Sylvester Q. Cannon – Gospel Study

Sylvester Q. Cannon

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (October 6, 1939 – May 29, 1943)
Associate to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (April 14, 1938 – October 6, 1939)
Presiding Bishop (June 4, 1925 – April 6, 1938)

General Conference Addresses

April 1942 General Conference
- A Final Testimony
  - “I know the gospel is true. I have a testimony of the divinity of this cause. I am as sure of the divinity of this work as I am that I live. I desire so to live every day that I will be worthy to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. I realize the fact that I have received many blessings.”
October 1941 General Conference
- Living in Harmony
  - “Now I desire to say to you again that in the matter of every other principle the Lord has given, I am desirous of living each principle. I have never had difficulty in observing them. I am trying to do that which the Lord has asked of us, as fully as possible, as faithfully as possible. I realize that these blessings are to be given to every Latter-day Saint and his family, and I have endeavored, to the very best of my ability, with my family, to live in harmony with the observance of all these principles.”
April 1941 General Conference
- Our Lives
  - “Every human soul who lives upon the earth is a free agent to himself to do the will of the Lord or to do wrong, and he will be governed and will be judged for his actions here in mortality and will have to give an accounting of his actions in the world to come.”
October 1940 General Conference
- Marriage
  - “How sacred and important it is that men and women should qualify—those who have accepted the truths of this Gospel of Jesus Christ, and have received authority of the holy Priesthood by divine restoration —to partake of the spirit of this responsibility and this covenant, and to enter into that promise and that blessing. We and our children are entitled to receive these blessings if we live for them, and observe them with all our hearts, in love and kindliness, in justice and righteousness.”
April 1940 General Conference
- Peace
  - “The Latter-day Saints believe firmly in peace. We consider that wars are largely foolish and unnecessary, and that the present warring conditions are entirely without justification or necessity.”
  - “God’s sovereignty is absolute, but the exaltation and happiness of His children are His glory. His absolutism is that of a loving Father who knows of no greater happiness than the promotion of the welfare of His family. How sovereignty in God can be exercised upon free agents may be difficult to explain, but the yielding of obedience fully does not interfere with free agency. There is no inconsistency in the doctrine of God’s sovereignty and men’s freedom.”
  - “Peace on earth depends upon the harmonizing of men’s hearts and the cultivation of good will, justice and righteousness. It involves the overcoming of selfishness, unfairness and mistrust among mankind.”
October 1939 General Conference
- Blessings Come Through Acceptance of Promises
  - “That challenge is to every man and woman in this nation and on this continent, and to the American people especially we desire to call attention to the fact that they shall receive blessings upon this land through the observance of the will of the Lord, and to them especially is charged the responsibility of living in harmony with these conditions.”
April 1939 General Conference
- Family Life
  - “Honorable marriage is of fundamental importance to the progress of civilization, and divorce is one of the most serious problems in the state of our civilization.”
  - “The correct training of children is of fundamental importance to the child and to the happiness and peace of the parents. From its infancy up every child is entitled to the love and spiritual care which it deserves and which will establish it in faith and confidence in the Lord and in his purposes.”
October 1938 General Conference
- A Trip to Europe
  - “When men and women give themselves over to be influenced by their carnal desires, they can scarcely overcome the influence of evil. Yet, every human being has within himself the power to walk in righteousness, if he will only give heed to the upright influence within him.”
  - “It is important to be able to discern between right and wrong, and between good and evil. The observance of Gospel principles enables the Latter-day Saints to enjoy the Spirit of truth, which serves as a guide to righteousness.”
April 1938 General Conference
- Obedience
  - “Obedience or disobedience to spiritual or natural law, or to civil law, brings the reward or the penalty in every instance.”
  - “Every principle given to us of the Lord as a part of the Gospel is a law of liberty, and the Gospel as a whole is the perfect law of liberty. We have the choice whether we shall accept it or reject it, whether we shall live it, or shall fail to observe its commandments; but according to that which we shall do shall we be judged, and that is perfect fairness and justice, not only in this life but in the life to come.”
  - “Everything we learn that is of light and advancement, that is true and exalted and forward-looking is of God and intended for the welfare and progress of mankind. It requires action, it requires discernment, it requires judgment to observe these conditions and to be obedient.”
  - “With regard to the observance of the Sabbath day: If we live in accordance with that instruction we shall grow in clear thinking, in peace, and in right living.”
  - “If we cultivate hatred, envy, and jealousy instead of cultivating love, we develop negative instead of positive qualities—lower instead of higher—and suffer thereby. On the contrary, if we cultivate love for our fellow men generally and all who are dear to us, and for our Heavenly Father, then we grow in righteousness, peace and happiness.”
