I am pleased to meet with you this morning, and have had much
satisfaction in listening to the teachings and instructions of our
brethren.
The duties and responsibilities which are imposed upon us are of that
nature that it is necessary for us to be called together from time to
time to have our memories freshened in regard to the principles of the
Gospel, the order of the Priesthood, and the duties and
responsibilities that are incumbent upon us, as the servants of the
Most High. Our minds are caused to reflect upon various subjects. My
reflections have been directed for some time in a direction that is
different in some measure from what it has been heretofore, and that
is in regard to the selection of missionaries from among the various
Stakes of Zion, to go abroad and represent the cause and kingdom of
God upon the earth, in the various fields of labor wherein we are
enabled at the present time to introduce the principles of the Gospel.
And in looking round among my brethren for those that it would be
proper to send upon missions, I find, in my judgment, that it is highly necessary that fathers and mothers in Israel should
adopt a more strict and conscientious course in the instruction of
their sons in regard to the principles of the Gospel. We find in
searching among our brethren, that we are compelled at times to call
upon men who have in some measure—and to a very great extent in some
instances—neglected to fully study and comprehend in their entirety
the principles of the Gospel. They have been faithful in the discharge
of some of their duties, but the cares of life, the necessity of
providing for families, aiding father and mother, etc., have prevented
them receiving that care and attention and instruction, by those who
are placed to watch over them that they should receive. It is a fact,
patent to all of us, that those children who are called around the
fireside at home and instructed in the principles of the Gospel by
father and mother; that these children, though they may be wayward for
a season, as they grow older, get the principles of the Gospel fixed
upon their minds, a substantial foundation is laid, and as the days of
thoughtlessness pass away, they are prepared to step forward and
perform their part in the advancement of the work of God upon the
earth. I think, therefore, it would be a wise and prudent thing for
every family in Israel, that have sons arrived at the years of
accountability, to teach them, not only when they have grown to this
age, but from childhood up, so that when the time arrives they may be
prepared to go forward in the various fields of labor, and use their
influence in the advancement of the work which our Father has
established. We frequently have to strive, in some measure, to keep
our children around us, inasmuch as they are engaged in various
pursuits, sometimes in various places; yet it would be the ambition
and pride of every man and woman who are rearing a son in Zion, that
he should be a messenger of peace and salvation to the world.
This is one of the subjects that I felt to touch upon in Conference. I
have never been called upon before to look around in the interests of
missionary work, but I have been led to reflect upon this matter. The
noblest work that a son can be engaged in is the work of carrying the
Gospel to the nations of the earth, and to do this successfully they
must have a testimony of the truth within their own hearts. Every
father and mother, as their sons become of age, should see that they
are prepared for the responsibility and honor of a position of this
kind, and thus be an honor to their parents, who have stood firm to
the principles of the Gospel. In my brief experience in this matter I
have had to approach many young men who have been in some measure
wayward, not wicked; they are willing to go and try, but they feel
that their lives have not been as exemplary as they might have been.
No young man, however lowly his estate may be, is exempt from this
right and privilege—the son of the farmer and the son of the
lumberman, as much as the son of the merchant, the doctor, or the sons
of the Twelve, Presidency of Stakes, Bishops of Wards, etc.; the same
responsibility rests upon all who have espoused the cause of truth,
and who are desirous that our names should stand in Israel.
I would therefore plead with the young men that are within the sound
of my voice this day, that they prepare themselves for this great
work, study the scriptures of truth, cultivate the spirit of humility,
and strive to learn the way of life and be prepared for the
duties and responsibilities of Elders in Israel. This should be the
desire of every young man; and if we, as fathers and mothers, will
attend to our duties, if we will study the interests of our families,
enter into their feelings and sentiments, and cultivate within their
hearts a regard for the principles of truth, we will find our sons and
our daughters grow up around us honoring the Priesthood of the Son of
God, honoring the Lord and His laws, and striving to do their utmost
in furthering the advancement of His work. It is the duty of every
young man who has received the Priesthood to become acquainted with
the principles of the Gospel, so that he may be able to aid in the
accomplishment of this great labor. And in order, my brethren and
sisters, that they may have a proper education for this labor, it is
necessary that we begin with them in childhood; that mother makes it
her sacred duty in the absence of father, or whether he be at home or
no, to call her little ones around her and teach them to pray to their
Father in Heaven for His blessing upon themselves; their friends,
their kindred, and the good and pure everywhere. And where fathers and
mothers begin to thus train their children in early childhood, in the
principles of the Gospel, we will find that in after life, they will
take their place in the Church, when the proper time arrives. Under
this influence and teaching they will take their place in the Young
Men's Improvement Associations, and learn to bear their testimony
intelligently, and feel desirous of responding to every call made
upon them. They may feel timid at the first, as I believe all men do
to a greater or less extent; but the right spirit is within their
breasts, and they cannot shake it off.
