--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 32 number: 1 published: 1928-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “Are the Promises Fulfilled?,” *Improvement Era* 32, no. 1 (November 1928): 30–31." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3201unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera3201unse start_page: 30 end_page: 31 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1928-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3201unse publication_year: 1928 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1928, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Are the Promises Fulfilled? Are the Promises Fulfilled? THOUSANDS of tourists annually visit the Church office build- ing in Salt Lake City. They are usually met at the door by an attendant who volunteers to show them through the beau- tiful structure. His pleasant face and manner, his courtesy, which so unmistakably indicates the real gentleman, his sincerity and evident love of truth, make an impression on the visitor which cannot soon be forgotten. This man is Henry M. O'Gorman. More than forty- four years ago, Brother O'Gorman braved the ridicule of relatives and friends in Liverpool and joined the Church, having become con- vinced of its divinity. During these long years of membership, he has heard many promises made through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The first one to which he listened came from a young missionary who repeated the old promise of the Redeemer, that those who will do the will of the Father shall know of the doctrine. In 1887, Apostle George Teasdale, then presiding over the Eu- ropean mission, gave Brother O'Gorman a blessing, in which the statement was made that he should be the instrument in the hands of of the Lord in declaring the Gospel message to untold numbers. The desire to gather with the Saints in Zion came strongly upon Brother O'Gorman, but he held a responsible position with the post office in Liverpool and was also president of the local branch of the Church. He could not well be spared, and the mission authorities, therefore, urged him to remain and help extend the work in his native city. But the late President Francis M. Lyman, while presid- ing in Europe, blessed Brother O'Gorman and among other things promised the following: "You shall gather to Zion with your fam- ily and do a work for your dead, when the Lord sees fit." Subsequently, President Heber J. Grant was called to the Eu- ropean mission, and he also blessed Brother O'Gorman. In this blessing he used the following words: "I bless you that your facul- ties may all be retained, that your mind may be clear, and that your last days may be your best days. I bless you with the peaceful influence of the Holy Spirit, that it may be your constant guide and companion, warning you of dangers seen and unseen, and protecting you from snares laid for your feet by wicked and designing men. I bless you that through your faith and faithfulness, and diligence of your life, you may have influence with your family and be able to make an im- pression for good upon their hearts." Still later, President Hyrum M. Smith, now deceased, pro- ARE THE PROMISES FULFILLED? 31 nounced a blessing upon the head of Brother O'Gorman, from which the following is taken: "Now, our Father in heaven, we pray thee to look in love and mercy upon this thy servant, and accept of his and our gratitude that, after many years, the way seems to be opening that he may gratify a longing to be with thy people in the valleys of the mountains, and there make his home. * * * We pray that the heart of his wife may be touched, and that her mind may be enlight- ened, that she may see the glorious principles of the Gospel, and be willing to submit to the commandments and receive the ordinances of the Church, that she may be numbered with thy people and be one with him in all his holy and righteous purposes and desires; * * * that he may go in peace, that he may go in safety, that the arm of the Lord may be drawn around and about him, that he may be pre- served in life and health and strength. * * * We say unto you, our dear brother, as you have the confidence of those with whom you have labored, so shall you have the confidence of those with whom you shall make your home in the valleys of the mountains. * * As you desire, you shall receive; and when you knock, it shall be opened unto you. The Lord will be with you to lead and guide you and will give you great joy and thanksgiving." In his sweet and kindly way, but with a manner so convincing that it makes a deep impression, Brother O'Gorman adds: "The fore- going inspired words uttered by the servants of the Lord have been literallv fulfilled. I have been gathered in peace and safety to Zion with all my family, except one. A work is being done for my dead in the temple. Up to the present I retain all my faculties, and my last days are proving my best days. I can testify that I have had the peace- ful influence of the Holy Spirit, enabling me to withstand the trials incident to all who gather to this land. "We came to Zion in 1916, at a time when the waters were filled with submarines, yet our journey across the ocean was a re- markable and pleasant experience. My wife is now a member of the Church, and rejoices in a testimony of the divinity of the Gospel. As far as I am able to judge. T have the confidence of those among whom I labor. "After final preparations had been made to leave Liverpool, my wife was taken with a serious fever. After all had been done for her that we could do, I talked to the Lord, telling him of our situation and reminding him of the promises which had been made. My dear one was restored, and we sailed as expected. "Together with the other promises, the first one I ever received from one holding the Priesthood has been fulfilled in my case, and I can testify that it will be so in every case, that, 'If any man will do the will of the Father, he shall know of the doctrine.' "