October 1937 General Conference
- Material Progress of Utah and the Church
  - “I pray that the Lord may help every one of us to sense these things and to learn these lessons that will help us and our children,—our young people,—to learn the foundation of faith, to develop understanding of faith, to seek and gain that faith in God which will enable them to be true to every principle of the Gospel and go forward and serve the Lord with full purpose of heart.”
April 1937 General Conference
- Love of Money
  - “While we have to earn our own livelihood, we ought to keep in mind all the time that we are here for a time only, that this life is only part of our existence, and that eternal treasures are the things for which to strive.”
  - “Anyone whose efforts are so set upon the things of this world, that he does not show fair dealings and mutual helpfulness to his fellowmen, though he may accumulate wealth, is a failure.”
October 1936 General Conference
- Preparing for the Future
  - “I feel that of all things that are of concern in this Church, the training and welfare and development of these young men in the spirit and power of the priesthood is of first importance. They are the hope for the future progress of the Church.”
April 1936 General Conference
- Zion
  - “Zion is a place where virtue and righteousness are practised, and where the love of the Lord prevails.”
October 1935 General Conference
- Industry
  - “It appears to me, that, in order to accomplish all the many things with which the Church is charged, there must be practiced economy and efficiency in all of the various responsibilities, missionary work, facilities for worship and spiritual, educational and recreational development, and temporal relief.”
October 1934 General Conference
- Honesty
  - “It is true that all of us have weaknesses, none of us has reached perfection, we are all subject to, criticism, and we are all able to improve. If people are fair, if they are honest, and if they have criticisms to make, they will make them to the ones of whom they complain.”
  - “Honesty lies at the very foundation of our individual and community life, our civilization, our organizations of government, and the membership of the Church. If we live the Gospel we can not be anything but honest; if we are good citizens of this nation we can not properly be anything but honest.”
  - “Any candidate who makes wild promises or advocates specious plans impracticable of fulfilment, or who has not previously proven himself worthy of trust, should be rejected.”
  - “Upon every one of us rests that obligation to endeavor to be fair, just, honest, straightforward and respectful of mutual rights in our association with our fellow men.”
April 1934 General Conference
- Preparing for the Reign of Peace
  - “We should seek to establish the cause of Zion more firmly in the hearts and lives of the younger members of the Church. We should continue to build a structure of faith upon the solid foundations already laid.”
  - “What makes a good civilization? I conceive it to be that condition of society in which every man, woman and child enjoys in fairness, equity and justice, the opportunity for steady progress in material, cultural and spiritual things, and protection against tyranny, oppression and evils of every nature.”
October 1933 General Conference
- Industry
  - “If we would apply in our lives the teachings of the Savior, day by day, as they have been taught to us through revelations from him in these days, our lives would be most exemplary and influential among mankind.”
  - “It is the business of everyone of us as individual Church members to plan our efforts and our lives in such a way as to promote the interests of the Gospel in the most extensive way. It is, likewise, our opportunity in our daily affairs to advance our personal interests in getting forward and in properly caring for those dependent upon us.”
April 1933 General Conference
- Guiding Children, Growth of the Church
  - “It is incumbent primarily on the parents, not particularly to preach to children, but to advise and counsel with them and to inquire of them as to their feelings and of the temptations that will come to them, in a kindly parental way.”
October 1932 General Conference
- Have Courage and Faith
  - “Salvation comes through observance of divine principles. So the individual can be saved only by his own acts.”
April 1932 General Conference
- Sacrifice
  - “All that the Lord has commanded us to do are for our benefit. We receive the blessings. There is no sacrifice in the final and permanent sense of the word.”
October 1931 General Conference
- Selfishness and Covetousness
  - “If there ever was a time in the history of the world when faith in the living God was necessary it is the present time—faith which will produce works of righteousness; faith which will enable men to live in accordance with the will of God and be able to walk in his paths; faith which will cause them to desire to consecrate themselves to the advancement of the purposes of the Lord.”
  - “Every principle of the Gospel is a privilege for us. It is a means for our growth and development, and if we shall observe it we shall enjoy the blessings that follow.”
April 1931 General Conference
- Humility
  - “There is a vast difference in meaning between humility and humiliation. Humiliation means shame. Humility does not mean lack of self-respect. It means strength and fortitude. It involves high moral courage.”
  - “Humility manifests none of the elements of hypocrisy or self-righteousness.”
  - “Humility tends to keep people level-headed. Pride overbalances them. Pride tends to blind the eyes to the light and to close the heart against the truth.”
  - “As I read history there has been no nation that has ever fallen because of prevailing humility among the people. But there are many instances of downfall due to pride.”
  - “If the spirit of pride and vain ambition shall prevail throughout the country, then the future welfare and progress of this nation, or any nation, under such conditions, will be seriously endangered.”
October 1930 General Conference
- Destiny of the Work
  - “I have absolute confidence in the destiny of this great work. What is that destiny? It is, as I see it, to bring to the people of the earth, everywhere, living faith in God and to promote righteousness, truth and peace.”
