JFK Speech to Mormons in 1963 (Part I)Speech in Salt Lake City at the famous Mormon Tabernacle given by then-President of the United States, John F. Kennedy on September 26, 1963. I apologize that it is only in audio format. Wish there were video! The picture is of JFK standing next to David O. Mckay, Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1951 to 1970. In Part I, JFK says, "Of all the stories of American pioneers and settlers, none is more inspiring than the Mormon trail. The qualities of the founders of this community are the qualities that we seek in America, the qualities which we like to feel this country has, courage, patience, faith, self-reliance, perseverance, and, above all, an unflagging determination to see the right prevail." "If our task on occasion seems hopeless, if we despair of ever working our will on the other 94 percent of the world population, then let us remember that the Mormons of a century ago were a persecuted and prosecuted minority, harried from place to place, the victims of violence and occasionally murder, while today, in the short space of 100 years, their faith and works are known and respected the world around, and their voices heard in the highest councils of this country. As the Mormons succeeded, so America can succeed, if we will not give up or turn back." The full text can be found at: http://www.jfklink.com/speeches/jfk/publicpapers/1963/jfk385_63.html Note: In his opening words the President referred to Frank E. Moss, U.S. Senator from Utah; David O. McKay, President of the Mormon Church, and Hugh B. Brown, his First Counselor; Stewart L. Udall, Secretary of the Interior; George Dewey Clyde, Governor of Utah; and Calvin W. Rawlings of Salt Lake City, Democratic National Committeeman for Utah.
