Nibley Conference Report April 1929

From Karl G. Maeser

Charles W. Nibley, Conference Report, April 1929, p.92

Now, I want to say, in closing, that the presidency of this Church, the Twelve Apostles, the Seventies, the leading brethren in the stakes and wards and missions, can build up this Church only by the Spirit about which I have read to you. In no other way can it be built up; assuredly not by the spirit of man. Churches may be established. Lodges may be organized, many organizations formed for the help and benefit of man--and many of them do much good too, and are praiseworthy; but they have not this distinctive feature that this Church has, which was revealed in the beginning and is emphasized, iterated and reiterated all through the revelations, namely, that without that Spirit of light and truth, that Spirit of the Lord, that Spirit of the Comforter, that power of the Holy Ghost, his Church cannot be built up. If it be attempted by any other way than the Lord speaks of here in the passages which I have read, then it is not of God. So, my brethren and sisters, let us take it to heart; all of us who labor for Zion must know and understand that we must keep that influence and that power which comes from God in our hearts, the light of his Spirit burning in our souls. It is illustrated in what Brother Harris said last night in the priesthood meeting, and what we have often heard, respecting what President Young told Brother Karl G. Maeser when he sent him to take charge of the Brigham Young Academy at Provo. President Young said: "Brother Maeser, I don't want you to try to teach even the multiplication table without the Spirit and influence of the power of God."