  - “This is particularly so if we cultivate in our hearts the idea that all that we obtain, all that we have, all that we do, we are doing and using with an eye single to the glory of God, and to the advancement of his work. If we can get that spirit in our hearts and minds, we shall realize the fact that material and temporal things are a part of our progress and development, while here upon the earth in preparation for eternity.”
April 1930 General Conference
- The Word of Wisdom
  - “When the Lord gives a commandment it is intended for the progress, the welfare, and the blessing of those to whom it is given.”
  - “There is no compulsion in this or any other principle of the Gospel. We have our free agency. If we obey, we gain the benefits and the privileges accruing therefrom.”
October 1929 General Conference
- Tithing and Training
  - “Tithing means the payment of one-tenth of our interest annually. It is not the amount, primarily, that is important, but the observance of the principle in its fulness. If we cultivate the spirit of obedience to this principle we shall, even though our tithing be small in amount to begin with, grow in spirit and power and ability to pay, and the Lord will bless us and enable us to increase our tithes as we go forward.”
  - “I know that this principle is true. It is a means of progress, growth and development.”
  - “I believe that the observance of divine instructions is the most effective means for the best development of men and women.”
  - “If there is a principle upon which the stability of any civilization rests, it is that of mutual consideration among the members thereof. Pride and highmindedness have been a fruitful source of destruction in nations of the past.”
April 1929 General Conference
- Care for the Poor
  - “I am sure that when we fast our hearts are more open to consider those who are in need. I commend, therefore, to the Latter-day Saints and to the presidents of stakes and bishoprics of wards the importance of stressing the observance of the fast day and of directing the thoughts and minds of the people towards those things that are for the mutual welfare and blessing of the Church as a whole.”
October 1928 General Conference
- The Importance of Labor
  - “It is incumbent upon every one of us to do our part and to strive to qualify ourselves to accomplish the work assigned us. For the building up of the Church depends, not upon one or two or a few, but upon every one of those who have received the gospel.”
  - “We need to learn the benefits of concentrated effort. Our purpose should be to gain sufficient resources to enable us to give more effective, whole-hearted service to the work of the Lord, besides maintaining satisfactorily those dependent upon us.”
April 1928 General Conference
- Selfishness
  - “I appreciate the fact that this life is a life of progression, of improvement, of learning, and of the application of that learning to the problems of life and to the bettering of conditions among humanity.”
  - “I think that one of the most objectionable conditions which prevails in the world today is that of selfishness and greed. It has caused more hatred, strife, bitterness and warfare among men than almost any other thing, so far as my understanding goes. Even today in this nation we are experiencing evidences of such conditions and actions on the part of men in endeavoring to build up their own fortunes at the expense of the welfare of the community. The people of the nation are aroused, I think, to a certain extent at least, to an appreciation of the seriousness of this condition. Prosperity tends very often to lead men away from a spirit of unselfishness. As they acquire means they tend to become, very often, greedy and selfish, and concerned only with their own welfare. I believe it was the Apostle Paul who said that the love of money is the root of all evil. Surely, when men set their hearts and their minds solely to the acquirement of wealth, there is great danger of their losing the perspective of things that are more important in life.”
October 1927 General Conference
- Character and Integrity
  - “In my own experience in the gospel of Jesus Christ, I know that the Lord has power to and does change men’s hearts and their desires and determination when they are much older. This occurs when they are brought to a condition of repentance, through an understanding of the fact that the things they are doing are not in conformity with his laws. No matter what their age may be they can repent and change entirely their habits and course of action, and their desires and determination.”
  - “It being the case that character and integrity are recognized generally as a prime requisite to supcess and progress, I am sure that the principles of the gospel which we have espoused, if they were observed by the people of the world generally, would develop these very qualities in them. I appreciate the fact that olbedience to the principles of the gospel requires will power, and will power is developed through integrity. So that, in a sense, the observance of these principles requires integrity, and also produces integrity. That is true with regard to every principle of the gospel.”
  - “Those who do use tobacco are weakened thereby, and any success they enjoy is in spite of the fscct that they use it. This is just as true of the use of liquor and narcotics, which injuriously affect the moral stamina as well as the physical body.”
  - “This principle, drawing one to the Lord in humility, and in faith, asking him for the things we desire, and giving him gratitude and praise for his blessings to us, is a source of strength and power that will enable us to overcome our weaknesses, and develop in us faith and determination to do right.”
April 1927 General Conference
- Enduring for Truth
  - “What is truth? We are told that it is the knowledge of things that have been, that are. and that are to be. The Latter-day Saints have accepted this gospel which we understand to be the truth. When the missionaries go out into the world to preach the gospel, they present these things which they declare have come from the Lord; and those to whom the message comes are invited to investigate carefully, to compare these things with those which were declared by Jesus and by his apostles, and with those things that are contained in the scriptures from the very beginning.”