Now, I am sanguine that there are many who call themselves
Latter-day Saints, who have neglected their duty in this respect, and
many a son is permitted to grow to manhood, whose father has never
asked him to bow with them at the family altar. This is a serious
neglect upon the part of those who have named the name of Jesus, who
have come up to these mountains to be taught in the ways of the Lord.
It is a sad neglect, and those who have done it in the past should
guard against it in the future. We should attend to the sacred duty of
instructing our sons and daughters, so that when they are called to
fill various positions, they will feel it an honor to respond. This
sentiment and feeling should actuate us at all times. It is not
necessary that our children should be taught to make particularly long
prayers. Christ, our elder Brother, has set us a wise and prudent
example in this respect; He has given us an example worthy of
imitation. It is not for the number of words that we use in
approaching our Father, but it is that we approach Him in earnestness,
realizing that He can bless us; and if we draw near unto Him as we
should, we shall receive a blessing at His hands. I have sometimes
thought that fathers have been unwise in this matter: their prayers
have been too long; so much so that those who may be taking part in
the same get tired and desire to be away from the family when this
duty is to be performed. This should not be so. The children should be
taught to take a pride in this duty, and made to feel that it is their
duty to be in attendance when the family bow down to return thanks to
God for all the mercies and blessings He has vouch safed from
time to time. If we as parents, will do our duty in this respect, if
we exercise our privileges as the servants of our Father, we will find
a race of men and women growing up around us who have faith, who will
honor their parents and the cause we desire them to represent; but if
we allow them to grow up without culture and a proper regard for the
ordinances of the Gospel of Christ, we will find that our sons and our
daughters will stray from us and from the principles of truth. We
should look well to this condition of things and see that we are
performing the duties devolving upon us.
I trust this is enough from me upon this subject.
I desire to speak a few minutes to the young men, for I see there are
quite a number within the sound of my voice. I feel as a rule, that I
am more at liberty to talk and reason with them than I am with those
who are older and more experienced than I am. I desire to plead with
the sons of Zion, that they will select for their example the best men
that can be found in the kingdom. If there is a man in the Church
whose life is unspotted, upon whose name rests no stain, and who is
clear from every evil; pattern after his virtues; study to possess
integrity as he possesses it; study to be honest as he is honest, just
as he is just, and avoid the shoals, the rocks and evils upon which
many men have wrecked and gone to pieces; for no man that is a thief,
a liar, a robber, an adulterer, can keep the faith of the Gospel. I
would warn you, my young brethren, to look well to your course in
life, see that it is free from sin; for no man can remain in the
kingdom of God long who has the thought resting upon him that he is
guilty of wickedness. I find in my experience, in looking around me,
men whose growth in the kingdom has ceased, and I find in seeking to
know and understand the cause of this, that they have been guilty of
indiscretions that they cannot face. We should see, therefore, that
our course of life is free from stain, for if we leave the path of
rectitude, we must expect to go down to disgrace and dishonor; but if
we lay our foundation in righteousness, we will find ourselves in the
path of life, and the blessings of Heaven will be upon us. We will
have neither fear nor doubt. It is he that is guilty of sin that is
doubtful and fearful, for he fears the justice of God.
Well, my brethren and sisters: I am pleased to be with you, to see
your faces and to feel your spirit. I feel that Zion is growing, and
that she may continue to grow and spread, until the purposes of God
are accomplished, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
- John H. Smith