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Show w- (SWcg CWcwsO editorial page A Prophet Indee w 7 7 hen the Lord orgranized His modern Church on April 6, 1830, He provided that its president also should be His prophet, see: and revelator. Joseph Smith, the first president, was such a revelator. So have been all of his successors. Each was a man of faith and vision, each a receiver of revelation, a spokesman for God in the work. direction of this latter-da- y It was so likewise with President Harold B. Lee, who was a prophet in every sense, a revealer of truth to the Lords people, a leader of stamina and power, but without guile, even as Nathaniel of old. HE WAS A MAN of tremendous humility, which in turn gave him the kind of strength that only a prophet can know. In that humility, he looked to the Almighty for guidance, and received it. How often he prayed in the privacy of his home, in the presence of his brethren, and at the sacred altars of th' temple: Leave us not alone. And the Lord responded, so that all who observed closely, ar.d particularly the men who labored by his side, knew that the Spirit of God guided him, gave h;m wisdom beyond human perception, and speke warnings against evil, comfort in times of distress, and testimony to the restored truth. IN VERY DEED he was a man of God. Is it any wonder that his two noble counselors who experienced this great spirituality with him, and who stood in his presence as the Spirit often rested upon him and gave him direction, repeatedly said: He is a prophet; we know by our experience that he is a prophet. The mantle of the president of the church rested fittingly upon President Lee. He was well prepared to receive it. His entire life was devoted to the church. In his more mature years he was tutored by such men as President Grant, President Clark, P.esident Richards, Presidents George .Albert and Joseph Fielding Smith, and by long association with President David 0. McKay. He knew the work, he was fitted for it in every way, and with his training th is given by modern-daprophets of the Lord, and by the miraculous inspiration of the Holy Ghost, President Lee rose to heights far beyond his normal y self. IN HIM WAS well illustrated the extent to which the Almighty magnifies His servants. He was kind. He was thoughtful. He was considerate. At his last meeting with all of tiie General Authorities in the temple, early this month, this remarkable trait was fully exhibited. Also, as he spoke to them, he bore indelible testimony of the work, at the same time recognizing that all is the Lords and that we work under His direction, with an eye single to His glory. Such was President Lee. He will be mourned the world around by the Saints and by his business associates. But more than that, he will be remembered for his aggressive but inspired leadership, and for giving forth new and inspired programs which will serve well this church as we move into the difficult years to come. God bless him, his work, and his family. Few have been so well beloved. fast-growin- g The Twelve Presides ESTABLISHED BY the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith, a pattern of succession in tlm presidency of the church has prevailed since the beginning of our modern dispensation of the gospel. It is in effect today. When the First Presidency is dissolved by the death of the president, the direction of the church automatically goes to the Council of the Twelve. Not only does this council preside over the church under these circumstances, but it has the responsibility also of reorganizing the First Presidency when the proper time comes. When this is accomplished, the Twelve then revert to their normal position as the second quorum in authority, the First Presidency again taking the primary position. TIIE LORD PROVIDED for this process during the lifetime of the Prophet Joseph, who was given foreknowledge of his impending martyrdom. He knew, as the Lord inspired him, that all of the authorities given to him by 16 - CHURCH WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 29, 1973 the angels in the restoration of the gospel must remain on earth for the prosecution of the work. The prophet, therefore, bestowed upon each member of the Twelve, all of the keys, powers and authorities given to him by the angels, so that these authorities would never die out through the death of any of the presiding brethren. EACH NEW apostle subsequently ordained has been given these same keys and powers, so that within the Twelve as a quorum, these authorities are held in perpetuity. Thus empowered, and because of the passing of President Harold B. Lee, the Twelve now presides over the church, with President Spencer W. Kimball as their leader. Very shortly, under direction of President Kimball, the Twelve will reconstitute the First Presidency and the work will continue on in its Inspired manner, as it has done in the past, all to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior. MISSION EXPERIENCES Gospel to the Maoris There were more than 4,000 members of the church in New Zealand before the mission was organized. About 90 percent of them were Maoris. The New Zealand growth had come while the two islands of that country, deep in the South Pacific, were part of the Australasian Mission. That mission was divided in 1897 and the New Zealand and Australian Missions were created. Prior to that time, missionary efforts, for the most part, were centered on the British immigrants in the new nations. In New Zealand, efforts had not been particularly successful. In fact, opposition to the preaching cf the gospel had been so great that in 1871, the question of the Mormon invasion was taken up by the colonial parliament. However, no action was taken because of insufficient evidence of any wrong-doinBecause of the slowness of the work in Australia, headquarters of the mission were transferred to Auckland in 1878, and in January, 1881, when William M. Bromley arrived as new mission president, he was impressed to present the gospel to the Maoris. Assisted by William J. McDonnel, a local member, he visited the Maori settlement at Orakei, near Auckland. They were joined soon after by Elder John S. Ferris and Elder John P. Sorensen, who had established a branch in a Danish colony in Wairarapa Valley, and Elder Thomas L. Cox, a local elder, and his wife. Through their efforts, Maoris began joining the church in growing numbers, including some who were and others W'ho held Influential positions in the Maori society. Zealand So fast was the growth of the church in New that an urgent need occurred for literature in the Maori language. In March, 1887, Elders Ezra F. Richards and Sonda Sanders Jr. were set apart to translate the Book of Mormon. They were assisted by Henare Potai and Pirihi, educated Maoris. Later, magazines were published, (The Messenger and Te Karcre in Maori), schools were established, chapels were built, and in 1953, a temple was constructed and dedicated. . In recent years, three stakes and two missions have been organized on the North and South Islands of Ne; Zealand and these have, been staffed successfully with local members pf the church. in English (Another In a (orloi) |