July 4, 1918

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822 IMPROVEMENT ERA

and healthful appearance. But everywhere, and wherever one meets them, east or west, north or south, one feels that he has the right to be proud of the splendid young manhood of America, going forth in our armies to fight in the cause of human free- — dom. It is high honor for us I mean for our intermountain states, and for the membership of our Church, — that in all this — great American host there is no group of men no regiment — that gives promise of greater soldierly qualities physical, mental, moral, or courageous qualities, than the 145th Field Artillery. And of this regiment, previous to the late draft made upon it for overseas duty (the census was made just a few days before

I left for the School of Chaplains, in April) — of this regiment, then numbering 1,313 men, 1,016 announced themselves as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I did desired, very keenly, to discuss at the conference the present status of the world's great war, its relationship to the fulfilment of many and various predictions of our great prophet of the New Dispensation ; our own great Nation's part in the war, and its worthiness to be, as doubtless it will be, God's instrument in determining the issues of this great conflict, and preparing the way for the incoming kingdom of peace wherein dwelleth righteousness, when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. I did desire, and very keenly desired, to point out to those at home, as well as to those enlisted in the army, that the important thing is to keep thought and action fixed upon the great fundamental things. Fortunately these are not many in numbers, and not difficult to understand. About them there can be little question. In the foreground of these fundamental things is a sound faith in God: in God as Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things that in them are,— and especially as the Father and God of the children of men. Also to be held and worshiped as the sustaining Power of all that is in heaven and earth ; the vital — — Force, also, in and through all things the very Spirit and cause — of life the Intelligence inspiring Power "the Light that light- ;

eth every man that cometh into the world;" and above all the Love-Power of the universe, the Love that was manifested in that, "God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." After this faith, then "still stands God's ancient sacrifice the upright heart and pure." "Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart." "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."