came into these valleys, our temporal salvation would haste been assured. The money expended for those things which the Lord says are not good for us, which we have been taught to leave alone--namely, tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor--if every dollar of that money had been kept in our country we would have had one of the wealthiest states in this Union, and more of the circulating medium, namely, the hard coin, so to speak, than most any state in this western part of America. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 It is estimated that every single dollar circulates around like the blood in the body of a man, being the vital circulating medium. Every dollar does one hundred dollars' worth of work in a year, and when you stop to think of the hundreds and thousands of dollars, running up I am sure at the present time perhaps to nearly a million dollars a year, that go out of this state by the breaking of the Word of Wisdom, certainly if we desire our temporal salvation and if we have faith in the words of God, every word of which he says shall be fulfilled, we should keep this law. The Lord has not made this an absolute commandment, but when our Heavenly Father, the one to whom we owe our lives and all that we possess and all our allegiance, desires us to do a thing, it seems to me that we as Latter-day Saints should do that thing more willingly even than though it come as an absolute command to us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 To my mind the most remarkable promise that any man can have is contained in this revelation: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 "And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 Health is one of the first great blessings of God to man, and second only to health is wisdom. These two great blessings are promised to every man, woman and child in the Church of Christ that obeys the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 And I honestly believe that but for obeying the Word of Wisdom, when I was operated upon and the doctors said that blood in my in the third and last stage had set in, that I had to die--if I had not been an observer of the Word of Wisdom, so that the blood in my veins was pure and could overcome the poison, I would not be standing here before you, but more than thirty years ago my time would have come to pass from this life. INFLUENCE OF THE PRIESTHOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 We hear a good deal of talk and complaint about the influence of the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the domination of the people by those who preside over them. I want to read, more particularly for the benefit of those not of our faith, a revelation of Almighty .God to Joseph Smith, when he was in Liberty jail, (and at one time when he was in that jail he was in chains, which shows that even the chains of the wicked could not restrain God from giving his word to the prophet whom he had raised up to establish the gospel of Jesus Christ in these last days). Speaking of the calling of the priesthood, he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 "Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.8 "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the Saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous domminion Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "Hence many are called, but few are chosen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 This is the part I wish to emphasize: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter and unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall now flow unto thee forever and ever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 Is it a terrible thing to exercise the priesthood of the living God in the way that the Lord prescribes: "By kindness and gentleness"? That is the only way, and unless it is exercised in that way, Amen to the priesthood and authority of those who hold this priesthood in the Church of Christ. COUNSEL REGARDING VOTING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.9 It has been whispered around frequently, and I hear the murmur now, that the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ, standing at the head and holding the priesthood, desire this man or that man or the other man elected to office. The Presidency of the Church so far as they are concerned, allow every man, woman and child, that is old enough to vote, to vote according to his or her own conviction. But we do appeal to all men and women, realizing the responsibility resting upon them, to seek God our Heavenly Father to guide them politically as well as religiously, and to stand for right and for those things that are for the good of this nation. The Latter-day Saints believe absolutely that the Constitution of our country was written by inspired men. We believe in upholding the laws of our country. We believe in being obedient to the laws. One of the Articles of our Faith says that it is our duty to do so. BELIEF REGARDING GOVERNMENTS AND LAWS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 I am going to read a declaration of the belief of our Church regarding the governments and laws, issued by the Prophet Joseph Smith in August, 1835: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion: that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgements are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 I would like to emphasize that: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "All men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 "We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.10 I wish to emphasize that: "We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 -"whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. "We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, or take from them this world's goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their fellowship." SENTIMENTS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 In closing I wish to read a few words that I have read many times, (and I wish that we would get these words in our hearts and in our minds) from that great and wonderful man, Abraham Lincoln, who all Latter-day Saints believe firmly was raised up and inspired of God Almighty, and that he reached the presidency of the United States under the favor of our Heavenly Father, defeating Stephen A. Douglas, and fulfilling a prediction made by Joseph Smith to Stephen A. Douglas when he was an obscure country judge in Illinois. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 Lincoln said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 "Let the people know the truth, and the country is safe." "Let none falter who thinks he is right and we will succeed." "Let us dare to do our duty as we understand it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 "Bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible; still while they continue in force for the sake of example, they should be religiously observed." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 Notice the language--"religiously observed." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 "Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution never to violate, in the least particular, the laws of the country, and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and laws, let every American pledge his life, his property and his sacred honor. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the law be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap. Let it be taught in schools, in seminaries and in colleges. Let it be written in primers, in spelling books and almanacs. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls and enforced in courts of justice. In short let it become the political religion of the nation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.11 Above all, let it become the religion of the Latter-day Saints. Why? Because it is in absolute and perfect harmony with the word of the living God to us in the revelations, every word of which, according to God, shall be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.12 May God bless each and every one of you. May every soul within the sound of my voice or who may be listening in over the radio, who has received a testimony of the work in which you and I are engaged, who is able to testify that he or she knows that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, of the true and living God--may we each and all who have this knowledge live the gospel and set an example before all men of integrity and devotion to God and the laws of our country, that will preach the truth, which is of far more value than all the words that we can utter, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus our Savior and Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.129 REORGANIZATION OF RELIEF SOCIETY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.129 Sister Clarissa S. Williams has been President of the Relief Society for a number of years. Her husband was sick for a year or two prior to his death, and her own health has not been first-class. It has, therefore, been decided by the Council of the First Presidency and Twelve, after consultation with Sister Williams and with her approval, to release her from this position with our thanks, love and blessings. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.129 This action also involves the release of her counselors, Sisters Jennie B. Knight and Louise Y. Robison, and as the new president wishes Sister Amy Brown Lyman to be her first counselor, it also involves her release as secretary and treasurer of the organization. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.129 These good sisters carry our love and blessings for the splendid labors that they have performed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.129 (The congregation then indicated their approval of this action by unanimous vote.) PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.130 I can say that I have rejoiced beyond my power of expression in the very excellent attendance that we have had at this conference, in the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord upon those who have spoken and in the splendid attention that has been given by the audiences. I believe that we have had a larger number at this conference than at any previous one that I can recall during the time I have been President of the Church. In addition there have been hundreds and thousands who have been listening in over the radio. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.130 We rejoice in the gospel of Jesus Christ, those of us who have received it, and we are anxious that all the world should hear the message of life and salvation that has come to us through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith. REJOICE BECAUSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.131 We had a very wonderful gathering here last night of the priesthood of the Church, almost completely filling the main floor of this great auditorium with men holding the priesthood of the living God, with authority to administer in the name of Jesus Christ, with power from God himself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.131 We rejoice in the wonderful work that is being accomplished by the Relief Societies, by the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, by our Sunday Schools and by the Primary Associations. We rejoice exceedingly in the remarkable work that is being accomplished in the educational department of the Church and particularly by the Religion Class organization. Sixty-one thousand of our young people are receiving instruction in our Religion Classes. I rejoice in the work of the Lord and all that is being accomplished. GRATEFUL FOR BLESSINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.131 We are grateful for the beautiful singing by our choir. We are grateful to the soloists who have entertained us. We are thankful for the wonderful organ and for the faithful and efficient men who officiate at the organ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.131 My heart went out in gratitude as I listened to the prayer by Brother Stephen L. Chipman, thanking the Lord for this wonderful Temple block, for the flowers, and for all the buildings that are here. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1928, p.131 May the Lord bless the Latter-day Saints. May we so order our lives that by our diligence, our faithfulness, our honesty, our integrity, our uprightness in all the walks of life, we can preach the gospel, is my most sincere and earnest prayer for every Soul who has a testimony of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even so, amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.2 I rejoice to have the opportunity of again meeting with the Saints in general conference. I am very grateful for this splendid audience, considering the inclemency of the weather. I most earnestly pray that while we are assembled here together the prayer that has been offered may be answered and we may have a rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, that those who address us, those who offer prayers and those who sing for us may be inspired and blessed of our Heavenly Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.2 It has been one of the joys of my life to attend, from my childhood days until the present time, the general conferences of the Church, and to partake of the remarkable and wonderful blessings that have come to us from those who have been called upon to speak. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.2 It is customary at our annual conferences to give some information regarding the condition of the Church financially and otherwise. MISSIONARY WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.2 I rejoice to say that our missionary work all over the world is progressing favorably, and that from every mission we have earnest appeals for more missionaries. The work is very great and we do not have as many laborers as we would like to have, notwithstanding there are more than 2,000 missionaries out in the world today proclaiming the Gospel. CHURCH EXPENDITURES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.2 The items that I thought would be of special interest to the conference I have prepared: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.2 Stake and Ward Purposes--During the past year the Church has expended more than $1,200,000 for the erection of ward and stake buildings. The people themselves have contributed for this same purpose over $1,000,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 Had the means been available we could have expended as much more, by responding to all the calls that have come to us for funds with which to construct church edifices. But inasmuch as the tithes of the people have not increased in proportion to the applications for funds (in fact the tithes have increased very little, while the expenditures have increased over $500,000) we have been unable to do all that we should have liked to do. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 Up until about twelve years ago no more than $300,000 in any one year was ever contributed by the Church to assist in building meeting houses. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 Education--There has been expended more than $900,000 for the construction and operation of Church schools, seminaries, and the two institutes that have been erected. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 Missions--For the maintenance and operation of missions and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions, there has been expended over $900,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 Charity--The total expenditure for charity rendered by the Church, including disbursements from fast offerings, and assistance rendered by the Relief Societies, is more than $800,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 Missionary Work--Various wards have assisted the missionaries by contributions of over $100,000, principally for the purpose of sending them to their fields of labor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 More than 2,000 missionaries have been sustained in the mission field at the expense of their families, at an average cost per missionary of at least $40 per month, or $960,000 a year; to say nothing about the value of the missionaries' time, which I am sure would be more than double this amount, as they could earn on an average more than twice their expenses. SEMINARIES VERSUS CHURCH SCHOOLS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.3 There are today 12,500 students in our seminaries and 3,800 students in our Church schools. It is costing more than twice as much to support the 3,800 students in the Church schools as it is to, support the 12,500 students in the seminaries. It costs over ten times as much per capita to give the same amount of religious instruction in our Church schools as is given in our seminaries. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 It is only fair to say that the religious instruction given in our seminaries is equally as extensive and as thorough as that given in our Church schools. We have appeals from all over the Church, wherever Church schools are located, that we do not close these institutions. The people in each stake feel that their particular school is the one that ought not to be closed. While we are expending more now and have done so for the past three years than all the tithes paid by the people in the various stakes of Zion from Canada to Mexico, it is an impossibility to further extend our seminary system--which has been greatly expanded in the last three years--and still continue our Church schools. When you stop to reflect that it only costs a little less than one-tenth as much to educate our young people religiously in the seminaries as it does in the Church schools you will realize that we are justified in curtailing our schools and in enlarging our seminaries--when we can give for the same amount as much if not a little more religious education to ten people in a seminary as we can give to one person in a school. We would be delighted if it were possible not only to keep each and every one of our Church schools operating, but to have more of them. I am sure that figuratively speaking it breaks the hearts of the presidency and of each and all of the general authorities of the Church to close any one of the Church schools. We appreciate the wonderful labors that have been accomplished and the wonderful good that has been done in these schools, but we cannot, without facing a deficit, continue to expend three or four times as much money for building meeting houses and Church schools with only a very slight increase in our tithes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Because of these facts we would like the people to understand that in closing Church schools and opening seminaries we shall be able to give religious instruction to about ten times as many students. STATISTICAL AND OTHER REPORTS COMPILED FROM THE CHURCH RECORDS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 FOR THE YEAR 1928 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 We have at the present time: stakes in Zion, 101; wards, 938; independent branches, 74; dependent branches, 36; total wards and branches in the stakes of Zion, from Canada to Mexico, 1048; missions, 27; mission branches, 813. CHURCH GROWTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the stakes and missions, 19,223 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Children baptized in the stakes and missions, 15,073 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions, 6,040 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Number of long-term missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1928, 1,941 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Number of short-term missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1928, 160 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Number of local missionaries, 96 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Total number of missionaries on foreign missions, 2,197 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Number engaged in missionary work in stakes, 838 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Total missionaries, 3,035 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Number of missionaries who received training at the Missionary Home, 929 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.4 Persons recommended to the temples 51,222 SOCIAL STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 Birth rate, 29.9 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 Marriage rate, 14.7 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 Death rate, 7.8 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 Families owning their own homes, 70 per cent. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 These figures speak very well for the Church. The first great commandment of the Lord, given to our first parents, was to multiply and replenish the earth. When it comes to the death rate, we have one of the lowest of any people, showing that we must be observing the laws of health--and the laws of health are the laws of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 I have often said in my public addresses out in the world that when it comes to vital statistics, such as a high birth rate, a low death rate, a low insanity rate, a low divorce rate, in fact all the vital statistics that go to show that a people are a worthy and good people, we are making no apology to any one upon the face of the earth. CHANGES IN STAKE AND MISSION OFFICERS SINCE OUR LAST CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 William H. Richards has been released as president of the Malad stake, and Thomas W. Richards appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 William T. Jack has been released as president of the Cassia stake, and Charles S. Clark appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 C. Alvin Orme has been released as president of, the Tooele stake, and Alfred L. Hanks appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 George A. Little has been released as president of the Qquirrh stake, and Harry Edward Sutton appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 William H. Mendenhall has been released as president of the Bannock stake and M. Ezra Sorensen appointed to, succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 All of these brethren who have been released have labored with zeal, with energy and with determination for the advancement of the people in those stakes, and they retire with the love and blessing and confidence of the General Authorities of the Church. MISSION PRESIDENTS APPOINTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 A. William Lund has been appointed president of the British mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 Heretofore the British mission has been under the direct jurisdiction of the president of the European mission, he presiding over all of the missions in Europe and also being the actual head of the British mission. There are now two missions, one presided over by Elder John A. Widtsoe, which includes all of the missions in Europe, among them being the British mission, presided over by Brother Lund. We have received very good reports for the brief time since this division took place. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.5 Samuel Martin has been released as president of the South African mission, and Don Mack Dalton appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 Lorenzo W. Anderson has been released as president of the Norwegian mission, and Hyrum D. Jensen appointed to succeed him. Brother Jensen, I believe, left yesterday for his field of labor. He would have liked very much to be here at this conference, but on account of the early sailing of the steamship, he left yesterday. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 Alma G. Burton has been released as president of the Tahitian mission, and George W. Burbidge appointed to succeed him. Brother Burton has not yet left for home. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 James H. Moyle has been appointed to succeed Brother Henry H. Rolapp as president of the Eastern States mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 Miles L. Jones has been appointed president of the East Central States mission, a new mission, which includes a part of the territory heretofore belonging to the Southern States mission, presided over by Brother Charles A. Callis, and the state of West Virginia formerly being a part of the Eastern States mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 New Ward, Organizations--Mount Trumbull ward, St. George stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 Lincoln ward, Granite stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 Bishop, who has passed away during the past six months--Frank R. Smith of the Hillspring ward, Alberta stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 Mission president who has passed away during the past six months --Joseph W. Booth of the Armenian mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 We regret that the circumtances are such that up to date we have been unable to secure permission to bring the body of Brother Booth home, but we expect to secure permission to do so at some later date. CHURCH INSTITUTES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 Speaking of education in our seminaries, we rejoice in the erection during the past year of an institute at Moscow, Idaho, where the young Latter-day Saints who are attending the University of Idaho can receive education religiously. We rejoice that only last Sunday an institute was dedicated where the young people attending the Agricultural college at Logan can have the opportunity of receiving religious training. IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS TRAINING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 One of the outstanding characters in the United States of America is Honorable James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor. He has this to say regarding religious training: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 "Morality needs a religious base. A man can not be truly moral unless he is the same time deeply religious. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.6 "Men shall say what they will, but we shall never have a morality that respects the rights and integrity of others unless our morality has a religious sanction. To put morality on anything but a religious basis is to build on sand. It is religion that gives vision, strength, inspiration, and without it we are nothing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "I have children of my own, and I want them to grow up into men women who believe that religion has a genuine message for them, as it has for me. I don't want them to develop into atheists and materialists. If there is no truth in the teachings of religion that have come down what earthly use would life be? If the world were under the controll of blind forces operating without any direction, if there were no plan behind the creation of the world and man, and if after our little span of life here we were to lie down for eternity in a dreamless sleep, then I do not see what inspiration life would have for any of us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "It is the plants we prize; that need our care. So it is with the young. Nobody needs to train his son to be vicious. Let him go without training, and he will be that of his own accord. But virtue has to be cultivated, and we can never succeed in that if we let go our hold on religion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "No nation ever lived and prospered without a religious faith of some sort. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "No people has ever found a purely intellectual education enough in itself. A man may be ever so highly cultivated and still be a bad citizen. One of the greatest scholars of his day, Lord Bacon, took bribes as a judge on the bench, and eventually found himself a prisoner in the Tower of London. Probably the poet went too far in his indictment, but we see the wit in the judgment he passed on the man, as 'Brightest, wisest, meanest of mankind.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "As institutions where facts may be learned, our schools are worthy of all praise. But facts are not everything. They are not even the most important things in life. One might pack into his head every fact to be known, and yet never even glimpse the kingdom of truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "I would plead for a conception of education large enough to take into itself everything that deepens the human consciousness, that inspires the human soul, and gives one a vision of the eternities. This, a moral education, to use the word in the highest sense, will do. As every historian can show, morals divorced from religion are sorry affairs without any point. But morals not so divorced can rise to the height that religion itself has attained." STATEMENT BY COOLIDGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 Ex-President Coolidge made the following statements: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "Our doctrine of equality and liberty, and humanity and charity, comes from our belief in the brotherhood of man through the fatherhood of God. The whole foundation of enlightened civilization, in government, in society, and in business, rests on religion. Unless our people are thoroughly instructed in its great truths they are not fitted either to understand our institutions or to provide them with adequate support. For our independent colleges and secondary schools to be neglectful of their responsibilities in this direction is to turn their graduates loose with simply an increased capacity to prey upon each other. Such a dereliction of duty would put in jeopardy the whole fabric of society. For our chartered institutions of learning to turn back to the material and neglect the spiritual would be treason, not only to the cause for which they were founded but to man and to God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "We cannot remind ourselves too often that our right to be free, the support of our principles of justice, our obligations to each other in our domestic affairs, and our duty to humanity abroad, the confidence in each other necessary to support our social and economic relations, and finally, the fabric of our government itself, all rest on religion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 "Its importance cannot be stressed too often or emphasized too much." THE VALUE OF THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 I believe that I can say without fear of contradiction that we as a people demonstrate by our actions that our religion is dearer to us and of more actual value than is the religion of any other people in the world to them. Where can you find a people, 2,000 persons of whom are giving their time and their attention without money and without price, laboring to bring others to a knowledge of the Gospel? I am sure that Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.7 we realize the force of the statement made in that wonderful and re markable revelation given to David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 "For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 "And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 "And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 "Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 "And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me in the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 We are bringing many souls unto a knowledge of the Gospel. I rejoice beyond all the power which God has given me to express my feelings, that the Latter-day Saints in every land and in every clime, all over the wide world wherever the Gospel has gone, have been blessed with a testimony, with a knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. I never have heard and never expect to hear the song, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, to Guide Us in These Latter Days," but what my heart goes out in gratitude to God for choosing that wonderful young man, Joseph Smith, to restore to the earth again the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation. I rejoice that the missionaries who have been going out to proclaim this Gospel for ninety-nine long years have gone out under the inspiration of the living God, that they have declared that which they knew to he true; and that in every nation under heaven where the Gospel has gone, honest men and honest women, in answer to their own prayers and their supplications to God, have been blessed with the light and the knowledge of the Gospel, and of the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith the prophet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.8 May God bless us during our assembly here today, and inspire all those who shall speak to us, is my humble prayer and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.88 There are a number of returned mission presidents whom we would have liked to hear, but time will not permit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.88 We wish to state that Brother Joseph Wilford Booth, who passed away in Armenia, gave seventeen years of his life as a missionary in that section of the country. No more faithful, God-fearing, humble, splendid man have we had pass away in the mission field. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.88 Sister Martha Horne Tingey has given most splendid work as the president of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association for many years, and as a counselor in the presidency while Sister Elmina S. Taylor presided for many years previous to that time. She retires with the love, the confidence and the blessing of the General Authorities of the Church, and with the love and confidence of all the members of her General Board. All who favor extending to Sister Tingey a vote of appreciation for her most splendid labors will manifest it. (The congregation raised their right hands.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.88 I think the hands were raised higher for her than for any of the rest of us. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.128 From the way we have nearly always been crowded in the conferences that have been held during the past ten years, at which I have had the privilege of presiding, I am wondering if it would not be advisable, as I am sure we dislike very much not to hear from all of the General Authorities, to arrange to hold a conference meeting the night before the usual conference sessions. I thought that inasmuch as two of the brethren, Elders Reed Smoot and John A. Widtsoe, are not here there might be ten or fifteen minutes left for me. But in some way when people start to talk on the Gospel they get warmed up, and although the clock is right in front of them, they very frequently do not see it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.128 In my opening remarks I occupied ten minutes, in addition to the time required to give the statistics of the Church, and I was in hopes that I might have some little time in which to speak to you before the close of the conference. I have made up my mind to take it notwithstanding the usual time of closing has arrived. THE TESTIMONY OF TWELVE WITNESSES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.128 The theme of this conference has been the Book of Mormon. I do not believe that in any court of justice in the world if a man was being tried for murder and twelve reputable citizens testified of their knowledge of the circumstances leading to the murder, and there was no one who could testify against what they said, there would be a failure to convict the man. We have the testimony of Joseph Smith and the testimony of three witnesses to the effect that God gave them a knowledge regarding the Book of Mormon, that an angel Of God declared from heaven that the book had been translated by the gift and power of God. These men were 0liver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. They left the Church, but to the day of their death they maintained their testimony regarding the declaration of the angel, and that they were commanded to bear witness of the divinity of this book, and they did so. Eight men, some of whom were excommunicated from the Church, maintained their testimony that they had seen and handled the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, and they remained true to that testimony to the day of their death. The disbelief of all the world does not prove that those men did not tell the truth, because there are no witnesses on the other side. A TRUE WITNESS FOR GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.129 It has been said that the Book of Mormon has fraud written upon every page of it. The Book of Mormon is in absolute harmony from start to finish with other sacred scriptures. There is not a doctrine taught in it that does not harmonize with the teachings of Jesus Christ. There is not one single expression in the Book of Mormon that would wound in the slightest degree the sensitiveness of any individual. There is not a thing in it but what is for the benefit and uplift of mankind. It is in every way a true witness for God, and it sustains the Bible and is in harmony with the Bible. No group of men can write a book of six or seven hundred pages that is a fraud and have it in harmony in every particular with the scriptures that were given to us by the prophets of God and by Jesus Christ and his Apostles. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.129 A gentleman told me that he had read Joseph Smith's own story. He said that no liar ever told such a story. No liar could write such a book; and the evidences of the book's truthfulness are coming to light day by day. THE USE OF CEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.129 I have often said and desire to repeat here that when I was a young unmarried man, another young man who had received a doctor's degree ridiculed me for believing in the Book of Mormon. He said he could point out two lies in that book. One was that the people had built their homes out of cement and that they were very skillful in the use of cement. He said there had never been found and never would be found, a house built of cement by the ancient inhabitants of this country, because the people in that early age knew nothing about cement. He said that should be enough to make one disbelieve the book. I said: "That does not affect my faith one particle. I read the Book of Mormon prayerfully and supplicated God for a testimony in my heart and soul of the divinity of it, and I have accepted it and believe it with all my heart." I also said to him, "If my children do not find cement houses, I expect that my grandchildren will." He said, "Well, what is the good of talking with a fool like that?" Now, since that time houses made of cement and massive structures of the same material have been uncovered. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.129 Not very far from the City of Mexico there is a monument two hundred and ten feet high, built of cement, that was supposed to be a big hill. My first counselor has stood on that monument. You could put forty tabernacles like this one inside of it. It covers more than ten acres of ground and is two and a half times higher than this building. From the top of that monument one can see small mounds, and as these mounds are being uncovered they are found to be wonderfully built cement houses, with drain pipes of cement, showing skill and ability, superior almost to anything we have today so far as the use of cement is concerned. THE VOICE OF THE SAVIOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.130 Another statement that this doctor made was this: that the voice of man can only carry a few hundred feet, and yet the Book of Mormon teaches that when Jesus Christ was resurrected and came to this country he spoke to the people and his voice was heard all over the land, not alone by the people that were near, but all over the land. "That is a lie," said he, "and you know it." I said, "That is no lie at all Jesus Christ, under God, was the Creator of this earth, and if he had the power and ability to create the earth I believe that he could arrange for his voice to carry all over the world at one and the same time." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.130 The radio is doing what? I read the other day that a song had been heard nine thousand miles away, not only every word of it, but every note. (There are several notes in every word.) We had four letters from New Zealand or Australia, I have forgotten which, to the effect that people there had heard perfectly the programs that had been broadcast over the radio by the Martha Washington Candy Company. In that program the announcement was made that if anybody in a foreign land who heard the program would so indicate there would be sent to him a pound box of candy, and four people wrote for the boxes of candy. It takes the sun eighteen and one half hours to travel that far, yet the voice carried that distance as quickly as you can snap your finger. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.130 I said to this man: "The voice of the Savior could go all over the world if he so arranged it." The radio has proven what I said. Faith is a gift of God, and I thank God for the faith in and the knowledge of the divinity of the Book of Mormon which I had in my youthful days, and that these two alleged scientific facts, which are now known to be fallacies, did not destroy my faith. LISTENERS IN DISTANT PLACES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.130 I rejoice in the wonderful time that we have had together here. I want to request our people and any that are not of our faith who are listening in distant places to what I am saying, to send a postal card informing us of that fact. If there is a little gathering of a dozen or more people in a home, or in a meeting-house, in any part of the country from Canada to Mexico, listening over the radio to these services, please send a postal card to the Bishop's Office telling how many were listening to the services. And if there are any who are not of our faith who are listening in we would appreciate "it if they, too, would notify us that they have heard the services. We would like to know how many people have heard the testimonies that have been borne during this conference, given by men who are devoting their lives and all that is in them for the advancement of truth and the spread of righteousness. BLESSINGS INVOKED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.130 I pray God to bless each and every soul on the face of the earth that believes in God, and for those who do not, I pray that God may help them to obtain a testimony that he lives, that he is the Father of our spirits, that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the world. SHOULD LIVE THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.131 I hope and pray that the saints will live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that they will listen to the teachings of the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards. I want to say that we expect every president of a stake and every bishop of a ward to teach the people the truth. We want them to tell the people that they are expected to obey the Word of Wisdom, to be honest tithe-payers, to remember the covenants that they make in the temples of God, and not mutilate their garments: that we expect them to quit playing cards; and that we expect them to do their duty as saints, and to preach the Gospel by living it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1929, p.131 May God help each and every one of us that has a testimony of this Gospel to live it, is my earnest prayer. I pray God to bless the Latter-day Saints and the honest the world over, and I do it in humility and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 I rejoice in the opportunity of again meeting with the saints in general conference. I am grateful for the blessings that we as a people have enjoyed during the past six months. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 As is customary we announce in our opening meeting some of the changes that have taken place during this period. PRESENTS CHANGES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 Changes in stake and mission officers since last April conference: New stakes organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 Moroni stake, formerly a part of North Sanpete stake, James L. Nielsen appointed president of the new stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 Sharon stake, formerly a part of Utah stake, Arthur V. Watkins appointed president of the new stake. Stake presidents appointed: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 A. Richard Peterson has been appointed president of the Emery stake to succeed Lars P. Ovesen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 Wilford A. Beesley has been appointed president of the Salt Lake stake to succeed Nephi L. Morris. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 Ralph B. Keeler has been appointed president of the Juarez stake to succeed Joseph C. Bentley. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 Joseph T. Finlinson has been appointed president of the Deseret stake, to succeed Alonzo A. Hinckley. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 New mission presidents: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 John G. Allred has been released as president of the North Central States mission, and Arthur Welling appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 Hyrum W. Valentine has been released as president of the German-Austrian mission, and Edward P. Kimball appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.1 John P. Lillywhite has been released as president of the Netherlands mission, and Frank I. Kooyman appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Joseph L. Peterson has been released as president of the Danish mission, and Holger M. Larsen appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 A new mission has been organized in Czecho-Slovakia, with Arthur Gaeth as president: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 New wards organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Spanish Fork Fifth ward, Palmyra stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Diamond City ward, Lethbridge stake. STAKE PRESIDENT DIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Stake president who has passed away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Since our last conference President Fred A. Caine of the Idaho Falls stake has passed away. It fell to my lot to labor for three years with Brother Caine in the Japan mission, and to be intimately acquainted with him from then until the time of his death. I wish to bear witness that it has not been my privilege to ever be associated with a more sincere, God-fearing, capable, faithful man than was Brother Fred A. Caine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Bishop who has passed away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Elmer H. Johnson, Alterra ward, Roosevelt stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 At the present time we have: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Stakes, 103 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Wards, 933 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Independent branches, 70 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Independent branches are presided over by a president and two counselors and are practically, to all intents and purposes, wards; they are not, however, considered quite large enough to be regularly organized as such. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 There are also at the present time: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Dependent branches, 41 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Missions, 28 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Branches in Missions, 783 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 Making in round numbers nearly 2,000 organizations in the Church. APPROPRIATIONS INCREASE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.3 The new appropriations made to the stakes and wards for the building of meeting houses during the first nine months of last year amounted to $868,125.00, and this year, for the same period, they amount to $886,780.00. NEW HOTEL ERECTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.4 As you perhaps all know, we have erected a hotel building on the corner opposite this block on the southwest on some vacant land that has been held by the Church for many years. We feel the necessity of having a building where many of our saints who come here, from Canada to Mexico and from the various missions, can secure accommodations at a more reasonable rate than at the splendid hotel which we erected many years ago, facing this building across the street to the east. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.4 It is only fair to say to the people that we have not utilized any of the means in the nature of tithing that have come into the hands of the Presidency of the Church for the erection of this building. Nor only has all of the money that has been paid as tithes during the last nine months been returned to the stakes of Zion, but even more has been appropriated to them. We have disposed of property and securities that the Church was in possession of, in order to erect this building for the accommodation principally of our people. The drafts upon the Church have been far greater during the last nine months than during any similar period while I have presided over the Church. BLESSINGS THROUGH PAYMENT OF TITHES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.4 I regret to say that there are a great many of the people who are not paying their tithing. To me it is a marvel that any man having a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged as Latter-day Saints can sing lullabies to his conscience, figuratively speaking, and not be absolutely honest with the Lord in the payment of his tithes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.4 Tithing is a law of God and the payment of tithes brings peace and joy to the Latter-day Saint who does it. There is a satisfaction that comes into the heart of the man who is absolutely honest with the Lord in contributing of his means to the building up of the Church of Christ, and into the heart of every true, full tithe-payer. Each and every blessing that you and I enjoy comes from God. We are under obligations to him for the very breath of life, and he gives us everything that we have. He asks us to show our appreciation and acknowledge to him his goodness, by returning to the Church for its benefit and for the spreading of the gospel at home and abroad, one-tenth of that which we receive, all of which comes from him. APPEALS FOR HONESTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.4 Again I say it is beyond my comprehension how any man who is absolutely honest in his dealings with his fellow men and would not think of such a thing as compromising his store bill if he were able to pay, would compromise his obligations to God. I can speak upon the payment of tithing because from my childhood every dollar that has come into my hands has been tithed, and I have endeavored in addition to be as liberal as any of my associates have been in contributing for the various public enterprises that have been required of us--the erection of ward houses, school houses, etc., etc. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.5 I appeal to the Latter-day Saints to be honest with the Lord and I promise them that peace, prosperity and financial success will attend those who are honest with our Heavenly Father, because they are fulfilling the law and an obligation, and he will bless them for doing so. And being strictly honest with the Lord is the most splendid way to teach your children faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The most tender portion of the human anatomy of the male variety of the species, it has been said, is the pocket, and there is something to it. When we set our hearts upon the things of this world and fail to be strictly honest with the Lord we do not grow in the light and power and strength of the gospel as we otherwise would do. WARD AND STAKE BUILDINGS DEDICATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.5 It has fallen to my lot during the past year, in April, to be present and assist in the dedication of the new Hollywood stake and Wilshire ward building. It is one of the very finest buildings that we have ever erected in any of the stakes of Zion for stake and ward purposes, and I am sure it will give us a very splendid standing in that section of the country. I rejoice in the beauty of the building and in the surroundings, as well as in the great accomplishment there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.5 In May, I had the pleasure of dedicating the Dimond ward chapel. The Dimond ward is in the San Francisco stake of Zion. The chapel is a very beautiful one and a great credit to the people of that ward. I was astonished that so small a ward could build such a splendid building. VISITS WINTERS GRAVE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.5 Also in May of this year I went to Scott's Bluff, Nebraska, with members of my family, where I attended services in connection with the placing of a marker by the Daughters of the American Revolution, at the grave of Rebecca Winters. Rebecca Winters died while crossing the plains, and some fifty years later, the Burlington railroad, in surveying on the north side of the Platte river, came to a broken wagon tire upon which was chiseled "Rebecca Winters, aged fifty years." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.5 They very kindly made a detour so as to miss the grave, and the Burlington Railroad company has since erected a fence around the grave and has kept the ground in the enclosure in very nice condition, having put down a well for the express purpose of securing water with which to water the grass around the grave. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.5 It has been my privilege and that of my wife and some other members of our family, to visit that spot upon three different occasions. On this last occasion the Burlington railroad carried ten carloads of people from Scottsbluff to the grave, which is a mile or two distant from that city. Rebecca Winters was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, and in Utah, Idaho and this intermountain country, she has nearly six hundred descendants. NEW STAKE BUILDING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 In June I dedicated the Los Angeles stake building at Huntington Park. The chapel and amusement hall are a very splendid and remarkable structure and a very great credit to the people. I rejoice that we have it. The accommodations are very fine indeed, equal, I think, to any of our stake houses. The building is not quite so expensive as the one in Hollywood, but it is equally as commodious and a very splendid structure. COLORADO RIVER BRIDGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 In company with President Ivins, I was present at the dedication of the bridge across the Colorado river, which will join Utah and Arizona more closely in the future than it has been possible for them to be joined in the past. Formerly it required travel of nearly a thousand miles to get around from the north rim of the Grand Canyon to the county seat, in order to pay your taxes if you wanted to do so in person, in case you owned property in what is known as the Arizona strip on the north rim of the canyon. I can only hope that Arizona will build a good road to the bridge and from the bridge to the Utah line, something that is very greatly lacking at the present time. It is about the worst piece of road from the Utah line to the bridge that it has fallen to my lot for many years to ride over. VISITS WARDS AND MISSIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 I have had the pleasure of attending some ward meetings and also some stake conferences during the past six months. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 In June I had the privilege of dedicating a fine ward house in Jerome, Idaho. The people there have had a great struggle through many years in constructing this building. It was rather beyond the capacity of the small ward, but the people have done themselves credit, and I rejoice that the work is finally completed and the building dedicated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 In July I visited the Elwood ward in Bear River stake, and dedicated a small chapel there, which is a very creditable structure. They have placed pressed bricks around their old ward meeting house and turned it into an amusement hall, and it looks as fine as though it were an expensive building. The amusement hall and chapel are very creditable, and I congratulate the people on having them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 I had the pleasure of visiting the Elmhurst ward in the San Francisco stake. I expected to be at the dedication of their new building but was unable to do so on account of sickness in my family. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 In the past six months I have attended a meeting in the San Jose branch of the California mission. We have a very good chapel at San Jose. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.6 In September I visited Pittsburgh with President James H. Moyle of the Eastern States mission, and there dedicated a fine little chapel, which is a very suitable structure for our purposes. COAST MEMBERS INCREASE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 During the past two weeks I have had the pleasure of speaking in the Sacramento branch of the California mission, and also in the Long Beach ward of Los Angeles stake. When I was in Sacramento only a few years ago we had only two hundred members of the Church there. Today we have over twelve hundred members in that city, and also a great increase in the number of Latter-day Saints in Long Beach. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 The work of the Lord is progressing satisfactorily. I am pleased to tell you that from all of the various missions we are receiving calls for more help. The reports that we receive are favorable, and the call for additional missionaries, I believe, comes from every mission that we have. There are something over two thousand of our young men and women out in the world at the present time preaching the gospel. The work of the Lord is spreading, and we are grateful for his blessings that are attending our labors. QUOTES FROM REVELATIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 In thinking of what I would like to say today I was reminded of the fact that probably twice if not three times during the past six months in speaking I have quoted the eleventh section of the D&C. I know of no finer section, it being a revelation to the father of our beloved President Joseph F. Smith. Not only is it a revelation to Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, but the remarks therein, as the revelation says, are applicable to all the saints who have the right spirit and desire to spread the gospel. This revelation was given eleven months before the organization of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 When the Prophet Joseph was engaged in translating the Book of Mormon there were a great many leading influential men who came to him and asked what the Lord would like them to do. He inquired of the Lord, through the Urim and Thummim, and many revelations were received, telling of the great and marvelous work that was about to come forth, and this is one of them. Many of the men desired to go forth and preach, but you will find that the Lord tells them to wait. "KEEP COMMANDMENTS" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 "A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 "Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 "Behold, the field is white already to harvest: therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 "Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 "Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.7 "Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 I have heard a great deal of criticism in my life about our repeating over and over and over again the many things that the Lord has revealed to us, and appealing to the people to keep the commandments of the Lord. And yet we find that the Lord, in this revelation, repeats this declaration time and time again: "Keep my commandments." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 And every Latter-day Saint ought to have a desire in his or her heart to do all the good within his or her power for the advancement of the work of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power, which speaketh unto thee; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "For behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee. SPIRIT WILL LEAD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good--yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously, and this is my Spirit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Behold, I command you that you need not suppose that you are called to preach until you are called. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my Church, and my gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Keep my commandments: hold your peace; appeal unto my Spirit;" PATIENCE AND STUDY NECESSARY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 "Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken--yea, the translation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 Remember the Prophet was engaged in the translation of the Book of Mormon at this time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.8 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea with all your might, mind and strength. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "Seek not to declare my word, but seek first to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "But now hold your peace; study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereto. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "Behold, thou art Hyrum, my son; seek the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added according to that which is just. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "Build upon my rock, which is my gospel; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "Therefore, treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom that you shall go forth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "I am the same who came unto mine own and mine own received me not; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 "But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as will receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen," A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 This "marvelous work and a wonder" has come to pass and has spread all over the world where there has been religious liberty; and from every land and from every clime honest, faithful, God-fearing men and women have heard the sound of the true voice of the shepherd through his servants who have gone forth to proclaim the gospel. And men of great influence have been gathered into this Church. Men like John Taylor who presided over the Church, heard the gospel in a foreign land; the parents of George Q. Cannon, and many other leaders in this Church, heard the sound of this gospel and embraced it and gathered to Zion and labored with all the power and ability that they possessed for the advancement of God's kingdom. Year by year this great and wonderful work has rolled on and we are becoming known as a God-fearing people, as a people with a destiny that is sure to be fulfilled. THANKFUL FOR TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.9 I thank God for a knowledge that he lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and that Joseph Smith was his prophet. I rejoice in the knowledge that we are being blessed of Almighty God and being led by the inspiration of his Spirit in all of our labors. May God inspire all who shall speak here during this conference; may we go home carrying the message of life and salvation under the inspiration of the Spirit of the living God that is poured out upon this occasion during this conference, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.26 Amplifying sets have been arranged to accommodate the deaf. Those not having ear phones may secure them for each session, upon application to the Bureau of Information. Those desiring further information regarding them may secure it from the Bureau of Information. Seats will be reserved in the rear of the building for the deaf. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.69 We rejoice in knowing that our patriarch, whose health is such that he cannot be with us, is resting quietly and hearing by means of the radio the proceedings of this conference. It is a source of a great deal of regret to us that he is not with us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.69 Brother Smoot, as you all know, is actively engaged in work at Washington, and cannot be with us. He is laboring with all his might and main, and I regret to say that his health is not as vigorous as it has been in the past. The great burdens resting upon him are telling very strongly upon him physically. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.69 Brother Widtsoe is thoroughly enjoying his labors, and is accomplishing a fine work in Great Britain. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.69 I have received a very grateful expression of thanks for the amplifying sets that have been arranged to accommodate those who are hard of hearing. They appreciate them very much. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.69 My attention has been called to the fact that I did not mention Brother John P. Lillywhite as one of the returned mission presidents from whom we have not yet heard. Brother Lillywhite and his good wife are here with us. The reason I did not mention him is that we have not yet had time to neglect him, as he has been home but a few days. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.123 I dislike very much to limit the brethren, but we still have four speakers that we would like to hear from, we have the authorities to present, and I would not object to having two or three minutes left for myself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.123 We had three most splendid testimonies from our sisters, all three of whom occupied a total of eight minutes between them, A very fine example. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.131 Notwithstanding the time has expired I am going to trespass a little. GRATITUDE FOR SUCCESS OF CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.132 I rejoice in the very splendid conference that we have had. I echo and endorse the words of blessing for the President of the United States, for Ramsay MacDonald, for our good sisters, and for the people generally, as uttered, I believe, under the inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord, by my counselor, Brother Nibley. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.132 I thank each and all who have taken part in this conference. It is an astonishing fact that there have been forty-three speeches made here during the conference, including the one that I am now making. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.132 I can truthfully say that I rejoice beyond all the ability with which God has endowed me to express my thoughts, and my heart is full of gratitude for the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord and his blessings that have attended us during this conference. Ever since I was a boy I have heard the statement made at the close of each conference that it was one of the very best we had ever had. To me this is one of the great testimonies of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. We hear, year after year--I have heard from childhood unto the present time--the same testimonies, the same words almost, in explaining the gospel and testifying of it, but we never weary if our spirits are only right; and the spirit of this conference has been one of joy and peace and happiness. BLESSINGS INVOKED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1929, p.132 I leave my blessing upon you, my brethren and sisters--not only upon all within the sound of my voice in this great auditorium, but upon all those who are listening in. I pray God to bless every soul who is striving to do good upon the earth, every soul who is honest and upright, loyal and true to his God and to his country. May the peace of heaven abide with all the honest the world over; and particularly do I pray for the blessings of the Lord upon the Latter-day Saints. I do it all in humility and by the authority of the priesthood of the living God that I know I hold, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.3 My heart is full of gratitude beyond my power to express as I look upon this wonderful audience of the priesthood of the living God, together with officers of our organizations, assembled here in conference in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.3 I am about to read to you an address by the First Presidency of the Church, copies of which have been sent to all wards, stakes and missions in all countries where we have organizations of the Church. At this hour all over the world this message will be read to our people. THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS TO OUR BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.3 On this, the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the Church, we salute you, and pray that the blessing of God our Father, and the grace and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord, may abide with you forever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.3 We preface our message to you by reference to the following scripture: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.3 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.3 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so was the Son of God lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.3 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through its presidency, reaffirms the truths set forth in the above scripture, and calls upon its members in all parts of the world to rededicate their lives to the service of the Master and the establishment of his kingdom upon earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 From the beginning of time, as we count it, to the present, God our Father has, at divers times, both by his own voice and the voice of his inspired prophets, declared that he would send to earth his only begotten Son, that through him, by means of the resurrection, of which our Lord was the first fruits, mankind might be redeemed from the penalty of death, to which all flesh is heir and by obedience to the law of righteous living, which he taught and exemplified in his life, be cleansed from personal sin and made heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 In songs of praise the Psalmist declared his coming. In ecstasy the prophet Isaiah looked forward to the day when he would manifest himself among men, and, by foreknowledge which came from the Father, announced the details of his death and the dire consequences of his crucifixion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 The Redeemer himself declared, notwithstanding the apparent failure of his mission and ministry as it applied to the generation to which he brought the message of salvation, that at a period of then in the remote future, a period designated as the latter-days, the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, he would again reveal himself, would re-establish his Church upon earth, and come to reign himself, triumph and majesty over his people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 In humility, and with full consciousness of the responsibility involved, we bear witness to the people of the world that with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the Prophet Joseph Smith, in the early spring of 1820, the greatest gospel dispensation of all time was ushered in, a dispensation of light, radiating from the presence of God, illuminating the minds of men, increasing intelligence and knowledge, which is the glory of God, and by the application of which the past one hundred years have been made the Miracle Century of the ages. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 The increase of scientific knowledge, invention, industrial development; the harnessing of the forces of the universe and adapting them to the comfort and convenience of man, have reached a degree of perfection not dreamed of by people who lived when the past century was ushered in. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 In 1830 Abraham Lincoln attained his majority. He was still pursuing his studies by the light of a tallow dip, or pine knot, because there was nothing better to be had; and it was under these circumstances that he prepared himself to become the foremost citizen of his country, thirty years later. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 Since that time our system of education has undergone a miraculous change. The log or little brick school-house of a century ago has been supplanted by temples of learning, in which our children enjoy conveniences and comforts that the wealth of kingdoms could not, at that time, have provided. They have maps of the world before them, books treating all known subjects, teachers better informed upon the subjects taught, heat provided; and when they require light they touch a button and the electric current does the rest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 Agriculture, the foundation upon which the very existence of the human race is builded, was still in a primitive condition. Men harvested with a scythe or sickle the grain which grew in their fields, and threshed it with a flail. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.4 A man now sits upon a machine, and at one operation, reaps, threshes and sacks ten acres of grain, with less fatigue than he formerly harvested one. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Women carded and spun the wool and wove the cloth with which they and their children were clothed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 The cards, spinning wheel, and loom have passed. They are now to be seen only as heirlooms or sacredly cherished souvenirs. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Possibly no other human agency has greater influence upon civilization and the development of the people of the world than that which provides quick and easy transportation of people and things from place to place. By it individuals, communities, and nations come to know each other better, exchange of commodities is made possible, and the commerce of the world is maintained. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 For this purpose roads made by men thread the world. We travel over them now on bands of steel, in luxurious motor cars, in floating palaces, or through the air. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Only yesterday these roads were mere trails, blazed by fearless, intrepid men, through unknown forests, over snow-clad mountains, across trackless deserts or uncharted seas. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 In fulfilment of the words uttered by inspired prophets, thousands of years ago, the wooden boats in which we sailed the seas at the beginning of the past century have been supplanted by floating palaces of steel, in which we ride the waves or navigate the ocean's depths in safety. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 For silver the Lord has given us gold, which has become the basis of exchange throughout the civilized world; while iron takes the place of wood and stone in construction. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 By the application of scientific methods, which have been revealed during the past century, the profession of medicine and surgery has brought to the people of the world relief from the most dreaded diseases, which devastated communities and at times threatened the very existence of mankind. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Undoubtedly the greatest miracle of the century is the accomplishment by which the human voice, with the personality of the speaker, may be indefinitely preserved and reproduced with every detail of originality. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Whether uttered in the frozen arctics, or from the jungles of the tropics, without visible means of conduct, the human voice instantly circles the earth, thus overcoming the hitherto insurmountable barrier of both time and space. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Contemplating these accomplishments of the past century, to which but brief reference has been made, we are led to exclaim: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Great and marvelous are thy ways, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 O Lord From eternity to eternity Thou art the same! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 Thy purposes fail not, neither are there any Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.5 who can stay Thy hand! THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 The Annunciation. As the glory of the Lord shone round about shepherds, who kept watch over their flocks by night upon the hills of Judea, and the angel of the Lord announced to them that there had been born that day, in the city of David, a Savior, who was Christ the Lord, the light of the Christian Dispensation burst forth upon the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 The heavens were illuminated by the glory of the Lord, the heavenly host shouted hosannas as the Babe of Bethlehem, the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, he who was to become the Savior of mankind, was born into the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 From the time of his birth to the day of his crucifixion, Satan, that old serpent, the devil, the enemy of all that is good, he who by his wiles and deception tempted our first parents and brought death into the world, sought the destruction of our Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 Kings persecuted him, because they knew and feared his power. The learned and wealthy spurned him, because of his humble birth; while the ignorant, not understanding, left him in derision. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 The personal ministry of Jesus was of short duration. But thirty-three years elapsed from the time of his birth to the day of his crucifixion, and but a small portion of this time was devoted to his ministry. From the time of the delivery of his great sermon on the Mount, but three years elapsed until his death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 During the brief period of his ministry he effected the organization of his Church, selected twelve apostles, upon whom, with Peter at their head, he conferred the keys of the priesthood, and to whom he made plain the organization of his Church and the doctrines of his Gospel, by obedience to which mankind may be redeemed and brought back into the presence of God. This accomplished, he declared his mortal mission completed, and went to his death with the sublime prayer upon his lips that his Father would pardon those who were responsible for his crucifixion. In their ignorance they knew not what they had done. THE FIRST CENTURY OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 During the first century of the Christian Era, Octavius, Caligula, Nero, Vespacian and his son Titus, all of whom were bitter persecutors of the Church, occupied the throne of Rome. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.6 Pagan Rome had become the mistress of the world. From the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, persecution of the Christians had been merciless and wicked beyond expression. During the reign of Caligula and Nero, who were more brute than human, Christian men were slain without mercy, while their wives and daughters were carried away to Rome, to be sold to the highest bidder, or distributed to a depraved soldiery. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 Men, women, and children were cast into the great amphitheater at Rome, to be torn by wild beasts or fight for their lives, for the entertainment of these inhuman monsters. Christians, their bodies covered with combustibles, were made to stand upon the walls, to be burned, in order that light might be provided for the spectacle below. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 To deprive Christians of life was not sufficient. Every cruel means of torture that the human mind could suggest, which might add to the suffering of the victim, was applied. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 The falling away which had been predicted by the prophets had come. The man of sin, the son of perdition, was revealed, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 Thus centuries passed, centuries during which darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people, centuries during which Satan, in an orgy of Pagan idolatry, ruled the world. A NEW GOSPEL DISPENSATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 The opening of a new gospel dispensation was not a thing of chance. Jesus Christ, through his messenger, had declared to John while he was upon the isle of Patmos, that an angel would come flying through the midst of the heavens, having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell upon the earth, calling them back to the worship of God who is the Maker of the heavens and the earth, the sea and the fountains of water. The Redeemer himself had declared that before the time of his glorious appearance, to assume his rightful place among his people, the Gospel of his kingdom should be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, before the coming of the end. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 As the time of the restoration of the Gospel was clearly indicated, so was the gathering place of those who would accept the truth definitely declared. The prophet Isaiah had said that it should come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house would be established in the top of the mountains, and be exalted above the hills, and that people from all nations would flow unto it. Many people, he declared, would go and say: "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob." For what purpose? That they might be taught the way of the Lord, and learn to walk in his paths. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 At the time of the calling of Abraham, the Lord entered into covenants with him and his posterity, in which he promised that Palestine should be theirs for an everlasting heritage. This promise was repeated to Isaac, and confirmed upon the head of Jacob. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 Prior to his death our father Jacob called his twelve sons to him blessed them, and defined the future of their posterity, adding little to that which had before been promised, until he laid his hands upon the head of Joseph and not only conferred upon him the blessing and heritage of his fathers, but also declared that his heritage prevailed above that of his progenitors, unto the utmost bounds of the Everlasting Hills, to a land choice above all other lands, a land rich in the blessings of the earth, of the heavens above, and the sea beneath. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.7 Upon Ephraim, the younger of the two sons born to Joseph during his sojourn in Egypt, he sealed the heirship to the blessings and promises conferred upon his father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 While Satan held the world in spiritual darkness, by means of priestcraft and idolatry, he shackled the masses with the chains of kingcraft, and thus held the world in both spiritual and civil bondage. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 As the time of the end drew nearer, God's Spirit descended upon men, impelling them to break the shackles of idolatry and priestcraft with which they were bound. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 When John Wycliffe, John Huss, and William Tyndale, (all of whom suffered martyrdom for their faith) Martin Luther and others, gave the Holy Scriptures to the people of the world, and in the strength of Israel's God declared the truth, the beginning of the end had come. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 When the people of Great Britain wrung from King John the Magna Charta, when Oliver Cromwell later cut off the head of King Charles the First, and the Covenanters of Scotland took up arms against the then dominant church, the morning star of hope arose, heralding the sunshine of a brighter day. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 The coming of Columbus to America had been foretold centuries before he sailed from the port of Palos, in Spain. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, was his guide and protector in his great adventure, and led him to the shores of a new world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 It was not by chance that the Puritans left their native land and sailed away to the shores of New England, and that others followed later. They were the advance guard of the army of the Lord, predestined to establish the God-given system of government under which we live, and to make of America, which is the land of Joseph, the gathering place of Ephraim, an asylum for the oppressed of all nations, and prepare the way for the restoration of the Gospel of Christ and the reestablishment of his Church upon earth. It was under these circumstances and others of which the Lord was the author, that the stage was set for the raising of the curtain upon the opening scene of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 As the Christian Dispensation was ushered in, the glory of the Lord shone round about the shepherds who kept watch over their flocks by night upon the hills of Judea, while the voice of the angel of the Lord declared the Babe of Bethlehem to be the Savior of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 So also the glory of the Lord overshadowed Joseph Smith, and God himself, in the glory and majesty of his person, with his Only Begotten Son, Jehovah, revealed himself in vision, and with his own voice designated Joseph Smith to be the instrument through whom the greatest gospel dispensation of the ages was to be ushered in. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 There was nothing of ostentation, pageantry or dramatic display; it was a simple, solemn occasion, superlatively glorious and impressive beyond expression. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 The voice of the Lord, which had been silent for ages, was heard again. Again that divine message, so oft repeated, was delivered: "This is my Beloved Son. Hear him!" The personality of the Father and his Only Begotten Son was again revealed that mankind may know them as they are. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.8 Of his first vision Joseph Smith says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time that I was doomed to sudden destruction. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 "But, exerting all my power to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction--not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being--just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 "It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 When the Apostle Paul appeared before King Agrippa and Festus; the Roman Procurator, he declared that Jesus Christ, who had been crucified upon Calvary, was risen from the dead; that he lived and had appeared to him in a cloud of light, calling him to be his messenger to the Gentiles. Festus, in amazement, cried out: "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." But Paul replied--"I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 In like manner Joseph Smith, an obscure country boy, fifteen years of age, when he related to certain sectarian ministers of the neighborhood that he had received a heavenly vision, was made the victim of ridicule and bitter persecution. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 Men flew into passion as they declared that it was all from the devil, that there were no such things as visions and revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the Apostles, and that there would never be any more of them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 Satan again manifested his power and determination to frustrate the will of Christ, that he might maintain his dominion over the world and continue to hold captive the souls of men. From that hour he raged in the hearts of the wicked, until he finally encompassed the death of the Prophet; not, however, until he had accomplished the work which the Lord had sent him into the world to do. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 Like Paul, Joseph Smith, during the three years intervening after his vision, steadfastly maintained that in vision he had seen the Father and the Son, and had heard the voice of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 On the evening of September 21, 1823, he had retired as usual to his bed room for the night, a night fraught with events of which he had not dreamed, events of supreme importance to him and to the people of the world. He says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.9 "While I was thus in the act of calling upon God I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 "He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrists; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 "Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him I was afraid; but the fear soon left me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 "He called me by name, and said that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 This messenger revealed to Joseph Smith that there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the ancient inhabitants of America and the source from whence they came, and that the plates would later be delivered into his hands to be translated and published to the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 On the twenty-third day of September, plates containing the record of the Book of Mormon were delivered to Joseph Smith who, by the gift and power of God, translated the characters which were engraven upon them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 The Book of Mormon does not in any degree conttict with or take the place of the Holy Bible, but is the strongest corroborative evidence in existence of the divine origin of that sacred record. It has been before the world for more than a century, during which time no statement contained in it, whether it refers to the civil history or the religion of the people who kept the record, has been proved to be untrue. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 As the translation of the characters engraven upon the plates on which the Nephite record was kept proceeded Joseph Smith discovered that the doctrine of baptism was taught and practised by the Nephite people. Desiring to better understand this principle he did as he had done before, went with Oliver Cowdery, his scribe, into the woods, and engaged in earnest prayer. The following is quoted from his own words: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 "While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us he ordained us, saying: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 "'Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.10 "The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this priesthood upon us, said his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James, and John, who held the keys of the priesthood of Melchizedek, which priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred upon us." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 With this ordination, and the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood which was later conferred as promised, the fulness of the keys and authority of the Priesthood of Almighty God, which had for centuries been lost to mankind, was restored and has remained with the Church in unbroken succession until the present time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 With the restoration of the priesthood the way was open for the preaching of the Gospel, the administration of the ordinances pertaining thereto, and the organization of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 On the sixth day of April, one hundred years ago today, Joseph Smith, with five others who had accepted the message of the restored Gospel, met at the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., at Fayette, Seneca County, New York. The sacrament of bread and wine was administered and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 In his sermon on the Mount the Master declares that a tree is known by the fruit which it produces. We do not gather grapes from thorns nor figs from thistles. A bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water, nor does a good fountain bring forth bitter water. By this unchangeable law we ask the world to judge the accomplishments of the Church during the past century. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 It was after his resurrection that the Master commissioned his disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 In like manner have the disciples of Christ in the present dispensation, his Apostles, High Priests, Seventies, (who are his especially chosen ministry) and the Elders of the Church, carried the glad tidings of the restored Gospel to every part of the civilized world during the century past, and wherever the message has been proclaimed there have been honest souls who have accepted it and gathered to Zion, in fulfilment of the words of the ancient prophets. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 The mountain of the Lord's house has been established in the top of the mountains, and people from all nations have flowed unto it. Through the blessings of the Lord upon their labors the desert has been subdued and made to blossom as the rose. Solitary places have been made glad because of them. Cities have been established, springs of water have broken out which have given life to the thirsty land, music, and the voices of children are heard in the streets where desolation and silence had reigned for ages. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 Temples have been erected in which the work of redemption has been done for an innumerable host of the living and the dead. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 Many thousands have been brought from the poverty and distress of the old world to this blessed land of Joseph, to become wealthy and be made happy as they have participated in the blessings which the Lord our God has pronounced upon it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.11 Looking backward to the organization of the Church, which occurred under the most humble and, to the world, obscure circumstances, and following its history through persecution, poverty, and distress, can it be denied that a great and marvelous work has been accomplished, that the promises of the Lord have been fulfilled, and his power to accomplish that to which he sets his hand to do, manifested? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 Let glory and honor be ascribed unto God our Father, through Jesus Christ, his Son, forever, for he is the author of it all. WHAT OF THE FUTURE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 The future, as outlined in the predictions of the ancient prophets and confirmed by modern revelation, is pregnant with hope for the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 Jesus Christ our Lord said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 With the present momentum with which the people of the world are moving forward in the determination of truth in every field of human endeavor, the outlook for the future passes beyond the vision of human comprehension. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 Jesus Christ, referring to the time when he would manifest himself in the latter days, declared that whereas he manifested himself to his own people in the meridian of time and they rejected him, in the latter days he would come first to the Gentiles, and then to the house of Israel. He says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 "When the time of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel. But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men. And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 "At that time, saith the Lord, I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people who are of the house of Israel, and will send my gospel to them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 "And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel, and I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people, and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together, in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 "And behold, this people (the Nephites) will I establish in this land, (America) and it shall be a new Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you. And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 "Awake, awake again and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the Holy City. For thenceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean: For thus saith the Lord: Ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 From the words of the Prophet Daniel we quote the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.12 John, the beloved disciple of our Lord, says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 "I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 "And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God is with man, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 "And the Lord shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 With this glorious vision of the future, to which we look forward, we exhort our brethren and sisters to put their houses in order, that they may be prepared for that which is to come. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 Refrain from evil; do that which is good. Visit the sick, comfort those who are in sorrow, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, care for the widow and the fatherless. Observe the laws of health which the Lord has revealed, and keep yourselves unspotted from the sins of the world. Pay your tithes and offerings, and the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings until there shall not be room to contain them. Be obedient to the laws of God and the civil laws of the country in which you reside, and uphold and honor those who are chosen to administer them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 To the people of the world we send our blessing, and bear witness to them that God lives, that Jesus Christ is his Only Begotten Son, the Redeemer of the world. We call upon all men to come unto him, that through his grace they may attain to eternal life and an inheritance with him in the kingdom of his Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 Heber J. Grant, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 Anthony W. Ivins, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 Charles W. Nibley, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.13 The First Presidency. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.22 We have received many telegrams of congratulation on this occasion, but we shall not attempt to read any of them this morning. PREDECESSORS GREAT AND GOOD MEN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.22 It has fallen to my lot, although a very weak, humble instrument in the hands of the Lord, to succeed the wonderful men who have presided over this Church--the Prophet Joseph Smith, than whom no greater man I believe has ever graced the earth; that marvelous pioneer, Brigham Young; that mighty champion of liberty, John Taylor; that exceptional converter of men to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Wilford Woodruff; Lorenzo Snow, an extraordinary man at eighty-five years of age, who in three years lifted the Church from the slough of despond financially to a place of financial standing; and that man, beloved by all who knew him, one of the outstanding men of all the world, Joseph F. Smith, the greatest preacher of righteousness I have ever known. BLESSINGS PRONOUNCED UPON GENERAL AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.22 It is my right and privilege as the President of this Church to extend a blessing to the people, and with all my heart and soul I bless my counselors for their devotion to me and to the Church. I remember with gratitude my counselors who have passed away. I rejoice in the wonderful labors and the devotion of each and every one of the men who are members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, also the Presiding Patriarch of the Church. I pray God to bless them for their integrity and their devotion, for their labors at home and abroad among the people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.22 I pray God to bless the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, the men who stand at the head of that great body of priesthood, whose duty and obligation it is to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.23 I pray the blessings of the Lord upon the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, who preside over all the Lesser Priesthood--the Priests, Teachers and Deacons of the Church. BLESSES BRETHREN OF PRIESTHOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.23 I pray God to bless this wonderful gathering of High Priests, such a gathering as I am sure cannot be found in any other part of the wide world. I pray God to bless the Seventies, and the Elders. I pray that he may bless all the members of the Lesser Priesthood; that he may richly pour out his blessing upon them in their youth, that there may be planted in their hearts a love of God and a desire to serve him as they grow to manhood; that they may feel to walk in the footsteps of their faithful parents. All of us who have been born in the Church, almost without exception, have been born of parents who have given their lives and the best that is in them for the work of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.23 One of the most earnest prayers of my heart all my life has been that I should be able to live to be worthy of such a father and such a mother as were given to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.23 I pray that the blessings of the Lord may attend all of the general officers of our Church, all of whom are devoted to this work. GRATITUDE FOR RELIEF SOCIETY ORGANIZATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.23 I pray for the blessings of the Lord upon the officers and the General Board of the Relief Society. My heart goes out in gratitude and thanksgiving to God for the organization, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, of that wonderful society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.23 I thank the Lord for my association with Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. Young, Sarah M. Kimball, Aunt Emmeline B. Wells, Bathsheba W. Smith, Clarissa S. Williams and Sister Robison, who have stood as officers of the Relief Society. I am thankful indeed for what they have accomplished, for their wonderful work and example, and I pray God's choicest blessings upon them. DEVOTION AND SACRIFICE OF THE MOTHERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.23 It is our sisters who carry the burden of the work. We talk about the missionary work of the Elders who go forth to proclaim the Gospel; we talk about the great pioneer work of the early settlers of this country, but I wish to say here that it is the mothers at home who are making the sacrifice for the boys to go into the mission field. It is the mothers who stand the hardships far more than the men. Men are engaged in many activities, and without the devotion and absolute testimony of the living God in the hearts of our mothers this Church would die. May God bless the mothers of men, is my most humble prayer; and I do bless them in the name of God our Heavenly Father and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. INVOKES BLESSINGS UPON AUXILIARY WORKERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.24 I pray for the same blessing upon the officers of the General Board of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, and upon the Primary Association, the Sunday Schools and the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. I also pray for the blessings of the Lord upon those devoted workers in the Genealogical Society. It is wonderful what is being accomplished in the temples through the energy of these people who are working along that line. BLESSINGS INVOKED UPON THE CHOIRS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.24 I pray for the blessings of the Lord upon our choir and its officers, and upon the music committee. I pray for the blessings of the Lord upon the choirs throughout the Church. There are no other people in the world in proportion to their numbers who have so many who pray to the Lord in beautiful songs. PRESIDENTS OF MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHING MARVELOUS WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.24 God bless the Presidents of Missions, one and all. They are marvelous men, those who are active today and those who have served in the past. It is pleasing to contemplate the love and the confidence they have inspired and the inspiration that they have given to those over whom they preside. PRESIDENCIES OF STAKES AND BISHOPRICS OF WARDS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.24 I pray God to bless the wonderful men who have given so much of their time as Presidencies of the Stakes of Zion. Many of the men occupying these positions give nearly as much time to their Church work as they do to their ordinary affairs in life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.24 I pray for that same blessing upon the wonderful men who are Bishops and Bishops' Counselors. I ask for the blessing of the Lord upon those who preside over the quorums of priesthood throughout the Church. THE MISSIONARIES AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.24 I pray for the blessings of the Lord to be abundantly with those who have been sent forth to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, to lift up their voices in testimony that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, and to bear witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, inspired of God to restore again to the earth the plan of life and salvation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.25 Oh, how my heart goes out to those young men and young women who go forth with this testimony burning in their very hearts for the spread of the truth. And I thank God that they have brought honest souls from all over the wide world, from every denomination under heaven, to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May God bless them and bless their parents who are making sacrifices to send them forth to proclaim the Gospel. Oh, how I do rejoice that I do not know of one son or one daughter in all Israel who has gone out into the world to proclaim the truth, that has come home to announce the truth is in some other land. Thank God for the truth and the power that goes with these young men and young women as they go forth to proclaim the restoration again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation, the Gospel of Jesus Christ that you and I have received. PRAYER FOR AND APPRECIATION OF PATRIARCHS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.25 God bless the Patriarchs. I thank the Lord for Patriarch Perkins, a noble man in St. George, who gave me a patriarchal blessing as a little child, foretelling my life in one small page of longhand writing, which has been fulfilled to the very letter. I thank God for John Rowberry, who gave me a blessing to the effect that I should be taken from Tooele and be made one of the leading officials of this Church; and who promised Francis M. Lyman that his name should be chronicled among the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ in these last days. God bless our Patriarchs and inspire them in their splendid work. A PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.25 I echo the prayer that was offered in the opening of this meeting, that God will bless the President of the United States and his cabinet, and all the officers of our great country. How I do rejoice in that statement contained in the Book of Mormon to the effect that this is a land choice above all other lands and that no king shall reign here. Let us be true and loyal to this land of liberty. In no land in all the wide world could the Gospel of Jesus Christ have been established except in this beloved America of ours. BLESSES GREAT BRITAIN AND OTHER NATIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.25 God bless that liberty-loving country, Great Britain. May he bless Canada, our neighbor on the north, which is like one of our own family. May the blessings of the Lord attend our people on the south, in Mexico, who are struggling for their rights and their liberty. May peace dwell in that land. BLESSINGS INVOKED UPON HONEST-HEARTED EVERYWHERE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.25 I pray that the blessings of Almighty God may be and abide with all the members of this Church, every faithful, diligent Latter-day Saint. May we be able to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by the honesty, the uprightness and the truthfulness of our lives. If we do this, then we are sure of a final triumph. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.26 I rejoice in all that we have heard here today. I rejoice and I am sure that the Prophet and the Patriarch of the living God who sealed their testimonies with their blood will rejoice at this wonderful gathering. Oh, how I did pray, how I did supplicate the Lord, that Joseph F. Smith, the son of the martyred Patriarch, might live to occupy today this position that I am occupying. Never until the night before he passed away did I give up the hope that he should have that privilege. But it has fallen to my lot without my seeking to occupy this position. By that spirit of blessing which he possessed, I bless you one and all, and all Israel, and every honest-hearted soul in all the world who is trying to do good, and I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, and by the authority of the living God, the priesthood that I hold. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.50 I had hoped yesterday to have time to read a number of telegrams that we have received. I had also hoped to hear from the Presiding Bishop of the Church, who presides over all of the members of the Lesser Priesthood--Priests, Teachers, and Deacons--but it is a difficult matter of conrse to concentrate one's thoughts and stay within a limited time. CABLE MESSAGE FROM ELDER JOHN A. WIDTSOE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.50 We shall not attempt to read the many telegrams that we have received from individuals, including leading business men in the United States and in Europe, but I would like to read a cablegram from one of the absent members of the Twelve Apostles. It is from Liverpool, dated April 4th: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.50 "First Presidency: The Church members of the European Missions number nearly thirty thousand with the missionaries about seven hundred strong, unitedly express joyous gratitude for the blessings of the Gospel and the present prosperity of the Church, and extend to you and the whole Church felicitations upon this happy occasion. May the Gospel, true to its divine purpose and history spread over the earth to make multitudes glad through righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.50 John A Widtsoe. FELICITATIONS FROM GOVERNOR OF WYOMING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.50 We have a telegram from Governor Frank C. Emerson of Wyoming. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.50 "Heber J. Grant, President, Mormon Church, Salt Lake City, Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.51 "Please accept my felicitations upon the centennial celebration of the foundling of the Mormon Church. From the time of the arrival of Brigham Young and his band of courageous followers in the Salt Lake Valley the Mormon people have had a leading part in the welfare and development of this western country. We appreciate their contributions to the progress of the commonwealth of Wyoming. It gives me pleasure to designate Honorable L. T. Oldroyd, our Commissioner of Agriculture, to represent Wyoming upon this auspicious occasion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.51 Cordially yours, Frank C. Emerson, Governor of Wyoming." OTHER TELEGRAPHIC CONGRATULATIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.51 "Salt Lake City, April 5th, 1930, President Heber J. Grant: The Knights of Columbus of Utah extends congratulations on the centennial conference and wishes your people a successful meeting. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.51 Vere L. McCarthy, State Deputy. Dr. J. J. Galligan, Master of Fourth Degree." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.51 A cablegram dated Capetown, South Africa, April 6th, arrived before the conference meetings yesterday. They had held their services over there on the 6th of April and we received the word after they were over. It is from Don Mack Dalton, President of the South African Mission: "Our services had great spirit. We join you in remembrance and reverence. Missionaries well." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.51 From Holger M. Larsen, Copenhagen, Denmark: "Elders and Saints in Denmark send congratulations on this centennial anniversary." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.51 From Edward P. Kimball, Dresden, Germany: "Missionaries and Saints German-Austrian Mission greet you in love with Hosanna." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 President Heber J. Grant read the following letter and message from Elder Reed Smoot: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 March 29, 1930. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 "President Heber J. Grant, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 47 East South Temple Street, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 Salt Lake City, Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 Dear President Grant: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 "As you are aware, it is impossible for me to attend the April Conference. I regret it more than words can express. I enclose you a short statement, which I would like to have you present to the Conference if agreeable to you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 "May God's blessings ever attend you and may the comming Conference be one of the great epochs in the history of the Church is my desire and prayer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 Your brother, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 (Signed) Reed Smoot." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 Apostle Reed Smoot, who is unavoidably detained by his duties in the nation's capital, sends greeting to this conference his most cordial good wishes and a message in these words: ANNOUNCEMENT OF TRUTH IN THE RESURRECTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.58 Ages ago, when the Son of God, in mortal tabernacle, stood before a human judgment seat in the city of Jerusalem, the Roman procurator asked him, "What is Truth?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.59 That query has been of vital significance to mankind in all the succeeding ages, and was never more vital than at this very time and on this present occasion. Only a few days after the scene in the Roman court, visitors to an empty sepulchre, seeking to view the body of the crucified Jesus of Nazareth, were accosted by a heavenly messenger who said concerning him: "He is not here: for he is risen." The angel's words were the announcement of a wonderful Truth, of paramount importance to all mankind. The resurrection of the Redeemer and Savior of the world had come to pass. TRUTH REVEALED THROUGH JOSEPH SMITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.59 More than one hundred years ago, to specify as to time and place, in the spring of 1820, near the town of Palmyra, state of New York, there came a divinely manifested vision to a young man, Joseph Smith, who was of Israel's birthright heritage and who earnestly sought the truth. That vision was the appearance of God the Eternal Father and his Son, the resurrected Jesus of Nazareth. Pointing to the other heavenly Personage, God gave witness: "This is my Beloved Son, hear him." It was the divine revelation in this age of the resurrected Christ. It was the Truth. Multitudes in Palestine and adjacent countries bad no knowledge of or belief in the resurrection on the day of its first announcement, but its truth has permeated the ages since then and has brought life, and hope, and joy, to myriads of our fellowmen. Multitudes in this and other lands had no knowledge of or belief in the revelation of the resurrected Redeemer to the young man Joseph Smith on the day of its occurrence, but its truth today is permeating people in all lands, and will grow to a perfect knowledge in the due time of the Lord, because that revelation is God Almighty's Truth, and will prevail. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.59 Some years later, in May, 1829, there came the restoration of the Lord's priesthood authority to administer the required ordinances of the Gospel; and in the next year there followed the publication of the divinely revealed word known as the Book of Mormon and the event of which we celebrate the one hundredth anniversary at this April Conference, namely, the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ, for the accomplishment of God's great purposes among men in this latter-day dispensation, known in scripture as the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. Further organization and divine revelation succeeded this event, until April 3, 1836, when the revelation of the fulness of the Gospel was completed by the appearance of other heavenly messengers with the keys of their respective dispensations, the culminating one being the promised coming of the Prophet Elijah with the keys of the priesthood authority which he held, and that prophet's announcement to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery that "the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the door." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.60 More than twelve years before this latter date, on September 21, 1823, God had promised to Joseph Smith, through an angel, that he would send to him the prophet Elijah, with the mission to "plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers." Among millions of our race today, outside of membership in the Church as well as with those inside, this prediction is being verified in a truly wonderful manner. These millions are seeking to know of the promises made to their fathers; and truly in the world today there is wide turning of the hearts of the children to their fathers in genealogical research through records of ages agone. These facts and many others bear indubitable evidence that the revelation of the Gospel to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others in this age is God's Divine Truth. To this fact I bear my most solemn testimony on this occasion. PERSONAL DESIRES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.60 It is my earnest, sincere desire that in my calling my preaching shall be, as the Lord directs, "the warning voice, in mildness and in meekness." To be qualified for the work all engaged therein are required to show forth hope, charity, and love; to "remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence;" and to beware of pride and a cold haughtiness such as weak humanity often is prone to. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.60 My desire also is to convey to my brethren and sisters, and to all my friends, a message that to me seems of great worth on this particular occasion. Thousands of years ago, when Israel was before Mount Sinai under the leadership of their great Prophet Moses, God gave to Israel statutes and commandments, with promises of great blessing if these were kept, and predictions of punishment for wrong doing if disregarded; for Israel had taken upon them his name. Among those commandments was one which carried a peculiar and remarkable promise. That commandment was: BLESSING IN KEEPING THE SABBATH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.60 "Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary. I am the Lord." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.61 The promise for obedience was that their enemies should not prevail against them, but Israel would prevail. This command and promise are recorded in the twenty-sixth chapter of the book of Leviticus in the Old Testament, second, seventh and eighth verses. All during the thirty-three succeeding centuries when Israel has remembered to keep God's sabbaths and reverence his sanctuary, the promised blessing has attended them in that obedience. It also is manifest in the nations whence we gather Israel today, wherever the command relative to the sabbath and sanctuary is observed. That observance is of great moment to the saints at this time if they would receive the divine blessing. It is momentous and needful because it is divine Truth. My word and message to my fellowmen everywhere today is that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ set forth in his revealed scriptures is the plan of salvation and of peace to the world; that while it is commendable in men to seek peace by every honorable means, the great peace for humankind comes only through the potent, sacred, divine mission of the Man of Galilee, whose mission is God's Eternal Truth. God bless you all, in Jesus' name. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.87 You may not be aware of the fact that for some time--I think it is about thirty weeks--at four o'clock every Monday afternoon, the Tabernacle Choir and the Organ are broadcasting throughout most of the United States. This is being done by means of the largest and most powerful radio stations to be found in the country. These broadcasts go to New York, Washington, Baltimore, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Toronto, Kansas City, St. Paul, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Denver, Portland, Oakland, San Francisco, and other cities; and it is estimated that more than eight million people hear them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.88 We would be pleased to hear from another speaker this afternoon, but time will not permit. By the time we have heard the closing anthem and the benediction it will be necessary for this body of people to withdraw, unless they would like to remain here and listen to the broadcast. If you stay we request that you be very quiet. There must be no whispering. Ordinarily, when this broadcast is going on, no one except the choir is allowed in the building. If someone has to cough we hope that he will smother it as best he can by the use of a handkerchief. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.88 As I look upon this audience I am impressed with the wonderful fulfilment of the prediction of Joseph Smith which was delivered on the west side of the Mississippi river and recorded in the journal of Brother Anson, Call: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.88 "I prophesy that the saints will continue to suffer much affliction, and will be driven to the Rocky Mountains; many will apostatize, others will be put to death by our persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease; and some will live to go and assist in making settlements, and build cities, and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.88 What a mighty people we are ! As I look upon this audience today and think of the wonderful audiences that we had at all our meetings yesterday, and when I think of the seven hundred thousand people who are now members of the Church, I rejoice in the fulfilment of this prediction by Joseph Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.88 Daniel Webster, acknowledged to be one of the greatest, and claimed by some to be the very greatest, of all our senators in his day, referring to this country where the Prophet of the Lord said we should become a great and a mighty people, made the remark: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.88 "What do we want with this vast, worthless area ? This region of savages and wild beasts, of deserts, of shifting sands and whirlwinds of dust, of cactus and prairie dogs? To what use could we ever hope to put those great deserts or those endless mountain ranges, impenetrable and covered to their very base with eternal snow? What can we ever hope to do with the western coast of three thousand miles, rock-bound, cheerless, uninviting, and not a harbor on it? Mr. President, I will never vote one cent from the public treasury to place the Pacific Coast one inch nearer Boston than it now is." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.108 If this were a picture show or an entertainment of some kind, the people would willingly stay to the close even if we had to be together two hours; or, if it were amusing, three hours. Therefore I am going to take your time and keep you here a little longer than usual. THE MARTYRDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.108 I am going to read something that I believe was written by John Taylor, who received four rifle balls in his body, as I remember, at the martyrdom of the Prophet and the Patriarch. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.109 "To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p. m., by an armed mob--painted black--of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: 0 Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.109 "John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.109 "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting Gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of D&C, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of Latter-day Saints, rounded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.109 "When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: 'I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me--he was murdered in cold blood.' The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go--shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was--he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.109 "'And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments are clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren, whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood.' The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.109 "Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty-eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of D&C of the Church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to "Mormonism" that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the state of Illinois, with the broken faith of the state as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting Gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth. Amen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 John Taylor lived, notwithstanding those frightful wounds, to be the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of God. A son of Hyrum Smith, lived to be the Prophet, Seer and Revelator in your day and mine. Today you have listened to the testimony from this stand of a grandson of Hyrum Smith, and you have just listened to the testimony of a grandson of Willard Richards, who was with the Prophet and Patriarch at the time of the martyrdom. ENDORSES REMARKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 I endorse with all my heart the many words of inspiration that we have heard from the opening of this conference until the present time. I join with others in praying Almighty God to bless those who go forth to proclaim the Gospel, who go forth to proclaim the restoration again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation. TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH SMITH AND SIDNEY RIGDON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 I rejoice that the wonderful vision recorded in the 76th section of the D&C was given not only to Joseph Smith, but to Sidney Rigdon: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "And this is the Gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 I thank the Lord that Joseph Smith was not alone, but that Sidney Rigdon was with him and that they were able to declare to all the world: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.110 God lives. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the true and the living God. The power of the priesthood of God is upon the earth and will remain, and those who think that possibly something may arise that will prevent this Church from progressing know not the truth, or they would declare to all the world that it has been established never again to be taken from the earth. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.111 We never seem to have all the time that we would like to have at our conferences. Therefore, we have arranged for two extra sessions tomorrow, and we do most sincerely hope that the people will fill this building at our closing sessions. We have in the past had to draw our inspiration partly from empty benches on the last day of our conference when that has fallen on a week day. We hope that on this centennial occasion this will not be the case. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.111 We dislike very much to limit the time of our speakers, but we had a message from one of the senior apostles which took me only seven and one-half minutes to read; so we are going to call on some of our brethren to speak to us and ask them to be satisfied with the same length of time that Brother Smoot had. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.143 The first organization of our women in the United States was the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today we have nearly one hundred thousand members in that organization. A marvelous work and a wonder has been accomplished by them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.143 We have a Mutual Improvement Association for the young ladies, which organization is now more than fifty years old, and has a membership of more than fifty thousand at the present time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.143 We have a Primary Association that has been established for more than fifty years and that now has practically a hundred thousand members. INSUFFICIENT TIME Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.143 I regret exceedingly that we have never had a conference--and I suppose we never will have--in which we are not limited for time as it draws near to the close. We make our calculations in our Mutual conferences, in our great Sunday School meetings, and the conferences of our other organizations, with the expectation that we can get through on time and be able to hear from all to whom we would like to listen. But almost without exception, towards the close of our meetings we are short of time. SISTERS TO SPEAK BRIEFLY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.144 I had hoped to give to our good sisters, the presidents of the Relief Society, the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, and the Primary Organization, at least ten minutes each in which to speak to us at this conference. But we will have to ask them to be content with the same amount of time that we have given to the mission presidents, namely, seven and one-half minutes each. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.149 The work of gathering statistics and recording history is of a trying nature. There is not the same inspiration in it that there is in going forth and proclaiming the Gospel. It is a type of work that, I have always been grateful to the Lord, has not fallen to my lot. I have a most wonderful admiration for the historian, the man who delves into things of the past: It is marvelous to me to contemplate the great labor that Brother Roberts has performed in compiling the history of the Church, also in writing the new history that has just been completed. I know of no more faithful, energetic, hard-working man to record history and to ascertain facts that we have ever had in the Church than Brother Andrew Jenson, and we shall be pleased to hear from Brother Jenson for ten minutes. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 For the benefit of our visitor I will announce that we have in what is known as our Primary Association, comprised of little children, over one hundred thousand members; that we have in our Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association and our Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association over one hundred thousand members; that in our Sunday Schools we have over a quarter of a million. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 I am sure it will be of interest to you to learn that we expended last year from the tithes of our people: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 For the construction of Ward and Stake meetinghouses $1,257,000, and that the people themselves spent another million. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 For the maintenance and expense of our meeting houses $588,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 For Stake maintenance $235,000 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 The choir sang the anthem, "God is our refuge and strength." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations are presided over by three of the Apostles, so we shall not call upon them to speak at this time, as they have already spoken. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 Two of the members of the Superintendency of Sunday Schools are members of the quorum of Twelve Apostles, and Brother George D. Pyper, to whom we owe more I believe than to anyone else for this marvelous pageant that is being presented, is one of the General Superintendency of Sunday Schools, and we will allow him to talk to us for ten minutes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.167 I wish to say that I have been associated with Brother Pyper for many years, and that he is one of the loyal, true, faithful Latter-day Saints, true to the very core. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.171 I regret beyond expression that we have no more time left. We have not as yet heard from Bishop John Wells. We shall have to ask Brother Wells to speak very briefly instead of occupying the usual fifteen or twenty minutes that have been allotted to the General Authorities of the Church. President Heber J. Grant Report Of Auditing Committee Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.175 "President Heber J. Grant and Counselors, Dear Brethren: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 It gives us pleasure to state that our examination of the First presidency's office, which covered the Presiding Bishop's department, disclosed the fact that the finances of the Church are in excellent condition and its accounting system is modern and complete. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Respectfully submitted, Your brethren, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 (Signed) Henry H. Rotapp, (Signed) O. W. Adams, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Auditing Committee." STATISTICAL REPORT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 There were blessed and entered on the records of the Church last year 19,071 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Children baptized in stakes and missions 15,468 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions 6,511 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Number of long-term missionaries from Zion 2,068 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Number of short-term missionaries 59 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Number of local missionaries 99 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Total missionaries on foreign missions December 31, 1929 2,226 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Number engaged in missionary work in the stakes 903 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Total missionaries 3,129 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Number of missionaries who received training at the Mission Home during the past year 942 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Persons recommended to the temples (stakes and missions) 68,573 SOCIAL STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Birth rate, 29 per thousand. Marriage rate 14.5 per thousand. Death rate 7.8 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 Families owning their own homes, 70 per cent. We have at the present time: Stakes of Zion 104; Wards, 930; Independent branches, 75; Dependent branches, 27; Total wards and branches in the stakes of Zion, from Canada to Mexico, 1032; Missions, 29; Mission branches, 800. APPRECIATION OF DEVOTION OF TEMPLE WORKERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 I desire to express my appreciation to the many hundreds who are working in our temples without remuneration--several hundred in the Salt Lake Temple alone. In all of our temples an immense and wonderful work is being accomplished, all on missionary time, and I appreciate it. On behalf of the Presidency of the Church I extend our blessing to all of these devoted workers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 President Grant asked all who were in the audience who had had the privilege of shaking hands with President Brigham Young to arise and raise their right hands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 There was a large number present who had had this privilege. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 The President then asked those who were present at the conference of the Church fifty years ago to arise and raise their right hands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 There was a considerable number in the audience who had attended that conference, and who so indicated in the manner requested by President Grant. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.176 The choir and congregation joined in singing "God be with you till we meet again." