In his priesthood session address, President Gordon B. Hinckley repeated an incident from the life of President Joseph F. Smith that he has told before "because those who heard it then have long since forgotten it, and those who did not hear it need to hear it."
The incident happened while President Smith, then still in his teens, was serving a mission to Hawaii. He experienced a remarkable dream in which he was on a journey and was impressed that he ought to hurry for fear he might be too late.
In the dream, he finally came to a wonderful mansion that he knew to be his destination. Approaching it, he saw a notice that read "Bath."
In the account that President Hinckley read, President Smith related: "I turned aside quickly and went into the bath and washed myself clean. I opened up this little bundle that I had, and there was a pair of white, clean (clothing).... I put it on. Then I rushed to what appeared to be a great opening, or door. I knocked and the door opened, and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at me a little reprovingly, and the first words he said: 'Joseph, you are late.' Yet I took confidence and (replied): 'Yes, but I am clean — I am clean!'
"He clasped my hand and drew me in, then closed the great door. I felt his hand just as tangible as I ever felt the hand of a man. I knew him, and when I entered I saw my father (the Prophet's brother Hyrum), and Brigham (Young) and Heber (C. Kimball), and Willard (Richards) and other good men that I had known, standing in a row."
President Smith went on to recount that when he awoke that morning, he was a man, although only a boy. "There was not anything in the world that I feared (after that). I could meet any man or woman or child and look them in the face, feeling in my soul that I was a man every whit. That vision, that manifestation and witness that I enjoyed at that time, has made me what I am, if I am anything that is good, or clean, or upright before the Lord, if there is anything good in me. That has helped me out in every trial and through every difficulty."
After reading the account, President Hinckley commented, "This prophetic dream holds something for every man and boy assembled in this vast congregation tonight."
He added, "In a world that wallows in filth, be clean — in language, in thought, in body, in dress.
"To each of you I say, be clean in your language. There is so much of filthy, sleazy talk these days. Failure to express yourself in language that is clean marks you as one whose vocabulary is extremely limited....
"Be clean in thought.... A filthy mind expresses itself in filthy and profane language. A clean mind expresses itself in language that is positive and uplifting and in deeds that bring happiness to the heart.
"Be clean in body and dress and manner. Do not permit yourself to be tattooed. If you do, some day you will regret it. Only a painful and costly procedure can remove the tattoo.
"Be clean and neat and orderly. Sloppy dress leads to sloppy manners. I am not so concerned about what you wear as I am that it be neat and clean.... Whenever you administer or pass the sacrament, look your very best, my dear brethren. Be sure of your personal cleanliness.
"And so, my dear brethren, I might go on. I might discuss with you what is happening on the Internet and with the use of the computer that leads to degrading thoughts and actions. Suffice it to say it is totally unbecoming you as one who holds the priesthood of God. You are His chosen servants, you have been ordained to something holy and wonderful. You cannot live in the world and partake of the ways of the world. You must be above all that."
He admonished young men to get on with their education, as it will be their obligation, when they marry, to provide for their families. "The world of opportunity lies ahead of you, and education is the key that will unlock that door," he said. "It will be the door of the mansion of which Joseph F. Smith dreamed when he was a boy sleeping on a mountain in Hawaii."
Earlier in his address, the Church president spoke of having been ordained and set apart to his calling 12 years ago. Drawing upon figures compiled by Elder M. Russell Ballard, he noted that in that time:
387,750 missionaries have entered the field, almost 40 percent of the missionaries who have ever served in the 177 years since the Church was organized.
3.4 million converts have been baptized, the equivalent of more than one-fourth the total current Church membership.
The total number of missions in the Church has increased from 303 to 344, with more to be added soon.
Retention, measured by sacrament meeting attendance, priesthood ordinations and tithing faithfulness, has increased significantly.
"While all of this has been tremendously encouraging, I am convinced that with a little more dedication this wonderful recent past can be but prologue to a greater future," President Hinckley remarked.
