Last October Conference I asked permission to take a journey to visit
the land of Palestine, and some other portions of the old world,
expecting that I should be absent, probably, about eleven months. I
was accompanied on that journey by President Lorenzo Snow and several
others; the party including eight. We visited Palestine and many other
countries, a portion of us calling at the Fair in Vienna. But in
consequence of my selection, by the Conference last April, to do the
duties of Trustee-in-Trust, I returned home a little sooner than I
anticipated, though we were all well satisfied with our journey and
visit, and with every interview we had on the entire journey, and were
very thankful to our heavenly Father that we had the means given us,
through his mercy, and I, individually, through the kindness of my
friends, to make such a journey. We feel that the results will be felt and realized hereafter, as having done much good. I feel,
individually, to return my thanks and blessings to all those who
contributed to aid me on that journey, and to all those who desired
to, but had not the means. I feel that the blessing of the Lord, which
we invoked on the Mount of Olives, will rest upon his people, and that
the time is not very far distant when God will fulfill his promises
concerning Israel; though, so far as we saw of the remnants of Judah,
their hearts are very hard, and it will require the exercise of great
power on his part to soften them. But as his word will not fail, and
his promises are sure, we look forward to their fulfillment with
regard to Israel. In the meantime we, with all our hearts, might, mind
and strength, should take warning by the example of Israel, and not
fall into the same snares. They neglected their Tithes and offerings,
violated the Sabbath, forgot their prayers and worshiped other gods,
and for these things God cursed them and scattered them to the four
winds of heaven, and the curses rest on the land, and, as was
predicted by the Prophet, the rain has been turned into dust.
We, as Latter-day Saints, having had revelation from the Lord, and the
fullness of the Priesthood revealed unto us, should be exceeding
careful that we do not neglect the Gospel, turn from our duties,
neglect our Tithes and offerings, Sabbaths and prayers, forsake the
Lord and go astray after other gods, lest peradventure the curse of
the Almighty fall upon us, and the kingdom be rent from us and given
to another people. I feel that the de solation, waste and barrenness of
Palestine, and the degradation of its people should be a lasting and
permanent lesson to us in all things, to keep the faith and obey the
commandments, to remember our Tithes and offerings, to be friends to
the poor, to remember our prayers, to remember the faith which God has
revealed unto us, and to contend earnestly for the faith once
delivered to the Saints, that we may have and enjoy all its blessings.
We have had a glorious season, an abundant harvest and a good time to
gather it. The weather has been fine and agreeable, and now, brethren
and sisters, let us gather together a few days to talk with and
strengthen each other upon the principles of the Gospel of peace. The
Elders can bear testimony, for I know that this is the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, and that God has revealed it to us for our salvation; and our
covetousness, and disposition to make a display in the world should
not interfere in any way whatever, with us in devoting our time,
talents, energies and our all to the upbuilding of his kingdom, for
that is the greatest interest and glory, and the grandest speculation
there is on the face of the earth.
These are my sentiments and views. I wish all persons in the
congregation, when they see a man rise to speak, to lift up their
hearts to the Lord in prayer that the Lord will have mercy upon us and
fill that man with the power of the Spirit, that he may speak to us
directly by revelation from heaven, that every voice that is elevated
may be elevated by the power of the Almighty.
- George A. Smith