David A. Smith

First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric (July 18, 1918 – April 6, 1938)
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric (December 4, 1907 – July 18, 1918)

General Conference Addresses

• April 1938 General Conference
  • Privileged To Serve
    • “I have been given a great responsibility, which came to me through the call of the First Presidency of this Church, the duties and responsibility of which are set forth by God, charging the Presiding Bishopric in a very positive manner to look after and watch over those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Brethren, we cannot do this alone.”
• October 1937 General Conference
  • Loyalty
    • “I want to say to my brethren who feel to criticise the President of this Church for repeatedly calling your attention to your failure to keep the commandments which God has given, especially you who have had the Priesthood conferred upon you—when you feel this desire coming upon you, think what you would do under the conditions we face in this day, were you in the position of the President of this Church, and felt the responsibility as he feels it. Then perhaps you would change your mind and your attitude. I have no word of censure for you, only pity, and in a spirit of love I call upon you to repent, for you are walking in the shadow of darkness and in danger of becoming lost, for so the Lord hath spoken.”
    • “It is a great privilege to go into the world to preach the Gospel. It is a greater privilege to preach it in our home.”
• October 1936 General Conference
  • Becoming One
    • “We forget sometimes that the Church of our Lord is founded upon principles with a promise, and to obtain exaltation in his kingdom we must be obedient in all things. The Lord has made it clear to us that it is the responsibility of those who have plenty, to care for those who are in need, but he modifies that to the extent that those who are worthy may have claim upon the Church.”
    • “It takes more than food to prepare us to be equal; it takes more than Gospel principles to develop the Church. It requires the untiring effort of those who have received the priesthood, and thus taken upon them obligations which require that we serve our Father faithfully in the great work entrusted to our care, this obligation having come to us through acceptance of the holy priesthood.”
• April 1936 General Conference
  • Answering Critics
    • “We shall earn our degree of glory through obedience to the laws of God. Any act contrary to law is sin, and displeasing to the Lord, and for such each individual will be called to answer before the judgment seat of God. The sacrifice of our Lord brought about redemption from death to each of the children of God, each in his time, according to his obedience to the divine laws. To this end we baptize for the dead as of old.”
• October 1935 General Conference
  • Keeping the Sabbath
    • “We rob him of his holy day. It is a holiday with many. How many times have you called your solemn assemblies on the Sabbath day, only to have them disturbed by ball players in an adjoining lot? I have observed that a few times this year, while attending conferences.”
    • “If we were living in harmony with the Gospel principles, if we were teaching our young men by example and precept, they would go out into the mission field under the influence of the Spirit of God and with a testimony, and it would no longer be said they go to the mission field to gain a testimony.”
• April 1935 General Conference
  • Obedience and Faith
    • “When I think of the troubles, the hardships, the trials endured by those who made it possible for us to live in this land, I wonder if we, their children and grandchildren, are growing up to believe, as they believed, that God will hear and answer prayers; that he will grant unto us every choice blessing; that to receive these blessings it is absolutely necessary that we live close to him and are obedient to his commandments, for his blessings will not come to those who turn from him and make light of his work.”
• October 1934 General Conference
  • Touring with the Choir
    • “On the Fair grounds we were given reduced rates for the choir members. Their badges took them into many of the concessions and many invited them in without cost. We found a friendly attitude wherever we went and came away feeling that we had performed a wonderful missionary service. We had in mind constantly the saying of the Lord: “My soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing on their heads.” We wanted a blessing. We felt the Lord was fulfilling his promise upon our heads, and we pray that his blessings shall continue to be upon us, that we may continue to serve him in song, in faith, and in a desire to be worthy of the blessings which he has bestowed upon us and which he has promised to bestow upon us all through our faithfulness.”