  - “The Latter-day Saints have always undertaken to maintain a spirit of kindness and patience, endeavoring to promulgate the truth because they love it, and because they recognize it as a pearl of great price. Yet many people who ought to be willing to accept the gospel and receive the benefits and blessings which come from it, have opposed it and have undertaken to persecute those who i have accepted it. The result was that in Kirtland there came a time when there were very dark days for the Church. There were those who, because of persecution, could not stand, nor retain their love of the truth. They were affected more by the persecution of men, and they fell away from the truth. This did not change or alter the truth itself, but it did affect their standing and blessings which they would have been entitled to receive if they had retained their courage and faith in the gospel.”
  - “The gospel is a great ideal, a great set of principles, that makes for growth and development, for happiness and peace. It will prevail and triumph, whether or not any of us, individually, shall be able to endure in faith.”
October 1926 General Conference
- The Restoration
  - “There were many such people who were looking forward to the time wheii the fulness of truth should be restored. And so when the gospel came and missionaries were sent out to various parts of the world, there were, such as in England, communities or congregations of people who were prepared to receive the truth in its fulness, I rejoice in the fact that this divine authority, the Priesthood of the Son of God, has been restored; whereby every man who is prepared and is worthy, who seeks to live in accordance with the principles of the gospel, may have the privilege of receiving this power and of laboring for the welfare of the Church, for the spread of the gospel, for the bringing together of all things in Christ, and for the accomplishment of his purposes.”
  - “The Lord can give unto us light only as we will receive it. Only as we open the windows and doors of our houses can the sunlight enter in and cleanse and strengthen and bring life and light to that house and overcome unhealthfulness. And so only as we open the windows and doors of our souls to the holy Spirit can truth enter in and strengthen and develop us and make us more healthy spiritually. This is the message which the authorities of this Church have had and have today to bring to the people everywhere, not only to the Latter-day Saints; primarily, of course, to them, but to all mankind: That if they will resist and overcome evil and temptation, if they will accept and obey this gospel, they shall grow in the knowledge of the truth, they shall develop those qualities that will make them better men and women, they shall increase in the spirit of love for their fellowmen, they shall enjoy true happiness, and be prepared to meet the Lord.”
April 1926 General Conference
- The Word of Wisdom
  - “I am sure that every one of us appreciates the fact, if we will but consider for a moment, that there are influences at work in the world today which are endeavoring to mislead and to deceive the people of the world with regard to those things which the Lord has declared are not good for man, such as tobacco and strong drink, and other things which he has declared are not for our welfare. Many men in the world are endeavoring in a deceitful way to make these harmful things appear attractive.”
  - “In the matter of the observance of the Sabbath day, the Lord has declared to us how we should observe that day. Many people question at times how we should observe it, or what it is that might be considered as breaking the Sabbath. Surely anything that interferes with the spirit of peace conformable to the Sabbath is breaking the Sabbath. There should be nothing that interferes with our worship or that causes our minds to be diverted, nor any act of ours that causes our minds to de detracted from the spirit of that day; but in all of our acts upon that day we should exercise and devote our minds and thoughts to those things that shall help us to grow in faith, in righteousness and in good works.”
October 1925 General Conference
- A New Calling
  - “I desire with all my heart to do my part, to give the very best that is in me to advance this work, and if it were possible to even increase the care and the efficiency in looking after every interest that shall be intrusted to us in that department, to magnify the callings that come to us, and in every way to promote sympathy, kindliness, love and good will among all the members and officers of the Church. That is my only desire.”
  - “If we appreciate our responsibilities we must recognize the fact that we are only stewards here upon the earth, that we cannot take from this earth anything of a material nature ; that all we can take from here is that which we have stored up in our minds which has helped to develop us, the qualities which we have acquired and the service that we have rendered. For the material things will remain. They will be of no beneifit to us hereafter. Unless wisely used they may prove a curse, not only to us but to our descendants.”
  - “We should not be content with one mission, but if we have the means and if we labor “with an eye single to the glory of the God,” diligently and faithfully and wisely, the Lord will bless us and will increase our store and our means, and enable us to give’ more time, greater talent, greater energy, to the advancement of his purpose.”
  - “Let us, every one, endeavor to impress upon our children, boys and girls, the thought that all that we have and all that they have belongs to the Lord and that they should not claim these things selfishly. If we have that spirit in mind constantly and if we strive to impress upon those who come after us, that they should use their means and their time, with the purpose in view to be of the greatest benefit and blessing to the work of God, and to the promotion of the welfare of mankind, then shall we have joy and satisfaction. We shall increase in these qualities which shall make us most nearly the men and women that God would have us be.”

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