As there is time which remains
to be improved this morning, I will offer a few remarks
to the congregation.
It yields solid satisfaction
to hear men testify of the truth of the gospel. I would rather hear men tell
their experience and testify that Joseph was a prophet of the
Lord and that the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and other
revelations of God are true and that they know it by the
gift and power of God, than hear any other kind
of preaching that ever saluted my ears.
Sermonizing, dividing, and
subdividing subjects, building up a fine superstructure
calculated to fascinate the mind, coupled with the choicest
eloquence of all the world, will produce
no good to them.
What is it that convinces man?
It is the influence of the
Almighty, enlightening the mind, giving instruction
to the understanding. ... which priesthood was
restored through His prophet, Joseph, and without which, no
organization, no matter how well intentioned, can operate
without the sanction of deity. Of this great truth there
is no question. The Book of Mormon and Bible
testify as to its veracity. Of this you can be assured.
Brother Eleazer, will you share
your testimony with these good people?
Much has been said today about
the Book of Mormon and about the man Joseph Smith.
I can't tell you what to think
or what to believe. But I can tell you
what I believe.
That is, I know, by the power of
the Holy Ghost--I know that the Book of Mormon is true and
that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Lord.
When I saw a man without
eloquence or talent for public speaking, the Holy Ghost
proceeding from that individual illuminated my
understanding, and light, glory, and immortality
were before me.
I was encircled by them, filled
by them, and I knew for myself that the testimony
of the man was true. My own judgments, natural
endowments, and education bowed to this simple but
mighty testimony.
There sits the man
who baptized me, Brother Eleazer Miller.
His testimony filled my
system with light and my soul with joy.
The world, with all its wisdom
and power, and with all the glory and gilded show of its
kings and potentates, sinks into perfect insignificance when
compared to the simple, unadorned testimony of
the servant of God.