• April 1934 General Conference
  • Priesthood Authority
    • “I say power, because in the Priesthood there is a power as witnessed daily where the Priesthood is found and exercised in harmony with the plan and promise of God. To have this Priesthood conferred upon one is not only a privilege but a great honor, and one who receives it and disregards its sacredness is a deserter.”
    • “Those who are afraid to kneel in prayer with a wayward brother should first set their own houses in order; then when we have developed faith, manifest that faith through our works.”
• October 1933 General Conference
  • Obtaining Truth
    • “The revealed word of our Father is the truth and can be proven by each individual for himself. To obtain such truth one must so live that he comes in harmony with the principles of truth as laid down in the teachings of our Lord and Savior; this seldom comes through opposition thereto.”
• April 1933 General Conference
  • The Word of Wisdom
    • “Sometimes, it seems to me, we plead with the Lord for blessings when at the time we are doing things which make it difficult for him to give us the blessings for which we plead. To me it is a mockery. Under such conditions we cannot approach him in faith for we are not worthy to enjoy that privilege.”
    • “We cannot save those who are indifferent and careless by preaching to them. We must go into their homes. We must bow with them before the Lord, and plead with him for their welfare.”
    • “Without serving we cannot develop and keep alive the spirit which God has promised to those who have entered the waters of baptism and keep his commandments.”
    • “Men will not listen if we criticize, for criticism seems to bring forth a vigorous defense. But love and prayer, offered in the spirit of humility, will touch the heart and mellow the soul and eventually bring joy and happiness and eternal salvation.”
• April 1932 General Conference
  • Spiritual Food
    • “And so it comes right back to us, are we worthy, are we worthy to enjoy the blessings the Lord has promised? It seems to me that there is something more than to feed men and women bread. Oh, how many are there who are dying, slowly dying, spiritually, for want of spiritual food. We cannot help them by ridicule. We know ridicule and abuse are the methods of hell. The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that we shall love one another, and how many of us who hold the priesthood really love our neighbor? How many of us are trying to feed those who are hungering for the Gospel? If we could only touch the spark of life and cause it to burn within their souls, we should have no further concern, for the Gospel teaches men to do good.”
• October 1931 General Conference
  • Relying on the Lord
    • “It seems that under the conditions of poverty we are more apt to turn to God than we are when facing the cannon or the sword. The last war developed the fact that men were turning from God. Mammon was made their God. They seemed to console themselves in the thought that man is not actually created in the image of God, that he is a spirit, a God of love, who dwells in the heart of man, which it seems to me makes of man an infidel, for under such conditions one can create his own God and worship in his own manner.”
    • “Many of us feel that we are faithfully serving the Lord, and many are. The (Lord has said that we have many things to do and many things to repent of, and that we are not pardoned because we seek to counsel in our own way.”
    • “Let us study our own conditions and our own affairs, not forgetting our neighbors, plead with the Lord that he will help us overcome these conditions which are so distressing at this time.”
• April 1931 General Conference
  • The Book of Mormon
    • “My brethren and sisters, I am thrilled when I read the Book of Mormon. The more I study it the more I see in it of worth. It is one of the most wonderful evidences of the divinity of this work which God has placed in our hands. I plead with you to read it and study it with a prayerful heart. Read the last chapter first. Follow that instruction to the letter, and the Lord will be with you, for he has so promised.”
• October 1930 General Conference
  • Spiritual Food
    • “I am wondering if in Israel today we are not lacking just a little bit in faith.”
    • “I have yet to find a good reason for taking a vacation from spiritual work, and from that association which comes to those who are humbly seeking spiritual food.”
• April 1930 General Conference
  • The Word of Wisdom
    • “Is it not worth our while to become familiar with the Word of Wisdom and live according to its teachings, that we may enjoy these blessings which follow in a natural way, as do all of God’s blessings, for they are based upon his laws and come to us as a reward of faith and obedience?”
• October 1929 General Conference
  • Missionary Work
    • “Faith, humility and knowledge are the weapons to be used in defense of truth and righteousness.”
