Experiences in the Life ofJohn H. Anderson
Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth. " A good statement, but not a direct answer to
the question. Jesus, in a few words gave a positive answer in speaking to Peter, "Flesh and
blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father which is in Heaven. " A statement of
John the Revelator, "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, " The Holy Ghost
which is the spirit of truth, whom the Father will send, Jesus declared, "Shall teach you all
things. " Jesus also said, "Therefore say I unto you, that no man come unto me except it
were given unto him of my Father." So man in and of himself cannot obtain this higher
knowledge.
It is an inward something, a revelation from God to man, given by the Holy Ghost.
By this influence and power we may know for assurity that the gospel is true. Jos.
Fielding Smith declares, "Every man who can say knowingly that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God, and the Savior of the world, is a prophet. " This knowledge comes only through the
testimony of the Holy Ghost. Every man and woman who live the life of a L. D. S. are
entitled to this inspiration for themselves, and consequently have the right to say, "I know
the gospel is true." May each one of our children and children's children, to the latest
generation, be blessed with the testimony of Jesus, and be guided by the Holy Spirit of our
Heavenly Father, is my sincere prayer.
When I was about fifteen years of age I had a dream of a terrible battle that took
place on this land. Men fought face to face with swords and other implements of war.
Sixty years have passed, and I have never mentioned this dream to any one, neither has it
taken place. I am confident, however, that the time will come when this terrible conflict
will rage in this land, and it will be dreadful. The Lord will not always permit people to
continue in their wickedness. I am sure that the time will come when the vengeance of a
just God will fall heavily on this people, and the wicked will slay the wicked. So the Lord
has declared and then he adds, "and the Saints also shall hardly escape!"
There is only one way to escape, and that is through right living. Lehi in speaking to
his children said, "the righteous need not fear, also the righteous shall not perish." That we
are members of the church and do attend to the ordinary requirements of the church is no
guarantee of safety. But our hearts and hands must be clean and pure;
it requires humility, unselfishness, not to glory in our own accomplishments. Jesus said the
meek should inherit the earth. The Lord has revealed the qualifications as, faith, hope,
charity and love with an eye single to the glory of God. May each of us, to the latest
generation, so live that when these terrible conditions sweep the earth that we may merit
the protection of our heavenly father.
Remember the words of Moses to Israel in his farewell counsel, just before his
departure, "O children of Israel There is but one source of happiness for all mankind, the
favor of God. " May we make the essence of this significant statement a part of us, so that
we might live it and may then merit the favor of God.
