Conference Report, April 1902, p.66
One word more before closing. A few days ago I had business
to transact in Kansas City with a leading manufacturer. After we had got
through our business, the question of our people going back to that country
came up, and he said to me, "Mr. Duffin, it appears to me almost
improbable that your people will ever accomplish the work that I understand has
been predicted," I said to him, calling him by name, "You have done
business with my people; you understand their integrity. Now, let your mind go
back to the year 1847. The pioneers went into the Salt Lake valley on the 24th
of July of that year. A few days after they reached the place where Salt Lake
City now stands, Brigham Young struck his cane on a certain spot, and said,
'Here we will build the temple of our God.' Today the Salt Lake temple stands
upon that spot. The idea was never lost sight of that that temple would be
erected upon that spot; and never has the idea been lost sight of that the City
of Zion will be built where Independence now stands, and the temple of our God
will be erected there." "Well," said he, "it may be so; but
if it is, your people will exert a wonderful influence for hundreds of miles
around." This is the sentiment of the people. I want to say that God is
preparing the way for His work to be accomplished. The words of our beloved
prophet at the opening of this conference are true. I know that Zion is
growing, and her borders are extending. I know that the work of God is
established upon this earth, and that it will ultimately prevail. I know that
God lives, and that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Joseph Smith is a true
Prophet of God, and those who have succeeded him have been and are the oracles
of God, His prophets and through them has come His word unto the nations of the
earth. God bless you. Amen.
Conference Report, October 1913, p.130
My soul was made to rejoice upon the opening session of this
conference, when our beloved prophet and president enunciated to this
people a theme for our consideration which I believe to be a vital thing for,
not only us in the valleys of the mountains, but for the people at large in the
United States to consider. Solomon said: "Wine is a mocker; strong drink
is raging; whosoever deceiveth himself thereby is not wise." At this late
hour it would be presuming indeed for me to particularize regarding the Word of
Wisdom, and the conditions that grow out of a failure to observe it, but will simply
direct attention to a few figures that came under my observation, recently, in
contemplating the subject. It seems apparent, from carefully compiled
statistics, that the United States is vieing with other countries of the world
to see which can consume the most liquor, and when I say other countries I
refer more especially to France, England and Germany. In the year 1911, there
was consumed in the United States 17.79 gallons of intoxicants for each man,
woman and child. In 1912 that startling quantity had been increased by nearly
five gallons for each man, woman and child, at a cost, as we heard this
forenoon, from Elder McKay, of nearly two billion dollars. Besides that, there
was consumed just about two billion gallons of beer, enough, I presume, if it
were turned into a channel, to float a battleship; and then, too, there was
more than two hundred and fifty million dollars worth of coffee used. When we
come to tobacco we have probably a more stupendous showing in figures, and
maybe in evil results, than anything else, because of its almost general use
throughout the country. During the calendar year 1911 there was used in the
manufacture of tobacco, snuff, cigars, and cigarettes, sixteen and one-half
billion pounds. I do not know what the average cost of the tobacco would be per
pound, but I should say, since it was made into expensive cigarettes and
cigars, that perhaps fifty cents a pound would be fair. So putting these
figures together I take it that each man, woman and child in the United States
consumed ten dollars worth of alcoholic liquors, coffee, tea, and tobacco each
month of that year. Imagine, if you will, what absolutely unbelievable figures
that would make if that money were saved. Ten dollars for a hundred million
people would mean a billion dollars a month saved to this country, or twelve
billions annually, if we desisted from using intoxicants and tobacco, tea and
coffee. There would soon be no national debt, or scarcely any other debts,
could that vast sum be used for more legitimate and necessary things.
Conference Report, October 1914, p.49
In our meeting in the Tabernacle this morning, every soul
seemed to breathe a hearty response to all that was said by our beloved
prophet and President, and the prayer that was uttered by President
Penrose, and commented upon by President Lund, showing to us the great efficacy
of prayer. I was called back for a moment to remembrance of my labors in the
mission field, in Australia. The people had suffered in that country from a
great drought, until it secured as though it was threatening them with
starvation. They called together all the ministers of that country,
particularly in Queensland, to a meeting in Brisbane, inviting all other ministers
except the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The
question was asked of some of them why they did not extend an invitation to the
elders of the "Mormon" Church, and they said that they were praying
for rain, and they were in hopes that they would secure it, and for fear that
the Lord would be displeased they left the "Mormons" out. But they
did not get rain, to amount to anything, for nearly a year after that, until
the ground became parched, dusty and barren, hardly a spear of grass to be
seen. I felt so glad, so thankful, that the President of our great country was
more thoughtful of all the churches, and had faith in the efficacy Of prayer,
and required this day to be set apart as a day of prayer for peace. I think it
is a very appropriate day; and I presume that the Latter-day Saints as a whole
would agree with me in this matter.
Conference Report, April 1915, p.53
May God bless us with His Holy Spirit, that the greater
degree of the religion of love, which is sure to follow the darkness of the
existing horrible war, may find a resting place first in the hearts of God's
people throughout the world, as enunciated by our beloved prophet, seer
and revelator this morning. May God add His blessing to us all, I ask in Jesus'
name. Amen.
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.
Conference Report, June 1919, p.67
There is no task that I have been asked to perform which
gives me greater pleasure and more real happiness than on this memorial day to
speak of our late beloved prophet-leader, President Joseph F. Smith,
whom, like my brethren who have preceded me, I love with that same love and
affection I bad for my own father -- for he was a father to me and to every man
and woman who became acquainted with him who loved the Lord and sought to keep
his commandments. I bear witness that President Smith was a lover of such men
and women.
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:
Conference Report, April 1927, p.171
I realize that the time is past. I am thankful unto the Lord
for the privilege to participate in his work. I am thankful for the opportunity
of bearing my testimony to you. Of a surety I know that God lives, and I know
that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world. Of a surety I know that
Joseph Smith was raised up to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to
restore to the world for the last time the great gospel of salvation. I know
that the gospel is true, and, in the words of our beloved prophet, I
know that God knows that I know these things, and I dare not other than testify
of them.
Conference Report, April 1930, p. 144
My brethren and sisters: I pray that my Heavenly Father will
give me strength that I can acceptably thank him for the great tribute that was
paid to the women of our Church by our beloved prophet, Heber J. Grant.
Conference Report, April 1946, p. 57
President George
Albert Smith
President Richard L. Evans will be our next speaker. While
he is coming to the stand I shall read a message to you from Stockholm, Sweden,
dated April 6:
"Saints assembled at conference today, Stockholm,
Sweden, sustain their beloved prophet and leaders. Rejoice in having
missionaries from Zion. Greetings to all."
Eben Blomquist, President of the Mission."
President Evans will now address us.