    • “It is such experiences that give to those who go into the mission field a burning testimony of the gospel, and which sometimes, I am sorry to say, some lose after their return, because of lack of proper Church activity and spiritual food.”
• October 1928 General Conference
  • The Word of Wisdom
    • “We need only to look about us to see on every hand a tendency to break the Word of Wisdom. Perhaps as individuals we feel that because we are trying to live according to this law we are meeting the requirements of the law, but to those who have received the priesthood comes also a responsibility of not only complying with the law as individuals but of laboring unceasingly with those who are careless or indifferent, for Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom. Let us remember that we are “temples of the living God” and that God cannot work with us when we are unclean mentally or physically.”
• October 1927 General Conference
  • Military Service
    • “Perhaps it is not just proper to mention these things at this time, but I do it because I want you to know that we as a people are looked upon by the men who are responsible for our country’s defense, as being outstanding in our willingness to serve.”
    • “More men gain a testimony of this gospel while upon their feet than while upon their knees. We can pray from now to the end of our days, and prayer alone may not bring a testimony of this work. But through prayer and actual service, we do get a testimony.”
• April 1927 General Conference
  • Cooperation
    • “When the pioneers came here, they could see nothing but wilderness, but that wonderful man, President Brigham Young, saw into the future, viewed the choice valleys and their possibilities, saw where water could be stored in the mountains until required and used as needed. God has provided for us abundantly and now we have discovered that he has provided something else for us, for we have the wonders of the world at our very door.”
• October 1926 General Conference
  • Cooperation
    • “To succeed we must cooperate one with another, we must help one another, we must set aside all feelings of selfishness which is found in all the world in this day, and we must have an interest in our brother and render assistance to him whenever it is possible to do so, whether that assistance be temporal or spiritual; and this help should be rendered in the spirit of love and good fellowship, following the teachings of the Savior. This spirit must be manifest in great abundance before Zion can be finally redeemed, for Zion is to be redeemed only when the people keep the celestial law; and this is a state preparatory to the coming of our Lord and Savior to establish his kingdom in the earth.”
    • “It may seem strange, but nevertheless is a fact, that men who use tobacco or liquor soon lose the spirit of Church work.”
• April 1926 General Conference
  • Preparing to Serve
    • “What is responsible for this rapid growth and development in the mission field? It is the responsibility which is placed upon them; it is the work required of them. ‘They leave their homes for the mission field with a testimony of the gospel, but that testimony is not developed. They have looked forward for years to an opportunity to serve in the mission field, but as a rule have not been given opportunity to give expression to their thoughts or to discuss the knowledge they have received concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; but when they reach their fields of labor they humble themselves before |the Lord and seek the Lord in prayer, just as Joseph Smith sought him. They are touched by the influence of the holy Spirit and they respond to this power and influence.”
• October 1925 General Conference
  • Gaining a Testimony
    • “It should be the aim of every parent and every officer in the Church to assist the young people to gain a testimony, for those who are not of our faith do not understand why we send young men and young women into the world to preach the gospel who seemingly are not fully converted.”
• April 1925 General Conference
  • Missionary Work
    • “We should enter a house of worship with a spirit of reverence. We should endeavor to keep order and should consider others above our own personal desires. In leaving a service before its conclusion we do not show this consideration, for we disturb the congregation and make it difficult for the speaker to follow his subject. It is hardly fair to remind you of this, for those who really need this reminder are on the outside, but I am sure we can all render a service to the Church by trying to encourage one another to avoid making such disturbances when attending a religious gathering.”
• October 1924 General Conference
  • Priesthood Service
    • “I wonder sometimes if we who hold the Priesthood of the living God fully realize what it means to us to be so blessed.”
    • “This is a work, my brethren and sisters, depending upon no one individual, every one who holds the Priesthood and all who hold the Priesthood combining together in service to carry on the work of the Lord.”