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.177 I desire, on behalf of the Presidency and the General Authorities of the Church, to thank the City Commissioners, the Police Department, the Commercial Club, the leading business men of our city, and all who have taken part so energetically and willingly to make a success, so far as was in their power, of this great conference. I wish particularly to thank each and every one who has given his or her services to make a success of the production of the wonderful pageant which is being presented nightly in this building. We think it is a marvel of inspiration, and we feel to pour out our blessings upon all who have been connected with it. TO SPEAK AT SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.177 The time has expired. I had hoped to have time to say something to the people. Those of you who happen to be in the city next Sunday, if you will come to the afternoon services in this building, may hear me speak to you on that occasion. THANKS SINGERS AND OTHERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.177 I wish to thank all of the splendid singers--our own tabernacle choir, the tabernacle choir from Provo, the tabernacle choir from Ogden, the young people from the Latter-day Saints College, who sang for us yesterday; the leaders of these organizations, those who have sung solos, and all who have assisted in providing us with the beautiful music that we have heard. I wish to thank everybody who has contributed to the success of this conference, and if anyone has been everlooked, please consider yourself thanked. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.181 I had hoped that during our conference we would have an abundance of time--seeing that we had four days instead of the usual three--in which I might make some closing remarks at the last session. It does seem that we never get quite enough time at our conferences. I know of nothing that has been more interesting to me in these gatherings than the brief addresses we have had upon many occasions from presidents of stakes. Since we quit having overflow meetings in the Assembly Hall we have not been calling on returned mission presidents and presidents of stakes to speak at our conferences, as we have lacked the time necessary to hear from them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.181 I do not know but that in the future it might be a wise thing for us to have our meetings start at half past nine and half past one, as an hour and a half is sufficient time for most people to eat their lunch, and this would allow two and a half hours for each session of the conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.181 Since I became President of the Church, we have always been crowded for time towards the close of our conferences and have had to limit some of our brethren of the General Authorities to very brief addresses, which I regret. I realize that twenty minutes is hardly sufficient time for a man to enlarge upon any idea to a very great extent, and yet I believe that the five minute speeches by our sisters and the very brief remarks by our presidents of missions during our conference have found a warm echo in the hearts of those who listened. A WONDERFUL CHANGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.181 One of the things I wished to say at the conference I will say now, and that is that I have never felt happier in my life than over the wonderful change that seems to have come all over the world in the attitude of people toward the Latter-day Saints. It has fallen to my lot now to labor for forty-seven and a half years as one of the General Authorities of the Church. In my early ministry as one of the officials, almost without exception as I traveled around the country, I found a spirit amounting almost to hatred in the hearts of people toward the Mormons. I have found people who would double up their fists and say: "If I had my way I would put all of you Mormons in the Tabernacle, and then turn the guns of Fort Douglas upon you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.181 I remember that during my three years' ministry in Europe I did not succeed in getting one single line of refutation in any of the newspapers of Great Britain, notwithstanding some of the vilest and most wicked and abominable stories were printed against our people. ONE PARTICULAR CASE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 I call to mind one particular case. I went to London with a letter of introduction from the shipping firm with whom we had done business for over fifty years, to the editor of one of the large papers. This letter of introduction not only vouched for me as a gentleman of integrity and honor, whose word was as good as his bond, but it also vouched for all of my predecessors as presidents of the European mission being in that same class. The editor to whom the letter was addressed was away, but his assistant, a Mr. Robinson, received me. When I told him I was anxious to refute the seven to ten columns that had been published on different occasions in his paper, he declined to accept a single thing that I would write. He announced that he was convinced that they had published the exact things that ought to be published about the "Mormon" people. LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 I answered him that a man may call his neighbor a liar, but that does not make him a liar. Yet he might be honest in thinking that his neighbor had lied. I told him I defied him to furnish a certificate of character from any reputable man or woman for any of the men or women who had furnished him the information that had appeared in his paper. I told him that I had letters of introduction from influential bankers in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, and from every non-Mormon banker in Salt Lake City, vouching for my integrity. I had no testimonies, I told him, from "Mormon" bankers. That would be equivalent to my writing a testimony: "To whom it may concern: The bearer, Heber J. Grant, is an honorable man. Very respectfully, Heber J. Grant." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 All of my credentials were from those not of our Church. He said: "It does not make any difference what you have. We will not publish anything that you have to say. We believe that we have published the right things." "I know," was my reply, "that you have published that which is false." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 At that time all of our missionaries in Great Britain were expected to wear "stovepipe" hats and Prince Albert coats. They seemed to be very particular at that time in regard to dress. They have changed somewhat in the last twenty or more years. THE ASSISTANT EDITOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 When I got to the door I put my hat on, turned around, took it off and pretended to have an idea. I had had the idea as I was walking upstairs after the boy told me that the editor was out, but that the assistant editor, Mr. Robinson would receive me. I turned around and said: "By the way, my letter was not to you. The editor is out. You are only the assistant editor, and if I remember correctly the young man who ushered me upstairs told me your name was Robinson. Is that correct?" He said: "It is." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 "Do you know Phil Robinson?" "Everyone knows Phil Robinson." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 I said: "Would you accept any statement that Phil Robinson made?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 "Certainly I would." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 "Did he represent the London Telegraph, one of the two greatest (and I emphasized the two greatest, because his paper was not one of them) London newspapers, during the Boer war?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.182 "Yes, he was their correspondent." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 "Were all of his statements received at one hundred cents on the dollar?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 "Certainly." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 "Then you would believe anything he says?" "Certainly." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 "All right. Buy his book entitled 'Sinners and Saints,' and you will find that everything that you have published in your paper is a lie pure and simple. It will only cost you two shillings, and if that is too expensive, I will be very glad to purchase it and present it to you with my compliments." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 He said: "You astound me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 I said: "You are not the only person that has been astounded when he has come up against the Mormon question." He said: "Write us half a column." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 I said: "Seven to ten columns of falsehoods and a half column of refutation. Small favors thankfully received, and larger ones in proportion. In two hours, you shall have your half column." MANUSCRIPT RETURNED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 I sent it to him. He kept it the usual thirty to sixty days and returned it with the usual printed slip, many of which I have seen: "The editor regrets very much that he cannot find space for this article." The manuscript was sent back to me. THE CONDITION IN EUROPE TODAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 What a wonderful change! When Brother Talmage who is sitting upon this stand presided over the European mission, and today while Brother John A. Widtsoe is presiding over that mission, we have been able to get practically anything and everything that we desire printed in the newspapers. They give us the best kind of notices regarding our conferences there, favorable and honorable notices. OUR LOCAL MORNING NEWSPAPER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 I am grateful beyond expression for the change in attitude of our focal morning newspaper. I wish to pay a tribute to them for publishing twelve pages with illustrations of all the presidents of the Church, my counselors, our great temple in this city and all our other temples, and for accepting an article written by one of the General Authorities of the Church, covering the twelve pages. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.183 I am reminded of the fact that some years ago I delivered a sermon in this tabernacle and the report of it was so garbled by that paper the next day that it was about as honest as though a man had said: "I killed John Jones in self defense," and someone had published that this man said: "I killed John Jones," without mentioning that it was "in self defense." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 I remember that the president of the great Hartford Fire Insurance company, of which I was the agent at that time (I have had the honor of representing them for more than fifty years) was in the audience at the time I preached the sermon. The next morning he read this garbled report, and he said to me: "You ought to sue that libelous paper; that is not what you said at all. They have twisted around what you did say, making it altogether different." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 Today no one could ask for fairer publicity or for a better article to be written, with illustrations, than the twelve pages that the Tribune recently published to which I refer. I am very grateful for this wonderful change. A VICIOUS OPPONENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 I remember that when George Q. Cannon was elected a delegate to Congress his right to a seat in Congress was contested. The attorney who went to Washington to oppose Brother Cannon, and in behalf of the man who had received, as I remember it, just ten per cent as many votes as President Cannon, told the Congressmen that we were a vile lot, and went on to say that if a man were opposed to the Mormon hierarchy he was liable to disappear and nobody would know what had become of him; that a man took his life in his hands if he dared to be in opposition to the Mormon people. When he got through President Cannon said to him, calling him by name: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 "You pride yourself that than you, no more bitter, no more unrelenting, vicious opponent of this awful Mormon system lives, do you not?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 "I certainly do." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 Brother Cannon said, addressing the committee hearing his case: "Gentlemen, I do not think it is at all necessary for me to answer the gentleman's arguments. He has lived with us for over twenty years. He has a fine dwelling that has cost about $25,000 to erect." Then he sat down and the committee voted for Brother Cannon to retain his seat. FRANCHISE TO WOMEN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 Years later it was suggested that the horrible Mormon problem could be solved by giving the franchise to the women. It so happened that the legislature was in session at the time, and there was not a single non-Mormon in the legislature. Within 48 hours, if my memory serves me right, the women were enfranchised by our legislature. The same identical gentleman who was employed to fight George Q. Cannon's taking his seat in Congress, was sent to Washington to have the franchise taken away from the Mormon women as he said that it only added power to the awful hierarchy. He announced that the Mormons had from two to twenty wives, etc., and that these women were all slaves and voted just as they were told to do by their husbands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.184 When he got through speaking, President Cannon remarked: "Does it not surprise you, gentlemen, as you are all married, how some intelligent men believe that other men's wives can be bossed." He then sat down. He had killed the gentleman's argument. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.185 However, when the discussion came before the Congress of the United States, the franchise was taken away from the women of Utah, but it was later restored when Utah attained statehood. PLURAL MARRIAGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.185 The statement about every Mormon having from two to twenty wives, which has been uttered many, many times, is an absolute falsehood. I presided ecclesiastically for two years over one of the counties during the time that we were preaching and practicing plural marriage, and no individual was permitted to take a plural wife without the written recommendation of the bishop of the ward in which he resided, vouching for his character. Not only that, the president of the stake had to vouch for his character as well. And before he could go into the temple to marry a plural wife the President of the Church had to give him a recommend. I had only two applications for permission to marry plural wives during the entire time I presided over the Tooele stake of Zion, covering the entire county of Tooele, and I refused them both. I said to the first applicant: "What is needed in your family is sufficient brains to take care of one wife and one family, and certainly you cannot get a recommend from me to marry another wife." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.185 To the next man I said: "I happen to have lived in Salt Lake before I came out here, and although you are vouched for by your bishop he is not familiar with your conduct when you are in Salt Lake. I happen to have seen you under the influence of liquor, and your kind cannot get a recommend from me to obtain another wife. It is bad enough to have a man who breaks the Word of Wisdom and gets drunk raising one family, without giving him the opportunity to raise another." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.185 There never was a time in the history of the people of Utah that two per cent of the population were liable under the Edmunds-Tucker act. But it was a very fine argument to say that we imported, as people are saying yet that we do, women to Utah and forced them into plural marriage. AN INCIDENT IN CHICAGO Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.185 The first time I was in the east, in the city of Chicago, in May, 1883, a gentleman who afterward became the general manager of one of the greatest insurance companies in the world, whose representative I was, took me to dinner at the Palmer House. After dinner there were about twenty ladies in the rotunda, and he said to me: "I have invited my lady friends here, Mr. Grant, to meet you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.185 I was a young man of 26 and it was my first trip east. I never had read a book on etiquette--and by the way, I never have read one since--and so I watched to see what people did so that I might not make a mistake. I noticed after eating that bowls were brought to us with a piece of orange in them. I thought it did not look very much like orangeade and wondered what it was. I saw my friend dip his fingers in the water and wipe them, and so I did the same. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.185 When we came out to the rotunda, I noticed that he kept his hat on, notwithstanding there were ladies there. So I kept mine on. One of the ladies turned to me, after we had chatted a few moments, and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 "Now--now, really, Mr. Grant. I don't wish to give offense, but would you mind removing your hat?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 I said: "Not at all, madame, I am only 26 years old, and the horns do not come out on the Mormons until they are 32. You will have to wait six more years." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 She blushed and said: "Oh, I have heard that Mormons have horns." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 I said: "I supposed you had, but they do not come out, dear madame, until we are 32 years old. I am sorry that I shall have to disappoint you." FAIR PUBLICITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 Things have changed. We have had some of the very finest publicity all over the country. Occasionally I have seen a picture or two of myself, of Brigham Young and others, together with articles regarding us, that really if I were on a jury, trying the person who was the possessor of the face represented by those pictures I am sure I would convict him no matter what the charge might be. On the other hand there have been better publicity and better articles published about us during this centennial celebration than anything I have ever read before, and I am very grateful for it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 I want to pay this tribute to those who have published these articles and I expect to acknowledge with thanks the many telegrams that we have received. OUR PEOPLE RESPECTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 When I realize that for years and years not a single person from Utah was ever able to secure employment in Washington, and that today we have several hundred of our people employed there, and when I realize that the delegate from Utah was expelled years ago, and today one of the apostles of the Church is recognized as one of the foremost and one of the most outstanding senators in the United States and respected by the president and his colleagues, I rejoice in this wonderful change. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 I rejoice in having had ex-President Taft say to me when I met him upon a trip to Washington: "Mr. Grant, you did not call on me the last time you were here. Now I want it understood that you are never to come to Washington without coming to see me. There is in my heart a warm feeling for your people. I have great respect for them and I want you to call on me whenever you are here." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.186 He was in such a condition of ill health that I couldn't call upon him the last time I was in Washington. I rejoice in the friendship for our people of every president of the United States from President Roosevelt down to the present time. FRIENDSHIP OF U. S. GRANT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.187 I rejoice in the friendship of Ulysses S. Grant. He sent out a lot of officials whose work and only object seemed to be to destroy our people politically and to take away from us the franchise, and do everything against us that they possibly could. But he came here himself and met the people. He saw 20,000 vigorous, fine children on the side hill out near where the Catholic cathedral now stands, waving American flags, and young girls all dressed in white singing a song. And as his carriage stopped and they welcomed the president of the United States, he said: "Whose children are those? Are they Mormons?" When he was told that they were he said: "I have been lied to outrageously." He went home and chopped off the heads of the officials, figuratively speaking, whom he had sent out here, and then sent us some good men. To everybody who undertook to tell him untruths about us he said: "I have been there. I have met them. I know." HIGH STANDARDS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.187 The one thing I rejoice in is that people are beginning to know that if we are judged by the standard laid down by the Savior of the world they cannot help but respect us. What was the first great commandment of God? To multiply and replenish the earth. We have a higher birthrate, higher than the average of any state in the Union. We have a low death rate. I have been engaged in the insurance business for 58 years. We have a lower death rate than the great life insurance companies. A wicked people never have a low death rate. We have a low divorce rate. We have a low insanity rate. ARIZONA PIONEERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.187 The ex-governor of Arizona remarked upon one occasion in a public speech that the Mormon pioneers of Utah who had gone over into Arizona and settled there, the early pioneers of Arizona, were among the choicest and best of people in that state. He said: "In one particular they are being robbed of their share of the public moneys of this state. In proportion to their numbers they are being robbed of 2,500 to 3,000 per cent of their share of criminal taxes, because they are entitled to have 25 or 30 inmates in the state penitentiary and have but one. Then again, they are being robbed in that they are entitled to six, seven or eight in the insane asylum and they do not have one." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.187 The very first time I went to Arizona, after hearing this I quoted the governor, and the district judge arose in the audience and said: "Mr. Grant, I am the district judge. That one was from Apache county and he has since been pardoned." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.187 A year or so after that, Governor Campbell, who was successor to Governor Hunt who made the statement that I have quoted, was here at a convention of all the governors of the different states. They came into our splendid office building to pay respects to the Presidency of the Church and as I shook hands with Governor Campbell I told him what I had heard that Gov. Hunt had said and of the one person in the state penitentiary being pardoned. He said: "That is correct. He was from Apache county and he has been pardoned." BY THEIR FRUITS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 When people stop to reflect upon the statement of the Savior: "By their fruits ye shall know them," and then examine into the record made by the Latter-day Saints, we are not afraid of the decision that shall be made regarding our people. We rejoice that we are becoming known for just what we are. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 I know from my contact with people in early days, of the vindictiveness regarding plural marriage. I have had very many men say: "Why, Mr. Grant, it is a crime morally, intellectually and physically against the posterity of these polygamous marriages." I have said: "I am under the necessity of acknowledging the truth of that statement, because I am the last son of the last wife, and I am a horrible example intellectually, physically and morally, of the fruits of plural marriage among the Mormons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 I can think of nothing that is more gratifying to me than this wonderful change that has come over the people of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 I am reminded of an incident wherein a young man applied for a prominent position for which his predecessor had received a salary and commission of a little over thirty thousand dollars a year. This was in one of the outlying states where the Mormons have but few members in comparison with others. In this particular state I do not think we have five per cent of the entire population. The man who had the position to offer said to the young man: "You are a Mormon?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 "Oh, no," said the young man. "I have outgrown that." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 The gentleman said: "Well, we are considering your application with others. Come around at a later date." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 In the meantime he sent for the president of the stake and said: "What is the matter with that young man?" He thought that by announcing that he had outgrown Mormonism he would get the job. "Unless you can vouch for his honesty," said this gentleman to the stake president, "he will not get the job. What has he done?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 The stake president said: "Well, he has been studying psychology, and he thinks he has outgrown Mormonism. But I can say to you that I think he is an honorable and energetic young man." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 "Then," said the gentleman, "we will give him the position." OBSERVERS OF WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 The word "Mormon" today is a synonym for an honorable, upright, sober, industrious person, provided the person who is a Mormon is living up to his religion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.188 We are fundamentally for prohibition. As Latter-day Saints we have as you all know--and if there are any strangers here I announce it to them--that we have in our Church what is known as the Word of Wisdom, which is a revelation given to Joseph Smith, in which we are told to leave hot drinks (and Joseph Smith interpreted "hot drinks" to mean tea and coffee) tobacco and liquor alone; that tobacco is not good for man, and that liquor is not good for man, except for the washing of the body. We are promised that if we obey the Word of Wisdom it will give us physical strength, whereby the destroying angel shall pass us by as he did the children of Israel. And we are promised that we shall have hidden treasures of knowledge if we live in accordance with the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.189 It is only fair to say to our friends who may have honored us with their presence here this afternoon that we have more than 1,000 bishops of wards and presidents of branches in this Church, from Canada to Mexico, and they each have two counselors, and that each bishopric and branch presidency has a clerk. So that we have more than 4,000 men in the different wards of this Church who must pledge themselves to keep the Word of Wisdom, or we do not install them in office. Occasionally men do not live up to their pledges, but unless they repent we tender them their resignation and of course they accept it, as they cannot help themselves. ENDORSE WHAT LINCOLN SAID Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.189 In addition we have more than one hundred stakes in the Church. A stake includes from five to ten or twelve wards. There are a president and two counselors and a high council of twelve and a stake clerk in each of these stakes. We have more than 2000 men as officers of these stakes who make the same pledge to obey the Word of Wisdom. Therefore, so far as we are concerned, we absolutely believe and endorse most heartily, always have and always expect to, this remarkable and wonderful statement which I am about to read to you, by a man who was loved perhaps as much as any man has been while occupying the presidential chair of the United States after the war closed. Some terrible things were said about him just before the war started and while it was in progress. Lincoln said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.189 "Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country, and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and laws let every American pledge his life, his property and his sacred honor. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the law be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap. Let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges. Let it be written in primers, in spelling books, and almanacs. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. In short, let it become the political religion of the nation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.189 As I said before, we are fundamentally in favor of prohibition and we feel that any man who violates the prohibition law, the Eighteenth Amendment, as long as it is in force, is encouraging anarchy and shows a lack of that patriotism which should be in the mind and heart of every true American. CONSTITUTION INSPIRED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.189 I wish to say to our friends who are visiting with us here today, that the Latter-day Saints believe and have taught from the beginning that God raised up the men who wrote the Constitution of this country; that it was an inspired document, and that the Lord fought on the side of our revolutionary fathers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.190 It was my privilege to be one of the men who worked to make a success of the Liberty Loan drives. I was chairman of two of the drives for the State of Utah, until I became president of the apostles. I was present in California at a convention of people known as the Patriotic Committee of One Thousand. And then we had a smaller meeting and I was permitted to be a speaker at both of these meetings. In the latter meeting there was quite a feeling that it looked as though the enemies of the United States and of our armies were going to win. These men were saying that the outcome looked very dubious. I said: "There are some people who have no fear in regard to this matter, and those people are the Mormons. Why? Because we not only believe in the Bible, but we believe in the Book of Mormon, as a divinely inspired record, that it is the holy scripture of the forefathers of the American Indians, that it gives a sacred history of many of their prophets and others. In the Book of Mormon we find the statement recorded that this land--America --is a land of liberty, choice above all other lands, and that no king shall rule here. So we are not afraid of the Kaiser ever winning the war. We are convinced that God is on our side in this great conflict. TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH SMITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.190 I rejoice in the wonderful change that has come and the manifestation of good will toward our people. We are glad that people are beginning to acknowledge that Joseph Smith was a very remarkable and wonderful man. Although it has been quoted by me a great many times, I am going to close my remarks by quoting from Josiah Quincy, at one time the mayor of the great city of Boston, a man who was acquainted with many leading men of his time. He paid a most remarkable tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith. For the sake of our friends who are here as tourists--the Latter-day Saints have heard this quotation many times--I have decided to read it before the conclusion of my remarks here today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.191 "It is by no means improbable that some future textbook for the use of generations yet unborn will contain a question something like this: What historical American of the nineteenth century has exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his countrymen? And it is by no means impossible that the answer to that interrogatory may be thus written: 'Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet.' And the reply, absurd as it doubtless seems to most men now living, may be an obvious commonplace to their descendants. History deals in surprises and paradoxes quite as startling as this. The man who established a religion in this age of free debate, who was and is today accepted by hundreds of thousands as a direct emissary from the Most High--such a rare human being is not to be disposed of by pelting his memory with unsavory epithets. Fanatic, imposter, charlatan, he may have been; but these hard names furnish no solution to the problem he presents to us. Fanatics and imposters are living and dying everyday, and their memory is buried with them; but the wonderful influence which this founder of a religion exerted and still exerts, throws him into relief before us, not as a rogue to be criminated but as a phenomenon to be explained. The most vital questions Americans are asking each other today have to do with this man and what he has left us. A generation other than mine must deal with these questions. Burning questions they are, which must give a prominent place in the history of the country, to that sturdy self-asserter whom I visited at Nauvoo. Joseph Smith, claiming to be an inspired teacher, faced adversity such as few men have ever attained, and, finally, forty-three days after I saw him, went cheerfully to a martyr's death. When he surrendered his person to Governor Ford, in order to prevent the shedding of blood, the Prophet had a presentiment of what was before him. 'I am going like a lamb to the slaughter,' he is reported to have said, 'but I am calm as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense and shall die innocent.' I have no theory to advance respecting this extraordinary man. I shall simply give the facts of my intercourse with him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.191 "A fine-looking man is what the passer-by would instinctively have murmured upon meeting the remarkable individual who had fashioned the mold which was to shape the feelings of so many thousands of his fellow-mortals. But Smith was more than this, and one could not resist the impression that capacity and resource were natural to his stalwart person. I have already mentioned the resemblance he bore to Elisha R. Potter, of Rhode island, whom I met in Washington in 1826. The likeness was not such as would be recognized in a picture, but rather one that would be felt in a grave emergency. Of all men I have met, these two seemed best endowed with that kingly faculty which directs, as by intrinsic right, the feeble or confused souls who are looking for guidance. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.191 "We then went on to talk of politics. Smith recognized the curse and iniquity of slavery, though he opposed the methods of the abolitionists. His plan was for the nation to pay for the slaves from the sale of public lands. 'Congress,' he said, 'should be compelled to take this course, by petitions from all parts of the country, but the petitioners must disclaim all alliance with those who would disturb the rights of property recognized by the Constitution and which foment insurrection.' It may be worth while to remark that Smith's plan was publicly advocated eleven years later by one who has mixed so much practical shrewdness with his lofty philosophy in 1855, when men's minds had been moved to their depths on the question of slavery, Ralph Waldo Emerson declared that it should be met in accordance 'with the interest of the South and with the settled conscience of the North. It is not really a great task, a great fight for this country to accomplish, to buy that property of the planter, as the British nation bought the West Indian slaves.' He further says that the 'United States will be brought to give every inch of their public lands for a purpose like this.' We, who can look back upon the terrible cost of the fratricidal war, which put an end to slavery, now say that such a solution of the difficulty would have been worthy of a Christian statesman. But if the retired scholar was in advance of his time when he advocated this disposition of the public property in 1855, what shall I say of the political and religious leader who had committed himself, in print, as well as in conversation, to the same course in 1844?" STATESMANLIKE AND INSPIRED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.191 We as Latter-day Saints say that God, through his inspired prophet, Joseph Smith, pointed the way to save the vast loss of human life, the breaking of hearts and the vast waste of money which the rebellion brought, by selling public lands to buy the slaves. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.191 "If the atmosphere of men's opinions was stirred by such a proposition when war-clouds were discernible in the sky, was it not a statesmanlike word, eleven years earlier, when the heavens looked tranquil and beneficent?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.191 It was a statesmanlike and inspired word from the prophet of the living God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.191 "Born in the lowest ranks of poverty, without book-learning and with the homeliest of all human names, he had made himself at the age of thirty-nine a power upon the earth. Of the multitudinous family of Smith, none had so won human hearts and shaped human lives as this Joseph. His influence, whether for good or for evil, is potent today, and the end is not yet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.192 "I have endeavored to give the details of my visit to the Mormon prophet with absolute accuracy. If the reader does not know just what to make of Joseph Smith, I cannot help him out of the difficulty. I myself stand helpless before the puzzle." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.192 All over the wide world the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has been proclaimed by weak humble elders, many of whom have never stood on their feet to speak in public before they were sent out into the world. Men and women from every denomination, under heaven, every religious sect, and in every country where the Gospel has gone, have received the witness of the Holy Spirit that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of the true and the living God, and they have sacrificed their families, their friends, their homes and their associates. Many of them, in earlier days, have been turned out by their families, as things of evil because of the testimony that had come into their hearts of the divinity of this work. TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.192 I thank God for the knowledge I possess by the inspiration of his Spirit that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of the world, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. And I thank him that I do know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. I rejoice in having had the privilege of bearing this testimony from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, in the Hawaiian Islands and in the far-off land of Japan. May God help me and every Latter-day Saint who has a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged to so live that our lives may proclaim the truth of this Gospel, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.192 I want to say that I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for our marvelous and wonderful pageant. My heart goes out in deep gratitude to those who have taken part in it, I mentioned it at conference, but I want to mention it again today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.192 We now have on file more than fifty thousand applications for additional tickets to the pageant. I do not know how we are going to accommodate all of the people who want to see it. But we rejoice in the loyalty and the patriotism of our choir and of all who have taken part in this great pageant. And we are grateful because of the fine reception it has had from all of the citizens who have seen it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, p.192 A pageant entitled "The Messages of the Ages" having been presented in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, in connection with the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the Church, the following article in reference to the pageant was prepared by Elder George D. Pyper for publication in this pamphlet: President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.2 It is always a pleasure to me to meet with the Latter-day Saints in any of their public gatherings, and especially am I pleased to be present at the General Conferences of the Church, having had the privilege of attending them from my childhood until the present time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.2 There are assembled I am sure in this city today fully twenty thousand people from different sections of the Church, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, who will attend these meetings. In addition there will be several hundred thousand who will attend our meetings by means of the marvelous radio. It is wonderful how many people are permitted to listen in, those who have a desire to do so, to our conference proceedings. In many of our Wards and Stakes the meetinghouses will be filled with those who will hear as plainly and partake of the spirit I believe as perfectly almost as those who are assembled in this building today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.2 I rejoice in the opportunities that have come to preach the Gospel through the means of the radio. One day four letters were received from New Zealand, announcing the perfect reception of a program broadcast by KSL. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION PUBLICITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.3 We rejoice in the marvelous Conference that was held here six months ago. When we think of this building being filled for thirty evenings by people who attended the wonderful pageant that was presented, it is another marvel to contemplate the fact that publicity was given to millions of people regarding that great pageant. I have here on exhibit and I wish to show you what is merely a collection of newspaper clippings regarding our Centennial celebration. Over three thousand newspapers gave us favorable notices. The great change that has come about since the days of my boyhood in the general attitude toward this people is almost beyond contemplation or expectation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.3 I can remember when I was the junior member of the Council of the Twelve, forty-eight years ago this month, that during my first trips away from home, almost invariably, wherever I went I found opposition. I found ill-will toward the Latter-day Saints. I found men so full of bitterness toward us that they said if they had their way the "Mormons" would be shut up in their tabernacle and the guns of Fort Douglas be turned upon them. Today, wherever I go I find the opposite feeling; I find good-will; I find kindness; I find readiness and willingness on the part of newspapers to give us favorable public notices. Anything we wish to say they are willing to print. ATTITUDE OF THE PRESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.3 During the time when I presided over the Japanese Mission there were some vile things published in that country about us; and when I obtained affidavits from home refuting the published statements I could not get them into the papers that had published the scurrilous articles against us. During my presidency of the European Mission, for three long years, I never succeeded in getting one single line of refutation printed in the papers in England. Some very pernicious articles were written about us, but the newspapers would not publish refutations of those articles. Today, we are getting very favorable publicity. The newspapers are open to the president of the European Mission, Elder John A. Widtsoe. We regret his absence from the meetings of this Conference. We would be delighted if he were here. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.3 We also regret very much the absence of Elder Stephen L. Richards on account of ill health. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.3 I remember calling upon one newspaper in London that had published some seven to ten columns of vile stuff about the "Mormons," and I took with me a letter of introduction from a large shipping firm in Liverpool--with which we had done business for over sixty years--vouching not only for my integrity as president of the European Mission, but for the integrity of all of my predecessors, and yet they would not publish a single line. I told them I had letters of introduction from all of the non-"Mormon" bankers in Salt Lake City, and from bankers in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, and from the largest wholesale dry goods house in New York, vouching for my honesty, and gave them my word of honor that what they had published was false. Yet they would not publish a thing in our favor. SOURCE OF GRATITUDE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 To have over three thousand newspapers; to have the Associated Press; to have the Hearst papers, and to have western papers--especially in Utah and in Idaho--the newspapers generally, give us such extended and favorable articles as this immense volume contains, is a cause of deep gratitude on my part and that of my associates of the General Authorities of the Church. These notices and editorials as well as the original articles that appeared with illustrations, are all that we could possibly have asked. There was very seldom anything published during our Centennial Conference that was not favorable. The Associated Press and special representatives of various newspapers sent out truthful and informative notices. This is a source of profound gratitude on our part. FOR WHAT WE ARE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 I announced to the good sisters yesterday in their Relief Society Conference that we are becoming known for what we are, a God-fearing, honest, upright people, striving to serve the Lord and keep his commandments, carrying a message of good will to all the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 All that we have ever asked or expected is that people shall judge us by the standards laid down by the Savior of the world, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 We have a lower divorce rate, we have a higher marriage rate, we have a higher birth rate, we have a lower death rate, we have a lower criminal rate, than other people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 I know of nothing for which I am more grateful than to realize that we are coming into our own, that we are being accepted for exactly what we are, a God-fearing and splendid people. IN FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 The accomplishments of the Latter-day Saints are in absolute and full accord with the prophecy delivered on the west bank of the Mississippi river by the Prophet Joseph Smith, as recorded in the prophet's journal under date of August 6, 1842: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 "I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains. Many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities, and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.4 This has been fulfilled to the very letter and we have over one thousand wards and branches from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south. The Church has expended during the last three years between three and four million dollars in assisting to erect local meeting-houses. The people have contributed a like amount. As you know we have builded here a four-million-dollar temple, and we have built temples in St. George, Manti, Logan, Canada, Arizona and the Hawaiian Islands, costing in all many millions of money. We have in very deed fulfilled that prophecy notwithstanding the fact that this western country was considered worthless. When you think of this arid region, when you think that it was considered of no value, and then realize what has been accomplished, it is beyond question that we have fulfilled that prediction. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.5 At the very time this prophecy was uttered, Daniel Webster, one of the foremost statesmen in the United States at that time, said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.5 "What do we want with this vast worthless area, this region of savages and wild beasts, of deserts, of shifting sands, and whirlwinds of dust, of cactus and prairie dogs? To what use could we ever hope to put those great deserts or those endless mountain ranges, impenetrable and covered to their very bases with eternal snow? What can we ever hope to do with the western coast of three thousand miles, rock-bound, cheerless, uninviting and not a harbor on it? Mr. President, I will never vote one cent from the public treasury to place the Pacific Coast one inch nearer Boston than it now is." MARVELOUS RESOURCES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.5 When I think of the magnificent harbor at Seattle, and the wonderful Golden Gate harbor as well as others on the Pacific Coast, I am aware that Daniel Webster was not very well posted. When we think of this "worthless" country--Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and California--having furnished more wealth so far as the precious metals are concerned than any other part or all of the balance, I think, of the United States; when we realize that we have one mine here, a copper mine, the copper being mined in a most unusual and wonderful way, having paid as I recall over one hundred and fifty million dollars in dividends, working successfully ore that does not run one per cent--less than twenty pounds of copper to a ton--handling upon one occasion more than eighty thousand tons in a day, or double as much as was handled in a day in the construction of the Panama canal; when we think of the millions upon millions of dollars' worth, of gold produced in California; when we think of the rich copper mines in Arizona, to say nothing of silver, lead and gold in all these sections, and Colorado's immense wealth, we realize that Daniel Webster did not know very much about this country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.5 But the only point I wish to make is that we as Latter-day Saints realize and know that Joseph Smith was and is the representative of God and a prophet of God, and that his sayings have been fulfilled to the very letter. SIGNS OF THE TIMES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.5 I am very happy in contemplating the prosperity that prevails today, and my heart goes out in gratitude for the change that has taken place at home and abroad. While the world is in a state of commotion and there is perplexity among the nations, the Latter-day Saints have no fears for the future. The signs of the times indicate the near approach of the coming of the Lord, and the work that we are engaged in is a preparatory one for that great event. NEVER WHILE THE WORLD STANDS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.6 In speaking here last month, Bishop Sylvester Q. Cannon referred to a statement made by a minister to the effect that unless the "Mormon" Church can withstand the criticism of intelligent people, the test of modern science, etc., it must, in the next one hundred years, be counted in the category of declining religions and that it would then be necessary for us to shift our faith from Joseph Smith and his reputed revelations, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.6 Never while the world stands will it be necessary for us to shift our faith. God lives, Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. He has appeared to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon, and we proclaim to all the world that we know that he lives and that God has given to us individually a testimony regarding the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith. We have the truth, and as the great lawyer said to those who were fighting Christianity, we can repeat today: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.6 "Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.6 "And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.6 "Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this work be of men, it will come to naught: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.6 "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found to fight against God." DURING ONE HUNDRED YEARS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.6 This work is of God and it has been proclaimed now for over a hundred years. We are here today assembled celebrating the one hundred and first semi-annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During all of these one hundred years the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith, has been proclaimed all over the world wherever there has been religious liberty. In every land and in every clime wherever it has been proclaimed honest men and honest women have received the message, have accepted the Gospel, have gone down into the waters of baptism, have pledged their lives and their fortunes for the advancement of this work. From every religious denomination under heaven we have gathered converts. I have never investigated beyond my own experience in life, but I know of no single missionary who has gone out into the world, not one, who has been converted to any other religion and come home to announce that this Gospel of Jesus Christ is not true. But by the hundreds and thousands, during my life, I have heard the testimonies of the young men and the young women who have gone out to proclaim this Gospel returning from their missionary work and bearing witness that they had an increased knowledge of the divinity of this work, that their testimonies had been strengthened. Think of it! What a wonderful miracle it is that with this "false" prophet and these "purported" revelations our young inexperienced members of the Church go out and come in contact with all the education, all the learning, and all the faiths of the world, and yet the churches have not been able to convert any of them and show them that straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. WITNESS TO THE WORLD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 I bear my witness to you today--and I am talking now not only to the people who are here assembled but to the people who may be listening in by means of the radio, at home or abroad, in the United States or in foreign countries--I bear my witness that God lives, that he is the Father of our spirits; that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God; that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the true and the living God, and that his words contained in the D&C are the inspired words of a prophet of God. I desire all men to know that the revelation or vision given to Joseph Smith, as contained in the seventy-sixth section of the D&C is absolutely true. I have repeated two passages from that section time and time again, and I shall repeat them again now, in this day of doubt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 Some years ago many ministers of the gospel, even several hundred of them, were asked the following questions: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "'Do you believe in God, the Father; God a person * * * in whose image you were made? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "Do you believe that Christ was the Son of the living God, sent by him to save the world * * * that he is God's very Son, with a divinely appointed and definite mission, dying on the cross and raised from the dead? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "Do you believe that when you die you will live again as a conscious intelligence, knowing who you are and who other people are?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 These questions were put to ministers in the New England States, and not a single one gave an unequivocal answer, Yes, notwithstanding they had been asked to answer them Yes or No. THE FAITH OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 All three of those questions can be answered by every Latter-day Saint. We believe that God appeared to Joseph Smith, and that he proclaimed Jesus Christ as his "Well Beloved Son." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 And now, I quote from the vision given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "That he came into the world even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "And now, after the many testimonies that have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: that he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice declaring that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.7 So there is no dubiety in our minds. One man said to me, "The only religious people I ever met in my life who have a perfect faith in and an absolute assurance of their final destiny are the Mormons." And it is true. IN DEEP GRATITUDE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.8 I feel that I have occupied enough time. I rejoice in the advancement of the work of God. My heart goes out in deep gratitude to the members of the committee who furnished that magnificent pageant. I thank the men who secured this wonderful publicity for us. It is marvelous. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.8 May the Lord bless each and every one who has a testimony of the divinity of this work to so live the Gospel that his life will proclaim its message to the people of the world. The promise is made that those who will do the will of the Father shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether it be of man. Having fulfilled the law and having received the knowledge that we are engaged in the work of the Lord, we pray that he may help us to live it. May he help us to be absolutely honest in the payment of our tithes, in observing the Word of Wisdom and setting an example that will cause men and women to investigate the message that we have to bear. It is my humble prayer that the Lord will bless every honest-hearted soul upon the face of the earth, and I ask it in the name of Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.112 There appeared in the Deseret News last night, occupying nearly an entire column, a list of influential citizens who are engaged in marking Utah Pioneer trails--landmarks along the trails. We would like all of our people to take interest in this matter. It is something that every citizen of Utah should be interested in, without regard to creed or religion. We are pleased to see many of the most influential men of the City and State engaged in this movement. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.113 We would like every one to remain in this building after the benediction until the Choir has withdrawn and become stationed in the place where they are to sing for the Movietone News. Their singing is to be heard probably by about thirty million people through the instrumentality of the talking pictures. The Fox Movietone people are here to take the picture. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.113 I wish to say that we are obtaining most marvelous and wonderful response from the broadcasting by radio of the singing of the Choir and the renditions on the Organ every Monday afternoon. We have received letters from all over the country giving expressions of delight regarding these recitals. The broadcasting company that has charge of this work has written to us expressing delight and appreciation. It is no small thing for our Choir and our Organ to be heard all over the United States. This advertises Salt Lake City in a most remarkable way. We are grateful to the radio broadcasting people for giving us this privilege. We are grateful for the loyalty of our Choir and our organists for giving their services in these special recitals. We are thankful to the employers of Choir members for releasing them to come here and give those broadcasts, and I say without fear of contradiction that they are one of the greatest advertisements for Salt Lake City that could possibly be had. In fact we know that other cities (I won't mention the names of any of them) are complaining and asking for the same privilege, but they do not happen to have the Mormon Tabernacle Choir nor do they have the great Tabernacle Organ. But they would like to advertise their own towns. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.117 I asked for a list to be furnished me of people prominent in the Church who had passed away since our last Conference. I am surprised to find that the name of P. Rulon Christensen, president of the French Mission, was omitted. He filled a very splendid mission and we are grateful for his fine labors. We extend our sympathy to his family. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.117 I am also surprised that I myself did not think of one of the general officers of the Church, one of the assistant historians, Brother Junius F. Wells, the instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, by direction of President Brigham Young, of traveling all over the Church and establishing the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. It fell to my lot to be one of the officers of the first Mutual Improvement Association of the young men, organized by Brother Wells. Three of the four officers are living today, Counselor B. Morris Young, Hyrum H. Goddard, the Secretary, and myself. Henry A. Woolley, the President, has passed away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.117 I was intimately associated as a partner in business and in a church capacity with Junius F. Wells, nearly all of my life. I never heard him speak an unkind word of anyone. If he could not speak good of people he said nothing. He did us honor and credit wherever he traveled at home or abroad. He was a worthy son of a worthy father. His heart and soul were wrapped up in Mutual Improvement work. He gave to that work the very best that was in him. It is a source of regret to me that I could not be present at his funeral. May the blessings of the Lord attend his family. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.137 The time has expired, but I cannot refrain from saying a few words. I am grateful for the splendid attendance we have had here today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.138 It has been remarkable. I am thankful for the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord. I am grateful for the splendid singing that we have listened to and for all of the inspired remarks that have been made; particularly am I thankful for the splendid testimonies averaging from three to five minutes--all kept within the time. I am very grateful indeed for these testimonies. I wish we had time to hear them at greater length, but the simple declaration of a knowledge of the divinity of this work from the men and women who stand at the head of the missionary work and the auxiliary associations in this Church is a source of great satisfaction, and these testimonies cannot be denied. No matter whether people believe them or not, those of us who have the inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord know that they are true, because we have that same testimony ourselves. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.138 I did not make any remarks at the close of the last Conference because the time had expired. But I have made up my mind that in the future even if the time has expired I am going to say a few things that are in my mind. APPRECIATION OF ELDER ROBERTS' WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.138 I want to express my gratitude, my thanks, my love and my blessing to Brother Brigham H. Roberts for the marvelous and inspiring energy that he has put forth in producing the six great volumes of the history of this Church. It is a monumental labor and he has worked at it day and night. I know of no man who has been more diligent in his labors for the Church, day in and day out, than Brother Roberts has been preparing this great history, and he has the gratitude of all the brethren of the Presidency and the Apostles for the diligence, the great care and attention that he has given to the production of these volumes. He is still busily engaged, more perfectly arranging the indexes, etc., for the history. I rejoice in this wonderful accomplishment. GRATITUDE FOR WORK OF CHOIR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.138 I was thrilled by the United States Marine band concert that was held in this building recently. I enjoyed it very much. But the real thrill came when I heard the two selections that were rendered by our Choir. I have never heard our sweet singer, Sister Laurinda P. Brewerton, who sang the solo part in "Inflammatus," sing better at any time than she did on that occasion. It seemed to me that she was inspired. I know that the band must have been inspired. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.138 I rejoice in the broadcasting. I repeat the gratitude of the General Authorities to the employers of the members of our Choir who are excused each week in order to participate in this broadcast. BLESSING AND TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930, p.139 I wanted to say this much, and I want to leave my blessing upon all the General Authorities, the General Officers, the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops of Wards, the Presidents of Branches, Presidents of Missions and all men and women in any place of responsibility in this Church. They have my love, my confidence and my blessing, also the blessing of my Counselors. I leave my blessing upon all Israel, and upon all honest people the world over. I thank God that I know he lives, that I know that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and living God, and all the doubt of all the world cannot change the knowledge that God has given to me and to the Latter-day Saints by the hundreds of thousands. May God's blessings attend you all, I ask, in the name of Jesus, our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.2 I do not recall that at a first session of a General Conference held on a week day I have ever seen as large an attendance as we have here today. I rejoice in the interest of the Saints in our Annual and Semi-Annual Conferences. It is a remarkable thing for people by the thousands to come from all parts of the United States, also from Canada and Mexico, to these meetings. It shows the interest, the faith and the love of the people for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has been revealed in our day. On behalf of the General Authorities of the Church I welcome you here. I earnestly and sincerely pray that while we are assembled together we may be blessed of the Lord, that those who speak and pray and sing may do so under the inspiration that comes from our Heavenly Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.2 It has been customary for very many years to read to the people a statement of expenditures and statistical matters at our Annual Conferences. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The expenditures by the Church for the year 1930 are as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.2 Stake and Ward Purposes: There has been returned from the tithes to the Stakes and Wards for the construction of Ward and Stake meeting houses $887,678.43 For Ward maintenance expense For Stake maintenance expense 271,983.42 Total $1,750,454.19 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 Education: Expended for the maintenance of Church School System $811,622.19 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 Temples: Expended for the maintenance and operation of Temples $196,898.81 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 Charities: For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment $203,091.41 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 Missions: For the maintenance and operation of all the missions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions $916,543.59 I believe I am safe in saying that at no time in the history of the Church has there been so much expended in our Missions as during the past two or three years, including the year that has just closed. The grand total of these appropriations from the tithes and resources of the Church is ................... $3,878,610.19 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 These funds have been taken from the tithes and Church investments and returned by the Trustee-in-Trust to the Saints for the maintenance and operation of the Stakes and Wards, for the maintenance and operation of Church schools and temples, for charities and mission activities. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 Other Charities: In addition to charities paid from the tithes as before named, there has also been disbursed the fast offerings, other charities and assistance rendered by the Relief Society in the sum of $464,404.39, which amount, added, to the $203,091.41 paid from the tithes, makes the total charity assistance rendered by the Church $667,495.80 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 There has been collected by the various Wards of the Church and paid to missionaries to assist in their maintenance. $100,685.08 STATISTICS AND OTHER DATA COMPILED FROM THE ANNUAL REPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1930 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 We have at the present time: Stakes of Zion, 104; Wards, 926; Independent Branches, 74; Dependent Branches, 33; Total Wards and Branches in the Stakes of Zion, from Canada to Mexico, 1033; Missions, 30; Mission Branches, 873; Districts, 246. CHURCH GROWTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.3 Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the Stakes and Missions 20,021 Children Baptized in the Stakes and Missions 15,313 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the Stakes and Missions 6,758 Number of long-term missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1930 1,889 Number of short-term missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1930 52 Number of local missionaries 107 Total number of missionaries on foreign missions... 2,048 Number engaged in missionary work in Stakes 1,000 Total missionaries 3,048 Number of missionaries who received training at the Missionary Home 812 Persons recommended to the temples from the Stakes and Missions 69,109 SOCIAL STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Birth rate, 29.7 per thousand. Marriage rate, 13.9 per thousand. Death rate, 7.6 per thousand. Families owning their own homes, 68 per cent. CHANGES IN STAKE AND MISSION OFFICERS SINCE LAST OCTOBER CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Stake Presidents Appointed : Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Anthon E. Anderson has been appointed president of Logan Stake to succeed Oliver H. Budge. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Harold B. Lee has been appointed president of Pioneer Stake to succeed Datus E. Hammond. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Jesse W. Richins has been appointed president of the Twin Falls Stake to succeed William A. Hyde. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 J. Emmett Bird has been appointed president of the Kolob Stake to succeed George R. Maycock. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Almon T. Butterfield has been appointed President of the West Jordan Stake to succeed Joseph M. Holt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Thomas A. King has been appointed president of the Garfield Stake to succeed Charles E. Rowan, Jr. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Francis W. Stratford has been appointed president of the North Weber Stake to succeed John V. Bluth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 New Mission Organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Texas Mission, with headquarters at Houston, Texas. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 New Mission Presidents: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Charles E. Rowan, Jr., has been appointed president of the Texas Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Charles H. Hart has been released as president of the Canadian Mission, and John V. Bluth appointed to succeed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 New Wards Organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Ogden 21st Ward, Ogden Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Wilmington Ward, Los Angeles Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Maywood Ward, Los Angeles Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 Stake Presidents who have passed away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.4 George R. Maycock, president of the Kolob Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Joseph M. Holt, president of the West Jordan Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 I attended the funerals of these two Presidents and the tributes paid to them were of the most excellent character. Their labors were splendid and their families have our sympathy and our prayers that they may follow in the footsteps of these two splendid men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Bishops who have passed away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 William T. Harkness of the Magna Ward, Oquirrh Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 John L. Fish of Lakeside Ward, Snowflake Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Others who have passed away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Peter G. Johnston, one of the Church Auditing Committee for many years. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Benjamin Goddard, formerly manager of the Bureau of Information from its inception until just prior to his death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 George C. Smith, secretary for many years of the Tabernacle Choir. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Zina Young Card, daughter of President Brigham Young, and active in Church work from her young girlhood days. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Brigham Morris Young, son of Brigham Young, loyal and true all the days of his life to the Church and its interests and a worker in the Salt Lake Temple from the day it was dedicated until the time of his death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Evan Stephens, formerly director of the Tabernacle Choir, and one of the men to whom we owe so much--to him and Brother George Careless, perhaps more than almost to any other men--for writing our beautiful hymns and for taking such a deep interest in all of our musical affairs. DECRIES PROPAGANDA Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 I desire to bring to the attention of the members of the Church some very regrettable and most annoying circumstances. I have taken occasion in times past to denounce the conduct of persons both within and without the Church who have palpably sought to bring disgrace upon the Church and reproach to its leaders in the circulation of propaganda for and the unlawful practice of pretended "plural marriage." Notwithstanding the positive, unequivocal declarations which I have made from time to time on this subject, and in spite of the vigorous and unvarying prosecution within the courts of the Church, from the tribunals of the bishops to the Council of the Twelve Apostles, of cases arising out of violations of the law of the Church forbidding absolutely the practice of plural marriage notwithstanding all these efforts on the part of the authorities of the Church to suppress the unlawful practices and propaganda of these people, we find that there are still a number, relatively small we hope, who persist in teaching the doctrine and maligning the leaders of the Church. PUNISHED WHEN FOUND Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.5 Wherever the Authorities of the Church have been able to locate such persons and secure sufficient definite evidence to warrant their conviction, they have, without fear or favor, been dealt with and excommunicated from the Church. This procedure is the limit of Church jurisdiction. We have been, however, and we are entirely willing and anxious too that such offenders against the law of the State should be dealt with and punished as the law provides. We have been and we are willing to give such legal assistance as we legitimately can in the criminal prosecution of such cases. We are willing to go to such limits not only because we regard it as our duty as citizens of the country to assist in the enforcement of the law and the suppression of pretended "plural marriages," but also because we wish to do everything humanly possible to make our attitude toward this matter so clear, definite, any unequivocal as to leave no possible doubt of it in the mind of any person. TO PROTECT THE UNWARY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.6 There are always to be found in any large group of people some who are uninformed, credulous, and easily susceptible to the persuasions of more forceful personalities. Such persons are often well-meaning and at heart very devoted to the Church. It is a matter of sorrow and deep regret to us that some such members of the Church have been inveigled by designing men and fanatics into the support and practice of unlawful relations. It is largely for the protection of such class of people within the Church and similarly minded converts to the Church that we feel the necessity of stressing this unpleasant subject so much. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.6 The machinations of the proponents of unlawful marriages are, of course, carried on largely in secret. The Church has no adequate way of thwarting their endeavors before much harm is often done, although the officers of the Church, from the highest to the least, are definitely instructed to be constantly on the watch for such teaching and propagandists. We have hesitated somewhat to make public statements or denials to charges and false assertions published in literature sent out by these enemies of the Church and its administration, because we have felt that added publicity to their pernicious statements would be gratifying to them and probably useless in stemming their activity. There is scarcely a man among the leading authorities who has not been defamed by them, both in print and speech. WIDELY CIRCULATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.6 They have circulated their literature as widely as possible with their available means, even sending defamatory pamphlets to the missionaries of the Church in their fields of labor, extending to Europe. We suppose that in some instances this material may fall into the hands of investigators, weak members of the Church and others who already, by reason of misrepresentation, are prejudiced against us. There are some, undoubtedly, among these who give credence to that which they read, although, of course, we should be able to expect and we do expect that no missionary of the Church would credit such false assertions. FALSE AND SLANDEROUS STATEMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.6 These publications are not only slanderous of the leaders of the Church but they are calculated to cast a blemish on the lair name of our State. Their authors are apparently without conscience as to the truth of their statements, seeking only to influence those Who are uninformed and gullible. They have charged me and many of my brethren here with the commission of crime and have manufactured circumstances as fictitious as the imagination may conceive. We have felt that it was beneath us to make reply to such false and malignant accusations. We have believed that neither the people of the Church nor those outside the Church with whom we live as neighbors and fellow citizens would expect us to answer. If there are any of our brothers or sisters or friends who feel that there are any circumstances which warrant an answer or defense on our part, we assure any such we shall be glad to satisfy them on their request. And when we say our friends we mean our friends, not those who write anonymous letters, or individuals who make false statements about us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.7 Perhaps we are presumptuous, but we feel that our standing in the community as men of integrity and honor is a sufficient rebuttal to these infamous charges made against us. President Widtsoe Maligned Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.7 In most instances the misrepresentations and false accusations have been made by way of recital and innuendo, with an apparent effort to shield the authors and publishers from legal responsibility. In one recent instance, however, they have been bold enough to print a libelous attack on President John A. Widtsoe, supposedly because they knew of his expected presence here for conference. The circumstances recited are wholly fictitious and false, and are presented, undoubtedly, with the purpose of creating prejudice against him and injuring his work in Europe. We think that the high esteem in which Doctor Widtsoe is held, not only in the Church but in his State and as a national figure, makes unnecessary any reply to such calumny. However, if he desires he may have the facilities we can afford to protect himself and to prosecute the defamers of his good name. ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.7 Now, in conclusion, let me state again, as I have done many times before--and my statement is meant for every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for our neighbors and friends who dwell in the communities where we live, and for the whole world--that the Church does not countenance, aid, abet, tolerate or sanction in any way, shape or form the contracting of so-called "plural marriages," but that on the contrary it absolutely forbids the members of the Church from entering into any such unlawful relations or teaching or encouraging such practices, and that it will continue in the future as it has done in the past to deal with and punish to the extent of its authority any persons who violate these injunctions. I do not know how to make it plainer or more forceful. If I did I would do so. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.7 As I read this I recall that the statement is made that the leaders of the Church can practice these things. So when this is published I will say that this applies to all the General Authorities of the Church and the members, for fear these falsifiers will start another falsehood. THE POSITION OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.8 I want the officers of our Church, our missionaries, all who in any manner represent us, to know beyond any doubt whatsoever that this is the straightforward, honest, unequivocal position of the Church, and I want them all to know that any person or persons who question this assertion cast reflection upon the honor and integrity of the men who stand at the head of the Church as its General Authorities, for this statement sets forth not only my own views and purposes, hut it is sustained in every detail, in letter and in spirit, by each and every member of the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve Apostles, the Presiding Patriarch, the First Council of Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric, to whom it has been submitted and by whom it has been unanimously approved. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.8 And I wish to say that I want it understood that so far as God gives me power to give His word to the people, it is the word of the Lord. THE PEOPLES' WELFARE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.8 Now, I cannot do more. Of course the circumstances to which I have called attention are very provoking and annoying to us. It is easy to become angry when we contemplate the harm and incalculable injury that some of these perverted, vicious men have perpetrated on the Church, but I do not speak in anger. I have in mind only the welfare and the progress of the great cause which we represent and love, and the people who are within the Church and those to whom we are carrying the Gospel. It hurts me to see the advancement of the work retarded by such regrettable activities within the Church itself. We may always expect to be assailed from without, but it seems to me we can reasonably hope that within the Church our solemn statements of fact and principle will be received at face value. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.8 It may be that among those who so malign the Church and its leaders are some who are conscientious in their endeavors. I am sorry that they are so simple and misguided as to permit themselves to be allied with those who, by reason of their propaganda and activity, are among the most malicious enemies of the Church. I pray that their eyes may be opened and their course set right. I pray also that all the people of the Church in all parts of the world may unite in a determined effort to abolish from the inside of the Church at least these insidious efforts and unlawful practices which are calculated to bring so much reproach upon us. DENIES CHURCH IN DEBT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.8 The same people who are publishing these slanderous statements have also said that the presiding officers of the Church have used the credit of the Church and involved it in debt to the extent of $23,000,000.00, mortgaging its property to secure this indebtedness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 The fact is that during my administration no part of the property of the Church has ever been mortgaged, and the Church itself is entirely free from debt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 In proof of what I have said, I read the statement of the Church Auditing Committee, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 "April 4th, 1931. President Heber J. Grant and Counselors, Dear Brethren: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 It gives us pleasure to state that our examination of the reports of the First Presidency's office, which covered the Presiding Bishop's department, disclosed the fact that the Church is entirely out of debt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 The accounting system of the Church is modern and complete. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 Respectfully submitted, Henry H. Rolapp, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 O. W. Adams, Auditing Committee." CONTRARY TO LAW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 It is against the law of the land to enter into polygamy. In section 58 of the D&C, we find the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 "For verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 "Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 "Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 "Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet." STATEMENT SUSTAINED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 I would like all those in this congregation who feel to sustain this statement that I have read to you to manifest it as the Apostles and all of the General Authorities have done, by raising their right hands. (The congregation responded by raising their hands). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 I have never seen such a lot of hands held so high in my life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 All those who are opposed to this statement will please raise their hands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 (No hands were raised). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 Our enemies do not seem to be here. QUOTES PROPHET'S PRAYER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 The Prophet Joseph, at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, in the prayer offered on that occasion, among other things said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 "We ask thee, Holy Father, to confound and astonish, and to bring to shame and confusion, all those who have spread lying reports abroad, over the world, against thy servant or servants, if they will not repent, when the everlasting gospel shall be proclaimed in their ears; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 "And that all their works may be brought to naught, and be swept away by the hail, and by the judgments which thou wilt send upon them in thine anger, that there may be an end to lyings and slanders against thy people." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.9 We say Amen to the prophet's prayer on that occasion. READS FROM SCRIPTURES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 In my remarks today I desire to read from the holy scriptures some of the words of the Savior, and also from the revelations that have come to us in our day. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 What kind of fruits do the people to whom I have referred bring forth? I know of no more outrageous falsifying in my life than has been indulged in by these people. One man by the name of Lorin C. Woolley said that Anthony W. Ivins and Heber J. Grant went to Los Angeles, that he followed them, that they went into a hotel and that Anthony W. Ivins married a plural wife to Heber J. Grant. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 Anthony W. Ivins and Heber J. Grant were never in a hotel together in Los Angeles. Heber J. Grant has never suggested to any human being during his entire administration as President of the Church that anybody should ever enter into plural marriage. On the contrary, every man or woman who has ever opened his or her mouth to him on this subject he has taught to the contrary. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 Those who have heard my counsel for at least twelve years, to say nothing of that of my predecessors and others, to obey the laws of the land and do not do it, are building their houses upon sand, and they are absolutely certain to fall. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, ' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "This is the first and great commandment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." THE BARLOW CASE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.10 I call to mind that we tried a man by the name of Barlow for entering into pretended plural marriage years ago. This man brought to us a letter purporting to come from Owen Woodruff, who was dead, telling him to send the person to Mexico, stating that Owen Woodruff married this girl to him. And there was not a word of truth in it. I went to his stenographer and confronted her, and she acknowledged that she wrote the postscript on the letter herself. After Owen Woodruff had been dead for years a man whose name I will not mention because he repented of his sins, acknowledged that he performed that marriage. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 What do you think of such falsifiers talking about the leaders of the Church apostatizing and that they are the reformers ? FAITH AND WORKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works ? can faith save him ? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well, the devils also believe, and tremble. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead ? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "For as the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 The Latter-day Saints are a people of great faith. But I regret exceedingly that there are many among us who fail to do the works of God. We fail to live up to the requirements of the Lord. I am sorry that there are scores and hundreds of people who are not living the Gospel as they should do and observing to be honest, conscientious tithe-payers, observers of the Word of Wisdom, and who are not doing the other things that devolve upon us. Let us reform. Let us show our love of our fellows by keeping the commandments of God and setting an example before them that shall be worthy of imitation in all respects. QUOTES FORMER SPEECH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 I recall that on the first of June, twelve years ago--we had not been able to hold a conference immediately following the death of our beloved and revered President Joseph F. Smith in November, because of an epidemic of disease that existed--I was sustained to be the President of the Church, and I wish to quote a part of what I said at that time: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.11 "I feel humble beyond any language with which God has endowed me to express it, in standing here before you this morning occupying the position in which you have just voted to sustain me. I will ask no man to be more liberal with his means than I am with mine, in proportion to what he possesses, for the advancement of God's kingdom. I will ask no man to observe the Word of Wisdom any more closely than I will observe it. I will ask no man to be more conscientious and prompt in the payment of his tithes and offerings than I will be. I will ask no man to be more ready and willing to come early and to go late, and to labor with full power of mind and body, than I will labor, always in humility. I hope and pray for the blessings of the Lord, acknowledging freely and frankly that without the Lord's blessing it will be an impossibility for me to make a success of the high calling whereunto I have been called. But like Nephi of old, I know that the Lord makes no requirements of the children of men, save he will prepare a way for them whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has required. With this knowledge in my heart I accept the great responsibility without fear of the consequences, knowing that God will sustain me as he has sustained all of my predecessors who have occupied this position, provided always that I shall labor in humility and diligence, ever seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and this I shall endeavor to do." PLEDGE KEPT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 Twelve years have passed away. But I can honestly and conscientiously say to this large assembly that I have day by day, month by month, and year by year, lived up to that pledge which I made at that time. COUNSEL FROM THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 The Lord says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation." * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "And as ye all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 Again from the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace." NOT NECESSARY TO BE COMMANDED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 I would like to read you the whole of this section known as Section Fifty-eight, but I see that the time has practically expired, so I will read only a part of it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 I have met any number of people who have said the Word of Wisdom is not a command from the Lord, that it is not given by way of commandment. But the Word of Wisdom is the will of the Lord and the Lord says in the words that I have just read that it is not meet that we should be commanded in all things. If you love your neighbor as yourself, if you love God with all your heart, might, mind and strength, does he need to command ? No. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 Listen' to the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.12 Can you, by your own free will, accomplish righteousness in the world as well by failing to obey the will of the Lord as you can by obeying it ? I say No. One of the best ways in all the world to bring to pass much righteousness is to set an example as a conscientious, God-fearing Latter-day Saint, observing all of the requirements of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with a doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled ? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 I commend the entire section for your perusal. GRATEFUL FOR KNOWLEDGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 I rejoice beyond all the power that God has given me to express my feelings for the knowledge that God is directing the affairs of the Church of Christ. I rejoice beyond all the ability that I have to express my feelings that he has given me a knowledge of the divine mission of our Savior, the Redeemer of the world, the Son of the living God. I am happy beyond expression to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God and an instrument in the hands of God of restoring again to the earth the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the power and priesthood given to him by the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, who held that authority when they were here upon the earth. PRIESTHOOD PROPERLY EXERCISED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 I rejoice in knowing that the Lord through the inspiration of his Spirit has guided this people through all the changing scenes through which we have had to go. I am thankful that even when the Prophet Joseph and others were in Liberty Jail one of the greatest of all the great revelations that have come to this people was given to him. I rejoice in knowing that all these charges of tyranny and oppression and of a dictatorial management of the Church are absolutely false. There is not a man of the General Authorities of the Church bur that desires to do--what? To exercise the priesthood exactly as the Lord says it should be exercised, and I will read the identical words. I really do not need to read them as I can repeat them from memory: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love towards him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.13 "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.14 "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.14 The enemies of the prophet could imprison him, but he had access to God Almighty and was inspired and blessed of him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.14 May the Lord help every one of us who professes the name of Jesus Christ and testifies to the divinity of the work in which we are engaged to live it in honor, in virtue, in truth, is my prayer, that our example may proclaim by our works the truthfulness of it. I bear testimony before God to the divinity of this work, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.79 In his farewell address to the American people George Washington said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.79 "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.79 "Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in the exclusion of religious principle. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.79 "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.123 The national broadcast of the tabernacle choir begins at 4:15 this afternoon. It is important, therefore, that this meeting close promptly at four o'clock, in order to permit those who desire to leave the building to do so before that time, so that the doors can be closed and absolute quiet prevail during the broadcast. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.123 The national broadcasts of the tabernacle choir number to date approximately ninety. These have covered practically this entire nation as well as Canada. They have been transmitted to some extent at least, by short waves, to Europe. Many thousands of letters have been received expressing appreciation for these broadcasts. Some such letters have come from England. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.127 I asked all the Mission Presidents who have just addressed us, with the exception of Brother Moyle, to occupy only ten minutes each. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.127 Every one of them complied with my request. They spoke from three and a half to eight and a half minutes each, and for the first time in four or five years there is a little spare time at the closing session of conference. GEMS FROM THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.127 I felt impressed that the splendid things contained in Section 88 of the D&C ought to come before this Conference. I had several passages copied and intended to read them, but I was very pleased to hear nearly every word of them quoted by Brother Rulon S. Wells. There is, however, in that section something further which I think it well to read to you: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.127 "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.127 "He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him and of him, even God, forever and ever." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.127 And this from Section 84: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.128 "And any man that shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground, unnoticed." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.130 I rejoice exceedingly in the testimony of Brother James H. Moyle. He pleaded, oh so hard, for Brother Talmage or Brother Roberts or someone else to come to his mission and speak over the radio. We could not yield to his pleadings. We rejoice that during the last six months the Lord has seen fit to magnify the young men and the young women in the Eastern States Mission and that he has inspired and blessed them in the marvelous way he has done. OBEY THE LAWS OF GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.130 We hear a great deal about obeying the Constitution of the United States. What is the matter with our obeying the constitution of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? What is the matter with us being honest in obeying the laws of Almighty God by paying our tithing ? There are a great many people who are very active in preaching this Gospel who fail to obey it themselves. Let us obey it, and then we shall find that there is no power on earth or beneath the earth that can stop us in good works. LOYALTY IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.130 I do not believe that one missionary in every twenty that are sent into the mission field has had previous experience in missionary work. It seems to me that there should be more loyalty in preaching the Gospel than exists at the present time. I remember that when I was a young man the Church did not send boys on missions as if has to do today, but men of experience made sacrifices to go into the mission field. Men laid down almost anything that they were doing when the call came to go upon a mission. But now, if there is any excuse under heaven that we can make to stay home many of us are staying. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.131 I want to endorse all that has been said that is calculated in its nature to inspire the leading men of this Church, all over the Church, and the members, to make sacrifices and prepare themselves to proclaim the Gospel. THE BEST CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.131 I am very happy indeed over all that has been said and done in this Conference. I pray earnestly arid sincerely that the Lord will sanctify to our blessing all that we have heard. I rejoice in the fact that I have heard on all sides as far back as I can remember, "Well, we have had the finest Conference ever." It shows that the people have the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that when they are fed the bread of life their hearts are warmed. Tears of gratitude come into their eyes for the authority of the living God, for the power that comes to the people, and it does seem as though the last Conference is always the best. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.131 May God help us each and all to live in such way and manner that his Spirit may be our constant guide and companion, I ask in the name of Jesus and in the authority of the priesthood of the living God that I hold. May God bless the people; may he bless the General, the Stake and the Ward authorities and the officers of the auxiliary organizations throughout the Church. May he bless the misssionaries at home and abroad, and may he inspire the people to do missionary work. TO WARN OUR NEIGHBORS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.131 I would like to call the attention of President Joseph W. McMurrin to the fact that there are three Stakes of Zion in California, that there are residing in California today probably twenty thousand members of the Church. We should remember that the Lord has told us that it is our duty to warn our neighbors and to preach this Gospel--that duty is upon all of us--we should be missionaries. There are very many men in the Church who are devoting nearly all their time outside of their daily vocations in an endeavor to bring people to a knowledge of the Gospel, although they have not been called upon missions. There are some of our Bishops who not only do their duty in their Wards, but when they find someone whom they can interest in the Gospel they preach it to him. I think one of the best preachers I have known ever since he came home from his mission as a young man is Bishop Thomas A. Clawson of the Eighteenth Ward. He is zealous in keeping his returned missionaries at work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.131 Let us all realize that this work belongs to each and every one of us, and let us do all in our power for its advancement. "THE SONG OF THE HEART" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.132 May the Lord bless our singers, not only those who belong to this great tabernacle choir, but our singers throughout the entire Church. There is no other people in the world who take greater interest in music, in singing, and in advancement along those lines than do the Latter-day Saints. Why ? Because we realize that the Lord has given a revelation wherein he has said that his soul delighteth in the song of the heart, that it is a prayer unto him, and that it shall be answered with a blessing upon our heads. Let us remember the kind of songs the Lord likes, songs with the Gospel in them. I have gone to conferences where I have heard three or four anthems, with the words of which I could not agree. They were sung to good music but they were not good doctrine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1931, p.132 May the Lord guide us by the unerring counsels of his Spirit, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.2 It is a pleasure to again have the opportunity of meeting the Latter-day Saints in general conference. I rejoice in the progress of the work of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.2 It has been my privilege during the last six months since we were assembled here in this capacity, to visit quite a number of the stakes of Zion and to be in a number of the missions of the Church, and to dedicate a great many chapels and recreational halls in different parts of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.2 Notwithstanding the great trouble financially all over the world I believe that as a people we are suffering less than are those in other sections of the country, for which I am very grateful to the Lord. WORK PROGRESSES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.2 The work of the Lord is progressing all over the world without any exceptions. We are receiving calls from the presidents of all our missions for additional missionaries. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.2 Our missionary force has been reduced very materially on account of the present financial condition at home and abroad, but the spirit of the work is progressing splendidly, and many of the local people all over the world where we have missions are engaged actively in missionary work; and in many places local people are being installed in presiding positions, thus relieving many of the missionaries from some of the activities that they have heretofore engaged in. I rejoice in the present condition of the Church and the progress it is making. NO NEED TO WORRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.3 I do not think that we need to worry the least bit about any of the Latter-day Saints suffering on account of lack of food or shelter during these hard times. I am confident beyond the shadow of a doubt that with our system of fast-day donations and the work that is being done by our Relief Society, the bishops in all the various wards, with the help of the auxiliary officers, will be able to look after those who are in real distress. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.3 I am converted to the fact that if the Latter-day Saints as a people would actually do without two or three meals once a month, as prescribed, on fast days, and give the full equivalent to the bishop, thus benefitting their own individual health and that of their families--if they conscientiously paid a full fast day donation, each and every person giving equivalent of two or three meals one Sunday in each month--it would fully take care of those who are in distressed circumstances. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.3 I rejoice in the fact that from many sections of the country we have received reports that our people, as a rule, who have been honest and conscientious in the mission field, in the payment of their tithes, almost without exception are retaining their employment and are getting along all right financially. FALSEHOODS BEING CIRCULATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.3 I do not know that the subject is worthy of my notice, and yet it has been suggested that it might be well to refer to the continued falsifying by some people who have been excommunicated from the Church and are going around distributing papers and documents and publishing papers that are as full of lies as an egg is full of meat. I believe that the very best liars I have any acquaintance with are those who have been cut off from the Church and cast out. They seem to be very active at the present time, making statements that our property is being mortgaged, etc., notwithstanding the fact that there is no Church property mortgaged. Any person could go down to the county court house in any of the counties and find out if the Church's property is mortgaged. There is no part of the property of any one of the wards or stakes in our Church, or of the general Church property, that is mortgaged. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.3 These people talk about the funds of the Church having been used for individual benefit and so on, so I hear. It is only fair to say that I have never taken the trouble to read what they publish in their "New Era." It would be more properly named the "Regular Liar," instead of the "New Era." I have heard that a lie can travel around the world while truth is getting out of bed, but nevertheless truth eventually overtakes the lie and steps on it. MONEY LOANED TO SUGAR COMPANY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.4 The fact remains that the Church has loaned some money to the Sugar Company and it has taken a mortgage for that money, and the loan is well secured. The fact remains that in helping the Sugar Company the Church is helping itself, because the first beet sugar factory ever built in the United States of America with American machinery was built at Lehi, and the Church used its credit and borrowed the money to help build it. Yes, the Church had to borrow the money at that time. Now it does not need to borrow it. The Church is the principal stockholder in the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, and by lending it some money and taking security on real estate, it is simply protecting tits own property. PENALIZED FOR LOYALTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.4 I shall be very happy indeed if in the providence of the Lord there shall be a return of prosperity for me Sugar Company. We are being penalized today in the sugar business because of the loyalty of the people in response to the appeals of the Government when sugar was retailing at 20, 25 and sometimes 30 cents a pound. We built at that time twice as many factories as we can now get beets to operate, and I suppose it is just as well that we could not get the beets during the last year or two to operate all our factories inasmuch as there is no profit in the business. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.4 I am sure that whenever the time comes that sugar will sell at reasonable prices, so that the farmers can get a little more money for raising beets, some of our idle factories can be opened, and there will be an increase of prosperity for the farmers and the people generally, if this industry can only grow and increase. PERSONAL PROFIT DENIED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.4 The original sugar factory was built !by Wilford Woodruff and his associates and friends mainly for the benefit of the farmers, so that they might have an increased variety of crops. That was the only object. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.4 The idea that businesses have been established by the Church for the individual profit of men who are connected with the leadership of the Church is absolutely false. Many of us borrowed money and put it into that factory at the request of President Woodruff and lost the money that we invested. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.4 I know something about it individually because I personally borrowed a large sum of money, bought stock, paid interest on it for five years and then sold the stock for less than one half of what it cost. I gained a whole lot of experience financially out of it and have never recovered, so far as the Sugar Company is concerned, I thought I would make this much of an explanation. SATISFIED WITH STATUS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.4 I remember delivering a sermon here nearly a year ago--perhaps it was longer ago than that, I do not remember the exact date--in which I referred to the fact that some people had said that if the Mormons would only do away with their belief in Joseph Smith and his prophecies they might now really, with the progress they are making and the changes they are making, etc., be counted in the Christian family. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 Inasmuch as the Church to which you and I belong is the Church of Jesus Christ, established by the Savior himself through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith, I do not think we need to worry about being admitted into the various Christian denominations. The one thing that you and I need to worry about, and the only thing, is with regard to keeping the commandments of the Lord, living our religion as Latter-day Saints. TRUE LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 I am sure that the man who is honestly and conscientiously observing the Word of Wisdom, who is a full and honest tithe-payer, and attends to his meeting's and his family and secret prayers, such a man need not worry about anything that might be said concerning this Church by apostate Mormons or anyone else. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 A true Latter-day Saint is living a life that is above reproach. He is living a life that stamps him in the eyes of all honest, conscientious people as a man worthy of respect and one who can be relied upon, because the true Latter-day Saint believes in God and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world. He believes in sustaining the laws of God and the laws of his country, and in living a virtuous, true, upright life. No man can be a true Latter-day Saint without being worthy of the confidence of all men, without regard to whether they believe as he does or have any respect for his beliefs. CHANGES AMONG GENERAL AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 There have been some changes made since our last conference. As you all know, Brother Orson F. Whitney, one of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder Rey L. Pratt, one of the First Council of Seventy and president of the Mexican mission, have passed away. They were two outstanding preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, men of great ability in proclaiming the Gospel and men of great personal inspiration. They lived lives that brought honor and respect to them and thereby honor and respect to the people that they represented as general officials. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 The Presidency and Apostles have nominated, as you know, although they have not yet been ordained and set apart, Brother Joseph F. Merrill and Brother Antoine R. Ivins to fill the positions made vacant by the death of these two stalwart workers in the Church. The other changes are as follows: CHANGES IN STAKE AND MISSION OFFICERS SINCE LAST APRIL CONFERENCE STAKE PRESIDENTS APPOINTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 LeGrand Richards has been appointed president of the Hollywood stake to succeed George W. McCune. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 Hyrum B. Calder has been appointed president of the Uintah stake to succeed Wallace Calder. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.5 Peter J. Ricks has been appointed president of the Fremont stake to succeed George S. Romney. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 Joseph R. Christiansen has been appointed president of the Moroni stake to succeed James L. Nielson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 We wish to say that Brothers George W. McCune, Wallace Calder, George S. Romney and James L. Nielson have all labored diligently and faithfully in the positions they have occupied and they have been honorably released. NEW MISSION PRESIDENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 George S. Romney has been appointed president of the Northern States mission to succeed Noah S. Pond, who has been honorably released after having filled a splendid mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 Leonidas D. Mecham has been appointed acting president of the Australian mission to succeed Clarence H. Tingey, who has returned from Australia in the enjoyment of health after filling a most splendid mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 Francis Salzner has been appointed president of the Swiss and German mission to succeed Fred Tadje. Sister Tadje has returned from the mission and Brother Tadje will undoubtedly come after his successor has been installed. NEW TEMPLE PRESIDENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 William M. Waddoups has been appointed president of the Hawaiian temple, to succeed Castle H. Murphy, who is president of the Hawaiian mission, and who was also directing the affairs of the temple. We considered it wisdom to have Brother Waddoups return to Hawaii, where he has labored for so many years and so faithfully, to preside over the temple there. NEW WARDS ORGANIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 Burbank ward, Hollywood stake. Salmon ward, Lost River stake. Elysian Park ward, Hollywood stake. Pasadena ward, Hollywood stake. STAKE PRESIDENT WHO HAS PASSED AWAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 James P. Jensen, president of the San Lois stake, Colorado, has passed away after an honorable, faithful presidency there. BISHOPS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 Harold Winterton, Woodland ward in the Summit stake, by an auto accident. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.6 Lawrence Gates of the Antimony ward, Garfield stake. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 Coming back to the suggestion that we as Latter-day Saints do away with faith in Joseph Smith, I want to announce, as I stated on the occasion referred to, that the moment any individual or individuals shall lose faith in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that minute they are not entitled to be called Latter-day Saints. The whole foundation of this Church rests firmly upon the inspiration of the living God through Joseph Smith the Prophet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 When I hear the song-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 To guide us in these latter days," Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 I never feel as though it applies to me. I never hear it but that I feel it applies to that man who was the instrument in the hands of God of restoring again to the earth the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation, the pearl of great price, that which is of more value than everything else in all the world, namely, the plan which if you and I live it will bring us back into the presence of God our Heavenly Father, to dwell there in joy and peace eternally. TRUTH EVIDENCED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 When anybody talks about Joseph Smith not being a prophet he should look into the great and remarkable prophecies that he uttered. He should read the marvelous and wonderful revelations in the D&C which the Lord has given to us through him. I am sure when people realize that the war of the rebellion was foretold and prophesied of by him, and that he gave the world a solution, so to speak, of the difficulties which brought about the war, advocating the sale of the public lands of the country to purchase the slaves as England had done, they must recognize that he was inspired of the Lord. PUZZLES WRITER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 I remember very distinctly that in the book entitled "Figures of the Past" the man who wrote it said he could not account for Joseph Smith and intimated that he must have been partially insane. He said he had visited a place where the insane were kept, and I suppose he was on a par with the man who said that Joseph Smith received his revelations at the time he was in epileptic fits. Joseph Smith was one of the stalwarts physically. He was an athlete, a very strong man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.7 The wisdom of the wise shall be confounded. This same man goes on to say, in paying tribute to Joseph Smith, that of all the men he had ever met, Elisha R. Potter of Rhode Island and Joseph Smith seemed best endowed with "that kingly faculty which directs as by divine right feeble and confused souls looking for guidance." He went on to say that great credit had been given to Ralph Waldo Emerson as being a statesman ahead of his day because of his advocating the sale of the public lands for the purchase of the slaves; but he said, "What shall we say of the Mormon prophet who advocated the same thing eleven years previously, when the heavens were clear and tranquil ?" At the time Ralph Waldo Emerson advocated this course there were war clouds in the heavens. SUPERIORITY ADMITTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.8 We say that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God and that he gave to the people a solution that would have saved that terrible fratricidal war between the Northern and Southern States. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.8 He goes on to say: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.8 "Such a rare human being is not to be disposed of by pelting his memory with unsavory epithets. Fanatic, imposter, charlatan, he may have been; but these hard names furnish no solution to the problems he presents to us. Fanatics and imposters are living and dying every day and their memory is buried with them; but the wonderful influence which this founder of a religion exerted and still exerts throws him into relief before us, not as a rogue to be incriminated, but as a phenomenon to be explained." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.8 He also says that with hundreds of thousands believing that he is an emissary from the Most High God we cannot dispose of him by ridiculing his name. A MIGHTY PEOPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.8 All the lies that are being told about the people today are as nothing in comparison with those that were told about the prophet. He taught the people that we would be driven from city to city, county to county, state to state and finally beyond the confines of the United States, and that we would become a great and a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. He said the day would come when not only a city, a county or a state would be arrayed against this handful of people called Mormons, but that the day would come when the whole United States would be arrayed against them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.8 And we have lived to see these statements fulfilled. We have become a mighty people. We have over a thousand wards and independent branches from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south. We have more than nine hundred branches in the missions throughout the world. We have splendid edifices in our wards and branches from Canada to Mexico. We have some magnificent temples that have been erected from Canada on the north to Arizona on the south, and one splendid temple way off in the Hawaiian Islands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.8 The work of the Lord is progressing the people are growing in faith and a love of the truth, in absolute testimony that Joseph Smith was in very deed a prophet of the true and the living God. DURING THE PAST ONE HUNDRED YEARS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.9 This Gospel has been proclaimed now for over one hundred years all over the world, in every land and every clime where religious liberty has been granted, and it has gathered out people from every denomination under heaven: and as I have remarked in my public addresses, I know of no missionary in my entire experience, although we have at times had more than two thousand in the field, that has ever returned to announce that he had found that some other religion, in England, in Ireland, or some other part of the world, was the truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our missionaries have come home during the past one hundred years with increased testimony of the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.9 We have lived to see the issuing of an exterminating order by the governor of a state to expel the Latter-day Saints; we have lived to see the army of the United States of America, because of the lies of runaway judges, come against this people. We have lived to see the property of the Church both real and personal, confiscated by the highest tribunal, under the acts of Congress; and I have picked up the paper time and time again during the litigation for the return of our property and have read in bold headlines, "The United States of America versus the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," and have laid down the paper and thanked God that the United States had placed the stamp of divinity upon the utterances of the prophet of the living God. EXAMPLE QUOTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.9 Stephen A. Douglas, believing absolutely that he had within his grasp the presidency of the United States, that he would be overwhelmingly elected, presumed to say that we had destroying angels, that we were in league with the Indians, that we were in rebellion against the government, that we were setting up a kingdom of our own here with Brigham Young at the head of it. Then he was reminded by The Deseret News that the Prophet Joseph Smith had said to him when he was an obscure country judge: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.9 "Judge Douglas, the day will come when you will aspire to the presidency of the United States, and if you ever lift your voiced against my people you shall be disappointed in your ambitions, you shall die a broken-hearted, disappointed man, and the conversation of this day will stick to you until the day of your death." DEFIES STATEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.9 He defied that statement. When? He defied that utterance of the Prophet when he felt sure that he would be elected president, and this was at a time when we did not have a single vote in the electoral college for the presidency of the United States. We were a territory without a vote and there was no occasion for this man to make the speech that he did unless he felt in his heart that he could brand Joseph Smith as a false prophet. But instead of branding him as such he brought forth one of the strongest evidences of the divine mission of Joseph Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.9 May the Lord bless us during our conference sessions. May the light and inspiration of his Spirit attend us. May we, one and all, seek every day of our lives to fully live up to the requirements of the Gospel. And I can promise you that if you do so, peace, prosperity and happiness physically, intellectually, and above all, spiritually, will attend you. I ask this blessing in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.131 In case any person fails to fully appreciate the plain statement of President Ivins that the book to which he referred is to be considered as the personal opinion of the author and not as having been approved by the Church, I wish all the members of the Church to know that when any book has the approval of the Church it will have the stamp of approval of the Presidency of the Church. Therefore, no agent selling any books is justified in quoting the Church as approving a book that does not carry the stamp of approval in it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.131 I believe that for the first and only thee since I became the President of the Church it is not four o'clock when the thee has arrived to call upon the choir to sing and for the final benediction to be pronounced. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.131 It has fallen to my lot on more than one occasion to make a few remarks after four o'clock. We are all willing to stay here after four o'clock, I am sure, to hear the choir in the closing anthem. Therefore, there are ten full minutes left for me, for which I am grateful. GRATEFUL FOR CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.131 First, I am thankful for this wonderful conference. I believe sincerely that today we have had as many if not more in attendance than is usual at our Sunday morning and afternoon meetings. It seemed to me that we were more crowded this morning than at any other thee I can remember. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.131 I am grateful that what to me was the most marvelous sight I have looked upon in this building was that which I witnessed last night when the building was nearly filled with members holding the priesthood of the living God. Let me say that with all our faults and failings I believe we are the best people in the world. It sounds a little egotistical, but I believe every word of it, and I believe firmly that our sisters are better than the brethren. haven't any doubt of this, none whatever. There was a magnificent showing here last night of the priesthood, and from the bottom of my heart and in the authority of the priesthood of the living God that I hold I have great pleasure in blessing the men who hold the priesthood of God, the power from heaven, and in blessing our wives who, on an average, have been more devoted, I am sure, to the work of the living God than we have been. LOYALTY TO PRESIDENT HOOVER AND ASSOCIATES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.132 I rejoice in the splendid work of the Latter-day Saints. I desire and feel to pray for the blessings of the Lord to be and abide with the President of the United States and his cabinet in this thee of great trouble, in a thee when we should be loyal. "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates." Let us be loyal to those who in the providences Of the Lord stand at the head of our nation at the present time, in this great thee of trouble. I am sure nobody will accuse me, seeing I am counted as a Democrat, of being guilty of mixing politics with religion here; but I believe that no truer, better, finer man has ever sat in the presidential chair than the man who is sitting there today. That is my opinion of President Hoover. A STRAW VOTE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.132 Some years ago for the first and only thee in my life I paid some attention to a straw vote. I do not think such votes amount to a straw; that is my opinion of them. I think that if there is ever any "stuffing" in ballot boxes it is when a straw vote is being taken. I think it is properly named "straw vote." It is as weak as a straw. But I could not resist the temptation way back many years ago, when the Literary Digest asked for a straw vote, and lo and behold, I voted for Hoover. That was my opinion of the man who had done so much, such magnificent and wonderful work during the war, in feeding the people in Europe. I believe that he is absolutely honest and conscientious and that his heart is as firmly set upon doing the right thing for the people of this country, as the hearts of the leaders of this Church are set upon doing the right thing for the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1931, p.132 I am happy indeed in a knowledge of the divinity of the work you and I are engaged in. I humbly pray for the blessings of the Lord to be with each and all of you, with the Latter-day Saints the world over, and the honest in every land and every clime. God bless you, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 I rejoice exceedingly in having the opportunity of again meeting with the Latter-day Saints in General Conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 It has been customary for many years in the opening of these conferences to give a Statement regarding the expenditures in the various stakes of Zion, and for other purposes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 The expenditures by the Church for the year 1931 are as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 Stake and Ward Purposes: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 There has been returned from the tithes to the stakes and wards for the construction of ward and stake meeting houses $ 545,630.69 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 For ward maintenance expenses 647,194.36 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 For stake maintenance expenses 254,025.41 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 $1,446,850.46 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 Education: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 Expended for the maintenance of Church school system..$751,200.28 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 Temples: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 Expended for the construction, maintenance, and operation of temples 201,833.50 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 Charities: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.2 For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment 224,556.38 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Missions : For the maintenance and operation of all the missions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions 757,126.76 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Total $3,381,567.38 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 which has been taken from the tithes and other Church funds and returned by the Trustee-in-Trust to the Saints for the maintenance and operation of the stakes and wards for the maintenance and operation of Church schools and Temples, for charities and mission activities. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Other Charities: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 In addition to charities paid from the tithes as before named, there has also been disbursed the fast offerings, other charities, and assistance rendered by the Relief Society in the sum of $455,423.46, which amount, added to the $224,556.38 paid from the tithes, makes the total, charity assistance rendered by the Church..$ 679,979.84 There has been collected by the various wards of the Church and paid to missionaries to assist in their maintenance 66,783.90 MEMBERS SPEND MILLION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Undoubtedly there has been expended by the people themselves, in sending missionaries out into the world and taking care of them while there, considerably more than one million dollars. STATISTICS AND OTHER DATA COMPILED FROM: THE ANNUAL REPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1931 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 We have at the present time: Stakes of Zion, 104; wards, 934: Independent branches, 70; Dependent branches, 35; total wards and branches in the stakes of Zion, 1,039; missions, 30; mission branches, 860: districts, 266. CHURCH GROWTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Children blessed and entered on the records of the Church in the stakes and missions 19,804 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Children baptized in the stakes and missions 15,283 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions 7,596 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Number of long-term missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1931 1,627 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Number of short-term missionaries from Zion, December 31, 1931 30 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Number of local missionaries 46 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Total number of missionaries on foreign missions 1,703 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.3 Number engaged in missionary work in stakes 1,151 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Total missionaries 2,854 of missionaries who received training at the Missionary Home 601 recommended to the temples from the stakes 72,152 SOCIAL STATISTICS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Birth rate, 29 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Marriage rate, 12.8 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Death rate, 6.6 per thousand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Families owning their own homes, 65.2 per cent. HOME OWNING URGED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Our records show that in years gone by over 75 per cent of the people owned their own homes. There is a spiritual growth always when people own their own homes. The owning of a home creates a spirit of loyalty to the Church and also, really, to the government. It, is illustrated somewhat in an incident that I heard regarding a nobleman in France who was very wealthy. His butler, who drew a large salary, attended socialistic meetings. The nobleman noticed that the butler had discontinued attending these meetings and asked the reason. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Said he: "At the last meeting a report was made of how much per capita everybody would receive when all of the wealth was appropriated and distributed, and already I have more in the savings bank than would come to me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 It cured him completely. CHANGES IN STAKE AND MISSION OFFICERS SINCE LAST OCTOBER CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Stake President Appointed: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 John B. Reed appointed president of the San Luis stake to succeed James P. Jensen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 New Mission Presidents: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 James H. Douglas appointed president of the British mission to succeed A. William Lund. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Alonzo A. Hinckley appointed president of the California mission to succeed Joseph W. McMurrin. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Clarence H. Tingey appointed president of the Australian mission to succeed Leonidas D. Mecham, acting-president. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Gustave W. Forsberg appointed president of the Swedish mission to succeed Gideon N. Hulterstrom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 New Wards Organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Torrence ward, Los Angeles stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Farmington ward, Young stake. Caliente ward, Moapa stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 New Independent Branches: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Alameda branch, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Hayward branch, San Francisco stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 General Authorities Who Have Passed Away : Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.4 Charles W. Nibley, 2nd counselor in the First Presidency. Hyrum G. Smith, Presiding Patriarch of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 Bishops Who Have Passed Away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 Adrian Schipper, Elmhurst ward, San Francisco stake. S. J. Lindsay, Taylorsville ward, Cottonwood stake. John M. Grow, Middleton ward, Ogden stake. LAUDS THOSE DEAD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 I am sure that those of us who had the opportunity of attending the funeral of President Charles W. Nibley felt very grateful for the remarkable spirit that was present and for the very splendid tributes that were paid to him. I had that privilege and I rejoice in the spirit of the occasion, and in the excellent remarks. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 I regret that t was in the East at the time of the funeral of the Patriarch. But from what I have read of the services I am very pleased indeed with the tributes paid to him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 In addition to these officials of the Church whose names I have read, who have passed away during the time since our last Conference, the editor of the Improvement Era., and former president of Liberty stake of Zion, Brother Hugh J. Cannon, has also passed away. Brother Cannon presided over the Swiss and German mission many years ago when I was president of the European mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 He subsequently returned to Germany and Switzerland and fulfilled a third mission, he having been there originally as a young missionary, not presiding. Brother Cannon, as you are all aware, filled a mission with Brother David O. McKay, taking a trip around the world, visiting all the missions of the Church, I believe, with the exception of South Africa. I rejoice in the splendid record that Brother Hugh J. Cannon made in every Church position that he occupied. He was a man of God, a man worthy of the respect and admiration of all people. RECEIVES LETTER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 I received this morning a letter from Brother Robert I. Burton, president of Mount Ogden stake. Among other things he says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.5 "The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the source of the greatest comfort and joy to me, and I never tire of its message. Attendance at the Conference thrills and stimulates me more than I am able to tell. I count it as one of the great blessings of my life, that I have been permitted to become personally acquainted with you and other General Authorities of the Church and to labor with you in a humble way in the great cause of our Heavenly Father. I know of the cleanness and purity of your life, and I am filled with righteous indignation when I read such scurrilous attacks as are made against you in a little four page sheet recently issued. It seems to me that something should be done with men who send such slanderous vilifications through the mail." MALICIOUS COMMUNICATIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.6 I received the sheet to which he refers and it found its place in the waste basket. I did not read a word of it. When men have so lived that they are unworthy to be in the Church and are cast out, they are their time sending me printed matter or written matter. The waste basket is large and capable of holding all such communications. It is a little disappointing in one sense not to take action against premeditated falsifiers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.6 I am tempted to ask the government to prosecute the people who use the mails to circulate malicious falsehoods. But there is something about the fact that when you handle a smoky, sooty stove-pipe you get your hands soiled, and it is a question whether such lies are worthy of any consideration. DENIES CHARGES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.6 In all my travels I have never paid any attention to a certain Lulu Shepherd, perhaps the greatest female liar who ever drew the breath of life. I cannot help but wish that some of her falsehoods were true. In a synopsis of one of her lectures in Brooklyn, she is reported to have said I owned Union Pacific and other railroad preferred stocks and bonds amounting to one hundred million dollars, and I did not have a dollar of such securities. I could wish I had the millions of dollars' worth of stocks and bonds for which she gave me credit. In this lecture she is reported to have named nine states of the Union that I controlled politically, and to have said that no man could be the president of the United States without my consent. The states as I remember were Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Instead of controlling those states I did not know the names of the governors of any of them except Idaho and Arizona, and of course our own state. And I do not know that I would have known personally the governor of Idaho if the president of the United States at that time--Warren G. Harding--had not introduced me to him when he came into the President's car as I was riding up to Idaho Falls and Pocatello--not as a guest of the President, but as a guest of the vice president and general manager of the Oregon Short Line Railroad company in his private car. MORMONS" LAUDED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.6 I do not know that I would have known the Governor of Arizona were it not for the fact that we had had a convention of governors here at the Capitol and Governor Campbell was one of those who did us the honor of calling at our office. When I met him I shook hands with him and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.6 "Governor, I heard a very interesting story regarding a statement made by your predecessor. It was that among the best of the citizens of Arizona in early days were the 'Mormon' pioneers, and that in one particular the 'Mormons' were being robbed out of a share of the public funds of Arizona. They were losing from twenty-five hundred to three thousand per cent of their share of the criminal taxes; as they were entitled to have, in proportion to their number, twenty-five or thirty inmates in the state penitentiary, and had but one. When I went to Arizona I mentioned this fact in a meeting in St. Johns, and the District Judge arose and said: 'That one has since been pardoned,'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 The Governor smiled and said: "Mr. Grant, that is correct. He was pardoned." INTEGRITY PLEASES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 I rejoice in the integrity of the Latter-day Saints, I rejoice in the absolute honesty of the men who have held positions as the General Authorities in this Church, the falsehoods of any human being to the contrary notwithstanding. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 I rejoice in the fact that when I was in England I carried a letter from non-"Mormon" bankers in Salt Lake City vouching for me as a gentleman of unquestioned integrity and honesty, and from bankers in San Francisco, Chicago and New York, containing the same kind of recommendation. I remember calling on a newspaper that had published seven to ten columns, I am sure, of vile misrepresentations about us, carrying with me a letter of introduction from the shipping firm with whom we had done business for over sixty years, not only vouching for my honesty and integrity, but for that of every president of the European mission during that period. And yet the assistant editor of the paper positively refused to publish one word of refutation. I pleaded with him to no avail. ANSWERS EDITOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 I walked to the door, turned and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 "By the way, my letter was not to you. It was to the editor. The boy who came down stairs announced that the editor was absent but that the assistant editor, Mr. Robinson, would receive me. Is your name Robinson ?" "yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 "Do you know Phil Robinson ?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 "Why everybody knows Phil Robinson." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 I said: "Was he the correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph during the Boer War, one of the two greatest [and I emphasized "greatest" because his paper was not one of the two] newspapers in Great Britain ?" "He was." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 "And would you believe anything that Phil Robinson said ?" "I would." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.7 "Is he editing the Court and Society Journal here in London ?" "He is." CHALLENGES PROOF Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 "Seeing that you believe anything this gentleman says, buy his book entitled 'Sinners and Saints,' it will cost you two shillings, and you will find that everything you have published in your paper about the 'Mormons' is a lie pure and simple. Phil Robinson traveled from Idaho in the north to Arizona in the south, through all of our settlements, with the late John Henry Smith, and be met our people, and you will find if you will read his book that you have published a lot of falsehoods. I defy you to get a letter of introduction vouching for the honesty of any person who has furnished you the information that has been printed in your paper against us, and I have in my valise letters from bankers in Utah and from bankers in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, vouching for my honesty, and I brand your publication as false." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 "Well," he said, "you surprise me, that Phil Robinson would vouch for your people." ASKS FOR HALF COLUMN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 "Oh," I said, "you are not the first person that has been surprised when he ran up against the 'Mormon' question. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 He said, "Write us a half column." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 I said, "Small favors thankfully received; large ones in proportion. Seven to ten columns of misrepresentations and a half column of refutation. You shall have it within the next two hours. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 He received it all right and kept it thirty or sixty days and returned it with the usual printed slip that I have seen very often: "The editor regrets that he cannot find space for the enclosed manuscript, which is returned." ATTITUDE CHANGES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 What a change has come about! Today reporters attend our meetings in all parts of the British Isles and make fair reports of everything that goes on. Three whole years in England without one single line of refutation in any newspaper when I presided there. The wonderful work accomplished by Brother Talmage, and that is being accomplished by Brother Widtsoe, in getting us before the public honestly and fairly, in our missions in Europe, has filled my heart with joy and gratitude. SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 It may not be out of place today for me to make a few remarks that are personal in their nature. I never expected when I was a young man to live to announce that I had celebrated my seventy-fifth birthday. I often said in my youth that if I could live twenty-five per cent longer than my father who died when he was forty, I would be perfectly satisfied with life, which would be until I was fifty years of age. Today I have lived fifty per cent longer than that, and to be perfectly frank with you, I am not quite satisfied with life now, but would like to live a little longer. THANKFUL FOR HEALTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.8 I rejoice in what I have seen in the seventy-five years of my life. It may sound a little egotistical, but few men reach the age of seventy-five years in perfect vigor of health of body and mind, and I desire in this Conference to express to my Heavenly Father and to the people composing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my gratitude for this vigor of body and of mind, and for the health that I possess. I am grateful, beyond all of my ability to express my gratitude, for the prayers and the faith and the good will of the Latter-day Saints. APPRECIATIVE OF LOVE AND CONFIDENCE OF SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.9 There is nothing in the world, I am sure, that a man should value so highly as the love of those with whom he is associated, and I appreciate very greatly the love and confidence of the Latter-day Saints and of the officers of the Church. That this has been extended to me fills my heart with gratitude beyond all my ability to express it, and the blessings. that have come to me from my Heavenly Father and the honors that have come to me in being permitted to stand here representing his Son Jesus Christ in the restored Gospel, fill my heart to overflowing. FAITH IN THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.9 I am grateful beyond expression that from the time I was a boy of fifteen, and entered the office of a non-member of the Church--working for non-members of the Church from then until just before I was twenty, when I went into business for myself--I am grateful that I have never found anything at home or abroad, in all these sixty years, that has in the slightest degree lessened my faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.9 But, on the contrary, I have been constantly finding additional evidences of the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged. This is a source of the keenest gratification to me. Evidences of the divinity of the work have come to me from time to time, some of them very strong. STRANGE EVIDENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.9 I have often mentioned it in public, that while I was being entertained at a dinner in London by one of the managers of the great New York Life Insurance Company I met a gentleman who had been connected with the British Legation in Constantinople and who had spent years in the Holy Land. He had been to America a number of times. I spent the evening, after dinner, chatting with him because of his remarkable experiences and the interesting things he had to say. Finally he said to me: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.9 "Mr. Grant, do you know that I ran across the most inexplicable thing of my life the last time I visited Canada. I went way up into the northern wilds-of Canada, beyond all civilization, visiting with those heathen Indians. I found among them the exact pattern, woven in colored beads, of Holy Land rugs, and in no other part of the world that I have visited have I seen any rugs of the same pattern as those oriental rugs in the Holy Land, and in some sections certain patterns have come down for hundreds, almost thousands of years, in one family. They have no fabrics up among those Indians with which to do weaving, but they had the exact patterns, yet they had never heard of Jerusalem, and it is the most inexplicable thing of my life." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.9 I said: "That is very easy to a Mormon. Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon ?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.9 "No." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 "I will send you a copy. It is the Bible, so to speak, of the American Indians, their sacred history, and you will find that the forefathers of the American Indians and other peoples who have been on this continent came from Jerusalem." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 He said: "What! That explains the inexplicable." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 Now that may not be counted by some as much of a straw of evidence, but to my mind it is a very great evidence regarding the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon. INTIMATE WITH BRIGHAM YOUNG Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 I am grateful to bear witness to this audience that from the time I was a little child not more than five, I am sure, until the day of his death. when I was nearly twenty-one, I was very intimate with Brigham Young: that when the bell would ring for family prayers, quite frequently I would run through our back lot across through Brother George A. Smith's lot and across the street, and kneel down in President Brigham Young's home at family prayers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 I knew him intimately, as I say, from the time I was five or six years of age. I was born where the Z. C. M. I. store now stands. Father's lot was 165 feet front by 330 feet deep, the lot just like it on the south was occupied by Edward Hunter, and a lot of the same size on the north was occupied by Daniel H. Wells. two of as God-fearing, kind, splendid men as ever drew the breath of life. I grew up under their tutorship to a certain extent. RECALLS LAST INTERVIEW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 The last interview I had with Brigham Young was on the very day he was taken sick. I met him coming out of his office with a cape on his arm and I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 "President Young, I was elected yesterday the assistant cashier of Zion's Savings Bank, and I have been told this morning that I must give a bond of twenty-five thousand dollars to vouch for my honesty. It occurs to me that it would be very appropriate and a nice thing for the president of the bank to sign the bond of the assistant cashier." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.10 He smiled and said: "Heber, I have had a very strenuous day. I am just going for a ride. I shall be glad to sign the bond. I do not see how I could get out of it because I said so many good things about you in the directors' meeting yesterday, (or the day before, I have forgotten which) about your integrity and honesty and favoring you for this job; and if I refuse to sign your bond now, the directors would say, 'What did you say all those good things about him for if you are afraid to sign his bond ? He came home, was taken sick and passed away. I am sure, from my own experience and all of the symptoms that were published in the paper, he died of appendicitis. During all those years of my acquaintance with him, fully fifteen, I learned to love and respect him as a man of God, a man of great ability. GREATNESS RECOGNIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 I remember saying to the vice president of a great bank with hundreds of millions of dollars, that the day would come when Brigham Young would be acknowledged as one of the greatest pioneers and colonizers who ever lived. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 He said: "Why say the day will come ? No man who knows anything of the accomplishments of Brigham Young but what could say the day has come. WANTED LARGE STATE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 Do you know that all this trouble about the Hoover dam and the division of water never would have come about if we had got all that President Young tried to get. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 All that he asked for when he knocked for admission into the Union as the State of Deseret was all of Utah, fully one-half of Colorado, a little patch down in New Mexico so as to take in the San Juan River, all of Arizona, Nevada as far as the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Idaho way up into the north, and one-third of what is now California. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 Los Angeles and that whole section would have been included. Every drop of water that goes into the Hoover dam would have been in the State of Deseret. Texas would not have been in it for size. This shows the great capacity of the man. He sent scouts into the various sections of the country, realizing as he did that irrigation was what was going to count, through the inspiration of the Lord, in this country, and he arranged to get all of the watershed of the Colorado River. LAUDS PREDECESSORS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 AS you all know I was chosen as one of the Apostles during the administration of John Taylor, a God-fearing, inspirational man. I can vouch absolutely from my intimate association with him from the day I was made an Apostle, two years after he became the president, to the day of his death, for the inspiration of the living God that came to him and the nobility and uprightness of his life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 I can say the same of Wilford Woodruff during his administration, and of Lorenzo Snow. I can say the same thing of President Joseph F. Smith, than whom I am sure no man has lived more in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints from the days of the Prophet Joseph to his day as the president of the Church. I rejoice in my knowledge of the integrity of their lives, their honesty, and their devotion to God, and that the first and foremost thing with them was to labor for the Gospel and the spread of truth upon the earth. LETTER PLEASES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.11 I rejoice in a letter that I received from the general manager of one of the greatest life insurance companies in the world when I was made an Apostle. He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.12 "I owe an apology, Heber, to your fourteen associates in the Presidency and Apostles. I have always thought they were a designing lot, that they were getting rich because of the religious enthusiasm and the of the people of your Church, gathering in their tithes, etc. now that you are one of the fifteen, I apologize to the other fourteen. If they were not honest and upright men they would not dare invite you into their councils, because if there were anything crooked you would give the whole thing away. I know you are fundamentally honest from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.12 No truer statement was ever made by mortal man than that by Josh Billings: "Never judge a man by his relatives, he cannot help them, they are crowded upon him; but judge him by the company he keeps, because he picks his own." PRAISED BY MILLIONAIRE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.12 I met a millionaire on the street--the late David Wood--the next morning after Anthony W. Ivins was made an Apostle, and he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.12 "Hold on, Grant, don't walk so fast. I want to tell you something. I am glad you are running your Mormon Church just to suit me. If you had come down to my office yesterday and said, 'Dave Wood, you have lived among this people for twenty-five years : you have been a friend of the 'Mormons' not only in the United States but in foreign lands; you have spoken well of them; you have a 'Mormon' bishop managing your business in Idaho--now I have been told to come down here, as you have met the leading men of the Church from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, to say that the Apostles want to express their gratitude for your friendship, and we will let you name the very best man to fill the vacancy in the quorum of Apostles,'--do you know, Grant, I would not have batted an eye or taken a breath, but I would have just hollered, 'Ivins.' I am glad you are running your Church to suit me. Good day." REJOICES IN GOOD WILL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.12 I rejoice in the good will of those who know us. I have said many times that a man who so lived that those who knew him best, loved him most, and whom God loved, was entitled to be crowned with the wreath of success although he might die in poverty; and I do know that the Lord has seen fit to love, and did love and did inspire all of my predecessors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.12 I am happy in the good will that exists, I believe, for this people. Not only in the United States, but wherever I go today I am treated with respect. When I think of going to Kansas City some years ago and there speaking before the Knife and Fork club which is claimed to be the second greatest dinner club in the United States, and speaking on the accomplishments of the Latter-day Saints for a full hour--the other speakers, one of them the president of a great university, being limited to thirty minutes--and I being advertised as the guest of the evening, and receiving applause, and then being invited to come back again and speak before the Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City, my heart is filled with gratitude. Where was this ? It was within ten miles of Independence, from which place the Latter-day Saints had been expelled under an exterminating order of the acting-governor of the state. EARLY PERSECUTIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.13 I have been reading again lately the wonderful record of the Missouri persecutions and the fall of Nauvoo, by Elder Brigham H. Roberts, and as I think of those terrible things that happened--imprisonment, the sentence of death passed upon the Prophet, the Patriarch and others; the murders at Haun's Mill; the battle at Crooked River; the driving out of the remnant of the Saints from Nauvoo in the dead of winter and their crossing the river on the ice--when I think of all these things that the early Saints had to endure, it seems to me that this depression is a good deal in the nature of a flea-bite in comparison. QUOTES POEM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.13 I see the time has expired. You will pardon me for being personal, but you know they say when a person gets beyond 75 years of age he cannot talk about anybody but himself, and likes to deal in reminiscences, that he has no thought for the future. I want to quote a few lines entitled "Age" and say that they are my sentiments, although not original with me: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.13 "Age is a quality of mind; If your dreams you've left behind, If hope is cold; If you no longer look ahead, If your ambitions' fires are dead-- Then you are old. "But if from life you take the best, And if in life you keep the zest, If love you hold; No matter how the years go by, No matter how the birthdays by You are not old." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.13 I do hold love for the Latter-day Saints. I do love my God, and I do love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope to accomplish more in the next five years of my life than I have accomplished during any previous five years. May the Lord help us one and all to be loyal and true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 The auditor's report was not included in the statistics given by me this morning. It is as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 Salt Lake City, Utah, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 April 4th, 1932. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 President Heber J. Grant and Counselors, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 Dear Brethren :-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 It gives us pleasure to state that our examination of the reports of the First Presidency's office, which cover the Presiding Bishop's department, discloses the fact that the Church is entirely out of debt. The accounting system of the Church is modern and complete. Respectfully submitted, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 HENRY H. ROLAPP, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 O. W. ADAMS, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 JOHN W. HART, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.46 Auditing Committee. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.99 Mr. H. A. Smith of Arizona, who has been addressing the Commercial Club, is here in the interest of a tariff on copper. We wish him God-speed in getting it. I do not think I could get one vote against a tariff on copper. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.99 I wish to say, incidentally, do not go wild over a lot of books that claim the world is coming to an end in a few days. The scriptures tell us that no one knoweth. I am sure that some of the people who are wasting days, weeks and months of study trying to frighten themselves to death will not be successful. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 The Literary Digest of April 2nd, 1932, contains the following article: "THE DRUNKARD DISAPPEARING" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "The tremendous army of the unemployed and down-and-outers seeking aid from the Salvation Army is almost entirely drink-free, and poverty from drink is a negligible factor in the current depression. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "This is the testimony of Colossians George H. Davis, in charge of the Salvation Army forces at Chicago, who backs up his opinion by the experience of his organization with more than a million cases of hard luck and poverty in the past few months. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "Colonel Davis' statement was made to the Illinois Conference of Organizations Supporting the Eighteenth Amendment. It is offered by the W. C. T. U. in opposing the group now fighting Prohibition. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "As it is issued by the Salvation Army, Colonel Davis's statement is, in part, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "'Out of more than a million cases we have dealt with in the last sixteen months, there were only seventy-five bad cases of drink, and of moderate cases, only 500. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "'From October 11, 1930, to February 3, 1932, we helped 1,102,545 unemployed men. Of this number we found 99.92 per cent drink free. Having nothing to do, many of these men would have drunk to excess if they could get the liquor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "'I did not realize the small percentage of drinking men that pass through our doors until I personally checked it up. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "'The number of women coming to our doors with a tale of being ruined by drink is less than 1 per cent of the entire number, whereas in former days it was a considerable proportion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "'In our family welfare relief work in these days we seldom find need arising from strong drink on the part of one or other of the parents, whereas in the old days it was 90 out of 100 cases. In fact, poverty from drink has almost disappeared. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "'The old-time drunkard, the wets of the country notwithstanding, is gone. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "'Before Prohibition the Salvation Army would gather drunks by the truckload and busload from the saloons and park benches. Today one would have to search high and low in every American city to find at one time 100 men and women of the type the Salvation Army used to gather by the thousands under the rule of John Barleycorn.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 "This agrees with the experience of Commander Evangeline Booth. As noted in these pages May 17, 1930, she said that before Prohibition the Salvation Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 Army in New York would collect 1,200 to 1,300 drunkards in a night, whereas Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 Prohibition immediately reduced the number to 400." PROHIBITION MEETING TO BE HELD IN TABERNACLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 There will be held in this building next Thursday evening a Prohibition meeting, and the speaker will be Dr. Daniel A. Poling, a man of great renown. The meeting will commence at 7:30. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.117 I have heard Dr. Poling speak, and can assure you that he is one of the best speakers for Prohibition that I have heard. He was one of the speakers of the "Flying Squadron" that was started by the late Governor Frank Hanly of Indiana, than whom no more eloquent, magnificent defender of prohibition and fighter against whiskey have I had the privilege of listening to. I hope that this audience is an indication of what we will have here next Thursday night. I would be delighted if it could be said that the greatest audience Daniel A. Poling ever faced was in the Mormon Tabernacle. It would give me great joy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.118 I told Elder Charles H. Hart that I was going to steal his time today. It is the first time during my presidency that I have failed to ask all of the General Authorities to speak; but it being so near my birthday and wanting to throw bouquets at myself and talk about myself, and so on, I feel a little selfish. So I decided to take part of the remaining thirty minutes to read announcements, to present the Authorities of the Church, and to do the bouquet throwing. VACANCIES NOT TO BE FILLED AT THIS CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.118 I expect there will be considerable comment when I present the General Authorities, seeing that we are not going to fill the vacancy in the First Presidency nor call a man to succeed Brother Hyrum G. Smith as Presiding Patriarch. Some will say: Did you ever hear of such a thing? Yes, way back in 1880, fifty-two years ago next October, there was a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve that lasted for two years: then Brother Orson Pratt died, making two vacancies that lasted a little over a year. When President Brigham Young died there was no First Presidency for three or four years, and when President John Taylor died there was no First Presidency for several years. So this is not so new after all. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.120 "Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.120 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.120 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.120 "This is the first and great commandment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.120 "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.120 I endorse very heartily indeed the remarks made here by the last speaker. It shows a remarkable lack of love of our neighbor for Latter-day Saints, some of them holding high positions in the Church, to rush and get their money out of a bank in which the Church owns fifty per cent of the stock. It shows wonderful lack of loyalty, to say the least. ; DENOUNCES FALSEHOODS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.120 I remarked here the day before yesterday that the New Era came to my desk and found lodgment in the waste basket. Lo and behold, another New Era came to me, not only containing the same things as the one that landed in the waste basket, but also an open letter from a gentleman who had approached a man and tried to persuade him to certify to the fact that he was a go-between between me and a girl in Liverpool to propose marriage, which would have been certifying to an absolute falsehood. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.121 Jesse B. Stone is the man who sent me this New Era. I have a letter from the man whom Stone tried to get to sign this falsehood and he says that he informed Stone there was not a word of truth in the story. The lady that I am supposed to have been married to tried to come up here on the stand the other day. She has been in the insane asylum, and I think she was there before our friend Stone interviewed her at all. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.121 Now when the second New Era arrived I decided to read at least the headlines and then throw it into the waste basket, but after I read the headlines I decided to read part of the contents. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.121 "A rift in Commercial Mormonism." There is no commercial Mormonism and never has been. The Mormon Church upon many occasions has reached out its hand to help industries for the benefit of the people. There is no commercialism in that. This is something in the nature of a father, figuratively speaking, trying to help his children. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.121 "The beginning of the end." "One bank closes its doors and another commences to totter." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.121 I consider that an absolute falsehood pure and simple. With the help that can now be secured from the Reconstruction Corporation under the government there is no necessity for any bank whatever with its capital unimpaired, closing its doors. I do not know, but I think I shall ask an attorney if there is no law that will deal with a man and send him to the penitentiary who circulates falsehoods which might cause the failure of a bank. Of course the other bank that is to close its doors, judging from this article, is undoubtedly meant to be Zion's Savings Bank. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.121 "In spite of all denials evidence shows that plural marriage is taught by the Authorities." In spite of all falsehoods by liars--I thought I wouldn't use that word, but really a liar is a liar, and perhaps once in a while it is wise to say so--in spite of every document printed, in spite of every statement to the contrary by any person on the face of the earth, the Authorities of this Church under the administration of Heber J. Grant as President, have never taught, have never encouraged, have never sustained any human being in entering pretended plural marriage. All these statements are pure and simple falsehoods. You all know that we have cut a great many people off the Church for entering into pretended plural marriage. I have had a letter from one who was excommunicated in which he wanted to know when the time would come when we would stop treating the best blood of the Church that way, namely, by cutting them off the Church. I answered: When people quit going into adultery, so to speak, and calling it celestial marriage, maybe it will stop, so far as they are concerned. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.121 I pledge myself here if any person will bring to us the evidence that any man or any woman belonging to this Church has entered into pretended plural marriage, that we will cut them off the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.122 "When the Deseret Savings Bank, fostered by the leaders of the Church"--a falsehood. It was not fostered by the leaders of the Church --"and prominent members thereof whose financial ability was not closed its doors during February and that Zion's Savings was harassed by depositors withdrawing funds until it was almost 'bled white' a situation was created, which brought home the realization that security of financial institutions funcitoning by means of Church funds are not as iron clad as certain quarters endeavor to make the commoner, not informed as to the real situation, believe they are." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.122 Zion's Savings Bank was not "bled white." The bank was open until nine o'clock at night during the run and would have kept open just as long as anybody wanted to come and get his money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.122 "To save the Zion's Bank from closing its doors, the President of the Church was forced to rush two million dollars into its vaults, money which he had secured from a financial concern in the east for the purpose of financing the beet crop of the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, and enable it to function another season, information which proceeds from a most reliable source." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.122 Heber J. Grant did not borrow a dollar in the East. Heber J. Grant did not know that Zion's Bank was in distress; he did not know there had been a run on the bank until he reached home; and Heber J. Grant did not go east to borrow money to finance the crop of the Sugar Company, because the Sugar Company financed its own crop and paid all of the people who had raised beets before there was a run on Zion's Savings Bank. The "reliable source" reminds me of what Josh Billings says: "Never judge a man by his relatives, he can't help them, they are crowded on him, but judge him by the company he keeps," and the reliable company from which this man gets his information is one of the crowd of falsifiers. I would like to use the other word. It is shorter and more emphatic, but I think I will let it go at falsifiers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.122 I did intend to comment on a full half column, but I really think it is a waste of breath. FAVORS LAW PROTECTING SAVINGS BANKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.122 I want to endorse what Brother Merrill said. I hope some day to see a law passed, and I have held this opinion ever since the year 1893--nearly forty years--that no savings bank should ever be permitted by law to pay any depositor a dollar on his deposits except when it became due after proper notice. I do not think people should be permitted to put their money in a savings bank, and then rush and get it, when they know as well as they know they live if everybody like themselves had heart failure, financially speaking, no savings on earth could exist, because a bank cannot pay interest for and then keep it in vaults waiting for somebody to come and get it. I am sure even if there were such a law that any depositor would be given his money if he actually needed it. PERSONAL LOSSES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.122 I might incidentally remark that I owned $37,500 of stock in Zion's Savings Bank way back in 1893, which cost me $75,000, and Zion's Savings Bank was "bled white" figuratively speaking in 1893, because of the loss of confidence by the people who drew out their money; and I lost every dollar of my stock. I lost that stock at $140.00 a share and I had paid $200.00 for it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 I thank the Lord for men like the late Isaac Barton who would not draw a dollar out of the State Bank during the run of 1893. I had thirty thousand dollars stock in the State Bank of Utah, and it was paid for, but I was borrowing money on Zion's Savings Bank and State Bank stocks in New York, with George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, John Henry Smith, Francis M. Lyman, Thomas R. Cutler and other loyal men, with which to build the first beet sugar factory ever built with American machinery in the United States. I lost $62,000, President Cannon eighty-odd thousand, Presidents Joseph F. Smith and John Henry Smith and Francis M. Lyman twenty thousand dollars apiece. We all lost our bank stocks with the exception of Brother Cannon. I was very glad that he was able to buy the stocks that we had to sell, his share of them at least, and did not eventually lose anything, but got the benefit of their subsequent growth. LATTER-DAY SAINTS FULFILLING THE LAW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 So far as these liars are concerned--they claim that Brother Ballard taught a woman plural marriage. It is a falsehood. This man goes on reiterating again that John A. Widtsoe has a plural wife--one more falsehood. There are so many of them that it is really a waste of time to refer to them. But let me say to these falsifiers that the work of the Lord is onward and upward. It is progressing and the majority of the Latter-day Saints are fulfilling the law that I have read here, namely, that their first allegiance is to God, and second, the love of their fellow men. There is no question about it in my mind. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE VISION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 I endorse the necessity of living the laws of the Gospel. I rejoice in the Gospel. I am inclined to think that damnation is more or less in the nature of condemnation. The Gospel, according to the vision given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, is as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 "And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 "That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 "That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 "Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 They are few and far between--very few. Again I rejoice that we are fundamentalists: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives !"--speaking of the Savior. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.123 "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 I see that I have occupied Brother Hart's time and my own too. I rejoice in the wonderful attendance we have had at this conference, in the faith manifested by the Saints, and in the most remarkable and splendid attendance that we had at our general priesthood meeting, the largest we have ever had at one of those meetings. CHARITY TOWARD ALL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 There is one more thing that I want to say: In preaching on the Word of Wisdom, or preaching about cards, or preaching about anything else along the line of the teachings of the Authorities of the Church, if anybody preaches without charity he is not preaching according to the laws of the Gospel. We have the following statement in the 121st section of the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 "By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile--" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 Something else however-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 I am naturally emphatic in my talk, and I want to say to all of our young people that I hope they will never get the impression that because they fail to live up to the Word of Wisdom and other teachings of this Church there is any hatred in my heart towards them. I try to even love my enemies, to say nothing about the sons and the daughters of men and women who would readily give their lives for this cause. There is no section in all the D&C from which I have quoted more often and that I have tried to live up to more perfectly than section one hundred and twenty-one, that wonderful revelation given to the Prophet of God while he was in Liberty Jail. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1932, p.124 God bless you one and all, is my prayer, and I do bless you by the authority of the priesthood of the living God that I hold and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. President Anthony W. Ivins First Counselor in the First Presidency Anthony W. Ivins, Conference Report, October 1932, p.2 This is the first general conference of the Church, my brethren and sisters, so far as I remember at which the President of the Church has not been present to direct the proceedings. You are all advised no doubt that President Grant is in Chicago at a hospital recovering from an operation to which he has recently subjected himself. PRESIDENT GRANT'S ILLNESS Anthony W. Ivins, Conference Report, October 1932, p.2 The question may be asked, and has been, why did the President of the Church go to Chicago for treatment when there is a Latter-day Saints hospital here in Salt Lake City, with efficient expert surgeons and doctors to give medical care to those who may be in need of it? He went because the people who were consulted in regard to his condition. which was critical, admitted that there was no one here whom they felt could be trusted with the particular treatment to which it apparently became necessary for him to subject himself. So after careful consideration it was decided that he should go there for this treatment. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Anthony W. Ivins, Conference Report, October 1932, p.2 I have before me a telegram just received from him which I am sure you will agree with me demonstrates the wisdom and the necessity of the action which was taken. It is addressed to me to be delivered to this congregation of Latter-day Saints, and is as follows: Anthony W. Ivins, Conference Report, October 1932, p.3 Extend to tile Saints in conference my love and blessings. My gratitude to them for their faith exercised and prayers offered in my behalf. I have been greatly blessed. I feel sure conference will be profitable and enjoyable as they have always been. Regret not being with you. Earnestly praying the blessings of the Lord to attend the Saints both at home and abroad and also all honest people the world over. Anthony W. Ivins, Conference Report, October 1932, p.3 Affectionately, Anthony W. Ivins, Conference Report, October 1932, p.3 Heber J. Grant." Anthony W. Ivins, Conference Report, October 1932, p.3 The telegram received this morning from the President indicates his rapid recovery. The physicians, however, who have the case in charge consider it wise that he remain at the hospital until he is so far recovered there will be no danger at the thee he shall leave it. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.6 It is a source of gratitude and thanksgiving to me that I am permitted to be with you today at this General Conference. I desire to extend to the Saints at home and abroad, and to many friends not of our faith, my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the many expressions of fellowship, good will and love that have been extended to me since my return home: for the many letters that were written to me by the people of the Church, and those not of the Church, and for the many calls from friends while I was in the hospital. GRATEFUL FOR EVIDENCES OF FRIENDSHIP AND GOOD WILL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.6 I am grateful beyond expression for all of these evidences of friendship and good will, and particularly am I grateful to the Saints for their prayers and supplications to our Heavenly Father in my behalf during my illness. It is a source of a great deal of satisfaction to me to have received so many evidences of good will from people during my sickness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.6 I believe there is no time in one's life when one feels and appreciates more evidences of friendship than when one is seriously sick, and I am pleased to say that some of the letters I received were altogether unexpected, and many of the calls I had while in the hospital were also unexpected. At times my room in the hospital almost suggested a funeral. because of the great quantity of beautiful flowers there nearly all the time I was in the hospital. WOULD SOLVE THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.6 I have been thinking very seriously of the wonderful condition that the world is in today during the great depression all over the globe, and I am convinced in my own mind, without shadow of a doubt, that a revelation, covering only one page, given by the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, to the Prophet Joseph Smith, would solve the problems of the world if it were obeyed by the inhabitants of the earth, not only solve the problems in our own country but in every country. In thinking of what I should say here today in my opening remarks I decided that I would read this revelation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 There are a great many men and women, in fact the great majority of all the people in the world believe that Joseph Smith was a false prophet. When you contemplate the fact that this revelation was given a little over one hundred years ago and that it is recognized as scientifically true today, after investigations have been made by great scientific minds, it is remarkable that a young man should be able to give something so marvelous as this Word of Wisdom. So as a tribute to the prophet who gave it, who was and is and ever will be a prophet of the living God. I shall read it. All the disbelief of the world will never change that fact, because it is a fact. All the disbelief of the world cannot change the fact that this man was chosen of God and became the head of the Church of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Disbelief does not change facts. The Lord's law of health.: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 "A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the Church, and also the saints in Zion--" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 And I might add, and also for the people of all the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 "To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God--" THE WILL OF GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 Many Latter-day Saints remark, "Well, it was not given by command, therefore we do not need to obey it." No true Latter-day Saint is justified in saying that if the Lord reveals his will to man it is not his duty to obey it unless the Lord commands him to do so. The will of God, in what? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 "--in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days--" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 And let me add, for the temporal salvation of all people in all parts of the world in the last days. "EVILS AND DESIGNS" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 "Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days--" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 And these are the last days, please remember. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 "--I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 "Evils and designs." When I see a sign upon which is pictured a man presenting a beautiful woman with an engagement ring on the top of a ring of cigaret smoke, I realize why the Lord saw fit to talk about the men who would have evil designs in these last days. I never see one of those signs but I think what an absolute crime it is that such a thing can be permitted in a civilized country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 "That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father--" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.7 The Lord says it is not good, and all the legislatures and all the congresses and all the senators and all the officers in the kingdoms of the world can say otherwise, but that will not change the word of the Creator of heaven and earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "--only in assembling yourselves together to offer tip your sacraments before him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 I do not suppose that when we get whisky, wine, beer, etc., much of it will be used for the washing of people's bodies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And, again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man--" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 Please keep in your minds that this is the Lord speaking. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. FOR THE USE OF MAN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And again, verily i say unto you, all wholesome herbs GOD hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man-- " Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "Every herb in the season therefor, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "All grain is good for the food of man: as also, the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grains. A MARVELOUS PROMISE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And all Saints who remember to keep and do these savings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 What a marvelous promise! Is there anything to compare with health? Those who have been near death's door many times and who have suffered year after year in not being able to accomplish anything in the battle of life, know what a valuable thing is good health. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.8 "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 I commend to all Latter-day Saints that they read the marvelous testimony delivered from this stand by Brother Creed Haymond who won a championship in racing and was the only one on his team who made a record, while the others who had used wine failed. "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." THE WORDS OF THE MARTYRED PATRIARCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 It has been a great pleasure to me today to read the words of the Lord given to Joseph Smith. I am now going to read to you the words of the martyred Patriarch: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 "The Lord has told us that 'strong drinks are not for the belly.' Who is it that will say that they are, when the Lord says they are not? That man who says, 'I can drink wine or strong drink, and it will not hurt me,' is not wise. Some will say, 'I know that it did me good, for I was fatigued and feeble on a certain occasion, and it revived me, and I was invigorated thereby; and that is sufficient for me.' It may be for you, but it would not be for a wise man; for every spirit of this kind will only produce a greater languor when its effects cease to operate upon the human body. But you know that you are benefited? Yes, so does the man who has mortgaged his property know that he is relieved from his present embarrassments; but his temporary relief only binds the cords of bondage more severely around him. The Lord has not ordained strong drink for the belly, 'but for the washing of your bodies.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 "And, again, 'tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and it is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.' Tobacco is a nauseous, stinking, abominable thing, and I am surprised that any human being should think of using it--for an elder especially to eat or smoke it, is a disgrace to him. He is not fit for the office; he ought first to learn to keep the Word of Wisdom, and then to teach others. God will not prosper the man who uses it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 "And again, 'hot drinks are not for the body or belly.' There are many who wonder what that can mean, whether it refers to tea or coffee or not. I say it does refer to tea and coffee. Why is it that we are frequently so dull and languid? It is because we break the Word of Wisdom. Disease preys upon our systems; * * * and we do not comprehend the things of God. The devil takes advantage of us, and we fall into temptation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 "Let the Saints be wise; let us lay aside our folly and abide by the commandments of God. So shall we be blessed of the Great Jehovah in time and in eternity. We shall be healthy, strong and vigorous; we shall be enabled to resist disease." THE WORDS OF BRIGHAM YOUNG Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 It is sometimes a good thing to turn back. We will turn back to the great pioneer, the man who with others erected this wonderful building. At the time of its erection it was the greatest building in all the United States, without any center support to the roof. He started to build a temple which cost millions of dollars when there were people here without means excepting their hands, their courage, their faith and their knowledge that God lived. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 President Brigham Young said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.9 "So long as you are able to walk and attend to your business, it is folly to say that you need ardent spirits to keep you alive. The constitution that a person has should be nourished and cherished; and whenever we take anything into the system to force and stimulate it beyond its natural capacity, it shortens life. I am physician enough to know that. When you are tired and think you need a little spirituous liquor, take some bread and butter or bread and milk, and lie down and rest. Do not labor so hard as to deem it requisite to get half drunk in order to keep up your spirits. If you will follow this counsel, you will be full of life and health, and you will increase your intelligence, your joy and comfort. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.10 "It is a piece of good counsel which the Lord desires his people to observe, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.10 that they may live on the earth until the measure of their creation is full. This is the object the Lord had in view in giving that Word of Wisdom. To those who observe it he will give great wisdom and understanding, increasing their health, giving strength and endurance to the faculties of their bodies and minds until they shall be full of years upon the earth." BENEFITS PROVED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.10 Let me testify to the benefits of it. President Brigham Youngserved this people from the day that he was ordained an apostle for more than 42 years, until he passed away, with all the cares and hardships that rested upon him, and when he passed away he was as old as I am, 76. He was in vigorous health of body and mind, but I am sure that what they called inflammation of the bowels was appendicitis. Why? Because the pain disappeared and we were all rejoicing that he was on the high road to recovery. But what really happened is that the appendix had broken and the pain had disappeared, but blood poisoning had set in. The successor to President Brigham Young served this people for 48 long years from the day he was ordained an apostle. The successor to John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, served this people 59 long years from the time that he was chosen an apostle. Lorenzo Snow, who succeeded Wilford Woodruff, served this people for nearly 53 years, and Joseph F. Smith served them for over 52 years. Heber J. Grant has served this people for over 50 years. GIVES PERSONAL TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.10 I leave my testimony with you that I believe as firmly as I believe anything in this world that I would not be standing here today talking to you if I had not obeyed the Word of Wisdom. When my appendix was removed it had broken and blood poisoning, so they said, in the third and last stage, had set in. There were nine doctors present and eight said I had to die. The chief surgeon in the Catholic hospital turned to President Joseph F. Smith, and said: "Mr. Smith, you need not think of such a possibility or probability as that this man shall live. Why, if he should live it would be a miracle, and this is not the day of miracles." That was the message delivered to me by Joseph F. Smith himself during his last sickness, and he said: "Our doctor friend who said it would be a miracle has passed away. I never saw you looking healthier in my life than you do today, Heber." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.10 I said to the nurse who told me regarding these nine doctors that I did not want to meet any of them, except the one who said and believed that I would pull through. She said: "He is the house doctor; I will call him in." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.10 I asked him why he disagreed with the others, and he smiled, (he was a southerner) and he said: "Mistah Grant, ah just took a chance, suh. Ah have felt the pulse, suh, of thousands of patients, being a house doctor, in many many hospitals, but ah never felt a pulse just like yours, suh. Why, do you know, suh, in all of the tests that I made during an hour and three quarters that you were under the knife your heart never missed one single, solitary beat, and ah made up my mind that that heart would pull you through." NOT CONTAMINATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.11 What kind of a heart did I have? I had a heart that had pure blood in it, that was not contaminated by tea, coffee or liquor. That is why the poison in my system was overcome. The doctor wire operated upon me had made an agreement with me that he was to tell me if I had to die--and he did--so that I could write a couple of letters. But I did not write them because in the kind providences of the Lord it had been revealed in a manifestation that I did not have to die. Men say we cannot receive communications from the other world, but my wife whose body lies in the grave visited my wife who is alive and told her that my mission was not yet ended: and I had received before that a blessing by the gift of tongues from that identical wife whose body was in the grave. And what was in that blessing? That I should live to lift up my voice in many lands and in many climes proclaiming the restoration to the earth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. PROPHECY FULFILLED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.11 I had not lifted up my voice in many lands and many climes at the time I was in the hospital, but subsequently I have lifted up my voice in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada and Mexico; from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon; from the Canadian border down to Florida; in the Hawaiian Islands and in far-off Japan, proclaiming the restoration to the earth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation: bearing my witness that I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of mankind, the Savior of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and living God. FURTHER ADVICE BY PRESIDENT YOUNG Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.11 Continuing the remarks of Brigham Young: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.11 "Many of our sisters think they cannot live without tea. I will tell you what we can do--I have frequently said it to my brethren and sisters--if they cannot live without tea, coffee, brandy, whisky, wine, beer, tobacco, etc., they can die without them. This is beyond controversy. If we had the determination that we should have, we would live without them or die without them. Let the mother impregnate her system with these narcotic influences when she is bringing forth a family on the earth, and what does she do? She lays the foundation of weakness, palpitation of the heart, nervous affections and many other ills and diseases in the system of her offspring that will afflict them from the cradle to the grave. Is this righteous or unrighteous, good or evil? Let my sisters ask and answer the question for themselves, and the conclusion which each and every one of them may come to is this: 'If I do an injury to my child, I sin.'" DOCTORS GIVE EVIDENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 I have been trying to find what a brother wrote to me some days ago, and so has he, but we have failed--a statement that I wish I could read to you here, if it be true--and I have very little doubt but that it is true--to the effect that there are some first-class physicians who will not answer a call to a wife who is to become a mother if she is an inveterate cigaret smoker announcing that the rate of mortality is altogether too great among such for them to risk their reputation. THE WORDS OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 President John Taylor: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 "For this purpose he (God) has gathered us here as we are here today--that while we are pursuing the natural avocations of life, we might at the same time be taught and instructed of God, that we might learn the laws of life--that we might be purified from the corruptions and infamies that exist in the world, and that our spirits might be purged from everything that tends to deteriorate, injure or destroy man; and that we might be enabled to comprehend those principles which are calculated to elevate, to exalt and ennoble mankind, and to prepare them for the enjoyment of a place among the Gods in the eternal worlds. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 "And in regard to drunkenness we will not be contaminated nor disgraced with infamy of such conduct--and as the honesty of a man can only be tested by his having temptation within his reach, so no man can be considered as acting properly who cannot let liquor alone, when that is within his reach. Virtue does not consist simply in being prevented from committing evils, but in having temptations presented before us and then governing our passions and appetites. Good and evil are placed before us, no matter by whom, it is for us to resist evil and cleave to the right. We are told that it is to him that overcometh that I will grant to sit down on my throne, as I have overcome and sat down on my Father's throne. Neither do we want any excuses for any of these things, for God will condemn us if we bear them, and his wrath will be enkindled against us, and we shall find it a hard matter to pack such infamies upon our shoulders. Now it is for us to choose what course we will pursue. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 "We want men who are Saints from principle, men who love God, who keep his commandments, men who are pure and virtuous, men who are seeking to glorify God through obedience to his laws, and men who do these things because they love to do them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 "We have entered into covenants with God, and it is only on the condition of our keeping our covenants inviolate that we shall be entitled to the exceedingly great and precious promises which he has made to us. And he does expect us to be true to him. President Woodruff Quoted Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 President Wilford Woodruff: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 "We are sent into this world to accomplish a great purpose, and to fulfil the object of our creation we must observe the commandments of God, and obey the ordinances of his house, and walk in them while we live in the flesh, that when we have done with this body we can go back into the presence of our Father and our God and receive in fulness the blessings and promises made to his children. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 "Those persons who will not walk according to the light they have, must sooner or later inherit sore afflictions to themselves; they do not have joy, and happiness, and salvation like that person who obeys the commandments of God and constantly does that which is right. The wicked are always in fear. There is no inducement for a man or woman to commit sin--it is not a paying business. It is better for us to serve the Lord; for Those who serve the Lord morning, noon and night are happy, whether they be rich or poor." RIDICULE RECALLED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.12 I call to mind that upon one occasion a man ridiculed the Latter-day Saints, saying, "You people are always happy. If a man hits a Mormon and knocks him down, the Mormon thanks the Lord because he needed a little chastisement; and if you hit at a Mormon and miss him, he thanks the Lord for not getting hit." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "Let us try to live our religion, and try to be friends of God; and let us make war against the works of the devil. Let us seek to overcome ourselves, and all our evil impressions, and bring our bodies in subjection to the law of Christ, that we may walk in the light of the Lord, gain power with him, and assist in sanctifying the earth and in building up temples, and in attending to the ordinances of the house of God, that we may be saviors of men, both of the living and the dead. These are our privileges, and the blessings which the God of heaven has put into our hands. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "Our President (Brigham Young) has frequently told us that we cannot separate the temporal from the spiritual, but they must go hand in hand together; and so it is, and so we must act in reference to building up the Church and Kingdom of God. We should foresee the evil, and then foreseeing it we should hide ourselves, and preserve ourselves in purity and holiness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "Our temporal and eternal salvation is all connected and linked together. * * * The Lord has raised up unto us fathers, leaders, and counselors after his own heart: they possess his will, and they are leading the people to exaltation and glory." FROM PRESIDENT SNOW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 President Lorenzo Snow: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "The Gospel is proclaimed, a channel is opened through which individuals may receive a knowledge of things pertaining to life and salvation, of those things that are required at their hands, and of the course they should pursue as the servants and handmaidens of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "This Gospel, which God has commanded us to offer to the world, is an order or system of things, simple, plain, and may easily be understood. In regard to its principles, the nature of its requirements, and the precise kind and character of its blessings and promises, no one, however ignorant or unlearned, needs to be left in the dark; but may discover its golden truths, and the emblazoned mark of divinity in its arrangements. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "This system of religion, in its nature, in the character of its origin, the manner of operations, and in the purposes for which it was designed, coupled with the fact that people of honest hearts can and will appreciate divine truth, is such that it cannot be destroyed. A man who is honest, full of integrity and love for the interest and happiness of mankind, having explored this long untrodden path, and made this glorious discovery, will not and cannot keep silent, but despite of threats and opposition, however fierce and terrific, will boldly declare the glorious fact, spreading and multiplying this divine intelligence, and if so required, seal his testimony with his own life's blood. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "Our mission is to the world and not simply to carry the Gospel to the people, but to establish plans and lay schemes for their temporal salvation. Our object is the temporal salvation of the people as much as their spiritual salvation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 "A religions system is of but little account when it possesses no virtue nor power to better the condition of people, spiritually, intellectually, morally and physically." PRESIDENT SMITH QUOTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.13 President Joseph F. Smith: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.14 "I do wish with all my heart--not because I say it, but because it is written in the word of the Lord--that you would give heed to the Word of Wisdom. It was given unto us not by commandment'; but by the word of President Brigham Young, it was made a commandment unto the Saints. It is written here for our guidance, for our happiness and advancement in every principle that pertains to the kingdom of God, in time and throughout eternity, and I pray you to observe it. It will do you good: it will ennoble your souls; it will free your thoughts and your hearts from the spirit of destruction; it will make you feel like God, who sustains even the sparrow, that it does not fall to the ground without his notice; it will bring you nearer to the similitude of the Son of God, the Savior of the world, who healed the sick, who made the lame to leap for joy, who restored hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind, who distributed peace, joy and comfort to all with whom he came in contact, and who cursed and destroyed nothing, save it was the barren fig tree, and that was to show forth his power more than anything else. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.14 "'And all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel, and marrow to their bones. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.14 "'And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.14 "'And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.14 "'And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.14 "Are these glorious promises not sufficient to induce us to observe this Word of Wisdom? Is there not something here that is worthy our attention? Are not 'great treasurers' of knowledge, even 'hidden treasures', something to be desired? But when I see men and women addicting themselves to the use of tea and coffee, or strong drinks, or tobacco in any form. I say to myself, here are men and women who do not appreciate the promises God has made unto them." POET QUOTED There are three lessons I would write, Three words as with a burning pen; In tracings of eternal light, Upon the hearts of men. Have faith, though clouds environ round. And gladness bides her face in scorn Put off the darkness from thy brow; No night but hath its morn. Have hope, where'er thy bark is driven, The calm distorts the tempest's mirth, Know this, God rules the Hosts of Heaven. The inhabitants of earth. Have love, not love alone for one, But man as man thy brother call, And scatter as the circling sun Thy charities on all. --Goethe. A FAVORITE HYMN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.14 God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform: He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines, Of never failing skill. He treasures up His bright designs, And works His sovereign will. Ye fearful Saints, fresh courage take. The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break, In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour, The bud may have a bitter taste. But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his works in vain; God is his own interpreter, And He will make it plain. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.15 The hymn which I have just read was the favorite hymn of the late President Wilford Woodruff. We sang it oftener in our council meetings than any other when he was with us. If there ever was a man who acknowledged the hand of God in all things more perfectly than did Wilford Woodruff I never knew him. FROM THOMAS A. EDISON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.15 One of the greatest benefactors of mankind, in my judgment, by his discoveries in electricity was Thomas A. Edison. Way back in 1914 he wrote a letter to Henry Ford in which he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.15 "The injurious agent in cigarets comes principally from the burning paper wrapper. The substance thereby formed is called 'Acrolein.' It has a violent action on the nerve centers, producing degeneration of the cells of the brain which is quite rapid among the boys. Unlike most narcotics this degeneration is permanent and uncontrollable. I employ no person who smokes cigarets." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.15 This was written in 1914, as I have said. I know a great many people who formerly did not employ people who smoked cigarets, but cigaret smoking has increased so wonderfully, from a few hundred million up to hundreds of billions, that they have found it necessary to change that rule. ENORMOUS CONSUMPTION OF CIGARETS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.15 During the last four years internal revenue was paid upon a consumption of 459,419,564,744, or an average of 114,854,801,186 cigarets a year. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.15 What is a billion? During the World war when we were raising $6,000,000,000 through the sale of Liberty bonds, the great New York Life Insurance Co. sent out a circular announcing that a billion was the equivalent of one dollar for every minute from the birth of the Savior until now. So each year for four years--and this is not what somebody says, but it is from collections of internal revenue--114,854,891,186 cigarets were consumed in the United States, which would be equivalent to 114 cigarets for every minute since the birth of the Savior. It seems incredible. "In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men." I have read that the tobacco interests hope during this year to add 30,000,000 women to their list of cigaret smokers. AN IMPRESSIVE LESSON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.15 I read from the book. "Personal Efficiency," by James Samuel Knox, A. M.: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'You smoke thirty cigarets a day?' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'Yes, on the average.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'You don't blame them for your run down condition?' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'Not in the least. I blame my hard work.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "The physician shook his head. He smiled in a vexed way. Then he took a leech out of a glass jar. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'Let me show you something,' he said. 'Bare your arm.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "The cigaret smoker bared his pale arm, and the doctor laid the lean, black leech upon it. The leech fell to work busily. Its body began to swell. Then, all of a sudden, a shudder convulsed it, and it fell to the floor--dead. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'That's what your blood did to that leech,' said the physician. He took up the little corpse between his finger and thumb. 'Look at it,' he said. 'Quite dead, you see. You poisoned it.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'I guess it wasn't a healthy leech in the first place,' said the cigaret smoker sullenly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'Wasn't healthy, eh? Well, we'll try again.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "And the physician clapped two leeches on the young man's thin arm. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'If they both die, said the patient, I'll swear off--or, at least, I'll cut down my daily allowance from thirty to ten.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 What would ten do to him? A boy who smokes ten cigarets a day has inhaled enough poison to kill twenty frogs. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "Even as he spoke the smaller leech shivered and dropped on his knee dead, and a moment later the larger one fell beside it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'This is ghastly,' said the young man; 'I am worse than the pestilence to these leeches.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'It is the empyreumatic oil in your blood,' said the medical man. 'All cigaret smokers have it.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "'Doctor,' said the young man, regarding the three dead leeches thoughtfully, I half believe you're right.'" EFFECT UPON STUDENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "It is said that within the past fifty years not a student at Harvard University who used tobacco has been graduated at the head of his class, although on the average five out of six used tobacco." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 Just exactly five hundred per cent more tobacco smokers in the classes, and yet in fifty years not one of them was graduated at the head of his class. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "An investigation of all the students who entered Yale University during nine years shows that the cigaret smokers were the inferiors both in weight and lung capacity of the non-smokers, although they averaged fifteen months older." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 I would like to read you this whole book but I shall not take the time. A VICTIM OF CIGARETS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.16 "A young man died in a Minnesota state institution not long ago, who five years before had been one of the most promising young physicians of the West. 'Still under thirty years at the time of his commitment to the institution,' says a newspaper account of the story. He had already made three discoveries in nervous diseases which had made him well known in his profession. But he smoked cigarets--smoked incessantly. For a long time the effects of the habit were not apparent, in fact, it was not until a patient died on the operating table under his hands, and the young doctor went to pieces, that it became known that he was a victim of the paper pipes. But then he had gone too far. He was a wreck in mind as well as in body, and ended his days in a maniac's cell." JUDGE SPEAKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "Magistrate Crane of New York City, says: 'Ninety-nine out of a hundred boys between the ages of 10 and 17 years who come before me charged with crime have their fingers disfigured by yellow cigaret stains. I am not a crank on this subject, I do not care to pose as a reformer, but it is my opinion that cigarets will do more than liquor to ruin boys. * * * There is something in the poison of the cigaret that seems to get into the system of the boy which destroys all moral fiber.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "He gives the following probable course of a boy who begins to smoke cigarets: First, cigarets. Second, beer and liquors. Third, craps, petty gambling. Fourth, horse racing--gambling on a bigger scale. Fifth, larceny. Sixth, state prison.'" AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "Dr. J. H. Kellogg says: 'A few months ago I had all the nicotine removed from a cigaret, making a solution out of it. I injected half the quantity into a frog with the effect that the frog died almost instantly. The rest was administered to another frog with like effect. Both frogs were full grown and of average size. The conclusion is evident that a single cigaret contains poison enough to kill two frogs.'" Then he goes on to tell that twenty cigarets killed forty frogs. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 I have enough material to talk to you for an hour or two but I see I have been talking now for fifty-two minutes, and I think that that is probably long enough. I shall try to get through in the next seven minutes and make it an even hour. TESTIMONY OF AN INVENTOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "Hudson Maxim has won world renown as the inventor of high explosives for use in battle ship guns and torpedoes and for various other purposes. He comes out squarely against the cigaret in this fashion: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "'The wreath of cigaret smoke which curls about the head of the growing lad holds his brain in an iron grip which prevents it from growing and his mind from developing just as surely as the iron shoe does the foot of the Chinese girl. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "'In the terrible struggle for survival against the deadly cigaret smoke, development and growth are sacrificed by nature, which in the fight for very life itself must yield up every vital luxury such as healthy body growth and growth of brain and mind. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "'If all boys could be made to know that with every breath of cigaret smoke they inhale imbecility and exhale manhood, that they are tapping their arteries as surely and letting their life's blood out as truly as though their veins and arteries were severed, and that the cigaret is a maker of invalids, criminals and fools--not men--it ought to deter them some. The yellow finger stain is an emblem of deeper degradation and enslavement than the ball and chain'." BURBANK'S DECLARATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.17 "Several of my young acquaintances are in their graves who gave promise of making happy and useful citizens," declares Luther Burbank, the wizard of the plant and vegetable kingdom, whose experiments have caused the civilized world to wonder"--and whose experiments have benefited the civilized world millions upon millions of dollars every year-"and there is no question whatever that cigarets alone were the cause of their destruction. No boy living would commence the use of cigarets if he knew what a useless, soulless, worthless thing they would make of him." A NEW ARITHMETIC Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.18 "'I am not much of a mathematician,' said the cigaret, 'but I can add nervous troubles to a boy. I can subtract from his physical energy, I can multiply his aches and pains, I can divide his mental powers. I can take interest from his work and discount his chances for success'." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.18 As I was not here six months ago I thought I was entitled to occupy an hour, and that is why I have taken so much time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.18 The Lord bless you. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.88 I consider it one of the greatest compliments that could possibly be paid to our organ and choir recitals that the Columbia Broadcasting System--nation-wide--should request us to lengthen our Sunday programs from a half hour to an hour. It is said that the testing of a thing is what counts. The doubling of the program is a splendid testimony of its value, and we all feel grateful to the choir and organists. It is no small task for them to prepare and rehearse their numbers and then come here and spend a full hour every Sunday morning playing and singing to the people of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.88 I endorse all the good things that have been said about the leader of the choir, our organists and the members of the choir themselves. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.88 All those who wish to, hear the choir and organ broadcast Sunday morning should be quietly seated in this building by half past nine. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.107 Since our last Conference one of the most beloved, most energetic and most estimable members of the General Authorities of the Church has passed away, a man whose voice has been heard here many many times and one who has filled several missions in Great Britain. Until shortly before his decease he had been presiding over the California Mission of the Church. During his administration several hundred thousands of dollars were expended in the erection of chapels in that mission, and three stakes were organized in what was the California Mission at the time that Brother Joseph W. McMurrin was made its president. He was one of the great preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these last days, a man with a perfect and abiding testimony of the divinity of the work in which we as Latter-day Saints are engaged; a man who won the love and respect not only of members of the Church but of all with whom he came in contact, for his sincerity, his honesty and his fearless defense of the work of the Lord. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.120 I feel that we owe a very deep debt of gratitude to Evan Stephens, George Careless, Joseph J. Daynes, Ebenezer Beesley and others who have written beautiful music for us. I am free to confess that when I go out into the country districts and hear sung certain anthems, I wonder why the people do not show preference for the home-made article. I think that Evan Stephens and these other men were inspired of the Lord to write music for us. I do not want to reflect on any of the magnificent things that have been written by others, but I have gone to many a conference where I have listened to anthems when I would rather have heard a good Latter-day Saint hymn sung. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.121 I hold in my hand a book entitled, "In Search of Truth," written by the only absentee of the General Authorities of the Church, Elder John A. Widtsoe, of the Council of the Twelve. I had marked enough passages in the book to occupy fully twenty minutes of your time were I to read them, but there are not twenty minutes left unless we eliminate Brother Ballard entirely, and I am willing to divide evenly with him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 I am going to read the last chapter of this book. I think I can do it readily in ten minutes: THE WAY TO TRUTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 The way to truth? O yes, there is such a royal road, and any man may find and follow it. True, it leads straight for the goal and therefore is not attractive to those who like to meander and loiter among pretty fields of pseudo-truth. But those who have trodden the royal way, and their names are legion, bear witness to the surpassing joy of the journey. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 Desire. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 The way to truth may be found by anyone who desires it. But, he must desire it with all his might, mind and strength. A Sunday wish will not suffice. The desire must suffuse and penetrate every waking moment. One's whole being must reach out for truth, a fragment of which must become more precious than the whole scintillating world of untruth. Life itself must seem a small price to pay for the possession of truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 Such a desire leads one inevitably to the gateway of truth. The great ones of all ages, prophets, poets, philosophers, and scientists, who have moved the world forward, have been vibrating lovers of truth. They have not found this gem of gems accidentally, but it has been revealed to them as the result of their earnest struggle. They set out with the power of desire in their souls, and victory was assured. To such, truth cannot be denied. It comes to them with a "great wakening light,'" as servant and friend. Modern science has revealed that wherever the searcher goes truth is found. The prophet Alma has formulated the thought, "He granteth unto men according to their desire." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 Many a mighty but stubborn soul has haunted the moorlands of life because it refused to yield itself to the desire for truth rather than to its own wilfulness. Many a simple but fervent soul, asking for truth above all else, has won the kin ship of happy understanding among the restless multitude. Love of truth cannot thrive with an undisciplined will. Therefore the will for truth leads man farther than the possession of powerful physical or intellectual strength. There is no real desire for truth unless the individual is ready to lay by, if needs be, his former conceptions, in favor of the greater truth that he has found. The unbeliever usually comforts himself with the assurance that his analytical powers will lead him to truth, and forgets that the first requisite is a consuming desire to know things as they really are. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 Prayer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 Truth is unlimited: that is the clarion cry of science and of religion. The search for truth is a process of discovering the unknown, of throwing light into dark places. The searcher interprets the language of life and reads the will of God. And he is able to do so because he is in tune or communion with the truth he seeks. He must believe that it is there; he must seek, as it were, to touch it and to be led by it. Such attempts to be in harmony with truth is prayer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.122 Men who search out truth are prayerful. They stand with uncovered heads before the unknown. They know their own insignificance before the eternal fount of knowledge. Certainly, there are some truth-seekers, usually busy in material fields, who do not speak to the Lord directly, but they also stand reverently before the power in all things, which is their conception of God. Prayer, as commonly understood, or its equivalent, is a requisite for those who are to travel the way to truth. Manly men who really love truth, are proud to pray to God for help and guidance. They get down on their knees. Prayer and desire go hand in hand. Desire says, Let us go, and prayer answers, Here is the way. Desire is the determination to build the house; prayer is the planning and making ready for it. Desire is the gasoline in the engine, prayer the ignition that permits work to be done. On the way to truth, prayer must be as a constant jubilant cry of the traveler. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 To win knowledge of the unseen, to obtain a testimony of truth, one must pray without ceasing. It must be the first and last act of the day. Then we shall be in tune and harmony with the forces about us, and truth will wait upon us and we shall recognize it. The need of prayer grows with the increase of truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 Study. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 The third step towards the way to truth is to bend actively every power to the elucidation of truth. The scientist with strong desire for the discovery of truth, and a prayer in his heart that he may be attuned to it, and thereby be able to recognize it, sets out to learn all that is known about the subject, and then he experiments, records and analyzes, until at last the new discovery comes into view. It is often strenuous labor. Amundsen who saw both Poles and traveled the northwest passage, had a burning desire for exploration, and placed himself in full harmony with the spirit of discovery; then he informed himself as few men have done about the history of exploration, ocean currents, magnetic disturbance, meteorology, navigation, shipbuilding, and numerous other things required in his coming labors. It was upon such a preparation that he built his immortal career. Such earnest study is required of all who achieve truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 The field of religion offers no exception. To understand religious truth it must be studied. The Gospel of Jesus Christ comprehends all other knowledge. It is the philosophy that explains the whole of man's relationship to the universe. It invites the deepest study and the severest scrutiny. In religion as in science the more a subject is studied, the more perfect is our knowledge of it. Our certainty of the truth of a subject does not necessarily depend upon our extent of knowledge, but comprehensiveness of understanding unquestionably increases as knowledge grows. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 Failure to become acquainted with a subject through careful study has led to many a disaster, especially in the spiritual field. Men who have spent years of study to perfect themselves in a science, and only weeks in the systematic consideration of religion, often set themselves up with splendid indifference to consistency as equally competent in both fields. Religion demands studious attention if it is to be understood. It is well to ask the blatant unbeliever something about the serious study he has given the subject. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 It scarcely needs to be said that each person must find the way to truth for himself. Another man cannot desire for us-or pray in our stead, or study in our -place. That can be done neither in science nor religion. The help received from another is proportional to our own effort. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 The recognition of this principle is found in the restored church of Christ, in which the priesthood is held by all worthy men, and all members participate in church activities. In the progress towards truth every traveler must walk upon his own feet. Study of the principles of truth is therefore required of all. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 Practice. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 Truth is not fully established until it is put to the test of practice; that is, truth must be obeyed to be fully known. This is an elementary principle of scientific thought, but for some inexplicable reason, in the field of religion it has seemed less important. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 Yet, use gives life to knowledge; it converts theory into certainty; it is the convincing seal of testimony. Practice or obedience is the final step towards the way to truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.123 This is the most difficult requirement made of the truth-seeker. After he has become intellectually convinced of the truth of a principle, he must practice it to establish its final certainty. A smoker who becomes convinced of the divine truth the Word of Wisdom must forego the use of tobacco; or if convinced of the correctness of the principle of tithing, he must divide with the Lord; that means a battle with carnal desires. But a fulness of knowledge concerning the principles of truth comes only from obedience to them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 The strength of desire and the sincerity of prayer for truth are here given the acid test. Learning the law may be a pleasant pastime, but obedience to law requires yielding of the will, which demands the assistance of flaming desire and intense prayer. When the man of knowledge stops short of practice, his desire for truth is weak. Many of the critics and fault-finders of systems of truth are in just such a condition. They know or fear that a principle is true, but have not the courage to try it out. Thousands of thinking people know that "Mormonism" is true, but they dare not practice its tenets and yield obedience to its requirements. Such people have no right to set themselves up as guides to others; they would better devote themselves to the subjection of their wills to the call of truth. And, by a curious token, study and practice nourish desire and give direction to prayer, and thus strengthen the will. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 A Testimony. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 The way to truth? Yes, it may be found easily, but only by paying the eternal price of truth, the way is through the higher logic, the convincing teaching of the spirit of truth by the operations of the mind and the eager outreaching of the spirit of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 Whoever would find truth must: (1) Desire truth, (2) Pray for it, (3) Study, and (4) Practice it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 Those who do so will find truth, for it cannot be denied them. They will receive the glorious and priceless possession called a testimony or complete assurance of truth, which becomes the great gift of God to its possessor. Is truth worth the effort necessary to secure it? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 Truth is the only enduring possession of man; the only power that lifts man into permanent joy. It is the final justification of life. Human days are valueless if truth is not worth every sacrifice of life. Those who have lived most have lived by truth. So speaks the voice of human experience. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 I have read from the book, "In Search of Truth." because I desire that Elder John A. Widtsoe, the only absentee of the General Authorities of the Church and the President of the European Mission, be represented in our Conference Pamphlet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.124 God bless you all, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.128 I wish to say to the Latter-day Saints at the close of this Conference that I am very happy, as I said at the beginning, to be here, and I have enjoyed it from start to finish, as I am sure all of you have. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.128 I am grateful to the Lord for the words of congratulation that have come to me from every person that has spoken to me regarding the choice of Brother J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and Brother Samuel O. Bennion, They have my unbounded love and confidence, and have earned the distinction that has come to them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1933, p.128 May God bless us one and all. May his blessings attend every person holding a place of responsibility. May he bless our Choir members, and all who have taken part in preaching, praying, and singing the songs of Zion, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.4 The hymn, "Come, come, ye Saints," the great pioneer song with the many memories it brings to me every time I hear it, has changed my program today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.4 The first thing I am going to read will be from section 136 of the D&C. This is "the word and will of the Lord" given to President Brigham Young: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.4 "And if any man shall seek to build up himself, and seeketh not my counsel, he shall have no power, and his folly shall be made manifest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.4 "Seek ye; and keep all your pledges one with another and covet not that which is thy brother's." AVOID COVETOUSNESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 I cannot think of anything that appeals to me as being the mind and the will of the Lord stronger than the last words that I have read, namely: "Covet not that which is thy brother's." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 I want to impress upon the minds of the Latter-day Saints not to covet that which belongs to any public institution, or that which belongs to any city, or county, or the government of the United States. Unless I have been misinformed, many people have said, speaking of the distribution by the government of supplies to the people: "Well, others are getting some, why should not I get some of it." FORTY-FIVE YEARS AGO AND NOW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 I believe that there is a growing disposition among the people to try to get something from the government of the United States with little hope of ever paying it back. I think this is all wrong. I believe that there is not that same moral sense among the people today that there was forty-five years ago. Forty-five years ago I was associated in business with my brother and my cousin-in-law, and the first year we sold a hundred and twenty thousand dollars worth of goods, and ninety thousand dollars worth of those goods were sold on time to the farmers. We borrowed the money to carry these debts, and we netted $100.50 for every one hundred dollars we had trusted the farmers. The loss was only $300 and the interest received paid this, and fifty cents per hundred more. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 I am connected with that same company now, and it is known as the Consolidated Wagon and Machine Company. During the past few years we have had to charge off over one million dollars of loss on farmers' paper. I do not attribute all of this to a lack of honesty, but there are a great many people who are not honest today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 I remember very distinctly that while I was in Europe J. M. Studebaker visited Salt Lake and was interviewed. He was the last of that quartette of wonderful men, the Studebaker brothers, who made buggies and wagons. He said that the only State or Territory in the union of the United States where they had sold wagons and buggies on time for ten long years, and where every wagon and buggy was paid for in full, was in Utah. That was a marvelous compliment to the people of Utah. SHOULD KEEP PLEDGES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 Remember that it is the mind and will of the Lord that we keep our pledges. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 "Keep yourselves from evil to take the name of the Lord in vain, for I am the Lord your God, even the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 "I am he who led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and my arm is stretched out in the last days to save my people Israel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.5 "Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another." FAULT FINDING DENOUNCED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.6 A growing evil among our people is to criticise and find fault. I think there is no hymn in the hymn book that I prize more highly--and it was the first one that I learned by heart--than "Should you feel inclined to censure": Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.6 "Should you feel inclined to censure Faults you may in others view, Ask your own heart, ere you venture, If that has not failings too. Let not friendly vows be broken; Rather strive a friend to gain; Many a word in anger spoken Finds its passage home again. Do not, then, in idle pleasure, Trifle with a brother's fame, Guard it as a valued treasure. Sacred as your own good name. Do not form opinions blindly; Hastiness to trouble tends. Those of whom we thought unkindly, Oft become our warmest friends." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.6 Learn it by heart. You will find it on page 66 of our old hymn book. You cannot forget the page--the 6th of April and the 6th of October make 66--so when you go home don't don't say you cannot remember it, because you cannot forget that number if you try. Learn it by heart and put it into your lives, and it will be valuable to you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.6 "Cease drunkenness; and let your words tend to edifying one another." DANGER IN REPEAL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.6 Let me promise you right here and now that if you vote for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, there will be a great many more professing Latter-day Saints who will be drunkards than there have been while the Eighteenth Amendment has been in force. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.6 By the way, I received a postal card--the man who sent it did not have the courage to sign his-- name asking me not to talk on the Word of Wisdom at this conference. I request each and every Latter-day Saint within the sound of my voice to read what I said about the Word of Wisdom just six months ago. Every word that I said I meant, and among other things I said I hoped and prayed that we as a people would not vote for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. Really, I was almost tempted this morning to read my whole sermon over again, and let it go at that, I think I shall have --it printed in fact I will have it printed, and anyone of you who wants a copy, or a half dozen copies of it, can write and get them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.6 "If thou borrowest of thy neighbor--" Let me add, or anybody else--"thou shalt restore restore that which thou hast borrowed; and if thou canst not repay then go straightway and tell thy neighbor, lest he condemn thee." AVOID BANKRUPTCY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 That is one of the finest verses that was ever written, and please remember that this I am reading is "the word and the will of the Lord." In other words, do not take the bankruptcy act unless somebody knocks you down. All of my dear friends, many years ago when I was ruined in their judgment beyond the peradventure of a doubt, and there was no possibility, as far as they were able to see, of my ever being able to pay my debts, begged me to take the bankruptcy act. I said: "Not if I live a hundred and ten years. I will go on paying." And in the providences of the Lord I paid all of my debts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 Now, I am not condemning those who have to take the bankruptcy act; but I know of men whom I have begged and pleaded with to not take the bankruptcy act, who, if they had only had the nerve, the faith, and the willingness to work, would have come out all right. One man took the bankruptcy act and left me carrying his obligation as I recall of $12,700, with $9,000 security, or a loss of $3,700. But eventually I made a profit of several thousand more than $3,700 by assuming the debt and carrying the securities for a few years. REVELATIONS FROM THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 "If thou shalt find that which thy neighbor has lost, thou shalt make diligent search till thou shalt deliver it to him again. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 "Thou shalt be diligent in preserving what thou hast,"--in other words, do not be wasteful--"that thou mayest be a wise steward; for it is the free gift of the Lord thy God, and thou art his steward." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 I commend to you that you read all of that section. I have read only verses 19 to 27, I will read one more verse: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 "If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 One of the great testimonies to me of the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged is the revelations that were given before the Church was organized, and that are recorded in the D&C. I commend that you read all of the very first section of the D&C. It is a very wonderful section indeed. I have decided to read a few verses of it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 "And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." REVELATION TO PROPHET'S FATHER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.7 Section 4 of the D&C is a revelation given to the father of the Prophet Joseph Smith, in February, 1829, a year before the Church was organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "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. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "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; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "And faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." "WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 Many of these revelations given before the Church was organized announced that the field was white already to harvest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 When I stop to think that Wilford Woodruff baptized some eighteen hundred people in less than a year in Herefordshire, England, and that Orson Pratt baptized several thousand people in his missionary work, I realize that the field was indeed ready to harvest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 We have had as high as twenty-three hundred missionaries out in the field for one year, and they did not accomplish as much as Wilford Woodruff accomplished in one year. His labors were simply marvelous to me. The field was "white, ready to harvest." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 Today is a day of gleaning. "THOU SHALT NOT BE IDLE" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 I read now from section 42, 42nd to 46th verses: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 I heard of a case of a man and his wife and their boy calling on the governor of the state who had a job for the boy. I believe that the amount he was to receive was thirty dollars a month. The man and the woman said: "Our boy shall not work for thirty dollars a month. We will beg first; we will steal first." I hope that this story has been exaggerated. Thirty dollars a month when I was a child would have been a fortune. I am sure that my dear departed mother took care of herself and me on one-half of that amount. We did not have any butter on our bread, however. We did not sit up nights and have a fire burning, because we could not afford it. We went to bed very early. Why? Because we had plenty of bed clothes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.8 "And the elders of the Church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live, they shall live unto me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "Thou shalt live together in love insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not a hope of a glorious resurrection. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 I now read from section 88, verses 124 and 125: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 I now read from section 58, verses 26 to 29: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he thatis compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward." "MIND AND WILL" OF GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 I have heard any number of Latter-day Saints say, "Why, the Word of Wisdom is not a commandment." What does the Word of Wisdom say? That it is the mind and the will of the Lord. And why was it given? "In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days," and a more damnable and evil design was never in the heart of any man than the advertisements that we see on the billboards showing a beautiful woman with an engagement or wedding ring, the smoke of the cigarette making the ring. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 What is the purpose of these advertisements? To get money by selling cigarettes to destroy the mind and the body and the intelligence of boys and girls. I get hot in the collar, as the saying is, every time I think of the millions upon millions, and the billions upon billions, of cigarettes that are consumed. A SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 Do you want to know how to obtain temporal salvation? Not only the Latter-day Saints, but all the world would have the solution of that problem if there were no tea, coffee, liquor nor tobacco used in the world. Peace, prosperity, and happiness would come to the entire world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 I now read from section 130: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.9 "And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.10 I know of no one of our general authorities who has studied more or was better posted--I know of no one of them who has been a greater promulgator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, than were the two men who were with us six months ago--James E. Talmage, and Brigham H. Roberts--who have since passed away. They will go on progressing beyond the grave and using that marvelous store of knowledge and information that they had gained. We miss them, the whole Church will miss them. BLESSINGS PROMISED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.10 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.10 Spiritual and temporal salvation, with the destroying angel passing us by will come from observing the Word of Wisdom. It would solve all the problems of the Latter-day Saints, and of the nation, and of the world, if it were obeyed. Notwithstanding the fact that this anonymous Latter-day Saint asked me not to say anything about the Word of Wisdom, as I said before, you can read nearly an hour's sermon about it if you will read my sermon preached in this tabernacle six months ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.10 May the Lord bless and inspire all who shall speak during the conference. May we grow in the light and knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May each and every one of us who has a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged so live it in honesty in the daily affairs of life, so live it in energy and not in idleness, and so live it that those seeing our good deeds may be led to investigate the Gospel and receive that sweet and wonderful testimony that gives us a knowledge of the divinity of the mission and the Godliness of the mission of Jesus Christ our Savior and our Redeemer, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.16 The Columbia Broadcasting Company has been very good to us. They have given us, free of charge, a national broadcast for our choir. If we had to pay for it this broadcast would cost us tens of thousands of dollars every month, if not every week. Not only have they given us free for this purpose a half hour each week, but some months ago they requested that we increase our broadcast from a half hour to an hour. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.16 They have now asked permission to shut us off the air, so far as this meeting is concerned, fifteen minutes from now. Therefore, the last five or ten minutes of Brother Ballard's remarks will be heard by this audience only. We dislike to deprive those who are listening to the radio broadcast of the privilege of hearing the last part of Brother Ballard's remarks, but if they wish to read his remarks they can do so in the newspaper or in the Conference Pamphlet, as they will be published. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.16 We feel that we owe the Columbia Broadcasting Company this courtesy, otherwise a great many people as far distant as the Hawaiian Islands would be deprived of the opportunity of listening to the report of the baseball game. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.21 I hardly think it would be fair to the next speaker to give him ten minutes at a time when the people cannot hear him over the radio, so I am going to read a revelation that was given to the Patriarch Hyrum Smith. The revelation says that it is for all of us. This also was given eleven months before the Church was organized: I am going to read all of Section 11: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.21 "A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.21 "Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments"-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 I hear a great many people say: "I get sick and tired of the same thing over and over and over again. I am so sick of the Word of Wisdom I do not know what to do." If everybody who says that would get up on top of a house and shout: "I do not keep the Word of Wisdom," he could not give himself away any more perfectly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "--and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion." And remember, the Church was not yet organized. "Seek not for riches." ETERNAL RICHES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 Wouldn't it be fine if we did not do that? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation." A MARVELOUS POSTERITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 Not only did Hyrum Smith do much good, but what a marvelous posterity he has left in one man alone--Joseph Fielding Smith, former President of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Say nothing but repentance unto this generation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 Once more: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee;" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 How we should rejoice to have Jesus Christ speak unto us! And he has done so in this revelation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "For behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in the darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good--yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.22 "And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Behold, I command you that you need not suppose that you are called to preach until you are called. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my church, and my gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Keep my commandments;" REPETITION JUSTIFIED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 Once more. You know some people complain about our repeating ourselves. Indeed, the Savior is guilty of repeating himself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "hold your peace; appeal unto my spirit; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken--yea, the translation of my work;" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 Remember, they were translating the Book of Mormon at that time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "be patient until you shall accomplish it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "But now hold your peace; study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereto. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Behold, thou art Hyrum, my son; seek the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added according to that which is just. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Build upon my rock, which is my gospel; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Therefore, treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom that you shall go forth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 Please remember that the main reason why I was impressed to read this revelation was because of these few words: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.23 "I am the same who came unto mine own and mine own received me not; "But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 I regret to announce that Brother Richard R. Lyman is confined to his bed on account of illness. He is on the high-road to recovery however, for which we are very grateful. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 Brother Charles H. Hart is also unable to be with us on account of illness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 I have received a message from Brother John A. Widtsoe, which I am pleased to read to you, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 "Read the history of man down the ages. Always truth has been compelled to fight its way through ferocious opposition. Over and over again someone has sealed truth with blood. Christ, in whom was only truth and all truth, was crucified unto death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 Never was the universe of untruth more deeply stirred than when the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was restored in this age--the beginning of the end of the reign of anti-Christ. Centuries of apostasy had built a fortress of error supposedly impregnable to truth. Hell raged at truth's venture into a world claimed for its own. Persecution began, raged, and has continued for a century. TRUTH'S DESTINY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 Truth's destiny is victory. It breaks down every barrier of error. Ultimately it rises triumphantly above its vanquished enemy. After many trials and much tribulation, slowly, painfully it reaches its happy end. The masses of men love truth better than error, but are blinded by the clever presentations of the enemy of truth. Just so, the truth of the restored gospel is becoming understood in the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 The senseless persecution of the past is dying down. The essential purity and human value of the Gospel are becoming reorganized. THE DEVIL'S TRICK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 But, though driven into a corner, the opposition remains active. It plays its last card, the devil's trick. If persecution from without is diminishing, contention within is fanned into livelier flame. Of the two methods of destruction--persecution by untruth or discord among those who have accepted truth--the latter is the deadlier. An inward is more serious than an outward wound. This, then, is the sober warning to all Latter-day Saints: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 Persecution from without is gradually vanishing. For that we are grateful. But, at the same time, the danger of jealousy, strife and evil speaking among the members of the Church increases. Such internal persecution wrecks the strongest organization, even one rounded in truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.53 Latter-day Saints should be forewarned of this ancient satanic trick. Contention among members of the Church must be banished. Kind words must replace evil-speaking about fellow members. Generous good-will must stifle jealousy. Officers must be accepted, sustained and supported with heart and hand. There must be an honest endeavor to love our brethren and sisters as well as the Lord in heaven--the first law of Gospel living. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.54 Love begets love. Whenever Latter-day Saints live in love together, their armour and their shield, all their weapons are of heavenly workmanship. The forces of evil flee in terror before them. Try it; the results never fail. The heart never beats so warmly as under the power of unselfish love. Whoever allows himself to cause contention in a ward or branch, or to spread it, whatever the means employed, plays into the hands of Lucifer and helps him win victory out of his sullen corner of defeat." President Heber J. Grant CHANGES IN CHURCH OFFICERS SINCE LAST APRIL CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Mission Presidents Appointed Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Joseph F. Merrill appointed President of the European Mission to succeed John A. Widtsoe. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Don B. Colton appointed President of the Eastern States Mission to succeed James H. Moyle. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Daniel J. Lang appointed President of the French Mission to succeed Golden L. Woolf. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Rufus K. Hardy appointed President of the New Zealand Mission to succeed Harold T. Christensen (acting President). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Milton H. Knudson appointed President of the Norwegian Mission to succeed Hyrum D. Jensen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 LeRoy Mallory appointed President of the Tahitian Mission to succeed George W. Burbidge. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Thomas Edgar Lyon appointed President of the Netherlands Mission to succeed Frank I. Kooyman. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Elias S. Woodruff appointed President of the Central States Mission to succeed Samuel O. Bennion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Mission Name Changed Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 The Armenian Mission has been changed to the Palestine-Syrian Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Stake President Appointed Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 S. Taylor Farnsworth succeeded Thomas W. Gunn as President of the Beaver Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 New Ward Organized Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Vermont Ward, Los Angeles Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 New Independent Branches Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.80 Bay Branch, San Francisco Stake. Pittsburgh Branch, San Francisco Stake. Vallejo Branch, San Francisco Stake. Challis Branch, Lost River Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 General Authorities who have Passed Away Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 James E. Talmage, of the Quorum of the Twelve. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 Brigham H. Roberts, Senior President of the First Council of Seventy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 Bishops who have Passed Away Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 Joseph L. Shumway, Virginia Ward, Los Angeles Stake. E. Glen Wood, Glenwood Ward, Alberta Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 Gideon W. Diswell, Manti South Ward, South Sanpete Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 Others who have Passed Away Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 John L. Bills, Second Counselor in Lost River Stake Presidency. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.81 Susa Young Gates, one of our most faithful and diligent workers among the sisters, from her young womanhood until her death. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.99 For the very first time during my administration I have not had to tell anyone how long he should talk. I am very happy indeed that we have got this far along without limiting any of our brethren, but they have had the opportunity of saying as much as they wanted to say. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.99 However, I am thoroughly converted in my own mind that the reason we have done so well is that two of the Apostles are in Europe and one other is sick. I think that accounts for it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.99 According to the count that was made, there were 10,784 people in the building at this morning's session. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.99 Many of the good people whose sons and daughters are in the mission field are anxious to meet the Mission Presidents. I shall ask Brother Joseph S. Peery to open a room in the Bureau of Information where the Mission Presidents can meet any of the Saints who want to inquire regarding their missionary sons and daughters. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.99 After announcing that the choir would sing the anthem, "Song of Solomon of the Redeemed," by Evan Stephens, President Grant made this comment: Three years ago, at the Sunday morning session of the Conference, this song was sung by the choir under the direction of the author, Professor Evan Stephens, who shortly after returning to his home, following the meeting, became ill and later passed away. We owe a very deep debt of gratitude to Brother Evan Stephens, Brother George Careless, Brother Ebenezer Beesley, Brother Joseph J. Daynes, and many others for the marvelous music they have composed. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.117 President Castle H. Murphy of the Hawaiian Mission has been in the hospital for a week and has been confined to his home another week. He has cabled us that he is now able to continue with his work and sends greetings and aloha to the Authorities and the Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.118 I am sorry that the good people who are listening to these services over the radio will be deprived of the privilege of hearing the last song by the choir, as I understand that the radio broadcasting company will shut us off the air promptly at four o'clock. I am going to rob the choir of the privilege of being heard over the radio when they sing the closing number. They had an hour this morning and were heard all over the United States, so I am going to take the five minutes that belong to them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.118 I am very grateful that there have been five minutes left for me. I do not remember that this has happened before. BLESSES LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.118 I feel in my heart of hearts to bless the Latter-day Saints. I feel grateful to the Lord beyond all the power and ability he has given me to express my feelings for the devotion and faith and integrity of the Latter-day Saints. I feel grateful to them for their prayers in my behalf a year ago when I was in the hospital. CONFERENCES ESTABLISHED BY GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.118 I really felt when this conference opened that we could not possibly have a conference that would equal the one we had six months ago. Perhaps I enjoyed it so much at that time because I had been absent from the previous conference, but I feel in my heart that we have been blessed as abundantly during the three days of this conference as we were six months ago. God established these conferences. Nothing but the Spirit of the living God could bring together such a congregation as we had here this morning, and as we have here this afternoon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.118 The General Conferences of the Latter-day Saints are one of the great outstanding testimonies to me of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. I have now attended these conferences as one of the General Authorities of the Church for fifty years, lacking only the ones that I missed when I was in Japan and in Europe and when I was ill a year ago. I have heard the expression after each and every conference, "The best we have ever had." BECAUSE OF APPETITE FOR SUCH THINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.118 The main reason why each conference seems to be the best is that we have an appetite for such things. On one occasion after I had been shoveling snow for many hours, being on a delayed train at the time, dry bread tasted very sweet. It almost makes my mouth water today as I think of Zebulon Jacobs, in a snow blockade between here and Ogden, inviting me into his car and taking a piece of iron and breaking an old piece of bread and dividing it with me. Hunger makes food very delicious. Hunger for the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes us enjoy these conferences. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.118 We have had a time of rejoicing. I have been grateful beyond expression for all that has been said in this conference, for the spirit of the brethren and the inspiration to them. I am grateful to the Lord for the freedom of utterance that I had in my opening address. INVOKES BLESSINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.119 May God bless the Latter-day Saints at home and abroad, and so far as the power is given to me to call down the blessings of the Lord, I bless you one and all, not only those who are here, but those who are in any part of the world who are serving God and laboring for his cause. I pray from the bottom of my heart that God will bless the President of the United States, his Cabinet, and the officers of our States and Counties. I pray that there may be such loyalty in the hearts of all citizens of our country that they will not try to impose upon the government. Men offered their lives for this country during the World War, and I think it is a shame that any man who is in such a favorable financial condition as the one referred to by President Clark would draw support from the government of the United States. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1933, p.119 God's blessings upon you, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.7 It is a source of great pleasure to me to meet this vast audience. I think that this is the largest audience that I recall having seen in this house at a Friday conference meeting. It is very gratifying to me to see the interest that the people have in our conferences. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.7 I appreciate the remarkable and wonderful growth of the Church. When I look back fifty-one years ago this coming October conference, to the time when I became one of the General Authorities of the Church--at which time as I recall it we had less than thirty stakes, and now we have one hundred and five--I am grateful for the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. RECALLS EARLY TRIP Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.7 I recall my first trip fifty years ago this coming May up into the Rexburg country. Rexburg at that time was a branch of one of the wards in Cache Valley, and there were fewer than 1300 people belonging to the Church residing north of the Oneida Stake of Zion. Today we have more than 100,000 I am sure, if we go north and west, and up into Canada. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.7 I also recall that just before I was made a member of the Council of the Twelve, I visited Oakley and other towns in the vicinity of Oakley. One year previous to that time I visited Oakley when it was a branch of the Grantsville Ward of the Tooele Stake of Zion. I had to travel to Salt Lake City, through the Salt Lake, the Davis, the Weber and the Box Elder stakes to Brigham City, and then two days and a fraction westward to get to a branch of the Grantsville Ward of the Tooele Stake of Zion. We now have about half a dozen stakes between Brigham City and that section. DIVINE AUTHORITY RESTORED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.7 Each and every year the Church is stronger than it was the year before. The Church is progressing, it is not going backward. Men may make mistakes, but the Church stands firm. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.8 The Gospel is in very deed the plan of life and salvation. God has spoken again from the heavens. God himself has introduced his Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, to the boy Joseph Smith. John the Baptist has laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and given them the authority to baptize, then commanding them to baptize each other. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.8 Peter, James, and John, the Apostles of Jesus Christ during his ministry and after his death, have laid their hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored again the apostleship to earth. Every gift, every grace, every endowment, every privilege, and every authority that was enjoyed in early days by the Saints of God during the administration of Jesus Christ and following his crucifixion belong to and are enjoyed today by the Latter-day Saints. CHAPELS DEDICATED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.8 Nearly every Sunday during the past six months I have dedicated a meeting house or met with various branches in the missions of the Church. During the past six months we have dedicated a magnificent chapel in Washington, D. C., a credit to the Latter-day Saints and a credit to that great city, acknowledged by all with whom I have talked--although not so expensive as some other church buildings which cost perhaps two, three or four times as much--to be a building equal in beauty and construction, for its size, to any of the fine buildings in Washington. At the first meeting of the branch some years ago in Washington there were five in attendance. More than two thousand people attended the dedication of our chapel--of course some of them came a second time, and perhaps a third, but people were requested to attend but one meeting. It is a matter of satisfaction, to realize that we have one of the very finest churches in our chief city, the capital of our nation. HAVE TRUTH TO GIVE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.8 It is a source of satisfaction that I can say that I believe that every true Latter-day Saint, or every Latter-day Saint who is actually living his or her religion, sustains in his or her heart, with prayers and good works, the General Authorities of the Church. I am very grateful for the truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.8 I remember distributing some pamphlets--in fact several thousand--during the Christmas season, entitled, "The Power of Truth." We have the truth to give to the world, and no other people has the truth, the actual Gospel of Jesus Christ, established by Him. This little pamphlet says regarding truth: Truth is the rock foundation of every great character. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.8 And truth is the rock foundation of the Church of Christ, and you and I have been blessed with a testimony of the divinity of it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.8 It is loyalty to the right as we see it; it is courageous living of our lives in harmony with our ideals; it is always--power. TESTIMONY REMAINS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.9 When we live in harmony with our high ideals we never lose the testimony of the Gospel. We are ever ready and willing to sustain those who in the providence of the Lord have been called upon to preside over the Church. Those who fail to keep the commandments of the Lord and who indulge in fault-finding and criticism are the only ones who lose their faith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.9 From my childhood until the present time I have no recollection of any individual with whom I have been acquainted, who was an honest, conscientious tithe-payer, who was listening to and obeying the instructions given by the president of the Church, and by the various presidents of stakes and bishops of wards, having lost his or her faith. On the contrary I have seen many lose their faith who have failed to live up to Latter-day Saint ideals and their Gospel knowledge. Some one has said that "knowledge without practice is like a glass eye, all for show and nothing for use." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.9 Truth ever defies full definition. Like electricity it can only be explained by noting its manifestation. It is the compass of the soul, the guardian of conscience, the final touchstone of right. Truth is the revelation of the ideal; but it is also an inspiration to realize that ideal, a constant impulse to live it. MISSIONARIES HAPPY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.9 In no part of the work of God here upon the earth at the present time is there such a band of happy, contented, peaceful people as those who are engaged in missionary service. Service is the real key to joy. When one is giving service for the advancement of humanity, when one is working without money and without price, with no hope of earthly reward, there comes a real, genuine joy into the human heart that I am convinced only those who have experienced the inspiration of the Holy Ghost which comes to them in the mission field know anything about. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.9 I can testify in all humility that the three years that stand out most prominently in my life are the three years when I was laboring as the president of the European Mission. LYING SCORED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.9 Lying is one of the oldest vices in the world--it made its debut in the first recorded conversation in history, in a famous interview in the garden of Eden. Lying is the sacrifice of honor to create a wrong impression. It is masquerading in misfit virtues. Truth can stand alone, for it needs no chaperone or escort. Lies are cowardly, fearsome things that must travel in battalions. They are like a lot of drunken men, one vainly seeking to support another. Lying is the partner and accomplice of all other vices. It is the cancer of moral degeneracy m an individual life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 Truth is the oldest of all virtues; it antedated man, it lived before there was man to perceive it or to accept it. It is the unchangeable, the constant. Law is the eternal truth of nature--the unity that always produces identical results under identical conditions. When a man discovers a great truth in nature he has the key to the understanding of a million phenomena; when he grasps a great truth in morals he has in it the key to his spiritual re-creation. For the individual, there is no such thing as theoretic truth; a great truth that is not absorbed by our whole mind and life, and has not become an inseparable part of our living, is not a real truth to us. If we know the truth and do not live it, our life is--a lie. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 May the Lord help each and every one of us to live the truth is my humble prayer. CHURCH MAKES NO MISTAKES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 I am very happy indeed to feel that the Church does not make mistakes; that the Church has been true to its divine commission from the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph, and in fact from the time of the organization of the Church until the present. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 I have heard quite frequently of the inability of your humble servant, not having sufficient knowledge and ability, to preside over the Church. PRESIDENT SMITH'S LAST MESSAGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 I will read the following statement--and have no recollection of having done so before--written at my request, by Bishop David A. Smith, Nov. 19, 1918: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 President Grant came into the Beehive House yesterday afternoon to inquire as to father's condition, and I suggested that he go in and speak to him, but he said he did not want to disturb him. I said, "You had better wait and see him, as it may be your last chance to speak to him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 Father being awake, I told him Brother Grant was there, and he directed me to tell Brother Grant that he wanted to see him, and when Brother Grant entered the room he took him by the hand and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 "The Lord bless you, my boy, the Lord bless you, you have got a great responsibility. Always remember this is the Lord's work, and not man's. The Lord is greater than any man. He knows whom he wants to lead his Church, and never makes any mistake. The Lord bless you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 This was the last message that President Smith delivered to any one. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 (Signed) DAVID A. SMITH. WHILE PRESIDING IN TOOELE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 It fell to my lot before I was twenty-four years of age to be called to preside over the Tooele Stake of Zion. I had never made a speech of ten minutes in a Church meeting up to that time. I felt then my own weakness, but look back with pleasure to having fulfilled the pledge made in the short speech delivered in seven and a half minutes. I ran out of ideas at the end of that time. That night in the dark I heard a man say in a contemptuous way, "It is a pity that if the Authorities of the Church had to send a boy out here to preside over our stake, they could not have found one with sense enough to talk for ten minutes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.10 They were correct, I lacked the knowledge to talk ten minutes. I ran out of ideas in seven and a half minutes by the watch, having timed myself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.11 We find recorded in the twenty-ninth chapter of Alma that the Lord granteth unto men according to their desires, whether they be unto life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. I desired to do my duty. i pledged myself there and then to keep the Word of Wisdom to the best of my ability; to labor as diligently as any man in Tooele; to donate of my means as liberally as any man; and to the best of my ability to fulfil the duties and obligations devolving upon me. The man who criticized me was looking for an opportunity to find fault, and found it. GROWTH THROUGH OBSERVANCE OF DUTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.11 I know nothing in the Church that is more serious than faultfinding; and on the contrary nothing that inspires men so much as to be observers of the Word of Wisdom, to be honest and conscientious with God in the payment of their tithes, and to be honest with their fellow men. I have seen men grow and increase in light, knowledge and intelligence when they do their duty. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.11 I was astounded when one as weak as myself was called to be an apostle. It seemed almost beyond anything believable that I could become the president of the Church. But I am very thankful indeed today at being able to sleep with a clear conscience. I am very thankful that I have no fault to find except with my lack of ability and my lack of knowledge, but not with my lack of energy, or my lack of determination and willingness to labor. I am grateful for the little that I have accomplished, and rejoice that in all my labors I have found nothing that has in the slightest degree weakened my faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. POSSESSES KNOWLEDGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.11 I do not need to say faith, for I can say knowledge. I know that God lives; that Jesus is the Christ; that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, and that Mormonism, so-called, is in very deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation, revealed again from heaven, and that all authority existing on the earth at any time has been bestowed again upon men by messengers from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.11 I rejoice in the marvelous work that is being accomplished in our temples, in the restoration to the earth of the privilege of baptizing, by the authority of the living God, in behalf of those who have passed away, and of performing ordinances which if accepted, will lead the dead to life eternal and to salvation, although they may have died without a knowledge of the Gospel. THE LORD PREPARES THE WAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.11 I rejoice that as a young man I fell in love with Nephi, and more than any other character--of course excepting always the Savior--his life, his example, his teachings have been the guiding stars of my life. I have believed, accepted, and preached the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.12 And it came to pass that I Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.12 I have no fear but that I can, with the help of the remarkable and wonderful men who are associated with me, fulfil every duty and obligation, every requirement, and commandment that God may give to me. THANKFUL FOR WISE COUNSELORS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.12 I thank God for Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose--men who had a marvelous and wonderful store of knowledge; marvelous knowledge of the scriptures, wonderful comprehension of the plan of life and salvation; men who had ability to write about and to teach the Gospel such as I do not possess. But they gave me all they had; they gave me the best that was in them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.12 I rejoice in having for my counselor, my cousin, Anthony W. Ivins. I rejoice in his wisdom and his devotion; I rejoice in the remarkable mind and ability that was possessed by Brother Charles W. Nibley. I rejoice in the wonderful ability of Brother J. Reuben Clark, Jr., who is now one of my counselors. I am grateful for these men, for their stores of knowledge far beyond my own. CONFIDENT CHURCH WILL TRIUMPH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.12 I acknowledge my own lack of great ability, but I do not lack confidence in God. I do not lack in the blessing given to me by President Joseph F. Smith. I do not fear that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will fail to go on, and on, and on, as it has been doing, and prosper; while all those who fail to do their duty will fall by the wayside. AN EARLY EXPERIENCE WITH PLANCHETTES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.12 I recall that when I was a child there was a great apostasy in the Church, known as the Godbeite movement, called the New Move. I remember that my dear sainted mother had to sew with needle and thread for a living, and finally she did a great deal of sewing in homes of people who were rich enough to have sewing machines. When she would go to one of these homes to operate a sewing machine and spend the day, often late into the night, I was always invited to go there to have dinner. Upon one occasion I was in William Godbe's home, known as the Octagon House--located on the corner of Second South and Second East--which has since disappeared and where there is now a large, fine gas station. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.12 These people were having a glorious time, laughing and screeching, in the room in the center of the house which was surrounded by eight rooms. They had a planchette, and were receiving messages. They came into the bedroom where mother was sewing and said: "Come in Rachel, and have a fine time." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 She said, "No, President Brigham Young said that any person who would fool with one of those planchettes would be led into spiritualism; and spiritualism was, of course, apostasy; and the fruits of spiritualism were insanity and suicide. I will not go in." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 Finally they came into the bedroom and brought the machine with them, but it did not work. Later they came back again and said: "Come in, Rachel." They had gone back into the other room and were laughing and screeching. To my utter astonishment she went in. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 You know children occasionally criticize their parents, as was the ease with a certain good man. One of his little children spoke up one day and said: "Papa, we never have prayers, do we, unless we have company?" As we were walking home that night I said to my mother: "What did you go into that room for when Brother Brigham told you not to have anything to do with such things?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 She laughed and said, "My boy, did you notice that the machine did not work in the bedroom when they brought it there?" I said, "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 "I want to tell you the reason it did not work. I told the Lord that I could not prevent their bringing it in there, but to please shut it up, and he did. When they asked me to go into the parlor I told the Lord that if he would give me the impression in my heart that I could go in there and shut up their machine, that it could not work in my presence, I would go in. And I received the impression, so I went in, and it did not work." RESULT OF GODBEITE MOVEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 What was the result of the Godbeite movement? The final result was spiritualism on the part of those who remained with it. I was told--I do not know how true it is--that William Godbe's wife lost her mind--the wife with whom he lived. Of course he had a manifestation that he should not live with the other woman whom he had married. William Godbe received a revelation that his brother-in-law, my cousin-in-law, Ben Hampton, was to be an apostle of the Church. He went up to the toll-bridge over the Bear river, where Ben had a fine large adobe house, and served meals. It was the outfitting place for people who were going up into Montana. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 Godbe read this revelation to Ben. You know that some people say that "damn" is not swearing, it is only emphasis; well, with emphasis Ben said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 If all the rest of your revelations--with emphasis--are as big lies as that, you ought to go right down to Brother Brigham and make peace with him, because you are getting revelations from the devil. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.13 The idea of you, a hard-headed business man, who built the first three-story rock building ever built in Salt Lake City, who has built smelters and engaged in mining and other business, thinking that the Lord would call me to be an apostle--a man who never paid any attention to religion, a man who drinks when he wants to, smokes when he wants to, and chews tobacco when he wants to, a man who gets mad and swears occasionally--he lived a clean life otherwise--Billie, go right down to Salt Lake and have it out with Brother Brigham. You are getting revelation from the wrong source. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 Years later I was in the Williams hotel in Milford, upon the hill there, having been over to Beaver as I remember it attending a conference, and William Godbe and his son and others were stopping at that hotel that night. They were on their way from Salt Lake to Bullionville, as I remember it, or coming from Bullionville where they had mining interests. The next morning we could not find his son, and we hunted all over for him. Finally we found his body about 1,500 feet away from the hotel. He had gone out there and committed suicide. RECALLS OTHER INSTANCES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 I remember preaching in Los Angeles on one occasion the same as I am doing here now, and after the meeting a woman came to Brother Joseph W. McMurrin and said she had an ouija board--that is what they call it now, it used to be called a planchette--and she thought it was very remarkable, but she would never use it again. He tried to get her to let him have it and burn it. Oh no, she did not want to burn it. She later commenced using it again. She was in Los Angeles on a visit from Arizona at the time I made this talk. She finally landed in the insane asylum in Arizona. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 The fruits of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are health and vigor of body and of mind and of spirit, and the fruits of spiritualism are insanity and suicide. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 I remember that some of the Elders over in England had rented a hall on one floor of a building where spiritualistic mediums had their seances. They kept inviting the boys to come to their meetings. I told them to stay away, saying, "You cannot handle a nasty dirty stovepipe without soiling your hands, and you have no business to be on the devil's ground, so stay away. You know you have the truth; go on proclaiming and living it, and let them alone." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 Finally the boys pleaded with me to let them go. I said: "All right, you can go on one condition"--it was a night meeting--"that is that you do not eat anything that day, and that you go there fasting and praying to the Lord to prevent them from carrying on their spiritualistic operations." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 They went to the meeting, and the spiritualists were unable to have any seance that night. THE TESTIMONY OF WILFORD WOODRUFF Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 I rejoice in the testimony of President Wilford Woodruff. One night he was at a meeting where they had been having remarkable spiritualistic manifestations. Brother Woodruff went there and rebuked the spirits and commanded them not to operate through this medium. Finally, after they had been assembled for some time and had a Quaker meeting, the man who was the medium came down off the platform, walked through the audience to where Brother Woodruff was, shook his fist in his face and said: "You are the man who is opposing me and preventing me from doing anything here tonight." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.14 Brother Woodruff said: "Yes, I have the Priesthood of God and have rebuked the evil spirits." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 They pleaded with Brother Woodruff to please leave, and he did so, and they had the devil's own time, all right. A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 I rejoice in the remarkable meeting held here yesterday by our sisters, the faithful and diligent mothers of the Church. I happened to pick up a book this morning before getting out of bed, and read from it a tribute to mothers--to your mother, to every fine Latter-day Saint mother: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 The sweetest word in the Language of Languages is that of--Mother. There is in each letter of this word a wealth of music so divine--there are vibrating chords of Love so Angelic--that the whole world often pays homage to Mothers whom it honors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 Nancy Hanks--the mother of Lincoln; Frances Willard and Jane Addams--mothers of the motherless; Queen Victoria--the mother of a nation of mothers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 You--whoever you are--your greatest asset is your mother. You--bankrupt, discouraged, failure-riddled, hope-wasted, heart-wrenched, self-estranged--there remains still a day, glorious in sunsets for you if you will but get back again, in thought, or heart, or person--to your mother. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 The most wonderful event in the history of the world was when the first woman became--a mother. Human life has become a beautiful thing because the world has had its mothers. HONORED BY CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 No other Church has ever honored mothers as has the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith, by establishing the female Relief Society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 The greatest men in any community are those who render the highest tribute to motherhood. No one ever has surpassed, or ever will surpass the achievement of a woman when she becomes a mother. When did you last write to your mother? If she has gone from you, how often do you think of her? Do you realize that all you are or ever hope to be started back in the years when your mother, her whole being pulsating with pride, held you tight, with eyes lustered and watered with love, watched your every breath, and kept pace, over the hours, with your faintest heart throbs? Think of how, all through those days she wrapped you in her unselfishness and her sacrifices. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 The measure of your success will be the degree of honor you pay to your mothers and to motherhood. PRAISES OWN MOTHER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.15 I stand here today as one whose mother was all to him. She was both father and mother to me; she set an example of integrity, of devotion and love, of determination; and honor second to none. I stand here today as the president of the Church because I have followed the advice and counsel and the burning testimony of the divinity of the work of God, which came to me from my mother. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.16 There came into my home when I was a child a great man of the world, a man of great importance, a man who once offered me a magnificent position carrying $40,000 a year as salary, and who thought I was very foolish not to take it when the Church at that time did not allow me a tithing of that amount. This man wrote me from London; he was at that time manager for the entire United Kingdom of the great New York Life Insurance Company. He said, "What has become of your cousin? I often said to my wife" . . (and by the way this man came into our home when he was a young unmarried man, he came here on the overland stage; later he came with his wife, and finally his first child was born in our home. He became one of the dearest and best friends the Latter-day Saints ever had.) INQUIRED FOR ELDER IVINS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.16 He said: "I often said to my wife, Mrs. Hawes" (this man was Colossians Alexander G. Hawes) "that those two boys, Anthony W. Ivins and Heber J. Grant, will some day stand right at the top of the 'Mormon' Church, it is in them. Here you are, an apostle, and president of a bank, and I haven't heard of your cousin. What has become of him?" I answered, "Colonel, he has gone to Mexico. He has filled two missions in Mexico, and if there is any place in the world he did not want to go, it was Mexico. But he has gone--why? Because he has been called to go there, and he will stay there and live and die there unless he is called back." THANKFUL FOR TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.16 I thank God for a testimony that came to me, the eternal part of me, the day Brother Ivins was called to Mexico. Brother George Q. Cannon made the remark, "I do not want Brother Ivins to go to Mexico, we need him here. He is the outstanding man in his party in Utah, but I believe the Lord wants him there." When he was called I felt a little sad, and while thinking about it, the Lord saw fit to give me this word: "You need not feel bad, he is going where the Lord wants him to go and you shall have the exquisite joy of welcoming him back into this room as one of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ." I was in the Apostles' room in the temple at the time. I turned my head and wept for joy. COLONEL HAWES' TRIBUTE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.17 I rejoice that Brother Ivins had such a wonderful mother--my own mother's sister. Two women more true, two women with greater serenity, two women who lived finer lives, always speaking well of every one or keeping still, I have never known. This same Colossians Hawes wrote to me when my mother died--he was agnostic--and said: "If the God of nature ever did stamp peace, nobility, and serenity upon any human countenance, he did upon the face of dear Aunt Rachel." My cousin Caddie Ivins waited on the table at the time of Colossians Hawes' visit and she called mother "Aunt Rachel," and the boarders adopted that title. The Colonel told the president of that great insurance company with which he was associated, that of all the women he had ever known in his life, barring only his sister, his mother and his wife, he had never met a woman that he admired and loved so much as he did my mother. The president of the company told me this, and extended his sympathy to me when I met him after the death of my mother. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.17 Talk about sacrifice! Why, the sacrifice of the women of this Church and their devotion are beyond the power of pen and tongue of man to pay proper tribute. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.17 May God help us to follow the teaching and example of our mothers who are true Latter-day Saints, and there will be an eternity of joy and an exaltation in store for each and every one of us; and that we may receive it is my humble prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, even so. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Conference Report, April 1934, p.105 Elders George F. Richards and Stephen L. Richards are absent on account of illness. Brother Joseph F. Merrill as you all know is absent in Europe, presiding over the European Mission. Conference Report, April 1934, p.105 As near as we are able to judge, hundreds of thousands of people have listened to the broadcast this morning, and we appreciate very much their doing so. I wish to re-echo the fine compliments that have been paid to our choir. We appreciate very very much the good work that they are doing. Conference Report, April 1934, p.105 As a closing number the Choir sang the anthem "Grant us Peace, O Lord,"--soprano solo by Laurinda Brewerton. President Heber J. Grant Conference Report, April 1934, p.105 The music to which we have just listened was composed by Evan Stephens. I wish that as far as possible we would get into the habit of singing our own music, that is, music composed by our own people. There are an inspiration and spirit which accompany the music of George Careless, Evan Stephens, Joseph J. Daynes and others of our own composers that I sometimes think we do not get from those not of our faith. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.130 I am very sorry that we have had to skip again five or six returned mission presidents who have not had an opportunity since their return to speak at a general conference. Notwithstanding that three of the General Authorities are away we have not been able to hear from all those whom we desired to address us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.131 I have been pleased beyond expression with the very splendid meetings we have had. Perhaps we should begin conference at least one day earlier; or else, say, at 9:45 and at 1:45, and in this way get in an extra half hour each day; then perhaps we could get through and hear from all the brethren from whom we would like to hear. LAST CONFERENCE THE BEST? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.131 It is a common phrase that our last conference is our best one; and I suppose the reason is that we have the proper spirit. Things have been so difficult financially during the past years that I believe there is a greater appetite on the part of the people spiritually than they had a year ago, and that accounts perhaps for saying that we have had a very fine conference, one of the best that I have attended since becoming the President of the Church. FAITH--HOW DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.131 I am grateful indeed for the advancement of the Church, for the faith of the people. Faith is a gift of God, and faith comes to each and all of us who serve God and supplicate him for the guidance of his Spirit. There is no danger of any man or woman losing his or her faith in this Church if he or she is humble and prayerful and obedient to duty. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.131 I have never known of such an individual losing his faith. By doing our duty faith increases until it becomes perfect knowledge. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.131 It has been a source of great pleasure to me to listen to the testimonies that have been borne here of an absolute knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING SELECTING MISSIONARIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.131 I wish again to ask the presidents of stakes--I intended to do it last night, but forgot--before recommending a man for a mission to sit down with him and find out if he is ready to go and if he is capable of representing the Church in the mission field. We do not want any more missionaries to be sent into the world to be reformed. Do not forget this. We do not want bishops to listen to the pleadings of fathers and mothers to send us young men who perhaps will smoke before they get across the ocean. We want every president of a stake to sign his name at the bottom of a recommendation and write a few lines on the recommendation form or write a letter with every recommendation, saying that he has interviewed the person recommended and found him to be in every way worthy to go into the mission field. If they do not do this we will have to send the recommendation back to them. We want them to know by personal conversation, by sitting down and talking with the young man or the young woman, that he or she has a willingness to go on a mission. I am not asking that they shall have a testimony; but I want them to be clean, and I haven't the least doubt on earth, if they go out clean and with a desire to serve, that God will give them not only faith but a knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. BLESSES SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.132 I think that covers all that I want to say, except that wherein the power is given to me, with all my heart and soul, I bless the Latter-day Saints. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their faith, and for their prayers in my behalf, and am grateful to have had their faith and prayers. I am stronger, and have more vitality, also have greater force, than I had thirty years ago when leaving to preside over the European Mission. I believe that all true, faithful, diligent Latter-day Saints have given to me the best that is in them, in supplicating God in my behalf, for his Spirit, for health, for vigor of body and of mind. I pray that God's blessings may be upon Israel and upon all honest men everywhere. I pray with all my heart that those who have made mistakes will repent; and by this we may know that they have repented--they will confess their sins and depart from them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1934, p.132 God help them to do that, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.2 Again I express my great pleasure in being present at another general conference. I hope that the prayer which has been offered may be answered, that we may have a time of rejoicing, that we may be encouraged and blessed and strengthened in the faith of the Gospel of our Savior, and that the inspiration of the Lord may be given to those who shall address us. PAYS TRIBUTE TO DEPARTED LEADERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.2 I shall make a few remarks this morning with reference to Brother Anthony W. Ivins and Brother Charles H. Hart, and also pay a tribute of respect to Brother Franklin S. Richards. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.2 One of the greatest, most devoted and splendid members of the General Authorities of the Church has been taken from us at the ripe age of eighty-two. From his childhood until his death he has been a very studious man, gathering information on many subjects, and he was successful in all the walks of life in which he engaged. He was successful in more things than any other man I ever knew, and all his life fulfilled the requirements made in the D&C, Section 88, verses 124, 125, 126: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.3 Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another;cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.3 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bonds of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.3 Pray always, that ye may not faint until I come; behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.3 Each and every requirement therein made Brother Ivins fulfilled, except the one "retire to thy bed early." I believe that he would have lived longer had he fulfilled that requirement, but he generally studied until midnight. Seldom did a day pass that he did not consult the dictionary. He fulfilled to the very letter the commandment--"Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." BORN OF GOODLY PARENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.3 Like Nephi of old, he was born of goodly parents. I know of no man of all my acquaintance who was a greater reader than his father. He read "The Native Races of the Pacific Coast," by Bancroft, as most of us would read a continued story in the newspaper. It was simply wonderful the fund of information that Israel Ivins had. He was an outstanding man, one of the greatest students I ever knew. He was president of the branch of the Church in New Jersey, which Erastus Snow and the Prophet joseph Smith visited as young missionaries, and when he decided to come to Utah with his brother, Anthony Ivins, almost the entire branch came with him. There has never been a branch there since. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.3 I was told by Joseph Benedict, of the famous firm of Benedict Brothers, that Israel Ivins was the best read man on the subject of medicine that he had ever met; that he had studied and read more than a graduate physician. He was a man of great character and of great love. He was known as "Dr. Ivins" in southern Utah. In that hard country, where there was very little money, he gave his services mostly without money and without price. SERENE WOMEN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.3 Of all the women I have ever known in my life--though it might be said I am not a fair judge--the two most serene and splendid women were my own mother and her sister, the mother of Anthony W. Ivins. His mother was a student also, and so from childhood he had the advice and counsel of two very wonderful, studious parents. He honored them; he respected them; he listened to their advice in: childhood and in young manhood; and to those parents is due a great deal of credit for the success of his life. If all children would listen to good parents, as this man did, there would be few mistakes made in the battle of life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 I, too, had the great blessing to be born of goodly parents. I remember reading a tribute to people who possess the characteristic of serenity, and I remember that when reading that tribute I wrote on the margin of the book, "The two most serene women I have ever known are my own mother and her sister, Anna Ivins." LETTER OF SYMPATHY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 When my mother died the general manager for the United Kingdom of the great New York Life Insurance Company wrote me a letter of sympathy, and in it he referred to my mother as "dear Aunt Rachel." She kept boarders for a living, and the boarders called her "Aunt Rachel." Tony Ivins' sister waited on the table without pay and called mother "Aunt Rachel," so the boarders adopted that title. This man was agnostic believing only in the God of nature. He said: "If the God of nature ever did stamp peace, nobility and serenity upon any human countenance, he did upon the face of dear Aunt Rachel." And that same stamp was on the face of dear Aunt Anna. HIS FATHER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 I know nothing of course of the advice and counsel of a father because mine died when I was a baby, but I have learned, of his reputation from others. People assure me that Jedediah M. Grant was one of the noblemen of this Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 I remember at one time asking Captain William H. Hooper to sign some bonds for me, when I was a youngster of twenty just starting in business. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 He said: "I never do such a thing; never do such a thing." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 I had no more than returned to my office when a young messenger Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 came from the bank and told me the captain wanted to see me. I said: "I don't want to see him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 "Well, he sent me to bring you to the bank." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 I went back, and he said: "Boy, boy, give me those bonds." I did so, and he signed them. Then he said: "When you went out I turned to Mr. Hills and said, 'Lew, who is that boy? He has been bowing to me on the street for years. I don't know who he is. I never sign a bond for somebody I don't know. Who is he?' He said 'Why that is Jeddy Grant's boy, Heber J. Grant'. 'Jeddy Grant's boy? Bring him back. I would sign that bond if I knew I had to pay it.'" A MARVELOUS HERITAGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.4 I am mentioning these things in the hope that parents will realize that the example of integrity, of devotion, of loyalty to the Gospel, and the disposition not to find fault, but to labor diligently and unceasingly for the advancement of truth, is a marvelous heritage to leave to their children. Anthony W. Ivins and myself have that heritage. A MILLIONAIRE'S TRIBUTE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.5 I know of no more charitable man than Anthony W. Ivins. He had charity even for the erring and for the wicked. He reformed many a vicious man by his love and charity. I remember meeting on the streets of Salt Lake City a man named David Wood, of the Wood-Hagenbarth Livestock Company, the morning after Anthony W. Ivins was made an apostle. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.5 He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.5 Hold on, Grant, don't walk so fast. I want to tell you something. I am mighty glad you are running your "Mormon" Church just to suit me. If you had come to my office yesterday and said, "Dave Wood, you know the 'Mormon' people, and their leading men from Canada to Mexico. You have been a friend of ours for 25 long years. You have never indulged in any lying against the 'Mormons.' You have never joined any anti-'Mormon' party. You have always spoken well of the 'Mormon' people at home and abroad, in the United States, and even in Europe, and I have been sent down to your office to tell you that we appreciate that and that we are going to permit you to name the man whom you consider to be the very finest and best man in all the Church to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles." Why, do you know, I would not have batted an eye or taken a breath. I would just have hollered "Ivins." I am glad you are running your Church to suit me. Good-bye. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.5 It is no small thing to receive compliments of this kind. There is nothing that so completely rebukes the falsehoods against our people as the fact that in the judgment of a millionaire who had lived with us for 25 years we had chosen the best man in all the Church to be one of the apostles. PERSONALLY ACQUAINTED WITH GENERAL AUTHORITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.5 It fell to my lot as a child only five years of age to become acquainted with Brigham Young, and I came to know him as a God-fearing, honest, upright man, and that the one supreme thought of his heart and his soul was the advancement of his people. It fell to my lot as a member of the General Authorities of this Church to be associated with John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, and Joseph F. Smith. I know as I know that I live that all the slanders that have ever been published against these men are falsehoods. They were honest, upright, God-fearing men, living in communion with God our Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.5 The very life of Anthony W. Ivins is a testimony of the work in which you and I are engaged. Men of his caliber, of his honesty, of his charity, of his love for his fellow men, men in communion with God, would not stay in this Church unless they had an abiding faith in the divinity of this work. AN EXAMPLE OF HONESTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.6 I prize very highly a letter I received from a non-member of the Church, the general manager of one of the greatest insurance companies, congratulating me on having been made an apostle. He said: "I have known you from childhood. I know you are fundamentally honest from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. I never had a very good opinion of the leaders of the Church. I had read so much against the Church." Of course there have been about 2,000 books published against us. But there is an old saying that a lie can travel clear around the world while truth is getting out of bed and putting on its boots, but sooner or later the boots arrive, overtake the lie, and step on it. This man said: "Heber, though I have had a poor opinion of the leaders of the Church, now that you are one of them I apologize to the other 14. I know that they would not dare invite you into their councils unless they were honest. You would give the whole thing away if there were anything crooked." REJOICES IN TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT IVINS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.6 I rejoice in the wonderful testimony to all the world in the life of Anthony W. Ivins. My heart is full of gratitude and thanksgiving for the wonderful tributes paid to him by the people in the Church and out of the Church. I think it is little less than wonderful to note the splendid tributes that have been paid to him in newspapers that are owned by those not of our faith. I rejoice in the tribute paid by the bishop and other officials of the Catholic church, and the tolling of the Cathedral bells as the funeral cortege passed that great structure. I have never known such an outpouring of expressions of love and appreciation from all classes of people for anybody that has passed away, as have come regarding Brother Ivins. EXPRESSES THANKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.6 I rejoiced in the very wonderful editorial written by Noble Warrum years ago published in the Salt Lake Tribune when President Smith passed away. It was one of the most splendid tributes ever paid. I said to Mr. McKay, then manager and dictator of the editorial policy of the Tribune: "I accept that as a complete apology for all the cartoons and the vicious things that were published in your paper, years ago, against Joseph F. Smith." I appreciate and thank Noble Warrum for the splendid editorial written about Anthony W. Ivins. I am grateful beyond expression for all of these tributes that have been paid to him. I am thankful that the president of the United States saw fit to send a telegram of congratulation on his birthday. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.6 I could go on talking for hours regarding Anthony Ivins, but I think perhaps I have said enough. I wish to say however, that in every particular he fulfilled the advice of the mother to her son: TO MY SON Do you know that your soul is of my soul such a part That you seem to be fiber and core of my heart? None other can pain me as you, dear, can do; None other can please me, or praise me as you. Remember the world will be quick with its blame, If shadow or stain ever darken your name. "Like mother, like son," is a saying so true The world will judge largely of mother by you. Be this then, your task, if task it should be, To force the proud world to do homage to me. Be sure it will say, when its verdict you've won, "She reaped as she sowed. Lo, this is her son." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.7 I paid a brief tribute to Brother Hart yesterday, and I wished to offer that tribute here. I intended to bring the report of that five-minute sermon with me, because I want it recorded in the Conference Pamphlet, but I forgot it. One of the truest, noblest, most splendid men that I have been associated with, as one of the General Authorities of the Church, was Charles H. Hart. You will hear my tribute later, so I will say nothing further about him now. PRESIDENT IVINS LOVED BY YOUTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.7 One of the things to which I wish to call attention with appreciation is the wonderful respect shown in the attendance of young people of the Church at the funeral of Brother Ivins. If there was one man more than another of the General Authorities whom the young people admired and who they felt was their true friend, who had a sympathy for them and was always charitable toward the mistakes that they made, that man was Brother Ivins. This was appreciated, as shown by the splendid turnout of young people in his honor at his funeral. TRIBUTE TO BROTHER RICHARDS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.7 It fell to my lot to be associated for many years, during the presidency of John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow, with Brother Franklin D. Richards. A more gentle, kind, considerate, thoughtful man than Franklin D. Richards, I never knew. I remember one day getting quite angry at something, and talking pretty loud to Brother Richards, and he paid no attention to what I said. I went away and came back and apologized to him. He laughed and said: "I knew you didn't mean it. It did not affect me at all." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.7 Franklin S. Richards, like Brother Ivins, was the son of a most splendid father, a man of integrity and devotion to the work of God. I have known Franklin S. Richards very intimately, from the time I was a boy of twenty-two, having become a partner with his brother, Lorenzo L. Richards, in the insurance business in Ogden, under the firm name of Grant and Richards. I also became his partner under the firm name of Richards and Grant, owning a vinegar factory in Ogden. He subsequently engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business, and I bought his interests in those two firms. I never met a brighter, more remarkable man, in my judgment, than Lorenzo L. Richards. Many is the night I have slept in Franklin D. Richards' home, and I became intimately acquainted, of course, with the father and the sons and the daughter. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.8 Franklin S. Richards was all that a father could ask of a son. No truer man, no more faithful man, no more humble man and no more intelligent man have I ever known. He was a splendid lawyer. During all of the dark days of trouble when we were disfranchised he was the "wheel-horse," figuratively speaking, in trying to change the condition of affairs in Washington, and he labored unceasingly to the day of his death. He had the unlimited confidence, I am sure, of each and every one of the members of the High Priests' quorum of Ensign stake over which he had the honor to preside at the time of his death. I loved him truly. It was a source of regret to me that I had to be absent from the city at the time of his funeral. GRATEFUL TO PRESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.8 I do not feel impressed to say any more this morning, further than to extend to the members of the press--The Deseret News, the Telegram and the Tribune--my heartfelt thanks for the most splendid and wonderful notices and articles that were written regarding Brother Ivins; and when I express this thought I know that I am also expressing the thought of gratitude that is in the heart of dear Sister Ivins and her children. May God bless and comfort them. May he lead us all to follow the example of our beloved fellow member of the Church, Brother Anthony W. Ivins, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 President Grant read the following list of changes in Church officers since the last April Conference: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 CHANGES IN CHURCH OFFICERS SINCE LAST APRIL CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 New Mission Presidents: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 James M. Kirkham succeeded Miles L. Jones as President of the East Central States Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 Wilford W. Richards succeeded Arthur Welling as President of the Northcentral States Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 Joseph Quinney, Jr. succeeded William R. Sloan as President of the Northwestern States Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 Alma L. Petersen succeeded Holger M. Larsen as President of the Danish Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 Roy A. Welker succeeded Oliver H. Budge as President of the German-Austrian Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 Hugo D. E. Peterson succeeded Gustave W. Forsberg as President of the Swedish Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 New Stake Organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.23 South Summit Stake organized, formerly part of Summit Stake. Zach J. Oblad appointed President with Carl Winters as Stake Clerk. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 New Stake Presidents: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Bear Lake Stake, George H. Robinson appointed President to succeed Roy A. Welker. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Alonzo J. Gilbert succeeded J. Fred Corbett as President of Idaho Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Heber C. Williams succeeded J. Arthur Christensen as President of the North Sevier Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Thomas M. Irvine appointed President of the North Weber Stake to succeed Francis W. Stratford (deceased). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 W. Heber Wilde succeeded W. Oriel Stephens as President of the Summit Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 New Wards Organized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Jackson Ward, Teton Stake, formerly an Independent Branch. Boulder Ward, Garfield Stake, formerly an Independent Branch. Glendale Ward, Maricopa Stake, was part of the Phoenix 2d Ward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 New Independent Branches: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Caldwell and Meridian Branches in the Boise Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Wards Disorganized: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Clarion Ward, Gunnison Stake, membership transferred to Centerfield and Hamilton Wards. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Star Line Ward, Lethbridge Stake, became part of Claresholm Ward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 General Authorities who have Passed Away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 President Anthony W. Ivins, First Counselor in First Presidency. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Charles H. Hart, one of the Presidents of the First Council of the Seventy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Stake Presidents who have Passed Away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 President Francis W. Stratford of the North Weber Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Joseph C. McFarlane, Second Counselor in Mt. Ogden Stake Presidency. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Bishops who have Passed Away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Bishop Fred Wall of the Jensen Ward, Uintah Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Elder Silas A. Koyle, President of the Hazel Branch, Burley Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Others who have Passed Away: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Elder Franklin S. Richards, General Church Attorney. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.24 Daniel S. Spencer, Retired General Passenger Agent, Union Pacific System. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.42 I desire to read my remarks made at the funeral of Brother Charles H. Hart, so that they may be in the Conference Pamphlet. They are as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 "From my personal association during all the years that Brother Hart was one Of the General Authorities of the Church I am able to bear witness to all of the splendid things that have been said here today regarding his character. There was no one of the General Authorities with whom I traveled from stake to stake, in fulfilling the duties devolving upon us of attending quarterly conferences, that I enjoyed traveling with more than I did Brother Hart. The sincerity and honesty, the integrity and devotion of the man always impressed me. He was a man whom to know was to love. Love begets love. He was a man who loved the people, loved to mingle with them, loved to gather evidences, as has been said here, of the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged, and to be in a position to defend it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 It is a wonderful thing to be a judge and to have the reputation among all those who knew him that his decisions were absolutely true and straight, and what they ought to be according to the evidence presented. To my mind the greatest tribute that could be paid to a man is that those who know him best love him most, and I am sure that this tribute can be paid to Brother Hart and that he is worthy of it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 ENGAGED IN A NOBLE CAUSE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 There are many of us who make friends and sometimes make enemies. If Brother Hart had an enemy I have never heard of it. I have always heard people speak of him in the highest terms. To have a perfect and abiding knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and to devote the best that is in us to carry that knowledge to others and to inspire others to try to obtain it, is the highest labor I believe in which any of us can be engaged, and this was the labor of Brother Hart during the latter part of his life as one of the General Authorities of the Church, and it was a labor that he took pleasure in performing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 RICH BLESSINGS EARNED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 I rejoice in all the splendid things that have been said here today. I commend to his wife and his children that they read the seventy-sixth section of the D&C, telling of the marvelous and wonderful blessings that shall come to those who embrace the Gospel and live it, and of the promises that are made to them concerning the life to come. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 I have no hesitancy whatever in assuring the beloved wife and splendid family that all of those marvelous blessings promised to those who shall endure to the end and keep the commandments of the Lord, that they shall inherit celestial glory, shall come to Brother Hart. There is nothing I can urge upon, the family more than to follow in his footsteps and walk in the narrow and straight path that he walked in during his entire life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 NOT IN THE GRAVE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 I can never think of my loved ones, my dear mother and those who have passed away, as being in the grave. I rejoice in the associations they are enjoying and in the pleasure they are having in meeting with their loved ones on the other side. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.43 May God help each and all of us to so order our lives that they will be a proclamation of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.44 And may that sweet and peaceful influence that comes from our Heavenly Father in times of sorrow be given to the wife and her children. May they be comforted, encouraged and blessed in their time of sorrow, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in humility in the name of our Redeemer. Amen." PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Presented for the vote of the Conference the General Authorities and Officers of the Church, also the General Auxiliary Officers, who were unanimously sustained as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 FIRST PRESIDENCY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Heber J. Grant, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of The Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. J. Reuben Clark, Jr., First Counselor in the First Presidency. David O. McKay, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Rudger Clawson Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Rudger Clawson Richard R. Lyman Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Reed Smoot Melvin J. Ballard Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 George Albert Smith John A. Widtsoe Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 George F. Richards Joseph F. Merrill Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Joseph Fielding Smith Charles A. Callis Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Stephen L. Richards J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Alonzo A. Hinckley Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 The Counselors in the First Presidency and The Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 TRUSTEE-IN-TRUST Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 FIRST COUNCIL OF SEVENTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Jonathan G. Kimball Antoine R. Ivins Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Rulon S. Wells Samuel O. Bennion Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Levi Edgar Young John H. Taylor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 Rufus K. Hardy Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.45 PRESIDING BISHOPRIC Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Sylvester Q. Cannon, Presiding Bishop David A. Smith, First Counselor John Wells, Second Counselor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 CHURCH HISTORIAN AND RECORDER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Joseph Fielding Smith, with the following Assistants: Andrew Jenson and A. William Lund. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 CHURCH BOARD OF EDUCATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Heber J. Grant Joseph Fielding Smith Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Stephen L. Richards Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 David O. McKay Richard R. Lyman Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Willard Young John A. Widtsoe Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Rudger Clawson Adam S. Bennion Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Joseph F. Merrill Charles A. Callis Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Franklin S. Harris Arthur Winter, Secretary and Treasurer Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 John A. Widtsoe Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 AUDITING COMMITTEE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Henry H. Rolapp John W. Hart Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Orval W. Adams Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 TABERNACLE CHOIR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 David A. Smith, President Anthony C. Lund, Conductor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 B. Cecil Gates, Assistant Conductor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 ORGANISTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Edward P. Kimball Alexander Schreiner Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Frank W. Asper Wade N. Stephens, Assistant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 CLERK OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Joseph Anderson Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 GENERAL AUXILIARY OFFICERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 NATIONAL WOMAN'S RELIEF SOCIETY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Louise Y. Robison, President Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Amy Brown Lyman, First Counselor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Julia A. Child, Second Counselor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 David O. McKay, General Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 Stephen L. Richards, First Assistant Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 George D. Pyper, Second Assistant Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.46 with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 George Albert Smith, General Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 Richard R. Lyman, First Assistant Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 Melvin J. Ballard, Second Assistant Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 YOUNG WOMEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 Ruth May Fox, President Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 Lucy Grant Cannon, First Counselor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 Clarissa A. Beesley, Second Counselor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 PRIMARY ASSOCIATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 May Anderson, Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 Isabelle S. Ross, First Assistant Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 Edith Hunter Lambert, Second Assistant Superintendent Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.47 with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.89 I would like to announce, as many of you may not be informed, that Brother Rufus K. Hardy is now presiding over the New Zealand Mission, which is the reason he does not appear on the stand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.89 I wish to say for Brother Hardy that he is a man who is loved by all who know him. The older members of the Council of Seventy have nominated Brother Hardy, and we are very pleased indeed to approve their nomination. He is a tried and true Latter-day Saint. He had one of the most remarkable and splendid mothers. All of the rest of us have been talking about our mothers, so I will talk about his. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.89 Annie K. Hardy was an outstanding woman. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.107 It is four years ago since Evan Stephens became sick while at conference, returned to his home, and passed away. We will now sing his anthem, "Let the Mountains shout for joy." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.108 I feel that we owe a deep debt of gratitude to Evan Stephens, George Careless, Joseph J. Daynes, and many others, for the splendid music they have prepared for our hymns and our anthems. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.122 I rejoice exceedingly in the very splendid conference we have had. I feel very grateful to the Lord, beyond my power of expression, for the great blessings poured out upon us during our conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.122 I am indeed grateful that in these times of distress there has been a remarkable increase in the tithes of the Latter-day Saints. Although I am sure that the actual income of some of the people has not been anywhere near what it was three years ago, yet our tithing is better than it was three years ago. "By their fruits ye shall know them." BLESSINGS COME THROUGH ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.122 There is an increase in the attendance of the people at meetings. There is nothing that causes the people to grow more in the Gospel than attending their meetings. There is nothing that is more calculated to cause the spirit of the Gospel to dry up, figuratively speaking, than to stay away from our meetings. When we are in a meeting we partake of the spirit of that meeting. When we are absent from it and somebody tells us of the wonderful spirit that was present and what was accomplished by being there to partake of it, we cannot appreciate those things. It is very much like the man who was hungry and someone told him of a fine dinner, but he did not appreciate that dinner. We have to eat for ourselves, we have to live for ourselves, we have to be in the line of our duty in order to partake of the Spirit of the Lord, if the Spirit of the Lord is manifest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 I call to mind that a brother who lost his standing as an apostle was a very, very poor attendant at the meetings of the Council of the Twelve, other matters occupied his attention. Francis M. Lyman had to come from Tooele the night before our meeting and spend one night here and all day in order to be at the meetings of the Presidency and Apostles which lasted two or three hours, but he never missed one of them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 I said to him one day: "It is remarkable to me that you are so prompt and always present at our meetings." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 He said: "I do not want to miss any inspiration from the Lord; I do not want the Spirit of the Lord to come to me second hand. I want to partake of it, and to feel it, and to realize it, and to know it for myself." RICHARD W. YOUNG'S EXPERIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 Speaking of not being there to partake of the Spirit, I am reminded of an incident in the life of my nearest and dearest friend, Richard W. Young. Richard had graduated from West Point and had gained a knowledge of law while stationed at Governor's Island, and attending the Columbia university and graduating from that institution. After he had graduated he was chosen by Genesis Hancock, because of his admiration for the studiousness of the young man, to be a major on his staff. I took some pride in looking out of a window on Broadway at the four-mile-long procession which was the funeral of President Ulysses S. Grant, and seeing a grandson of Brigham Young riding on horseback at the head of the funeral procession with Genesis Hancock and others. The general made him judge-advocate-general of the eastern department of the army. But Hancock died and another Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph, so Richard fell back to first or second lieutenant, I have forgotten which. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 He came home for his vacation, and he said to me: "Now, Heber, I took the advice of President Taylor at your suggestion, and instead of resigning years ago in order to get a legal education I stayed in the army. Now I have my legal education. There are more lieutenants in the army than they want, and they would like me to resign, with the understanding that I will volunteer if there is trouble. I do not want to ask President Taylor, but I wish you would plead my cause for me at the meeting next Thursday in the Endowment House, and Uncle 'Briggie' has promised to do the same." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 We two pleaded his cause and some others also, and not a word was said in favor, of his staying in the army, but after we had got through pleading, President Taylor said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 "Tell that young man it is the proper time for him to stay in the army." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 Richard was in Logan at the time. His aunt, Mrs. George W. Thatcher was entertaining his friends in his honor, and he received my telegram reading, "Stay in the army," just as they were about to sit down to dinner, and it took his appetite away completely. ASKS FOR REASONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.123 When he returned to Salt Lake City, he said: "What were the reasons why I am to stay in the army? What arguments were given?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 "None. All the arguments were for you to resign. President Taylor said, 'Stay in the army.'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 "Well, I would like some reasons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 "You cannot have them, as none was given. You got your education for nothing by following his advice. I think you should do it again." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 "Oh, my gracious, I am going to do it, but I would like some reasons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 I said, "Well; I cannot give you any. If you had been there, if you had felt as I did when President Taylor spoke, you would have felt as I felt it in my heart, that he was right." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 Richard went East and met one of his classmates who said: "Where are you stationed, what is your place?" And he told him. MAKES CHANGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 The other man said: "Lucky dog! You had the best station in the whole army--Governor's island--and now you have got another good one, and I have to go away out in the wild and woolly west to Salt Lake, to Fort Douglas." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 Richard said: "I would just as soon change with you if the Secretary of War will consent." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 So they wrote and asked for a transfer and got it, and Richard returned, went up to Fort Douglas, with a street car running every ten or fifteen minutes, came down to the city, and went into LeGrand Young's office--he could not go into court of course--and got through the four years of starvation period as a young lawyer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 I happened to be in the President's office one morning and I saw in the morning paper that Richard's four years at Fort Douglas were up, and it told where he had to go. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 President Taylor said: "Heber, I see your young friend, Richard Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 Young, is going to leave Fort Douglas." "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 "Well, you tell him that he is released now, and it is time for him to stay home." SACRIFICING PERSONAL AMBITIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 There have been experiences in my life during the last fifty-three years, from the time I went to Tooele, illustrating the benefits that come through obedience, the benefits that come when we sacrifice our personal ambitions for that which we feel in our heart is our duty. Like Brother Ballard, I had an over-whelming ambition for a university education and a degree from a great school. I had very little hope of obtaining it, having no means and having a widowed mother to look after. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 I met President George Q. Cannon, then our delegate to Congress, and he said: "Would you like to go to the naval academy, or to West Point?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 I told him I would. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.124 He said: "Which one?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I said: "The naval academy." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 "All right. I will give you the appointment without competitive examination." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 For the first time in my life I did not sleep well, I lay awake nearly all night long rejoicing that the ambition of my life was to be fulfilled. I fell asleep just a little before daylight; my mother had to awaken me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I said: "Mother, what a marvelous thing it is that I am to have an education, as fine as that of any young man in all Utah. I could hardly sleep, I was awake until almost daylight this morning." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I looked into her face, I saw that she had been weeping. I have heard of people who when drowning had their entire life pass before them in almost a few seconds. I saw myself an admiral in my mind's eye; I saw myself traveling all over the world in a ship, away from my widowed mother. I laughed and put my arms around her, and kissed her and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 "Mother, I do not want a naval education. I am going to be a business man and shall enter an office right away and take care of you, and have you quit keeping boarders for a living." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 She broke down and wept and said that she had not dosed her eyes, but had prayed all night that I would give up my life's ambition so that she would not be left alone. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 We all have temptations, we all have things come into our lives-which if, we give them proper consideration we will reject. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 Brother Ballard has referred to the invitation that was sent to President Ivins to accept the nomination as governor of the state of Utah, which reminds me that a telegram came to me from Ogden at that time asking me where they could find Anthony W. Ivins. It said, "We will nominate him by acclamation to be the first governor of the state of Utah or the first representative to Congress." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I answered to the effect that he was on the Kaibab mountain and had accepted a call to go to Mexico. Nothing in the world would cause him to fail to fulfil that call. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I received another telegram telling me that they could not nominate me by acclamation, but that they had the majority pledged to me, and believed it would be by acclamation before the voting was through. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I showed the telegram to Heber M. Wells, who had been nominated by the Republicans. He said: "Well, my name is 'Dennis', the people don't know me. You are sure to be elected." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I said: "Well, I am not sure that I am going to run, I will let you know later." CONFERS WITH PRESIDENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 I went to President Wilford Woodruff and handed him the telegram. I said: "How shall I answer that?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.125 He said: "What are you bothering me with your affairs for? Haven't you got enough inspiration as one of the Apostles to know what your duty is?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 I said: "Thank you. If you had wanted me to run, you would have said so. Good-bye." (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 I sent a telegram saying: "It will be a personal favor to me if my name never comes before the convention." And it never did. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 Do you think I would not like to have been the first governor of the State of Utah, where I was born? If you do you are mistaken. I do not know of anything that I should have liked better than that at that particular time. Thank the Lord I did not get it, because I think that perhaps I should have made a failure of it. It was not in my line, it was just an ambition. My education, my knowledge of government laws, and such things were just the kind that did not fit nor qualify me to be the governor of a state. I thank Brother Woodruff for the inspiration that kept me from making a serious mistake. ENDORSES REMARKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 I endorse with all my heart the remarks that have been made here during our conference, but particularly and especially do I endorse the remarks of Stephen L. Richards and others who have talked about our being honest and not imposing upon the government, but maintaining our manhood and our independence and living if necessary under difficulties, instead of rejoicing that we can get our share of the government's funds. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 I regret beyond expression the change that has come over many; of the people. I went into business with my brother and my cousin-in-law way back nearly 50 years ago. We sold $120,000 worth of goods in the implement business to farmers. I think I am safe in saying that ninety-nine out of a hundred of them were "Mormons," and $90,000.00 of the sales were on time. I have asked many men to guess how much our losses were. Some have guessed 5 per cent, some 10 per cent and one 15 per cent. Our losses were $300 on $90,000--one-third of one per cent. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 That business grew from a little business of twenty-odd thousand dollars in capital to $2,500,000.00, and we have cut the capital from $2,500,000 to $1,500,000. We have had to charge off a loss of over $1,000,000 of farmers' paper. True, a great deal of it is due to the hard times, but I want to say to you that that spirit of determination to take care of ourselves, to build for ourselves, to be independent, and to be sure to meet our obligations, is not so strong today as it was at that time, and there is more of a disposition to lie down, figuratively speaking, on the government. REPUTATION FOR HONESTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 George A. Lowe tried to sell us his business when we were a little institution of $21,000, and I laughed and said: "We could not think of such a thing. We haven't any money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 He said in substance: "I will take your note at a low rate of interest for the entire purchase price." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.126 I said: "But we would have no capital to carry on the business." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 "You do not need any with these Mormons," he said. "I have charged every loss from selling machinery to the people in Utah and Idaho to what I term 'farmers' paper'; I have charged all the interest I have paid to 'farmers 'paper'; I have credited the notes and the interest that come in to my 'farmers' paper'; I borrowed from McCornick's Bank every dollar with which to carry it. I have not put up a dollar and I have got all my money back and in addition $2 and a few cents on every hundred--the difference between the interest that I have collected and the interest that McCornick's charged me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 "He will credit you for all the paper that you take from these farmers, because he knows it is worth one hundred cents on the dollar." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 I remember that Howard Sebree asked us to buy his business for $60,000. I told him we did not have the money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 He said: "Go over and tell McCornick that you would like $60,000 credit to buy me out and he will let you have the money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 I laughed, but went to McCornick's as a joke. He let the company have the money and we bought Sebree's business. We did not lose anything on the transaction. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 When I was in England, J. M. Studebaker, the last of that wonderful quartet of Studebaker Brothers, visited Salt Lake and he was interviewed by the newspapers. He said that for ten long years Studebaker Brothers sold wagons and carriages in Utah to the Mormons on commission, and during that whole ten years they collected the money for every wagon and buggy they had sold. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 The day was, years ago, when to be classed as a good Mormon was to be classed as a man who paid his debts. Let us, wherein we may have failed in the past to live up to that record, make up our minds that we are going to live up to it again in the future. A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 Do not go into bankruptcy unless you are forced to do so. My nearest and dearest friends pleaded with me to take bankruptcy when I was ruined, according to their idea, beyond the hope of recovery. I said: "If I live to be a hundred years old, I will not do it. I will go on working to pay my debts. If some one knocks me down, I can not help that, but," I said, "if a giant tackles me, I will defend myself. And if, after a hundred years, I have not paid my debts, then I will pray to the Lord to let me live another ten years in the hope of doing so." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.127 I was security for a note of a friend of mine, a good Latter-day Saint, I thought, and he was going to take bankruptcy. He showed me that I would be relieved because the rate of interest had been increased without my knowledge or consent. He brought me legal opinions to the effect that that released me as endorser. I laughed, and said, "That does not make any difference to me. If you do not pay that note, I will." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 There was a loss on that note of $4,700 in the shrinkage of security. I said, "I will see you tomorrow." I went to the bank. I said, "Now I will give you three of my notes for $900 each if you will renew this note, without my endorsement, for $1000 more than the collateral is worth; and if the man will not do that, will you take his notes for $900 payable each year for three years?" They said: "Yes. Either way." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 I went to him and told him to take his choice. He said: "I will not do it. If you are foolish enough, when you are not legally obligated, to pay that note, that is not my concern. I am going to take bankruptcy. You do not have to pay it unless you want to." A PROFITABLE TERMINATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 I said: "That settles it. I will assume it." And I did. And what was the result? In the providences of the Lord I changed the securities on that note, got them to take other securities, and finally sold part of the securities that I took off the note and paid part of the note with the money that I received, and I kept $5000 of a certain stock that I had only paid $3,250 for, and in the providences of the Lord it paid 100 per cent cash dividend--$5,000. Afterwards it paid another dividend, and I made enough to pay that note (instead of losing $4,700) and $3,000 or $4,000 additional, inside of two or three years. He took bankruptcy and injured his good name and his reputation in the community. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 There are those who have been forced into taking bankruptcy. That is what it is for. We can not help that. We can not help it if a bigger man than we are knocks us down, but we should never lie down and ask somebody to step on us. CIGARET SMOKING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 It fell to my lot to accompany the choir to Chicago on their recent trip. I never saw a cigaret between Salt Lake City and Chicago, or between Chicago and Salt Lake City. Every one that I met, railroad men and others, was loud in his praise of the choir. Hotel people said they had never met such a fine group of young people, people of such fine character. To me that was of much more value than their winning--as they did--laurels for their singing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 The presidency of the Liberty stake have sent out a circular for ward teachers. I would like to read it all, but I see the time is shorter than I had figured on. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 Dr. Hugh S. Cummings, United States Surgeon General, has said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 If American women contract the smoking habit, as reports now indicate they are doing, the physical tone of the whole nation will suffer. The habit harms a woman more than it does a man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 And Dr. D. H. Cress of Washington has written: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.128 When women take up with this practice of smoke inhalation the race will be doomed. . . . For both man and wife to be addicts to smoke inhalation is destructive of everything that is good. Children born to such a pair had better never have been born. NEED WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 That is pretty serious talk, isn't it? Never in the history of this Church have we needed so much as we do today the Word of Wisdom. No nation can ever prosper, this nation being no exception, that undertakes to pay part of its obligation and to build up the nation by licensing the sale of liquor and allowing people to make millions upon millions of dollars by selling liquor. I have never felt so humiliated in my life over anything as that the state of Utah voted for the repeal of prohibition. I do not want to interfere with any man's rights or privileges. I do not want to dictate to any man. But, when the Lord gives a revelation and tells me what is for my financial benefit and the financial benefit of this people, because "of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days," I do think that at least the Latter-day Saints should listen to what the Lord has said. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 Can there be any meaner or more devilish thing than the advertisement showing cigaret smoke as an engagement ring? That is the kind of advertising cigarets are getting. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 We have a newspaper that does not pay, known as The Deseret News. We have to put up money in order to keep it going. It would pay tomorrow if we would advertise beer that does not intoxicate,--of course that is, white people, but it does intoxicate Indians when they drink it. Legally it does not intoxicate, but actually it does. MORE DRINKING THAN PREVIOUSLY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 Every one said: "We do not want the saloons to come back." Well, they have more than come back. It is said that on Second South street today there is more drinking than there was in all the saloons we had formerly in the same amount of territory, and it is said there is also as much if not more bootlegging than there was before we repealed the prohibition law. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 I could not help but feel humiliated when the Latter-day Saints knew as well as they knew that they lived that I wanted them to remain true to the Word of Wisdom and not vote for the repeal of prohibition. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the Church, and also the Saints in Zion: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.129 Some people say: "That is the way I get around it--'not by commandment or constraint'--we can do as we please." WILL OF GOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 But what else does it say? It says "by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth--" What? "Showing forth the order and the will of God." I say to such people, you do not want to know the will of God, do you? I think one of the weakest excuses I ever heard of in my life is that one--"not by commandment or constraint"--when, before the verse ends, it tells you that it is the will of God, "in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 Now, I see there is no time left, so I will ask you, one and all, as a favor, every Latter-day Saint within the sound of my voice, to read the Word of Wisdom as contained in the D&C, and do it tonight or tomorrow. Do not put it off longer than tomorrow, and it will save my reading it and saying any more about it now. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 I thank the Lord for the splendid record made by the choir. PRESIDENT YOUNG'S ATTITUDE REGARDING CREDIT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 I intended to bring a letter here to read to you over the signature of Brigham Young. I shall publish it in the Conference Pamphlet, and shall ask that it be published in The Deseret News, following my remarks here, because I have not time to read it now. A firm refused credit to Z. C. M. I., and President Brigham Young wrote to the firm and thanked them and said that his advice to the people always had been not to go in debt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 This letter from Brigham Young upon which President Grant commented is printed herewith as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 St. George, Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 March 27, 1877. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 To Messrs. Meyer Bros. & Co., St. Louis, Mo. Gentlemen: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 A few days ago we received from Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution at Salt Lake City, a copy of your communication of the 3rd inst., in which you Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 inform that institution that you prefer to do only a cash business with it hereafter. We are thankful to you for giving them this notice. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 It is in exact keeping with our repeated instructions to the officers of that institution, to do all their business on the no-credit system. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 If those officers, and all of our people engaged in business would only be advised by us they would do their business, and all of it, on the cash-down principle and not a dollar on credit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 We desire to see our people invariably adopt this manner of doing business--go with their money and buy where they find they can do so to the best advantage. Be self-sustaining in this, as they are in so many other respects. In this course, we do not fail to see abundant increase of business thrift and financial prosperity. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 For this reason we most earnestly desire, that all with whom our people of this territory do business, would refuse credit; and thus teach the very useful lesson of making them self-reliant and sustaining in their commerical transactions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 The triumphs of the people in this before-time, so-called desert and forbidding wilderness, have been achieved by this very principle of self-reliance, coupled, of course, with the blessings of the Almighty. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 We would that the same principle were invariably to rule in all our monetary transactions likewise. And, therefore, again thank you for refusing to sell your Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 wares on time to Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution and remain Gentlemen Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 Yours Very Respectfully, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 BRIGHAM YOUNG. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.130 I wish also to compliment the director and the good sisters of the Singing Mothers chorus. WORD OF THE LORD TO HYRUM SMITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 I want to read something that the Lord said to Hyrum Smith: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Seek not for, riches but for wisdom; and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 They were working at the time on the translation of the Book of Mormon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good--yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; * * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my church, and my gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine. * * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my spirit ; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken--yea, the translation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Seek not to declare my word, but seek first to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Now this is the part I want you all to remember: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Behold I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickles to reap. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 Behold I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I am the life and the light of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 I am the same who came unto my own, and mine own received me not; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. ANY MAN WHO RIDICULES THE SAVIOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.131 We are told that agitation is going on in some sections of the country in favor of so-called "liberty," which instead of being liberty is anything but liberty. I do not want to be accused of engaging in politics, but let me tell you that if any state in the Union of the United States shall elect a man to stand at the head of that state who has ridiculed the Savior of the world, it will be as bad as the rebellion of 1861. I lift my voice against it, and I am willing to have it said that this is politics, if they want to make politics of it. Any Latter-day Saint who sustains or votes for a man to be governor of a state who has ridiculed in print the Savior of the world, is doing that which I as President of the Church hereby condemn. GIVES TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.132 The time is up, but I am going to say something more. I want it distinctly understood that in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, in the Hawaiian Isles, and in far-off Japan, I have lifted up my voice, and I want to lift it up here before closing this conference, to the effect that I know as I know that I live that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, and that Mormonism, so-called, is in very deed the plan of life and salvation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1934, p.132 God help you and me and every Latter-day Saint to prove to the Lord by our lives, that our testimony of the divinity of this work is not merely lip service. God bless you, and bless all honest men, and defeat all men who are working to destroy churches. Roger Babson tells the truth when he says we need more religion. God bless every man that believes in Jesus Christ and is working for the uplift of mankind, and God defeat every man who ridicules the Savior of the world, the Redeemer of mankind. This is my prayer, and I ask it in all humility, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.6 It is a real pleasure to have the opportunity again of assembling with the Saints in general conference. All of us undoubtedly rejoice in the remarkable growth of the Church. CHURCH GROWTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.6 I recall that we did not have thirty stakes when, fifty-two years ago, I was made a member of the Council of the Twelve. I recall that when visiting Rexburg, then a branch of a ward in Cache Valley, we had but 1300 people north of Cache Valley; we now have, I am sure, more than 100,000 in that section, counting those that are in Canada. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.7 Just before becoming one of the Apostles I traveled from Tooele to Salt Lake City, then through Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Box Elder stakes to Brigham City, and two days and a fraction west, sleeping on the ground two nights, to visit a branch of the Grantsville ward of the Tooele stake of Zion. We now have half a dozen stakes west of Brigham City. GRATEFUL FOR CHANGE IN SENTIMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.7 I rejoice in the organization of new stakes in California, and of one in New York. When I think of the opposition toward the Church in early days by the people of New York; of the opposition toward our people in Ohio, and in Far West; of their expulsion from Missouri under an exterminating order of the governor of the state; when I think that Joseph Smith and others of his companions were condemned to be shot by order of a court martial, I am grateful for a change in sentiment toward our people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.7 When I think of Nauvoo, the largest city in Illinois at that time, with 20,000 inhabitants, that the people had to leave that city, and that after Brigham Young and the able-bodied men had left the remnant were driven out by a mob, I am grateful for the change that has taken place. No tongue can tell and no pen can paint the hardships that our people endured in Missouri and Illinois. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.7 During the three long years that f presided over the European and British missions I was unable to get a single, solitary article into any newspaper in any part of the British Isles, refuting some of the vilest and most wicked slanders that were circulated about the Latter-day Saints. Today throughout the entire British Isles reporters attend our meetings and make honorable and straightforward reports regarding them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.7 At the time of the organization of a stake in New York the leading newspapers of that great city gave us splendid notices, and there were no unfavorable comments. When I think of these things and of the wonderful growth of the Church, from about 200,000 when I was made an apostle to more than 700,000 today, my heart is filled with gratitude. When I realize the good will that was extended to me upon the occasion when I spoke, in 1920, before the Knife and Fork club at Kansas City, at which time I was given the privilege of talking an hour, while the other two men on the program--one of them the president, I think, of a university near Chicago--were each given but half an hour, and I was advertised as the principal speaker, this having taken place ten miles from where our people were located at the time they were driven out by the exterminating order of the governor of the state, my heart is full of gratitude and thanksgiving. I believe that today the name "Mormon", if a man is living in accordance with the teachings of the Gospel of Christ, is a certificate of good-will and character, as far as those are concerned who know the Latter-day Saints. THE GIFT OF FAITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.7 I am grateful that from the time I was a child until the present I have been blessed with the gift of faith, which is a gift from God. I recall many things as a young man I did not understand, and could not comprehend, yet which I believed and believed firmly. One of the things which I believed, but which seemed to be an impossibility, was the statement that every ear should hear and every eye should see. SPEAKS TO WORLD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 I rejoice that only last Saturday evening--or I should say Sunday morning at 12:30--I had the privilege of broadcasting over Station KSL a message from the Latter-day Saints to the people of the world, and that later in the day a cablegram was received all the way from Tokio, Japan: "Snowing, thousands enjoying program." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 I have been requested by several people to furnish them with a copy of that speech, and I have decided to read it here today in order to get it into our record: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 I am delighted to have this opportunity to send my message of love and blessing to the Latter-day Saints throughout the world, and to all others who may be listening in. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 If time permitted I am sure my listeners would be interested in hearing all of the Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ which I represent tonight, and our "Declaration of Belief regarding Governments and Laws in general." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 The fifth Article reads: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 We believe that a man must be called of God by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. CLAIM OF AUTHORITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 We claim that authority and declare to all the world that John the Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 Baptist, who held the keys of authority to baptize, restored the Aaronic priesthood, and bestowed it upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery; also that Peter, James and John, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, restored the higher or Melchizedek priesthood, by ordaining these same men to the Apostleship. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 The eleventh Article of Faith reads: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 We claim the privilege of worshiping, Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 The thirteenth Article reads in part: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men .... If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. REGARDING GOVERNMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 Quoting from "A Declaration of Belief:" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.8 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. . . . Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience .... Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government. whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. OUR MESSAGE TO THE WORLD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 What the world needs today more than anything else is an implicit faith in God, our Father, and in Jesus Christ, his Son, as the Redeemer of the world. The message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the world is that God lives, that Jesus Christ is his Son, and that they appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, and promised him that he should be an instrument in the hands of the Lord in restoring the true Gospel to the world. I quote from a Vision given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 And this is the Gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness ; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 And again from the same Vision: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throng, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.9 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. WIDE MINISTRY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.10 It has been my great privilege to bear this testimony in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, in the Hawaiian Islands and in far-off Japan, and to lift up my voice declaring that our Heavenly Father and his beloved Son have again spoken from the heavens, that the Gospel of our Redeemer has been restored to the earth, and to bear witness that I know that God lives, that I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and the Redeemer of mankind, and that I know that Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of the Lord in restoring the everlasting Gospel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.10 My appeal to all members of the Church who possess this same testimony is so to live that other men seeing their good deeds shall be inspired to investigate the Gospel of our Redeemer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.10 Words fail me in expressing my heartfelt gratitude to God for the radio, which gives me this opportunity of bearing my testimony to all the people of the world of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 1 pray the Lord to bless all mankind in these troublous times, that wisdom may be given to men in every land so to live that peace may come to the peoples of the world. (End of radio address to world.) GRATEFUL FOR FAITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.10 I am utterly at a loss to express my gratitude for the faith that I had as a child that the day would come when every ear should hear. I am grateful also for the faith that I had at that same time that every eye should see. Some years ago it was my privilege while in New York, and while in a large building twenty or thirty stories high, to talk to my daughter and my granddaughter by television, they being three or four miles away at the time, and I saw them perfectly. READS ARTICLES OF FAITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.10 I am grateful indeed for every blessing that has come to me because of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation, and inasmuch as what I am saying is being broadcast I am going to read all of the Articles of our Faith, although I suppose that every soul within the sound of my voice in this building and all Latter-day Saints throughout the world are familiar with these Articles, and nearly all our children can repeat them. I remember learning them as a little child in the Sunday school, but as there may be many people in different parts of the world who are hearing what is said here today, as I said in my message to the world, I would like to repeat all of the articles. Time would not permit my doing so then as I only had ten minutes, and kept within the limit given to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.10 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.10 When we say that we believe in God we mean that we believe in him as an individuality, as actually the Father of Jesus Christ--not a congeries of laws floating through the universe without form and void, but we believe him to be the Father of Jesus Christ. He is the God whom we as Latter-day Saints worship; and we believe Jesus Christ to be, not only one of the great moral teachers, the greatest the world has ever known, but the Son of God, the Redeemer of mankind, that he came to earth with a divinely appointed mission, to die on the cross, in order that you and I and all eventually may have part in the resurrection. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 In other words, "as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. NEED OF OBEDIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 We believe emphatically in what it says, "by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel." We have no faith in death-bed repentance. We have no faith that by making a confession just before death we can be saved. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 We invite men to read a book entitled "Articles of Faith" which contains the scriptural references to sustain our position. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 As I have already stated in my address to the world, we claim that authority. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. INDIVIDUAL TESTIMONIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 There would be no need of believing in these various officers unless they have the inspiration of the living God and magnify the offices they hold. Unless Joseph Smith was in fact and in very deed a prophet of the living God, the whole structure called Mormonism falls. But we know, it is not a matter of belief. Latter-day Saints have individually almost without exception been given testimonies of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Hundreds and thousands, yes, hundreds of thousands of people who have never gathered to Zion, who have never lived in a stake of Zion, from the midnight sun country of Scandinavia down to South Africa, have been blessed with individual testimonies in answer to earnest prayer, that God lives and that Jesus Christ is in very deed his Son, also that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.11 The statement made by the Angel Moroni before the Church was born, that Joseph Smith's name should be had for good and evil all over the world, has been fulfilled, notwithstanding the fact that the statement at the time was ridiculed and Joseph Smith branded as an ignoramus. PATRIARCHAL BLESSINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 Unless the evangelist or patriarch is able, under the inspiration of God, to give blessings which are fulfilled, then there is nothing gained by believing in evangelists. As a little child I received a patriarchal blessing in which I was promised practically the very things that have happened to me all my life. When I was a young man presiding over the Tooele stake of Zion, the patriarch of that stake blessed my little baby, who was then six months old, and promised her that she should live to become a mother; that she should live to become one of the leaders of her sisters. Subsequently when she was in a dying condition from diphtheria, a spiritualistic medium decreed her death. Thank God for the priesthood that is upon the earth and the authority of that priesthood. George Q. Cannon and Hiram B. Clawson being in Washington at the time, I sent for them to come and administer to my little girl, who, as I recall it, was then between twelve and thirteen years of age, and they promised her that she should live and become a mother; and George Q. Cannon said something I had never heard before, neither have I heard it since. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 The adversary, the destroyer, has decreed your death, and made public announcement of it, but by the authority of the priesthood of the living God that we hold we rebuke that decree and promise you life. THE ADVERSARY'S DECREE REBUKED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 I thought time and time again of that remarkable statement. The day that I was to leave Washington, the lady who kept the boarding house where we were staying was away and her husband was in charge. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 Mr. Grant, I cannot resist the temptation to tell you that when your children became sick my wife visited her medium--she believes in spiritualistic mediums-- and her medium told medium told her that she saw in her home two little girls; that the older one was taken sick nigh unto death; that the next little girl was taken sick and was nigh unto death. She finally saw the older girl recover, then she saw the little girl die, and she saw her body taken to a railroad station; she saw it taken on a train through many large cities, and stop in a large city, and change cars. She saw it cross a large river [you all know that one has to cross the Mississippi river to come here] she saw it pass through some more cities and cross another large river, and then travel through a sparsely settled country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 (Forty years ago the country west of the Missouri was rather sparsely settled). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 She then saw the train climbing mountains, mountains, mountains, going west all the time. She then saw it go south for a short distance [from Ogden to Salt Lake of course.] She then saw it stop in a valley almost completely surrounded by mountains, and then the body was taken to the hill side and deposited in the grave. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 Thank God for the power of the priesthood that rebuked the decree of the adversary, which decree had been made public. BLESSINGS FULFILLED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.12 As I stated before, the patriarch in Tooele blessed this girl when a babe six months of age and said that she would live and become a mother. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 He afterwards said that he would like to give me a blessing, and in that blessing he promised me that I should be chosen as one of the leaders of this people and become a leader of great magnitude, and not until after I became the President of the Church did I ever mention what he said to me, and the impression that came to me at the time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 He said: "Brother Grant, I saw something that I dare not put in your blessing." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 And that still small voice that I have heard so many times in my life, making no noise, no sound, said to me, "and you shall live to preside over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 I was ashamed of myself that I should imagine such a thing. I never breathed it, I never mentioned it to a soul until after, in the providences of the Lord, that position came to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. THE GIFT OF TONGUES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 There is no need of believing in these things unless we have them. I was a child playing on the floor in a Relief Society meeting (my mother was president of the Thirteenth ward Relief Society for thirty long years and only resigned because of her hearing having failed) when Eliza R. Snow blessed by the gift of tongues each of the presidents that happened to be in that meeting, and Zina D. Young gave the interpretation. After doing this she turned to the child (myself) playing upon the floor, and gave me a blessing, and Zina D. Young gave the interpretation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 My mother often said to me. "Heber, behave yourself and you will some day be an Apostle." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 I laughed and told her I had no ambitions along that line. I said: "Get it out of your head. Every mother thinks that her son will be the President of the United States, or something wonderful. I do not want any Church position, I want to be a business man." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 "Never mind," she said, "if you behave yourself you will be an Apostle." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 When I was made an Apostle she asked me if I remembered that meeting. I told her I did. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 "Do you remember anything that Sister Snow said?" I said: "No, I did not understand her." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 "Of course you did not, because she was speaking in an unknown tongue. Did you understand anything that Aunt Zina said?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 "Only one thing, mother, I remember that as she was talking she lifted her hand and said that I would grow to be a big man, and since I have grown tall, I have often thought of that remark of hers." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.13 She said: "She did not say anything of the kind. She said you should grow to be a great big man in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and become an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 She then said: "Do you remember being in a gathering in Brother Heber C. Kimball's home where there were a great many people, and after the dinner Brother Kimball picked you up and put you on the table and talked to you?" "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 "Do you remember anything he said?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 "Not a word. All I remember is I thought he had the blackest eyes I ever looked at, and I was frightened." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 "Well, he prophesied that you should become one of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and live to be a greater man in the Church than your own father; and that is the reason that I have told you that if you would behave yourself you would some day be an Apostle. I realized that if you did not behave yourself you never would attain to that position, no matter what you had been promised." What she said conforms to a revelation of the Lord which says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 I could go on relating evidences of the gift of tongues. OTHER ARTICLES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 A great banker in New York said to me after reading Colonel R. M. Bryce Thomas' pamphlet, "My Reasons for Leaving the Church of England and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints": "Mr. Grant, I am an agnostic, but a student of the Bible, if I believed the Bible to be the word of God, I do not see how I could be an honest man if after reading this pamphlet I did not join your Church, because the scriptural evidences in support of your position cannot be controverted." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed, and receive its paradisiacal glory. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 We claim the privilege of worshiping almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. GOD'S PLAN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.14 May the Lord help us to sustain the law, and may we obey the law of God and leave alone those things that the Lord has told us are not good for us. I beg of all of you, young and old, to read the Word of Wisdom, and after reading it to get down on your knees and pray to God to help you to observe it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.15 The nation is in an awful condition today financially. God gave us a revelation for the temporal salvation of the people, and if millions and billions of dollars of money were not expended for the things which God says are not good for man, peace, prosperity, health, vigor of body and of mind would be enjoyed by all the people of these United States. The Word of Wisdom is God's plan for the salvation of the people temporally, and he has said so. He has said that it is his will, and if we lived up to the will of God, peace, prosperity and happiness would come to this nation and to the whole world,--if there were no tea, coffee, tobacco, or liquor used in the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.15 Those who are not keeping the Word of Wisdom will say that they get sick and tired of hearing such talks. They will get it from me as long as I have breath. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.15 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul: We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.15 May God bless us one and all, as I said in my address to the world, who have a knowledge of the divinity of this work, to live it, that our lives may teach it, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 Presented for the vote of the Conference the General Authorities and Officers of the Church, also the General Auxiliary Officers, who were unanimously sustained as follows: GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH FIRST PRESIDENCY Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 Heber J. Grant, Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 J. Reuben Clark, Jr., First Counselor in the First Presidency. David O. McKay, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. PRESIDENT OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 Rudger Clawson COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 Rudger Clawson, Richard R. Lyman, Reed Smoot, Melvin J. Ballard, George Albert Smith, John A. Widtsoe, George F. Richards, Joseph F. Merrill, Joseph Fielding Smith, Charles A. Callis, Stephen L. Richards, Alonzo A. Hinckley. Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. TRUSTEE-IN-TRUST Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 Heber J. Grant Conference Report, April 1935, p.52 As Trustee-in-Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FIRST COUNCIL OF THE SEVENTY Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 Jonathan G. Kimball, Antoine R. Ivins, Rulon S. Wells, Samuel O. Bennion, Levi Edgar Young, John H. Taylor, Rufus K. Hardy. PRESIDING BISHOPRIC Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 Sylvester Q. Cannon, Presiding Bishop David A. Smith, First Counselor, John Wells, Second Counselor GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH CHURCH HISTORIAN AND RECORDER Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 Joseph Fielding Smith, with the following assistants: Andrew Jenson and A. William Lund. CHURCH BOARD OF EDUCATION Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 Heber J. Grant, Joseph Fielding Smith, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Stephen L. Richards, David O. McKay, Richard R. Lyman, Willard Young, John A. Widtsoe, Rudger Clawson, Adam S. Bennion, Joseph F. Merrill, Charles A. Callis, Franklin S. Harris. Arthur Winter, Secretary and Treasurer COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 John A. Widtsoe AUDITING COMMITTEE Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 Henry H. Rolapp, John W. Hart, Orval W. Adams TABERNACLE CHOIR Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 David A. Smith, President; Anthony C. Lund, Conductor; B. Cecil Gates, Asst. Conductor. ORGANISTS Conference Report, April 1935, p.53 Edward P. Kimball, Frank W. Asper, Alexander Schreiner, Wade N. Stephens, Assistant. CLERK OF GENERAL CONFERENCE Conference Report, April 1935, p.54 Joseph Anderson GENERAL AUXILIARY OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH NATIONAL WOMAN'S RELIEF SOCIETY Conference Report, April 1935, p.54 Louise Y. Robison, President Amy Brown Lyman, First Counselor Kate M. Barker, Second Counselor with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION Conference Report, April 1935, p.54 George D. Pyper, General Superintendent Milton Bennion, 1st Asst. Superintendent George R. Hill, 2nd Asst. Superintendent with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. YOUNG WOMEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Conference Report, April 1935, p.54 Ruth May Fox, President Lucy Grant Cannon, First Counselor Clarissa A. Beesley, Second Counselor with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. PRIMARY ASSOCIATION Conference Report, April 1935, p.54 May Anderson, Superintendent Isabelle S. Ross, 1st Asst. Superintendent Edith Hunter Lambert, 2nd Asst. Superintendent with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Conference Report, April 1935, p.54 Albert E. Bowen, General Superintendent George Q. Morris, 1st Asst. Superintendent Frank L. West, 2nd Asst. Superintendent and the following as members of the General Board: Conference Report, April 1935, p.54 Oscar A. Kirkham, W. O. Robinson, Franklin S. Harris, Homer C. Warner, John H. Taylor, W. Wallace McBride, Lyman L. Daines, Richard L. Evans, Joseph F. Smith, Burton K. Farnsworth, John D. Giles, Floyd G. Eyre, D. E. Hammond, W. Creed Haymond, Axel A. Madsen, M. Elmer Christensen, Stringham A. Stevens, Philo T. Farnsworth, J. Spencer Cornwall, Harrison R. Merrill President Heber J. Grant Y. M. M. I. A. BOARD REORGANIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.55 I overlooked announcing that some weeks ago the General Superintendency and members of the board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association were honorably released by the Presidency of the Church, and a letter was written to the board requesting that they continue to function until after this conference, when the new superintendency and board would be sustained. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.55 In retiring they do so with the love, confidence, blessing, good will, and deep gratitude of the First Presidency and members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. All of you who feet to sustain the release of these men and to give to them our love and blessing in their retiring, will manifest it by raising the right hand. (The vote was then taken.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.55 I can announce, as I have always done in the past, that the voting has been unanimous. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.128 A young man who claims to have counted the audience at our meetings from day to day announces that there are 8,029 people here this afternoon, and that there have been in this building during the conference sessions 50,562 people. I hope he is correct. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.128 I should be very pleased if I had the time to make some remarks, but by the time the choir has sung an anthem and the closing prayer has been offered the radio will be disconnected, and it would not be fair to the people who are listening to the radio broadcast for me to try to say anything and they not hear it. I offer my apologies to the leading brethren who are here who expected to speak but did not have an opportunity to do so. GRATEFUL FOR BLESSINGS OF CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.128 I earnestly and sincerely express my gratitude to the Lord for this conference. Like all the conferences that I have attended during the past fifty-two years, it is the best we have ever had. I have heard that expression regarding all the general conferences of the Church; and the only way that I can account for it is that we are hungry, and the same bread and butter tastes a little better when we have an appetite than it does otherwise although it is the same material. We have indeed been blessed of the Lord, and I am grateful for his blessing. I am thankful beyond my ability to express myself for the opportunity we had last Sunday morning at 12:30 to broadcast a message to the people of the world. DELIGHTED WITH THE SINGING AT CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1935, p.128 I wish to endorse all that has been said in regard to the singing to which we have listened during this conference. We were charmed and delighted with the singing by the choir from Manti, and by the Singing Mothers, as also by the Tabernacle Choir. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.2 I rejoice in again having the opportunity of meeting the Saints in general conference. I have always during the past 53 years enjoyed attending our annual and semi-annual conferences. It fell to my lot 53 years ago this coming 16th of October to be chosen as one of the apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have not the language at my command to express the gratitude of my heart for this great honor that came to me so long ago. I was not in the very best of health at the time, in fact, I have no hesitancy in saying that I am in far better health today, after the expiration of 53 years, than I enjoyed when that call came; I can with greater ease perform the duties that devolve upon me, and without the same fatigue. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.2 I recall that during the first two or three years of my administration as one of the apostles, quite frequently after preaching at a quarterly conference two or three times on a Sunday, I would lie awake all night because I was so nervous. I am grateful beyond expression for the vigor of body and mind that I possess today, and my gratitude goes out not only to my Father in heaven for the splendid health that I enjoy, but it goes out also to the people of the Latter-day Saints generally. I believe sincerely that because of the faith and prayers and good-will of the Saints my life has been extended and my health has been improved. JOY IN LABORS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.3 I can truthfully say that during all of these years I have had great joy in my labors in traveling among the Latter-day Saints. There is a brotherhood and a love existing in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints for one another that I am sure no other people enjoy. When I contemplate my reception as an inexperienced young man, not quite 26 years of age, when called to this important office; when I remember the reverence and respect that were accorded to me wherever I went, notwithstanding my lack of knowledge and information, my heart goes out in gratitude to the people in all the stakes of Zion, and as the years have come and gone I have been thankful beyond expression that I have never found anything at home or abroad that has weakened my faith in the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged. FINDS MANY EVIDENCES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.3 I am grateful on the other hand that as the years have come and gone I have been constantly finding additional evidences of the divinity of this work. There have been many things in my life, as I am sure there have been in the lives of you, one and all, that have been inexplicable to me; that it has been difficult for me to understand and comprehend. But I am a firm believer that faith is a gift of God, and I am grateful indeed for the gift of faith that has been with me. When I have not comprehended things I have had faith that some day they would be made plain to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.3 I remember that the first time I read the D&C, section 19, about eternal punishment, and so on, that I wept for joy regarding the explanation therein given, that it does not claim that there is no end to punishment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.3 I remember that it was always a remarkable statement to me that "every ear should hear." I could not understand how that could be possible, and yet I believed in it, I had faith in it and I accepted it without any doubt. Radio has demonstrated that every ear can hear. I have been grateful for the opportunity on two different occasions of having a worldwide broadcast of what I had to say. I wondered how it would be possible that "every eye should see." And yet I have seen and conversed with my daughter and my granddaughter when they were miles away from me at the time. They were in the laboratories and I near the foot of Broadway, New York; they were several miles distant, and great buildings were between us. We had no difficulty in seeing each other, no difficulty in conversing with each other. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.3 The one and only thing for you and me and for every Latter-day Saint to do is to keep the commandments of the Lord, and sooner or later those things that may have been inexplicable and have seemed impossible will be demonstrated to us. FAITH IN BOOK OF MORMON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.4 I am grateful that as a young man I had faith in the Book of Mormon. When I was ridiculed for believing in that book, the person saying that he could point out to me two absolute falsehoods in it that could not be gainsaid, I told him to go ahead, that pointing them out did not affect my faith nor in the least degree lessen my reverence for and my belief in the Book of Mormon. I read it as a young man in my teens, prayerfully and humbly, and there came into my heart the perfect assurance that that book is just exactly what is purports to be. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.4 One of the two things that this person said were falsehoods was that there were dwellings built of cement in early days by the Nephites in Mexico, Central and South America, that such a thing as a cement dwelling had never been found, and "You know," he said, "that cement is not so destructible as brick or stone, and that if dwellings of cement had been built they would have been found long ago." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.4 I said: "That does not affect my faith at all. Hundreds and hundreds of years have passed since the Nephites were destroyed and there is an abundant tropical growth in that country. If they do not find any cement dwellings during my lifetime I am sure they will when the grandchildren come along, if not then they certainly will when the great grandchildren come." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.4 He said: "What is the use of talking to such a fool, who puts aside an argument that cannot be gainsaid, by referring it to his children, or grandchildren, or great grandchildren?" HISTORY BEARS OUT FACTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.4 What is the subsequent history? Within a few miles from the City of Mexico, less than a hundred, if I remember correctly, there is a great monument, the outside of which was apparently covered with cement, and it is 150 per cent higher than this building in which we are assembled, and instead of being one hundred and odd feet by two hundred and odd feet, it is larger than this entire block, covering a space of eleven acres, and from the top of that monument one can see in the valley large mounds and as they are uncovered, lo and behold, they are discovered to be splendidly built houses, with cement covered walls and floor, showing a skill in the use of cement equal if not superior to that of today. VOICE HEARD THROUGHOUT LAND Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.5 He said: "Well, I will give you an argument that you cannot extend the answer to your children, your grandchildren, or your great grandchildren. That book teaches that Jesus Christ after his resurrection, came to this country and organized his church and that he spoke to the people, and his voice was heard all over the land. Now you know that if you were to get up on top of a house and shout, your voice would carry only a few hundred feet. So you know that is a lie." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.5 I said: "I do not know any such thing. I know that Jesus Christ and others under the direction of God took the existing elements and created this earth, and I am a firm believer that if Jesus Christ knew how to create the earth on which we live he would know how to cause his voice to go all over the world at one and the same time." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.5 He said: "I do not care to argue with such a fool." THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.5 The radio has demonstrated that faith is a gift of God, and I am grateful that I had it. I have sat in my home and listened to Admiral Byrd talking from the South Pole, there being a little box in the corner that brought the message to me, and my heart has gone out in gratitude that as a young unmarried man my faith in the Book of Mormon could not be disturbed by the arguments of a young man who had his doctor's degree and had graduated from a university, and thought he had knocked me out completely with two of his arguments. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.5 Let us get faith as a people. Let us so order our lives that we are entitled to an increase of that faith. I am thankful that I know of no man or woman who ever joined this Church and attended his or her sacrament meetings, partaking of the sacrament in remembrance of the suffering of our Savior and his death; who was honest and conscientious in the payment of his or her tithes; who divided with the Lord as perfectly as they would ask the Lord to divide with them if they were making up the account; who have kept the Word of Wisdom--I have never known such an individual to lose his or her faith. But I have seen men and women apostatize from the Church and almost without exception I have seen that apostasy come upon them gradually. IN LINE OF DUTY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.5 When you are in the line of your duty it is like standing in front of a line of posts, and every post is in line. But step one step aside, and every post looks as though it were not quite in line. The farther you get away from that straight line, the more crooked the posts will appear. It is the straight and narrow path of duty that will lead you and me back to the presence of God. I am thankful that from my youth until now such a thought as doubting the divinity of the mission of the Savior has never entered my head. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.6 Many times I have referred here to a book, one of the chapters of which is entitled "The Young Man and the Pulpit." The author of the book said that a certain individual with good opportunities for investigation asked every young preacher whom he met during a summer vacation --they being ministers in the eastern and New England states--the question, "Do you believe that Christ was the Son of the living God, sent by him to save the world; that Christ was God's very Son, with a divinely appointed and definite mission, dying on the cross and raised from the dead? I am not asking whether you believe that he was inspired in the sense that the great moral teachers are inspired. No one has any doubt about that. But, yes or no, was he the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.6 I am grateful that every Latter-day Saint can answer yes to that question. We are all delighted that we have that knowledge. I am sorry that every one of those ministers failed to answer yes, and that the sum total of those answers was that he was the greatest moral teacher that ever lived. HIS FAITH HAS NOT BEEN SHAKEN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.6 I am thankful that it has fallen to my lot to meet many men not of our faith in my travels. Before I reached my twentieth year I worked for five years for people not of our faith. My business has been of such a character, representing insurance companies, one of them in Canada, one of them way off in New Zealand, one of them in France and some in Great Britain, and others in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and New Orleans, and I have come in contact with many men not of our faith. I do not remember having met in any of the offices of any of the companies I have represented or among the men who came to Salt Lake as traveling representatives or officers, anyone who belonged to our Church, but in all my contacts with these people not of my faith I have been grateful that nothing I have heard or read or come in contact with has in the slightest degree lessened my faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On the contrary, in my contact with men, I have been finding evidences of the divinity of this work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.6 I call to mind visiting with an assistant manager of that great corporation, the New York Life Insurance company in London. This man told me he had been connected with the British legation at Constantinople, that he had been in the Holy Land many years, that he had been in the United States and Canada many, many times. CONSTANTLY FINDING ADDITIONAL EVIDENCES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.6 He said: "Do you know, Mr. Grant, the last time I was in Canada I went up to the northern wilds, beyond all civilization, where I doubt that a white man had ever been before, among those heathen Indians, and I found there the most inexplicable thing in all my life. I found the exact duplicate of a Holy Land rug, the exact pattern and color that I have seen in Jerusalem, and, lo and behold, that rug was woven in little colored beads. How under heaven those people way up there, who had never heard of Jerusalem, could duplicate a Jerusalem rug perfectly, is beyond my comprehension." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.7 I said: "I will send you a copy of the Book of Mormon, in which you will find that the forefathers of the American Indians who came to this country before Columbus, came from Jerusalem." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.7 "Well, well," he said, "that explains the inexplicable." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.7 I am grateful that as I have read the creeds, the doctrines and ideas of other people and other churches I have never found anything that disturbed my faith. On the contrary, day by day, week by week, and year by year, I am continually finding additional evidences of the divine mission of the Savior and of the divinely appointed mission and labors of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I am grateful indeed when I realize that before the Church was organized wonderful revelations were given stating that the field was ripe already to harvest, and when I think of the wonderful harvest that was reaped in Hawaii by President George Q. Cannon, which country President Clark and myself and others recently visited. During the few years he was there he translated the Book of Mormon into the Hawaiian language, and he baptized over 3,000 natives. I have never been among a people that seemed to me to be more sincere, to have a greater love for each other and for the Gospel, and a greater reverence for those who hold places of honor in the Church of Christ than I met on our recent visit to Hawaii. GRATEFUL FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.7 I am grateful for the temple that has been erected there, and for the interest of the people in temple work. I am grateful for the organization of a stake of Zion there, which I believe will be of great spiritual benefit to the people. I am very thankful for the evidences that have come to me of the divinity of this work in which we are engaged. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.7 I am grateful when reflecting upon the fact that Wilford Woodruff baptized several thousand people, and that Orson Pratt did the same. Year by year additional evidences have come to me of the inspiration of the Lord and the truth of the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. There is absolutely nothing in the entire D&C by way of commandment and exhortation for you and for me but what if we performed those things that the Lord desires us to do would be for our benefit. There is not a thing in them that would not be greatly to our advantage if we would do that which the Lord desires us to do. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.7 I have been requested time and time again--principally by anonymous letters--"For heaven's sake find a new subject, and quit preaching so much on the Word of Wisdom." NEED WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 Never in all my life have I thought and believed and been convinced that the Latter-day Saints need so much the Word of Wisdom as they need it today. Why? Because the whole United States has discarded prohibition. They have gone back to liquor. This they have done because the cry went out, "There is more drunkenness, there is more drinking of whisky under prohibition than there was before we had prohibition." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 Pardon me, but all of the advertisements of that kind were pure, unadulterated falsehoods. During prohibition I traveled up into Idaho quite frequently attending conferences. During all the years of prohibition I never saw a drunken man or woman while on those trips. I recently went up to Rexburg to dedicate a meeting house. When we reached Pocatello I had to change from the train to a bus to go to Idaho Falls, and at Idaho Falls I changed again. Two men on the bus were drunk. During the fifteen minutes that I waited in Idaho Falls I saw three more drunken men. Men and women by the dozens in this city have been seen standing around in front of one of the principal places where they dispense liquor, waiting for their chance to get their liquor. I have met drunken people in more than one place in Salt Lake City since we did away with prohibition. Millions upon millions of dollars of money were spent in propaganda which was based on falsehoods, to bring back whisky to the people. At a great national convention the people shouted, "Hurrah! Hurrah! We want our beer; we want our beer; we want our beer!" And they got it. Of course it does not intoxicate anybody legally, but they are very careful to keep the Indians from drinking any of it for fear they will become intoxicated. APPEALS FOR INFLUENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 Today I appeal to you, each and all, to use your influence at home and abroad, to get the people to keep the Word of Wisdom, and I am going to read it. It may be that it will be the fifty-third time in the past fifty-three years. I think that I have read it at least once a year, if not a half a dozen times. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 "A Word of Wisdom"--you know wisdom is almost the greatest thing in the world, second only to health, and this is wisdom from God, not from man. The wisdom of man is "beer, beer, beer." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the Church, and also the saints in Zion-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 I have heard many people say, "Brother Grant, it is not a commandment. That is how I get around it, and can have my tea and coffee." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 --Not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation-- Revelation from whom? Revelation from God Almighty. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 And the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God-- It is the will of God that we take advantage of the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.8 --In the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days-- AN ECONOMIC AID Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 I believe that if every dollar of money that is expended in Utah for liquor and for beer, tea, coffee and tobacco, were saved, Utah would need no help from the United States government to take care of the poor, but that peace, prosperity, happiness and abundance would be given to the people of our fair state, and of every other state in the Union, if in addition we observed the suggestion by the Lord, which is a very wise one, that once a month we refrain from eating two meals, which would be physically beneficial to every living soul, and give the equivalent to help those who are poor. It would go far towards solving our financial problems. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence or evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation-- "EVILS AND DESIGNS" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 Evil and designs! Men hired to certify that cigarets do not injure them and never have done, and I have been told that when you challenge some of them regarding these things they say, "Of course they never hurt me, because I have never used any of them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 Don't you think it is evil and conspiring to publish pictures of beautiful women, using cigarets, knowing as they do that it destroys the very purpose of life? We have been warned against these things. A billion is beyond my comprehension, and yet, if I am not mistaken, on an average of 117,000,000,000 cigarets per year were used over a period of many years in the United States. A billion is the equivalent, if you figure it in dollars, to one dollar a minute for every minute from the birth of the Savior until the late World war. So, for a number of years the equivalent of 117 cigarets a minute has been consumed in the United States each year for every minute since the birth of the Savior. FURTHER COUNSEL FROM THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.9 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And, again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And, again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 Nevertheless, wheat for man, corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. GREAT BLESSINGS PROMISED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 Here is the all-important point in the entire revelation: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 Could there be a greater promise made to anyone than wisdom and life, and that the destroying angel shall not slay us? I can think of nothing to compare with it. INSPIRATIONAL TIME AT CUMORAH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.10 I rejoice in the very wonderful time that we had at the dedication of the monument on the Hill Cumorah, in the wonderful turnout of people who were not of our faith, in the splendid reception given to us by the people of Palmyra, who provided accommodations at a moderate charge for the visitors from Utah and other sections of the country, making them feel at home. All of the feelings of animosity and hatred that existed in the hearts of the people of that town in early days against the Prophet Joseph Smith and others have entirely disappeared. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 I am grateful for the inspiration of the Lord that was given to us in the dedication of that monument. I am thankful for the privilege I had of being there and offering the prayer at the dedication. I thank the Lord for the inspiration of his Spirit that was given to me in dedicating it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 At the close of those three days I was weary, I felt tired and decided not to speak that evening. But as I listened to President McKay bearing witness of the divinity of this work, and speaking to the people, I could not resist the urgent desire to stand up and pay a tribute to Joseph Smith, the man who in the providences of God was the instrument in the hands of our Lord and Savior of establishing again upon the earth the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I could not resist the temptation to pay my tribute of respect to Brigham Young, to John Taylor, to Wilford Woodruff, to Lorenzo Snow, and to Joseph F. Smith, who have stood at the head of this Church from the time of its organization. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 I rejoice in the inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord given to me in speaking to those people at Palmyra. I rejoice beyond my power to explain my feelings of gratitude because of the fifty-three years of peace, joy and happiness that I have enjoyed in proclaiming the Gospel. There is no joy that is greater that can come to man than the joy of bringing souls to a knowledge of the Gospel. In the 18th section of the D&C we find the following regarding that subject: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 And if it should be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! JOY IN SERVICE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.11 Think of the joy of President Cannon in bringing three thousand souls to a knowledge of the Gospel! Think of the joy that has come to Wilford Woodruff and Orson Pratt, who brought nearly that same number into the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.12 I rejoice beyond my power of expression in the pleasure that has come to me in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and far-off Japan, in lifting up my voice in all humility, proclaiming that I know, as I know I live, that God lives; that I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of the world, and the Savior of mankind; that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, the instrument in the hands of God of bringing to the earth again the plan of life and salvation, and that all the men who in the providences of the Lord have been called to stand at the head of this Church were in very deed called of God, and the servants of God in laboring for truth here upon the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.12 May God help you and me and every soul that has a knowledge that he lives, that Jesus is our Redeemer, that Joseph Smith was the instrument of Almighty God in restoring again the Gospel, so to live it and so to keep his commandments that our lives will proclaim it, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.52 President Grant announced that the choir and congregation would sing the hymn, "School thy feelings, O my brother." This hymn, the President said, was written by Elder Charles W. Penrose after he had given ten years of his life as a missionary, without purse or scrip. When he started on his mission he lent his furniture to the British Mission, and after completing ten years of missionary work he took back his battered furniture, it having been used by the elders during this time, and sold it to get money with which to help him immigrate to Utah. He was accused of stealing the furniture out of the British Mission home. He went home and wrote this hymn for his own consolation. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.83 I have decided, as there is not sufficient time left for another speaker at this meeting, to read the report of changes in Church officer's since last April Conference. CHANGES IN CHURCH OFFICERS SINCE LAST APRIL CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.84 General Church Officers: Franklin L. West appointed Commissioner of Education. J. Spencer Cornwall appointed Conductor of Tabernacle Choir. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.84 New Mission President: Thomas D. Rees succeeded Clarence H. Tingey as President of the Australian Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.84 New Stakes Organized: Oahu Stake, taken from the Hawaiian Mission. North Idaho Falls Stake, was part of the Idaho Falls Stake. Highland Stake, was part of the Granite Stake. New Stake Presidents: Lorenzo H. Hatch succeeded Hugh B. Brown as President of the Granite Stake. Marvin O. Ashton appointed President of the Highland Stake. Elmer E. Hinckley succeeded Carl K. Conrad as President of the Nevada Stake. David Smith appointed President of the North Idaho Falls Stake. Ralph E. Woolley ppointed President of the Oahu Stake. William H. Reeder, Jr., succeeded Robert I. Burton as President of the Mt. Ogden Stake. George Ariel Bean succeeded David I. Stoddard as President of the Union Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.84 New Wards Organized: Copperton Ward, West Jordan Stake, formerly part of the Bingham Ward. Draper Second Ward, East Jordan Stake. Draper Ward was divided into the First and Second Wards. Richfield and Hagerman Wards, Blaine Stake, were formerly independent branches Hercules Ward, Oquirrh Stake, was the Bacchus Independent Branch. Malad Third Ward, Malad Stake, was taken from the Malad First and Second Wards. Riverton Ward, Blackfoot Stake, was an independent branch. Spencer Ward, Oquirrh Stake. Pleasant Green Ward was divided. Sugar Second Ward, Rexburg Stake. Sugar Ward was divided into the First and Second Wards. First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Laie Wards, Oahu Stake. New Independent Branches: Coutts and Tyrells Lake Branches, Taylor Stake, formerly dependent branches. Nyssa Branch, Boise Stake, formerly a dependent branch. Pomona and Victorville Branches, San Bernardino Stake, taken from the California Mission. Whittier Branch, Los Angeles Stake, taken from the California Mission. Pearl City, Kahana, Nanakuli, Kaneche and Wahiawa Branches, of the Oahu Stake, taken from the Hawaiian Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 Names of Organizations Changed: Fremont Stake to Rexburg Stake. Bramwell Ward to Letha Ward of the Boise Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 Wards and Branches Disorganized: Fort Hall Branch, Blackfoot Stake, made part of the North Pocatello Ward, Pocatello Stake. Hagerman and Richfield Branches, Blaine Stake, organized into wards. Alton Branch, Montpelier Stake, became part of the Wardboro Ward. Bacchus Branch, Oquirrh Stake, became the Hercules Ward. Riverton Branch, Blackfoot Stake, became the Riverton Ward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 Those Who Have Died: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 Anthony C. Lund, Conductor of Tabernacle Choir and member of the Music Committee of the Church. Elsie Talmage Brandley, Associate Editor of the Improvement Era and a member of the General Board Y. W. M. I. A. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 Presented for the sustaining vote of the Conference the General Authorities and General Officers of the Church, also the General Auxiliary Officers, all of whom were unanimously sustained--as follows: GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH FIRST PRESIDENCY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 Heber J. Grant, Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 J. Reuben Clark, Jr., First Counselor in the First Presidency. David O. McKay, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. President Of The Council Of The Twelve Apostles Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.85 Rudger Clawson COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 Rudger Clawson, Richard R. Lyman, Reed Smoot, Melvin J. Ballard, George Albert Smith, John A. Widtsoe, George F. Richards, Joseph F. Merrill, Joseph Fielding Smith, Charles A. Callis, Stephen L. Richards, Alonzo A. Hinckley Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 The counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 TRUSTEE-IN-TRUST Heber J. Grant As Trustee-in-Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 FIRST COUNCIL OF THE SEVENTY Jonathan G. Kimball, Antoine R. Ivins, Rulon S. Wells, Samuel O. Bennion, Levi Edgar Young, John H. Taylor, Rufus K. Hardy Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 PRESIDING BISHOPRIC Sylvester Q. Cannon, Presiding Bishop David A. Smith, First Counselor John Wells, Second Counselor Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH CHURCH HISTORIAN AND RECORDER Joseph Fielding Smith, with the following assistants: Andrew Jenson and A. William Lund. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 CHURCH BOARD OF EDUCATION Heber J. Grant, Stephen L. Richards, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Richard R. Lyman, David O. McKay, John A. Widtsoe, Willard Young, Adam S. Bennion, Rudger Clawson, Charles A. Callis, Joseph F. Merrill, Franklin S. Harris, Joseph Fielding Smith, Franklin L. West, Arthur Winter, Secretary and Treasurer Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION Franklin L. West Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 AUDITING COMMITTEE Henry H. Rolapp, John W. Hart, Orval W. Adams Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.86 TABERNACLE CHOIR David A. Smith, President; J. Spencer Cornwall, Conductor; B. Cecil Gates, Asst. Conductor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 ORGANISTS Edward P. Kimball, Frank W. Asper, Alexander Schreiner, Wade N. Stephens, Assistant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 CLERK OF GENERAL CONFERENCE Joseph Anderson Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 GENERAL AUXILIARY OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH NATIONAL WOMAN'S RELIEF SOCIETY Louise Y. Robison, President Amy Brown Lyman, First Counselor Kate M. Barker, Second Counselor with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION George D. Pyper, General Superintendent Milton Bennion, First Assistant Superintendent George R. Hill, Second Assistant Superintendent with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Albert E. Bowen, General Superintendent George Q. Morris, First Assistant Superintendent, Franklin L. West, Second Assistant Superintendent with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 YOUNG WOMEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Ruth May Fox, President, Lucy Grant Cannon, First Counselor, Clarissa A. Beesley, Second Counselor with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 PRIMARY ASSOCIATION May Anderson, Superintendent, Isabelle S. Ross, First Assistant Superintendent, Edith Hunter Lambert, Second Assistant Superintendent with all the members of the Board as at present constituted. Conference Report, October 1935, p.87 An anthem, "The heavens resound," (Beethoven) was sung by the Choir. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.88 We are very grateful to the Singing Mothers for their splendid singing this morning, and also to our brethren and sisters of the German Choir who have furnished the music this afternoon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.88 There are approximately 120,000 blind people in the United States, a large proportion of whom read Braille. The Church has authorized the publication of the Book of Mormon in Braille for the benefit of our people. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.102 I believe that for the first time in my administration as the President of the Church I shall occupy the remaining time. One reason that I do this is because there are about twice as many people here today as there were when I delivered my address Friday morning. SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE BELIEF IN BIBLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.103 I want to say that I know, from personal testimony to me, that in the University that I have contributed of my means to assist in its sup port, some teachers have been guilty of asking questions that they have no business to ask. Men who are drawing salaries are asking questions that create a disbelief in the Bible. If they would, just control their tongues and teach what they are paid to teach, I for one would be grateful to them. When teachers stand before their classes and ask students to hold up their hands in answer to a question whether they believe something that is in the Bible, such instructors are doing that which I think they should refrain from doing, because that is not what they are paid for. Let the Bible alone, and not attempt to get a "ha-ha" out of those who do not believe its teachings. THE BIBLE IS WHAT IT PURPORTS TO BE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.103 In my youth I read a book entitled, "The Cause and Cure of Infidelity,'' and I became converted, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Bible is exactly what it purports to be. The man who wrote the book spent eighteen years of his life trying to turn people from infidelity to a belief in the Bible, and he announced that at the end of that time, with two exceptions, he had converted to a belief in the divine authenticity of the Bible all who would read eight books that he would place in their hands, and read them twice. One of the exceptions was a lawyer who said, "If I were a juryman and had taken an oath to render a verdict according to the evidence, I would have to say that the point was proven." Dr. Nelson said: "Whether he continued his studies or not I do not know because he subsequently lost his mind." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.103 The other man whom he failed to convert was a young man who came to him with a serious face and said: "Dr. Nelson, I acknowledge freely and fairly that every argument that I ever raised against the Bible as being from God has been met and answered and fairly overturned by the books that you have placed in my hands. Furthermore, I do acknowledge that I have found arguments so strong and so momentous in favor of the divine authenticity of the Bible that I am unable to meet or to answer them, and yet I do not and cannot believe in the Bible." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.103 If they read them only once, they became greater infidels generally than they were before, because they found many arguments against the Bible that they had never heard before and they accepted them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.103 Richard W. Young (who was my nearest and dearest friend) and I listened to a half dozen lectures, as I remember, by David McKenzie, a returned missionary from Scotland, first in one ward and then in another; we followed him around. In his concluding lecture he said: "Now, if you want to know more about the things concerning which I have been talking to you, buy Nelson's book, 'The Cause and Cure of Infidelity.' All that I have said I learned out of that book, and you will find a whole lot more than I have said." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.104 Not only did we hear the lectures, but we read the book aloud twice, taking turns in reading, and there came into my heart, into the eternal part of me that will live on after those who ridicule the Bible are dead and buried, an assurance that that book is just exactly what it purports to be, and that prophecies recorded in it uttered hundreds of years before their fulfilment have come to pass. THE GOSPEL HERE TO STAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.104 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was referred to in prophecy centuries ago. It was stated that "in the last days the mountain of the Lord's house should be established in the tops of the mountains," and here it is, and it is here to stay. The promise has been made that it shall not be given to another people. That promise was never made regarding any other dispensation of the Gospel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.104 We do not need to fear, but I do complain absolutely against any teacher who says to his class: "You have always had a prayer here in the past. If we knew there is somebody to pray to, we would have a prayer in the future, but as we do not know, we will not pray." All I ask of him is that he just keep his mouth shut and not pray. FORMERLY ABSURDITIES, NOW DEMONSTRATED FACTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.104 They talk about not teaching infidelity--they teach it by asking such a question as: "Do you believe in the flood?" I do, and I have no doubt of it. There is no need of any such question. Just be honest. And it is not honest to draw money to teach people that which we are not asked to teach, and that which is calculated to destroy faith, just as was the case with the doctor who ridiculed me for believing that there were cement buildings in the early days among the Nephites. Ridiculous! Absurd! But in the providences of the Lord that absurdity has been demonstrated to be a fact. He ridiculed me for believing that the voice of Jesus was heard all over the land. "You know that is a lie, young man," said he, "because if you get up on top of a house and shout, your voice can be heard only a short distance." Thank God I have heard the voice of Admiral Byrd all the way from the South Pole! Thank the Lord for demonstrating thousands of things that used to be ridiculed by the infidel! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.104 God lives. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Bible teaches that he should come and that he should be the Redeemer, and it teaches that his Gospel should be established in the last days, And that Gospel is here, and we defy all the professors that walk the earth to change it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.104 God bless you. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.123 The Presidency desires to hold a meeting tomorrow morning of all the general authorities, the presidencies of stakes, high councilors, bishops, bishop's counselors, and stake and ward clerks, and if any of the other brethren want to come, they are welcome. The meeting will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning in this Tabernacle. AUTHORITIES ABSENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.123 We regret the absence of Elders John A. Widtsoe and Joseph E. Merrill. Brother Merrill, as you know, is presiding over the European Mission, and Elder Widtsoe is doing something that we hope and pray will have a wonderful effect upon the people of the United States. Not only is Brother Widtsoe engaged in this work, but ministers of other denominations are being permitted to teach and preach the Gospel as they understand it to the students of the University of Southern California. Wonderful! May that same privilege be afforded to all universities. I agree with Roger W. Babson that what the people of America need more than anything else is religion. PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER CHOIR LEADER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.123 I wish to echo my appreciation of the labors of Brother Anthony C. Lund as the leader of the Tabernacle Choir. He was a man of deep love of the Gospel, and his spirituality was demonstrated in his labors as our musical director at the Brigham Young University, and as conductor of the Tabernacle Choir. He was so full of jokes and humor that many people did not know the strong spiritual character of the man. Many people not of our faith have expressed to me their appreciation of the spirituality of the singing of our choir, and also of the spiritual messages by our announcer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.123 I am very grateful for these beautiful flowers which have been provided by Brother and Sister J. P. Fugal of Pleasant Grove--I am very partial to Pleasant Grove, I got my wife there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1935, p.123 I wish to thank our new Choir leader, Brother Spencer Cornwall, the organist, and the members of the Choir for the splendid music we have had, and I wish to thank all who have furnished the music during this conference. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.6 It is certainly a very inspiring sight to look at this immense audience, with so many standing. I am grateful for the wonderful growth of the Church--571,000 people in the stakes of Zion alone. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.6 I recall my first trip to New York, after having been made an apostle, and the ridicule that I met from many people with whom I conversed. Then we had under the jurisdiction of the United States fewer than 200,000 Church members. There were 60,000,000 people in the country at that time, now there are 120,000,000, a 100 per cent increase in this great country of ours, and the Church has increased in numbers from less than 200,000 in the United States to 571,000 in the various takes. Zion is growing and prospering at home and abroad, and I am grateful for it. ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER DIFFICULTIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.6 As I remarked at the Relief Society Conference yesterday, I never think of the life and labors of the Prophet Joseph Smith but I am filled with wonderment at the remarkable things that he accomplished during the fourteen years from the time of the organization of the Church until his death. Without the help of God our Heavenly Father and the guidance of his Son Jesus Christ, I do not believe that any mortal man could have accomplished anything in comparison with what he did; in fact I know it could not have been done. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.6 It is marvelous what he accomplished, notwithstanding the mobbings, drivings, the tarrings and featherings, the lawsuits, and the arrests was arrested more than forty times as I remember it incarcerating in jail and everything with which he had to contend. REVELATIONS IN LIBERTY JAIL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.6 The enemies of the work of God, as you all know, imprisoned the Prophet in Liberty jail, where he received two very remarkable revelations. They are known as Sections 121 and 122 of the D&C, also a remarkable document which was published regarding the persecutions of the Saints (Section 123). The mob could not prevent the Prophet from receiving communications from God. To my mind, Section 121 is one of the greatest revelations that God has given to us through the Prophet Joseph. In Section 122 we read: The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee. While the pure in heart, and the wise and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand. And thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.6 And the people of God have never been turned against the prophet Joseph Smith, nor have they been turned against Brigham Young, nor John Taylor, nor Wilford Woodruff, nor Lorenzo Snow, nor Joseph F. Smith, nor your humble servant. I think I am absolutely safe in saying that 99 and a fraction per cent of the Latter-day Saints have sustained the men who in the providences of the Lord have stood at the head of this Church from the days of the Prophet until the present time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.7 Section 122, in which the Lord speaks to the Prophet Joseph about his trials and tribulations, concludes by saying: If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea: The Son of Man bath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, but God shall be with you forever and ever. GOD WITH THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.7 God has been with the Church from the day of its organization, and will continue to be. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.7 I read from Section 121: How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it upstream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.7 The powers of heaven have been handled in this Church from the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith until today upon the principles of righteousness. FRIENDLY COMPLIMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.7 I received many letters when I was called to be an apostle of the Church, some of them from men not of our faith. I remember distinctly one that I received from a man who had known me from my young manhood. He was the general manager of one of the big insurance companies of the world. He said: Heber, I have known you from your youth. I know that you are fundamentally honest from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. I have never had a very good opinion of the leaders of the "Mormon" people because I believed that they were a bright, shrewd lot, taking advantage of the ignorance and religious enthusiasm of the people to become wealthy, but now that you are one of the fifteen men to stand at the head of the "Mormon" Church I apologize to the other fourteen. I know if there were anything crooked or anything shady, or anything wrong in the Church, you would give the whole thing away. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.8 I think it was Josh Billings, who said: Never judge a man by his relatives, he cannot help them, they are crowded on to him, but judge him by the company he keeps, because he chooses his own. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.8 I rejoice in the statement made to me by David Wood the day after Anthony W. Ivins was made an apostle. He said: I am glad you are running your Church to suit me. If you had come into my office yesterday and said, "Dave Wood, you have lived among us for twenty-five years, and you have been a friend to the Mormon people at home and abroad, in the United States and in foreign countries, and I have been sent down to your office to say to you, as you know the leading people of the Church from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, that we are ready and willing to show our appreciation of your friendship by letting you name the best man in the Mormon Church to be an apostle," I would have hollered "Ivins" without batting an eye or taking a breath. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.8 Compliments of this kind are paid by honest, faithful men regarding the choice of individuals for positions of leadership in the Church. RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE CALLED TO OFFICE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.8 I wish to bear witness here today that every man who is chosen to be one of the General Authorities, or to preside over a stake or a ward, or in the Improvement Associations, and every woman who is chosen to preside in the Primary Association, or in the Relief Society, and those chosen for the Sunday School work, we aim to get the very best that there is, and the offscourings of the earth can go on howling as long as they like and as loud as they will, it will not make any difference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.8 I again quote from Section 121: Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson. That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.8 I bear witness to you here today, and to all the world, that there has never been any exercise of authority in this Church except by persuasion and by long-suffering. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left to kick against the pricks, to persecute the Saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.10 I shall not read the balance of this wonderful revelation for the reason that I shall have the privilege of broadcasting to the world on Sunday for the enormous (?) length of seven minutes, and it will take me just about that long to read the balance of this section and some others of truths that are contained in the Doctrine and Covenants. BLESSINGS THROUGH OBEDIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.9 I am very thankful indeed for the revelation which says: There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.9 I can say that the blessings of the Lord have been poured out in rich abundance upon every man who has stood at the head of this Church, because they have all sought righteously for the inspiration of the Spirit of God to guide them in all they have undertaken to do. CHANGE IN SENTIMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.9 I rejoice in the wonderful change that has taken place since my first trip to New York. There was a feeling of animosity in the hearts of many people. Men would double up their fists and shake them at me saying if they had their way they would put the Mormons in this tabernacle and turn the guns of Fort Douglas upon them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.9 I remember the spirit of animosity that existed in Phoenix, Arizona, the first time I was there, and I contrast it with my visit there just a few weeks ago, when I had the pleasure of being present at the organization of the Phoenix Third Ward. There was not a member of the Church living in Phoenix, so far as I am aware, at the time of my first visit. At the time of my recent visit to that city we had two wards in Phoenix, and another was organized while I was there. I also had the pleasure of dedicating two meeting houses in the Maricopa Stake, and calling at the Temple and preaching for a few moments in that wonderful building, which cost us three-quarters of a million dollars. I also had the privilege of ordaining a couple of bishoprics while there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.9 While in New York recently I had the privilege of inspecting a building that we have now leased for some years, a large twenty-story building with a chapel in it. It is a splendid place. As I contrast the miserable little building in which we rented some rooms, about twenty-foot frontage, the first time I was in New York, with the chapel in which we are now located in a magnificent building in that city, it makes my heart rejoice. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.9 I rejoice in the change that has come about in Washington beautiful structure that we have in that city now, in comparison with what we had the first time I was there. When Brother Reed Smoot first went to Washington I think he said that at the first meeting they held there, which was in his home, only five people were at the services. We now have in the capital of the nation one of the most flourishing branches in all the Church, and about 1,000 members. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.10 I call to mind that when I went to California for the first time I was assured by the few Latter-day Saints who were in Oakland and San Francisco that they believed the total membership of the Church in California would not quite reach a hundred. Today we have two stakes in Los Angeles, and we have decided to divide them, as there are too many members in each stake for one stake president to be able to take care of them. We have another stake of Zion in San Bernardino, one in San Francisco, one in Oakland, one in Sacramento, and another in Gridley, and, with the members of the California mission, I am convinced beyond a doubt that we have between forty and fifty thousand people in California belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.10 The first time I was in Rexburg, the total Church population north of the Oneida Stake, was only 1,300 people. Today, going north and west and up into Canada, I am sure we have a hundred thousand people in that territory who belong to the Church. RECORD IN SCOUTING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.10 I am very grateful indeed for the remarkable record that our young men have made in Boy Scouting. It fell to my lot to attend an annual gathering of the Boy Scouts in New York some time ago. In one of the meetings the president said: "We would like to hear from Mr. Grant, although it is time for lunch, for the reason that the Church over which he presides has made the most remarkable and splendid record in Scouting of any church or community, in proportion to its numbers, and I hope the people here will be willing to wait and listen to Mr. Grant for a half hour." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.10 I got up and said: "There is no need for me to say anything. Chart after chart has been exhibited here, showing our accomplishments. I would be almost ashamed to praise our boys as much as the speakers have done who have preceded me, and I therefore suggest that we go to lunch." I rejoiced in being present at the recent meeting of the executives of the Boy Scouts, and it was marvelous the fine compliments that were paid to our people and to the executives who are members of the Church who are being employed in the different sections, working for the Boy Scout movement, from New York to California. Our young men are making a splendid record; we are becoming known, the young and old of this Church, as God-fearing men and women. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.10 When I was only a young man I rejoiced in the splendid tributes that were paid to us by the late Bishop Daniel Tuttle. He went east and told the truth about us, that we were "a God-fearing, upright, conscientious people, serving God." While he did not agree with us he admired our integrity, and said that truth and righteousness always prevailed amongst us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.11 I am very thankful that the Book of Mormon has been printed in Braille, and that the blind will have the privilege of reading it. I am convinced that that wonderful book, full of inspiration from Almighty God to the men who wrote it, will cause many a person to rejoice who has never been able to read the Book of Mormon heretofore. GENEALOGICAL AND TEMPLE WORK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.11 I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with the Genealogical Society last night. I had understood that there was going to be a long KSL broadcast connected with it, talking about dramatizing the 110th Section of the DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS, but that part of it lasted only a few minutes. The meeting was practically a short one, but I was very pleased with what I heard. I am delighted with the wonderful work that is being done in our temples in the accomplishments of our people in hunting up the records of their forefathers and performing the saving ordinances for them in the temples of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.11 I have never attended a temple dedication in my life hut what there was a marvelous outpouring of the Spirit of God upon those who spoke there, and it has fallen to my lot to be at the dedication of the Logan temple, the Manti temple, the Canadian temple, the Hawaiian temple, and the Arizona temple, and the Lord was good to us on those occasions. They were the most outstanding and inspirational meetings that it has ever been my privilege to attend. A SEMINARY IN WYOMING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.11 It fell to my lot only last Sunday to visit Wyoming. We have erected at Laramie, a very beautiful and fine structure as an institute, adjoining the University of Wyoming. Never before in my life have I been treated more kindly, and with more respect than upon that occasion. I rejoice in the compliment paid to us by the governor of the state, in that be traveled from Cheyenne, his headquarters, to Laramie, to be present, and he made a most complimentary speech with regard to our people. I never have heard any finer things said regarding professors in a school than the tributes paid by the president of the University of Wyoming to our young men who are teaching in the Wyoming University. He praised very highly the president of our branch at Laramie, Brother Albert G. Bowman. Brother Bowman has been there now, if I remember correctly, for twenty years, if not longer, and he and the other young men who are employed in that school have made a record for themselves and they are appreciated, and it was so declared. The president of the University said that not only were the young men, the professors who are teaching in the school, of the highest grade, but he paid compliments to all of our people who are attending the school. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.11 In the evening there was a reception in our institute building. It is very well adapted for the work that we expect to do there. Notwithstanding the inclemency of weather, the governor of the state and the president of the university, and other prominent people were present, and there was a spirit of fellowship and good-will existing there the equal of anything I have experienced in my life. THE WORTH OF SOULS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.12 I pray God to help me and you and every soul to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, to labor with all the zeal that we have. I am grateful, indeed, for this remarkable statement in the Doctrine and Covenants, in a revelation contained therein, in which Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were appointed to name the men who were to be members of the first quorum of the Twelve Apostles: And now Oliver Cowdery, I speak unto you, and also unto David Whitmer, by way of commandment; for, beheld, I command all men everywhere to repent, and I speak unto you even as unto Paul, mine apostle, for you are called even with that same calling with which he was called. Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord, your Redeemer, suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation. A GOSPEL OF FORGIVENESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.12 May God help each and every one of us to remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a gospel of conversion, but it is a gospel of forgiveness. We have it recorded that though a man's sins be as scarlet, if he will repent, they shall all be as white as snow. I rejoice in that remarkable revelation which says: I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.12 May the Lord help us one and all to grow in the light, and knowledge, and testimony, and love of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that our light may so shine that others seeing our good works may join the Church. TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.12 I desire upon this occasion, and upon all occasions, to bear witness in all solemnity and in all humility to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and to the divine mission of each and every one of the men who have been chosen to succeed him, and above all I desire to say that I know that God lives, I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of the world. God help you and me and all to live the gospel is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.48 In thinking seriously of the economic condition of the world, I am convinced without doubt, that a revelation in the book of D&C, known as the Word of Wisdom, given by the Lord, the Creator oF heaven and earth, to the Prophet Joseph Smith over one hundred years ago, would solve the economic problems not only of our country but of every other country, if it were obeyed by the people of the world. FOR OUR TEMPORAL SALVATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.48 This Word of Wisdom teaches the Latter-day Saints to refrain from the use of tea, coffee, tobacco, and liquor, and part of it reads as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.48 To be sent greeting: not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.48 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts. of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass them by, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 Another thing that is needed is to maintain the Constitution of our country, and I now have pleasure in reading a declaration by Joseph Smith regarding the Constitution: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is rounded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is, to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a weary and thirsty land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. GOVERNMENTS AND LAWS IN GENERAL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 I read from a declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote of a general assembly of the Church over one hundred years ago: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 * * * * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. THE PROPER EXERCISE OF THE PRIESTHOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 The leading officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been accused of exercising unrighteous dominion, because of the priesthood they hold. Joseph Smith was sentenced by a court martial to be shot the following morning, and General Alexander W. Doniphan refused to carry out the order of his commanding general, and said that it was cold-blooded murder. This frightened the general in command of the mob, who were expelling our people from the State of Missouri; so they imprisoned the prophet and others in Liberty jail, and while there he received from the Lord one of the most wonderful revelations ever given to our people, regarding the exercise of the Priesthood, and I have pleasure in quoting part of it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.49 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 Hence many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 Let thy bowels also be full of charity toward all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. QUOTES ARTICLES OF FAITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 I quote the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth articles of faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul: We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.50 I close my remarks by bearing my testimony to the world that I know, as I know that I live, that God lives, that Jesus Christ is his Son, the Redeemer of the world, who came to the earth with a divinely appointed mission to die on the cross for the sins of mankind. And I bear my testimony that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.56 I was playing golf with the son of the late Governor of the State of Missouri, Mr. Crittendon, and he gave me a pamphlet in which he marked the record of a certain battlefield near Kansas City, and he said to me: "Mr Grant, it might interest you to know that you are playing on your own property; the title to this golf links is in the Presiding Bishop of the Mormon Church." TITLE BY ADVERSE POSSESSION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.56 I was in Kansas City at the time for the purpose of delivering a lecture before the Chamber of Commerce, and in my remarks I quoted the Articles of Faith of the Church, and I announced that I held the title at least the presiding Bishop of the Mormon Church did a little more than one-half the entire city of Kansas City, but lo and behold, I could not get any of that property because there is a law to the effect that adverse possession gives title to the person having such possession. But they cannot get a good abstract, as the title traces back to the name of Edward Partridge, Presiding Bishop of the Mormon Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.56 Some day, perhaps, Uncle Sam, seeing that we paid our money for that land, may give us our money back, but I doubt it. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.57 We have received the following telegrams: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.57 "Des Moines, Iowa. Saints here enjoyed perfect reception of wonderful message in broadcast. Mark Petersen." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.57 (A member of the Board of the Genealogical Society of Utah.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.57 "New York City. Stirring broadcast, unusual clarity, excellent quality. Congregation listened in Manhattan Chapel. Roscoe A. Grover." President Heber J. Grant THE PASSING OF JOHN W. HART Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.76 Word has come to me that this morning at about 5 o'clock President John W. Hart of the Rigby Stake of Zion, and for many years a member of the Auditing Committee of the Church, passed away due to a heart attack. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.76 Brother Hart was true, faithful and diligent from his youth to the time of his death. He was a pioneer in Idaho in early days when there was little but sagebrush to be seen as far as the eye could reach. He lived to erect one of our largest and finest stake houses, and was faithful to every duty and responsibility that rested upon him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.76 When the fearful hardships of the depression came and the bank of which he was the president failed, he gave practically everything he had that the depositors should lose nothing. He was a God-fearing faithful, true man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.76 I want to endorse all the good things that have been said about the singing during this conference. Conference Report, April 1936, p.86 "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," was sung by the Choir, solo by Emma Lucy Gates Bowen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.87 It may be of interest to those who do not already know it that this song of fourteen verses, by Montgomery, was sung in Carthage Jail by John Taylor; after he had finished singing it he was asked to sing it again. He replied that he did not feel like singing, he was oppressed with a sense of coming disaster; but at Hyrum's request he sang the hymn again. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.87 Soon after he was through singing it the second time, the shooting started that ended in the death of the Prophet and the Patriarch, and the wounding of President Taylor. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.106 This is a meeting of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and no person not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has any business to be voting, and no person is expected to speak in this meeting unless requested to do so by the presiding officer. (authorities then sustained) EXPRESSES APPRECIATION OF SINGING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.118 I am very pleased indeed to express my deep appreciation of the beautiful singing that we have had by the Relief Society Singing Mothers, the Hyrum Stake Choir, and the Tabernacle Choir. I rejoice in the splendid work of Brother Frank Asper, of Brother J. Spencer Cornwall, and of all who have helped make this conference so interesting to those who have attended. AN INSPIRATIONAL CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.118 Considering that it is a week day, I feel that we have a very wonderful and splendid audience here this afternoon. I do not need to say to you people who have attended the conference that to me it has been a red-letter day in the history of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.119 I believe that we have bad greater opportunity to carry our message to the world than ever before in our history. I am grateful for the inspiration of the Lord that has been manifested here in the speeches that have been made. I am glad that the brethren have been able to keep within the proper time limit in their remarks. Frequently there is not time for all to speak. We have thirty-three speakers; if each takes two minutes more time than he should, it amounts to one hour and six minutes. MEMBERS OF GENERAL AUTHORITIES ABSENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1936, p.119 I regret that I overlooked announcing that Brother J. Golden Kimball has been absent from this conference on account of ill-health. Of course, you all know that Brother Joseph F. Merrill is in Europe presiding over the European missions. Brother Merrill is meeting with great success in his labors in Europe. Brother Alonzo A. Hinckley is in California where he is improving in health. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.2 I am very glad to have the privilege of meeting with the Saints in General Conference once more. I shall first read a message from the First Presidency to the Church: THE MESSAGE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY TO THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.2 As promised at the last April Conference, we inaugurated a Church Security Plan. To facilitate the putting into effect of the Plan, we organized a General Committee whose functions were to represent the Presiding Bishopric in the detailed administrative work of coordinating and supervising the labors of the various regularly established Church organizations in their large and important security operations. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.2 The Security Plan contemplated no new Church machinery for this work, but provided for the use of all the existing Church organizations--the Stake and Ward organizations, the Priesthood quorums, the Relief Society, and the various auxiliary organizationsof which was to render the maximum service it could furnish in the interest of the general welfare of the Church. OBJECTIVE TO PROVIDE NECESSITIES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 The announced objective set for the Church under this Program was to provide by October 1, 1936, by a wholly voluntary system of gifts in cash or in kind, sufficient food, fuel, clothing, and bedding to supply through the coming winter, every needy and worthy Church family unable to furnish these for itself, in order that no member of the Church should suffer in these times of stress and emergency. WORK TO REPLACE IDLENESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 Our primary purpose was to set up, in so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 Our great leader, Brigham Young, under similar conditions, said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 Set the poor to workout orchards, splitting rails, digging ditches, making fences, or anything useful, and so enable them to buy meal and flour and the necessities of life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 This admonition is as timely today as when Brigham Young made it. CONTRIBUTIONS IN LABOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 The harvests not having been yet fully completed, it is not possible to make a final report upon our present situation under the Plan, but we are happy to make the following preliminary statement: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 In accordance with the Plan, everything that has been done has been accomplished by the purely voluntary gift or labor of members of the Church as well as the gifts of many non-members who have contributed most generously of their substance to aid the Church in its efforts. We wish especially to thank these for their help. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 More than 15,000 persons have performed labor on various Stake and Ward projects in connection with this Plan. Many of these have contributed their work gratis; others have received for their services, work certificates entitling them to help during the coming winter. Hundreds of thousands of work hours have been furnished by the people to this necessary and praiseworthy purpose. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 The Church Security Plan contemplates that those now on WPA projects shall continue on these projects, making sure to give a full day's work for value received but they are expected to contribute of their time when not so employed to the carrying out of the plan. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.3 The Church aims to help provide for the care and sustenance of those on direct relief, State and County, as also for those for whom the Church has heretofore cared. The exact number of such persons cannot now be certainly given but they may be as many as 15,000. We have strongest reasons for believing we shall be able to give these the aid they need. REPORTS FROM STAKES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 Oct. 1st, the date set on which reports were to be made, 98 stakes out of a total of 117 had reported on their organizations and achievements, and 83 answer that they are prepared to supply food, clothing, bedding, etc., to every person in need. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 We commend the presidencies of stakes and bishoprics of wards for this outstanding record of promptness and efficiency. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 It is also contemplated that under this plan work shall be sought and obtained for the unemployed in private industries, thus relieving both the government and the Church. To this time upwards of 700 persons have been so placed by the Security agencies. Efforts along this line will be steadily pursued. RESULTS ITEMIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 As already stated the harvests are not yet completed and so returns are necessarily incomplete, but data available show as to food-stuffs actually now on hand the following items: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 Wheat, over 4,000 bushels. Beans, over 13,000 pounds. Dried fruits, over 23,000 pounds. Meat, over 10,000 pounds. Vegetables, over 14,000 pounds. Potatoes, over 6,000 bushels. Shelled corn, over 3,000 pounds. Flour, over 62,000 pounds. Canned fruit and vegetables, almost 300,000 cans. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 There are numbers of other items of foodstuffs of lesser amounts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 There are over 23,000 articles of men's, women's and children's clothing, including dresses, underwear, coats, suits, stockings, socks and shoes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 There are more than 2,000 quilts already made; and other bedding is being accumulated in substantial quantities. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 Arrangements are under way for the supply of fuel as needed. The foregoing partial summary will indicate what the people have done in the short space of time of five months only. It is a glowing promise of what the people are able to do when they put their wills and hearts to this work. WARDS AND STAKES TO HELP EACH OTHER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 Every ward and stake is expected to face the necessity, not only of providing for its own, but of helping other wards and stakes. In no other way would it be possible to do the work which the Church is aiming to do. But few stakes and wards are in a position where they may be rightfully satisfied by merely caring for their own. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.4 This great work must continue unabated during the winter months along all lines and activities possible in that inclement season. When spring comes, the measures taken to supply foodstuffs must be redoubled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 We shall then easily be able to do better than this year because we can begin our work when the planting season begins. We must not con template ceasing our extraordinary efforts until want and suffering shall disappear from amongst us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 The responsibility of seeing that no one is hungry or cold or insufficiently clad rests upon the bishops, each one for the members of his own ward. He will use every Church organization of his ward to help him in his work. For help outside his ward, he will look for necessary assistance to his Stake Presidency, they to their regional organization, and these to the Presiding Bishopric of the Church whose primary responsibility it is to look after the poor of the Church as a whole. LATTER-DAY SAINTS ABUNDANTLY BLESSED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 For this great undertaking the Lord has abundantly blessed his people already, and he will continue to pour out his blessings so long as the people do their duty by the poor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 Generations and generations ago, the Lord said to Israel of old, urging them to pay their tithes into his storehouse: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 To this generation, the Lord has said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 Inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 And the Lord added this admonition: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 Jacob, speaking to the people of Nephi, said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good, clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for his goodness unto this people during this year, for the bounteous crops which he has given to them, and for the measure of prosperity which has come to our midst. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.5 We have proved the Lord and he has opened the windows of heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 We are grateful to all those who have contributed of their substance to our achievement. We thank all those who have served so long and earnestly in the working out of this program and especially to those 15,000 and odd members of the Church who have been directly concerned. We invoke the blessings of the Lord upon each and every one of you. We pray the Lord continually to inspire his people to the end that we shall once more be able to take care of all those worthy ones amongst us to whom hard times have come in these days of stress. (End of Message) HONEST LABOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 When we appeal to the people to continue to labor for the WPA, we ask them to labor with energy. I was told that my father, who was the superintendent of public works in early days, (and it was the public works of the Church that built this building shop, carpenter shop, and other things) said, "I can pick out every man who is working by the day, and every one who is working by the job. I find men working by the day--the day--the day; and I find them working by the job, by the job, by the job, job, job--the job, by the job, by the job, by the job." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 Now, we want our people who are on the WPA to work by the job and not by the day. QUOTES BRIGHAM YOUNG Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 I desire to call attention to a statement by President Brigham Young: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 My experience has taught me, and it has become a principle with me, that it is never any benefit to give out and out, to man or woman, money, food, clothing, or anything else, if they are able-bodied and can work and earn what they need, when there is anything on earth for them to do. This is my principle and I try to act upon it. to pursue a contrary course would ruin any community in the world and make them idlers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 And what would ruin a community would ruin a state, and I might incidentally remark, a nation also. THE CONSTITUTION INSPIRED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is rounded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is, to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a weary and thirsty land. It is like a great tree, under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun.--Joseph Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 From my childhood days I have understood that we believe absolutely that the Constitution of our country was an inspired instrument, and that God directed those who created it and those who defended the independence of this nation. In other words, that He fought with Washington and others in the Revolutionary War. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 In Section 134 of the D&C we find the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.6 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.7 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. . . . Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.7 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. COMMENDS INCREASE IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.7 It gives me very great pleasure indeed to announce that we have had a remarkable and splendid increase in the tithes of the people since this Security Plan was first announced. We have also had, as I remember it, fully 100 per cent increase in the amount of Fast Day offerings paid. I rejoice in this, and when we ask the people to come off the "dole" so to speak, we ask every man who has a farm to farm it and not to let it lie idle, and collect money from the government of the United States. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.7 I was told by the cashier of a bank that a man came into his bank who wanted to borrow some money. He said: "Yes, you can have it as usual, if you will give me a crop mortgage." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.7 He said: "Oh, I am not raising crops now; I am getting more money from the government than I could get from crops raised on my farm. I will give you an order on the government." GRATITUDE FOR CHANGE IN SENTIMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.7 Since our conference six months ago it has fallen to my lot to visit very many places. First I went to Detroit, Michigan, where I attended a convention of the Farm Chemurgic Council, and was one of the speakers. My remarks were received with such enthusiasm and with such applause that I think for the first time in my life, when I retired that night, I was unable to sleep for many hours because of the gratitude that filled my heart for the wonderful change that had come about in the attitude of the world at large toward our people. When I thought of the persecutions and trials and tribulations of our people; when I thought of my own mother being rejected by her brothers and cast out as a thing of evil; when I thought of laboring in England for three long years, during which time some of the most wicked and vile and devilish things imaginable were printed in the newspapers about our people; and when I remembered that not one single line of refutation was I able to get in any of the newspapers, and then when I thought of the great body of leading men of the greatest, if not the very greatest, financial men in our country applauding my remarks that were practically telling of the accomplishments of the Church, and applauding them to the echo, it was impossible for me to sleep. EXPERIENCE WITH LONDON EDITOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 To give you one illustration of my experiences in Englandmay have given it to you before, but I will do so again took a letter from the shipping firm, with which we had been doing business for over 50 years, to the editor of a newspaper in London, vouching for my integrity, my honesty, and the trustworthiness of anything I might say to that paper. When I presented my letter I was told that the editor was not in, but the assistant editor, Mr. Robinson, would see me. By the way, this letter not only vouched for my integrity, but it vouched for the integrity and honor of every man who for the past 50 years had presided over the European Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 The gentleman asked me what he could do for me. I told him it would be a great pleasure to me if he would allow me to write a reply in refutation of the many vile and wicked falsehoods that had been published in his paper regarding the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 He said: "Oh, we have not published anything false; we have published just exactly what is right about you Mormons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 I replied: "Yes, my friend, when one man calls another a liar he thinks he is doing what is right, but if the man is not a liar that does not make him one. I know absolutely that everything you have published in your paper about us is a falsehood." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 "Never mind what you claim, we will not publish anything that you write." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 I said: "I defy you to get a letter of recommendation from some responsible person, vouching for any individual who has furnished you these falsehoods. I can furnish you letters of recommendation from every non-Mormon banker in Salt Lake City. I have no recommendations from Mormons, because that would be no more valuable than if I were to write a letter saying: 'To whom it may concern: The bearer, Mr. Heber J. Grant, is strictly honest. Respectfully, Heber J. Grant.' I have letters from bankers in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, who are not members of our Church, from H. B. Claflin and Company, the largest dry goods house in New York, signed by the president, vouching for my integrity and honesty, and I assure you that everything you have published in your paper about the Mormons is a falsehood." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 He said: "Never mind what you assure me. We will not publish anything you have to say." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 I said: "Good day, sir." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 I went to the door and opened it, then took my "stovepipe" hat off. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 When I was over there, way back 30 years or more ago, a man was not considered worthy to be called a minister who did not have a Prince Albert coat and a stovepipe hat. For the first time in my life I was wearing both of them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.8 The boy told me that Mr. Robinson, the assistant editor, would receive mewas downstairs before I walked up to his office. And I had the thought which I expected to use later if necessary. I turned around and said: "Excuse me," and I used the thought that came to me downstairs. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "By the way," I said, "the boy who met me downstairs told me that Mr. Robinson, the assistant editor, would receive me, the editor not being in; you are only the assistant editor. Is your name Robinson?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Are you related to Phil Robinson?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Oh, no." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Do you know Phil Robinson?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Do I know Phil Robinson? Everybody knows Phil Robinson." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Well I am glad to know that. Was he the correspondent of the London Daily Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 Telegraph during the Boer War one of the two greatest of all the London papers?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 And I emphasized greatest, because his paper was not one of the two. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Yes, he was." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "And would you believe anything and everything he wrote?" "I would." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 "Then buy his book entitled Sinners and Saints; it will cost you only two shillings. Phil Robinson visited Utah and traveled all over the state with one of the Apostles, (the late John Henry Smith was the man) and if you will buy that book, sir, you will find that everything you have said in your paper is a malicious falsehood. He said: "You astonish me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 I said, "You are not the only man who has been astonished when he has run up against the Mormon problem." He said: "Write me a half column." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 I said: "Small favors thankfully received, large ones in proportion. Seven to ten columns of lies and a half a column of refutation. Thanks, you shall have it inside of two hours." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 He got it all right, kept it the usual month or two and returned it with the statement that the editor was very sorry, but he could not find space for the returned manuscript. Every time I have received such letters of sorrow I have thought of the saying, "Polite lying is a gentlemanly accomplishment, lubricates business, varnishes unpleasant facts, and promotes friendship." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 It doesn't promote any friendship with me, it promotes complete disgust for men to say they are sorry when I am sure they are telling a lie. HONORED AT CONVENTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.9 These remarks of mine at Detroit made a very profound impression for good for the Latter-day Saints and their accomplishments. The president of the association asked me to kindly speak again at the banquet which was advertised and at which about 1,200 people were present, and I took pleasure in speaking again briefly. All of my remarks before the conference were published in pamphlet form, and my remarks at the banquet were published in an abbreviated form. The remarks in full appeared in the Improvement Era. I have a letter from the managing director saying, "Mr. Grant, it is the concensus of opinion of several score of men whom I have met since the convention that you came down to Detroit and stoic our convention." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 It fell to my lot to have a very delightful trip with my wife and nearly all of my children to Alaska, and to speak while on that trip at Seattle, Portland, and Boise. We had a very enjoyable time and saw a remarkable and wonderful country, so far as scenery is concerned. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 Afterwards it fell to my lot to attend a gathering of the Grant family in Galesburg, Illinois, and I believe that I did some good in meeting with the children and grandchildren of my father's brothers and sisters. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope some day to make an impression for good upon them, and that I may be successful in bringing some of them into the Church. I have had a number of letters from some of the people and have sent books and tracts to them, and some have remarked that they wished they were here so that they could attend our meetings. I am not sure but what they would like to join the Church. I held meetings with the Saints in Galesburg. The majority of the audience were non-Mormons. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 It fell to my lot to go to Estes Park, Colorado, where I delivered a speech of a full hour before the Institute of Human Relations in defense of our people, this being the only time in my life that I have been permitted to meet with people who were explaining the faith of various religious organizations, among the speakers being a gentleman from China. My remarks were received with kindness the same as was the case at Detroit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 When I contemplate the change in attitude that has taken place my heart is filled with gratitude. EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 When I went to Japan we made all arrangements to board and lodge at a very fine place that overlooked the town, upon a bluff, a delightful location. I handed my card to the gentleman after arrangements had been made, and our rooms selected, and he said, "Well, from Salt Lake City! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 I am glad to see you. We are expecting some preachers, from Salt Lake City." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 I said: "Turn the card over and maybe you will find they have arrived." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 He turned the card over and saw the Articles of Faith of our Church. He said, "Oh, you cannot stay in my house, I would not allow a Mormon to sleep under my roof." I said, "Thanks." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 He rushed to a newspaper, published by an Englishman, and in English, by the way, telling that he would not let a Mormon sleep under his roof. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.10 Brother Louis A. Kelsch, the minute we arrived in Yokohama, went to see a minister, whose picture he had seen in a newspaper, I think it was in St. Paul; he had seen a picture of this minister taken in Japan with two converts. Brother Kelsch cut the picture out of the paper because a voice, figuratively speaking, without making any noise--a communication to that part of him that shall live after he is gone, "You shall meet that man in Japan." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 When he returned to Chicago he said to his wife, "Brother Grant has been called on a mission to Japan, I see by The News, and I know two men who are going with him." This was at the dinner table. He had then received no notice of his call. "Who are they?" she asked. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 He said: "One of them is Horace S. Ensign, the other I do not care to mention." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 That night after he retired his wife said: "Lou, are you the other one?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 He said: "Yes." MEETS MINISTER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 As I was saying, as soon as he got to Japan he called on this gentleman, and the minister was delighted to meet him. He showed him the picture and said: "A voice told me that I should meet you in Japan. Here I am. I am delighted to meet you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 The minister went on talking to him and said: "You know, we are expecting Mormons here and all of us have joined together and have petitioned the government not to allow them to be permitted to speak here." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 Brother Kelsch said: "Turn that card over and maybe you will find that they have arrived," and gave him his opinion in good plain English of his Christian spirit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 The editor of the newspaper literally "ripped the man up the back" who refused to allow us to stop in his boarding house. I called on the editor of the paper and thanked him for his attacking the man for his lack of Christianity and a decent respect for other people, and he said: "Don't you bother about thanking me. I have been reading stories about you, and I am going to publish a lot of them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 I said: "Go right ahead. The more you publish the more grateful I will be, if you will only give me the privilege of replying to them.'' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 "You shall have all the space you want." WRITES REPLY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 He published a lot of things not very good, and I took space, occupying one entire page and a fraction answering them. Then there was another small publication against us, and I wrote another long reply. The gentleman no doubt concluded that space was too valuable to let me say all that I wanted to say, so there were no more attacks. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.11 My heart goes out in gratitude for the splendid reception given to my speech in Colorado. VISIT TO CANADA Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.12 Afterwards it felt to my lot to travel to Butte, Montana, then to Great Falls, Montana, where I held a meeting, and we then went to Canada, to the Taylor Stake, where a celebration was being given in honor of Brother Heber S. Allen, the former president of the stake, and we also held meetings in Cardston. I then had the great pleasure of visiting the Canadian Rockies, and viewing the beautiful scenery there, also visited Glacier Park. Glacier Park and the Canadian Rockies are far ahead of anything I saw in Switzerland, in my opinion; yet any number of people, hundreds of thousands of them, go clear across the ocean to see something not up to the standard of what they could see here at home and in Canada, to say nothing of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Cedar Breaks and Zion Park, which are superior to them all and which belong to us here at home. Returning from Canada we held meetings in Spokane, Washington, Butte, Montana, and Idaho Falls. DEDICATION OF PIONEER MONUMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.12 One of the most important, and perhaps the most important, thing that has happened since our last conference is that on the 19th of September a special train left Salt Lake City for Omaha, where buses took us from the station to the Winter Quarters Pioneer Cemetery, where nearly six hundred of our people are buried. On that special train of a number of cars I did not see one cigarette, which was remarkable in this day. For several years past I have not had a meal in a dining car when there were not from one to a half dozen and sometimes ten ladies smoking cigarettes, to say nothing about the men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.12 We had a little concert in the observation car and some excellent singing by a very splendid quartette, also singing by the group. I think it was no doubt the first time in the history of that car that people were ever in it without a single smoker. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.12 I believe there were over three thousand people in attendance at the dedicatory services. The Lord blessed those who spoke and those who listened. We had a glorious time. I do not believe there is a more beautiful or finer monument to be found in all the United States than that monument by Brother Avard Fairbanks. I believe it is his masterpiece, and that it will give him a reputation with everybody who sees it. The sorrow depicted on the face of the mother as she looks down into the grave of her babe is perfectly wonderful. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.12 When I thought of people refusing to rent halls for money, in years gone by, in which the Mormons might meet, and then thought of that marvelous Joslyn Memorial Building being tendered to us for services on Sunday evening, again I was not able to sleep as well as usual. I think the marble in the steps that lead up to the entrance of that building is more than enough to erect an ordinary building. GROWTH OF CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.12 With the exception of times when I have been away from home, I believe that during the past six months since our conference there has not been more than one or two Sundays when it has not fallen to my lot to dedicate either a stake house or a ward meeting house. The Church is growing in power and ability and strength along all lines. The growth in tithing and donations tells its own story. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.13 I have rejoiced in the very many splendid and remarkable meeting houses we are building. The Church has furnished a great deal of employment by increasing the amount they are giving to the people when they erect meeting houses. We are giving them now sixty per cent of the total cost from the tithes, instead of nothing, which was the case when I was president of the Tooele Stake of Zion. We had to build our own meeting houses out there, and there was nothing given by the Church because they were not able to give anything. The Church finally started giving one-quarter, then one-third, then fifty per cent, and now we are able because of the increase in tithes of the people, to give sixty per cent towards the cost of erection of meeting houses. And out of the remaining forty per cent I do not believe that the people need to raise one-half. The amount of labor that the people can give in their wards makes up the difference. Certainly Zion is growing, and all is well. THE TOWNSEND PLAN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.13 We have on at the present time a great political campaign, and I want to say to the Saints that I hope they will not allow their political affiliations, their regard for political affairs, to cause feelings of ill-will towards one another. I have had some of the most insulting letters that ever came to me, condemning me for not being in favor of the Townsend Plan, and that I must be ignorant of the Plan. I am not ignorant of the Plan. I have not read every word of it, but I have asked one of my secretaries to read every word of the Plan and to give me the important points, and to my mind it is in direct opposition to everything I have quoted here today from Brigham Young and from the revelations of the Lord. The idea of allowing every man and woman who has reached the age of sixty years and wishes to retire from working to get $200 a month from the government! There is nothing truer than Brigham Young's statement, that we should give nothing to people, unless they are not able to work, without requiring them to do something for it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.13 I want to say to the people that one of my nearest and dearest relatives criticised me for not favoring the Townsend Plan. I love him just as much as though he did not criticise me. I am perfectly willing for him to think and believe and act just as he wants to do, I want everybody to do this; I do not want the people of the Church, when they are working for the government, to work by the day; but I do want them to work by the job. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.13 Let every Latter-day Saint who has a farm, farm it, and not try to borrow money to be paid back by the government. Let every man feel that he is the architect and builder of his own life, and that he proposes to make a success of it by working. "Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work," and rest on the seventh, and do not be willing to labor four or five days and then only half labor. Let every Latter-day Saint give value received for everything he gets, whether it be in work, or whatever he does. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.14 Speaking of the political campaign that is on, I have often remarked that I thought politics are a little like the measles. I have been assured that measles are never at all bad if they do not set in on you; if you will take a little saffron tea and keep them on the surface they are all right, but when they set in on you they make you crosseyed, and I have heard that they also turn the hide yellow. HYMNS WORTH MEMORIZING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.14 I would like every Latter-day Saint to learn the hymn and repeat it to himself time and time again during this campaign will find it on page 66 of the Hymn Book. I will tell you how I remember that page. We hold conferences on the 6th of April and the 6th of October, provided the 6th of October comes so that we can have a Sunday near that date, you can all remember six for October and six for April, and that is sixty-six, and that is the page on which the hymn is found; so you cannot say "I would like to learn that, but I do not know where it is," you cannot forget where it is. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.14 Should you feel inclined to censure Faults you may in others view, Ask your own heart, ere you venture, If that has not failings too. Let not friendly vows be broken; Rather strive a friend to gain; Many a word in anger spoken Finds its passage home again. Do not, then, in idle pleasure, Trifle with a brother's fame, Guard it as a valued treasure, Sacred as your own good name. Do not form opinions blindly; Hastiness to trouble tends, Those of whom we thought unkindly, Oft become our warmest friends. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.14 Then there is another hymn I would like you all to learn, which you will find in the same book, I cannot tell you the page, but it is there. I tried to get it into the Hymn Book for forty odd years before I succeeded, but I distributed thousands and thousands of copies of it in America and while I was over in Europe in the missionary field and asked every missionary to learn it before it was published in our psalmody. I first heard it as I was traveling to Oakley in Idaho with President Francis M. Lyman 55 years ago. He sang the song, and that night at camp as we were sleeping on the ground I asked him to repeat it to me. I wrote it down and I learned it the next day as we were traveling. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.15 Incidentally there is no greater evidence of the growth of the Church that I can give than by telling of that trip. I traveled forty miles from Tooele to Salt Lake, then through Salt Lake, Davis and Weber Stakes, twenty miles to Brigham City, and two days and a half west from Brigham City, sleeping on the ground two nights, to a branch of the Grantsville Ward of the Tooele Stake of Zion, known as Oakley. I think we have at least a half a dozen stakes, if not more, west of Brigham City now. My first official motion, I believe, after I was made an Apostle, was to present Oakley and other wards--or four of them and some branches--the Box Elder Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.15 The growth in that country is remarkable. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.15 This hymn is as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.15 Let each man learn to know himself; To gain this knowledge, let him labor, Improve those failings in himself Which he condemns so in his neighbor. How lenient our own faults we view, And conscience voice adroitly smother; But oh! how harshly we review The self-same errors in another! And if you meet an erring one Whose deeds are blamable or thoughtless, Consider, ere you cast the stone, If you yourself be pure and faultless. Oh! list to that small voice within, Whose whisperings oft make men confounded, And trumpet not another's sin, You'd blush deep if your own were sounded. And in self-judgment, if you find, Your deeds to others are superior, To you has Providence been kind, As you should be to those inferior; Example sheds a genial ray Of light which men are apt to borrow; So, first improve yourself today, And then improve your friends tomorrow. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.15 The first part of the first verse is the chorus, but I like the last half of the last verse for the chorus, so I will repeat it: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.15 Example sheds a genial ray Of light which men are apt to borrow; So, first improve yourself today, And then improve your friends tomorrow. WORK A BENEFIT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.16 I do not ask any man or child in this Church, although I will be eighty years of age next month, to work any more hours than I do. I have worked more than one day from half past three in the morning until nine o'clock at night. Do you know, I do not think work ever hurts. anybody. I do not know of anything that destroys a person's health more quickly than not working. It seems to me that lazy people die young while those who are ready and willing to labor and who ask the Lord day by day to help them to do more in the future than they have ever done in the past, these are the people whom the Lord loves, and they live to a good old age. MAKES APPEAL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.16 Please, every Latter-day Saint farmer, farm your land, because if you do not you will lose your inheritance, and some one else will get possession of it sooner or later. Do not take anything which you are capable of producing yourself. A TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.16 I am grateful beyond all the power and ability with which God has given me to express myself for a knowledge that he lives, that God is our Father, and that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Savior. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.16 May the Lord help you and me and every soul who has that knowledge to labor with all the ability which we possess to bring others to that same knowledge, by our example. Oh, how grateful I am to our Heavenly Father that he saw fit to choose Joseph Smith as the instrument in his hand of establishing again upon the earth the plan of life and salvation. May the Lord bless you one and all, and bless every honest soul upon the earth, and help every Latter-day Saint to so live that his example will shine and that it will help to bring others to a knowledge of the truth, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.129 We are very grateful to Brother and Sister J. P. Fugal of Pleasant Grove for these very beautiful flowers. They were sent to my wife who is a Pleasant Grove woman. EXPRESSES APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.129 I want to endorse all of the very splendid compliments that have been paid to the Choir, the organist and the soloists, and I am very grateful for the remarkable attendance at this conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.129 I am particularly grateful for the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord in our Priesthood meeting last night. It was a marvelous sight to see this entire building filled with men who were here because of their love of God and their desire to serve him. ASKS GOD'S BLESSINGS UPON THE PEOPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.130 So far as it is within my province, I pray God to bless this people with whom I am faced at the present time, and to bless the Latter-day Saints at home and abroad, to prosper those that are in the mission field proclaiming the Gospel, and to bless the soil that it may yield abundantly. I pray that the Lord may forgive each and all who have made mistakes. We find recorded in the D&C, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. JOY COMES FROM KEEPING COMMANDMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.130 I have nothing but love in my heart for the Latter-day Saints; I have nothing but a desire for their welfare here and hereafter, and one of the principal reasons that I have pleaded and continued to plead with the people to serve God is because it is the duty of every human being, young or old. The Lord blesses us with the spirit of joy when we keep his commandments. "Man is that he might have joy," and obedience to the laws of God brings supreme joy. IN BEHALF OF ELDER HINCKLEY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.130 I desire to express my particular joy and gratitude that Brother Alonzo A. Hinckley was able to be with us for a short time this afternoon, and I ask for a continuation of the faith and prayers of the people in behalf of Brother Hinckley. May we continue to supplicate the Lord to give him back that vigor of body and of mind and that wonderful force of character and integrity and devotion that he has manifested all the days of his life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p.130 May the blessings of the Lord attend us one and all until we meet here again is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.9 I feel that a great mistake was made in announcing that there are 10,000 people here; I am sure the number is nearer 12,500, if it is not 15,000. This building seats 8,000 people comfortably, and there are many of you that are not very comfortable now. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.9 Brother Richard Evans has given me a subject. I had not fully made up my mind what to talk about here today. I have marked a half dozen passages in the Doctrine and Covenants, and I have thought of three or four poems that I repeated this morning before leaving home and also before getting out of bed. I take the following from the continuity used by Brother Evans: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.9 Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.9 I receive regularly any number of anonymous letters. I receive any amount of advice as to what I should do, even over the signatures of Latter-day Saints. GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT OF MEMBERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.9 I am very grateful to know, as I am entering upon the eighty-first year of my life, that the Latter-day Saints are behind me. I believe and acknowledge here today that the remarkable and splendid health that I enjoy is due principally to the faith and the prayers of the Latter-day Saints, and to God hearing and answering those prayers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.9 Since we last met I have celebrated my eightieth birthday, and since that time I have put in as many hours in working, if not more than the average in years gone by, and have done so without fatigue and without feeling the least injury by reason of the labor that I have done. I desire here to render to the Latter-day Saints, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, and in the islands of the sea and our missions all over the earth, my sincere and heartfelt gratitude and thanks for the many wonderful letters of congratulation that I received for my eightieth birthday. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.9 I am truly grateful to all those who saw fit to contribute articles to the November number of the Improvement Era. I am particularly grateful to Brother Richard L. Evans for the great amount of work and study and research that he has given, and for the work that he did in asking people to contribute articles for that issue of the Improvement Era. ACTS WITH FULL APPROVAL OF OTHERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.10 I want the good people to know that I am not wasting any time or any sleep, in thinking or planning because of the anonymous letters that I receive and the advice that I get from a great many good Latter-day Saints, first-class Latter-day Saints, full tithepayers, who think that I am making a mistake. I want you good people who are here assembled, and all the members of the Church, to know that I shall do nothing but what I have the approval of my counselors and of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. I want you to know that from the day that I became the President of the Tooele Stake of Zion, in 1880, I have desired to know the mind and the will of the Lord. In humility and in prayerfulness I have sought for that, and I pledged myself in Tooele to give the best that was in me for the advancement of the work of the Lord in that Stake of Zion, and I have fulfilled that pledge. I made the same pledge to the people who were assembled in this building when I first became the President of the Church, over eighteen years ago, and I rejoice that I have kept that pledge. I have but one desire and that is the advancement of the work of God and the individual salvation of those who have received the witness of the Holy Spirit. My constant prayer is that my ideas and desires shall be subordinated to the desires of God. I am anxious only that the will of our Father in heaven shall be carried out in all the works of the Latter-day Saints. CHURCH SETS EXAMPLE TO WORLD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.10 I am grateful for the loyalty of the Latter-day Saints. I believe there is no other spot in the world where an audience of this kind can be brought together--in fact, I am sure of it--in which, almost without exception every one has an abiding testimony and a knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and that in very deed Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God. The Prophet Joseph Smith went willingly to martyrdom for the cause, and made the statement that he was going like a lamb to the slaughter, but that he had a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men, and that it should yet be said of him that he was murdered in cold blood. I believe that that fact is acknowledged today all over the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.10 To me one of the greatest of all the great evidences that he was a prophet of God is shown by the wonderful revelations that were given to the people before the Church was organized. Revelation after revelation tells that the field was white already to harvest, and those who would thrust in their sickle should reap. It is marvelous when we contemplate the way in which this hymn that we have sung here today, "God Moves In A Mysterious Way," has been fulfilled by the record of the Latter-day Saints. This was the favorite hymn of the late President Wilford Woodruff. He loved it. We sang it, I am sure, sometimes twice a month in our weekly meetings in the Temple, and very seldom did a month pass by when that song was not called for by Brother Woodruff. He believed in this work with all his heart and soul, and labored with all the power that God gave him for its advancement. That hymn is an inspiration. HYMNS FOUND AID IN GOING TO SLEEP Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.11 This morning I repeated ten hymns while lying in bed, trying to go to sleep. Sometimes I can get to sleep before I can repeat all the verses of "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,"--seven long verses. Generally I can get to sleep by the time I have repeated four verses; but I tried to get to sleep this morning by repeating ten first-class prayers to the Lord. The song of the righteous, we are told, is a prayer unto the Lord, and I rejoice in praying to the Lord in those songs morning after morning, and have done so, I am sure, for thirty long years. I have learned that by repeating hymns, and taking some exercises, and then sitting up and talking to a dictaphone I become level enough in my mind to go to sleep. After trying for about two and one-half hours to go to sleep this morning I finally did get to sleep. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.11 By the way, something else that I generally repeat nearly every morning while I am lying awake in bed is a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, after, please remember, a court martial by the entire forces of the State of Missouri had tried him and had condemned him to be shot to death the next morning, as I remember it, at nine o'clock. But he told his friends they need not worry, that God had told him his day had not come. To my mind, one of the greatest of all the revelations that he received was given to him while he was lying on a stone floor in Liberty jail. QUOTES FROM MEMORABLE REVELATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.11 I quote from that revelation: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.11 How long can rolling water remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri River in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.11 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.11 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.11 That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the Saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 Hence many are called but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 Now mark this: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. VIRTUE SHOULD GARNISH THOUGHTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 What a marvelous revelation! What a wonderful word from God to us through His prophet! How I wish that the Priesthood were always exercised with love. How I wish that virtue garnished our thoughts unceasingly. How I wish that no man holding the Priesthood of the living God was ever guilty of allowing any words to fall from his lips that he could not repeat in the presence of his mother. Then he would be, to a very great extent, in that straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 There are very few things in all the world that are more demoralizing than what are known as "shady" stories. There is nothing in all the world of the same value as a love of God and a desire to do those things that we know would please God. USE OF LIQUOR VIOLATION OF GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.12 Let me say to you Latter-day Saints that any man or any woman professing to be a Latter-day Saint who keeps liquor in his or her home is not living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that there are girls good, fine, true, virtuous girls, who have lost their virtue because of liquor in the homes of Latter-day Saints. They lose their senses, become drunk, stupid, and then they lose their virtue; and I know what I am talking about. DRUNKENNESS SINCE PROHIBITION REPEAL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.13 With the help of the Lord, to the very best of my ability, I warned this people not to vote for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. I warned them against lies that were being circulated to the effect that there was more drunkenness and more use of liquor than there had been when we did not have Prohibition. Millions of dollars of money, I am sure, was expended to have the Eighteenth Amendment repealed. I have seen scores and scores of drunkards since it was repealed, and I have seen women go into restaurants and sit down and drink those things that we as Latter-day Saints know they should not drink. I never saw a drunken man in Idaho during all the times that I went there to attend conferences when we had Prohibition, but on the second trip I made there after Prohibition was repealed I got on a bus at Pocatello and there were two drunken men on the bus going from Pocatello to Idaho Fails. I waited fifteen minutes as I remember it, at Idaho Falls, in the early morning, about six o'clock, and I saw three more drunks, before the car arrived to take me to Rexburg. We see them now on all hands. The money that is being expended in Utah for liquor would take care of those that need help if used for that purpose. CRITICISM SHOWS FAILURE TO OBSERVE LAW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.13 The Lord God Almighty gave to us a revelation, and there is seldom a conference when someone does not take it upon himself to tell us: "Please do not speak on the Word of Wisdom. We hear it so much, we are sick and tired of it." Let me tell you something: No mortal man who is a Latter-day Saint and is keeping the Word of Wisdom is ever sick and tired of hearing it. When a man leaves a meeting and says (I have heard it in the dark): "Can't they find something else to talk about besides the Word of Wisdom; I am sick and tired of it"of course he is, because he is full of stuff that the Word of Wisdom tells him to leave alone. In the slang of the town, he could not "give himself away" any plainer than when he says he is sick and tired of the Word of Wisdom. I thank God nearly every day of my life for the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.13 I never thought of speaking regarding the Word of Wisdom in my remarks today, until now, but here it is: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.13 A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.13 We are here in Zion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.13 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.13 Some people say, "It is not given by commandment or constraint, and therefore I can take just a little sip." But what does it say? "WILL OF GOD" TO BE EMPHASIZED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 Not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation, and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God The will of God! Write it down, underscore it three times, and then, if there is anyone here who is not keeping it, get down on your knees and pray to God with all your heart to help you keep it in the future, that your example may perhaps save some pure, innocent, sweet woman from losing her virtue. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 Showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 The money that is expended for tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor would take care of all the poor people in the world, it would save the world, financially. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 Given for a principle with promise. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 For whom is it adapted? Adapted to the capacity of the weak and weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you and forewarn you, by giving you this Word of Wisdom by revelation. HIGH SALARY PAID EXECUTIVE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 "Evils and designs." I have read that one million dollars a year in salary is paid to the president of a tobacco company. As I remember it, 140-odd billion cigarets were consumed last year, and the tobacco interests are now planning to make it 200 billion in the next two years. What is a billion, speaking in dollars? The great New York Life Insurance Company had its actuaries make a calculation during the World War, and they announced that one billion dollars was the equivalent of a dollar a minute for every minute from the time of the birth of the Saviour until the World War; and we put over our share of the six billion dollar Liberty Loan drive in Utah, and I was the chairman of the Liberty Loan committee. 140-odd billion cigarets were smoked in the United States of America in one yearthe equivalent of 140 a minute for every minute from the time of the birth of the Saviour until the World War and now they want to make it 200 billion. AVOID HAVING WINE IN HOMES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.14 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 Speaking of wine, we happen to know that in a Latter-day Saint home wine made from our own grapes made some people drunk. Wine is just about the finest thing in the world to make people drunk. Home-made wine is just as bad today as the other kind if you keep it long enough. Don't have it in your house, and then your children can not drink it. Once more I say: no true Latter-day Saint will have anything of this kind in his home for young people to drink. We happen to know of cases--I wish I could tell them all to you--that would make your hearts ache. Perhaps these things might come home to somebody's own child if we do not learn to study the word and will of God and then try to keep it. LIQUOR, TOBACCO FOR OTHER PURPOSES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And, again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 We arrest people if they set houses on fire, but we do not arrest them if they burn up millions upon millions of dollars in tobacco and in so doing destroy their vitality. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature and use of man Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. WORD OF WISDOM, PRAYERS AND HEALTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 I think that another reason why I have very splendid strength for an old man is that during the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel, I have not, with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind. On these special occasions I have mentioned I have perhaps had a small, tender lamb chop. I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom, and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health, and another, for which I thank the Lord, is the prayers of the Saints that have been offered and answered in my behalf. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. BENEFITS ACCRUE FROM KEEPING COMMANDMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.15 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.16 And above all, they shall be successful financially. One of the main things no, it is not the main thing--the main thing is that they will grow in a love of God; they will grow in a testimony of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; they will grow in ability and strength to set examples before their children, that they will have those children eternally, instead of perhaps setting examples that will cause their children to depart from the faith. I call to mind the sons and daughters of some of my nearest and dearest and finest friends, that started with a little cigaret; then that was not strong enough and they used a strong cigar or a pipe; in time they started drinking whiskey; and finally they were excommunicated from the Church because of losing their virtue while under the influence of liquor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.16 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.16 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. 50,000 COPIES OF PAMPHLET DISTRIBUTED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.16 We published and distributed 50,000 copies of a pamphlet containing the remarks of Creed Haymond, Paul Kimball and Joseph J. Cannon, proving by demonstration in rowing and in running foot races the fulfilment of this promise. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.16 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. CHURCH LEADERS BLESSED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.16 Do you want to live a long time? I do. I would like to stay here at least another twenty years, and I would like to work every day during that twenty years; and I expect that maybe I may do it, if I live as I ought to live. The Lord has been very good to men who have stood at the head of this Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.16 Did you ever stop to reflect upon the fact that Brigham Young was a man of great strength, physically, when he was called away. I am sure he had appendicitis, and we knew nothing about appendicitis at that time. Did you ever stop to reflect upon the fact that John Taylor was 70-odd years of age when he came to the presidency of this Church? Did you ever stop to reflect upon the fact that Wilford Woodruff was over 80 years old when he came to the presidency of this Church, and he gave us ten long years of splendid work? Lorenzo Snow came to the head of this Church when he was 85 years of age, and in three years he accomplished some of the most remarkable and wonderful things for the Church that have ever been accomplished. President Joseph F. Smith was past the time of retirement, according to some people, and should have been drawing a pension for two years, at the time he came to the presidency of the Church. He was 62 years old, and he lived to be 80, giving to this Church 18 years of vigorous, strong, forceful leadership. I came to the presidency of this church when I was 62 years old, and, lo and behold, everybody tells me I look younger and stronger and better than I did 18 years ago. Let us remember a poem that I have repeated, first in San Francisco, and later in New York, Detroit and in many other places: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.17 Age is a quality of mind; If your dreams you've left behind, If hope is cold; If you no longer look ahead, If your ambitions' fires are dead Then you are old. But if from life you take the best, And if in life you keep the zest, If love you hold; No matter how the years go by, No matter how the birthdays fly You are not old. EXPERIENCES IN EUROPE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.17 I can prove that. I went up to Scotland, when I was presiding over the European Mission, and an old lady asked me my age, and I told her that if I lived so many weeks I would be 50. She said: "Oh, nae, nae; nae, nae, President Grant; never see 65 again." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.17 Brother Charles W. Penrose arrived in Liverpool to take my place as the President of the European Mission, and he brought with him a lot of Elders, 25 or 30, and we had about the same number of missionaries going back to their homes that very day. In those days we used to send 100 to 150 emigrants to America in a company. They could come here and go up into Idaho and other places, preempt a piece of ground at $1.25 an acre and have a fine farm that afterwards became worth $100.00 an acre or more. But that is all stopped now. We had a company going to America that very day, and we were very busy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.17 At night the shipping firm with whom we had done business for many years sent us four tickets to the Shakespeare Theater. When Sir Henry Irving, and Ellen Terry, or some other great actor was there they would send us tickets. They did this two or three times a year and even oftener. I turned to my wife and said: "I wouldn't go to the finest theater on the face of the earth. I am tired. I am going to bed to rest and sleep. You take a missionary to bring you home from the theater, and a couple of the daughters, and use these tickets." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.17 Brother Penrose spoke up and said, "Sister Grant let the old man go to bed; I will take you to the theater." (Laughter). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.17 I had just purchased, with the approval of President Joseph F. Smith, a very fine home, much better than anything we had had while I was there. He came over to England. I told him what I wanted to do, and took him into the place. The minute he went into it he said, "Buy it quick, Heber, before they change their minds." I had written him pleading with him to let me come home, that I had something to tell him, and I felt I could not do it by mail. I was afraid that I would not be able to get what I wanted. And, lo and behold, he was on the ocean at the time I wrote that letter. He said that I should not only buy the place but I should get all the furniture I could at the same time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.18 We were so busy that day, with 100 or more emigrants and 25 or more new missionaries, and 25 or more elders going home, that I did not even have an opportunity to show Brother Penrose his new home, although all we had to do was to walk up a few steps and over a wall, and we were in the backyard of the new home. Immediately after breakfast the following day I took him to the new home, and somebody asked the man who was moving his furniture out to guess our ages. He looked us over carefully, and he said, "I should say that Mr. Grant is 65, and that Mr. Penrose is 60." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.18 I said, "I have heard that a man is no older than he feels, and a woman no older than she looks. I felt so old that I went to bed last night because I was tired, and this old man here, 25 years older than I am--so, you have only made a mistake of 30 years--took my wife and daughters to the theater." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.18 The next Sunday I thought that I would get that corrected. I did not appreciate those three compliments. While at Birmingham I asked the president of the branch who he thought was older, Brother Penrose or myself--expecting to have a correct answer--and he said, "The idea of asking such a ridiculous question; anybody can see you are very much older than Brother Penrose." (Laughter) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.18 I hit the table, and said "That settles it, no old man will ever take my wife to the theater again," and he never has. (Laughter). HEEDS ADMONITION TO LIMIT LENGTH OF REMARKS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.18 I should very much like to occupy the other twenty minutes, but I firmly believe that if you hire a man to do a certain work, and he knows how to do it and you do not, it is a wise thing to let him do it. Now, I have a very dear friend who is my doctor, George W. Middleton, and he tells me that 40 or 45 minute speeches should be about my limit, and I have only two more minutes. BLESSINGS AND ADMONITIONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.18 The Lord bless you and help you to keep his commandments, and to set an example of honesty, integrity and devotion; and to be willing to take care of yourselves, and not to ask anybody else to do it if you have strength to do it yourself. And above all, may he help you so to live that there will not be a thing in your home that you can not go down on your knees and thank God that it is there, and that you will not do or say a thing that will be displeasing to the Lord. I do not expect any of you to ask God to bless you for keeping wine or making wine in the home and letting it get old and strong enough to make your children drunk; but if you cannot ask God to help you in what you do, repent and so live that you can. With the help of the Lord I will never do a thing that I can not get on my knees and plead with God to help me to do it, and I ask no more of any man than I am willing to do myself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.18 God bless you all is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.122 The musical numbers of this session have been rendered by the Relief Society Singing Mothers, under the direction of Sister Lottie Sackett. We have appreciated them very, very much. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.122 The same spirit that Brother Bowen has was my spirit as a young man, as a child, as a boy. My mother used to tell me, as you have heard me say many times, that if I would behave myself I would become an Apostle. I told her that I did not want to be an Apostle, a president of a stake or a bishop of a ward, I wanted to be a business man, but when the call came for me to go to Tooele, I made an heroic sacrifice. I will not enter into the details. GRATITUDE FOR PRIESTHOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.123 When the local patriarch in Tooele blessed my little baby who was dying and promised her she should live and be a mother and become a leader among her sisters, I thanked the Lord more fervently than ever before in my life for the Priesthood of God and the power that that patriarch had. Subsequently he said, "I have a blessing for you, and I want you to come to my office and get it." After I had received that blessing I saw and believed that my destiny was to devote my time practically to the Church, because of the promises made to me. And I have done it conscientiously, and there has never been any fear in my mind of the final triumph of this work. A REVELATION IN BRIEF Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.123 I remember that one of my nearest and dearest friends was the late William C. Staines. Staines told me he once received a short revelation of just a few lines from the Lord. He said he was worrying over the rough people, many of them, in pioneer days, and the hardships, and the profanity, a little too much drinking, etc. among the people, and he was broken-hearted regarding these conditions and wondered what would happen when Brigham Young and others of the leading brethren passed away. The Lord gave him a revelation to the effect that he need not worry, that this is His work and the men for leaders of the Church would come when they were needed, and they have come. TRIBUTE TO ALONZO A. HINCKLEY AND SUCCESSOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.123 I want to say that we have had no truer, more faithful member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles than was Alonzo A. Hinckley. I believe firmly that whenever the Lord inspires a man to make a promise under the inspiration of His Spirit the Lord is not going to allow that promise to fail. Brother Hinckley was given a blessing in which he was promised as a young man that some day he would be an Apostle. He did not believe it, but the Lord saw fit that that promise should be fulfilled before he passed away to undoubtedly a greater mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.123 After the brief remarks that have been made here today by Brother Bowen, I believe that every true Latter-day Saint believes that the Lord has had something to do with the selection of Brother Hinckley's successor. APPRECIATION FOR MUSIC FURNISHED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.123 I want to thank the choir and the Singing Mothers and their leader, the organist, and the soloists, who have done so much to add to our comfort during this Conference, particularly of course the Tabernacle Choir that sang to us Sunday and that furnished the broadcast. I appreciate our organist and Brother Spencer Cornwall, and all who have furnished music for us. I thank them on behalf of myself and my counselors and the Apostles. UNITY IN COUNCIL OF TWELVE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.123 I can say that after fifty-five years and a fraction in this Church as an Apostle I can repeat and emphasize what President McKay has said, that from my knowledge I do not believe the Council of the Twelve was ever more united than they are today, and I rejoice in it. We have no fear in asking people to speak because we know that they are seeking for God to help them in delivering their message. INSPIRED BEYOND NATURAL ABILITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.124 I am grateful beyond expression that what I had planned in my mind to say in this Conference I have not said not a word. I am very grateful indeed that many years ago when I sat on my seat in this tabernacle for quite a while one afternoon listening to Milton Bennion, and planning what I was going to say in my address that I was going to deliver when he got through speaking, and when I got up to speak and opened my Ready Reference book that I had in my pocket, and turned it down at the pages that I had marked, I forgot all about the speech that I had expected to deliver. I prayed with all my heart and soul that the Lord would inspire me beyond my natural ability, that I would have his inspiration so strong that my brother, whom I saw in a meeting in this building for the first time in my life, might be converted to the truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.124 I told that congregation that never before in all my life had I so strongly desired the inspiration of the Lord while standing before a congregation in this building, that never before had I desired so much their faith and prayers to help me in my remarks. I did not think again of the Ready Reference book, nor did I think of the sermon that I had planned to deliver, but I preached on the divine mission of the Savior, the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, and principally upon the divine mission of Joseph Smith, the instrument in the hands of God of again establishing upon the earth the plan of life and salvation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.124 Brother George Q. Cannon used to sit in a chair here on the stand facing north. I was sitting on the stand right below him. When I sat down I heard Brother Cannon say, "Thank God for the power of that testimony." I leaned forward and wept for joy, because I knew God had heard and answered my prayer. I had left three quarters of an hour of the time forty-eight minutes in fact for Brother George Q. Cannon, knowing that his brother Angus, who was in charge of the meeting, always believed in a two-hour meeting. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.124 Brother Angus M. Cannon, at the close of my remarks, walked over to where President Cannon sat and said: "George, there is three-quarters of an hour left for you. Please occupy it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.124 Brother George Q. Cannon said: "Angus, I came in late, I was in pain at two o'clock, and I do not feel like talking; I don't want to talk. We have had a very wonderful meeting, and I am in favor of your dismissing the meeting." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.124 Angus said: "Well, I am not going to waste three-quarters of an hour. If you won't talk I will call on somebody else." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.124 Brother George Q. Cannon said: "All right, take your seat, I will talk." He got up and said: "There are occasions in the lives of all of us when the Lord sees fit to inspire a man and to allow him to reach such heights of inspiration that it is a very grave mistake for somebody else to try to follow him. Therefore, inasmuch as we have had an occasion of this kind in the remarks of Brother Grant, I ask Brother Angus M. Cannon to call on the choir to sing and on someone to dismiss this meeting." CONVERSION OF BROTHER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 The very next day my brother came into my office and said: "Heber, I heard you preach yesterday." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 "Well, well, well, I am glad to know it the first time you ever heard your brother preach?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 He said, "No, Heber, I have heard you lots of times." "Well I never saw you in a meeting before in my life." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 "No," he said, "I never took a front seat, I generally went to a meeting where I could get in the gallery, or somewhere else where you could not see me, and I could see you. But you never spoke before as you did yesterday. You spoke beyond your natural ability," (using my own words in my prayer), "you spoke by inspiration." I said, "What did I speak about?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 "The idea of your asking that. You know that the main theme upon which you spoke was the divine mission of the Prophet in the hands of God in the establishing of this Church." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 "You are praying for a testimony of the Gospel, I understand?" "Yes, and I am getting discouraged. I feel like I shall quit praying." I said: "Quit. You say you know there is a God and you know there is a devil, and that the devil tried to get you to commit suicide, and instead of doing it (you went out with your pistol in the high pines of Oregon to do it) you got down on your knees and prayed and got up weeping for joy; and that you know two things, that there is a devil and that there is a God. If you quit praying you have surrendered to the devil. What in the world is the matter with you? Do you want the Lord to come down here and talk to you: You tell me that you know that I spoke beyond my natural ability, that I spoke by inspiration, that my theme was the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. What more of a testimony do you want?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 He said, "I never thought of that before." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 Well, before the week was out he applied for baptism. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 We know as we know that we live that we have the truth. We have absolute confidence as the Presidency of the Church in the men whom we recommend for the apostleship. President Smith, in my judgment, although he called twelve men to the Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve during his life, made no mistake in any one of the men that he called. It may sound egotistical, but I am sure I have made no mistakes in the appointments to these quorums that I have made. GRATITUDE FOR GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.125 I thank the Lord from the bottom of my heart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation, that we as a people have, and that we as individuals have. I thank God for the young men who go out upon missions without college education and meet the scholastic accomplishments of the world, and that under the inspiration of the living God they have been able to confound the wise of the world and have touched the hearts of honest people, bringing them into the Church. BLESSING AND TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.126 I pray God with all the power of my being to bless every soul who has embraced the Gospel, and to inspire every one to live the Gospel. "Man is that he may have joy," and there is no joy in the world that equals the joy of knowing in your heart of hearts that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that we as individuals are living the Gospel that will bring eternal exaltation to us and our loved ones. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.126 That God may help each and every one of us to do this, is my humble prayer. I pray God's blessings upon this people. I thank our Heavenly Father for the marvelous attendance of the Priesthood at our meeting last night. I thank him for all the blessings that he has given me. I humbly pray God that he will multiply the rain and increase the fertility of the soil, and increase the love of labor in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints, and a determination with the help of God to live the truth, so that our example may so shine before the world that those who know not the truth may seek for it; and I know that if they will seek for it God will give it to them. I thank the Lord for the statement made by Moroni in the Book of Mormon as follows: "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and, if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." The Book of Mormon is the great, the grand, the most wonderful missionary that we have. APPRECIATION FOR POLICE SERVICE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.126 I want to express the gratitude of myself and associates in the Presidency and of the Apostles for the splendid way that the police department of this city, under the direction, I suppose, of their chief, have looked after the traffic and prevented accidents. We owe them a debt of gratitude. A FAVORITE POEM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.126 Even though my time is up, I am going to read you a poem that I intended to use in my opening remarks: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.126 There are three lessons I would write, Three words as with a burning pen, In tracings of eternal light Upon the hearts of men. Have faith, though clouds environ round And gladness hides her face in scorn. Put off the darkness from thy brow; No night but hath its morn. Have hope, where'er thy bark is driven, The calm distorts the tempest's mirth. Know this, God rules the hosts of heaven, The inhabitants of earth. Have love not love alone for one, But man as man thy brother call, And scatter as a circling sun Thy charities on all. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1937, p.127 There is hardly a day of my life that I do not repeat the words of that poem. God bless you all, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.2 It is a source of a great deal of pleasure to me to have the opportunity of meeting the Saints again in General Conference. REPORT OF EUROPEAN TOUR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.2 As you are all aware, since our last Conference it has fallen to my lot to visit nearly all of our missions in Europe. We have had a very enjoyable time. Statistics are never interesting, but I feel that it is only fair to give you some information pertaining to our trip. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.2 We left Salt Lake City, Sunday, June 13th, 1937, and sailed from Quebec on the 16th. Our party consisting of Hugh B. Brown, Joseph Anderson, and myself, arrived in Cherbourg, France, June 23rd, where we were met by President Richard R. Lyman of the European Mission, and President O. F. Ursenbach of the French Mission. We went direct to Paris, where I delivered a talk before the American Club in that city. This talk was received very favorably and nearly all of it was published in the Paris edition of the New York Herald Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.2 After our visit in Paris we went to Liege, Belgium, a part of the French Mission, at which place we visited three Sunday Schools, also held a meeting in Herstal, near Liege, where I dedicated a new building; and in the evening we held a meeting in Liege. The attendance at each of these meetings was very good indeed; in fact at nearly every meeting we held the attendance was in excess of what we expected it to be, and upon more than one occasion over one-half of all the people in our audience were non-members of the Church. PROFITABLE MEETINGS IN SWITZERLAND Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.3 We held a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 30th, one on July 1st in Neuchatel, Switzerland. The branches in all these places, that is, at Liege, Geneva, and Neuchatel, are a part of the French Mission. From Neuchatel President Ursenbach returned to headquarters in Liege, and President Philemon M. Kelly of the Swiss-German Mission met our party at Neuchatel, and accompanied us through the Swiss-German Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.3 We held a meeting in Bern, at which there was a large attendance, as I remember it, over 400 people. The following day a brief meeting was held at Interlaken, as we were passing through that city to take a trip on the cog railroad to see the wonderful Alps. Never before at any time have I been able to get such a magnificent view of the Alps as I did on this occasion. The clouds disappeared just before we reached the highest point on the railroad, and we could see five or six of those great towering mountains, covered with snow. When we made the return trip the clouds covered the tops of the mountains, so that we were unable to see them. We were very grateful for that wonderful, magnificent sight, second only of course to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.3 On July 4th meetings were held in the morning and in the afternoon at Basel. Three or four hundred people attended each of these meetings. Tuesday, July 6th, we held a meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, and there were also over 400 people, as I recall it, at this service. CORDIAL RECEPTION IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.3 Services were held in Frankfurt-on-Main, Germany, and there were more than 900 people in attendance at this meeting. This was the last meeting that we held in the Swiss-German Mission. From Frank furl we went to Prague, Czechoslovakia, by way of Nuremburg, at which latter place we were met by President Wallace F. Toronto, and we held a meeting with the Saints and friends in Prague. The hall in which we held the meeting was crowded, and many people were standing up during the entire session. While in Prague we visited the buildings that have been erected in that city for the benefit of feeble-minded children, those who are under-nourished, and the old people, and it was the most wonderful exhibit of fine, modern buildings and efficient work along the line of taking care of the unfortunate that I have ever had the privilege of visiting. The lady in charge spent three or four hours with us in visiting all of the places Of interest there. These homes are named after the first president of the Republic, Mr. Masaryk. We were received in a very cordial way by the officials of the Republic and they expressed regret that the President of the Republic was absent, also that President Masaryk, the founder of the Republic at the conclusion of the great World War, was away. LIBERTY IN GERMANY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 On the following day, July 10, in company with President Toronto and wife we left for Dresden, Germany, where we held a fine meeting, with over 600 people in attendance. Here we met Elder Roy A. Welker, the president of the German-Austrian Mission, who, by the way, has filled a most satisfactory mission, following the very successful presidencyof Elder Oliver H. Budge, of Cache Valley. On July 14th we held a meeting in Breslau, and from Breslau wewent to Berlin, in which latter city we visited three Sunday Schools, and in the evening held a meeting in a large auditorium, where there wereover 1,100 people present, and some of them stood up during the entire session. We were assured that over two-thirds of that audience were non-members of the Church. One thing that was very pleasing to us was that we had perfectliberty in the holding of our meetings in Germany, notwithstanding the fact that more than thirty different denominations have been prohibited from preaching there. I thought it was very remarkable that we should have the privilege of holding meetings with the people of Germany. I learned that upon one occasion our Elders were prevented by the officials from preaching at a meeting. The officials said: "You have no right here, you must not preach." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 The Elders said: "We have not been prohibited from holding meetings and preaching." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 The officers said: "We know better. You will have to stop and we will bring you the evidence that you are not permitted to preach." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 They came back and said: "We could not find the word Mormon nor the name The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the prohibited list." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 From Berlin our party went to London. Brother Richard R. Lyman was with us until the time when we reached Dresden, but as he was advertised to deliver a speech in London on World Peace, he returned to London and was not with us at the meetings held in Dresden, Breslau and Berlin. The various Mission Presidents were with us at the meetings held in their particular missions, namely: Presidents Kelly, Welker, Ursenbach, and Toronto, all of whom have made very fine records in presiding over the various missions on the Continent and have made friends of many leading officials in all of those countries, and stand well with them. BUILDINGS DEDICATED IN GREAT BRITAIN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 On July 20th we held a meeting in Liverpool, England, at which I dedicated a building that we have purchased there that is to be remodeled and used as a chapel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 On July 21st we held a meeting in Burnley and I dedicated a Church building there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.4 July 22nd we held a meeting in the Bradford Branch, and I dedicated the meeting house. At this meeting there were between 300 and 350 people in attendance. They have a very nice Church building and quite a few of those who were present at the meeting were non-members of the Church. There was a very small percentage of non-members, however, in comparison with other meetings that we held. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.5 Sunday, July 25, we held meetings in the London South and the London North Branches, and a Church building was dedicated in each of these places. We have a very nice, expensive dwelling in the South Branch, which has been remodeled to answer our purpose as a meeting place. In the North Branch we have a new chapel that we have erected that is very comfortable and answers our needs very well. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.5 On the 26th of July we visited Wales and held a meeting at Merthyr Tydfil, where a little Church building was dedicated. The attendance at this meeting was approximately 100 people. There are very few of our people in Merthyr Tydfil, but those we have there were very grateful to have a little meeting house of their own instead of renting a hall. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN PRESTON AND ROCHDALE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.5 On July 30 our party visited Vauxhall Chapel in Preston, where Elder Heber C. Kimball and his associates delivered the first sermons that were preached in Great Britain in this dispensation. It was at that time that the Gospel was introduced in Great Britain. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.5 We visited the place where the Cock Pit was located, although it has now disappeared and there is merely a hole in the ground where the Cock Pit once stood. The same afternoon services were held near the River Ribble, where the first British converts were baptized. Really and truly, I feel a good deal like the old lady who had been attending Fast meetings for twenty or thirty years but had never had sufficient courage to bear her testimony. Finally one day she got up and bore her testimony and when she came home she said: "We had the finest Fast meeting today that I have ever attended." The question was asked: "Who spoke?" She answered: "I did." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.5 I feel a little that way myself. And I know that Brother Clark and I and the other speakers enjoyed talking to the Saints there assembled. We had really a spiritual feast upon that occasion, and there was no one who captured the audience more completely than did Sister Fox, the president of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations of our Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.5 On July 31 we attended a baseball game between the Rochdale team consisting of Mormon missionaries and a Liverpool team. About 3,000 people witnessed the game. The missionaries had a very easy time in winning over their opponents. Really it gave me a great thrill to watch the game. It took me back to my boyhood days when I played in the nine that won the championship of the Territory of Utah, and I have never played since. I decided to quit while my credit was good. It thrilled me to hear that audience cheering and shouting, "Saints! Saints! Saints!" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.5 I confess I was greatly pleased. It is a good thing to have a fine lot of boys playing ball and making friends. The people who were present were principally non-members of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.6 On the evening of July 31st there was presented a very beautiful pageant by the missionaries and Saints in the Town Hall of Rochdale. More than 800 people were present and hundreds were turned away. I assure you that it was a very creditable pageant indeed, a beautiful pres entation. I was astonished at the splendid way in which the pageant was presented, considering the fact that those who participated did not have the time to have a rehearsal. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.6 There are about 6,000 people in the British Isles belonging to the Church, and there is many a stake--in fact sometimes two stakes adjoining each other, here at home, in which there would be more than twenty thousand people, who do not produce pageants that are better than was that one. It was a great credit to the people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.6 There was such an appeal from those who could not get into the building to see the pageant that it was repeated Sunday night, although somewhat abbreviated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.6 The meetings that were held in the Town Hall in Rochdale on Sunday were very wonderful indeed. The Lord was very good to all those who spoke. The speakers at these meetings, in addition to myself, were President Clark, Elder Richard R. Lyman, Elder Joseph J. Cannon, Elder Hugh B. Brown, Elders George D. Pyper and Arthur Winter, Sister Ruth May Fox and others. The same afternoon we dedicated a small chapel at Rochdale. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.6 On the following day, August 2nd, some auxiliary meetings were held. VISITS HOLLAND Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.6 On August 7th we visited the Scout jamboree in Holland. The party consisted of myself, my daughter, Mrs. Lucy G. Cannon, Joseph J. Cannon and wife, Elder Richard R. Lyman, and Joseph Anderson. We left London on August 6th for Holland, and were met at Rotterdam by Brother Franklin J. Murdock who is the President of the Netherlands Mission. At the Scout jamboree we were very cordially received by Chief Scout Executive James E. West. Since returning home I have received a letter from Mr. West, expressing the deep appreciation of himself and associates for our having lent them, as they put it, part of the time of Brother Oscar A. Kirkham, who did a very fine work, and had an important position at the jamboree. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.6 Sunday, August 8, we held a meeting in Amsterdam, and in the evening of the same day held a meeting in Utrecht. On August 11th we held a meeting in Rotterdam. All of these meetings were very well attended, and among those present were many non-members of the Church. We subsequently authorized by telegrams signed by myself and Brother Richard R. Lyman, the sale of our mission headquarters in Rotterdam for 14,000 guilders, and the purchase of a building at the Hague for 12,000 guilders. Our new quarters are on a very fine residential street, and the property cost something more than 40,000 guilders. The building is in a very fine state of repair. It was built by the Seventh Day Adventist Church and is a creditable place for our mission headquarters in Holland, for which we are very grateful. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.7 Our party went from Rotterdam, Holland, to Hamburg, Germany, where we were met by Presidents Philemon M. Kelly, Thomas E. McKay and Alfred C. Rees. A meeting was held in Hamburg the night of August 13th, at which there were more than 600 people in attendance. EXPERIENCES IN SCANDINAVIA Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.7 We held meetings in Esbjerg, Denmark, Sunday, August 13th, at which in the afternoon, the Esbjerg Branch's new Church building was dedicated. At all three of the meetings held in Esbjerg the attendance was large, particularly in the evening. While in Denmark the party was accompanied by President Alma L. Petersen of the Danish Mission. Sister Clarissa Beesley joined us at Esbjerg, and accompanied us on our tour of the Scandinavian Missions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.7 We held a meeting in Copenhagen, where there were nearly 500 in attendance. Brother Oscar A. Kirkham was also present at this meeting and at Stockholm. During our tour of the Swedish Mission we were accompanied by President Gustive O. Larson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.7 The first meeting was held in Malmo on August 19, and there were between two and three hundred people in attendance. Meetings were held in Stockholm Sunday, August 22, which were very well attended, nearly all present being our own people. There were between three and four hundred people present at each of these meetings. We then held a meeting in Goteberg, Sweden, where our party was met by President A. Richard Petersen of the Norwegian Mission, who accompanied us on our tour of Norway. At the meeting held in Oslo, on August 26, there were nearly 500 people present. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.7 In Bergen on Sunday, August 29, we held two meetings, one in the morning and one in the evening, and at the evening meeting there were more than 600 people in attendancefully two-thirds of those who were present being non-members of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.7 I am sure that there were in the building fully 100 people who could not get seats and they remained standing, as far as I could judge, without any of them going out during the entire service. After the close of the meeting the choir sang three very beautiful selections. One was particularly beautiful; I cannot recall the name of it, but we all decided that the singing of it on this occasion was better and sweeter than we had ever heard it sung before. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.7 I am very pleased to tell you that Evan Stephens' anthems were sung in nearly all of the places we visited. They have been translated into the various languages and we enjoyed them very much, indeed. In one conference three of Brother Stephens' anthems were sung. I feel that we owe a very great debt of gratitude to men like Evan Stephens, George Careless, Ebenezer Beesley, Joseph J. Daynes, and others who have furnished us the music for our beautiful hymns. I rejoice in listening to these musical selections. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 Brother Joseph J. Cannon, who has just been released from the presidency of the British Mission, after having filled a very fine mission and was succeeded by Brother Hugh B. Brown at the time we left on this trip to visit Holland and the Scandinavian countriesto our astonishment was able to speak the Swedish language to the people, and they assured us that he spoke good Swedish. We thought this was very remarkable, seeing that it had been about 35 or 38 years since he first went there and filled a mission of nearly three years. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 We held a number of M. I. A. meetings in addition to the regular meetings, and I met with the missionaries many times in the different missions where only the missionaries and the mission presidents were present. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 The party returned by steamship from Bergen, Norway, to London by way of Newcastle, leaving Bergen August 30. The weather was all right but the ship rocked a little and I enjoyed lying in my bed during the trip from Bergen to Newcastle. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 We sailed for home on September 4, arriving here on Sunday, the 12th, just 13 weeks from the Sunday we left on our trip. IMPRESSED BY CHANGE IN ATTITUDE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 The thing that impressed me more profoundly on this mission than anything else was the marvelous change that has come about in the attitude of the people regarding the Latter-day Saints. When I was in Europe 30-odd years ago it will be 31 years on Christmas day since I returned--during my entire three years in the British Isles I never succeeded in getting a single solitary article published in the newspapers. Some of the vilest, most wicked, obscene, terrible things were published regarding us, but those in charge of the press positively refused to listen to anything we had to say. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 I was assured while on this trip that we had favorable newspaper notices in Germany, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, in Holland and in Belgium. No criticism of any kind or description, just fine notices regarding our meetings, and in some cases the notices in the papers in the British Isles were of such a character that if we had had the privilege of writing them ourselves we could not have written anything that would have pleased us better. As near as I could judge not a single article was written during our entire trip but what was intended to give a fair, honorable and splendid report of our people. I rejoice in these things. It is such a marvelous change from the spirit of animosity and almost hatred that I found among newspaper men that I came in contact with over thirty years ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 As one illustration, I received a letter from the managing man of Ramsden and Company, way back in the early days before the White Star steamships were built I have forgotten the name of the steamship line but the Ramsden people had entire charge of itand Mr. Ramsden was one of the most loyal friends of our mission presidents that I think we ever had in any part of the world. STORY OF INTERVIEW WITH EDITOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.8 I remember John Henry Smith telling me of a letter that President Joseph F. Smith wrote to Mr. Ramsden thanking him for his very splendid treatment while he presided over the European Mission. Mr. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 Ramsden said he would not sell that letter for a thousand dollars or more, that he prized it more than any other letter he had ever received. President Smith told Mr. Ramsden in this letter that the very wonderful treatment he had received from him and others was such that he dared not call on him to bid him goodby, but waited until he was on the steamship before doing so, as he was almost afraid that he might break down and make a baby of himself if he had called in person to thank him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 The manager of Ramsden and Company gave me a letter of introduction to the editor of a London paper, and said he felt that the paper would publish anything I wanted published. When I reached the newspaper office I was told that the editor was out of town, but that his assistant, a Mr. Robinson, would receive me. The assistant asked me what I wanted, and I told him I would like very much to tell him the truth about our people, that what he had published was not true. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "That is all right," he said, "we have published the right thing about you Mormons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "Well," I said, "when a man calls another man a liar, he naturally thinks that he has done the right thing of course, but that does not make him a liar. I know absolutely that everything you have published in your paper is a falsehood. I come to you with a letter from the firm that has done business with us for over fifty years, and that vouches not only for my honesty and integrity, but for the honesty and integrity of every man who has served as president of the British and European missions of the Church for fifty long years. I defy you to get a certificate of character in favor of any one of the people who has furnished you the lies you have published in your paper." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "Never mind, we do not propose to publish anything you say." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 I said: "Good-by. I have met your kind from London to Tokyo." Thirty-odd years ago in England the way one dressed had quite an effect on people, and we had to wear "stovepipe" hats. When the boy who came downstairs to meet me told me that the editor was out, and that the assistant editor would receive me, that the assistant editor's name was Robinson, I thought to myself, after he dismisses me I will refer him to Phil Robinson. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 After the assistant editor had refused to grant my request, I stepped to the door, put on my two-story hat, and then turned around and took it off again and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "By the way, as I remember it, the boy said that you are not the editor, that the editor was out, and you are only the assistant editor, and your name is Robinson. Is your name Robinson?" "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 I said, "Are you related to Phil Robinson?" "No sir." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "Do you know Phil Robinson?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "Do I know Phil Robinson? Everybody knows Phil Robinson." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "Well, I am glad to know that. Is he editing the Society and Court Journal here in London?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.9 "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 "Was he the correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph, one of the two greatest [I emphasized "greatest" because his paper was not one of the greatest] London newspapers during the Boer War?" "He was." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 "Would you believe anything he said?" "Anything he said, fully." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 "One hundred cents on the dollar?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 "Fully one hundred cents on the dollar," he answered. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 "All right. Buy his book entitled 'Sinners and Saints', it will cost you only a couple of shillings, and if you cannot afford the money I will buy it and give it to you. You will find that everything you have published in your paper is a falsehood." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 Phil Robinson came to Utah and he traveled from Cache Valley on the north clear down to Orderville and St. George and other places on the south, and wrote a book giving statistics and showing that eighty per cent of the population did not anywhere near furnish as many inmates of the city jail and the territorial penitentiary as the eighteen per cent who were not members of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 He said, "Why, you astonish me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 I said, "Oh, you are not the only man who has been astonished when he has run up against the Mormon question." "Write me half a column." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 I said, "Thanks. Small favors thankfully received, large ones in proportion. Ten columns of lies, and a half column of refutation. You shall have it within a few hours." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 I sent it to him. He kept it the usual two or three months, and then sent it back with the usual printed slip which I have read many times: "The editor regrets that he cannot find space for the enclosed manuscript, which is returned." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 I never get one of those statements but I think of the humorous expression: "Polite lying is a gentlemanly accomplishment, lubricates business, varnishes unpleasant facts, promotes friendship." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 Instead of the editor's statement impressing me with his real sorrow, it impressed me with the fact that he was guilty of falsehood. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 Today we find the exact opposite, in that country, and in fact all over the United States. We are getting more favorable notices today on account of our Security Plan than we have ever had before, and I am sorry that we are getting more credit than we are entitled to have. IDLENESS NOT TO BE ENCOURAGED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 I took the trouble this morning to read in the D&C regarding the idler, and we have some idlers in our midst. We find in Section 75 of the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.10 Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the Church, except he repent and mend his ways. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 I referred yesterday to the people who were assembled in this building, and the Tabernacle was nearly as full (excepting the gallery) of our good sisters yesterday as it is of people today. Let me tell you that where there is one idler among the sisters there are about twenty-five idlers among the brethren. I think that is about a fair average. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 In Section 88, we read: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 Please remember that these are not the statements of Heber J. Grant, but they are the statements of the Lord: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 And the inhabitants of Zion also shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 Now I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 We now are trying to take care of the worthy poor, and in about eight cases out of ten the "worthy poor" who apply for help are not and have not been full, honest, conscientious tithepayers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 I want to tell you we found, by inquiry, that a great many of our missionaries were idling away their time, and we tried to encourage them to be more faithful. I heard a statement that I quoted here yesterday I hope it is not truethat a man who had often borrowed money from one of our country banks on a crop mortgage came to the bank and wanted some money. The banker said: "Certainly, we'll be glad to let you have some money. Just bring us a crop mortgage." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 "Ah," said he, "I am not raising any crops now. The government is giving me more money for not raising crops than I could get otherwise. I will give you an order on the government." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 Let us hope that that spirit of independence that was with our pioneer fathers may be reawakened in us, and that none who are Latter-day Saints holding the Priesthood of God will be guilty of being idle. Let us work early and let us work late. REVELATION TO HYRUM SMITH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.11 As I was looking for these passages that I have quoted, I thought of a very remarkable and wonderful revelation that was given, as I remember it, eleven months before the Church was organized, through the Prophet Joseph Smith to his brother Hyrum. It is a remarkable revelation: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God... Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Few men have ever lived that have done more good than Hyrum Smith in his generation, and he has left a posterity that is among the staunchest and most powerful in all the Church. One of the most splendid men that ever lived was his son the late President of this Church, Joseph F. Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 That was the desire of Joseph F. Smith, and he did it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Behold, this is your work to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea the power of God unto the convincing of men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 I am the same who came unto mine own and mine own received me not; But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 My brethren and sisters, I am not reading to you my words, but I am quoting to you the words of Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Savior. While upon this mission one thing that thrilled me was to read the book by Richard L. Evans giving a history of missionary work in Great Britain. Fifty thousand, as I remember it, of the staunchest, finest of all the people of Great Britain have helped to build this Church by emigrating to this country. A marvelous work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 Wilford Woodruff baptized over 2,000 people, and Orson Pratt nearly the same number. Heber C. Kimball, Lorenzo Snow and others did marvelous and wonderful work there also. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.12 President Heber C. Kimball was inspired in the most marvelous and wonderful way in opening up that mission. I had great joy in contemplating these things. THE EUROPEAN SAINTS TO HAVE MORE ATTENTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.13 It melted my heart to find how anxious the people who are in those countries are to hear the Authorities of the Church, how their hearts swelled with gratitude when President Clark, myself, Brother Lyman and others were with them. I feel really and truly ashamed of myself that I have neglected so long returning to that part of the flock. They are just as much a part of this Church as you are, and the Lord helping us, they shall not be neglected in the future as much as they have been in the past. They are a part of the work of God, and they are entitled to visits every year or two from some of the leaders of this Church. We have taken care of our people here at home, and we have sadly neglected those fine people over in those countries. Pardon me, but I do feel in my heart condemned that I did not take the time to go back there sooner, and if the Lord spares my life I am not going to wait very long before going back again Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.13 I think I have reasonably well covered the ground in reporting my mission to you. A FINANCIAL SAVIOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.13 I want to say a little about a subject that so many Latter-day Saints say they are sick and tired of. Why are they sick and tired of it? Because they are not doing their duty. No mortal man who is living the Word of Wisdom is ever sick and tired of hearing it preached. It would be the financial savior of the whole world if they were to live the Word of Wisdom. It would solve all their financial problems, there would not be, as I remember it, about 160,000,000,000 or 170,000,000,000 cigarets smoked in a single year a soul and body-destroying weed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.13 I remember reading years ago (I had a number of statistics in a little book, which I regret I have lost), a statement to the effect that for fifty long years in Harvard no young man who smoked tobacco had ever graduated as the star student of his class, and yet there were five times as many boys smoking tobacco as there were who did not smoke. A soul-destroying and body-destroying weed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.13 When I read in the newspaper a few days ago of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that we are taking in in our state through the sale of liquor, millions of dollars being wasted a yearworse than wasted I felt sad. Would you think much of a man who would set fire to millions of dollars worth of property? That is what is being done when we drink liquor and when our young people learn to smoke cigarets. Let each and every one of us fathers and mothers set an example of keeping the Word of Wisdom; then there will be no reflection upon us if our children do not follow our example. Let us as a people change the law in this country and not let a lot of whiskey selling people direct us. Let us at least have prohibition in Utah. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 Think of the millions of dollars expended here in Utah alone for the use of liquor. There was not a tithe of the amount of liquor now consumed used when we had Prohibition. Millions of dollars of money was expended to bring back liquor. The whole United States has surrendered to the lies that were told to the effect that there was more drunkenness and more crime when we had Prohibition. No greater lies were ever published. THE WORD OF WISDOM Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 The Word of Wisdom is what the Lord has to say, not what man has to say, and although an old subject, I propose to read the Word of Wisdom. This is what the Lord says, and not what Heber J. Grant says don't forget it. Let each and every one of us try to improve our lives and inspire others to improve theirs. No man or woman who is keeping the Word of Wisdom finds fault with it. Why? Because they know of the health they enjoy, they know of the peace, the joy, the comfort, the satisfaction that come to their hearts when they do what the Lord wants them to do. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833 (over a hundred years ago) known as the Word of Wisdom. Abstinence from wine, strong drinks enjoined Moderation in the eating of meat Wholesome foods Promises to those who live according to these precepts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the Church, and also the Saints in Zion Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 Some say, "Oh, that is how I get around it. It is not given by commandment or constraint." What is it? I will tell you what it is but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 When the Lord shows forth his order and his will, do not try to sing lullabies to your conscience, any one of you who is breaking the Word of Wisdom. in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 It would be the temporal salvation of the people of all the wide world if they would live the Word of Wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.14 And can there be a more damnable design than advertisements showing the picture of a beautiful woman and by her a ring of tobacco smoke, supposed to be a wedding ring? A picture of a beautiful woman learning to smoke. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 What a wonderful promise from God! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 I believe as firmly as I believe that I am standing here before you today that, on three separate and distinct occasions in my life I would have lost my life had I not been an observer of the Word of Wisdom, but on account of the pure blood I had in my veins and the promise of God and the keeping of the commandments of God, my life has been spared. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.15 It is no hardship to me to eat meat sparingly. I lived for several years, during the winter time, in the Utah Hotel and I am sure that not more than ten or a dozen times did I order meat, and then it was some small lamb chops; no pork, no turkey, no chicken, no veal of any kind did I ever eat during that time at the cafeteria. JOY IN BEARING TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.16 I rejoice in the remarkable health I enjoy. It has been the joy of my life to testify of the good things that come to every man and every woman who lives up to the commandments of the Lord. I thank the Lord beyond all the power with which he has endowed me to express my thoughts for this Word of Wisdom, the temporal salvation of this people, if we only keep it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.16 I have had joy in my labors in the British Isles and on the Continent. It has been a real pleasure to me to bear my witness in all humility that I know that God lives; that I know that he hears and answers our prayers; that I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of mankind. I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the true and living God and that he was inspired and directed by our Heavenly Father and that he received revelations from God and from Jesus Christ. It was my joy to bear that testimony in all these lands that I have referred to. Not only has it been my joy to do this, but I thank the Lord that for fifty-odd long years I have been able to bear that testimony and that day by day and year by year there have come to me constantly evidences, so far as the intelligence with which God has endowed me is concerned, to confirm my knowledge of the truth of this Gospel of Jesus Christ which has come to us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.16 With all my heart and soul, I pray God to help you and to help me and to help every One of the Latter-day Saints so to live that our lives will proclaim the Gospel; that our lives may be the influence that will make a good impression. Many young men think that if they are "a hale fellow well met"; that if the man that is employing them smokes and they smoke too he will think more of them. I tell you the day is here right now when many men will not employ a Mormon boy who is not living up to the teachings of his parents and observing the Word of Wisdom. SUCCESS FOLLOWS KEEPING OF COMMANDMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.16 The keeping of the commandments of the Lord gives us success in the battle of life. The money expended for liquor and tobacco is the difference between a young man making a success in life and making a failure. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.16 I stood at the graves of two of my boyhood friends who lived long enough to be married and have children. Liquor had got the better of them and as I stood at their graves--one of them having been cut off the Church for having lost his virtue while under the influence of liquor I pledged my best to the Lord as I looked up into heaven, to labor with all the power that God gave me to fight whiskey and tobacco and I have kept that pledge. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.16 I hope every Latter-day Saint within the sound of my voice today may make a pledge with God that he or she will not be an idler; that he or she will keep the commandments of God; that they may bring others to a knowledge of the truth, and this is my humble prayer, and I ask it in humility and in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.66 I feel profoundly impressed to endorse the remarks by Brother Widtsoe. I have often remarked that but for the splendid characters that come from the farms to the cities, the cities would die of their own immoral weight. The larger the city, as a rule, the greater the amount of crime. The more a man loves the farm and lives on it, the healthier in spirit and body he is. I longed as a young man to live on a farm, but I have never cultivated an acre of land, so of course I cannot talk from experience; but I can say that the majority of our missionaries come from the farms, notwithstanding the farmers do not produce a majority of the money. This shows where the real, genuine faith is. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.66 I am going to bring something from a great statesman to read to you this afternoon. President Heber J. Grant EXPENSIVE AND INJURIOUS HABITS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 We are all looking for a solution of our great financial troubles. Here is one of the troubles that cost us approximately $7,150,000,000 during the year 1936. The values given are approximate retail values. Alcohol: Between $4,000,000,000 and $5,000,000,000. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 Tobacco: Cigarets, 139,968,648,406 consumed in 1936. That means 139.9 cigarets a minute for every minute from the birth of the Savior until now. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 Cigars: 4,863,191,852, or 4.8 cigars every minute from the birth of the Savior until now. 18,030 tons of snuff. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 (The fire losses in the United States for the year 1936, as estimated by the insurance companies, were only $30,000,000.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 Approximate retail value of tobacco consumed in the United States in 1936, $1,500,000,000. Worse than burning up that much property, because every person that used tobacco injured himself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 Coffee and tea: Coffee, 1,739,184,000 pounds. This is equivalent to 3 grams of caffein for every adult. Tea: 82,000,000 pounds. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 Retail value of coffee and tea together, approximately $650,000,000. Total for alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea, approximately $7,150,000,000 or seven and a fraction dollars a minute for every minute from the birth of the Savior until now. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.93 Do you not think the Lord knew what he was talking about when he gave the Word of Wisdom for our temporal salvation? If you do not, study more, read more, pray more. REGARDING TILLERS OF THE SOIL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.94 I was delighted with what Brother Widtsoe said this morning, and by the way, I thank the Lord that Brother Widtsoe gave me these figures. I did not know that there was that much used. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.94 The United States of America was cradled by the plowed field a capable cradle. In the days of Washington and Jefferson it is likely that at least four-fifths of all Americans were farm folk. From this fact our first statesmen took effective cues. Thomas Jefferson, preeminent among our bards of prose, said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.94 "Cultivators of earth make the best citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most virtuous, and the most independent. They are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests with the most lasting bonds. "They are not soap-box orators, not one of them. A farm is what makes a man loyal to his country. A soap-box orator is a man that stirs up trouble. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.94 "As long, therefore, as they can find employment in that line, I would not counsel them to be mariners, artizans, or anything else." This saying lived long as the gospel of American leadership, as well as of politics. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.94 God grant that it may return. A FAVORABLE MAGAZINE ARTICLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.94 I have been reading from "Roots of America," by Charles Morrow Wilson. I hope that the majority of you have read Mr. Wilson's article in the September 4th issue of the Saturday Evening Post. It is one of the most enlightening and splendid things ever written by a non-member of the Church in any of our magazines. The young man came to Utah and was in my office a number of times, and went down to Hurricane and looked into the marvelous work done by the people at Hurricane. Then he wrote this very favorable article one of the best I have ever read. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.95 Read the following report: CHANGES IN CHURCH, STAKE, WARD, AND BRANCH ORGANIZATIONS SINCE LAST APRIL CONFERENCE 1937 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.95 New Mission Presidents: Gilbert R. Tingey appointed president of the Samoan Mission to succeed Wm. M. Waddoups. Franklin J. Murdock appointed president of the Netherlands Mission to succeed T. Edgar Lyon. Hugh B. Brown appointed president of the British Mission to succeed Joseph J. Cannon. Mark Garff appointed president of the Danish Mission to succeed Alma L. Petersen. William Thomas Tew, Jr., appointed president of the East Central States Mission to succeed James M. Kirkham. Merrill Daniel Clayson appointed president of the Southern States Mission to succeed LeGrand Richards. Frank Evans appointed president of the Eastern States Mission to succeed Don B. Colton. David A. Broadbent appointed to preside over the North Central States Mission to succeed Wilford W. Richards. W. Aird MacDonald appointed president of the California Mission to succeed Nicholas G. Smith. Thomas E. McKay appointed to preside over the Swiss-German Mission to succeed Philemon M. Kelly. Philemon M. Kelly transferred to Berlin to preside over the German-Austrian Mission to succeed Roy A. Welker. Alfred C. Rees appointed to preside over a proposed division of the German-Austrian Mission. Joseph Jacobs appointed to preside over the Palestine-Syrian Missionto succeed Badwagan Piranian. Carl F. Eyring appointed to preside over the newly organized New England Mission. New Mission Organized: New England Mission created by taking Massachusetts, Connecticutand Rhode Island from the Eastern States Mission, and Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick from the Canadian Mission, with headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts. New Temple President: President Stephen L. Chipman appointed to preside over the Salt Lake Temple to succeed President George F. Richards. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.96 Other Special Appointments: Apostle George F. Richards appointed acting Patriarch to the Church and Supervisor of all Temples. D. Sterling Wheelwright appointed organist and director of Music at the Washington, D. C., Chapel. New Member Appointed to General Committee Church Security Plan: J. Frank Ward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.96 New Stake Presidents Appointed: Eugene Hilton appointed president of the Oakland Stake to succeed President W. Aird MacDonald. Thomas E. Winegar appointed president of the South Davis Stake to succeed President James H. Robinson. Leland Erastus Anderson appointed president of the South Sanpete Stake to succeed President Lewis R. Anderson. Paul C. Child appointed president of the Pioneer Stake to succeed President Harold B. Lee. Samuel E. Bringhurst appointed president of Cottonwood Stake to succeed President Henry D. Moyle. Samuel G. Dye appointed president of Ogden Stake to succeed President Thomas E. McKay. Henry Clay Cummings appointed president of Wasatch Stake to succeed President David A. Broadbent. Stayner Richards appointed president of Highland Stake to succeed President Marvin O. Ashton. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.96 New Wards Organized: Stratford Ward, Highland Stake, created by a division of Highland Park Ward. Elko Ward, Nevada Stake, taken from California Mission. Carlin Ward, Nevada Stake, taken from California Mission. Wells Ward, Nevada Stake, formerly independent branch. Firestone Park Ward, Los Angeles Stake, taken from Matthews, Manchester and Walnut Park Wards. Hartley Ward, Alberta Stake, formerly independent branch. Tremonton 1st Ward, Bear River Stake, and Tremonton 2nd Ward, Bear River Stake, created by a division of the former Tremonton Ward. Rosemary Ward, Lethbridge Stake, formerly an independent branch. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.96 Ward Re-named: Park View Ward, Long Beach Stake, formerly Long Beach East Ward. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.96 New Independent Branches: Woodland Branch, Sacramento Stake, formed by a division of the Sutter Ward. Colton Branch, San Bernardino Stake, created by a division of the San Bernardino Ward, was formerly a dependent branch. Wendover Branch, Tooele Stake, formerly a dependent Sunday School Branch. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.97 Wards Disorganized: Oakley 4th Ward, Cassia Stake, consolidated with Oakley 2nd Ward. Cedarville Ward, Franklin Stake, disorganized and annexed to Weston Ward of same stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.97 Auxiliary Board Members Deceased: Inez Knight Allen, Relief Society General Board member. Elise Benson Alder, member of General Board Relief Society. Lenore Cornwall, Assistant Secretary General Primary Board. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.97 Bishops Who Have Passed Away: Albert Frank Hanny, Bishop of Fifth Ward, Shelley Stake. Quimby Roundy, Alton Ward, Kanab Stake. Andrew N. Seitz, bishop of Veyo Ward, St. George Stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.97 Others Who Have Died: Mary Teasdel, artist. Elizabeth J. Kooyman, wife of Frank I. Kooyman, former president of the Netherlands Mission. Frank Moreland Dunford, musician. Horace H. Cummings, Church leader and educator and former member Deseret Sunday School General Board. Ethel G. Reynolds Smith, former member of Relief Society General Board and wife of Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith. Emma Louise Stayner Richards, mother of Apostle Stephen L. Richards. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.97 There are only five minutes left until time for us to turn the Conference over to the Choir recital. I do not want to ask any one to occupy that short period of time, so I shall do so myself. I am happy indeed to see this marvelous congregation. Not only are all of the seats taken, but people are standing up in the galleries and in the aisles below. It is a great evidence to me of the growth of the work of the Lord in our day. I think it is perhaps the largest audience that I remember to have seen crowded into this building at a Conference session, and I am grateful for this. A CHOICE LAND Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.98 I am very thankful that I am not in the least pessimistic or at all alarmed about the work of the Lord. I am a firm believer that this country, both North and South America, is the choice land of the world, a land choice above all other lands, according to the words of the prophets in the Book of Mormon. I believe in its final destiny. I believe that there is an over-ruling Providence protecting this country. I believe that this is the only place in the United States of America where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could have been established and continued without the most terrible persecution, worse than anything we ever had. FAITH IN DIVINITY OF THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.98 I am very thankful indeed for the remarkable men and women that we have in the Church, who are devoting their lives without hesitancy to the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth. I am very thankful indeed, in my eighty-first year (I will be eighty-one years old in a little more than a month), that from my childhood days till now I have never found anything that has in the least degree weakened my faith in the divinity of this work. I am very thankful that faith is a gift from God, and that gift came to me in my young manhood. There came into my heart at that time an abiding testimony that the Book of Mormon is exactly what it purports to be. I read that book through as a boy, prayerfully and humbly, and there came into my very being that part of me that will exist when my body is placed in mother earth an absolute assurance that that book is exactly what it purports to be. To my mind, the Book of Mormon is the greatest tract, the greatest preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of all the literature that we have. That book has stood the test for over a hundred years, notwithstanding the abuse and ridicule that have been brought against it; year after year additional evidences are coming regarding the divinity of that book. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.98 I remember when first they said, "Oh, it is a falsehood because it says the people who lived on this continent anciently had horses, and no remains of horses have been found." Since that time we have found in the great oil fields of California remains of horses. SKILLFUL IN USE OF CEMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.98 People ridiculed me because I believed that those people had erected cement houses; they said that there had never been a cement house found. Since that time cement houses have been uncovered by the score. A great monument upon which my Counselor J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and my former Counselor Anthony W. Ivins, stood, covers eleven acres of ground--ten per cent more than this Tabernacle block, and as I remember it, is is one hundred and fifty percent higher than this building. The outside of this great monument is cement, and people have dug down into the earth in front of this monument and have found a fine cement road, showing a skill in the use of cement equal, if not the superior, to what we have today. And additional evidences are coming all the time. THE INEXPLICABLE EXPLAINED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.99 When I was in England, presiding over the European Mission, I was entertained by the assistant manager of the great New York Life Insurance Company in London, and one of the guests at that dinner was a man who had been connected with the British Legation. He had been to Canada a number of times and to United States many times. He said to me: "Mr. Grant, I saw the most inexplicable thing in my life when I was way up in Canada beyond the bounds of civilization, among those heathen Indians. I found an exact copy of a Holy Land rug, woven in small beads, the exact pattern of what I had seen in the Holy Land. How under heaven those Indians up there who had never heard of Jerusalem could duplicate a Holy Land rug is beyond my comprehension." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.99 I said: "I will give you a copy of the Book of Mormon and you will find that the forefathers of the American Indians came from Jerusalem." "What?" he said. "That explains the inexplicable." GRATEFUL FOR GROWTH OF CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.99 I rejoice beyond my powers of expression for the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for this magnificent audience. I am thankful for the opportunity that our Choir has each Sabbath of broadcasting their splendid music, and it is doing more, I believe, to create good will for the Latter-day Saints than any of the missionary work we have established. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.99 May the Lord bless every one of us who has a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged to so order our lives that our integrity, upright devotion to the work of God will preach the Gospel, is my prayer and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.108 I have been invited to attend conferences of the foreign-speaking peoples. I want the Dutch people to know that I am Dutch when I go far enough back on my mother's side, so I am interested in the Dutch people. There are some Scandinavians in my family through marriage, so I am interested in the Scandinavians. The German people have given to us some of our most stalwart and outstanding people, and I am deeply interested in them; but I beg these dear friends of mine to please remember that in a little more than a month I will be 81 years of age, and that when a man my age attends each of these General Conference sessions he is doing all that he should. You are all praying for the Lord to prolong my life. Please do not ask me to do things that will shorten it. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.127 Presented for the vote of the Conference the General Authorities and General Officers of the Church as follows, all of whom were unanimously sustained: President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.129 I am very pleased indeed to express my deep appreciation of our Conference, from start to finish. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.129 I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the devotion of the Latter-day Saints as a whole. CONSCIENTIOUS OBSERVANCE OF LAWS REQUIRED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.129 I announced here at the Priesthood meeting last night and I decided to announce it again that we expect all the General Officers of the Church, each and every one of them, from this very day, to be absolute, full tithepayers, to really and truly observe the Word of Wisdom; and we ask all of the officers of the Church and all members of the General Boards, and all Stake and Ward officers, if they are not living the Gospel and honestly and conscientiously paying their tithing, to kindly step aside, unless from this day they live up to these provisions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.129 We have undertaken a most stupendous work and there will be no difficulty whatever in carrying out that great work. We will have an abundance to take care of every living Latter-day Saint who is in distress. Mind you, when I say Latter-day Saint I mean Latter-day Saint. I am not talking about idlers. I am not talking about people that want to lie down and let somebody else take care of them. I am talking of Latter-day Saints. If the people will pay their tithing and if they will keep the Word of Wisdom, and will actually, really, and for a fact, fast two meals once a month and give the equivalent, we will be able to carry forward our Security Plan without any trouble whatever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.130 It is simply marvelous that people can live on eleven cents, some of them two meals a day once each month for twelve months in the year twenty-four meals on a half a cent a meal. (Or at least, so their fast offerings would indicate.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.130 We feel that in all the stakes of Zion, every stake president, every counselor to a stake president, every stake clerk, and every high councilor, standing at the head of the people in the stake we ask them to kindly step aside unless they are living up to these laws. They are given the responsibility of presiding, and every officer who is a presiding officer should say from today: "I am going to serve the Lord, so that myexample will be worthy of imitation." No man can teach the Word of Wisdom by the Spirit of God who does not live it. No man can proclaim this Gospel by the Spirit of the Living God unless that man is living his religion; and with this great undertaking that we have before us now we must renew our loyalty to God, and I believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God inspires and blesses, and multiplies our substance when we are honest with him. We do not want in this day a repetition of what the scriptures tell us was the condition in years gone by, wherein the Lord declares that he had been robbed, because of the failure of the people to live the financial law that God has revealed. Now, I pray from the bottom of my heart that God will give each and every man and woman who holds an office in any stake or ward the spirit and the feeling and the determination from this day, to renew his covenants with God, to live his religion; and if we are too weak to do these things, we should step aside and let somebody else take our place. THE MIND AND THE WILL OF THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.130 The Word of Wisdom, we are told, is such that it can be kept by "the weak and the weakest of all Saints." I have heard that some of the members of Boards, after the law was passed legalizing beer, said: "Well, I do declare, now I am entitled to have a glass of beer." No Latter-day Saint is entitled to anything that is contrary to the mind and the will of the Lord, and the Word of Wisdom is the mind and the will of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.130 I want you to know that this will make no difference to me personally, but as the shepherd of the flock, the day has come, in my judgment and in the judgment of my associates, that we must live up to and be loyal to this work and serve God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, if we are to accomplish what the Lord wants us to do. BLESSINGS INVOKED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.131 I thank you all for your presence here. I thank the Lord for the splendid Conference we have had. In so far as God has given me the power to do so I pray God to bless you one and all. I pray God to bless all the Latter-day Saints. I pray God to bless every soul that has good intentions, and to strengthen him and her in their determination to keep the commandments of the Lord. I love the Lord; I love the Latter-day Saints; I love the honest the world over; I have no animosity against any living soul. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of forgiveness of wrongdoing. It is a part of the Gospel to forgive those who have done wrong, when they repent, but "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sinsbehold, he will confess them and forsake them." He will do them no more. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.131 The time has expired. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1937, p.131 May God's blessings be with each and all of you, and with all the Saints, and with all the honest the world over, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.10 I am sure that every Latter-day Saint within the sound of my voice has had great pleasure in listening to our program here this morning. I am sure that the testimony and the fine teachings of our Presiding Bishop have found echo in the hearts of all of you. I am sure that every Latter-day Saint who believes, according to a declaration of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the men who wrote the Constitution were inspired of the living God, has rejoiced in Elder Bowen's remarks here this morning, and that the things he has said have found an echo in the hearts of all of you. EXPERIENCES IN BORROWING MONEY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.11 Speaking of this song that we have just sung, some of the words of which are, "On the necks of our foes we shall tread," etc., I had the pleasure of singing it while coming down from Pine Crest (Emigration Canyon) in an automobile, to a dear friend of mine who is in the banking business, Mr. Fred W. Shibley. Mr. Shibley came to Utah to represent the banks of New York, Chicago, San Francisco and other places, that had lent $12,535,000 to the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.11 When these loans were negotiated sugar was selling for $17.00 a bag of 100 pounds. When the beets were turned into sugar, sugar was selling at $5.00 a bag. We paid $12.00 a ton for the beets and we expected to make four or five million dollars, but we had a loss of more than $5,800,000. We expected to have all our debts paid but we found ourselves in debt $7,535,000, and we needed some more for our next season's crop of beets. We had a practical illustration of Victor Hugo's remarks that "Gratitude is a lively sense of favors to come." Our farmers received over $5,000,000 more than their beets were worth, but the following year nearly all of our factories had to lie idle because the price of beets was not high enough. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.11 I went East to get a renewal of $7,000,000 of obligations with the banks, and in addition to borrow $2,800,000, instead of $12,000,000 as the year before. I had difficulty in getting the company notes; but finally the bankers agreed to do so, and we were very grateful. They positively refused to lend us a dollar, however, in order to purchase preferred stock. I offered them local collateral and they asked for something that would sell on the New York Stock Exchange. I told them that I did not have any stocks or bonds that would sell on the New York Stock Exchange. One of the great bankers said, "Give us some Union Pacific preferred stocks or bonds." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.11 I said: "You must have been listening to Lulu Shepherd, perhaps the greatest female liar that ever drew the breath of life. She announced that I as President of the Mormon Church had over $100,000,000 in Union Pacific and other railroad preferred stocks and bonds." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.11 I had only one certificate of five shares of the common stock of the Union Pacific, and that was in my name. I had it transferred from President Joseph F. Smith back to the Church, and then I had it transferred to myself, hoping to be elected a director, but "another Pharaoh arose that did not know Joseph," and I did not get the job. (Laughter) A year later, however, somehow or other they got acquainted with "Joseph," and then I got the job. INCIDENTS IN REGARD TO "O YE MOUNTAINS HIGH" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.11 I took Mr. Shibley to one of our scenic wonders--Brighton--and seeing there in her mother's cottage, next door, the good wife of the man who has been talking to us today (Albert E. Bowen), I suggested that we go over to their cottage and hear somebody sing who knew how to sing. We did so, and I said, "Now, Emma Lou, I sang the song, 'O Ye Mountains High,' for Mr. Shibley, and I would really like to have him hear someone sing it who knows how to sing." She sat down at the piano, and turned around and said, "Of course, President Grant, you do not want me to sing all four verses." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 I said, "I have already trod 'on the necks of our foes' and made the 'Gentiles bow beneath our rod,' give him all four. (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 After she had finished singing, I said: "Mr. Shibley, it must have shocked you for me, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, claiming that Jesus Christ himself organized it, claiming that God introduced Jesus Christ to the boy prophet, and believing in the teachings of the Savior that we should turn the other cheek and love our enemiesit must have been a great shock to you to hear me singing that we should 'tread on the necks of our foes,' and that 'the Gentiles should bow beneath our rod;' so, I have arranged with the author, Charles W. Penrose, who is now in his 89th year and is as lively and wide awake and as fine a preacher as anyone in the whole Church, that after he passes away we will quit treading on the necks of our foes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 Our old song books, however, have not been changed, but we are now singing, "Without fear of our foes we shall tread." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 Mr. Shibley said: "Don't you do it; I am a student of the Bible, although agnostic, and that is a Bible figurative expression. You do not expect to step on the necks of your foes, but you do expect your foes to bow the neck to the rod of righteousness. Leave it alone, it is only once in a lifetime that a man gives off as inspirational a song as that." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 I said: "I have already pledged myself to change it after Brother Penrose dies." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 But lo, and behold, after hearing this compliment by a non-member of the Church I am, when singing it personally, going to make them bow to the rod of righteousness, even though it has been changed in the book. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 It is only fair to all of you to know that Charles W. Penrose spent ten long years of his life preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his native land, England, without purse or scrip, and then he came to the valleys of the mountains; but before coming here he wrote this beautiful, inspired hymn, without having seen our country. We feel that he was not only inspired as a poet, but he was inspired to describe our great and wonderful country. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.12 There are two spirits striving with all menone telling them what to do that is right, and one telling them what to do that will please themselves, that will gratify their own pride and ambition. If we live as we ought to live we will always follow that spirit that teaches us to do that which is right. REPENTANCE MEANS FORSAKING OF SIN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.13 I have heard many, since my talk here six months ago, say that tithing is a free-will offering and that Heber Grant is laying down a law. Tithing is a law of God and not Heber Grant's law. It is God who said that the people were robbing him those who did not pay their tithing not I. I can forgive any man almost any great sin if he repents, and "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sinsbehold, he will confess them and forsake them." It does not do me individually any good or any harm, no matter how a man lives, but I know as I know that I live that every man who serves God with full purpose of heart is reaping a remarkable and wonderful reward. "Men are that they might have joy," as recorded in the Book of Mormon, and there are no people on the face of the earth that have more real joy, more contentment, more peace of mind, more true happiness, than those who have a knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of mankind, our Savior, and who are living the laws that he has taught us. It brings a peace, a joy, and a satisfaction into the heart that money can not buy and that nothing else can buy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.13 I have had men all over this country, during my long life, say to me: "Mr. Grant, your teachings are in harmony with the Bible, but I can not accept your teachings that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.13 Speaking of our principles being in harmony with the Bible, when I reached Chicago, going East with Mr. Shibley, I handed him a couple of tracts to read. One of them was entitled, "Joseph Smith Tells His Own Story." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.13 By the way, Mr. Shibley made a very remarkable and wonderfully favorable report regarding our company, and recommended to the bankers that they lend us the money we wanted with which to buy preferred stock, in order to get a renewal of the $7,000,000 we owed them, but they would not do so. However, later, when Brother Smoot got us $10,000,000 from Uncle Sam they concluded to let us have the more than two million dollars with which to pay for the preferred stock. They were a good deal like the fellow who went to the bank to get his moneythere was a run on the bank and they offered it to him. He said: "What! Have you got it? If you have it, I do not want it; if you don't have it I want it awfully bad? AN AGNOSTIC'S OPINION OF JOSEPH SMITH'S STORY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.13 After reading the tract, "Joseph Smith Tells His Own Story," Mr. Shibley said to my son-in-law, Robert L. Judd (who had lunch with him): "Do you know, that story of Joseph Smith's is true. No liar ever wrote such a story. Liars do not go into details. By every rule of my life to discover the truth this story is true. No liar would ever think of such a thing as saying that the Angel Moroni, who appeared to Joseph Smith and who afterwards gave him the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, had on a loose robe, and that it was open, and that he could see his bosom." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.13 And he pounded the table, so my son-in-law told me, when he said it. "No liar would ever think of saying that the angel's feet did not quite touch the floor and that the robe came to his ankles. Liars learn a story off by heart and stick to it, and they never go into details." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.13 When he was here he went back into the records of the Sugar Company for twenty years. I wondered "What on earth is he going back so far for?" and when I heard of this remark I knew he was looking for something crooked and he did not find it, and that is why he made such an optimistic report, in my judgment. ARGUMENTS IN TRACT UNANSWERABLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.14 The other tract that I gave him was, "My Reasons for Joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Leaving the Church of England." When I had lunch with Mr. Shibley the next day he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.14 "Mr Grant, I am a student of the Bible, although an agnostic, but if I actually believed the Bible I would be almost compelled to join your Church. I say to you that no believer in the Bible can gainsay these arguments. That tract by your religious friend is unanswerable, but do you know, I have written books myself and I think I could write a better reason for leaving the Church of England and joining your Church than he wrote?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.14 I said: "Mr. Shibley, please remember that this man who knew the Bible so well and gave so many scriptural references to sustain our doctrines which you say are unanswerable--please remember that he had reached the age of retiring on a pension of $5,000 a year as a Colonel in the British army, and that he had been known as a God-fearing man, a truly religious man all his life, and please remember that when he joined the Mormon Church he received letters from India and other places in the world asking, Why have you joined these awful Mormons?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.14 We all know of the drivings and the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints in New York; of the loss of our temple and being driven from Ohio; of the order of the Governor of the State of Missouri that we leave the state or we would be annihilated; that we were driven out of Nauvoo, Illinois, and our temple destroyed by fire; and that finally we traveled 1500 miles to these valleys. And what was this country at that time? A great sagebrush plain. One of the three women in the Pioneer company remarked: "Worn and weary as I am, I would sooner go another thousand miles than stop in such a desolate place," and one of the others echoed that sentiment. But Brigham Young said: "This is the place, and here we will build an empire and a temple to our God." BRIGHAM YOUNG'S PLANS FOR EMPIRE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.15 If Brigham Young had got all he asked for, for the new State of Deseret, we would have built an empire here. What did he ask for? There was then no California, no Nevada, no Idaho, no New Mexico, no Arizona. He asked for all of Utah, much of Wyoming, nearly all of Colorado, enough of New Mexico to get the San Juan River, every foot of Arizona and Nevada, to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He established a colony at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He sent his pioneers and representatives across the Colorado River and established a colony in what afterwards became the state of Arizona. He asked for fully one-third of California. He asked in plain English for every drop of water that flows into the Hoover Dam. Please remember the name, never forget it. (Laughter.) Every drop of that water would have belonged to the State of Deseret. Los Angeles would have belonged to us. We established a great colony at San Bernardino and we established a colony way up in the northern part of Idaho, but the government of the United States, because of the lies of some run-away judges, sent the army of the United States against our people here and all those outside colonies were abandoned. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.15 I am going to get another chance at you this afternoon and on several other occasions, and I see there are only a few minutes left. OFFICERS URGED TO KEEP COMMANDMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.15 I want to leave with this vast audience my deep appreciation of all that has been said. I endorse it with all my heart, and I renew again everything that I said in the ten or fifteen minutes at the close of our Conference six months ago. I ask every man and woman occupying a place of responsibility whose duty it is to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to live it and to keep the commandments of God, so that their example will teach it; and if they can not live it we will go on loving them, we will go on putting our arms around them, we will go on praying for them that they may become strong enough to live it. But unless they are able to live it we ask them to please step aside so that those who are living it can teach it. No man can teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the inspiration of the living God and with power from on high unless he is living it. He can go on as a member and we will pray for him, no matter how many years it may require, and we will never put a block in his way, because the Gospel is one of love and of forgiveness, but we want true men and women as our officers in the Priesthood and in the Relief Societies. And a man has no right to be in a high council who can not stand up and say that he knows the Gospel is true and that he is living it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.15 May God help us to live the Gospel, that our light shall shine before those who know not the truth. I know as I know that I live that God lives, that he is my Father, that he hears and answers my prayers. I know that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of mankind, the Son of the living God, my Elder Brother. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the true and the living God, and that he was the instrument in the hands of God of again restoring to the earth the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.15 May God bless you, one and all, and every honest man and woman that lives upon the face of the earth, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in humility in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.95 Presented for the vote of the Conference the General Authorities and General Officers of the Church, also the General Auxiliary Officers, and they were unanimously sustained, as follows: President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.120 I rejoice beyond expression at the wonderful outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, from our first meeting until the close. The Lord has abundantly blessed each and all of us who have been called upon to speak. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1938, p.120 I bless you, as far as the power is in me to do so and I know that I have it I know as I know the Gospel is true that the Lord wanted me to preside over this Church. Brother Joseph F. Smith's last few words to me, and the last he gave to any man were: "The Lord knows whom he wants to preside over his Church, and he never makes a mistake." By the power of the Priesthood of the living God I bless you, one and all, and the righteous and honorable men and women all over the world, even so. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.2 I am very happy indeed to meet with the Saints again in General Conference. I hope and pray that the prayer which has been offered will be heard and answered and that the Lord will bless us during this session of our conference. SELECTIONS FROM "TREASURES I WOULD SHARE" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.2 I have a little book in which I have recorded from time to time for many years items that have very profoundly impressed me. Last Christmas I wrote a little note to friends and had it printed, and sent a very small part of this book of several hundred pages to over 6,000 of my friends--Bishops of wards and others--and I have decided to read here today a part of what was in my Christmas greeting. I wish that all that is in my greeting might be read by all of the Latter-day Saints. As our conference proceedings are to be published, that is my excuse for reading a portion of this book entitled, "Treasures I Would Share," which was distributed by me for Christmas of 1937. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.2 J. G. Holland, one of the fine poets of our country, was born in 1819, and passed away in 1881. These are two verses from his writings: "GOD GIVE US MEN" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.3 God give us men. A time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands. God give us men. Men whom the lust of office does not kill! Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men who possess opinions and a will; Men who have honor; men who will not lie; Men who can stand before a demagogue And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking. Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog, In public duty and in private thinking. For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, Their large professions and their little deeds, Mingle in selfish strife--lo! Freedom weeps; Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps. J. G. Holland (1819-1881). Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.3 "Nicholas Murray Butler has figured that money spent for the World War could have built a $2,500.00 house, placed in it $1,000.00 worth of furniture, put it on five acres of land worth $100.00 an acre and have given this to every family in the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Belgium, Germany and Russia; could have given to each city of 20,000 or over in each of these countries a five-million dollar library and a ten-million dollar university; and could still with what was left set aside a sum at 5 per cent that would provide a $1,000.00 yearly salary for over 125,000 teachers and a like number of nurses." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.3 The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is rounded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is, to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a weary and thirsty land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. Joseph Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.3 AGE Age is a quality of mind: If your dreams you've left behind, If hope is cold, If you no longer look ahead, If your ambition's fires are dead, Then you are old. But if from life you take the best, And if in life you keep the zest, If love you hold; No matter how the years go by, No matter how the birthdays fly, You are not old. WORK A BLESSING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 Work is what keeps people young. Loafing is what starts to weaken them from the time they stop working. President Young was in active, vigorous life when he passed away, but appendicitis ended his life. His successor, John Taylor was seventy-three years of age when he was made the President of the Church. John Taylor's successor, Wilford Woodruff, was eighty-odd years of age when he became the President of the Church, and according to some, he ought to have retired over twenty years before that time, and then been supported on somebody else's money. Lorenzo Snow came to the presidency of this Church as active as any young man, and with matured judgment, at eighty-five years of age, and when the Church was in a slough of despond financially, from which he rescued it. During his three years of administration, until he was eighty-eight years of age, his mind was as clear and active as that of any man who ever presided over this Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 Joseph F. Smith, according to many people, was two years past the age when he should have retired, when he became the President of this Church, and the same is true of me. Next month, according to some people, it will be twenty-two years since I should have retired and been supported on someone else's money. INCIDENT REGARDING PRESIDENT PENROSE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 There is nothing truer than that "Age is a quality of mind." When I was nearly fifty years of age Brother Charles W. Penrose arrived in Liverpool to take my place as the president of the European Mission. The shipping firm with whom we had done business for over fifty years sent us four tickets to the Shakespeare Theater. Brother Penrose had worked as hard that day as I had. Also a large group of missionaries had come with him and there were a lot of them going home, also more than a hundred emigrants were going to America. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 I turned to my wife when these tickets came and said: "I would not go to the finest theater on the face of the earth. I am tired, I am going to bed to sleep. Take one of the missionaries with you to bring you home, also two of the daughters and use these tickets." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 Brother Penrose spoke up and said: "Sister Grant, let the old man go to bed, I will take you to the theater." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 He was only (?) twenty-five years older than I. He lacked a few weeks of being seventy-five, and I lacked a few weeks of being fifty. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 The following morning I took him to see the fine home that President Smith had authorized us to buy. Somebody asked the man who was moving the furniture out to guess our ages. He guessed me to be sixty-five, and Brother Penrose sixty. I said: "I have heard that a man was no older than he felt," and there is a world of truth in that, don't forget it. "I felt so old that I went to bed last night to sleep and this old gentleman twenty-five years older than I took my wife and daughters to the theater." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.4 When I was up in Scotland just a few weeks before Brother Penrose arrived, a good old sister asked me: "How old are you, Brother Grant?" I told her that if I lived so many weeks I would be fifty. She said: "Ah, nay, nay, never see sixty-five again." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 The next Sunday I thought I would get those three "dabs between the eyes" corrected, so I asked the president of the Birmingham Branch, as I remember it, who he thought was older, Brother Penrose or myself. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 He said: "The idea of asking such a ridiculous question. Anybody can see that you are very much older than Brother Penrose." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 I hit the table and said: "That settles it. No old man shall ever take my wife to the theater again." And they never have. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 Oliver Goldsmith (The "Deserted Village"): Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 Ill fares the land to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay: Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade; A breath can make them, as a breath has made But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed, can never be supplied. A time there was, ere England's griefs began, When every rood of ground maintained its man, For him light labor spread her wholesome store, Just gave what life required, but gave no more: His best companions, innocence and health; And his best riches, ignorance of wealth. THRIFT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 The prudent, penniless beginner in the world labors for wages for awhile, saves a surplus with which to buy land or tools for himself, then labors for himself another while, and at length hires another new beginner to help him. This is the just and generous and prosperous system which opens the way to all, gives hope to all, and consequent energy and improvement of condition to all. Abraham Lincoln. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 When a man like Henry Ford starts out with a few tools, and finally employs 125,000 people who support probably a half million people, he ought not to be penalized because of the marvelous work he has done for the benefit of humanity. MY CREED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.5 To live as gently as I can; To be, no matter where, a man; To take what comes of good or ill, And cling to faith and honor still; To do my best, and let that stand The record of my brain and hand; And then, should failure come to me, Still work and hope for victory. To have no secret place wherein I stoop unseen to shame or sin; To be the same when I'm alone As when my every deed is known; To live undaunted, unafraid Of any step that I have made; To be without pretense or sham Exactly what men think I am. To leave some simple work behind To keep my having lived in mind; If enmity to aught I show, To be an honest, generous foe; To play my little part, nor whine That greater honors are not mine. This I believe is all I need For my philosophy and creed. Edgar A. Guest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.6 You will never get me to support a measure which I believe to be wrong, although by doing so I may accomplish that which I believe to be right. Abraham Lincoln. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.6 And now there is one more lesson for us to learn, the climax of all the rest; namely, to make a personal application to ourselves of everything which we know. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.6 There is no need of your reading the Word of Wisdom unless you make application of it to your lives. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.6 Unless we master this lesson, and act on it, other lessons are virtually useless and thus robbed of their essential glory. The only living end or aim of everything we experience, of every truth we are taught, is the practical use we make of it for the enrichment of the soul, the attuning of the thoughts and actions, the exaltation of life. When we DO [and "do" is in capitals and ought to be underscored in addition] "what we KNOW" [that is also in capitals] then first does it put on vital luster and become divinely precious. William Algers. I SHALL NOT PASS AGAIN THIS WAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.6 For several years before his death, Mr. Daniel S. Ford, the proprietor, editor and builder of the Youth's Companion, because of delicate health, did his work and managed his mammoth business from a little room in his home in one of the beautiful parks of Boston. When loving hands cleared the plain but convenient desk, there was found in a conspicuous place, much worn with frequent handling, the following poem. If the poet had intended to describe Mr. Ford's daily words and actions, he could not have done so in more appropriate language: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.6 The bread that bringeth strength I want to give, The water pure that bids the thirsty live; I want to help the fainting day by day; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. I want to give the oil of joy for tears, The faith to conquer crowding doubts and fears. Beauty for ashes may I give alway; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. I want to give to others hope and faith; And into angry hearts I want to pour The answer soft that turneth wrath away; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. I want to give to others, hope and faith, I want to do all that the Master saith; I want to live aright from day to day; I'm sure I shall not pass again this way. Not what we give, but what we share, For the gift without the giver is bare; Who gives himself with his alms feeds three Himself, his hungry neighbor and Me. James Russell Lowell. (From "Vision of Sir Launfal") THREE LESSONS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.7 There are three lessons I would write, Three words as with a burning pen, In tracing of eternal light Upon the hearts of men. Have faith, though clouds environ round, And gladness hides her face in scorn. Put off the darkness from thy brow: No night but hath its morn. Have hope, where'er thy bark is driven, The calm distorts the tempest's mirth, Know this, God rules the Hosts of Heaven, The inhabitants of earth. Have lovenot love alone for one, But man as man thy brother call, And scatter as the circling sun Thy charities on all. Fredrick Schiller. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.7 I repeated that poem in nearly every speech that I delivered while I was the chairman of the Utah Liberty Loan Drive at the time that America raised six million dollars during the World War, in one campaign; and I said: "The Kaiser of Germany ought to read that poem by one of his great poets especially, "God rules the hosts of heaven, the inhabitants of earth". I felt sure that he would go down to defeat as God does rule the world and He was not on the Kaiser's side. FAVORITE HYMNS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.7 Years ago I suffered intensely from insomnia. I have been ordered to leave town within twenty-four hours or I might go crazy for lack of sleep. I have been to California time and time again in early days and could sleep there three or four nights in succession, twelve hours at a time without waking up. I learned while in England to take a nap after my lunch. Nearly every day of my life now I sleep an hour in the middle of the day. I have had only two severe attacks of insomnia since I returned over thirty years ago from Europe. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.8 I learned to sing a song or two, or three, or four, or five, as high as ten when I would wake up, and then to get up and take some physical. exercises, and take some in bed, and try to go to sleep, and failing, sit up and talk to a dictaphone for an hour, and then go back to sleep. This morning I woke up at half past one, took exercises for three-quarters of an hour and was still wide awake. Then I sang ten songs. I have sung them hundreds and hundreds of times, and I never sing them when I do not think of what the Lord said in a revelation: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.8 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.8 So in song I prayed ten times this morning. I think that I cannot deliver a more valuable sermon here today than to read these songs to you. THE TIME IS NIGH, THE HAPPY TIME The time is nigh, the happy time That great, expected, blessed day, When countless thousands of our race Shall dwell with Christ and Him obey. The prophecies must be fulfilled, Though earth and hell should dare oppose; The stone out of the mountain cut, Though unobserved, a kingdom grows. The blended image soon shall fall Brass, silver, iron, gold and clay; And superstition's dreadful reign To light and liberty give way. In one sweet symphony of praise, The Jews and Gentiles will unite; And infidelity, o'ercome, Return again to endless night. From east to west, from north to south, The Savior's kingdom shall extend, And every man in every place Shall find a brother and a friend. Parley P. Pratt. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.8 President Wilford Woodruff called for this song that I am now going to repeat, at least once a month in the meetings of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve held in the Temple: It was his favorite. GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.8 God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on thy head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purpose will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour, The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his works in vain; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain. Cowper. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.9 No man had more perfect faith than did Wilford Woodruff. He acknowledged the hand of God in everything. COME LET US ANEW Come, let us anew our journey pursue, Roll round with the year, And never stand still till the Master appear. His adorable will let us gladly fulfil, And our talents improve, By the patience of hope and the labor of love. Our life as a dream, our time as a stream Glides swiftly away, And the fugitive moment refuses to stay. The arrow is flown, the moments are gone, The Millennial year Presses on to our view, and eternity's here. O that each in the day of his coming may say, "I have fought my way through, I have finished the work thou didst give me to do." O that each from his Lord may receive the glad word: " Well and faithfully done; Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne." COME, COME, YE SAINTS Come, come, ye saints, no toll nor labor fear, But with joy wend your way; Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. 'Tis better far for us to strive, Our useless cares from us to drive, Do this, and joy your hearts will swell All is well! All is well! Why should we mourn, or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so; all is right! Why should we think to earn a great reward, If we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, Our God will never us forsake; And soon we'll have this tale to tell All is well! All is well! We'll find the place which God for us prepared, Far away in the West; Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid; There the Saints will be blessed. We'll make the air with music ring, Shout praises to our God and King; Above the rest these words we'll tell All is well! All is well! And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! All is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too. With the just we shall dwell. But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, O how we'll make this chorus swell All is well! All is well! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.10 I was told by a doctor that one of his patients came to him and sold to him some securities that he owned. Then he gave his home to one of the members of the family, he gave other things to other members of his family, and then he retired on a pension for someone else to support him. The doctor said that during the two years that this man has been drawing a pension doing nothing he has aged five or six years at least, and has had to consult him, his doctor, time and time again, more often than he ever did in the same length of time before. Worklaboris what gives people strength and power, and loafing aids in destroying their lives. SHOULD YOU FEEL INCLINED TO CENSURE Should you feel inclined to censure Faults you may in others view, Ask your own heart ere you venture. If that has not failings too. Let not friendly vows be broken; Rather strive a friend to gain; Many a word in anger spoken Finds its passage home again. Do not, then, in idle pleasure, Trifle with another's fame, Guard it as a valued treasure, Sacred as your own good name. Do not form opinions blindly; Hastiness to trouble tends. Those of whom we thought unkindly. Oft become our warmest friends. O MY FATHER O my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and glorious place! When shall I regain thy presence, And again behold thy face? In thy holy habitation, Did my spirit once reside; In my first primeval childhood, Was I nurtured near thy side? For a wise and glorious purpose Thou hast placed me here on earth, And withheld the recollection Of my former friends and birth. Yet ofttimes a secret something Whispered, "You're a stranger here"; And I felt that I had wandered From a more exalted sphere. I had learned to call thee Father, Through thy Spirit from on high; But until the Key of Knowledge Was restored, I knew not why. In the heavens are parents single? No; the thought makes reason stare! Truth is reason, truth eternal Tells me I've a mother there. When I leave this frail existence, When I lay this mortal by, Father, Mother, may I meet you In your royal courts on high? Then, at length, when I've completed All you sent me forth to do, With your mutual approbation, Let me come and dwell with you. Eliza R. Snow. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.11 I have read only six of the ten. I see the time is flying, and I have perhaps read enough. One of the songs I sang this morning was "The Flag Without a Stain," and one of them was that lengthy song of seven full verses which was sung by John Taylor in Carthage Jail at the time the Prophet was martyred. One of them was Brother Francis M. Lyman's favorite hymn, "School thy feelings, O my brother, train thy warm impulsive soul," written by Brother Charles W. Penrose after giving ten years of missionary service without purse or scrip. He was accused of taking the second-hand furniture out of the London conference house and selling it to help him to emigrate to Utah. He had given them the use of this furniture for ten years, and of course the young Elders from the "wild and woolley West" would not handle it very gently during that time. He was broken-hearted, and went home and wrote that wonderful song; "School Thy Feelings," for his own consolation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.11 (The other songs that the President sang, but which he did not repeat in his address are as follows:) A POOR WAYFARING MAN OF GRIEF A poor wayfaring man of grief Hath often crossed me on the way, Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer, nay. I had not power to ask his name Whither he went or whence he came, Yet there was something in his eye That won my love, I knew not why. Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered, not a word he spake, Just perishing for want of bread, I gave him all, he blessed it, brake. And ate, but gave me part again; Mine was the angel's portion then; For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste. I spied him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; his strength was gone, The heedless water mocked his thirst, He heard it, saw it hurrying on. I ran and raised the sufferer up; Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, Dipped and returned it running o'er; I drank and never thirsted more. 'Twas night; the floods were out; it blew A winter hurricane aloof; I heard his voice abroad and flew To bid him welcome to my roof. I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest, And laid him on my couch to rest, Then made the earth my bed and seemed In Eden's garden while I dreamed. Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway's side; I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, Revived his spirit and supplied. Wine, oil, refreshment--He was healed; I had myself a wound concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up my broken heart. In prison I saw him next condemned To meet a traitor's doom at morn; The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored him 'mid shame and scorn. My friendship's utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for him would die; The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill, But the free spirit cried, "I will!" Then in a moment to my view, The stranger started from disguise; The tokens in his hands I knew, The Savior stood before mine eyes. He spake, and my poor name he named; "Of me thou hast not been ashamed, These deeds shall thy memorial be, Fear not, thou didst them unto me." Montgomery. O YE MOUNTAINS HIGH O ye mountains high, where the clear blue sky Arches over the vales of the free, Where the pure breezes blow and the clear streamlets flow How I've longed to thy bosom to flee. O Zion! dear Zion! land of the free, Now my own mountain home, unto thee I have come-- All my fond hopes are centered in thee. Though the great and the wise, all thy beauties despise, To the humble and pure thou art dear; Though the haughty may smile and the wicked revile, Yet we love thy glad tidings to hear. O Zion! dear Zion! home of the free, Though thou wert forced to fly to thy chambers on high, Yet we'll share joy and sorrow with thee. In thy mountain retreat, God will strengthen thy feet; On the necks of thy foes thou shalt tread; And their silver and gold, as the prophets foretold, Shall be brought to adorn thy fair head. O Zion, dear Zion! home of the free, Soon thy towers shall shine with a splendor divine And eternal thy glory shall be. Here our voices we'll raise, and we'll sing to thy praise, Sacred home of the prophets of God; Thy deliverance is nigh, thy oppressors shall die, And the Gentiles shall bow 'neath thy rod. O Zion! dear Zion! land of the free, In thy temples we'll bend, all thy rights we'll defend And our home shall be ever with thee. Charles W. Penrose. SCHOOL THY FEELINGS, O MY BROTHER School thy feelings, O my brother, Train thy warm, impulsive soul; Do not its emotions smother, But let wisdom's voice control. School thy feelings, there is power In the cool, collected mind; Passion shatters reason's tower, Makes the clearest vision blind. School thy feelings, condemnation Never pass on friend or foe, Though the tide of accusation Like a flood of truth may flow. Hear defense before deciding, And a ray of light may gleam, Showing thee what filth is hiding Underneath the shallow stream. Should affliction's acrid vial Burst o'er thy unsheltered head, School thy feelings to the trial, Half its bitterness hath fled. Art thou falsely, basely slandered? Does the world begin to frown? Gauge thy wrath by wisdom's standard. Keep thy rising anger down. Rest thyself on this assurance, Time's a friend to innocence And the patient, calm endurance Wins respect and aids defense. Noblest minds have finest feelings, Quivering strings a breath can move, And the Gospel's sweet revealings Tune them with the key of love. Hearts so sensitively moulded Strongly fortified should be, Trained to firmness and enfolded In a calm tranquility. Wound not wilfully another; Conquer haste with reason's might; School thy feelings, sister, brother, Train them in the path of right. Charles W. Penrose. THE FLAG WITHOUT A STAIN For years and years I've waved o'er my people, O'er land and sea, o'er church tower and steeple; Foremost in battle proudly I reign, Triumphant now o'er thee, without one stain. O, how I trembled when called alone to stand, But brave hearts sustained me to wave o'er the land. O, my America! O my America! Proudly I wave o'er thee, Sweet land of Liberty. No flag on earth shall insult this nation, Justice and right shall e'er be our relation. No creed or sect shall here ever reign. While floats the Stars and Stripes, without one stain. Stars that were blotted are shining once again, The Angel of Peace has wiped out the stain. THE WORD OF THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.14 In addition to singing these songs this morning I repeated from the 121st section of the Doctrine and Covenants, commencing with the words "How long can rolling waters remain impure," to the end of the section: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.14 33. How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.14 34. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 35. Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 36. That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 37. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves, the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 38. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the Saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 39. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. 40. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 41. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 42. By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 43. Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 44. That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 45. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 46. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 This is one of the most marvelous revelations that God has given to man, and it was given to the Prophet while he was imprisoned in Liberty Jail. THANKFUL FOR KNOWLEDGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.15 How I do thank the Lord that I have an abiding and absolute knowledge that He lives, that He is my Father, that He hears and answers my prayers! How I do thank the Lord it is beyond my ability to express my gratitude for a knowledge that His Son is my Redeemer and yours; that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ visited the boy Joseph Smith, and that Moroni delivered into his hands the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated! I thank the Lord that when I read the Book of Mormon there Came into my soul a testimony that it is exactly what it purports to he. I fell in love with Nephi, and more than any other character, except my Redeemer, in the Bible or the Book of Mormon he has been my guiding star. IDLENESS CONDEMNED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.16 We should have an ambition, we should have a desire to work to the full extent of our ability. Work is pleasing to the Lord. "The idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord." I reached my office this morning at 8:30 o'clock, and generally get there at 8 o'clock. As a rule I do not leave the office before 5:30 or 6:00, and at noon I go next door to the Lion House Cafeteria, where I get a quick lunch. Once in a great while, when I have not been able to sleep as well as usual, I have brought to my office as many as eight cylinders of letters. Working eight or nine hours a day has never injured me, and I do not believe it has ever injured anyone else. The Lord says: "Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.16 May the Lord bless us in this conference. I leave with you my abiding testimony that I know as I know that I live that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, the instrument in the hands of God of establishing again upon the earth the plan of life and salvation--the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.16 May God help you, my dear brethren and sisters, every one of you who has the same knowledge which I have, to live the Gospel, to do that which is right, and then we are sure of the reward of life eternal in His presence. This is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer and Savior. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.32 We were very grateful for the splendid attendance at the Elijah oratorio last night. I was greatly disappointed at the attendance the night before. When I thought of the thousands and tens of thousands of hours that our good brethren and sisters of the choir have devoted without financial reward, I was humiliated with the first night's attendance. These tabernacle choir and organ broadcasts are the greatest advertisement for Utah that could possibly be given, and the Choir gives its services free. Every time the Choir gives a concert here we should come and support it, and if we would buy some additional tickets and give them away it would be a good thing. URGES CARE BE EXERCISED ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.32 I would like to warn each and all of you to be careful. To the utter disgrace of Utah we lead the whole nation in automobile accidents. It is a shame, we should be the most careful and the most considerate people. I hope that we will be very careful in crossing the streets. I have been traveling time and time again at twenty-five miles an hour, when that was the speed limit, and have had people pass me like I was hitched to a post. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.52 I would like again to call your attention to automobile accidents. Be careful, please. Do not try to go unless you have the right to go according to the signals. I hope that this building will be crowded tonight at the performance of Elijah. It is one of the finest things that has ever been here. If it were given in New York, you would have to pay about $5 to see and hear it, and you would not complain, either. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.52 I have heard some people complain that we ought to have a twenty-five cent price. It is mighty hard to give a $5 entertainment for twenty-five cents. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.52 If this were a picture show, you could stand it two hours and a half, but being a religious service, I suppose you are tired. THE MISSIONARY SYSTEM AS AN EDUCATOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.53 But I want to say a word or two in confirmation of what Brother Bryant S. Hinckley has said. A man who had been around the world a number of times, to whom I referred in my remarks here once, his neighbor's boy was called on a mission to Germany. This man was living at the time in Soda Springs, Idaho. He laughed and laughed at the idea of that "clod-hopper" as he called him, being called on a mission to preach and to learn another language. "Why, it is a joke," he thought. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.53 After the boy had been away a year and a half, a letter came from the boy saying: "I have found some of your relatives living here in Berlin. I did not tell them that I used to work for you. Kindly send me a letter of introduction." This man told me that when he received the letter, he laughed and said to his wife: "My dear, that young man won't know how to behave himself in polite society. I am not going to humiliate him by giving him a letter of introduction." But he said: "After I had slept on it, I thought it was none of my affair if he wanted to be humiliated. So I sent him the letter." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.53 "Some time later I received a letter from my relatives saying, 'Your young Mormon friend called on us. He is a very intelligent young man, and we have thoroughly enjoyed our visit with him.' Another year and a half rolled round, and I heard that he had returned home and was going to preach in the ward. I thought it would be a joke for that boy to preach a sermon, so I went to hear him, and I heard one of the cleanest-cut, finest arguments in favor of your Church and its doctrines that I had ever heard. Why, Mr. Grant, your missionary system through which you call young men to perform missions is the greatest educator and the greatest developer of young men of any system. It is superior to any university, or college, or seminary." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.53 The Lord bless you. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.142 Again I express my gratitude for the singing that we have had, for the wonderful "Elijah" oratorio, for the fine speeches that we have heard, for the marvelous attendance at this Conference, and for the blessings of the Lord that have been with us. INVOKES BLESSINGS UPON THE PEOPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.142 I rejoice beyond all else in the growth of faith among the Latter-day Saints, and with all the power and authority that God has bestowed upon me and I know as I know that I live that he has directed me from boyhood, that he has heard and answered my prayers, that I have had revelations, so to speak, from the Lord, and have endeavored to carry them out I pray God to bless every honest-hearted soul at home or abroad. I pray that what has been said here may sink deep into the hearts of the people, that we will judge not that we be not judged, and that we will not condemn people in any of the countries today that are doing things that we think they ought not to do, because many of them are doing what they are doing because they dare not do otherwise, and are just as much opposed to it as we are. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.142 May the spirit of peace and brotherly love grow among the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1938, p.142 Again may I plead with the people to get down on their knees and ask God to direct them in every act of life, and then if they get the Spirit of God they will feel happy and content in what they do. Do not do something that you can not ask God to help you to do. Grow in the light and knowledge of the Gospel, and as a servant of God I promise you peace and joy and happiness, in the name of our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant MARVELOUS RECORD OF ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.13 I hold in my hand a letter from Brother Walter Cox of Provo. He has attended 121 annual and semi-annual Conferences. He is 82 years of age, is a full tithepayer, and pays a full Fast donation. He has not spent five dollars on doctor bills, and has traveled 25,000 miles to attend these conferences. That is a very remarkable record. I am perhaps safe in saying that he holds the record, never having missed a Conference in sixty years. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.13 I am very happy to be here; very happy to see this marvelous audience. I have thoroughly enjoyed--although statistics are a little tedious--the remarkable and wonderful report of report of the accomplishments of the Latter-day Saints during the past year. I am convinced that no other people in all the world can compare with the Latter-day Saints in giving actual, practical demonstration of faith in the Gospel, of their willingness to labor for it, and of their willingness to contribute of their time and their means for the advancement and spread of the Gospel at home and abroad. It is almost unbelievable that we could do as much as has been reported here today, running up into the millions of dollars. We had a very severe and bad year because of the low price of our products, and yet, lo and behold, the actual tithes and Fast-day donations paid are the greatest we have had, better than last year. INDIVIDUAL TESTIMONIES OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.14 My heart goes out in gratitude to all those who are working at home and abroad for the spread of the Gospel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.14 I am very thankful indeed that we have the truth. I am very grateful that the Latter-day Saints all over the world have a personal, individual and abiding testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. But for that testimony men would not think, or women either, of making the marvelous sacrifices that they do make at home and abroad, for the advancement of the work of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.14 I have mentioned it time and time again, but I never tire of referring to it, that we have been preaching the Gospel now for over a hundred years, and I have yet to know of any individual who has gone out to proclaim the Gospel who has been converted to some other faith. What a marvelous thing that is! Unless we had the truth this could not have been accomplished. We have had men of great intelligence, of great knowledge, men who have been connected with other churches, who, when they heard the Gospel have received it, and in answer to their prayers and supplications they have obtained individual testimonies of the divinity of the work in which we as Latter-day Saints are engaged. A TRIBUTE TO ORSON PRATT AND OTHER LEADERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.14 Orson Pratt was one of the great astronomers of the world, one of the great mathematicians, one of the greatest students of languages, a man with a better knowledge of the Bible, I believe, than almost any other man in his day and generation, and when we think of this Gospel capturing men of that kind, it is a source of gratitude to us. I am grateful when I think of the men who have stood at the head of this Church and the leading officials of the same, giving their time and their talents, making sacrifices (that is, sacrifices so far as the things of this world are concerned), and having a perfect and abiding knowledge that God lives, that he hears and answers our prayers; having a knowledge, beyond a shadow of doubt that God did appear to Joseph Smith and did introduce his Son to him; having a perfect knowledge that the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods were restored to the earth by the men who held the keys in the Meridian of Time. I am grateful that the Savior appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple, and for the wonderful manifestations as recorded in the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH SMITH AND OLIVER COWDERY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.14 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.14 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 And this is the Gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 That through him all might be saved whom the Father hath put into his power and made by him; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the work of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him. GROWTH OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 Nothing short of this perfect and absolute knowledge that we possess as a people would enable us to accomplish anywhere near the things that we are accomplishing. To think that in these days of depression and trouble we are able to spend millions of dollars of money to build meeting houses. Nearly every Sunday, for weeks at a stretch, I have had to dedicate meeting houses and every time the buildings have been full to overflowing with those who have attended these meetings. People have labored in some cases for ten long years in raising their share of the money to build their meeting house. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 We are growing splendidly. There is a feeling of absolute confidence; there is no fear on our part of the final triumph of the work of God. This is very gratifying indeed. I can think of nothing more remarkable than that when the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum and others were sentenced to be shot by a court martial, a man was raised up of the Lord to defy the commanding officer and who said it was cold-blooded murder. Then the Prophet was imprisoned, with others, where he received what to my mind is one of the most remarkable and wonderful revelations, one of the greatest of all the revelations ever received by man. A REVELATION GIVEN IN LIBERTY JAIL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 I am going to read to you from that revelation received by the Prophet Joseph Smith, while he was imprisoned in jail. I am reading from the 121st section of the D&C, starting with the thirty-third verse: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri River in its decreed course, or to turn it upstream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.15 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the Saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 Hence, many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 May God help you and me and every soul in this Church to be chosen, and to stay chosen, in that straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 By kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth, and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 I repeat this is one of the most marvelous revelations that we have, a blessing from God given to the Prophet Joseph while in a jail! I think there is nothing finer in the D&C. There can be nothing of greater importance than to exercise the Priesthood exactly as it is explained here. WELFARE WORK RECEIVES PRAISE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 I am very thankful indeed for the remarkable success of our Welfare work thus far; I am thankful for the devotion so many are giving to that work. I am grateful to realize and know that our Heavenly Father is directing us; that he is inspiring us; that he is leading us by his Spirit; that we as a people are growing in those things that are pleasing and acceptable to our Heavenly Father. To be able in these hard times to make such a report as we have listened to here today, is certainly an inspiration to every Latter-day Saint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 We are the architects--not only the architects but we are also the builders of our own lives. If a man knows the mind and will of the Lord and fails to do it, he is drifting away from that straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. COLONEL HAWES' COMPLIMENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.16 I think there is nothing finer that I have ever received in my life from anyone than a statement that I received from my nearest and dearest friend, not a member of the Church, when he wrote a letter to me all the way from London, asking about Brother Anthony W. Ivins--what had become of him? This man came to my mother's home when I was a little boy. He afterwards came and boarded with us, and later came with his wife. His first child was born in our home. He was the best friend without any exception that I ever had outside of the Church, and he was a loyal true friend to our people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.17 He said: "I have often said to my wife 'the day will come when these two boys, Anthony W. Ivins and Heber J. Grant, will be at the head of the Mormon Church; it is in them.' You are an Apostle and the president of several companies, but I have never heard of your cousin, and really I expected him to outshine you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.17 I wrote back and said: "Colonel, your judgment is good. When I was made an Apostle I told my wife and mother that I could not understand why my cousin was not chosen, that he had forgotten more than I knew. NOMINATION AS GOVERNOR REFUSED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.17 "When we secured Statehood I received a telegram from the Democratic State convention, asking, 'Where can we find Anthony Ivins? We will give him his choice to be nominated for the first congressman, now that we have Statehood, or the first governor.' I answered: 'He is on the Kaibab Mountain selling the cattle, horses and property of his company, he has accepted a call of the Church to go to Mexico.' And if there is any one place more than another that he does not want to go to, that place is Mexico. He has burned his bridges, has sold his ranch and his home, and nothing in the world would tempt him to stay here until he is called back again. Afterwards, to show that your judgment is good, Colonel, they offered the governorship to me. I told the gentleman, Heber M. Wells, who was nominated by the Republican party: 'Here is a telegram that may interest you,' and showed the telegram to him. He said: 'All right, Heber, if you want that job I shall resign and campaign for you. What little I have in the world you helped me to obtain. I feel trader obligations to you.' I said: 'I will let you know later'." PRESIDENT WOODRUFF'S ANSWER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.17 I showed the telegram to President Woodruff. Those of you who knew Brother Woodruff know that he did not speak very slowly. He said to me: "Why do you bother me with your telegram? Haven't you enough sense as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ to answer your own telegram, without bothering the President of the Church?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.17 I said: "Thanks. Thanks. If you wanted me to run for this position you would have said so. Good day." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.17 I sent a telegram saying: "It will be a personal favor to me if my name is not brought before the convention." And it never was. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.17 I wanted that position awfully bad, but I have never seen the day since I became the president of the Tooele Stake of Zion, at the time I was not yet twenty-four years of age, when I did not want to know what the President of the Church wanted, and what the leading officials of the Church wanted me to do, and that I did not want to do whatever they would have me do, no matter what my personal likes or dislikes might be. I have sacrificed my own financial prospects to a great extent, among the prospects being the one this dear friend of mine offered me, a little job of $40,000 a year when the Church was making me an allowance in tithing office orders of $3,600.00. EVERYTHING IN A BELIEF INVOLVING FUTURE EXISTENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.18 My friend answered back and said: "My dear Heber: Your nice long letter of the 10th came duly to hand. Of course you know, aside from the long and intimate personal friendship we have had together, how much I have always been impressed with the fineness and the sincerity of the men and women who hold your faith. Many times and oft I have said in conversation that the only religious people I know who live up to their professions are the Mormons of Utah. This is true. This it is that inspires respect even where there is a total absence of belief in the doctrines of the Church. Your people carry their beliefs into daily life and act as if they think there is something in them. I cannot see how, as a sensible person, if I had the faith to start with, I could do otherwise. For if there is anything in a belief which involves an eternity of future existence, there is everything." And he drew a big black line under the words "anything" and "everything." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.18 "If there is anything in a belief which involves an eternity of future existence there is everything." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.18 If you remember nothing that I have said here today excepting that one sentence you will not have come here in vain this morning. That statement is an absolute fact. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.18 I wrote the Colonel: "It is a fact, it is not a mere belief. The promise of the Savior was, that if any man would do the will of the Father he should know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or of man, and we Latter-day Saints know of the doctrine." KNOWLEDGE MUST BE PUT INTO PRACTICE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.18 But faith and knowledge without practice are of no value. All the knowledge in the world would not amount to anything unless we put that knowledge into actual practice. We are the architects and builders of our lives, and if we fail to put our knowledge into actual practice and do the duties that devolve upon us we are making a failure of life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.18 It has fallen to my lot to be in bed for two days under the orders of the doctor. I am instructed to stay with you this morning, but to go to bed this afternoon, and I think this short speech that I have made (and I have tried to make it a little faster than usual so as to get in a little more than I otherwise would do) is about all I need to say, because I do not want to be criticized when I meet the doctor later, I want you to know that I am not sick and if it were not contrary to the doctor's instructions I would stay right here, but he has told me not to come back this afternoon, and what is the use of having a doctor if you do not obey him? INVOKES BLESSING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.19 May the Lord bless you one and all, is my prayer for you. I thank God that I know we have the truth. I thank God that I know that he lives, that he hears and answers my prayers, that he guides me by his Spirit, that he gives me the inspiration of his Spirit to know what to do and how to do it for the benefit of his people here on the earth. I thank God for the remark made to me by President Joseph F. Smith--the last remark that he made before he passed on--"The Lord knows who he wants to stand at the head of his Church, and the Lord never makes any mistakes. The Lord bless you; the Lord bless you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.19 God bless you one and all. May we never lose the knowledge that he lives, that he hears and answers our prayers. May we grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Savior. May we grow in a knowledge that Joseph Smith was in very deed a prophet; that the revelations in the D&C, given even before the Church was organized, have been fulfilled time and time again; that his name should be known for good and evil all over the world, and that he should suffer persecutions. Finally he was martyred for the cause. May we be loyal and true to that prophet and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.31 I am very grateful myself, and I am sure that you all are, to the Singing Mothers for the lovely music to which we have listened; we appreciate it very much indeed. AVOID AUTO ACCIDENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.31 Our City Fathers have requested us one and all to be careful of automobile accidents. I want to ask as a personal favor that people quit breaking the speed limit in this city. If they happen to see a green light you would think that someone was dying, the way they try to get there before it changes to a red light; you would think that life and death were at stake. I have had automobiles pass me time and time again when I was going just the speed limit, and then they generally get to the light too late and the red light comes on. If the city would pass an ordinance to the effect that every one should send in the name of every man who passes him breaking the speed limit, trying to get through the green light, and if they would take the testimony of that one person, provided there was no other person to testify to it, I think they would collect in fines about a thousand dollars a day in this city. There is no necessity to break the speed limit, none whatever, and of course there is no necessity of always trying to get your right-of-way when it is your turn. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.31 Here lies the body of William Gray, Who died maintaining his right of way. Now William was right as he sped along, But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.31 Let the other fellow have the right-of-way. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.140 I know we can stand a selection by the choir, and inasmuch as we are to have "The Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah," by the choir, I am prolonging the meeting a little. I know that you will wait to hear this selection. REGARDING AGE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.141 I rejoice in the remarkable and splendid Conference we have had. It has been a source of sorrow to me to be absent part of the time. I am feeling fine, physically. Speaking of old age, Brother Charles W. Penrose lacked only a few weeks of being seventy-five when he came to Liverpool to preside over the European and British Missions, and he per-formed--at least the missionaries did during his administration--many more baptisms than did Francis M. Lyman and Heber J. Grant. Brother Penrose was there three years, and we had five years. So you must not think that age counts when it comes to spreading the Gospel. If they have the root of the matter in them and are healthy, just let them go out and work. BECAUSE WE HAVE THE TRUTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.141 I thank the Lord for this remarkable and wonderful Conference we have had. No such conference could be held by any other people in all the wide world. Why is it that the Latter-day Saints have such a spirit with them? Why is it that every missionary who fulfills a good mission says it is the best time of his life? It is because we have the truth and they are nearer to the Lord when in the mission field than in any other place. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.141 May the blessings of the Lord be and abide with all of you. May you go home under the inspiration of the spirit that has been with us, first, last, and all time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1939, p.141 I apologize to Brother Rulon S. Wells for not having him speak. Brother Wells, you know, is past eighty, and so am I. We had him speak to us in the temple, and then we asked him to speak again today, after the morning meeting, to the German Saints. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 Read the following: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 MESSAGE FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 The long-threatened and dreaded war has broken out. Its end and fruition await now the measure of God's infinite wisdom, justice, and mercy. "THOU SHALT NOT KILL" STILL A LAW UNTO MAN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 The divine law on the taking of human life was proclaimed at Sinai and in the Garden. This law, we declare, is equally binding upon men and upon nations. It embraces war. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 We further declare that God is grieved by war and that tic will hold subject to the eternal punishments of his will those who wage it unrighteously. THE WICKED TO FEEL GOD'S WRATH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 We affirm that all international controversies may be settled by pacific means if nations will but deal unselfishly and righteously one with another. We appeal to the leaders of all nations and to the people themselves thus to mend and adjust their differences, lest the vials of God's wrath he poured out upon the earth, for he has said he will visit his wrath upon tile wicked without measure. A CALL TO REPENTANCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 We call the unrighteous of the world to repentance--a forsaking of sin and a returning to righteousness, for the Lord has said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked. I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 I have sworn in my wrath and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man. (Doc. and Coy. 63:32-33.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 We condemn all of war's foul brood--avarice, greed, misery, want, disease, cruelty, hate, inhumanity, savagery, death. A PLEA FOR LOVE TO TAKE THE PLACE OF HATE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 We earnestly implore all members of the Church to love their brethren and sisters, and all peoples whoever and wherever they are; to banish hate from their lives, to fill their hearts with charity, patience, long-suffering, and forgiveness. The Master said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.8 Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.9 We ask the Lord so to overrule the plans and designs of man that this war shall not spread to countries not now involved, and especially that America shall escape the material and spiritual ravages of war. A PRAYER FOR THE BEREFT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.9 We humbly pray God to bring to all bereft and grieving mothers the sweet consolation of his Spirit, to the widow robbed of her helpmeet a faith that God will help her in her lonely struggle for a livelihood for her children, to those fatherless children a will to help their mother in her fight for their welfare and existence, and to peoples everywhere an increased desire and determination to "renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children; * * * lest," said the Lord, "I come and smite the whole earth with a curse, and all flesh be consumed before me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.9 We pray that the spirit now raging in men's hearts, of hate, of exploitation, of a desire to dominate, may be supplanted by the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness, that in obedience to principles of righteousness and of justice this war without further bloodshed and suffering may be brought to an early close. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.9 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.9 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.9 Long life, joy, peace, and happiness come to every soul who obeys the laws of God. It is pleasing to our Heavenly Father that we live long upon the earth, and he has given to us a Word of Wisdom, a revelation explaining his will whereby we can obtain this great blessing of long life. There is no greater blessing in all the world than to live upon the earth and to labor in that way and manner that will be pleasing and acceptable to God our Heavenly Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.9 That he may help every Latter-day Saint from this day to make up his mind to be an honest, conscientious tithe-payer; that he will attend his meetings and partake of the Spirit of God that is always present: that he will observe the Word of Wisdom, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.43 This is about the first time since I became the President of the Church that we have run out of preachers. As there are a few minutes left, I shall occupy them myself. GRATITUDE FOR OUTPOURING OF SPIRIT AT CONFERENCE MEETINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.43 I desire to express my gratitude with all my heart for the very remarkable and splendid meetings we have had thus far in this Conference. This is a remarkable and wonderful gathering this afternoon on a week day, and the gathering this morning was a most marvelous one. We have been fed the bread of life. We have had spiritual food. We have felt in our hearts, I am sure, gratitude to God for the rich outpouring of his Holy Spirit thus far in our Conference. In the kind providences of the Lord it does seem to me that from year to year since I have had the privilege of being the President of the Church, our Conferences have been occasions where there has been a remarkable, and wonderful, and rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, and for this I have been grateful beyond my power of expression. PRAISE FOR AUTHORITIES OF CHURCH PAST AND PRESENT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.43 I feel my own weakness when I undertake to make any comparison between myself and the men with whom I was associated as a child; with Brigham Young, until he passed away just before I was twenty-one years old; and with the other Presidents who preceded me after I became an Apostle. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.43 The testimony borne here by Brother Joseph Anderson I can bear; that I know that for more than fifty long years now, from actual association as a member of the Council of the Twelve and the President of the Church, that the Apostles and the men who have stood at the head of this Church, with very few exceptions, have desired beyond everything else upon the face of the earth to know what the Lord would like them to do, and they were anxious to do it to the full extent of their ability. LATTER-DAY SAINTS BECOMING KNOWN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.44 The railing out against the Church, the viciousness and the lying about our people as a whole have almost entirely died out because people have come to know the desires of our hearts, that we have no enmity against even those who malign us. The Lord has helped us upon many occasions to make friends with some who were at one time our enemies. They have learned that every true Latter-day Saint is a servant of the Lord desiring to know what the Lord would like him to do, and although their own personal ambitions might be vastly different from those of ourselves, yet men are learning that a real, genuine Latter-day Saint is a man worthy to be trusted in all particulars because he desires to know the mind and will of God. While they may feel that we are mistaken as a people, they realize our honesty and integrity. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.44 I have always been grateful that in the early days, when Daniel Tuttle presided over the Episcopal Church here, when he went East he would say, "While I disagree with the Mormons, they are honest; they are full of integrity; their devotion to the faith is fine; and I respect them." He was almost alone, however, in this attitude. A MINISTER'S PERFIDY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.44 I remember that a minister of one of the churches said that he attended a picnic out in Tooele County given by the Sunday School and that all of the teachers, every one of them was drunk and nearly all of the children. It so happened at that particular time, with the exception of a little mining town called Stockton, there was not a saloon in Tooele County, and there was not, as you all know, any picnic of Latter-day Saint teachers and Sunday School children where anyone was drunk. Such a statement was a lie pure and simple. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.44 The gentleman afterwards delivered a very remarkable and wonderful sermon in the Salt Lake Theatre of which he was so proud that he furnished a copy of it to the Salt Lake Herald and another copy to the Tribune. It so happened that the editor of the Herald had to stay at the office that night because the assistant editor, who had to put the headings on the telegrams as they came in, was sick and had to go home, and the editor had to do the proof reading. Lo and behold, when he came to this sermon, he recognized it as a plagiarism, and said: "Send it to the composition room, knock it down and set it up in half columns." The next day it appeared in half columns as an "original sermon" by our dear friend, and next to it in parallel column the same identical sermon as preached by one of the great ministers of America who had been dead for about twenty years. Of course his associates tried him and then found other fields for his labors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.44 I am indeed thankful for our meeting here today and all that has happened. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.106 I am sorry to tell you that Brother George Albert Smith is suffering from quite a severe attack of lumbago, which is the reason that he has not been at this Conference. He sends his greetings. I had a little visit with him this morning, he is improving, but I did not feel that it would be wise for him to come to the meeting this afternoon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.106 We of course regret the absence of Brother Joseph Fielding Smith. He is in Europe and has done a fine work there. We are grateful that he was in Europe when the war broke out. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.106 Elder Levi Edgar Young of the General Authorities is absent from us presiding over the New England Mission. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.106 Elder John H. Taylor was assigned to be in New York to assist Brother Frank Evans in taking care of our missionaries who are returning from Europe and to assign to their new fields of labor those who have not completed their missions. We regret his absence. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.106 Yesterday I forgot to express our deep appreciation for the beautiful singing of the chorus of the Branch Agricultural College at Cedar City. We thoroughly appreciated their singing and are grateful to them for making such a long trip to come here and help make this Conference of interest. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.106 We are always grateful to our Singing Mothers for the fine contribution which they give to us. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.126 I have rejoiced exceedingly in the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord in our meetings of this Conference. I am very grateful for the address of the First Presidency that I had the privilege of reading here at the beginning of the Conference. I am very grateful for the remarkable and wonderful talks of President Clark and President McKay, and I am grateful for all the other fine speeches that we have had. CONFERENCES BLESSED OF THE LORD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.126 Year after year it has seemed to me that each Conference we have had has been almost superior, at least fully the equal of any that have gone before, and each year I have wondered if we would reach the same heights of inspiration and blessings of the Lord in our Conferences, and I feel that we have not been lacking in this great Conference. In my judgment the Lord has seen fit to pour out his Spirit in great abundance upon us in these times. PLANS LAID BY JOSEPH SMITH CARRIED OUT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.126 I am truly grateful for the safe arrival of our missionaries from Europe. Nearly all of them are here now. I am very grateful indeed for every blessing that the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon his people. We have been a blessed people from the day that we arrived in this section of the country. The Lord led the people here under the inspiration of Brigham Young, and the Lord has blessed the individual management of the various presidents of this Church from the days of Brigham Young until now. The reason that the Lord has blessed us is that we as a people have tried to carry out the advice, counsel, and plans of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In no one thing did Brigham Young attempt to claim that in the organization set up and the plans that were made he was doing anything more than building upon the foundation laid by the Prophet Joseph Smith, under the inspiration of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 When we stop to think of the marvelous work that the Prophet Joseph did, sometimes I wonder how any man of intelligence can look into the life of that man, can know of his imprisonment, of the drivings, of the persecutions, of the tarring and feathering, of the sentence of death having been passed upon him, and then read the wonderful things that we have in the Doctrine and Covenants--I cannot understand how any reasonable man can fail to acknowledge the inspiration of the Lord in his accomplishments. I cannot understand how any intelligent man could think that any man without the help of the Lord could have produced the Book of Mormon which has been before us now for more than a hundred years and has stood the test during all that period of time, notwithstanding the ridicule that has been brought against it, for one reason and then another. Today that book which was translated by Joseph Smith as the instrumentality of the Lord stands out supreme. It is today the greatest missionary that we have for proclaiming this Gospel, there is nothing else to compare with it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 I rejoice in my acquaintance with Brigham Young as a child and later as a man. He loved little children dearly, as did my father, from what everyone tells me. Father made the remark that he did not believe anyone loved little children more than did he. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 I was about to say something, but I do not think it is worthy of it, relative to remarks made about my father. It takes dogs to bark, of course they are necessary, and it is just as well to let them bark, because barking does not hurt anybody, just so long as we keep the dogs far enough away that they do not bite. COMMENDATION FOR CHOIRS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 I rejoice in our wonderful Choir. I rejoice in the fine management of this Choir and our fine organists. I rejoice in our having such fine groups of singers in different parts of Utah that we can bring here to sing for us. I do not think there is another people in the world of the same number that can begin to compare with our people as congregational singers. I do not think we can find them anywhere else. CHOIR AT THE WORLD'S FAIR IN 1893 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 I rejoice in the statement made that if we had had justice given to us way back in 1893 we would have won the first prize for the best chorus of 250 voices. The manager of one of the greatest booking agencies in New York--Major Pond--said after the contest: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 "My, I am glad I was not the judge, I would have had to give the prize to those awful Mormons." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 The Scranton Choir engaged fifty voices from Wales because they were afraid of our choir. The Choir was permitted to give concerts to help pay their expenses before the contest, and the Pennsylvania people were so frightened that they hired the fifty best voices from Wales to help them out, and the Major said: "Those fifty voices upset the perfect harmony of the four parts, and it was not so good a choir with those voices as it was without them." And that is the exact criticism that I received from one of my lifelong nearest and dearest and most closely associated friends, the late Horace G. Whitney, who managed the Choir upon that occasion. I was in New York, the panic was on, and I was there laboring to obtain money with which to keep myself and others alive financially. Horace wrote to me and said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.127 "Heber, I would have been satisfied had they put the $1000.00 and the $5000.00 prizes together and divided the amount, but it was an outrage to give the first prize to the other choir; we were better than the other choir." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.128 I wrote and said: "My dear Bud: You know they say, love is blind, cannot smell nor hear. You came up as a child under Stephens' training. You learned to love him with all your heart, you love the choir, and I shall have to vote, seeing you would have been satisfied with half the amount if they had put the two prizes together--I shall have to vote with vote with the committee that gave it to Scranton." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.128 Two days later--being in New York at the time, and being the president of the Salt Lake Theatre and familiar with musical people,--I learned of Major Pond's criticism. So I wrote to Bud: "You can hear, and you can smell, and you made a fair decision." GRATEFUL FOR WORK OF CHURCH MUSICIANS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.128 I rejoice in the splendid work that has been done. I feel a debt of gratitude to our singers. I feel a debt of gratitude to Evan Stephens, George Careless, to Ebenezer Beesley, Joseph Daynes, and others who have given us the beautiful music that we have. I am grateful to them. These selections lift us up, and they build us up. The Lord says that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto him, and I love to hear these beautiful prayers. I never get tired of them. I want you to know that I am sure I sing or repeat this song to myself ("God Moves in a Mysterious Way") four or five times a week regularly, and I never hear it, I never sing it and I never read it that I do not thank God for the splendid words. There is nothing truer than the last verse: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.128 Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His work in vain; God is his own interpreter, And He will make it plain. A MIGHTY PEOPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.128 God predicted things through the Prophet Joseph Smith that have been fulfilled. He said that "the Saints should continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains. Many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some would go to assist in making settlements and building cities and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.129 Are we a mighty people? We are. 6800 men holding the priesthood were in this building last night. No other people in the world like us; no other people with the power that we have here, because we are following a prophet of the living God, the man whom God chose to organize this Church, and whom he visited and to whom he introduced his beloved Son. I have met hundreds of men who have said, "If it were not for Joseph Smith I could accept your religion." Any man who does not believe in Joseph Smith as a prophet of the true and the living God has no right to be in this Church. That revelation to Joseph Smith is the foundation stone. If Joseph Smith did not have that interview with God and Jesus Christ the whole Mormon fabric is a failure and a fraud. It is not worth anything on earth. But God did come, God did introduce his Son, God did inspire that man tO organize the Church of Jesus Christ, and all the opposition of the world is not able to withstand the truth. It is flourishing, it is growing, and it will grow more. I know beyond a shadow of doubt of the divinity of this work in which we are engaged. It is one of the joys of my life at home and abroad, in private and in public to testify that I know as well as I know that I live, that God lives, that he hears and answers our prayers. He has heard and answered mine from childhood until the present day. He heard and answered the prayers of that beloved mother of mine. Under the inspiration of the living God she planted in my heart a love of truth, a love of God, a love of the Prophet Joseph. Her description of that man was that he was one of the finest, one of the most wonderful men she had ever laid eyes upon. She knew as she knew that she lived that he was a prophet of God. And she knew that Brigham Young was his successor. Why? Because she was in Nauvoo when Brigham Young stood up add was transfigured in voice and form before the people, and the mantle of the Prophet Joseph fell upon him when Sidney Rigdon, in good plain English, tried to steal the Church. BLESSINGS PROMISED THOSE WHO LIVE THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.129 May the Lord bless us and guide us by his Spirit. So far as I am entitled to do so I pray God for his Spirit to bless each and all of you I pray God for you one and all to love this Gospel, to think of it as of more value than anything else in all the world, and that is what it is. To know that if we keep the commandments of God we shall go back into his presence; to know that we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ if we only live the Gospel; to know that this is truly the Gospel of Jesus Christ is worth more than anything else in all the wide world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1939, p.129 I pray God to bless each and every one of us who have the knowledge of the divinity of this work. May we grow and increase in that knowledge, and above all, may we live it, that our lives may proclaim it, I ask it in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.2 The following telegram from President Grant was read by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.2 Los Angeles, California April 5, 1940 Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.2 Presidents J. Reuben Clark, Jr. and David O. McKay, Salt Lake City, Utah, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.2 To the Saints in Conference assembled: I sincerely regret that I am not present with you at this opening meeting of our Conference. I know of the spiritual uplift that will come to you. Through the years I have always counted it a great blessing to participate with my brethren and sisters in General Conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.2 ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA FOLLOWED BY SICKNESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.2 I left home on the 26th of January and attended the dedication of the Mormon Battalion Monument at San Diego, and was one of the speakers, experiencing much liberty in my talk. I enjoyed the meetings. They were a great tribute to the achievement of our people. I was pleased with the talk of Brother Andrew Jenson. I then attended the conference of Inglewood Stake. In the morning I did not feel well enough to speak, but spoke in the afternoon for about forty minutes with perfect liberty. That night I was feeling poorly and the next morning was removed to the hospital for medical attention and treatment. The treatment there was successful. I was very glad I had Brother McKay call on me in the hospital and give me a blessing, and I am grateful beyond expression for the faith and prayers of the Saints. I know of a certainty that your prayers have been heard and answered in my behalf. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 I am very grateful that I now can be around working at times, but mostly resting, exercising, and taking care of myself, to the end that I may realize a full recovery. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 About the middle of March I moved from the hospital to the home of my grandnephew, Del Grant, where I have been comfortably located, and have been improving in my health every day making really astonishing advancement, according to the doctors. I had hoped at least to speak to the Conference by radio, but the doctors feel it unwise to subject myself to that great strain. They feel too that it would be better to regain my strength before making an attempt to return home. Therefore I shall remain here for a few weeks more. The doctors feel it a matter of wisdom for me to stay here another few weeks, even though there would be little danger if I were to return home now. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 BLESSING AND COMMENDATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 I send my love and blessings to all the Saints, and pray that you may have a time of rejoicing during Conference. I have been made happy by the new Stakes that have been formed of late, and the reorganization of our General Boards. I earnestly pray for the success of the new officers in the Stakes and on the several Boards. Truly Zion is growing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 AN APPEAL TO THE YOUNG Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 I sympathize with our young people because of the temptations that beset them. I urge them, as I always have, to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ fully. In that way they will have health and happiness, and will meet with success in this life and will have an eternity of joy in store for them in the life to come. I bless them with courage to meet the problems that lie ahead. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 A TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 It is a joy to me to bear again my testimony of my absolute knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, and of the divinity of the Savior, and of the divine work of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 I was grieved to hear of the passing of Elder Harold G. Reynolds who has been in charge of the transportation in our missionary system. He was a true Latter-day Saint. May our Heavenly Father bless and sustain his wife and children. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 PRAYER AND BLESSING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 I most earnestly pray for all the General and local officers, both in the Priesthood and the Auxiliary organizations, and for the advancement of the work of God, and I send my love and blessings to the Saints at home and abroad. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1940, p.3 (Signed) HEBER J. GRANT. MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT Conference Report, April 1940, p.130 President Clark: We are pleased and I am sure we shall be en-heartened by a message which has just come from President Heber J. Grant, which I shall read: Conference Report, April 1940, p.130 Los Angeles, April 7, 1940 Conference Report, April 1940, p.130 Presidents J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay, Care Mormon Conference, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah. Conference Report, April 1940, p.130 I cannot adequately express the joy that came from listening in on this morning's session of Conference. It came through wonderfully clear and was a spiritual feast in which many friends here joined. I was especially pleased that President McKay was able to speak with such ease. I am looking forward with great anticipation to this afternoon's session in which I shall join with you in spirit. I am feeling fine today and improving some every day. Please convey again to the Saints my love and blessings. Conference Report, April 1940, p.130 HEBER J. GRANT. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.95 GRATITUDE FOR FAITH OF PEOPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.95 It is needless for me to tell you good people how grateful I am to be here today. I missed the Conference six months ago, and I am grateful beyond expression to all of you good people, to the Saints generally, and to some people who are not members of our Church for your and their faith and prayers in my behalf that I should be healed. I am grateful to the doctors who so kindly, carefully, and energetically at home, and while in Los Angeles, gave me the benefit of their services. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.95 I lack the capacity to express the gratitude and thanksgiving in my heart for the blessings of the Lord to me and this people. I humbly pray that while I am speaking to you this morning the Spirit of the Lord may be and abide with me. I do not expect, however, to preach to you this morning, I simply desire to express my gratitude to the Lord, and I expect to have the pleasure this afternoon, as my doctor, Silas Smith, consented that I may speak again, at the dose of the Conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.96 KINDNESS ACKNOWLEDGED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.96 I am grateful to my friends in California, to my relatives and to my railroad, banking and insurance friends, to Mr. Chandler of the Los Angeles Times, and to all of the officials of the Church in California, because of their fine attention to me and their interest in my welfare. I am grateful for the fine treatment I received at the Catholic Hospital in Los Angeles. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.96 I am very thankful for our fine Conference, for the wonderful attendance here today, and for the magnificent body of the Priesthood that were together last night. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.96 THE FILM "BRIGHAM YOUNG" COMMENDED Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.96 I am thankful beyond expression for the very wonderful and splendid moving picture that has been made of Brigham Young. I have heard some little criticism of it; but we cannot expect the people who do not know that Brigham Young was in very deed the representative of God upon this earth, who do not know his wonderful character, to tell the story as we would tell it. We know that he was a prophet of the living God and the representative of the Lord here upon the earth. There is nothing in the picture that reflects in any way against our people. It is a very marvelous and wonderful thing, considering how people generally have treated us and what they have thought of us. Of course there are many things in the picture that are not strictly correct, and that is announced in the picture itself. It is of course a picture and we could not hope that they would make a picture at their expense, running into a couple of million dollars, to be just as we would like it. We know that Brigham Young was a powerful and wonderful man, the greatest man of his day, and one of the great things about Brigham Young was that he always gave credit to Joseph Smith for everything that he did. He claimed that he was simply building upon the foundation laid by the prophet of God, who had seen God and conversed with Jesus Christ. He never doubted for one minute the final triumph of the people here in Utah. He was a man of God, and the people thought the world and all of him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.96 THE CHURCH MAKING FRIENDS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.96 I am very thankful for the health of the people. I am very thankful for the very marvelous and wonderful change that I find wherever I go in the attitude towards the Mormon people. To be known as a Mormon, living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is a recommendation to all those that know us as a people. As the years come and go the Word of Wisdom and all the various teachings and doctrines laid down by the Prophet Joseph Smith and so faithfully and strongly carried out by Brigham Young are making us friends all over the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.97 BLESSING AND PRAYER FOR PEACE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.97 The doctor told me I could have five or six minutes, or even ten. I have occupied only about five, but as I am going to talk to you again at the close of the conference, and as I do not want to overdo in the least degree, I shall simply say, God bless you, one and all. God bless the honest the world over. God bless all good people, and hasten the day when people shall seek to God for guidance and direction, when wars will cease and peace will reign, is my prayer, and I ask it in humility and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. I bless you by the authority of the holy Priesthood of the living God that I hold, and I do it in the name of Christ, our Redeemer, Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.130 It is needless for me to tell you good people how grateful I feel that I am able to speak to you at the close of this Conference. As a rule, I never put my remarks on paper, but my mind is not working as well the last five or six months as usual, and I therefore asked my secretary, Brother Anderson, to copy quite a number of things that I know off by heart, at least I did before my illness, but I do not know whether I know them today or not, so I am going to read to you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.130 QUOTATION FROM THE "POWER OF TRUTH" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.130 There is nothing in all the world for which I am so grateful as an absolute knowledge that we, the Latter-day Saints, have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I read from William George Jordan's book "The Power of Truth." There are eight articles in the book. One year I distributed 7,500 copies of the first article, autographing them all, to friends. The author says: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 Law is the eternal truth of nature -- the unity that always produces identical results under identical conditions. When a man discovers a great truth in Nature he has the key to the understanding of a million phenomena; when he grasps a great truth in morals he has in it the key to his spiritual re-creation. For the individual, there is no such thing as theoretic truth; a great truth that is not absorbed by our whole mind and life, and has not become an inseparable part of our living, is not a real truth to us. If we know the truth and do not live it, our life is -- a lie. * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 In exact proportion to the basic truth they contain do religions last, become permanent and growing, and satisfy and inspire the hearts of men. Mushrooms of error have a quick growth, but they exhaust their vitality and die; but truth still lives. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 The man who makes the acquisition of wealth the goal and ultimatum of his life, seeing it as an end rather than a means to an end, is not true. Why does the world usually make wealth the criterion of success, and riches the synonym of attainment? Real success in life means the individual's conquest of himself; it means "how he has bettered himself," not "how has he bettered his fortune?" The great question of life is not "What have I?" but "What am I?" * * * Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 Truth is the sun of morality, and, like that lesser sun in the heavens, we can walk by its light, live in its warmth and life, even if we see but a small part of it and receive but a microscopic fraction of its rays. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 Which of the great religions of the world is the real, the final, the absolute truth? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 It is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, again restored to the earth by personal administration of our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 I shall now read what the Lord says -- not what I say. It is not what Joseph Smith said, but what the Lord said to him: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 FEW ARE CHOSEN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.131 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priesthood or the authority of that man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 Behold, ere he is aware he is left unto himself to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 LEARN BY EXPERIENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 Hence many are called, but few are chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 A CONSTANT COMPANION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 These words coming from God I appeal to you people to read and reread. I have read them hundreds of times. They are from Section 121 of the D&C, and are among the greatest words ever given to the Prophet Joseph Smith as recorded in the D&C. They were given to him in Liberty Jail shortly after he had been tried and sentenced to be shot, in connection with his brother Hyrum and others, by the State Militia. Thank the Lord for raising up General Doniphan, who declared that he would have nothing to do with such cold-blooded murder, and that he would withdraw his brigade. His remonstrance so alarmed them that they dared not put the decree into execution. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 I now read again -- not the words of Joseph Smith, but the words of the Lord given to Joseph Smith: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 NONE TO ESCAPE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear neither heart that shall not be penetrated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken from the housetops and their secret acts shall be revealed, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 And the voice of warning shall be unto all people by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.132 Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 Wherefore fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 TO ENDS OF EARTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall he poured out upon the wicked without measure -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and His sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of His servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 BROKEN COVENANT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 They seek not the Lord to establish His righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own God, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon the great, which shall fall. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 But that every man might speak in the name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the world; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 That faith might also increase in the earth; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 That mine everlasting covenant might be established; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 PROCLAIM FULNESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 That the fulness of my Gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 of their language, that they might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.133 And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this Church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the Church collectively and not individually -- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 ALLOWS NO SIN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth; I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 And also the Lord shall have power over His saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 TRUTH ABIDES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 LEAVES BLESSINGS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 I know as I know that I live, that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of mankind. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the living God, and the instrument in the hands of God of again restoring to the earth the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the plan of life and salvation. I leave my blessing upon the righteous people of all the world. I bless the Latter-day Saints at home and abroad, those holding positions of trust, and those that have gone forth to proclaim the Gospel. I promise them that the Spirit of the Lord shall attend them if they live clean and pure lives. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1940, p.134 I thank the Lord for this privilege of bearing my testimony again and making this declaration to the Saints in this Conference assembled. May God's blessings attend you through time and all eternity, is the earnest and sincere prayer of my heart. God bless you. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.3 It is a source of great satisfaction to me to meet with the Latter-day Saints in this Conference. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.3 I am grateful for the many blessings we enjoy as a people. I know the Lord is mindful of us and will be to an even greater extent if we but serve Him. ADMONITION TO THE SOLDIER BOYS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.3 It grieves me deeply that it is necessary for thousands of our boys to go into the army. I hope and pray that they will go out with the missionary spirit, maintain their ideals and come back to us as sweet and clean as when they went away. I trust that it will be possible to keep them out of this terrible war. You parents and loved ones keep as close to them as you possibly can. OFFICERS AND TEACHERS MUST SET EXAMPLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.3 I have made this statement to the leadership of this Church at times previous, but I feel to repeat it again at this time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.3 "I ask every man and woman occupying a place of responsibility whose duty it is to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to live it and keep the commandments of God, so that their example will teach it; and if they cannot live it, we will go on loving them, we will go on putting our arms around them, we will go on praying for them that they may become strong enough to live it. But unless they are able to live it we ask them to please step aside so that those who are living it can teach it. No man can teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the inspiration of the Living God and with power from on high unless he is living it. He can go on as a member and we will pray for him, no matter how many years it may require, and we will never put a block in his way, because the Gospel is one of love and forgiveness, but we want true men and women as our officers in the Priesthood and in the Relief Society." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 And a man has no right to be a member of a Stake Presidency, a member of a High Council, a member of a Bishopric, or of any General Board, who cannot stand up and say that he knows the Gospel is true and is keeping the commandments of the Lord to His people. RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH BRINGS HUMILITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 At this time I feel that I could say nothing to you that would better portray my testimony and my love of God than to give in substance what I said to the English Saints nearly four years ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 "It has never ceased to be a wonder to me that I do represent the Lord here upon the earth. My association from childhood with the remarkable and wonderful men that have preceded me has made it almost overwhelming to think of being in the same class with them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 "The last words uttered by President Joseph F. Smith were to the effect, when he shook hands with me--he died that night--'The Lord bless you, my boy, the Lord bless you; you have got a great responsibility. Always remember this is the Lord's work and not man's. The Lord is greater than any man. He knows whom he wants to lead His Church, and never makes any mistake. The Lord bless you.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 "I have felt my own lack of ability. In fact when I was called as one of the Apostles I arose to my feet to say it was beyond anything I was worthy of, and as I was rising the thought came to me, 'You know as you know that you live that John Taylor is a prophet of God, and to decline this office when he had received a revelation is equivalent to repudiating the Prophet.' I said, 'I will accept the office and do my best.' I remember that it was with difficulty that I took my seat without fainting. EARLY EXPERIENCE AS AN APOSTLE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 "There are two spirits striving with us always, one telling us to continue our labor for good, and one telling us that with the faults and failings of our nature we are unworthy. I can truthfully say that from October, 1882, until February, 1883, that spirit followed me day and night telling me that I was unworthy to be an Apostle of the Church, and that I ought to resign. When I would testify of my knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of mankind, it seemed as though a voice would say to me: 'You lie! You lie! You have never seen Him.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 "While on the Navajo Indian reservation with Brigham Young, Jr., and a number of others, six or eight, on horseback, and several others in 'white tops'--riding along with Lot Smith at the rear of that procession, suddenly the road veered to the left almost straight, but there was a well beaten path leading ahead. I said: 'Stop, Lot, stop. Where does this trail lead? There are plenty of foot marks and plenty of horses' hoof marks here.' He said, 'It leads to an immense gulley just a short distance ahead, that it is impossible to cross with a wagon. We have made a regular "Muleshoe" of miles here to get on the other side of the gulley.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 "I had visited the day before the spot where a Navajo Indian had asked George A. Smith, Jr., to let him look at his pistol. George A. handed it to him, and the Navajo shot him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.4 "I said, 'Lot, is there any danger from Indians?' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.5 "'None at all.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.5 "'I want to be all alone. Go ahead and follow the crowd.' I first asked him if I allowed the animal I was riding to walk if I would reach the road on the other side of the gulley before the horsemen and the wagons, and he said, 'Yes.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.5 "As I was riding along to meet them on the other side I seemed to see, and I seemed to hear, what to me is one of the most real things in all my life, I seemed to see a Council in Heaven. I seemed to hear the words that were spoken. I listened to the discussion with a great deal of interest. The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles had not been able to agree on two men to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve. There had been a vacancy of one for two years, and a vacancy of two for one year, and the Conference had adjourned without the vacancies being filled. In this Council the Savior was present, my father was there, and the Prophet Joseph Smith was there. They discussed the question that a mistake had been made in not filling those two vacancies and that in all probability it would be another six months before the Quorum would be completed, and they discussed as to whom they wanted to occupy those positions, and decided that the way to remedy the mistake that had been made in not filling these vacancies was to send a revelation. It was given to me that the Prophet Joseph Smith and my father mentioned me and requested that I be called to that position. I sat there and wept for joy. It was given to me that I had done nothing to entitle me to that exalted position, except that I had lived a clean, sweet life. It was given to me that because of my father having practically sacrificed his life in what was known as the great Reformation, so to speak, of the people in early days, having been practically a martyr, that the Prophet Joseph and my father desired me to have that position, and it was because of their faithful labors that I was called, and not because of anything I had done of myself or any great thing that I had accomplished. It was also given to me that that was all these men, the Prophet and my father, could do for me; from that day it depended upon me and upon me alone as to whether I made a success of my life or a failure. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.5 RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE GOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.5 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in Heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated, and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.5 "It was given to me, as I say, that it now depended upon me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.6 "No man could have been more unhappy than I was from October 1882, until February, 1883, but from that day I have never been bothered, night or day, with the idea that I was not worthy to stand as an Apostle, and I have not been worried since the last words uttered by Joseph F. Smith to me: "The Lord bless you, my boy, the Lord bless you; you have got a great responsibility. Always remember this is the Lord's work and not man's. The Lord is greater than any man. He knows whom He wants to lead His Church, and never makes any mistake. The Lord bless you.' Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.6 "I have been happy during the twenty-two years that it has fallen my lot to stand at the head of this Church. I have felt the inspiration of the Living God directing me in my labors. From the day that I chose a comparative stranger to be one of the Apostles, instead of my lifelong and dearest living friend, I have known as I know that I live, that I am entitled to the light and the inspiration and the guidance of God in directing His work here upon this earth; and I know, as I know that I live, that it is God's work, and that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the world and that He came to this earth with a divine mission to die upon the cross as the Redeemer of mankind, atoning for the sins of the world. JOY IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.6 "'As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.' I have had real, genuine joy; I have had joy in lifting my voice in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Czechoslovakia, in the Hawaiian Islands and far-off Japan, in Canada on the north and Mexico on the south, in nearly every State of the Union, proclaiming my absolute knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the world, and that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true and the Living God, and that the men who have succeeded him in presiding over this Church are the men God desired to stand in that position. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.6 "I do not make this statement because of any desire to magnify myself--I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ as I love nothing else in this world. I am here today for the reason that I desire to leave here my testimony as an old man--because a man who is in his 85th year is an old man. WORK OF FORMER PRESIDENTS OF CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.7 "John Taylor came to the presidency of this Church succeeding Brigham Young, when he was 72 years of age. Wilford Woodruff came to the presidency of this Church after he was eighty-odd years of age, and he lived to be more than ninety. Lorenzo Snow came to the presidency of this Church when he was 85 years of age, and served it in a most miraculous and wonderful way for three years. Joseph F. Smith came to the presidency of this Church when he was two years beyond the time of retirement, namely, 62 years of age, and he served for exactly eighteen years, and I have served for twenty-two years. It is only fair to you to say that I never for one minute believed that he was going to die, until the night he passed away and when he took hold of my hand, and told me what I have quoted to you. I felt in my heart and I had prayed for it; I had fasted for it; I had asked for it; that he should live to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of this Church, seeing that his beloved father, the Patriarch, Hyrum Smith, had been murdered for the Cause; and I believed that he would so live, until I received that message, which was the last message he spoke to anybody. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.7 "May God bless me and you and every soul that bas a knowledge of the divinity of this work, to so live it that our lives will proclaim it to all those with whom we come in contact, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in all humility in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Amen." President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.128 I understand that if my voice is weak, it can be arranged with this amplifying equipment so that it will be strong. HAPPINESS EXPRESSED IN ATTENDING CONFERENCE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.128 I am very happy indeed to be here to extend to you good people and to all the Latter-day Saints my prayers and love and blessings at the close of this Conference. It seems to me that all during my life since I first became an Apostle, way back when I was twenty-six years of age--so of course I have had almost sixty years of it--that every Conference is a little bit better than the previous one, but it seems to me that this has been the best that we have ever had up to date, and I am grateful for it. We certainly have never had anything to compare with the attendance Friday and Saturday at any other Friday or Saturday session of Conference that I have attended. The people filled this building at each of our sessions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.128 I was very much disappointed not to have the privilege of attending the Priesthood meeting six months ago, but I was very happy to be here last night, and it was a wonderful sight, and a marvelous portion of the Spirit of the Lord was present with us. I rejoiced in having the opportunity of speaking to the people. I was a little bit afraid that perhaps I got a little bit too anxious when I pounded the stand, and maybe if my doctor were here I would get a scolding, but I want you to know that although my improvement is very slow, each and every day I believe I can say truthfully, when people ask me how I am: "A little better than yesterday." CONDITION OF HEALTH TRYING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.128 I am perfectly willing to go along as slowly as the Lord wants, but the quicker I get so that I can talk faster and get more accustomed to these false teeth, the better I will like it. (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.128 I am free to confess that I do not like the sound of my own voice worth a cent. (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.128 I am very sorry, after laboring more diligently, I believe, than anybody else ever did to try to learn to sing a song, that I cannot sing any more. But I have been practicing bass sitting next to Brother McKay here today, and I have concluded that I had better join the bass choir, (Laughter) and say goodbye to the lead. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.129 Of course it has been quite a trial to me, spending hours without sleeping every night, that when I am awake in the night I cannot sing to myself, which would help me out a good deal, but I have not been able to do so. I am inclined to think, knowing from my experience years ago when I suffered intensely from insomnia and was ordered to go to the Coast, or I might go crazy for lack of sleep, that I can always sleep in California and Arizona on the sea level. I think that I shall go away from home now for a short time in the hope of improving more rapidly than I have improved since I came from California. CAUSES FOR GRATITUDE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.129 I have not the language with which to express my gratitude to the people for their faith and their prayers. I know that some people thought I never would be able to use my arm again or my left leg, but I can use them pretty well. I feel well, and I am very happy in having a couple of Counselors who can do all the work that I ought to do, and all that I have to do is to sign my name and let it go at that. I have Brother Anderson tell me what is in the letter in just a word or two, and then I sign my name. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1941, p.129 I have been very, very grateful for the attendance at our meetings, and I wish to leave with the people my faith and my prayers for their welfare. I would like to say to you good people that the Lord never makes any promises but what He fulfills them, and He has promised that when we do His will He will bless us, that He will guide us, that He will help us, and I am anxious always to try to get the Latter-day Saints to do the will of the Lord. ANTHONY W. IVINS' CALL TO MEXICO Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.129 I am going to tell you a little experience. I was one of the committee that recommended my cousin Anthony W. Ivins to go to Mexico, and it was a great shock to me to do so, because I was heavily involved. I was receiving 25 per cent per annum on an investment in a cattle ranch, that I had refused time and again to take $18,750 for my $12,500 interest; but you know that little $12,500 paid interest at 6 per cent on $50,000 of my debts, and gave me 1 per cent over. I was alarmed about having my cousin go to Mexico, and I had refused, as I say, $18,750 for my interest in this ranch. When he had to leave the ranch, we could not find anybody who wanted it, and we got 60 cents on the dollar. We made a very handsome sacrifice, but in the kind providences of the Lord, matters pertaining to my affairs changed immediately, and I soon made up the loss, and the Lord blessed him down in Mexico. He made a nice little sale there of a few million acres of land to Mr. McCornick, Mr. Wood, Mr. Hagenbarth and others, and got a nice little commission of $40,000, and he paid $2,000 tithing down there, and $2,000 to Bishop Empey here. He died thinking that I had supposed that all he had made was $20,000, because he told the Bishop: "You must not say anything about this, I just kind of thought I would like to pay some tithing up here." And so I did not give it away to my cousin. The Bishop had never dreamed of such a thing as that Tone would not tell me about it. Otherwise, I suppose that he would not have told me. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.130 But the Lord blessed him and magnified him, and I want you to know that as plain as any words that were ever spoken to me in my life I heard, when I was feeling very blue--blue as indigo, as the saying is--about his going, I heard in the Salt Lake Temple: "He is going where the Lord wants him to go, and you shall have the pleasure of welcoming him back into this Temple as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ of this last dispensation." I turned my head so that my companions could not see me, and I shed tears of gratitude for the blessing that was coming to my cousin. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.130 He went there and he made a marvelous record, and that statement to me was fulfilled. Finally my associates, as near as I could judge, were all very anxious for him to be chosen as one of my counselors. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.130 The Lord always rewards us and blesses us. A PROPHECY FULFILLED Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.130 Never but once in all my life have I stood up in a meeting and prophesied in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that once was many, many years ago up in Idaho, at Paris. I was preaching that we should judge things not by the exception but by the general average, and that the most prosperous, the most successful, the best financial men were those that were honest with God. And it seemed as though a voice said to me: "You lie, you lie; You will never live to pay your debts, although you have been an honest tithe-payer." If I had had a bucket of cold water poured over me, it could not have made a greater impression. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.130 I stopped a moment, then I said, "I prophesy in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that what I have said to you people is true, and that the Lord rewards us when we do our duty, and I prophesy that although I am a ruined man in the estimation of many men, I will yet live to pay my debts." And I was just $91,000 worse off than nothing, had two wives to support and the children of a dead wife. But from that very day my prophecy was fulfilled. The Lord blessed everything I touched, and in only three short years I was even with the world, financially speaking. BLESSING AND TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.130 I leave my testimony with you that this is God's work, and that it is by men responding as these five men have done that the work progresses. They say they do not know what they have to do. I will tall them what they have to do: They will have to work right straight along for the Church the way the Apostles work, they will have to make some changes in their lives, and they will have to devote themselves more to the work of God than they have ever done before, and they will have joy in doing so. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.131 I pray God to bless you good people. I bless the honest the world over. I pray you to have no hard feelings in your hearts toward many of the people who are in the war, who are fighting against England, because many of them would give their lives almost, if they could get out of that kind of fighting. I want you to know that from Holland and Germany some of the choicest and finest men that have ever been members of this Church, came. Karl G. Maeser's name will always live among us. He was a marvel of spirituality and he impressed and blessed the youth of Zion. I want you not to feel hard toward the Germans, even though they are fighting, because there are many of them that would be grateful and thank the Lord Almighty if they did not have to fight. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.131 Let us do our best to encourage our boys in the army to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ as perfectly as though they were in the mission field, and to seek God for the guidance of His Spirit and its protecting care. Encourage your loved ones. I regret beyond all my powers of expression that we have to send our boys to war, and I feel that we would not have needed to do it if we had been governed properly. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.131 I beg pardon, the doctor will get after me for sure. (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.131 I was going to say some more, but I had better keep still or it will be called politics. You know, I have contempt for politics, because, as I have said for many years, they are like the measles, if you will just take a little saffron tea and keep the measles on the surface, they will not hurt you, but if they set in on you they turn your hide yellow and make you cross-eyed. (Laughter.) Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.131 Well now, I would like us to close on time. I want to bless the Latter-day Saints the world over and the honest the world over. I want to thank this choir from the bottom of my heart for what they are doing for us. I want to thank the choir and the orchestra that came from Provo, also the choir that came from Blackfoot. May the Lord bless them all. They are doing a great work, a great missionary work. I am grateful for all the blessings of the Lord to me. I have been blessed more than I could have hoped or expected. All that I have and all that I amount to I owe to my sainted mother. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.131 I pray the people to remember to honor their parents, follow that commandment. It is one of the greatest in all the world. Children, honor your parents. Heber J. Grant,Conference Report, April 1941, p.131 God bless you. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.6 I shall not speak loud, I would like the people at the rear of the room, if they are hearing me now, to raise their hands. (Many hands were raised.) Thank you. EXPLAINS CONDITION OF HEALTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.6 The doctor gave me only twenty minutes, but I have concluded to take a lot more than twenty minutes. By not speaking loud I do not believe it will hurt me; I hope not at least. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.6 I have been asked for a year and a half, in fact a little longer than that, "How do you feel?" I have said, "Better than yesterday," and I believe it is true, but the improvement has been limited, and I am not yet in good health. Judging from the newspapers one would think I was in first class condition, but they overdid it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.6 I am very, very happy to be here this morning, grateful beyond my power of expression for the blessings of the Lord, when I realize that I could not move my left arm at all, nor my left leg; that I could not possibly touch my chin with my fingers; that one of my eyes was crooked; and that my mouth was twisted. I feel very happy that I look quite natural, in fact I think I look better than I am. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.6 I thought I was better than I am, and the doctor had only allowed me two hours a day. I spent four hours and twenty minutes one day, and I felt so fine that after dinner I went down to the doctor's office to insist on having four hours a day, only to be sent home and sent to bed. He discovered that my blood pressure had gone out of sight, and so I have not tried to fool him since. However, I am glad to say that he has now given me two and a half hours a day instead of two, to attend to the duties that devolve upon me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.6 I went to the wonderful banquet that was held in Provo for fifty-year students at the Brigham Young University, and it lasted over three hours. I did not get to sleep until along about one o'clock in the morning. Then I attended the Commencement exercises which lasted another three hours the following day. I tried my best to go to sleep in the back seat of a car while driving from Provo to Salt Lake, and failed. The following day I got a sentence of ten days in bed. So I am not looking for a sentence today. The doctor told me that he thought twenty minutes should be my limit, and that I ought to go to one meeting a day only during this Conference. I telephoned to him this morning that I had had a very strenuous day yesterday, but I had had a wonderfully good night last night, and I wanted more than twenty minutes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.6 He said: "I will come to your house at twelve o'clock today to see how you are. I am not going to take a chance." A SERMON DELIVERED IN THE PAST Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 Instead of trying to prepare a sermon I have decided, as Brother Preston Nibley gave me on the first Sunday of September his book, Presidents of the Church, which he has just published,---he told me this was the first copy off the press--to read something from it. I have read it through since then; that is, I have read part of it, and had my family read the rest to me. I am very pleased with the book, and I find there are several long-winded talks of mine in it. I have decided that the talk which I made when I became the President of the Church is as good, if not better, than I can possibly make in my present condition of health, so I am going to read from that, and I am going to read slowly; I am not going to read loudly, and if the people in any part of the house are not hearing me I wish they would raise their hands, and I shall try to raise my voice a little, but not very much. PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH'S BLESSING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 President Joseph F. Smith as you know died on November 19, 1918, and the night that he died I visited him. His hand was strong, and he shook hands with me vigorously and freely and made the following statement: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 The Lord bless you, my boy, the Lord bless you, you have a great responsibility. Always remember this is the Lord's work, and not man's. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 I wish to the Lord that all the people would remember that, who are members of the Church, and try to seek the Lord first and not something else. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 The Lord is greater than any man. He knows who he wants to lead his Church and never makes any mistake. The Lord bless you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 These are the last words that Joseph F. Smith spoke to anybody. PLEDGES MADE IN FIRST ADDRESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 In my first address I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.7 I feel humble beyond any language with which God has endowed me to express it, in standing before you here this morning, occupying the position in which you have just voted to sustain me. I recall standing before an audience in Tooele, after having been sustained as president of that Stake when I was a young man 23 years of age, pledging to that audience the best that was in me. I stand here today in all humility, acknowledging my own weakness, my own lack of wisdom and information, and my lack of ability to occupy the exalted position in which you have voted to sustain me. But as I said as a boy in Tooele, I say here today, that by and with the help of the Lord, I shall do the best that I can to fulfill every obligation that shall rest upon me as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the full extent of my ability. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.8 I will ask no man to be more liberal with his means than I am with mine, in proportion to what he possesses, for the advancement of God's Kingdom. I will ask no man to observe the Word of Wisdom any more closely than I will observe it. I will ask no man to be any more conscientious and prompt in the payment of his tithes and his offerings than I will be. I will ask no man to be more willing to come early and go late, and to labor with full power of mind and body, than I will labor, always in humility. I hope and pray for the blessings of the Lord, acknowledging freely and frankly that without the Lord's blessings it will be an impossibility for me to make a success of the high calling whereunto I have been called. But, like Nephi of old, I know the Lord makes no requirement of the children of men save He will prepare a way for them, whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has required. With this knowledge in my heart I accept the great responsibility without fear of the consequences, knowing that God will sustain me as He has sustained all of my predecessors who have occupied this position, provided always, that I shall labor in humility and in diligence, ever seeking for the guidance of His Holy Spirit; and this I shall endeavor to do. GRATEFUL FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOOD WILL EXISTING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.8 I think that we as a people have very great cause to rejoice in the era of good will and fellowship that is existing towards us as a people among those who are not of our faith, in comparison with the conditions that existed some years ago. I do not know of any single thing that has happened in my experience during the long time that I have been one of the General Authorities of the Church [46 years at that time] that has impressed me more profoundly with the change in sentiment towards the Latter-day Saints than the reception that was accorded to me December last when I went to Kansas City and delivered a speech upon the accomplishments of Mormonism. When I reflect upon the fact that in the leading hotel in that wonderful and progressive city . . . I was permitted to stand up within ten miles of Independence, the place from which the Latter-day Saints were expelled, by an expulsion and exterminating order of the governor of the State, Governor Boggs, and to proclaim the accomplishments of the Latter-day Saints; to relate the prophecies of Joseph Smith, to give to those men that were there assembled--over 300 of the leading influential business men of the city--the testimony of Josiah Quincy regarding the Prophet Joseph Smith-- KANSAS CITY SPEECH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.8 You are all aware of that wonderful testimony to the effect that of all the men whom he had ever met, the Prophet was one of the greatest, etc. It takes over a page and a half to relate it, so I shall not read any part of it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.8 To repeat to them the great pioneer hymn, "Come, Come, Ye Saints;" to relate the hardships, the drivings and the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints, and to have that body of representative men receive that address with approval, applaud it in many places, and many of them come to me after the meeting and shake hands and congratulate me upon the address; and to have some of the members of the Board of Directors of that great club--the Knife and Fork Club of Kansas City--(which I understood is second only to the Gridiron Club at Washington)--to have them say that they hoped for a return date so that they could hear more of our people-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.9 I was requested afterwards to return and make a speech before the Chamber of Commerce. I was requested in the first speech to tell only of the accomplishments of the Church financially and otherwise, but the request came afterwards to return and tell of our faith, and later I delivered an address quoting the Articles of Faith and giving the best that was in me. The secretary said that he wished that the six thousand members of line Chamber of Commerce could have a copy of the speech. I told him we had a printing office ten miles away, and that he should have six thousand copies. I do not know whether be ever delivered them or not, but I mailed them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.9 To have them say that they hoped for a return date so that they could hear more of our people; and then stop to reflect upon the fact that the Prophet and his followers in the early days were expelled from Missouri; that many of them were murdered; that all kinds of crimes were committed upon the people; that their property was confiscated; that we have never received anything for our property that belonged to us in that section, that today some of the valuable country we traveled over there is the very property that our people owned, (for when you follow up many abstracts of valuable property you will find that the title centers in the bishop of the Mormon Church)-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.9 I told them I owned indirectly through the Church half of Kansas City, but I could not get any of it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.9 I say to stop and reflect that the drivings and the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints, of which no tongue can tell and no pen can paint the conditions; and then to realize that there is a feeling in that community now, among the people residing in the very place, so to speak, from which President Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Living God and others were driven out; to be invited to go there and be asked to talk of the accomplishments of Mormonism, and to have that talk received with open arms, shows the most wonderful change in sentiment. HONORED AT A DINNER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.9 And to have a dinner given to me three years ago by the leading people of this city, and to have telegrams from New York to San Francisco of good will and congratulations; to have our newspapers, all of them, give splendid accounts, and to have the paper that used to abuse us give us the finest kind of treatment today--the change that has come about, I am grateful for beyond all my power of expression. OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH ADVISED TO KEEP COMMANDMENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.9 I announced here at the Priesthood meeting last night, and I have decided to announce it again, that we expect all the General Officers of the Church--[and when I say all I mean all], each and every one of them, from this very day, to be absolute full tithe-payers, to really and truly observe the Word of Wisdom; and we ask all of the officers of the Church and all members of the General Boards, and all Stake and Ward officers, if they are not living the Gospel and honestly and conscientiously paying their tithing, to kindly step aside unless from this day they live up to these provisions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.9 I repeat it and emphasize it today, we do not want any man or any woman occupying a position who is not keeping the commandments of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.10 We feel that in all the Stakes, every Stake President, every counselor to a Stake President, every Stake Clerk, and every High Councilor, standing at the head of the people in the Stake--we ask them to kindly step aside unless they are living up to these laws. They are given the responsibility of presiding, and every officer who is a presiding officer should say from today: I am going to serve the Lord, so that my example will be worthy of imitation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.10 No man can teach the Word of Wisdom by the Spirit of God who does not live it. No man can proclaim this Gospel by the Spirit of the Living God unless that man is living his religion; and with this great undertaking that we have before us now we must renew our loyalty to God, and I believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God inspires and blesses, and multiplies our substance when we are honest with Him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.10 I not only believe it, but I know it. The great majority of all the Latter-day Saints that are honest tithepayers are the most prosperous of all the people. I am not talking of individual exceptions. God says that "When you do what I say, I am bound," and He has said that people rob Him in their tithes and their offerings, and we want it stopped. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.10 I want to leave with this vast audience my deep appreciation of all that has been said here. I endorse it with all my heart, and I renew again everything that I said in the ten or fifteen minutes at the close of our Conference six month ago, and I renew it again today. I ask every man and woman occupying a place of responsibility whose duty it is to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to live it and to keep the commandments of God, so that their example will teach it; and if they cannot do it we will go on loving them, we will go on putting our arms around them, we will go on praying for them that they may become strong enough to live it. But unless they are able to live it we ask them to please step aside so that those who are living it can teach it. No man can teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the inspiration of the living God and with power from on high unless he is living it. He can go on as a member and we will never put a block in his way, because the Gospel is one of love and of forgiveness, but we want true men and women as our officers in the Priesthood and in the Relief Societies, and in all the organizations, and a man has no right to be in a High Council who cannot stand up and say that he knows the Gospel is true and that he is living it. TESTIMONY AS TO THE BOOK OF MORMON Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.10 Now I have a lot more. The doctor said I was to speak but once. I am going to speak again, so I think I will quit for this time. I rejoice beyond all the power of expression which God has given me that I know the Gospel is true. I rejoice that there came into my heart as a boy, probably not quite sixteen, when I read the Book of Mormon faithfully and diligently and prayerfully, a perfect assurance that it was true and I have never met anything since then, and that is nearly seventy years ago, that has ever weakened my faith in the Book of Mormon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.11 I am grateful that there came into my heart a love and admiration for Nephi, and I am grateful that that man believed and taught and declared that God asked nothing of men but what He prepared the way whereby they could do that thing that He required. There is nothing that God asks of you or of me but what you could do, and do easily, and if you do it God will bless you, and if you do not do it you will lose your faith and we will have to labor with you to try to warm up your hearts and get you back again. PRAISES PAST LEADERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.11 God lives. God directs the affairs of this Church. This is the work of God. And the men whom the Lord has chosen, as recorded in this book, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith--I knew and loved them all except the Prophet, and I loved him with all my heart because of the testimony of my dear mother that he was the finest man that ever lived; and the same testimony time and again was given by Sisters Eliza R. Snow and Em-meline B. Wells and the other leading women of the Relief Society. My mother was president for thirty years of the Thirteenth Ward Relief Society. I grew up as a little boy in the Relief Society meetings, and the sisters who knew the Prophet Joseph, fine, lovely, intelligent, wonderful women, all stated that he was the most noble, splendid man that ever lived. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.11 I was intimate from the time I was a child of six with Brigham Young. I attended many times his prayer meetings in the Lion House. On two occasions when he was praying I turned and looked. It seemed as though he had the Lord right there talking to him and asking him what he wanted and telling him what he needed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.11 I was very glad the last time I saw him and shook hands with him to have him smile and make me a promise. I had been elected Assistant Cashier of Zion's Savings Bank. I was not only the assistant cashier, but I was the janitor, the paying and receiving teller, the bookkeeper and the whole thing. I closed the bank Wednesday evenings and put a sign on the door, "This bank will open at 12:30 tomorrow. The assistant cashier has gone to Fast meeting." BLESSED THROUGH MAKING A GENEROUS DONATION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.11 We used to have Fast meetings on Thursdays, and while I happen to think of it I will tell you about one of those Fast meetings. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.11 Bishop Edwin D. Woolley made an exceptional talk and he pleaded with the people to be honest with the Lord and to be generous with their money, and he was generous with his. I know it because I used to help him in keeping his books. Among other things he said, "The Lord rewards men four-fold." I happened to have fifty dollars in my pocket. The bank had not opened and I could not deposit it. After the meeting I handed the money to the Bishop and he said, "My boy, why five dollars would be your share of this." I said, "Brother Woolley, didn't you say the Lord rewards four-fold? My dear mother needs a couple of hundred dollars." (Laughter). He smiled and said, "My boy, do you expect to get it quicker if I take that other forty-five dollars?" He had taken the five and shoved forty-five back to me. I said, "I certainly do. I thought you were inspired in your talk and I believe every word you said." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.12 Walking to the bank an idea popped into my head. I went into Wells-Fargo Bank, where I had worked, and made arrangements for them to cash my draft on New York for a sum sufficiently large to take care of all I could possibly buy of certain bonds within forty-eight hours. They said, "Certainly your credit will be good if you get authority from the man to whom you are shipping the bonds." So I wired the man in New York, whom I knew, and I made $218.50 in two days. I went to the Bishop and told him that the Lord did not give me sufficient in addition to pay all the tithing, that I had to dig up the difference between twenty-one and a fraction dollars and eighteen dollars and fifty cents to pay my tithing. I got my two hundred dollars. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.12 I have had my prayers answered time and time again, and not only have I had my prayers answered but I know as I know that I live that God hears and answers the prayers of honest people. I know He saved the life of my little girl when she was dying, who is now the head of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. AN INSPIRED PATRIARCHAL BLESSING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.12 I know that He inspired John Rowberry to give me a blessing that I should leave Tooele and become one of the leading men in the Church, and it came true. And he said, "I saw something while blessing you that I dare not put in your blessing," and it came to me as plain as though a voice had said it, "He saw you as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." I afterwards thought, "My gracious, I must be silly to think that that is true," and I never breathed it or said a word about it until that came to me. He gave me a marvelous blessing. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.12 And he blessed that little girl. She was very, very sick, a child just a few months old. He gave her a fine blessing, and then he turned to me and said, "While we were blessing the child did you get the inspiration of the Lord that she should live?" I said "No." He said: "I did. Go to that desk and get a piece of paper, and let me give this child her patriarchal blessing." He promised her many, many things, and he promised her life. She lived and those things have been fulfilled. DAUGHTER HEALED BY THE POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.12 When she was dying in Washington and I was praying to the Lord to spare her life, it came to me as plain as any voice ever spoke, although I heard nothing: "Send for the Elders to rebuke the destroyer, and your child shall live." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.12 Brother George Q. Cannon and Brother Hiram B. Clawson were in Washington at the time. I sent for them, they blessed her and promised her life and many things, all of which have been fulfilled; and among other things, they announced that the adversary had decreed her death, but by the authority of the Priesthood of the living God they rebuked this decree and promised her life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.13 Before leaving Washington I was in the boarding house where the children had been sick, and the lady who kept the boarding house had left for the day. Her husband was there and he said to me: "I will have to tell you a joke on my wife. She believes in spiritualistic mediums." So do I but I believe they are inspired of the devil. I said to the man, "I am glad to hear your message." He told me that his wife went to the medium, and the medium said: "I see two little girls in your home, and I see that the older one is taken sick. I now see that the next one is sick. And I see them sick nigh unto death. I now see the younger girl die. I see her body put in a coffin, and I see it taken to a railroad station. I see it go through great cities, I now see it cross a great river, I now see it go through some more great cities, and I see it cross another great river. Now I see it travel through a sparsely settled country." You all know that forty years ago, after crossing the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers, the country this side of Omaha was a sparsely settled country. "I see it go west, west, climbing mountains, mountains, mountains. I see it stop and go south a little way"--from Ogden to Salt Lake. "I see the coffin taken Off the train, then taken to a side hill and buried, in a place almost completely surrounded by mountains." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.13 Thank God for the authority of the Priesthood of the living God that rebuked the decree of death! The medium who told what was going to happen, told what the devil would like. But thank God for the Priesthood, and she is alive and well, and is the mother of seven fine children and the grandmother of eight more. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.13 God bless you one and all, I ask it in the name of our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.143 I would like to talk about forty minutes--I see there are only ten. I am very grateful indeed to my Heavenly Father that instead of not being able to move a finger or an arm or my left leg, and being unable to see straight out of my left eye, that instead of my mouth being all puckered up in a corner, I am looking natural and feeling natural, and I expect that I feel a whole lot better than I really am. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.143 I was requested to speak only twenty minutes at the opening session of this Conference, and I spoke forty; and then last night I spoke forty-seven minutes--so that I have been overdoing what was considered to be wise. ENDORSEMENT OF PRECEDING SPEAKERS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.143 I have thoroughly enjoyed the Conference. I listened to some of it at home, of course, over the radio. I endorse with all my heart everything said by the second counselor to the Presiding Bishop, and I endorse what Brother Merrill has said here today, and what our last speaker, Brother Bowen, has said. I noticed that Brother Bowen laid down several sheets of paper and did not read what was on them. I hope that when he turns in his manuscript for publication he will put it all in, because I endorse everything that he said and I endorse what he was going to say, without knowing what it was. (Laughter) DECRIES CONDITIONS IN AMERICA Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.144 I am sure we all love America. I am sure there are no more patriotic people on the face of the earth than the Latter-day Saints; in fact, our belief is that the men who established this country were blessed of God, that they were inspired of God, and as we depart from those things we are not doing that which is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. I think that without doubt we are getting just about as far away as we can at the present time--shall I say, politically. I do not care how you put it. We are starting on the broad path that leads to destruction, and had we stayed in the straight and narrow path we would not need to be arranging to be in a war. The Lord points out the way, and if we walk in it all will be well. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.144 Many of the Latter-day Saints have surrendered their independence; they have surrendered their free thought, politically, and we have got to get back to where we are not surrendering the right. We must stay with the right and if we do so God will bless us. ADVICE TO LATTER-DAY SAINT BOYS IN THE ARMY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.144 I understand there are a lot of our boys here today that are in the army. I hope and pray and plead that every boy will feel in his heart: "I want to know what is right and clean and pure and holy, and I want God to help me." I want every Latter-day Saint soldier to get down on his knees and pray God to help him to lead a clean life, and to preach the Gospel while he is in the army. The army, as a rule, is a demoralizer of the morals of men, to a very great extent. They think: "Oh, well; we are going to be killed anyway--let's have a hell of a good time." Do not wish for any such good time; there is no good time anywhere for any human being except by doing good and doing right. There is a peace, a joy, and a happiness that come from doing the right that nothing else can compare with. There are no people in all the world that are as happy and as contented as the true Latter-day Saints, and there are no people that are much more miserable than those that finally apostatize. I have met them and I have not forgotten when one man laughed at me because I believed firmly in the Church, and its principles and doctrines. He said that anyone who believed in such things lacked intelligence. This man was an apostate. I was able even as a boy to say to him: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.144 The life of the apostate isa greater testimony to me than anything else of the divinity of the work in which I am engaged, except the teaching of my beloved mother. I have seen good men change and become bad men and then apostatize, but I have never known a good man, a tithepayer, an observer of the Word of Wisdom, to ever apostatize. I have found men lying against the Church after they apostatized. AN UNFRIENDLY NEWSPAPER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.144 The gentleman said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.144 Do you mean to call me a liar? I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 No, I do not want to call you a liar; that would not be gentlemanly. But what is the difference between lying yourself and hiring somebody else to lie? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 None. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 There is a newspaper today, in this town, that was foreordained figuratively before it was born, to lie about the Mormons and it is fulfilling its foreordination. I am working in a bank and I see the list of patriotic apostates and anti-Mormons who put up the money to keep it alive, and your name was among them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 The paper does not lie. I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 My friend, I will make you acknowledge it lies, if you dare to challenge me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 I challenge you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 All right, I said, I went to a meeting in what is called the Liberal Institute. It ought to have been called Headquarters for lying about the Mormons, instead of Liberal Institute. You sat on the stand within ten feet of the speaker, and I sat on the front row within ten feet of the speaker. Now, I will tell you everything that happened in that meeting, which you heard and I heard, now I will tell you what was published, and now I will tell you that every word of it was a lie, and if you say it was not a lie you are a liar. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 The paper lied that time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 I am going to take as long as I want, you know, and if anybody gets tired and wants to go out he or she has my permission. Being an insurance agent I am not easily offended. (Laughter) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 The fact remains, my brethren and sisters, that we have had a glorious Conference, and I wish that I could have been here at all of the meetings, but wisdom suggested that I do not come. I think that probably I spoke too much last night, but everything I said I meant, and I do not take back a word that I said. THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE UPPERMOST DESIRE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.145 People have come into my office and complained about editorials that were in the Church newspaper, and I have endorsed those editorials with all my heart, and I do not give the snap of my finger for the opinion of those who did not endorse them. I simply feel that they were for the best good of the people. I have no other desire, I have never had, and I never will, other than to try to find out what is for their best good. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 I heard that one of the men sitting on this stand today was twitted --it may not be true--that he had surrendered his manhood and voted the way the Presidency of the Church wanted him to vote. He had voted the opposite ticket from what he was expected to vote. I heard that this good brother who sits here said, "The Presidency did not tell me how to vote." I heard that he got down on his knees and prayed to the Lord to help him to know how to vote, and he voted contrary to the way he had originally intended to vote, I wish more people would get down on their knees, and perhaps they would vote differently--that is my belief. He said to this man: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 Don't go away with any idea that if the Presidency ever did ask me to vote a certain way that that is not the way I would vote. It is the way I will vote. REFUSAL TO BECOME FIRST GOVERNOR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 Now, brethren, I have said it here, and I will say again, that as a youngster I never wanted anything more than I wanted to be the first Governor of the State of Utah. I received a telegram saying: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 Sixty per cent of the convention in Ogden has agreed to vote for you on the first ballot, you are sure to be nominated. We believe it will be unanimous before we get through voting. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 I read the telegram to Heber M. Wells, my brother-in-law, who had been nominated for the position on the Republican ticket. He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 Well, Heber, all that I have I owe to you. You took my note for an interest in your business, and the dividends paid the note; and I sold my interest and got a home to start with. When I was defeated the first time I ever ran for office you went around with a list headed by this statement: We subscribe for stock in the State Bank, Heber J. Grant to be President, and Heber M. Wells, Cashier, and as a result you gave me twice as good a job as I had in the City Hall. If you want to be the Governor I will resign although it will almost damn me with my party, and I will campaign for you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 I thanked him. I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 I will let you know in an hour--maybe less. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 I walked to the office of the President of the Church, Wilford Woodruff, a man nearly ninety years of age, and I handed him the telegram and I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 President Woodruff, please tell me how to answer it. Those of you that knew Brother Woodruff know that he was a terror to nearly all shorthand clerks he talked so fast. And he talked just as fast as I ever heard him when he said to me: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 What are you coming to me for? Why don't you answer your own telegrams? Haven't you, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, sufficient wisdom to answer a telegram without bothering me? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 Thank you, Brother Woodruff; thank you. Had you thought that I could do any good as the Governor of the State--that young man as I am I could do any good for the people, you would have said, Heber, the Lord bless you. I hope you will be elected. I shall send a telegram that it will be a personal favor to me if my name never comes before the convention. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.146 Ah, that is good, that is good, that is good. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.147 And that is the telegram I sent; and today I thank the Lord from the bottom of my heart that I did not become the Governor, because I had never studied along that line; I was not qualified for the job, and I would not have made one-half as good a Governor as Governor Wells did, because he had a patriot, he had a diplomat, he had a great statesman as a father, one of the greatest. I understand that Brigham Young said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.147 Daniel Wells is my statesman, Heber Kimball is my prophet, and I am a business man looking after the best interests of the people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.147 Jesse N. Smith, according to Joseph F. Smith one of the best read and the best informed man in the Church, said to me that in his judgment there were two great, wonderful, outstanding men, politically, in the United States, and they were Daniel H. Wells and Abraham Lincoln, and in his judgment Daniel was the greater of the two. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.147 So, I say, Heber was educated along the proper lines for that work, and he was a very good Governor. I had made money, and plenty of it, and Heber had not, and I would not have made as good a Governor and it would have been a mistake for me to have been elected. But I wanted it all right to start with. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.147 I know as I know that I live that this Gospel is true, and I know that what Joseph F. Smith said to me--the last words that he uttered--is true: "The Lord makes no mistake. The Lord bless you, my boy!" The Lord has made no mistake, although I say it myself, because I have given my life, the best of it, to this Church, and shall do so as long as I live. GOD'S GUIDANCE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO SEEK IT Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.147 Now, brethren, get down on your knees and pray to God to guide you in all you do. Do you think that there are a lot of people holding the highest offices in the Government of the United States that are praying for guidance, men who voted for the repeal of the liquor law? Do you mean that the men who drink their cocktails right along--and we are spending billions of dollars for whiskey--and some of them are now in high places--that those are the men whom God is directing? If you do, I do not. I tell you that no greater crime was ever committed than the repealing of the Prohibition law. Billions of dollars squandered; and poverty, and heartaches, and death and damnation to many men, have come because of liquor. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.147 Now, I pray the Lord to bless our boys. I give them my blessing, and I have the right to bless them, and I promise them that if they will be prayerful God will give them joy even in the army, if they will live sweet and clean lives. I do hope and pray that they will be like the Lamanites who were converted and who when they went into war none of them lost their lives. A marvelous story that you will find in the Book of Mormon. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 I pray the Lord to sanctify all that has been said here, from the start of this Conference to the close. I thank Him for the ease, the perfect ease, that I had in talking last night for forty-seven minutes. I want to say that I love the Latter-day Saints, and I love the word of God; and I want you to know that I thank God that the Gospel is one of forgiveness. A STORY REGARDING FORGIVENESS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 I shall tell you one incident in my life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 A man was cut off the Church for adultery, and asked to be restored. President John Taylor wrote a letter to the brethren that had taken action against the man, in which he said: "I want every man to vote his own convictions, and not to vote to make it unanimous unless it is unan-mous." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 When the matter was presented and voted upon, the vote stood half for and half against restoration. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 Later he came up again, and a majority were in favor of his being baptized. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 Finally, all of the men that were at the trial, except one, voted to let him be baptized. President John Taylor sent for me and told me I was the only man that stood in the way of this man's being baptized, and he said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 How will you feel when you meet the Lord, if this man is per- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 mitted to come up and say he repented although his sins were as scarlet, and you refused to let him be baptized? HEEDS SACRED BOOK Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 I will look the Lord squarely in the eye, and I will tell Him that any man that can destroy the virtue of a girl and then lie and claim that she was maligning him and blackmailing him, will never get back into this Church with my vote. You said in your letter to vote our convictions, and I will vote them and stay with them unless you want me to change. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 He said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 Stay with your convictions, my boy. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 I walked to my home, only one block away. I picked up the Doctrine and covenants. I was reading it prayerfully and humbly, and marking passages. Instead of its opening at the bookmark, it opened at the passage: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 I the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.148 I shut up the book and rushed back to the President, and I said, "I give my consent." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 Brother Taylor had a habit, when something pleased him, of shaking himself and laughing. He shook himself and laughed, and said: "My gracious, Heber, this is remarkable; what has happened?" And I told him. He said: "Heber, when you left here a few minutes ago did you not think: what if he had defiled my wife or daughter? And when you thought that did you not feel as if you would like to just knock the life out of that man?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 I said, "I certainly did." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 "How do you feel now?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 "Well, really and truly Brother Taylor, I hope the poor old sinner can be forgiven." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 "You feel a whole lot better, don't you?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 I said, "I certainly do." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 He added: "I put that clause in that letter for you and my son. You have learned a lesson as a young man. You have learned a good lesson, that this Gospel is one of forgiveness of sin, of awful sin, if there is true repentance, and it brings peace into your heart when you forgive the sinner. It brings peace when you love the man that you bated, provided the man turns to doing right. You have learned a lesson in your youth. Never forget it." And I never have. A CLOSING BLESSING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 But there is one thing that is necessary--and I warn you all and that is this: "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins--behold, he will confess them and forsake them." If he has not truly repented President Taylor said his being baptized will do him no good. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 Now, I pray the Lord to bless the Latter-day Saints. I pray the Lord to bless the people of the world. I pray with all my heart and soul that any man--I do not care who he is or how high his position,-that is doing anything to get us into war, that he may be confounded; and I pray that we will all pray for guidance with all our hearts and souls. I feel as though it might be well for the Latter-day Saints to set aside a day to pray and to fast and to ask the Lord to preserve us as a nation from getting into a war. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1941, p.149 God bless you, one and all, and every honest soul--and every wicked soul that repents--I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.2 I shall not speak loud. In case you are not hearing me at the end of the room hold up your hands. I should like very much to deliver a long sermon, I can think of enough to talk to you people about for at least two hours, but it would not be wise to do so. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 You all know that I have been very sick for more than two years. To start with I could not raise a finger on my left hand, neither could I touch my chin; my left eye was affected, also my left leg, necessitating me to go upstairs one step at a time, and then lift the other leg up with my right hand. I can now throw my left arm any way I want to, and can go up and down stairs without difficulty, I am feeling at least a hundred percent, if not several hundred percent better than I did at the time of my first trouble. The doctors said it was not a paralytic stroke, but it must have been a second cousin at least. When meeting my friends and they ask me as to how I feel, the answer is, "Better than I was yesterday." There has been a steady improvement all the time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 The night before last I slept three hours, then lay awake until morning, when I dropped off to sleep for a couple of hours more. Last night I had a very good night's sleep and slept until five o'clock this morning. I got up and decided to dictate a sermon for this occasion. I dictated two cylinders and then decided not to give you anything I had said, but to come here and trust to the Lord to speak as I was led. I desire more than I have language to tell that what I say may be for your good and that I shall have the benefit of your faith and prayers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 I recall what to me was the most satisfactory sermon of my life. I saw my brother, the late Brigham Frederick Grant, in the audience and knew that he was seeking a testimony of the gospel. I prayed earnestly to the Lord that I might be inspired to say that which would touch his heart. I had prepared a sermon in my own mind. I took a book out of my pocket entitled Ready Reverences and marked a lot of passages that I wished to quote. I followed Brother Milton Bennion who had just made a trip around the world. He quit speaking at eighteen minutes to three o'clock, and I decided to stop at twelve minutes after three, so as to leave time for Brother George Q. Cannon who had come into the meeting late. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 I started on time and quit on time, and upon sitting down I heard Brother Cannon say to himself -- he was sitting behind me in a chair facing north -- -"Thank God for the power of that testimony." I had opened my Ready References book and put it on the Bible, and when I got up to speak I told the audience that never before in all my life had I so much desired their faith and prayers in my behalf, as also the inspiration of the Lord. I forgot all about that book and all about everything Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 I had in mind, and I preached a sermon on the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the divinity of the mission of the Savior of the world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 When I heard Brother Cannon make that remark to himself -- I could have touched him with my left hand as he sat behind me -- I put my arms on my knees and covered my eyes with my hand and made a puddle on the floor, with tears of gratitude that filled my heart. And then, and not until then, did I remember the sermon that I had intended to preach. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 The very next morning my brother came into my office and told me that I had preached by the inspiration of God that I was inspired. I asked him what my subject was. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 He said: "You know what your subject was." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 I said: "But I want you to name it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 He did so. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 I asked him: "Are you seeking for a testimony of the gospel?" He said: "Yes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 I said: "Well, what more do you need than to say that I spoke by in-spiration -- you have never heard me speak like that before -- and that the Lord manifested His Spirit to me. You had better get your thinking cap on your head." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.3 Before the week was out I had the pleasure of baptizing him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.4 Now, my dear brethren, this is a very wonderful gathering of men. There rests upon the General Authorities and you people who are here today the duty of leading the Latter-day Saints, now numbering over 800,000 strong. You have a great responsibility, and each and every one of you should determine, with the help of the Lord, to do the very best that you possibly can, and that you will set an example of intelligence and devotion to the work of the Lord that in all respects shall be worthy of imitation. I hope and pray that the Lord will bless each and every one of you abundantly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.4 I was intimately acquainted with Brigham Young from the time I was a little child until his death, and I came into the Quorum of the Twelve when I was a young man not quite twenty-six years of age. I was intimate of course with all the men who succeeded Brigham Young as president of the Church, and I want to bear witness to every one of you that all of those men, starting with John Taylor and comin9 down to President Joseph F. Smith, I know as I know that I live that they were inspired, wonderful men, that they had no ambition of any kind or description but to lead the Latter-day Saints in the paths of righteousness, to set examples worthy of imitation in all respects. They were in very deed men of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.4 Perhaps the one man of all others who took the least interest in big business affairs of any kind was Brother Woodruff. He had been a farmer and a raiser of flowers and of fruits, and a man who I doubt ever engaged in any kind of business that amounted to $20,000 a year. But in the providences of the Lord, perhaps he was the greatest converter of men we have ever had in the Church. Through the inspiration of the living God, in opposition to the best judgment of some of the leading men of the Church, he insisted on building a sugar factory and establishing an institution for the benefit of the farmers. Notwithstanding myself and others during the panic of 1891 recommended the contract to build the factory be cancelled which could have been done by the Church forfeiting the $50,000 that it had already paid toward its erection, Brother Woodruff said: "We will build it. The farmers are entitled to that factory to get some of the products of the soil." In the providences of the Lord we did build it and many of us ruined ourselves by borrowing money to build it. We have been vindicated today. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.4 Now on another occasion I personally was vindicated, by accomplishing something that I shall tell you about that to me is a marvel; it is a wonder, and it was through the inspiration of the living God in a promise made to me by President Wood-' ruff that the thing was accomplished. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.4 I went East. Men had subscribed for hundreds of thousands of dollars in our sugar business and many of them had failed to put up the money. Banks were failing all over the United States and money was lending on the New York Stock Exchange at one-half of one percent a day, which would be one hundred eighty-two and one-hair percent a year. The bank of which I had been the president for less than a year lost about one-half of all its deposits, and to look at things naturally it would fail: I prayed about the matter and I felt impressed that with the blessings of the Lord I could raise the money necessary to save the bank. Brother Woodruff knew all about it, and he said: "Heber, sit down in this chair." And he gave me a most wonderful blessing. He told me that I should go to New York and other cities in the East, that I should return, and that I should get all the money that I went after, and more if needed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.4 So I started with an absolute assurance in my heart, having no doubt whatever that I would succeed. I shall now give you a brief account of my experience. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I first stopped at Omaha, and the president of the bank there with whom we did business laughed at the idea of buying from our bank a note of $12,000, signed by Zion's Cooperative Merchantile Institution. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 He said, "I will give you some good advice. You go home, call a meeting of all your bankers and discuss the situation, and decide that these are perilous times and that you must lend a little more money than is considered safe and sound, and it will circulate around and come back into your bank and you will be safe." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I said: "Mr. President, I have not come to you for advice, I have come East for money, and if you will not buy one of these notes for $12,000 of Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution I will go farther East and get the money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 He said: "Well, my friend, you are making a mistake." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I went to Chicago. I doubled my ante, as the gambler would say. I asked the president of the bank in Chicago to lend me $24,000 and take two of these notes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 He laughed and said: "Mr. Grant, how old is your bank?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I said: "Not quite a year yet." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 "How long have you been in the banking business?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 "This is the first time I have been connected with a bank of this kind." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 He said: "Well, I have been a banker all my life, and my father before me. You go home and call a meeting of your bankers and discuss the matter, and all of you loan a little bit more than is considered safe, because we are having to take care of our customers and are in as bad a fix, if not worse, than you are, and the money will go around and around and get back to your bank and you will be all right." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I said: "I did not need to come here to get your advice, sir; I had the same advice from the president of the Omaha National Bank. I told him I would stop off as I came home and tell him where I got the money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 He laughed and said: "Young man, have you read the morning paper?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I said, "I have." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 He said: "Have you read the financial news?" "I have." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 "What is money lending at in New York?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I said: "One-half of one percent a day, and the way I learned mental arithmetic that is one hundred and eighty-two and a half percent a year. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 "What do you expect to pay for money?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 "Six percent, the regular rate to customers." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 "Well, my dear young man, it will be a long time before you come back. You say you will stop and tell me where you got the money. It will be a long while before I see you again." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I thanked him and told him I hoped it would not be so long as he thought. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I had no doubt that I would get the money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 I went to New York and I doubled again. I went to the bank that we were doing business with in New York and I asked for $18,000. The man with whom I talked said: "The idea of your coming here the very first time we ever saw you and asking for such a loan in the midst of a panic." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 (I would like you to remember that I had never talked with a banker before in Omaha, New York, or Chicago about loans of any kind or any description. ) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.5 He said: "The idea of your coming in here almost a stranger and asking for $48,000. Why, we would not think of such a thing as giving you the money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 I said: "Would you kindly give me a sheet of paper?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 "Certainly." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 He gave me the paper and I wrote my name on it the size of the whole sheet of paper; and I hit my signature and said: "Do you know that signature?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 "Of course I do." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 "Well, I did not come in here as a gold brick man, I came here as your customer from whom you solicited a bank account. I did not come here to be insulted." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 He said: "I beg your humble pardon. I had no right to say we did not know you when we knew your signature." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 I said: "Well, my friend, I am just a young man from the West. I am just thirty-five, and this is my first experience in borrowing money for our bank. I can give you some pointers as to how we do things in the wild and woolly West. When a man tries to borrow money from us and we are not sure of his security, we ask him for some more security, and we talk it over; and if he finally has sufficient security, we let him have the money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 He said: "Excuse me, sir, but we do not allow any customer to meet with our committee to discuss questions of that kind. We take a written application for the money, then we discuss it and make the loan or turn it down." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 I said: "Will you kindly give me another piece of paper? I will make a written application. When is your committee going to meet?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 "In twenty minutes," as I remember it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 The letter I wrote ( I wish I had kept a copy ) was as near as I can remember, as follows: "I am asking you to purchase four notes of Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution. Being one of the directors of the institution I know it is able to pay these notes as they fall due, and I am giving you these notes with the endorsement of the directors. We bought them without any endorsement. The directors were perfectly willing to put their names on the back of these notes because they know that they will be paid. Now if you do not wish to take the notes of an institution that is as old if not older than your bank, that has never yet failed to meet its obligations, that now offers you its note with the endorsement of a half-million dollar bank, the endorsement of the directors (the endorsement was not on the note originally when we bought it ), you take my advice and quit doing business so far away from home." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 When the committee met, I noticed that the president of the bank was quite excited. I could not hear what he said, but he was very animated. I remained until after the meeting and spent my time praying to the Lord to soften their hearts so that they would give me the money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.6 I afterwards learned that he said: "Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution, with the all-seeing eye in the corner, and 'Holiness to the Lord!' Why, it is good for sore eyes; I haven't seen one of those notes for ten years. When I was the third assistant cashier of this bank my duty was to investigate commercial paper, and I was instructed by the former president, who is dead and gone, never to fail to buy every Zion s Cooperative Mercantile Institution note that was offered. I bought them time and time again as third assistant cashier, but there were no names on the back of them. The idea of a note which on the back is covered with the signatures of influential men and has the endorsement of a $500,000 bank, not being accepted. If there is any, one bank that we ought to take care of it is this identical bank. Take the notes and take them quick." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 And I got the money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 I then went to H. B. Claflin and Company, and I asked Mr. John Claflin, the president, to buy five Z. C. M. I. notes of $5000.00 each. He said: "The institution is so solid and so fine that I am happy to buy them from you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 I then went to Kunz Brothers Bank and asked them to buy $25,000 worth of the notes. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 They said: "We do not do business with you at all, and you have never had any business with us." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 I said: "Yes, but Mr. Hills of the Deseret Bank does business with you and he authorized me to say that these notes are absolutely perfect and will be paid and he knows it, and he hoped that you would let me have this money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 He said: "Well, I will let you have $12,500; that is all I can do, that is more than our share as we are not doing business with you." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 I said: "I haven't any notes of odd amounts, just make it $15,000." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 He said "All right, I will take three of them." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 I handed him the three notes and got the money. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 Then I sent a telegram to the president of the Chicago bank, telling him I was to be there a long long time getting the money, that I had been there forty-eight hours and that I had got $88,000; that I got $15,000 at Kunz Brothers; $25,000 at Claflin and Company and $48,-000 at the National Park Bank. "Kindly wire and ask for their confirmation of having made these loans to me at six percent, and when you get the answers I hope you will wire that I can send you the other $12,000 note for which I need the money." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 I thought he would answer "No," and that I would change my bank account as I was coming West, but he answered: "Send the note," and I sent it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 I will not go into further detail except to mention one more sale. I went into the National Bank of Hartford. The president had been here in Salt Lake with a letter of introduction to me from the president of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company. I had spent the day with him. I had taken him into the Z. C. M. I. store, and I had let him walk all over the store from cellar to garret, and he was delighted with the institution and the way the goods looked. When I told him I wanted him to buy some Z. C. M. I. notes, he said: "Mr. Grant, I will have pleasure in buying a couple of them; I have a meeting of our committee, I will see you in a few minutes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 He spoke to a clerk and told him to buy two five thousand dollar notes, and immediately after he got through with the committee meeting he said: "Come with me," and we went into the First National Bank. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 He said: "Mr. Grant is here trying to sell notes of the Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution. I have been all through the store from cellar to garret; they show quick assets of four to one. They are absolutely sound, and I want you to buy two of the notes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 The man said: "Why, we are not buying any notes. Money is half of one percent a day." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 "Neither am I, but I am taking care of my friends. This is my friend, Mr. Grant, and I expect you to buy a couple of these notes." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.7 He said: "Oh, give me one; one is enough." My friend said: "We took two." The other gentleman said: "If you took two, we will take two." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 To cut a long story short, I stayed there not quite a month, and I borrowed $336,000 at six percent. To my personal knowledge George Romney, one of the truest friends I ever had and a man who had been on my note for many thousand dollars without sufficient security when I was in distress, thought it was ridiculous, and so did others of my friends, for me to go East and try to borrow money at six percent. They laughed at the idea and, I understand, talked about it in a meeting, the idea of my attempting to do this; but I not only went and got all I went for, but as Brother Woodruff promised that I should, I arranged for more if needed. (I had a perfect assurance that I would get it, and he said, "You can get a little more if you need it.") Just before leaving for the train in New York I received a telegram asking for $48,000 more money. I felt sure that it was not needed. I wrote to Hartford asking for $48,000, and the answer came to me at Chicago that I could have it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 I returned home and found that the extra money was not needed. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 This was one of the greatest promises that was ever made, and I was able to fulfil that promise. Not for one moment did I have any fear that I would fail to get the money, because of the promise of that humble, inspired, wonderful man. Wilford Woodruff. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 When I returned to Chicago, I stopped to see the president of the bank there, and explained what I had done, and secured the money for the $12,000 note that he had agreed to purchase. When I called on him on my way East, he did not invite me into the office, but stood behind the counter and talked to me and gave me his advice. When I met him on my way back, he invited me in and was very friendly. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 When I got to Omaha I called on the president of the Omaha National Bank as I had promised to do, and told him where I got the money. He immediately telephoned to the president of the Union Pacific System telling him to come down to the bank. He said: "I want you to meet a young man who has borrowed $336,000 in New York during the panic and got it at six percent. The Union Pacific Railroad ought to get acquainted with this young man, he is the kind of man the Union Pacific are dealing with." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 I am grateful today that I am honored by being a director of that road. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 Now, my dear brethren, I could go on talking to you by the hour of things that have come to me that have demonstrated to me beyond the peradventure of doubt the inspiration of the men who have preceded me as the presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On the day that Brother Joseph F. Smith bade me good-bye, and he died that very night, he told me that the Lord never makes a mistake. He said: "You have a great responsibility resting upon you. The Lord knows whom He wants to preside over His Church and He never makes a mistake." I can testify to you that He has not made a mistake in my case any more than He did with each and all of my predecessors. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 I shall take the time to relate one more incident. Never did Brother Taylor direct the course of the apostles without inspiration, neither did Brother Woodruff, nor Brother Snow, nor Brother Joseph F. Smith. God to my knowledge inspired those men and directed them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.8 Brothers Francis M. Lyman and John Henry Smith were told by President John Taylor to go to some town -- I shall not mention where it is -- and to have a man sustained as the president of the stake. Undoubtedly there are some of you men who know where it was, I won't give the name -- I won't tell that. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Lyman said: "Why, Brother Taylor, I know this brother, and I know that the people will not sustain him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Taylor said: "You and Brother John Henry Smith are called upon a mission to have him voted for and sustained as president." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Lyman later in the day said: "Suppose these people won't sustain that man, what are we to do?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Taylor said: "But you are called upon a mission to have him sustained; that is what you are to do." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Lyman brought it up again a third time and Brother Taylor said: "Do you understand English? Don't you know what mission I have placed upon you two men? It is to have him sustained." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Later in the day Brother John Henry thought the president had not thoroughly considered the matter, and he brought it up. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Taylor said: "Didn't you hear what I said to Lyman? You two men are called to go to that place and have the people sustain this man." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Lyman gave me the credit of feeding him more meals and giving him more opportunity to sleep in my house than all the rest of his relatives in Salt Lake City combined. He made my home his home during the two years that I presided in Tooele, and after I became an apostle he made my home his home whenever he came in to Salt Lake from Tooele. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 As we came past the president's office after our meeting in the Endowment House, he said: "Heber, President Taylor does not understand the condition; those people have rebelled and they will not sustain this man. He was busy with our regular meeting, and he did not get it into his head that it cannot be done. I will step in here. You tell your wife I will be a little late, but don't delay your dinner until I get there. Go home and eat it, and I will come along later." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 I said: "I will wait for you." I thought it wouldn't be long. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 He came out in a moment and said: "I wish I had not gone to see the president. Heber, fast and pray for us; I do not see how under heaven we can change this condition. All the bishops and their counselors, the high council, the patriarchs, and the presidency of the high priests quorum have requested that this good brother be dropped and that they have another president. Brother John and I will have to pray all the way from Milford until we get to the place." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 When they arrived, Brother Lyman brought all these people together who had signed the petition and said "Now, brethren, we do not want a great number of you men to confess the president's mistakes, but we will step out of the room, and you appoint one man to do the talking. You tell him everything you can think of against the president. If he has forgotten anything, give him a chance to speak again, and then we will come back and hear it all. We have come here to fix up things, and we are going to do just what you people want us to do." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 When they got into the other room John Henry said: "For heaven's sake, Lyman, did you lose your head? They want a new president, they have signed their names for a new president." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.9 Brother Lyman said: "Well, it must have been a slip of the tongue. We will have to pray just that much harder." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 When the man who had been selected to be their spokesman got through with his talk of nearly an hour, Brother Lyman said: "Has he forgotten anything?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 They said: "No, he has told the truth." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 Brother Lyman said: "Well, that is marvelous. We had never dreamed that this man had so many faults and failings. Really, if there is somebody who would like to tell something good about him we would like to hear it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 A man got up and said: "I can say something good about him, about his generosity, his liberality." Then he commenced weeping, and said: "Brother Lyman, will you scratch my name off that list and let me vote for him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 Brother Lyman said: "All right. Does anybody else feel that way?" About one-third of them got up. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 He said: "Well, you may go home, it is rather late, and the others of us will discuss this matter further." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 He then said to the spokesman: "Get up and tell that story again, because it is news to us; we never dreamed this brother had so many failings." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 So the man got up and told it over again. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 Another man jumped up and said: "Brother Lyman, please take my name off that list. Let me vote for him." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 Brother Lyman said: "All right. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 Does anybody else feel that way?" About half of them stood up. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 He said: "All right. Your folks are wondering why you are out so late; we will excuse you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 Then he said to this man again: "Now get up and tell us that story again. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 The man got up and told the story once more. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 Brother Lyman said: "Two men have tried to tell something good about this man and failed, but have asked permission to vote for him tomorrow. Is there anybody else here who feels to sustain him?" And they all stood up. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 He said: "All right. Good night, brethren." And he turned to John Henry and said: "John, will you sustain him?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 John laughed and said: "I will." By this time I think it was after half past twelve or one o'clock in the morning. The next morning Brother Lyman was able to say to the people: "All of the bishops and their counselors, the high council, the patriarch, the presidency of the high priests quorum, every one of them has asked permission to vote for Brother So and So as the president of your stake, and we have agreed to let them do so. If any of you want to vote the other way there will be no condemnation." They got a unanimous vote to sustain that man as president of the stake. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.10 When Brothers Lyman and Smith returned they made their report of what had happened. Brother Taylor, when something pleased him immensely, used to shake his body and laugh; and he said; "Twins, twins, twins, (he nearly always called those two men twins) it wasn't such a hard job after all, was it? Now, this brother is a big-hearted, fine man, but he makes mistakes. He is sick abed now, and he never would have recovered, he would have died a broken-hearted man if he had not been sustained. He will be well in three months and feeling fine. Go down there and put your arm around him and say: 'Now that the people are loving you and have unanimously sustained you, don't you think it would be well to resign?' and he will jump at the chance and you assume the authority to accept his resignation." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.11 And that is how it worked out. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.11 There are things that I could go on by the hour telling you regarding advice given by President Taylor. You have all seen in The Improvement Era the account of my nearest and dearest friend's staying in the army -- Richard W. Young -- under the advice of President Taylor, and how it worked out. It was marvelous. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, p.11 I want to tell you that starting with Brigham Young and coming down to your humble servant, the Lord has been with us and has directed this Church. May the Lord help us so to live that you will sustain us, and may I never live long enough that when I am in favor of a thing and all the brethren are in favor of it, such as was the case when we were opposed to bringing whisky back, that Utah and the Mormons will be in opposition to us. I would almost have staked my life, knowing that the people know that we did not want to have whisky again, that the people would not have voted to bring it back. If we would pay our tithing to God, and if we and all the people of this nation would stop using tobacco and drinking tea, coffee, and liquor, I do not care if this war cost $110,000,-000,000 -- we could pay it all. Conference Report, p.11 God bless us by His Spirit always, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.88 In these days of trial and sorrow, when Satan is "seeking to destroy the souls of men" (D. & C. 10: 27) we send to the righteous everywhere our greetings with prayers for their blessing; to the Saints in all lands and on the islands of the seas, we renew our testimonies and pledge our unselfish service, exhorting them to lives obedient to the gospel and the commandments of the Lord; we extend to them the hand of true and faithful fellowship, with deep and abiding love and blessing. OUR TESTIMONIES Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.88 We bear witness to all the world that God lives, and still rules, that His righteous ways and His truth will finally prevail. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.88 We bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father, the First Fruits of the Resurrection, the Redeemer of the World, and that "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.88 We solemnly declare that in these the latter-days, God has again spoken from the heavens through His chosen Prophet, Joseph Smith; that the Lord has, through that same Prophet, again revealed in its fulness His gospel, -- the plan of life and salvation; that through that Prophet and his associates He has restored His holy Priesthood to the earth, from which it had been taken because of the wickedness of men; and that all the rights, powers, keys, and functions appertaining to that Priesthood as so restored are now vested in and exercised by the chosen and inspired leadership of His Church, -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even as that Priesthood has been exercised on the earth from the Beginning until this day, whenever His Church was here or His work had place among the children of men. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.88 These testimonies we bear in all soberness, before God and men, aware that we are answerable to God for the truthfulness thereof. We admonish all men to give ear to these testimonies and to bring their lives into harmony with the gospel of Christ, that on the day "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him," they may stand with those on His right hand, to whom He will say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:31, 34) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.88 We shall now speak first of some vital practical matters which should be uppermost in the minds of all Latter-day Saints. MESSAGE TO PARENTS Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.88 It is becoming increasingly clear that very many of our physicians and surgeons will be taken by the government for service with the armed forces. This is well, for we want our soldiers and sailors to have every care which it is possible to give them. But this will leave the civilians with curtailed and probably inadequate medical help: In some areas we shall be left with little more trained assistance than was available to our pioneer fathers. Yet it is our patriotic duty to be as fully effective in production at home as our boys are effective in combat in the field. Those in the front lines cannot be strong unless those behind the lines are strong also. To meet this patriotic duty and to prepare for this threatening condition, we urge all parents to guard with zealous care the health of their children. Feed them simple, good, wholesome food that will nourish and make them strong. See that they are warmly clad. Keep them from exposure. Have them avoid unnecessary crowds in close, poorly ventilated, overheated rooms and halls. See that they have plenty of rest and sleep. Avoid late hours. Keep them home in the evenings and remain home to enjoy them. Teach them strictly to observe the Word of Wisdom which is God's law of health. You parents observe these rules yourselves, and keep the other commandments of the Lord. You bishops and presidents of stakes, first lead your people by example and then they will follow your precepts. Parents, prepare yourselves and your children for the times to come. So live, day by day, that you may with confidence, ask the blessings of health with which the Lord clothes those whom, living righteously, He delights to succor. MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.89 To the youth of the Church we repeat all the foregoing advice, but above all we plead with you to live clean, for the unclean life leads only to suffering, misery, and woe physically, -- and spiritually it is the path to destruction. How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter. Sexual purity is youth's most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness. Better dead, clean, than alive, unclean. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.89 Times approach when we shall need all the health, strength, and spiritual power we can get to bear the afflictions that will come upon us. WELFARE WORK Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.89 We renew the counsel given to the Saints from the days of Brigham Young until now, -- be honest, truthful, industrious, frugal, thrifty. In the day of plenty, prepare for the day of scarcity. The principle of the fat and lean kine, is as applicable today as it was in the days when, on the banks of the Nile, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dream. Officials now warn us, and warn again, that scant days are coming. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.89 We renew our counsel, and repeat our instructions. Let every Latter-day Saint that has land, produce some valuable, essential foodstuff thereon and then preserve it: or if he cannot produce an essential foodstuff, let him produce some other kind and exchange it for an essential foodstuff; let them who have no land of their own, and who have knowledge of farming and gardening, try to rent some, either by themselves or with others, and produce foodstuff thereon, and preserve it. Let those who have land produce enough extra to help their less fortunate brethren. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.89 The Welfare plan should be carried forward with redoubled energy that we may care for the worthy, needy poor and unfortunate, and many of us may hereafter enter that class who now feel we are secure from want. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.89 As the Church has always urged since we came to the Valleys, so now we urge every Church householder to have a year's supply of essential foodstuffs ahead. This should, so far as possible, be produced by each householder and preserved by him. This course will not only relieve from any impending distress those households who so provide themselves, but will release just that much food to the general national stores of foodstuffs from which the public at large must be fed. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.89 The utmost care should be taken to see that foodstuffs so produced and preserved by the householder, do not spoil, for that would be waste, and the Lord looks with disfavor upon waste. He has blessed His people with abundant crops; the promise for this year is most hopeful. The Lord is doing His part; He expects us to do ours. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 FALSE POLITICAL Isms Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 We again warn our people in America of the constantly increasing threat against our inspired Constitution and our free institutions set up under it. The same political tenets and philosophies that have brought war and terror in other parts of the world are at work amongst us in America. The proponents thereof are seeking to undermine our own form of government and to set up instead one of the forms of dictatorships now flourishing in other lands. These revolutionists are using a technique that is as old as the human race, -- a fervid but false solicitude for the unfortunate over Whom they thus gain mastery, and then enslave them. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 They suit their approaches to the particular group they seek to deceive. Among the Latter-day Saints they speak of their philosophy and their plans under it, as an ushering in of the United Order. Communism and all other similar isms bear no relationship whatever to the United Order. They are merely the clumsy counterfeits which Satan always devises of the gospel plan. Communism debases the individual and makes him the enslaved tool of the state to whom he must look for sustenance and religion; the United Order exalts the individual, leaves him his property, "according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs," Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 (D. & C. 51:3) and provides a system by which he helps care for his less fortunate brethren; the United Order leaves every man free to choose his own religion as his conscience directs. Communism destroys man's God-given free agency: the United Order glorifies it. Latter-day Saints cannot be true to their faith and lend aid, encouragement, or sympathy to any of these false philosophies. They will prove snares to their feet. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 GOSPEL OF LOVE Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 The gospel of Christ is a gospel of love and peace, of patience and long suffering, of forbearance and forgiveness, of kindness and good deeds, of charity and brotherly love. Greed, avarice, base ambition, thirst for power, and unrighteous dominion over our fellow men, can have no place in the hearts of Latter-day Saints nor of God-fearing men everywhere. We of the Church must lead the life prescribed in the saying of the ancient prophet-warrior: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country. (Alma 60:36) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 HATE MUST BE ABOLISHED Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 Hate can have no place in the souls of the righteous. We must follow the commands of Christ Himself which declare the true life: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:44-45) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.90 These principles must be instilled into the hearts of our children, taught to our youth, given by way of instruction to our vigorous manhood and womanhood, lived in very fact and deed by the aged, ripened in experience and wisdom. These are the principles which God enjoins upon all who teach, in whatever capacity or in whatever place. The Lord has declared that those who teach not their children light and truth, according to the commandments' shall be afflicted, the wicked one shall have power over them (D. & C. 93 :42 ), and the sin shall be upon their heads ( D. & C. 68: 25 ). Woe will be the part of those who plant hate in the hearts of the youth, and of the people, for God will not hold them guiltless; they are sowing the wind, their victims will reap the whirlwinds. Hate is born of Satan; love is the offspring of God. We must drive out hate from our hearts, every one of us, and permit it not again to enter. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 MISSION OF THE CHURCH Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 The Lord has established His Church in these latter-days that men might be called to repentance, to the salvation and exaltation of their souls. Time and time again He told the Prophet Joseph and those with him that "the field is white already to harvest." ( D. & C. 4:4; 6:3; 11:3; 12:3; 14:3; 33:3, 7) Over and over again He commanded them to preach nothing but repentance to this generation (D. & C. 6:9; 11:9, 14:8) finally declaring: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 And thou shalt declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not against revilers. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 Behold, this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 And misery thou shalt receive if thou wilt slight these counsels, yea, even the destruction of thyself and property. (D. & C. 19:29-33) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 These commands we must obey that men shall come to know God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, for "this is life eternal." (John 17:3) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 For this cause was the Church organized, the gospel again revealed in its fulness, the Priesthood of God again restored, with all its rights, powers, keys and functions. This is the mission of the Church. The divine commission given to the apostles of old (Matthew 28:18 if.; Mark 16:15 ff.) has been repeated in this day, that the gospel shall be carried to all nations (D. & C. 38:33), unto the Jew and the Gentile ( D. & C. 18: 26 ); it shall be declared with rejoicing (D. & C. 28:16); it shall roll to the ends of the earth ( D. & C. 65: 2 ); and it must be preached by us to whom the kingdom has been given. (D. & C. 84:76) No act of ours or of the Church must interfere with this God-given mandate. The Lord will hold us to this high commission and exalted duty, imposed by His commandment to us, when He said: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. (D. & C. 59:21) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 We shall be excused from this divine commission, individually and as a Church, only if some power beyond our control shall prevent our obedience to God's commands, then they who hinder must bear the penalty. ( D. & C. 124: 49 ) But to that point of hindrance, it is our bounden duty to carry on. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 SENDING OF MISSIONARIES Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.91 It is our duty, divinely imposed, to continue urgently and militantly to carry forward our missionary work. We must continue to call missionaries and send them out to preach the gospel, which was never more needed than now, which is the only remedy for the tragic ills that now afflict the world, and which alone can bring peace and brotherly love back amongst the peoples of the earth. We must continue to call to missionary work those who seem best able to perform it in these troublous and difficult days. Our duty under divine command imperatively demands this. We shall not knowingly call anyone for the purpose of having him evade military service, nor for the purpose of interfering with or hampering that service in any way, nor of putting any impediment in the way of' government. These would be unworthy motives for a missionary life. Our people have furnished and we expect them to continue to furnish their full quota for those purposes, but we see no alternative, until new rules are made by the government, but to continue to call the best and most effective men into missionary work, if they are available therefor. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.92 Having in mind that the worldwide disaster in material and spiritual matters has brought vital and difficult problems to the nation and to the Church, -- the nation because of need of manpower for the armed forces and defense works, and to the Church because of the imperative need it brings to us to employ in our missionary work the experience, testimony and faith possessed by our more mature brethren, we have instructed our bishops, presidents of branches, and presidents of missions to confine until further notice, their recommendations of brethren for missionary service in the field, to those who on March 23, 1942, were seventies or high priests. Furthermore, in recommending these brethren, none but those who are and have been living worthily, should be chosen; and as to these, they should choose those only who have not received their notice of induction, who are not likely to receive it within a short time, and who have a real desire to do missionary work. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.92 To preach the gospel, under ordination from the Priesthood of God, is a great privilege, to be enjoyed by those only who are thoroughly qualified and who are and have been strictly living the commandments and attending to their Church duties. Every bishop will carefully examine everyone whom he considers for a mission, to be sure he meets these requirements. No lukewarm or unworthy person should be recommended. The bishop must not in any way play favorites, thus avoiding giving just ground among the people of his ward for that unworthy, un-righteous thought, sometimes voiced by those whose sons have gone into the service, that because their sons have gone into the army, every other parent's son should go into the army, and that none should be sent on missions. This feeling has behind it thoughts that do not comport with the teachings of our Heavenly Father. Moreover, those going on missions are amenable to selection for army service so soon as they return. A mission exempts from army service only for the term of the mission. CHURCH AND STATE Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.92 The Church stands for the separation of church and state. The church has no civil political functions. As the church may not assume the functions of the state, so the state may not assume the functions of the church. The church is responsible for and must carry on the work of the Lord, directing the conduct of its members, one towards the other, as followers of the lowly Christ, not forgetting the humble, the poor and needy, and those in distress, leading them all to righteous living and a spiritual life that shall bring them to salvation, exaltation, and eternal progression in wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and power. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.92 Today, more than ever before in the history of the Church, we must bring the full force of the righteous living of' our people and the full influence of the spiritual power and responsibility of the holy Priesthood, to combat the evil forces which Satan has let loose among the peoples of the earth. We are in the midst of a desperate struggle between Truth and Error, and Truth will finally prevail. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.92 The state is responsible for the civil control of its citizens or subjects, for their political welfare, and for the carrying forward of political policies, domestic and foreign, of the body politic. For these policies, their success or failure, the state is alone responsible, and it must carry its burdens. All these matters involve and directly affect Church members because they are part of the body politic, and members must give allegiance to their sovereign and render it loyal service when called thereto. But the Church, itself, as such, has no responsibility for these policies, as to which it has no means of doing more than urging its members fully to render that loyalty to their country and to free institutions which the loftiest patriotism calls for. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 Nevertheless, as a correlative of the principle of separation of the church and the State, themselves, there is an obligation running from every citizen or subject to the state. This obligation is voiced in that Article of Faith which declares: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 For one hundred years, the Church has been guided by the following principles: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience. We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divinelaws given of heaven, prescribing rules onspiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker . . . We believe . . . that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed (D. & C. 134:1-6, 8) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AND ARMY SERVICE Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 Obedient to these principles, the members of the Church have always felt under obligation to come to the defense of their country when a call to arms was made; on occasion the Church has prepared to defend its own members. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 In the days of Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion was formed, having in view the possible armed defense of the Saints against mob violence. Following our expulsion from Nauvoo, the Mormon Battalion was recruited by the national government for service in the war with Mexico. When Johnston's army was sent to Utah in 1857 as the result of malicious misrepresentations as to the actions and attitude of the territorial officers and the people, we prepared and used measures of force to prevent the entry of the army into the valleys. During the early years in Utah, forces were raised and used to fight the Indians. In the war with Spain, members of the Church served with the armed forces of the United States, with distinction and honor. In the World War, the Saints of America and of European countries served loyally their respective governments, on both sides of the conflict. Likewise in the present war, righteous men of the Church in both camps have died, some with great heroism, for their own country's sake. In all this our people have but served loyally the country of which they were citizens or subjects under the principles we have already stated. We have felt honored that our brethren have died nobly for their country; the Church has been benefited by their service and sacrifice. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 Nevertheless, we have not forgotten that on Sinai, God commanded "Thou shalt not kill"; nor that in this dispensation the Lord has repeatedly reiterated that command. He has said: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 And again, I say, thou shalt not kill; but he that killeth shall die. (D.&C. 42:18-19; and see 59:6) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 At another time the Lord commanded that murderers should "be delivered up and dealt with according to the laws of the land; for remember that he hath no forgiveness." ( ibid 79 ) So also when land was to be obtained in Zion, the Lord said: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 Wherefore, the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase, behold you are blessed; And if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance. (D.&C. 63:29-31) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 But all these commands, from Sinai down, run in very terms against individuals as members of society, as well as members of the Church, for one man must not kill another as Cain killed Abel; they also run against the Church as in the case of securing land in Zion, because Christ's Church should not make war, for the Lord is a Lord of peace. He has said to us in this dispensation: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace (D.&C. 98:16) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 Thus the Church is and must be against war. The Church itself cannot wage war, unless and until the Lord shall issue new commands. It cannot regard war as a righteous means of settling international disputes; these should and could be settled -- the nations agreeing -- by peaceful negotiation and adjustment. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 But the Church membership are citizens or subjects of sovereignties over which the Church has no control. The Lord Himself has told us to 'befriend that law which is the constitutional law of the land': Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this cometh of evil. (D. & C. 98:4-7) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.94 While by its terms this revealed word related more especially to this land of America, nevertheless the principles announced are worldwide in their application, and they are specifically addressed to "you" ( Joseph Smith ), "and your brethren of my church." When, therefore, constitutional law, obedient to these principles, calls the manhood of the Church into the armed service of any country to which they owe allegiance, their highest civic duty requires that they meet that call. If, hark-ening to that call and obeying those in command over them, they shall take the lives of those who fight against them, that will not make of them murderers, nor subject them to the penalty that God has prescribed for those who kill, beyond the principle to be mentioned shortly. For it would be a cruel God that would punish His children as moral sinners for acts done by them as the innocent instrumentalities of a sovereign whom He had told them to obey and whose will they were powerless to resist. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 GOD IS AT THE HELM Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 The whole world is in the midst of a war that seems the worst of all time. This Church is a worldwide Church. Its devoted members are in both camps. They are the innocent war instrumentalities of their warring sovereignties. On each side they believe they are fighting for home, and country, and freedom. On each side, our brethren pray to the same God, in the same name, for victory. Both sides cannot be wholly right; perhaps neither is without wrong. God will work out in His own due time and in His own sovereign way the justice and right of the conflict, but He will not hold the innocent instrumentalities of the war, our brethren in arms, responsible for the conflict. This is a major crisis in the world-life of man. God is at the helm. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 RIGHTEOUS SUFFER WITH WICKED Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 But there is an eternal law that rules war and those who engage in it. It was given when, Peter having struck off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the High Priest, Jesus reproved him, saying: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:52) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 The Savior thus laid down a general principle upon which He placed no limitations as to time, place, cause, or people involved. He repeated it in this dispensation when He told the people if they tried to secure the land of Zion by blood, then "lo, your enemies are upon you." This is a universal law, for force always besets force; it is the law of 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth' (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20); it is the law of the unrighteous and wicked, but it operates against the righteous who may be involved. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 Mormon, recording the war of revenge by the Nephites, against the Lamanites, pronounced another great law; Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed. (Mormon 4:5) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 But, we repeat, in this war of the wicked, the righteous suffer also. Moroni, mistakenly reproving Pahoran 'for sitting upon his throne in a state of thoughtless stupor, while his enemies were spreading the work 'of death around him, yea, while they were murdering thousands of his brethren,' said to Pahoran: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 Do ye suppose that, because so many of your brethren have been killed it is because of their wickedness? I say unto you, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto you, there are many who have fallen by the sword; and behold it is to your condemnation; Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God. (Alma 60:7, 12-13) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.95 In this terrible war now waging, thousands of our righteous young men in all parts of the world and in many countries are subject to a call into the military service of their own countries. Some of these, so serving, have already been called back to their heavenly home; others will almost surely be called to follow. But 'behold,' as Moroni said, the righteous of them who serve and are slain 'do enter into the rest of the Lord their God,' and of them the Lord has said "those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them." (D. & C. 42:46) Their salvation and exaltation in the world to come will be secure. That in their work of destruction they will be striking at their brethren will not be held against them. That sin, as Moroni of old said, is to the condemnation of those who 'sit in their places of power in a state of thoughtless stupor,' those rulers in the world who in a frenzy of' hate and lust for unrighteous power and dominion over their fellow men, have put into motion eternal forces they do not comprehend and cannot control. God, in His own due time, will pass sentence upon them. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:19) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 MESSAGE TO MEN IN SERVICE Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 To our young men who go into service, no matter whom they serve or where, we say live clean, keep the commandments of the Lord, pray to Him constantly to preserve you in truth and righteousness, live as you pray, and then whatever betides you the Lord will be with you and nothing will happen to you that will not be to the honor and glory of God and to your salvation and exaltation. There will come into your hearts from the living of the pure life you pray for, a joy that will pass your powers of expression or understanding. The Lord will be always near you; He will comfort you; you will feel His presence in the hour of your greatest tribulation; He will guard and protect you to the full extent that accords with His all-wise purpose. Then, when the conflict is over and you return to your homes, having lived the righteous life, how great will be your happiness -- whether you be of the victors or of the vanquished -- that you have lived as the Lord commanded. You will return so disciplined in righteousness that thereafter all Satan's wiles and stratagems will leave you untouched. Your faith and testimony will be strong beyond breaking. You will be looked up to and revered as having passed through the fiery furnace of trial and temptation and come forth unharmed. Your brethren will look to you for counsel, support, and guidance. You will be the anchors to which thereafter the youth of Zion will moor their faith in man. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 To you brethren and sisters who make up the body of the Church we send again our greetings and our blessings. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for your loyalty, your devotion, and your righteousness. We love and bless you. We are grateful for your faithfulness in your tithes and offerings, the greatest in the last year in the whole history of the Church. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 We remind you that as the Lord said to ancient Israel, so He says to us, in an eternal principle: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:10-12) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 We give thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father for the unselfish and righteous service of the officers of the stakes, of the wards, of the auxiliaries, of the Priesthood, of the missionaries, and of every man and woman who is helping to advance the cause of Truth. We give our blessing and love to all of you. We claim all of you as fellow servants of the Lord. To our brethren of the General Authorities, -- the Twelve and their Assistants, the Acting Presiding Patriarch, the First Council of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric -- we give our love and trust. We thank them and our Heavenly Father for their loyal support, their faith, their righteous works, which they carry on with an eye single to the glory of God and to the progress of His work, so magnifying in righteousness their callings. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 We exhort all the Saints to remember the great commandment which Jesus gave: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 This is the first and great commandment. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 And as King Benjamin, the Nephite prophet-king, said to his people: Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 . . Learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17) Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.96 May the Lord preserve the officers and the body of the Church in health and strength, increase our faith and our testimonies, endow us all with wisdom and understanding beyond measure, that we may all so live that when we are called home we may be saved and exalted in the celestial kingdom. Message of the First Presidency, Conference Report, April 1942, p.97 Our Heavenly Father: Hear us in our petitions before Thee: Let nothing stand betwixt us and Thee and Thy blessings; work out Thy purposes speedily; drive hate from the souls of men, that peace and brotherly love may again come to the earth and rule the hearts of Thy children, that nations may again live together in amity. Watch tenderly over Thy children in all lands; bless therein the sick and afflicted, care for those in distress; help us, their brethren bearing Thy Priesthood, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to those who have no homes; comfort, our Heavenly Father, with the full sweetness of Thy Holy Spirit, those who mourn, we humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. President Heber J, Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1942, p.97 You have heard the message of the First Presidency. I think that it is unnecessary for me to add anything further. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1942, p.97 As I said yesterday at the marvelous meeting that we had in the temple, I feel that it is not wisdom for me to stay longer on account of my ill health. I appreciate the fact that you all know as I have said so often I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was His Prophet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1942, p.97 I can say nothing more than is said in this message from the presidency of the Church. I can only hope that the people of the world may realize the fact that we are in very deed the Church of Jesus Christ and not the Church of any man, and that there is no ambition in our hearts for personal power or prestige in the world. All that we desire is the salvation of mankind. May God help us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1942, p.97 I never forget one little statement, I think it is in the eighteenth section of the Doctrine and Covenants: "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1942, p.97 God bless you all. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.24 I am grateful beyond my power of expression for the faith and prayers of the people and for the blessings of the Lord in my behalf. For two and one-half years I have been gaining a little since I became ill. I have been home since that illness overtook me a little longer than two years, and when people have asked me how I am, I have said, "Better than I was yesterday," and this is really true--I have been gaining a little all the time. To begin with I could not move my left leg or my left arm. The doctors said it was not a paralytic stroke, but it must have been at least a second cousin to it. I could walk upstairs only one step at a time and drag my left leg up. Now, I can walk up and down stairs. I can walk across the floor without scraping my foot on the carpet; I can throw my left leg over my right one with perfect ease, and back again; my improvement is very remarkable considering the condition I was in, and I attribute it to the prayers of the Saints in my behalf. I am grateful to them beyond expression, and I am grateful to the doctors who have so very kindly taken care of me in California and here at home. I am truly appreciative of the interest they have taken in my behalf. I feel almost normal. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.24 I have decided to tell in detail one or two very remarkable things that have happened in my life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.24 I was made one of the apostles in October, 1882. On the 6th of October, 1882, I met Brother George Teasdale at the south gate of the temple. His face lit up, and he said: "Brother Grant, you and I"--very enthusiastically--and then he commenced Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.24 coughing and choking, and went on into meeting and did not finish his sentence. It came to me as plainly as though he had said the words: "Are going to be chosen this afternoon to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 I went to the meeting and my head swelled, and I thought to myself, "Well, I am going to be one of the apostles," and I was willing to vote for myself, but the conference adjourned without anyone being chosen. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 Ten days later I received a telegram saying, "You must be in Salt Lake tomorrow without fail." I was then president of Tooele Stake. The telegram came from my partner, Nephi W. Clayton. When I got to the depot, I said: "Nephi, why on earth are you calling me back here? I had an appointment out in Tooele Stake." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 "Never mind," he said; "it was not I who sent for you; it was Brother Lyman. He told me to send the telegram and sign my name to it. He told me to come and meet you and take you to the Prestdent's office. That is all I know." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 So I went to the President's office, and there sat Brother Teasdale, and all of the ten Apostles, and the Presidency of the Church, and also Seymour B. Young and the members of the Seven Presidents of the Seventies. And the revelation was read calling Brother Teasedale and myself to the apostleship, and Brother Seymour B. Young to be one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventies. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 Brother Teasdale was blessed by President John Taylor, and George Q. Cannon blessed me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 After the meeting I said to Brother Teasdale, "I know what you were going to say to me on the sixth of October when you happened to choke half to death and then went into the meeting." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 He said, "Oh, no, you don't." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 "Yes, I do," and I repeated it: "You and I are going to be called to the apostleship." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 He said, "Well, that is what I was going to say, and then it occurred to me that I had no right to tell it, that I had received a manifestation from the Lord." He said, "Heber, I have suffered the tortures of the damned for ten days, thinking I could not tell the difference between a manifestation from the Lord and one from the devil, that the devil had deceived me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 I said, "I have not suffered like that, but I never prayed so hard in my lifefor anything as I did that the Lordwould forgive me for the egotism of thinking that I was fit to be an apostle, and that I was ready to go into that meeting ten days ago and vote for myself to be an apostle." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 I was a very unhappy man from October until February. For the next four months whenever I would bear my testimony of the divinity of the Savior, there seemed to be a voice that would say: "You lie, because you have never seen Him." One of the brethren had made the remark that unless a man had seen the Lamb of God--that was his expression--he was not fit to be an apostle. This feeling that I have mentioned would follow me. I would wake up in the night with the impression: "You do not know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, because you have never seen Him," and the same feeling would come to me when I would preach and bear testimony. It worried me from October until the following February. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 I was in Arizona in February, traveling with Brigham Young, Jr., and a number of other brethren, visiting the Navajo Indians and the Moki Indians. Several of our party were riding in "White Tops" and several on horseback. I was in the rear of the party with Brother Lot Smith. He was on a big fine iron-grey horse, and I was on a small mule that I had discovered was the easiest and best riding animal I had ever straddled. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 We were going due east when the road changed and went almost north, but there was a trail ahead of us, and I said, "Hold on, Lot; stop." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 I said, "Brother Smith, where does this trail lead?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 He said, "It leads to a great gully just a short distance away, and no team can possibly travel over it. We have to make a regular mule shoe of a ride to get to the other side of the gully'" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.25 I said, "Is there any danger from Indians if a man were alone over there?" "None at all." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 I said: "I visited the spot yesterday where George A. Smith, Jr., was killed by a Navajo Indian, who asked him for his pistol and then shot him with it, and I feel a little nervous, but if there is no danger I want to be all alone, so you go on with the party and I will take that trail." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 I had this feeling that I ought not to testify any more about the Savior and that, really, I was not fit to be an apostle. It seemed overwhelming to me that I should be one. There was a spirit that said: "If you have not seen the Savior, why don't you resign your position?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 As I rode along alone, I seemed to see a council in heaven. The Savior was there; the Prophet Joseph was there; my father and others that I knew were there. In this council it seemed that they decided that a mistake had been made in not filling the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve, and conference had adjourned. The chances were the Brethren would wait another six months, and the way to remedy the situation was to send a revelation naming the men who should fill the vacancies. In this council the Prophet said, "I want to be represented by one of my own in that Council." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 A little while before this I had attended the funeral of Brother Snedeker, a counselor in the bishopric of Mill Creek Ward, and Brother Joseph E. Taylor spoke at the services. In his remarks he became very pathetic to think that the Prophet had given his life for the Cause and that he had no representative in the quorums of the Priesthood of the Church. He was followed by Brother Joseph F. Smith, and Brother Smith said: "'We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly,' and I believe it is translated correctly when it says that if a man die his brother shall marry his widow and raise up seed to the dead man, and I need to take only two steps from where I am standing now to place my hand on the shoulder of a man who is one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church, who is a son of the Prophet Joseph," and he pointed directly at me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 It made a very profound impression upon me, and I wondered if I should tell the people about it. I had always understood and known that my mother was sealed to the Prophet, and that Brigham Young had told my father that he would not marry my mother to him for eternity, because he had instructions from the Prophet that if anything happened to him before he was married to Rachel Ivins she must be sealed to him for eternity, that she belonged to him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 That is the reason that Father spoke up in this council to which I have referred, and said: "Why not choose the boy who bears my name, who belongs to you, to be one of the apostles?" That inspiration was given to me. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 I can truthfully say that from February, 1883, until today I have never had any of that trouble, and I Can bear my testimony that I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world and that Joseph Smith is a l prophet of the living God; and the evil one does not try to persuade me that I do not know what I am talking about. I have never had one slight impression to the contrary. I have just had real, genuine joy and satisfaction in proclaiming the gospel and bearing my testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the divine calling of Joseph Smith, the prophet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 Now, brethren, I could go on dictating by the hour, there are so many things that have happened in my life that I would like to tell you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.26 I once more thank the Saints for their faith and for their prayers, and for the strength that I have today in comparison with two and one-half years ago. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1942, p.27 May God's blessings be and abide with you, one and all, and all the Saints and all the honest people the world over, is the prayer of my heart, even so. Amen. President Heber J. Grant (Only general and local priesthood leaders and patriarchs attended due to wartime assembly restrictions) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.3 To the Latter-day Saints all over the world I send my love and my greetings. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.3 My physician, Dr. Gill Richards, pleaded with me not to speak at this conference, but he gave me perfect liberty to dictate anything I wanted to say, I am therefore sitting down to dictate, and if I were to dictate all I would like to say I fear my sermon would be so long very few would read it. SYMPATHY FOR THOSE WITH SONS IN THE WAR Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.4 I want to say that my heart goes out in the deepest sympathy and in the most sincere and earnest prayer that I have ever offered for the comforting influence of the Lord to be given to the brethren and sisters who have sons in the war at the present time. I pray that the Lord will bless each and every boy who has been called or who has gone into the service, and that He will help each of them to live in accordance with the principles of the gospel, so that each may have a claim to the blessings of the Lord to the full extent that accords with His wisdom. I pray that, so far as it accords with the providence of the Lord, each of them may be preserved from accident, sickness, and death to return in due course to his loved ones. I pray God to help them to stand up under the terrible strain which they must meet. I appeal to the Lord to bring the war to an end at the earliest possible date. My heart goes out to all of you. One of my daughters has six boys, five of whom have been called to the service. Her two daughters are married, so that her family consists of herself, her husband, and one son. There are many others in the same condition. Each one of my daughters has sons or daughters that are in the war, and I pray earnestly for the comforting influence of the Spirit of the Lord to be given them to assist them in carrying their burdens. I am praying with all my heart and soul for the end of this war as soon as the Lord can see fit to have it stop, and I am praying earnestly for the sweet and comforting influence of the Spirit of the Lord to be with each and all who have their loved ones in the war. EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FOR RETURN TO HEALTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.4 I expressed my delight in the following language years ago when I came back after a serious operation: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.4 It is a source of great pleasure to me to once more stand before the Latter-day Saints in this Tabernacle. As most of the Latter-day Saints assembled are aware, it is nearly a year since I occupied this position, during which time I have undergone a very serious surgical operation, which, according to medical journals, should have ended my life. It is recorded that it is impossible for a man to recover who is in the condition that I was found to be at the time of the operation. But I am grateful to be here; and I feel to thank my Heavenly Father, and the brethren of the Priesthood who administered to me and blessed me during the ordeal and promised me that I should recover. Since that time I have also been very sick with pneumonia. Some years ago I tried to insure my life, but the companies refused. Their physicians told me that if I ever took pneumonia I would die. But I am still here, notwithstanding the report of the physicians of the life insurance companies. It is a source of pleasure to me to again mingle my voice with the Latter-day Saints and to bear testimony of the knowledge that I possess of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. ARCHITECTS OF OUR OWN LIVES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.4 I express my delight once more today in dictating a message to the Latter-day Saints. Years ago I made a short speech that lasted a minute and a half to the effect that we were the architects of our own lives, and that we and we alone are responsible for not making a success of life. What I said was as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.4 If you want to know how to be saved, I can tell you: it is by keeping the commandments of God. No power on earth, no power beneath the earth will ever prevent you or me or any Latter-day Saint from being saved, except ourselves. We are the architects of our own lives, not only of the lives here, but the lives to come in the eternity. We ourselves are able to perform every duty and obligation that God has required of men. No commandment was ever given to us but that God has given us the power to keep that commandment. If we fail, we, and we alone, are responsible for the failure, because God endows His servants from the President of the Church down to the humblest member, with all the ability, all the knowledge, all the power that is necessary, faithfully, diligently, and properly to discharge every duty and every obligation that rests upon them, and we, and we alone, will have to answer if we fail in this regard. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.5 This would be forty-odd years ago. These were my sentiments as expressed then, and I repeat them as my sentiments today, with all my heart and soul. DAYS FULL OF JOY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.5 I want to thank the people for their prayers in my behalf. I have not been well now for a period of more than three years, and yet during all that time I have never suffered any pain. My days have been full of joy. I have seen the Church grow in these years as I have never seen it grow before. It has been wonderful. The business institutions in which the Church is interested--the sugar business, the key to the establishment of which was given through the inspiration of the living God to Wilford Woodruff--have been greatly prospered. In every respect the advancement of the Church during the time of my illness has been so great that this has been a period of real, genuine joy and happiness to me. I want to thank all the people connected with the various institutions in which the Church is heavily interested, for the wonderful work they have done. I have not the language to express the gratitude I have felt and the joy I have experienced during these three years because of the marvelous growth of the Church and the prosperity that has attended it on every hand. During this time my Counselors have been most helpful to me. I have been relieved of the drudgery of the work. I have been informed on everything that was going on, and I repeat the Church has never before experienced anything like the prosperity it has enjoyed during this time. The way in which these brethren have assisted me, relieved me of burdens, responded to every suggestion, fills my heart with unexpressible gratitude to them and to my Heavenly Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.5 I am grateful for the prosperity that has come to me and that I have been able to help in the erection of temples and in contributing to a fund to be used in the erection of other temples not yet built. One of the joys of my life fifty years ago was the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple. As a child I commenced by donating the amount of twenty-five cents a month and continued making contributions for that purpose until finally the little stake over which I presided--the Tooele Stake--raised fifteen thousand dollars as a special special contribution just before the dedication. I am grateful to join with you in commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of its dedication. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.5 The Lord has been good to me, and he has answered the prayers of the people as well as my own prayers that while the Lord should leave me here upon earth I should be able physically and mentally to go forward in the furtherance of His work. I feel that the recovery I have made has been really miraculous. GRATITUDE FOR INCREASE IN TITHING Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.6 I am grateful to the Lord for the way in which He has opened the hearts of the people and led them to pay their tithing. The Church has never in all its history been in as strong a financial position as it is today. When I think that in President Woodruff's time the credit of the Church was so low that he could not borrow a thousand dollars and that now the credit is so high we could borrow any sum that we might need, I am made happy beyond all expression. We have enough money to do all the things which it is necessary for us to do in carrying on the work of the Church. I want to say to the people that we are guarding the funds which you place in our hands. We are spending them only for the advancement of the work of the Lord and we feel that these are trust funds of the very highest character. Our tithing for the year 1942 was more than fifty percent greater than in 1941, and notwithstanding the enormous burden of taxes which the people now have to pay and notwithstanding the many and great calls which are made upon them to buy government bonds, to make Red Cross contributions, to contribute to community chests, and to make also their regular Church contributions such as Fast offerings, Welfare contributions, and the like, nevertheless for the opening months of this year our tithing is far and away beyond what it was for the same period in 1942. TEMPLE BUILDING TO CONTINUE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.6 I am happy to tell you that we have purchased in the Oakland area another temple site. The negotiations have been finally concluded and the title has passed. The site is located on the lower foothills of East Oakland on a rounded hill overlooking San Francisco Bay. We shall in due course build there a splendid temple. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.6 We are prepared to go forward with the building of the Los Angeles Temple on the beautiful site we have there just so soon as it is possible to do so in view of priorities and other war-time conditions. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.6 The Idaho Falls Temple is nearing completion. This is a beautiful building. It is being artistically decorated and furnished, and we look forward to its dedication in the not distant future. PRAYERS FOR YOUTH AND PARENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.6 I am grateful to our Heavenly Father for the faith and faithfulness of this great people, for their devotion to His service, for their effort and determination to live in accordance with His laws and commandments. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.6 I thank our Heavenly Father that He has given them the strength and courage to resist evils as well as they have been able to do so. I pray that He will bless the youth of the Church and give them strength to overcome temptation. I pray that He will bring into the heart of every boy and of every girl a knowledge that cleanliness is next to godliness, that they must live clean both in mind and in body, that they will understand that the sin of unchastity is to the Lord next to the sin of murder. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.6 I pray that the Lord will give to the parents of the youth an understanding and appreciation of the dangers and temptations to which their children are subjected, that they may be led and guided to encourage their children, to direct them, to teach them how to live as the Lord would have them live. The Lord has said He would sift His people, and I pray that when that sifting comes no parent may have failed to do his duty, and no child shall have failed to obey the commandments of the Lord. BLESSING AND COMMENDATION OF FAITHFUL SAINTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.7 Under the authority and power given to me, with all my heart and soul I bless the Latter-day Saints. Again I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their faith and for their prayers in my behalf, and I am grateful to have had their faith and prayers. I believe that all true, faithful, diligent Latter-day Saints have given to me the best that is in them, in supplicating God in my behalf, for His Spirit, for health, for vigor in body and mind. I pray that God's blessings may be upon Israel and upon all honest men everywhere. I pray with all my heart that those who have made mistakes will repent; and by this we may know that they have repented--they will confess their sins and depart from them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.7 I desire especially to extend my blessings to all the men and women who preside in all the stakes of Zion throughout the Church, in all the missions, in all the wards, in all the quorums of the Priesthood, and in all the auxiliary organizations. I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that there cannot be found in any part of the world other men and women giving so unselfishly of their time, of their talents, and of the best that is in them, for the salvation of the souls of men. I am satisfied that there are no other people who are devoting so much of their time, of their money, of their thoughts, and of their very being for the advancement of God's work at home and abroad, as are the Latter-day Saints. And with all the power that God has given me, I desire to bless the men and women who are thus giving their time and thought and are setting examples that are worthy of imitation, not only of those over whom they preside, but of all men. Every man and woman who is laboring for the salvation of the souls of men and keeping the commandments of God is entitled to be blessed, and I pray God that His blessings may come to them. A TESTIMONY OF THE TRUTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.7 I want to bear you my witness that no man or woman ever lived and kept the laws and commandments of God and who lived according to the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that God did hot love and honor. This gospel of Jesus Christ which I have embraced and which you have embraced is in very deed the plan of life and salvation which has been again revealed to the earth. It is the same gospel that was proclaimed by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.7 I bear witness to you here today that we have the truth, that God has spoken again, that every gift, every grace, every power and every endowment that came through the holy Priesthood of the living God in the days of the Savior are enjoyed today. I rejoice in knowing that these things that should be enjoyed--the blessings, the healing power of Almighty God, the inspiration of His Spirit whereby men and women have manifestations from Him, the inspiration of the Spirit of God whereby people speak by new tongues and have the interpretation thereof, and each and every grace and gift--are enjoyed today by the Latter-day Saints. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.8 I know that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I have reached out my hand. I have plucked the fruits of the gospel. I have eaten of them, and they are sweet, yea, above all that is sweet. I know that God chose His prophet Joseph Smith and gave him instructions and authority to establish this work, and that the power and the influence of Joseph Smith are now being felt as the angel promised. His name is known for good or evil all over the world, but for evil only by those who malign him. Those who know him, those who know his teachings, know his life was pure and that his teachings were in very deed God's law. I know that we have the plan of life and salvation, not only for the living but for the dead. We have all that is necessary both for our own salvation, that we may be in very deed saviors upon Mount Zion and enter into the temples of our God, and also for those of our ancestors who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1943, p.8 I say again: This is the same gospel that was proclaimed by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, for which He gave His life in testimony, and that the lives of our own Prophet and Patriarch were given as a witness to the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. Mormonism, so-called, is in very deed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given me a witness of these things. I know them, and I bear witness to you, in all humility, and I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.9 It is not thought safe by the doctor for me to make a talk of any length at the conference, so I have decided merely to thank the Saints for their faith and prayers in my behalf, and to assure them I am gaining a little all the time. I hope that by the next conference I may be able to address the Saints at greater length. ARCHITECTS OF OUR OWN LIVES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.9 I have decided to have read to you what I desire to say, and also to add what I said at a meeting a number of years ago, as follows: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.9 "If you want to know how to be saved, I can tell you: It is by keeping the commandments of God. No power on earth, no power beneath the earth will ever prevent you, or me, or any Latter-day Saint from being saved, except ourselves. We are the architects of our own lives, not only of the lives here, but the lives to come in eternity. We ourselves are able to perform every duty and obligation that God has required of men. No commandment was ever given to us but what God has given us the power to keep that commandment. If we fail, we, and we alone, are responsible for the failure, because God endows his servants, from the President of the Church down to the humblest member, with all the ability, all the knowledge, all the power that is necessary, faithfully, diligently, and properly to discharge every duty and every obligation that rests upon them, and we, and we alone, will have to answer if we fail in this regard." THE SOLDIERS REMEMBERED IN PRAYER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.9 As it was during our meeting last April in our Annual Conference, so today we have thousands of our young men in the armed forces of the warring nations. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.10 Constantly I pray that the Lord will bless each and every one, and that he will help each of them to live in accordance with the principles of the Gospel, so that he may have a claim to the blessings of the Lord to the full extent that accords with his wisdom. I pray that, so far as it accords with the providences of the Lord, each of them may be preserved from accident, sickness, and death, to return in due course to his loved ones. I pray God to help them to stand up under the terrible strain which they must meet. I appeal to the Lord to bring the war to an end at the earliest possible date. SYMPATHY EXPRESSED FOR PARENTS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.10 Constantly my heart goes out in the deepest sympathy for the comforting influence of the Lord to be given to the fathers and mothers of the sons who are in the war at the present time. May the comforting influence of the Spirit of the Lord be given to them in carrying their burdens, and to bring solace to their yearning hearts. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.10 I am praying with all my heart and soul for the end of this war as soon as the Lord can see fit to have it stop, and am earnestly praying for the influence of the Spirit of the Lord to be with all who have loved ones in the war. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1943, p.10 I pray that the spirit of peace and of increased faith may pervade all the homes of the Latter-day Saints, and with all the power and authority I have to bless, I invoke God's blessing upon the Church as a whole and upon the honest in heart everywhere. President Clark: President Heber J. Grant, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has prepared a message for the people, which will now be read by the Clerk of the Conference, Elder Joseph Anderson. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.3 I am grateful that the Lord has lengthened my life and increased my strength so that I may have the privilege and the joy of meeting with you at another general conference of the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.4 I am grateful I can say that I feel I am better now than I was at the conference six months ago. I am able to work nearly half of each day at my office, and sometimes more, with the counsel and consent of my doctor. It is his recommendation, however, that I do not speak at this time, and so I shall ask your forbearance while that which I have to say shall be read. If I were on my feet, speaking under the momentary promptings of the Spirit, perhaps it would be given to me to say more things in addition to those which are here written--and I ask the Lord that he may direct all who speak during this conference, that they may speak under the guiding influence of his holy spirit, and that those things which are now read, and those things which shall yet be spoken, will further bear witness of the truthfulness of the cause in which we are met, and give comfort and counsel to all who shall hear or read them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.4 As I sit in this tabernacle my mind goes back over the many years that have passed since we first began holding meetings here. I see the leaders of this people who have come and gone--from Brigham Young on down--and I can see generations of the priesthood of of Israel who have gathered here to learn their duty, to renew their faith, and to go forth to labor for the furtherance of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faces and events pass in memory--the faces of mighty men of God, most of whom have long since finished their work here--and you, my brethren, have taken their places, and carry forward the work from where they left it. MY BROTHER'S CONVERSION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.4 As I sit here today, I remember what to me was one of the greatest of all the incidents in my life, in this tabernacle. One Sunday afternoon, nearly fifty years ago, I came here as one of the youngest of the apostles to attend the meeting, and saw for the first time in the congregation, my brother who had been careless, indifferent, and wayward, and who had evinced no interest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My brother, Fred, and I had engaged in a venture which had failed. We had both placed all that we had in it and more. Feeling that he had ruined me financially and being without that faith which sustains in time of crisis, Fred went into the woods with the intention of taking his own life. Finally, he got down on his knees and prayed, "0 God, if there is a God!" When he got up from his knees, he threw his pistol into the brush, and sat down and wrote me a letter, saying that he knew there was a God who told men to do good, and that there was a devil who inspired men to destroy their own lives, which is second only to murder. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.4 As soon as he had written the letter a spirit came over him telling him, "The minute your brother gets that letter he will insist on you being baptized. You are a fine specimen to be baptized; you are one of the worst profaners in the country; you once had an interest m a gambling house." And so he threw the letter into his trunk instead of mailing it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 The next night he wrote the same thing again, and shed more tears, but did not have the courage to send me that letter either. He wrote three such letters and put them all into his trunk. Finally, he wrote again and said, "Heber, this letter is going to be mailed," and he went to the post office and mailed it. He fought all night with himself, and got up before daylight and went to the post office and got the letter out and threw it in the trunk also. Finally, he wrote again and said, "This letter will surely be mailed." He did mail it, and again he got up before daylight and started for the post office to get it out, but came to a large post or pole and threw his arm around it, and said, "I am going to stand here and hold on until the mail goes out," which he did. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 When I got his letter, instead of my writing and telling him he was to be baptized I wrote him and said, "Fred, maybe now that you know there is a God and a devil, you think I will ask you to be baptized, but as long as you live I do not want you to be baptized until you yourself have faith in the truth of the Gospel." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 I bought a Book of Mormon and took it to my office, and I prayed to The Lord that when I opened it it would be to the best passage in the entire book for my brother. It opened to the 36th chapter of Alma, wherein Alma tells of his going about with the sons of Mosiah, fighting against the Church, and that he had suffered the torments of the damned, but after praying to the Lord and becoming converted to the truth he had exquisite joy, and from that day he had labored unceasingly to bring souls to a knowledge of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 I turned that page down, and I turned down a page at chapter 29 wherein Alma says: "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!" I felt that those comments were the best in the whole book for my brother, and I thanked the Lord that the book had opened to the 36th chapter of Alma, and for prompting me also to think of the 29th chapter. When, after this, I saw Fred for the first time in this building, and realized that he was seeking God for light and knowledge regarding the divinity of this work, I bowed my head and I prayed that if I were requested to address the audience, the Lord would inspire me by the revelation of His Spirit, to speak in such manner that my brother would have to acknowledge to me that I had spoken beyond my natural ability, that I had been inspired of the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 I realized that if he made that confession, then I should be able to point out to him that God had given him a testimony of the divinity of this work. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 President Angus M. Cannon, who was presiding at the meeting, came to me and said: "Brother Milton Bennion is here and has been invited to speak, but he can come some other day." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 I said: "I never speak long. Let Brother Bennion take all the time he needs and I will take what time is left." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.5 Brother Bennion told of his visit around the world; among other things, of visiting the Holy Land and the sepulchre of Jesus. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.6 While he was speaking, I took out of my pocket a Ready Reference that I always carried, and marked some passages that tell of the vicarious work for the dead, of the announcement that Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison, and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them .... I intended to preach upon the fact that the Savior of the world had not only brought the Gospel to every soul upon the earth, but also that it reached back to all those who had died without a knowledge of it, and that they would have the privilege of hearing it. In choosing this subject, I thought, "What will appeal most to my brother?" Our father had died when Fred was six weeks old, and realizing that work was being done where his father now is, it seemed to me that this was the best subject I could discuss. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.6 When it came time for me to speak, I remember standing here at this pulpit, feeling that this was perhaps the greatest of all the great themes that we as Latter-day Saints had to proclaim to the world. I laid the book down, opened at that page. I said: "I cannot tell you just why, but never before in all my life have I desired so much the inspiration of the Lord as I desire it today." I asked the people for their faith and prayers. I prayed for the inspiration of the Lord, and I never thought of the book from that minute until I sat down thirty minutes later. I closed my remarks at twelve minutes after three o'clock, expecting that President George Q. Cannon, who was also present, would follow me. Brother Angus Cannon came to the upper stand, and said, "Brother George, there are forty-eight minutes left for you; will you occupy the rest of the time?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.6 Brother George Q. Cannon declined, and indicated that he thought it would be a good time to close the meeting. But Brother Angus refused to take "No" for an answer, and said: "I am not going to waste three-quarters of an hour. If you don't speak, I shall call on somebody else to occupy the balance of the time. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.6 Brother Cannon said, finally: "All right, I will say something. And he arose and said in substance: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.6 "There are times when the Lord Almighty inspires some speaker by the revelations of His Spirit, and he is so abundantly blessed by the inspiration of the living God that it is a mistake for anybody else to speak following him, and one of those occasions has been today in the address of Brother Grant, and I therefore ask President Angus Cannon to call on someone to offer the benediction, after the choir has sung, and dismiss the meeting." Of course Brother Angus could do nothing else. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.6 When I sat down after my talk, I remembered that my book was still lying open on the pulpit. President George Q. Cannon was behind me in the President's seat, and I heard him say to himself: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.6 God for the power of that testimony!" When I heard this I remembered that I had forgotten the sermon I had intended to deliver, and the tears gushed from my eyes like rain, and I rested my elbows on my knees and put my hands over my face, so that the people by me could not see that I was weeping like a child. I knew when I heard those words of George Q. Cannon that God had heard and answered my prayer. I knew that my brother's heart was touched. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.7 I devoted my thirty minutes almost entirely to a testimony of my knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and to the wonderful and marvelous labors of the Prophet Joseph Smith, bearing witness to the knowledge God had given me that Joseph Smith was in very deed a prophet of the true and living God. I will not take time here to repeat that whole sermon, but some paragraphs from it I should like to recall now. I said: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.7 "It affords deep interest, no doubt, to all the Latter-day Saints who are here, as well as to those who are not members of the Church,. . . . to listen to a recital that has any bearing upon the life and labors of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a remarkable fact that we can never read of the labors which he performed, or listen to others speaking of the great work which he accomplished, without taking pleasure in it, while on the other hand, there is nothing so interesting in the life and history of any other individual but what by hearing or reading it time and time again we become tired of it. I can bear testimony, from my own experience, that the oftener I read of the life and labors of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the greater are the joy, the peace, the happiness, the satisfaction that fill my soul in contemplating what he did. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.7 "It is also a source of unbounded joy to me and fills my heart beyond my power of expression to contemplate the fact that God our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ have visited the earth and again revealed the gospel to man; and it fills me with thanksgiving and gratitude, far beyond my power to tell, that he has blessed me with a knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. The Lord in this regard has been no respecter of persons. The humble, the poor, the unlearned (so far as the education of this world is concerned) have been as abundantly blessed of God with this testimony as those that have had more abundantly of the things of this world. We find people that have been gathered from all the nations of the earth, in fulfilment of the prophecies that were uttered thousands of years ago, that the Saints should be brought to the tops of the mountains and that the Lord would establish His work here; and this people are blessed with a testimony of the divinity of the work in which they are engaged. . . . No power upon the face of the earth, not the wisdom of all the wise men combined, could ever have united the hearts and the souls of the Latter-day Saints as God has united them. . . . Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.7 "While I was visiting in St. George and talking with the president of the St. George Stake of Zion, I was forcibly reminded of the faith that burns in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints. He was speaking of his early experience, and he told me that one day President Young said to him, 'Brother McArthur, within ten days I wish you to prepare to go on a mission to Europe, and I expect you to be absent for four and perhaps seven years.' That very day that he was told to get ready he had a child born, and when he returned home the child was over four years of age. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.8 "In going upon that mission he did not have the means. . ., but he sold some property that was worth three or four times as much as he was able to get for it; in fact, some few months after, it changed hands for about four times more than what he sold it for. He made this sacrifice, and without one dollar of reward he went to the nations of the earth and spent four years of his life proclaiming the gospel, declaring that the angel that was seen flying through the midst of heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwelt on the earth had come, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God who testified of this. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.8 "Brother McArthur told me of many incidents of his mission that were truly remarkable. Among other things, he said the Prophet Joseph Smith visited him while he was on this mission. And I say to you today that. . . thousands, yes, tens of thousands of men and women will stand up and testify, as Brother McArthur did to me, that God our Father has blessed them, that he has given them manifestations of his approval of their labors which have been inspired by the Holy Ghost; and they will, in all solemnity and without any excitement, testify to you that they do know for themselves that they are engaged in the work of God. . . Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.8 "More than once I have heard President Wilford Woodruff say, in private and public, that he has listened to the Prophet Joseph Smith stating to them the fact that the Latter-day Saints would yet come to the valleys of the Rocky Mountains and become a great and a prosperous people. We stand today as a living evidence to the world of the divinity of mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Why? Because our very presence in these mountains is a fulfilment of the predictions of that inspired man. . . . I stand before you today a mere boy, and yet Joseph Smith was martyred when he was a year younger than I am. . . . When we contemplate what he did. . . it is indeed a marvel and a wonder. In speaking of this I am reminded of. . . the book, Figures of the Past, written by Josiah Quincy, who was a statesman and a philanthropist. In it was the following statement: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.8 It is by no means improbable that some future textbook for the use of generations yet unborn will contain a question something like this: What historical American of the nineteenth century has exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies Of his countrymen? And it is by no means impossible that the answer to that interrogatory may be thus written: Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.8 ". . . The Latter-day Saints have seen scores of the prophecies that he uttered fulfilled to the very letter. Everybody that came into his presence was impressed with the influence and spirit which he manifested. Many are the men whom I have met that have ridiculed the late Prophet Brigham Young, and I have persuaded such men to go with me to meet him, and they have invariably come away from meeting him inspired with a reverence for the man, because the Spirit of God surrounded him day by day. I tell you that it is by the inspiration of God, and not by the power of man, that Joseph Smith, that Brigham Young, that John Taylor, that Wilford Woodruff have been able to unite the hearts of the Latter-day Saints and to establish and build up the Church of Jesus Christ. Without the light and the guidance of the Spirit of God the work of God on the earth could not succeed; it would crumble and go to pieces. . . . Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 "I want to say to the Latter-day Saints that it behooves us, having received a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, so to order our lives from day to day that glory shall be brought to the work of God by the good deeds that we perform, so letting our light shine that men, seeing our good deeds, shall glorify God. No people upon the face of the earth have been blessed as have the Latter-day Saints; no people have ever had the many manifestations of the kindness and mercy and long-suffering of God that have been bestowed upon us, and I say we, above all men and women upon the earth should live God-like and upright lives. That God may help us to do so, is my prayer and my desire. . . ." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 This, in brief, in spirit and in substance, is what I preached to my brother under the inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord, in this tabernacle on January 26, 1896. I was then thirty-nine years of age. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 The next morning, my brother came into my office and said, "Heber, I was at a meeting yesterday and heard you preach." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 I said, "The first time you ever heard your brother preach, I guess?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 "Oh, no," he said, "I have heard you many times. I generally come in late and go into the gallery. I often go out before the meeting is over. But you never spoke as you did yesterday. You spoke beyond your natural ability. You were inspired of the Lord." These were the identical words I had uttered the day before, in my prayer to the Lord! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 I said to him, "Are you still praying for a testimony of the gospel?" He said, "Yes, and I am going nearly wild." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 I asked, "What did I preach about yesterday?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 He replied, "You know what you preached about." I said, "Well, you tell me." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 "You preached upon the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 I answered, "And I was inspired beyond my natural ability; and I never spoke before at any time you have heard me, as I spoke yesterday. Do you expect the Lord to get a club and knock you down? What more testimony do you want of the Gospel of Jesus Christ than that a man speaks beyond his natural ability and under the inspiration of God, when he testifies of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith?" Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 The next Sabbath he applied to me for baptism. ENDURING TO THE END Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.9 God our Heavenly Father has promised that those who are faithful to the end shall be saved in his kingdom. It fills my heart with unspeakable joy when I see the aged veterans stand up and bear their testimonies to the truth of the gospel. . . I rejoice also when I see the youth of Israel in the line of duty, the sons and grandsons of those who have labored energetically for the advancement of this kingdom. It fills my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving that the testimony of the Holy Ghost does abide in the sons and daughters of those who have been faithful to the cause of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.10 But there is nothing that is more sorrowful, nothing that brings greater regret to my heart, than to see the sons and daughters of those who have been faithful turn away from the Gospel of Christ, but I believe that if we as Latter-day Saints will arise in the might and majesty of our calling, arise in the testimony of Jesus Christ that burns in our hearts, and do our duty and keep the commandments of God our Heavenly Father as we should keep them, and set examples before our children that are worthy of imitation, few of them will turn away from the path of right. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.10 Go where you will among the elders of Israel, travel from one end of the Church to the other, and you will find a testimony burning in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints that this is the work of Almighty God and that his Son Jesus Christ has established it. You find this testimony, you hear it borne, but do we always live the lives of Latter-day Saints? Do we live as we should live, considering the great testimony that has been given unto us? Do we keep His commandments as we ought to do? We carry upon our shoulders the reputation, so to speak, of the Church, every one of us. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.10 When I look around and realize how many of those who have been wonderfully blessed of the Lord have fallen by the wayside, it fills me with humility. It fills me with the spirit of meekness and with an earnest desire that I may ever seek to know the mind and the will of God and to keep His commandments rather than to follow out my own desires. THE REPENTANT SINNER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.10 There is nothing in the world that is more splendid than to have in our hearts a desire to forgive the sinner if he only repents. But I want to say, do not forgive the sinner if he does not repent. "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins--behold he will confess them and forsake them." It is up to the Lord, however, and unless they confess their sins we are not obliged to forgive, but when they really and truly repent, it is one of the obligations that rest upon us to forgive those who have sinned. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.10 The devil is ready to blind our eyes with the things of this world, and he would gladly rob us Of eternal life, the greatest of all gifts. But it is not given to the devil, and no power will ever be given to him to overthrow any Latter-day Saint that is keeping the commandments of God. There is no power given to the adversary of men's souls to destroy us if we are doing our duty. If we are not absolutely honest with God, then we let the bars down, then we have destroyed part of the fortifications by which we are protected, and the devil may come in. But no man has ever lost the testimony of the Gospel, no man has ever turned to the right or to the left, who had the knowledge of the truth, who was attending to his duties, who was keeping the Word of Wisdom, who was paying his tithing, who was responding to the calls and duties of his office and calling in the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.10 There are some who are forever asking to know what the Lord wants of them, and who seem to be hesitating on that account. I am thoroughly convinced that all the Lord wants of you and me or of any other man or woman in the Church is for us to perform our full duty and keep the commandments of God. PRAY ALWAYS Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.11 One of the requirements made of the Latter-day Saints is that they shall be faithful in attending to their prayers, both their secret and family prayers. The object that our Heavenly Father has in requiring this is that we may be in communication with Him, and that we may have a channel open between us and the heavens whereby we can bring down upon ourselves blessings from above. No individual who is humble and prayerful before God and supplicates him every day for the light and inspiration of his Holy Spirit will ever become lifted up in the pride of his heart, or feel that the intelligence and the wisdom that he possesses are all sufficient for him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.11 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work. (D.&C. 10:5.) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.11 Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. (D&C. 88:126.) OUR YOUNG MEN IN SERVICE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.11 Between forty-five and fifty thousand of the young men of this Church are now wearing the uniforms of their respective countries. Some of them are here today, and thousands of them are scattered on far fronts in many lands. I hope and pray that every boy will feel in his heart: "I want to know what is right and dean and pure and holy, and I want God to help me." I want every Latter-day Saint soldier to get down on his knees and pray God to help him to lead a dean life, and to preach the Gospel wherever he is by the way he lives. There are no sins charged to our account because we are tempted, provided we shall resist the temptation. But we have no right to go near temptation, or in fact to do or say anything that we cannot honestly ask the blessing of the Lord upon; neither to visit any place where we would be ashamed to take our sister or sweetheart. The good Spirit will not go with us onto the Devil's ground, and if we are standing alone upon ground belonging to the adversary of men's souls, he may have the power to trip us and destroy us. We can't handle dirty things and keep clean hands. Virtue is more valuable than life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.11 I pray the Lord to bless you, our young men in the armed forces of the world, that our Heavenly Father will be with you to sustain you and to increase your faith day by day; that you may be preserved in your trials, your hardships, your suffering, with strength to face the eventualities of each day and with the assurance that the Lord, your God, will bring in his own way and time everlasting compensation to you for your sacrifice, as you walk in his ways and live lives that conform with the Priesthood you bear. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.11 I pray for the wives, the children, the mothers and fathers of these men who are serving their countries the world over, that they may be sustained in their waiting, that their anxious fears may be quieted, that comfort and assurance may come into their lives. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.12 I pray for peace; for wisdom, reverence and humility on the part of the leaders of nations; for repentance, and a turning to the ways of righteousness on the part of all men. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.12 I pray for the Latter-day Saints in all nations, at home and abroad, and on the islands of the sea; I pray that they may have the strength and the faith to live righteously, and I extend to them anew the hand of fellowship. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.12 I pray for righteous men everywhere. To all of God's children who are worthy to be called such, I send my blessings, for we are all the children of our Father in heaven, and heirs to his blessings, according to our faithfulness and obedience. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.12 I pray for the sorrowing, for the bereaved, for the oppressed that they shall be comforted. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1944, p.12 What the world needs today more than anything else is an implicit faith in God, our Father, and in Jesus Christ, His Son, as the Redeemer of the world, The message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the world is that God lives, that Jesus Christ is his Son, and that they appeared to the boy, Joseph Smith, and promised him that he should be an instrument in the hands of the Lord in restoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation. I leave this testimony as a witness to all the world, and I do it in the name of Him whose work this is, even the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. President David O. McKay: We shall now be favored by a message from President Heber J. Grant. Elder Joseph Anderson will read the message. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.6 Again, my brethren, I am privileged to be with you in another general conference of the Church, and I bear testimony that I know it is by the healing and sustaining power of God that I am here. In another six or seven weeks, the Lord being willing, I shall begin the eighty-ninth year of my life; and shall have completed sixty-two years since I became one of the apostles; and shall have served twenty-six years as President of the Church. In all this, and in much else, the Lord has blessed me richly; and I am grateful I can say that I am better now than I have been during some of the weeks and months just passed. I come to the office nearly every day, and I refrain from speaking to you now only on counsel of my doctor, whose advice I usually take. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.6 I thank the Latter-day Saints from the bottom of my heart for their faith and for their prayers in supplicating God in my behalf, for his spirit, for health, for vigor in body and mind. I am here as a witness that God does hear and answer prayer, and I pray that his blessings may be upon Israel and upon all honest men everywhere. BLESSING TO THOSE WHO WORK IN THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.6 I desire especially to extend my blessing to all the men and women who preside in all the stakes of Zion throughout the Church, in all the missions, in all the wards, in all the quorums of the priesthood, and in all the auxiliary organizations. I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that there cannot be found in any part of the world other men and women giving more unselfishly of their time, of their talents, and of the best that is in them, for the salvation of the souls of men. I am satisfied that there are no other people who are devoting more of their time, of their money, of their thoughts, and of their very being for the advancement of God's work at home and abroad, than are the Latter-day Saints. And with all the power that God has given me. I desire to bless the men and women who are thus giving their time and thought and are setting examples that are worthy of imitation, not only to those over whom they preside, but to all men. Every man and woman who is laboring for the salvation of the souls of men and keeping the commandments of God is entitled to be blessed, and I pray God that his blessings may come to them. FAITH AND PROTECTION OF OUR YOUTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.7 Particularly in this critical time, do I pray for the youth of this generation, and for all those who labor for and with them, and who are responsible for their instruction. Their lives are beset by many temptations and evils and designs by those whom the Lord has chosen to refer to as "conspiring men." I pray that those who are at home and those who are away, in the armed forces and elsewhere, will be kept from evil in all its forms, by the prayers and righteous example of their parents, by remembrance of the teachings in their homes and church, by their own faithfulness and prayerfulness, and by the protecting influence of the angels of heaven. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.7 There comes to mind an experience in connection with my brother, Fred, after our father died. Because of the mistreatment of a step-father, and neglect, as a young man my brother ran away, and I was told by Brother Martinet W. Merrill, at that time bishop of Richmond, Utah, that the night after my brother ran away, he, Brother Merrill, went to bed rebellious. He said: "I turned to my wife, Sister Merrill, and said, 'I feel that the Lord should have inspired me to take that boy away from the man who has reared him. He has abused and beaten him. His father is dead, and his mother has left the Church and now he has gone out into the world with no hope that he willever come back again.' " Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.7 And that night, so Brother Merrill told me, he had a dream in which he saw my brother in all kinds of wicked company in many different states, and he saw that a light surrounded him. In the dream he said: "What does that light mean?" And a voice answered: "That is the influence that a faithful, God-fearing and God-serving father can have over a son to keep him from going astray, and to eventually bring him back to the truth." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.7 Years later when my brother did come back and joined the Church, as I related here last conference, he fulfllled Brother Merrill's dream, because Brother Merrill said that he saw him laboring all over the Church, bringing wayward boys to a knowledge of the truth, and he did labor from Canada to Mexico in that service. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.7 I am sure that we need a light to surround our boys and girls in this day, and I pray that the protecting influence of faithful, God-fearing, God-serving parents may follow them and keep them wherever they go. I believe that with the faithfulness and obedience of parents and proper influences in the home, and with proper instruction and example to youth, we can keep them from all the temptations of the evil one. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.7 I sympathize with our young people because of these temptations that beset them. I urge them, as I always have, to live the gospel of Jesus Christ fully. In that way they will have health and happiness and will meet with success in this life and will have an eternity Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.7 of joy in store for them in the life to come. I bless them with courage to meet the problems that lie ahead. CONCERNING VIRTUE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.8 I want to say also at this time that the crying evil of the age is lack of virtue. There is but one standard of morality in the Church of Christ. We have been taught, thousands of us who have been reared in this Church from our childhood days, that second only to murder is the sin of losing our virtue; and I want to say to the fathers and to the mothers, and to the sons and daughters, in our Primary, in our Mutual Improvement Associations, in our seminaries and institutes, in Sunday School, in the Relief Society and in all of our Priesthood quorums--I want it understood that the use of liquor and tobacco is one of the chief means in the hands of the adversary whereby he is enabled to lead boys and girls from virtue. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.8 Nearly always those who lose their virtue first partake of those things that excite passions within them or lower their resistance and becloud their minds. Partaking of tobacco and liquor is calculated to make them a prey to those things which, if indulged in, are worse than death itself. There is no true Latter-day Saint who would not rather bury a son or a daughter than to have him or her lose his or her virtue--realizing that virtue is of more value than anything else in all the wide world. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.8 The devil is ready to blind our eyes with the things of this world, and he would gladly rob us of eternal life, the greatest of all gifts. But it is not given to the devil, and no power will ever be given to him, to overthrow any Latter-day Saint who is keeping the commandments of God. There is no power given to the adversary of men's souls to destroy us if we are doing our duty. But if we are not absolutely honest with God, then we let the bars down, then we have destroyed part of the fortifications by which we are protected, and the devil may come in. But no man who was chaste and who was keeping the other commandments of the Lord has ever lost the testimony of the gospel; no man who had the knowledge of the truth has ever turned to the right or to the left, who was attending to his duties, who was keeping the Word of Wisdom, who was paying his tithing, who was responding to the calls and duties of his office and calling in the Church. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.8 More than ever before, we as a people are scattered abroad throughout the world, we carry upon our shoulders the reputation, so to speak, of the Church, every one of us. And the young men and young women of today who think they are being smart by getting a little wine and a little liquor in their homes, and doing that which the Lord tells them not to do, are laying a foundation that will lead to their destruction eventually. They cannot go on breaking the commandments of the Lord without getting into the rapids. And what are the rapids? The rapids of moderate drinking, nine times out of ten, lead to excessive drinking, and excessive drinking leads to the destruction of body and of mind and of faith. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.8 Any Latter-day Saint who actually believes in the commandments contained in the D&C must have no regard for advancement in life when he fails to keep what is known as the Word of Wisdom. There is absolutely no benefit to any human being derived from breaking the Word of Wisdom, but there is everything for his benefit, morally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually in obeying it. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.8 What does the Lord say to those who obey his commandments? Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.8 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.9 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.9 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.9 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.9 May every father and mother so order their lives that their example will be an inspiration to their children; and may all realize that every Latter-day Saint carries, to a certain extent, upon his or her shoulders the reputation of the Church of Christ. We are trying to raise our children to be God-fearing, and to live lives worthy of the imitation of all men. May we read the revelations of the Lord Almighty and his Son Jesus Christ, that have been given to us, as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants; may we read them with a prayerful and a humble heart, seeking God for power and strength to live them, whether we are at home or away from home; and may we listen and give heed to the counsel of our leaders who fire with us today, I pray with all the power that I possess. THE POWER OF PRAYER Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.9 I have little or no fear for the boy or the girl, the young man or the young woman, who honestly and conscientiously supplicates God daily for the guidance of his spirit. I am sure that when temptation comes they will have the strength to overcome it by the inspiration that shall be given to them. Supplicating the Lord for the guidance of his spirit places around us a safeguard, and if we earnestly and honestly seek the guidance of the spirit of the Lord, I can assure you that we will receive it. I am convinced that one of the greatest and one of the best things in all the world to keep a man true and faithful in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, is to supplicate God secretly in the name of his Son, for the guidance of his holy spirit. I am convinced that one of the greatest things that can come into any home to cause the boys and girls in that home to grow up in a love of God, and in a love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to have family prayer. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.9 It is not for the father of the family alone to pray, but for the mother and for the children to do so also, that they may partake of the spirit of prayer, and be in harmony with the spirit of the Lord. I believe that there are very few who go astray, that very few lose their faith, who have once had a knowledge of the Gospel, and who never neglect their prayers in their families, and their secret supplications to God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.9 But the minute a man stops supplicating God for his spirit and directions just so soon he starts out to become a stranger to him and his works. When men stop praying for God's spirit, they place confidence in their own unaided reason, and they gradually lose the spirit of God, just the same as near and dear friends, by never writing to or visiting with each other, will become strangers. We should all pray that God may never leave us alone for a moment without his spirit to aid and assist us in withstanding sin and temptation. COMFORT TO THOSE WHO MOURN Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 I want to say that my heart goes out in the deepest sympathy and in as deep and sincere a prayer as I have ever offered for the comforting influence of the Lord to be given to the brethren and sisters who have sons and brothers and fathers and husbands in the war at the present time. I pray that the Lord will bless each and every boy who has gone into the service, and that he will help each of them to live in accordance with the principles of the Gospel, so that each may have a claim to the blessings of the Lord to the full extent that accords with His wisdom. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 I am praying with all my heart and soul for the end of this war as soon as the Lord can see fit to have it stop. And to those homes that have been sorrowed by the loss of loved ones through death, may the peace and understanding and comfort of our Father in heaven be there unfailingly. And to you who are bereaved by the cruelty of war, I say, do not look forward to a life of care and trouble and anxiety, but look only to the duties and responsibilities of a single day, and by performing the duties each day that rest upon you, the burdens will be lightened notwithstanding all the sorrow that may come into your lives and the many things that may be hard for you to bear. I know the anguish of your feelings, and I can say this to you out of the sorrows of my own life. I have been blessed with only two sons. One of them died at five years of age and the other at seven. My last son died of a hip disease. I had built great hopes that he would live to spread the Gospel at home and abroad and be an honor to me. But he was taken, as some of your sons have been taken. And never in my life am I so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ as I am when some of my family or beloved friends are called home to their final reward. There is nothing in the revelations of God to Joseph Smith for which I am more grateful than the following quotations from what is known as "The Vision," namely, the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 (Doc. and Cov. 76:40-43) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.10 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. (Doc. and Cov. 76:22-24) Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 I know as well as I know anything in this life that Jesus Christ is in very deed the Savior of mankind, and that God has seen fit to establish the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. I thank the Lord that I have an abiding knowledge of God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, his Son, and that I have pleasure in bearing witness to all the world of this knowledge that I possess. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 Death has no real terror to any true Latter-day Saint. A faithful Latter-day Saint has been blessed with a testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged and he knows that when he passes to the other side he will have an eternity of joy and happiness, and this I promise you--you who have lived righteously and who offer your lives in the service of your country, and you who live righteously and are left to wait, and sometimes to mourn. FREEDOM AND THE CONSTITUTION Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 Every faithful Latter-day Saint believes that the Constitution of the United States was inspired of God, and that this choice land and this nation have been preserved until now in the principles of liberty under the protection of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 Here are some of Lincoln's statements Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 "Let the people know the truth, and the country is safe." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 "Let none falter who thinks he is right, and we will succeed." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 "Let us dare to do our duty as we understand it." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 The following quotation from Abraham Lincoln with respect to the observance of law is also worth repeating often; Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution never to violate, in the least particular, the laws of the country, and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and laws let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the law be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap. Let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges. Let it be written in primers, in spelling books, and almanacs. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative hails, and enforced in courts of justice. In short, let it become the Political Religion of the Nation. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 I quote here two verses from a declaration of the Church contained in Section 134 of the D&C, regarding our belief in governments and laws in general, as adopted by a unanimous vote of a general assembly of the Church over a century ago: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man, and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them for the good and safety of society. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.11 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.12 These principles are fundamental to our belief, fundamental to our protection. And in the providences of the Lord, the safeguards which have been incorporated into the basic structure of this nation are, if we preserve them, the guarantee of all men who dwell here against abuses, tyrannies, and usurpations. From my childhood days I have understood that we believe absolutely that the constitution of our country is an inspired instrument and that God directed those who created it and those who defended the independence of this nation. Concerning this matter it is my frequent pleasure to quote the statement by Joseph Smith, regarding the Constitution: Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.12 The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is, to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a weary and thirsty land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.12 And such the Constitution of the United States must be to every faithful Latter-day Saint who lives under its protection. That the Lord may help him to think straight, and to pursue a straight course regardless of personal advantage, factional interest, or political persuasion, should be the daily prayer of every Latter-day Saint. I counsel you, I urge you, I plead with you, never, so far as you have voice or influence, permit any departure from the principles of government on which this nation was rounded, or any disregard of the freedoms which, by the inspiration of God our Father, were written into the Constitution of the United States. ETERNAL LIFE THE GREATEST PRIZE Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.12 Let us realize that God is mightier than all the earth. Let us realize that if we are faithful in keeping the commandments of God and cherishing the principles inspired of him, his promises will be fulfilled to the very letter. For he has said that not one jot or tittle shall fall to the ground unfulfilled. The trouble is, the adversary of men's souls blinds their minds. He throws dust, so to speak, in their eyes, and they are blinded with the things of this world, and the adversary obtains power over them, and robs them of their freedom, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.12 which is what he tried to do in the beginning. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.12 I say to you, Latter-day Saints, that the pearl of great price is life eternal. God has told us that the greatest of all the gifts he can bestow upon man is life eternal. We are laboring for that great gift, and it will be ours if we keep the commandments of God. One fundamental thing for a Latter-day Saint is to be honest. Another is to value his word as faithfully as his bond; to make up his mind that under no circumstances, no matter how hard it may be, by and with the help of the Lord, he will dedicate his life and his best energies to making good his promise; and that he will not permit some personal advantage to cause him ever to compromise his principles. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.13 I say to you that it is not an insignificant thing to hold the priesthood of God--to have the right to influence the powers of the heavens for good; and it is not a slight thing for us to neglect to honor the priesthood of God in those who preside over us, nor to ignore them in their counsel. My faith is such that I could lay down all that I possess rather than ever depart from the Latter-day work. I value all things as nothing in comparison with having the spirit of God to guide me. And I promise you, as a servant of the living God, that every man and woman who obeys the commandments of God shall prosper in righteousness, that every promise made of God shall be fulfilled upon their heads, and that they will grow and increase in wisdom, light, knowledge, intelligence, and above all, in the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. May God help each and every one of us who has a knowledge of the gospel to live it that our lives may preach its truth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.13 I leave with you my testimony that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. How do I know it? I know it as well as I know that I live. I know heat; I know cold; I know joy, and I know sorrow; and say to you that in the hour of sorrow, in the hour of affliction, in the hour of death, God has heard and answered my prayers, and I know that he lives. I leave my testimony with you. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1944, p.13 May God give direction to all of the utterances of this conference. May he bless our youth away, and us at home, and give his direction to the leaders of nations, and speedily bring about the accomplishments of his purposes. May he bless you, one and all, and every honest man and woman that lives upon the face of the earth, is my humble prayer, and I ask it in humility in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. President Clark: President Heber J. Grant, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has prepared a message for the people, which will now be read by the Clerk of the Conference, Elder Joseph Anderson. President Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.4 It does not seem possible that another six months have passed since we last had the privilege of meeting here in a general conference of the Church. Since then much has happened--in our own lives and in the events of the world. Since then, I have been privileged to complete my eighty-eighth year and to live into the eighty-ninth year of my life. The Lord has blessed and sustained us, both Sister Grant and me, and among the richest of our blessings are our brethren and sisters and our friends, whose prayers in our behalf have blessed our lives, and whose thoughtfulness in many ways has made our days happier. JOY IN THE INTEGRITY OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.4 I rejoice exceedingly in the many blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we enjoy. I rejoice in having the fellowship and the faith and prayers and good feeling of those with whom I associate, I rejoice in the integrity, the faith, and the diligence of those who preside in the various stakes of Zion. I realize that we are beset with faults and failings and imperfections, but I am convinced that almost without exception those who have the charge of the Saints in the wards and stakes of Zion, and in the missions are men of God, and that their integrity is beyond question, and that, if need be, they would be ready and willing to lay down their lives for the advancement of the kingdom of God. I believe that the elders of Israel in all the different wards and stakes of Zion earnestly desire to know the mind and will of our Heavenly Father, and that they are ready and willing to do anything that is within their power, to fulfill that mind and that will and to carry it out in their lives. It is this integrity and this desire that give me joy and satisfaction, and that encourage me in the responsibilities that devolve upon me. THE PASSING OF ELDERS SAMUEL O. BENNION AND RUFUS K. HARDY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.5 Since we last met, the Church has been called upon to mourn the passing of two of our brethren of the General Authorities, Brothers Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy, both of the First Council of the Seventy. I honored them and loved them. They were true men of God, and rendered great service in the Lord's latter-day work. We miss them and shall continue to miss them in the presiding councils of the Church--but their place in our Father's kingdom is assured. They were valiant preachers of righteousness and will receive the blessings of the valiant and of the righteous. May God our Father give his peace and comfort to their devoted wives, Sister Hardy and Sister Bennion, and to their families. CONCERNING TITHING AND OTHER PRINCIPLES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.5 I rejoice in the increased tithes and offerings of this people, and in the increased numbers who are fulfilling their financial obligations to the Lord, and I hope and pray that this principle and all the other principles of the gospel are being taught our children in our homes, and in our Church organizations. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.5 It should be the pride of every bishop and of every bishop's counselor, and of the president of every stake and his counselors, and of every officer and teacher, and of every member of this Church, young and old, that they earnestly and conscientiously pay their tithing. We are capable of accomplishing this if we will only think so and labor to that end. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.5 I realize and appreciate the fact that the Lord could pour out upon us an abundance of the wealth of this world, that he could make us all rich, because the mountains are full of wealth, and he could open up avenues to us that we could all become wealthy, but in doing this we would have no opportunity of showing our faith by our works; we would have no opportunity of developing our manhood and of fitting and preparing ourselves by actual labor to go back and dwell in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.5 As I understand the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they were that it would profit no man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul. It is by the faithful discharge of the duties and the obligations that rest upon us in the Church of God that we are developed. It is by the exercise of our mental faculties that we improve upon them; it is by the exercise of our physical powers that we strengthen them; it is by the cultivation and the exercise of our spirits that we grow in spirituality, that we grow in the testimony of the gospel, that we grow in ability and strength to accomplish the purposes of our Heavenly Father upon the earth. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.5 On the subject of tithing I heard a very splendid illustration given by a teacher in one of our children's classes: She brought with her ten beautiful red apples. She explained that everything we have in the world came to us from the Lord, and she said, "Now, if I give one of you these ten apples, will you give me one of them back again? Now, any one of you children that will do that, hold up your hand." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.6 Of course, they all held up their hands. Then she said, "That is what the Lord does for us. He gives us the ten apples, but he requests that we return one to him to show our appreciation of that gift." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.6 The trouble with some people is that when they get the ten apples, they eat up nine of them, and then they cut the other in two and give the Lord half of what is left. Some of them cut the apple in two and eat up one-half of it and then hold up the other half and ask the Lord to take a bite. That is about as near as they see fit to share properly and show their gratitude to the Lord. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.6 Our children often feel that we are under obligation to them if they learn their lessons in school; they feel that they have done something that places the parents under obligation, while, as a matter of fact, they have done something, if they have learned their lessons, that for all time will be of benefit to them individually. Likewise, a great many people in the Church act as though the Presidency of the Church, or the presidency of the stake, or the bishopric of their ward are under obligation to them if they obey the Word of Wisdom or if they obey the law delivered to us regarding tithing, or any other principle of the gospel. They feel that they have done something that places the Church, or the authorities of the Church locally, or the General Authorities, under obligation to them. But every law that is given to us in the Church is for our own individual benefit. LOOKING AFTER OUR YOUTH Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.6 I wish to impress upon the workers in all the organizations of the Church, the need for laboring prayerfully, untiringly, and diligently at this time to persuade the youth of Zion to be more faithful, more diligent in all their obligations and responsibilities, in safeguarding their virtue, and in observing what is known as the Word of Wisdom. I feel that while there are tens of thousands of our young men who are doing this, there may also be some who in order to be counted as hail-fellows-well-met, may be tempted to become careless and forgetful. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.6 I ask our young people, wherever they are in all the world, to remember well all of their principles and ideals, under all conditions and circumstances, when they are at home, and when they are away from home. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.6 There is nothing like looking after people. It is just the same in the gospel as it is in business. If a man does not look after his trade, it is sure to go from him. We must look after the people, our young people and all others, no matter where they may go, if we hope to keep them in the line of their duty. TO OUR YOUNG MEN IN THE ARMED FORCES Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.7 Our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers go out to those who are in the armed forces. It would appear from all the figures we can gather, that more than one hundred thousand of our young men are in the services of their country, in uniform. We pray for them continually. We pray for the preservation of their lives and for their faithfulness to those things which are dearer than life. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.7 We say to you again to be clean, to keep the commandments of God, to pray, to live righteously; and if you do, peace and understanding will come into your hearts, and our Father in heaven will comfort you; and will let his presence be felt in the hour of your need. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.7 Young men of Zion, when you return to your homes, return with clean hands and clean hearts--and great will be your happiness, your faith, and your testimony. Your brethren and your loved ones cherish you, pray for you, and await the day of your coming. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.7 And I pray with all my heart that if there are those who have made mistakes, that they will repent; and by this we may know that they have repented--that they will confess their sins and depart from them. TO THOSE WHO ARE IN SORROW Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.7 Into many of our homes sorrow has come since last conference. In the days ahead we must face the fact that more homes and more families will be broken by news of death and of other tragedies. May the peace and comfort of our Father in heaven bring its healing influence to all who are called upon to mourn and to bear affliction. And may we be strengthened with the understanding that being blessed does not mean that we shall always be spared all the disappointments and difficulties of life. We all have them, even though our troubles differ. I have not had the same kind of trials that others have had to undergo, yet I have had my full share. When, as a young man, I lost my wife and my only two sons, I was earnestly trying with all my heart to keep the commandments of the Lord, and my household and I were observing the Word of Wisdom and entitled to the blessings of life. I have been sorely tried and tempted, but I am thankful to say that the trials and temptations have not been any greater than I was able to endure, and with all my heart I hope that we may never have anything more to endure than we will be blessed of the Lord with the ability to withstand. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.7 And may we always remember, because it is both true and comforting, that the death of a faithful man is nothing in comparison to the loss of the inspiration of the good spirit. Eternal life is the great prize, and it will be ours, and the joy of our Father in heaven in welcoming us will be great, if we do right; and there is nothing so great that can be done in this life by anyone, as to do right. The Lord will hear and answer the prayers we offer to him and give us the things we pray for if it is for our best good. He never will and never has forsaken those who serve him with full purpose of heart; but we must always be prepared to say "Father, thy will be done." Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.7 May the Lord bless and keep you who are away from home, and bless your wives and your children, your mothers and your fathers. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.8 May God bless and preserve the Saints and the righteous everywhere, in all nations, in the far-off islands, and in lands torn by war, as well as here among us. To all faithful, we extend anew the hand of fellowship, and hold you in remembrance before God; and may he accomplish his purposes, overrule in the affairs of nations, hasten the end of the war and of wickedness, and bring peace on earth. WORK, THRIFT, AND INTEGRITY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.8 I plead with all the Saints at this time, as all my predecessors in the presidency of the Church have done, to be honest, truthful, industrious, and thrifty; to get out of debt and stay out of debt; to prepare for the time when money may not flow as freely as it does now. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.8 Even now, we are told that there will be leaner days ahead--notwithstanding that the war has progressed as far as it has. Let all of us who can, raise what we can of our own food and sustenance. Let all of us be industrious and useful to the full extent of our strength and ability. We are told to earn our bread by the sweat of the brow. I believe there may be a disposition on the part of some Latter-day Saints to say, "Well, after we get to be sixty-five we will not have to work any more." There should be in the heart of every man and woman, the cry, "I am going to live and work. There is nothing given to me but time in which to live, and I am going to endeavor each day of my life to do some labor which will be acceptable in the sight of my Heavenly Father, and if it is possible, do a little better today than I did yesterday." It is an easy thing to throw a dollar to a man, but it requires sympathy and a heart to take an interest in him and try to plan for his welfare and benefit. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.8 And it is a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ, now, as it always has been, to help every man to help himself--to help every child of our Father in heaven to work out his own salvation, both temporally and spiritually. RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.8 I pray for the righteous among all peoples. I ask the Lord to bless those who preside in the nation; in the states, in the cities, and in the counties. I pray God to inspire the people that they will obey his commandments and elect good men to positions of public responsibility, that they will bury their political differences, their personal ambitions, and selfish interests, and seek for good men to hold office. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.8 I tell you it is the duty of the presidency of this Church to ask the people to do anything and everything that the inspiration of God tells them to do, and you need have no fear that any man will ever stand at the head of the Church of Jesus Christ unless our Heavenly Father wants him to be there. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.9 Several times I have gone to meetings in the old Endowment House, knowing that a certain matter was to be discussed, and my mind was as perfectly set upon a certain position on that question as it is possible for a man to have his mind set, and I believe I am as decided in my opinion as the majority of people. (I have heard it said that there is nobody as stubborn as a Scotchman except a Dutchman: and I am Scotch on my father's side and Dutch on my mother's.) And although I have gone to meetings determined in favor of a certain line of policy, I have willingly and freely voted for the exact opposite of that policy, because of the inspiration of the Lord that came to give direction. And upon every such occasion the action taken was vindicated and proved by later events to be for the best good of the people. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.9 I could also relate circumstances when the brethren have been sent out to accomplish certain labors under the inspiration of the Lord when they thought they could not accomplish those labors. They have returned and been able to bear testimony that by and with the help of the Lord they had been able to accomplish the labor placed upon them. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.9 The Lord gives to many of us the still, small voice of revelation. It comes as vividly and strongly as though it were with a great sound. It comes to each man, according to his needs and faithfulness, for guidance in matters that pertain to his own life. For the Church as a whole it comes to those who have been ordained to speak for the Church as a whole--and I say to you again, that it is the duty of the presidency of this Church to ask the people to do anything and everything that the inspiration of God tells them to do. We as Latter-day Saints, holding the priesthood of God, should magnify it, and we should respect the General Authorities of the Church; and as we respect them, God will respect us. THE PATH OF DUTY, THE PATH OF SAFETY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.9 There is but one path of safety for the Latter-day Saints, and that is the path of duty. It is not a testimony only; it is not marvelous manifestations; it is not knowing that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that it is the plan of salvation--it is not actually knowing that the Savior is the Redeemer, and that Joseph Smith was his prophet, that will save you and me; but it is the keeping of the commandments of God, living the life of a Latter-day Saint. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.9 I pray constantly for all the officers of this Church, whether in the priesthood or in the auxiliary associations. I am sure, in my secret prayers particularly, that I never forget, morning or night, those that have been called to preside, to direct the affairs in the priesthood quorums and in the auxiliary associations. My prayer is that each of you holding a place of responsibility shall so order your lives that they shall be examples of diligence and energy and of the Spirit of the Living God, that can be followed in every part by those over whom you preside. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.10 If we do this, what a wonderful power we shall have with the Lord in the furtherance of his mighty purposes in the earth. If we keep his commandments, our influence will be not only with the world, but with our own young people. Their strength and power will be multiplied if we shall succeed in having them feel the necessity of observing the commandments of God, particularly concerning the principles of clean and righteous living. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.10 I say to all Latter-day Saints: keep the commandments of God. That is my keynote--just these few words: keep the commandments of God! CLOSING TESTIMONY Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.10 The most glorious thing that has ever happened in the history of the world since the Savior himself lived on earth, is that God himself saw fit to visit the earth with his beloved, only begotten Son, our Redeemer and Savior, and to appear to the boy Joseph. There are thousands and hundreds of thousands who have had a perfect and individual testimony and knowledge of this eternal truth. The gospel in its purity has been restored to the earth, and I want to emphasize that we as a people have one supreme thing to do, and this is to call upon the world to repent of sin, and to obey the commandments of God. And it is our duty above all others to go forth at home and abroad, as times and circumstances permit, and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our duty also to be mindful of those children of our Father who have preceded us in death without a knowledge of the gospel, and to open the door of salvation to them in our temples, where we also have obligations to perform. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.10 I bear witness to you that I do know that God lives, that he hears and answers prayer; that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world; that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of the true and living God; and that Brigham Young and those who have succeeded him were, and are, likewise prophets of God. Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1945, p.10 I do not have the language at my command to express the gratitude to God for this knowledge that I possess. Time and time again my heart has been melted, my eyes have wept tears of gratitude for the knowledge that he lives and that this gospel called Mormonism is in very deed the plan of life and salvation, that it is in very deed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That God may help you and me and everyone to live it, and that he may help those who know not the truth, that they may receive this witness, is my constant and earnest prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.