Harold B. Lee, 1968 —

“For some reason I have had occasion to recall an experience I had in this Tabernacle several years ago when I presided over an afternoon session of the Pioneer Stake conference. Our visitor was President Brigham H. Roberts of the First Council of the Seventy. Brother Roberts had just come out of the hospital, where he had undergone a severe and painful operation that resulted in the amputation of part of his foot. When I asked him if he felt up to speaking in the Tabernacle, … he said after some thought, ‘I understand there is an official Church stenographer to take down the sermons delivered there. … I have felt that there are a few things I would like to speak where they can be recorded, things which might be read after I am gone.’ …

“He spoke for about half of the session, and his strength was waning. He turned to the Tabernacle Choir members who were there and asked if they would sing while he recovered some of his strength. After a few moment’s rest he then addressed himself to the most glorious part of his whole sermon. He spoke of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ as not merely sweeping away the rubbish of past ages, such as disputations as to the mode of baptism, or how one’s sins are remitted, or the various forms of church government. But he impressed the fact that a new dispensation of the gospel had been ushered in …

“Then President Roberts read that oft-repeated passage which has been mentioned two or three times in this conference, that teachers of the gospel were to interest themselves in secular learning in all fields.

“After he had said this, he then quoted another profound statement addressed to all others who ‘hath not faith.’ Possibly this meant, in its broadest sense, those who had not yet matured in their religious convictions. This is what the Lord said: ‘And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.’ …

“I testify to you and tell you that he [the Lord] is closer to the leaders of this Church than you have any idea. Listen to the leaders of this Church and follow their footsteps in righteousness, if you would learn not only by study but also by faith, which testimony I bear most humbly and sincerely in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”