• April 1924 General Conference
  • Labor in the Church
    • “Service may be rendered in an indifferent or haphazard manner or as a matter of course, or daily act following fixed habits. When so rendered the greatest good is not accomplished.”
• October 1923 General Conference
  • Selfishness and Charity
    • “Our lives are clean in thought and action, yet many times we overlook the fact that it is also necessary that we so live that our every action may be influenced by the Spirit of God. In the world today, it seems, people think mainly of their selfish interests, hoping constantly to get about them those things which will bring luxury and comfort, and in their anxiety to gather about them luxuries, they forget God and the teachings of the Lord and Savior, and sometimes those who are active in their Church work give way to selfishness and greed, when it comes to business activities.”
    • “If our thoughts are unclean, our actions will become unclean. If our thoughts are selfish, then we will become selfish.”
• April 1923 General Conference
  • Cooperation
    • “Let us stop sending our hay and other crops containing the life of the soil away from the farm. Many times over the railroad, paying a high freight, when that same produce could be sent out in butter, cheese, milk, eggs and sugar, bringing a greater return and increasing the invested capital of all concerned.”
    • “I would like to see the time come when we can be filled with the spirit of love, every man feeling in his soul that success for him should mean success for his neighbor.”
• October 1922 General Conference
  • The Aaronic Priesthood
    • “It is a common thing for one to find grounds for criticising others, and how seldom db we make a careful examination of our own lives, with a view to correcting our own faults.”
    • “We have been warned time and time again that God’s blessings are dependent upon the fulfilment of his law; to receive his promise we must comply with the law. For the purpose of helping us to understand and prepare more fully to comply with the law, we have had given to us certain organizations.”
    • “At times man seems to feel that he can improve upon God’s plan, and in his anxiety to do so may overlook the greater object in his endeavor to see his own work succeed. The auxiliary organizations and Church schools are in the Church as helps in government; steppingstones in the Priesthood, the final reward is to come to man through his Priesthood activities.”
    • “As a deacon in the Church, the boy is given his first experience in Church government. As the baby learns through observation, the deacon learns to do by doing. His duties require that he perform outward ordinances, such as passing the Sacrament, visiting the homes of the members for the purpose of collecting fast offerings, or to distribute substance to the poor. He may go upon errands for the bishop, act as usher, and should at all times be made to understand that he should have reverence and respect for the House of the Lord.”
    • “We are not doers of the word but hearers only, deceiving our own selves, and we cause the young man thus discouraged to look, as it were, in the glass, wherein he sees the picture we, in our distorted condition of mind, picture him to be, rather than the servant of the living God he was intended to be. It is through this discouragement, I believe, that so many of our young men withdraw from Church activity and fail to measure up to the requirements of the Priesthood.”
• April 1922 General Conference
  • Merciful and Gracious
    • “Merciful and gracious is the Lord, and marvelous is His work. Blessed, indeed, are those of us who have been permitted to take upon us His name, and covenant with Him through the waters of baptism that we are willing to serve Him, that we appreciate the opportunity He has given unto us of again returning into His presence, to enjoy the blessings promised the faithful.”
    • “When men learn to live as God would have them live, then are selfishness and pettiness done away with; but as long as men continue to be selfish and petty, and jealous, then we cannot hope for the perfect Church which God would have.”
• October 1921 General Conference
  • Preach the Gospel
    • “Every man holding the Priesthood of this Church, who is magnifying his calling before God, is preaching the gospel, and when I have seen the work that is being done on this block by Brother Goddard and his associates, directed by the Spirit of God, I am sure I am safe in saying that the missionary work being done right here, where the temple of the living God is located, “the mountain of the House of the Lord established in the tops of the mountains, exalted above the hills,” is a “marvelous work and a wonder.” How many of us realize that hundreds of thousands are coming here to our very doors each year to hear the word of the Lord.”
