Improvement Era, May 1928

Improvement Era^ Vol. XXXI MAY, 1928 No. 7 Obligation of the Church to all Nations By Elder Melvin J. Ballard, of the Council of the Twelve, and Assistant General Superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. WITH the opening of this gospel dispensation came a realiza- tion of that promise made by John while on the Isle of Patmos, that in the latter days the gospel should be restored to the earth by the coming of another angel. That the true pur- pose of its restoration might be accomplished, it should be preached, John announced, to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. Con- sequently, this became, at once, the first great obligation placed upon the Church. All of its leaders, from the days of the Prophet Joseph to the present time, have recognized its importance, and the Church has spent more in time and means to fulfil this obligation than all its others combined. We have sent approximately sixty thousand missionaries into this service since the organization of the Church. When we compute the cost of sending them to their fields of labor, maintaining them while there, with a reasonable allowance for the value of their services, and the cost of returning them home, it amounts to more than two hundred millions of dollars. There are also to be con- sidered the precious lives, beyond all earthly price, that many of these missionaries have given. Add to this the sacrifice and devotion of the wives and mothers who, in many instances, have taken upon themselves a man's task, and have spent many years of loneliness, and you will recognize a contribution, in loving service to fellow- man, the like of which no other people have ever offered. Our desire is to be obedient unto the Lord, and to please him. At the same time, we are prompted to render this service out of the love we bear for our fellow-men. I had a distinct impression concern- ing the Lord's feelings toward the children of men, while serving as president of the Northwestern States mission. I was attending a conference in Salt Lake City, when the father of a wayward, careless boy requested an interview with me. The boy had violated, not