Like many missionaries and public speakers, J. Golden Kimball kept a notebook of materials to use in talks – lists of scriptures on various topics, quotations from wise people, short stories with a gospel theme. Here is some of what I found in his notebook:

Will Rodgers says:

We all know the Good Book says: The Lord loveth the poor” and down and out. At the same time it looks like the poor don’t get much besides love. They are being loved all the time, but are also being poor all the time. Don’t you think the poor need something more material than just love? We all talk much of love, brotherhood, friendship and to “love our neighbor as ourselves” which is fine.

There has been many beautiful verses written about the poor and needy. Suppose we could cut out most of this talk and soft peddle stuff and send each of the needy a blessing with ten dollars occasionally and maybe there would not be so many down and outers.

I suggest if you have no money when we visit the poor in their dire distress, it doesn’t cost anything to make them laugh. Make ‘em cry; make ‘em forget their troubles and get to work. Happiness and laughter are great hill climbers and work is a great panacea for mental ills.

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Training audiences is a life’s work to make them sit up and listen, absorb and think about what you say; that is, if you say anything.

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I wonder sometimes when I look into the faces of some of these overworked people, if there is a sort of a sleeping potion taken just prior to going to Church, so they can rest in peace and not feel disturbed, but relax and forget they are alive.

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I am not advocating humor at a church gathering, or at a funeral, but I do believe Mormon Elders ought to rise to the occasion either by inspiration or the use of good common sense. Being your own dear self and acting or speaking natural is at least refreshing if not entertaining.

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The Bearing of a Testimony

A mere declaration, when bearing a testimony, proves nothing. We must have evidence. We must actually know, not just believe.

To testify means to bear witness.

A declaration is made to prove some fact, or to give evidence and proof of a great truth.

A testimonial should be considered a solemn declaration

Joseph Smith’s first vision.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery’s vision in the Kirtland Temple. They saw the Lord standing on the breast work of the Temple.

The testimony of three witnesses to the Book of Mormon that an angel of God came down from heaven and brought and laid before their eyes the plates.

And also the testimony of eight Witnesses who handled with their hands the plates and saw the engravings.

Proof: The bringing forth of the Book of Mormon, the organizing of the church, the signs following the believer. The fulfillment of prophecy, etc.

As witnesses we testify that God is our Father and Jesus Christ is our redeemer; that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to consistently do so we must bring evidence as proof. What is the proof?

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I am informed that someone has described an orator as a man who tells others to do what he himself does not propose to do.

Personally I am making an effort to work along the line laid down in the teachings of Jesus Christ, hoping at some time “to be a doer of the word and not a hearer only.” To also become a devout, loyal citizen of the Kingdom of God.

I must, however, admit that the thundering of gloomy hell-fired theologians does not, nor never did, appeal to me.

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Remember to smile and to practice what you preach. It is better to live up to and preach a few things than to cram your mind with great volumes of goodness and make none of them work. Why not pick out a few good things and try them out?

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Ignatius, the grand old Bishop of Antioch, on his way to suffer martyrdom in Rome, sent this ringing message to his younger colleague, Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna:

“Be diligent. Be sober, stand like a beaten anvil.”

As Bruce Barton said: “It is the men who stand like a beaten anvil, who have done the big things. But men can’t stand like beaten anvils if they’re made of French pastry, or are wrapped up always in the softness of prosperity.”

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About fifteen years ago a young man wrote me, in part, as follows:

I remember very clearly a talk I heard you give almost six years ago. I came to see you prepared to hear some blunt phrases, but your frankness far surpassed my expectations.

It doesn’t surprise me in the least when I hear, now and then, a person say with a wistful smile: I remember very well a talk given by J. Golden Kimball so-and-so many years ago.

You are remembered because the conviction comes to your listeners that an honest and frank thinker is using plain English to give them thoughts and facts of vital concern in their everyday lives. That is why I take the liberty of writing you frankly about myself.

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All who love God and keep His commandments shall know for himself that Jesus is the Christ; this is eternal life. If you want to test it out for yourself you must repent and begin to pray. You will then know I have told you the truth.