  • The Temple
    • “Why do we baptize for the dead? Because God is a just God, and the same law that applies to me applies to you. The same requirements are made of you that are made of me; I must do the same things that you must do, to receive the glory that God has promised unto me and unto you. There are many who. have not had the privilege of hearing the gospel; there are many who do not know what God’s plan is. There were many anciently.”
• April 1921 General Conference
  • Committed to Service
    • “And oh, how I prayed that God would bless me and give me strength equal to that responsibility. It came, but not with words of logic, not with the power of oratory to convince them, but, as I attempted to form my thoughts in words, I found, as I uttered them, that they fell upon ears long trained to patience, upon hearts that breathed forth the spirit of charity, upon souls that had faith in God and honored his Priesthood. I went from that meeting with a new vision, a new sight. I saw the bigness of the work in an entirely new light. I found that this equipment which I thought I had was only the foundation upon which I must build, and I made a survey of myself.”
    • “I found that it took no effort whatever to tear down, but it took strength, it took courage, it took the power of will to build up. And from that day to this, I have tried; God knows I have tried.”
    • “He who has guile cannot live properly his religion, and be a true servant of God. Hypocrites are undesirable and cannot become useful in the sight of God. To envy is to take a step downward and lessen our power to do good. Evil speaking of our brethren, of our neighbors, of those who are in authority, is the first step to apostasy.”
• October 1920 General Conference
  • The Gospel in Purity
    • “And I want to tell you that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have the gospel in its purity. I am sorry to say that there are some who profess to be laboring for the welfare of God’s children who are constantly trying to drag it into the mire and to cover it with filth. O, it is a wonderful work, and those who labor in it unceasingly, in faith, with a desire to be helpful, and to do God’s work, receive joy and satisfaction in their work. I want to tell you that I have a testimony that this gospel is true.”
    • “Let us not be double minded; and when we are in doubt, let us go to God in faith, nothing wavering; let our lives be such that our houses are in order, that we are in condition to go to God and ask for his blessings.”
• April 1920 General Conference
  • A Testimony
    • “You might say, How do you know? I find an answer to that when I am called upon to act under the authority of the Priesthood which has been conferred upon me, and I lay my hands upon the heads of the sick and bless them by that authority, commanding disease to depart and health to be restored, and I see the blessing almost instantly fulfilled. I then know whence that power comes, for I have no right in and of myself to cast out disease. When I exercise the right which has come to me through the Priesthood to act for God, who acknowledges that right, it is not difficult for me to understand these things.”
• October 1919 General Conference
  • Reverence
    • “Basketball games are necessary, and I would dislike to deprive the boys of the privilege of playing when the meetinghouse is the only place where they can go to play. I would say, let them go there, but let us have that place so guarded that during the whole play those boys have in their hearts a spirit of reverence and of brotherly love, and not a spirit of contention, which breeds hatred in their hearts. Now, I think we agree to that extent, and I would like to see in all the wards and stakes of Zion, as Brother Wells said, a spirit of reverence and worship, a spirit of brotherly love, in our dances, and in our games, and have it continue with us and go with us on the Sabbath day and other days when we enter the Church for the purpose of worship or otherwise.”
    • “I am satisfied, through the observation I have been able to make, that the cause of men and women becoming indifferent to this work, in their later years, is due to the fact that their training in their childhood has not been sufficient to give them a strong foundation upon which the remainder of their lives might be built.”
    • “Let us not neglect the youth of Zion. Let us not neglect the boy who has been ordained to the office of a deacon. Let us find work for him to do.”
• June 1919 General Conference
  • Remembering Pres. Smith
    • “President Smith was a just man, and he loved his wives and he loved his children, and tried to treat them as wives should be treated and as children should be treated—no favorites among them, and they loved him and tried to honor him.”
    • “I pray sincerely that I may have an interest in your prayers, in your faith, the sustaining influence of which will enable me to do that which is required of me, that I may better uphold and emulate the noble example which has been set me by my beloved father.”

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