My Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I have never been inspired by the gospel in my life as I have been during the last year or so, when after listening to, or reading of, the inspired speeches of President Spencer W. Kimball and his co—workers in this great church. I have felt the inspiration of them to us, and I know that they were inspired by God through the Holy Ghost for this purpose. I felt that they were talking directly to me so that I could feel it inside.
After listening to Spencer Kimball preach about how important missionary work is at this time, and having seen the great response of this message by our young men in the church, I am convinced that they realize the great promise of the Lord to Joseph Smith in the beginning of this church, which states:
"...Thou shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith, and I will be with thee and go before thy face."
(D&C 39:11-12)
I suppose that we have always had a testimony of the gospel, but somehow I always took it for granted. I didn't know just why we believed, or how much it meant"-to us. I always looked upon the
gospel as much as we did our parents--the part of the heritage we belong to, but necessarily just a part of it. Not any longer. The gospel humbles a man; it mellows him; it gladens him; and it motivates him. It sustains him, and it also exaults him. You cannot go on living with a contrite and humble heart after studying the gospel without being stirred within your soul. I have been blessed by the Lord throughout my entire life; however, I never realized it until just recently when it hit me like a bolt out of the blue—and I would be very ungrateful if I didn't say so at this time.
I have seen the power of the priesthood manifested in behalf of people who needed a blessing, and I say it humbly. I know that God lives. I have been blessed so many times in my life, and I have lived out of the great blessings of the promise made in the Doctrine and Covenants, mainly versus 33 and 34, which state:
". . .That those who give and amend to the work of the Lord shall have the promise of great - that they shall be sanctified of the spirit unto the renewing of their bodies in the resurrection."
'I have felt this spirit of the gospel--literally—-as I have never felt it before; and I give you my testimony that I know that God lives; that Jesus is the savior of the world and that they both came back to declare through Joseph Smith this wonderful message for us and for our salvation. I must not sit down until I express my gratitude to my wife, whose companionship has lifted me throughout our entire life as her faith has sustained me. I also want to bare my gratitude to the Seventies of our ward for their faith in me—to help me to get back on to the straight and narrow track of righteousness. Also for the wonderful neighbors who have helped us through the last few years and who have helped us sustain our faith in the Lord. I am very grateful in my heart. I want to thank you all for the most glorious experience of my life—-by reminding us of what the gospel has done and can do for us. I know that God lives. He has concern for all of us, his children. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Melvin Gardiner family in the 1940 census:
