April 1903
Seventy-Third Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1903). Report of Discourses. Salt Lake City: The Deseret News.
FIRST DAY
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Leading subjects for the Conference—Get out of debt while prosperity prevails
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
Manual training should be embodied in educational system.
ELDER JESSE N. SMITH
(President of Snowflake Stake)
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
ELDER E. D. WOOLLEY
(President of Kanab Stake)
ELDER BYRON SESSIONS
(President of Big Horn Stake)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
ELDER B. H. ROBERTS
ELDER JOSEPH H. MERRILL
(Late President of the Samoan Mission)
ELDER SYLVESTER Q. CANNON
(Late President of the Netherlands Mission)
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
ELDER CHARLES KELLY
(President of Boxelder Stake)
SECOND DAY. Sunday, 10 a. m.
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND
Success of Missionaries—Prejudice giving way —Zion progressing—In relation to tithing
ELDER GEORGE REYNOLDS
Need of manual training in schools-Incidental reference to athletics — New methods of teaching in Sunday Schools
ELDER R. G. MILLER
(President of Emery Stake)
ELDER W. C. PARKINSON
(President of Hyrum Stake)
ELDER THOMAS E. BASSETT
(President of Fremont Stake)
ELDER J. G. KIMBALL
How the Bible can be understood—Results of sacred books
OVERFLOW MEETING
ELDER BEN. E. RICH
President of the Middle States mission
ELDER HUGH S. GOWANS
(President of the Tooele Stake)
L. W. SHURTLIFF
(President of the Weber Stake of Zion)
ELDER DAVID JOHN
(President of the Utah Stake)
ELDER FRANK J. BRAMWELL
President of the Union Stake of Zion
ELDER DON C. DRIGGS
(President of the Teton Stake)
ELDER JOHN M. BAXTER
(President of the Woodruff Stake)
ELDER EPHRAIM H. NYE
(President of the Southern States Mission)
ELDER JOSEPH E. ROBINSON
(President of the California Mission)
SUNDAY AFTERNOON. Sunday, 2 p. m.
RULON S. WELLS
The Bible and Book of Mormon—Both true — Latter fresh from pen of Prophet
ELDER HYRUM GOFF
(President of Jordan Stake)
ELDER COLLINS R. HAKES
(President of Maricopa Stake)
ELDER DANIEL HEINER
(President of Morgan Stake)
ELDER J. S. PAGE, JR.
(President of Nebo Stake)
ELDER JOSEPH M. TANNER
Development of Church school system—Efforts In the direction of manual training
ELDER REED SMOOT
Importance of cleanliness—Effects of its opposite — Other and worse conditions
THIRD DAY. Monday, April 6, 10 a. m.
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER
Important recent occurrences—Beneficent character of Temple work
ELDER WILLIAM A. HYDE
(President of Pocatello Stake)
ELDER DAVID CAMERON
(President of Panguitch Stake)
ELDER ANGUS M. CANNON
(President of Salt Lake Stake)
ELDER LEWIS ANDERSON
(President of South Sanpete Stake)
ELDER THOMAS A. WADDOUPS
(President of the losepa Hawaiian Colony)
ELDER JOSEPH W. McMURRIN
Comparative freedom from saloons—People known by their fruits
AT THE TABERNACLE. Closing session, 2 p. m., April 6
ELDER MARRINER W. MERRILL
Importance of Manual training for the Youth—How to gain freedom from debt
ELDER ALBERT R. SMITH
(President of San Luis Stake)
ELDER EDWARD H. SNOW
(President of St. George Stake)
ELDER GEORGE OSMOND
(President of Star Valley Stake)
ELDER ANDREW JENSON
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH
Unanimity of the Church Authorities—Relating to Capital and Labor Combinations
THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
What Is expected of the priesthood—Glorious destiny of American Nation
Deseret Sunday School Union
GEORGE REYNOLDS
First Assistant General Superintendent
WILLIAM KIRKUP
Superintendent of Sunday Schools in the Oneida Stake
ELDER THOMAS B. EVANS
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Weber Stake
ELDER JAMES H. TAGGART
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Morgan Stake
ELDER JOSIAH H. BURROWS
Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Salt Lake Stake
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
General Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Church
FIRST DAY
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Leading subjects for the Conference—Get out of debt while prosperity prevails
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
Manual training should be embodied in educational system.
ELDER JESSE N. SMITH
(President of Snowflake Stake)
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
ELDER E. D. WOOLLEY
(President of Kanab Stake)
ELDER BYRON SESSIONS
(President of Big Horn Stake)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
ELDER B. H. ROBERTS
ELDER JOSEPH H. MERRILL
(Late President of the Samoan Mission)
ELDER SYLVESTER Q. CANNON
(Late President of the Netherlands Mission)
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
ELDER CHARLES KELLY
(President of Boxelder Stake)
SECOND DAY. Sunday, 10 a. m.
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND
Success of Missionaries—Prejudice giving way —Zion progressing—In relation to tithing
ELDER GEORGE REYNOLDS
Need of manual training in schools-Incidental reference to athletics — New methods of teaching in Sunday Schools
ELDER R. G. MILLER
(President of Emery Stake)
ELDER W. C. PARKINSON
(President of Hyrum Stake)
ELDER THOMAS E. BASSETT
(President of Fremont Stake)
ELDER J. G. KIMBALL
How the Bible can be understood—Results of sacred books
OVERFLOW MEETING
ELDER BEN. E. RICH
President of the Middle States mission
ELDER HUGH S. GOWANS
(President of the Tooele Stake)
L. W. SHURTLIFF
(President of the Weber Stake of Zion)
ELDER DAVID JOHN
(President of the Utah Stake)
ELDER FRANK J. BRAMWELL
President of the Union Stake of Zion
ELDER DON C. DRIGGS
(President of the Teton Stake)
ELDER JOHN M. BAXTER
(President of the Woodruff Stake)
ELDER EPHRAIM H. NYE
(President of the Southern States Mission)
ELDER JOSEPH E. ROBINSON
(President of the California Mission)
SUNDAY AFTERNOON. Sunday, 2 p. m.
RULON S. WELLS
The Bible and Book of Mormon—Both true — Latter fresh from pen of Prophet
ELDER HYRUM GOFF
(President of Jordan Stake)
ELDER COLLINS R. HAKES
(President of Maricopa Stake)
ELDER DANIEL HEINER
(President of Morgan Stake)
ELDER J. S. PAGE, JR.
(President of Nebo Stake)
ELDER JOSEPH M. TANNER
Development of Church school system—Efforts In the direction of manual training
ELDER REED SMOOT
Importance of cleanliness—Effects of its opposite — Other and worse conditions
THIRD DAY. Monday, April 6, 10 a. m.
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER
Important recent occurrences—Beneficent character of Temple work
ELDER WILLIAM A. HYDE
(President of Pocatello Stake)
ELDER DAVID CAMERON
(President of Panguitch Stake)
ELDER ANGUS M. CANNON
(President of Salt Lake Stake)
ELDER LEWIS ANDERSON
(President of South Sanpete Stake)
ELDER THOMAS A. WADDOUPS
(President of the losepa Hawaiian Colony)
ELDER JOSEPH W. McMURRIN
Comparative freedom from saloons—People known by their fruits
AT THE TABERNACLE. Closing session, 2 p. m., April 6
ELDER MARRINER W. MERRILL
Importance of Manual training for the Youth—How to gain freedom from debt
ELDER ALBERT R. SMITH
(President of San Luis Stake)
ELDER EDWARD H. SNOW
(President of St. George Stake)
ELDER GEORGE OSMOND
(President of Star Valley Stake)
ELDER ANDREW JENSON
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH
Unanimity of the Church Authorities—Relating to Capital and Labor Combinations
THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
What Is expected of the priesthood—Glorious destiny of American Nation
Deseret Sunday School Union
GEORGE REYNOLDS
First Assistant General Superintendent
WILLIAM KIRKUP
Superintendent of Sunday Schools in the Oneida Stake
ELDER THOMAS B. EVANS
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Weber Stake
ELDER JAMES H. TAGGART
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Morgan Stake
ELDER JOSIAH H. BURROWS
Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Salt Lake Stake
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
General Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Church
SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
FIRST DAY.
The Seventy-third Annual Conference the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a. m. on April 4th, 1903, President Joseph F. Smith presiding.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
There were present of the general authorities: Of the First Presidency, Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund.
Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles: John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham O. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot and Hyrum M. Smith;
Presiding Patriarch of the Church, John Smith;
First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin;
of the presiding Bishopric, William B. Preston, Robert T. Burton and Orrin P. Miller.
There were likewise a large number of presidents of stakes, their counselors, presidents of missions and other leading men of the Priesthood.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn which begins:
Our God we raise to Thee,
Thanks for Thy blessings free
We here enjoy;
In this far distant land,
A true and chosen band,
Led hither by Thy hand.
Would sing for joy.
The opening prayer was offered by Elder David H. Cannon, of St. George Stake.
The choir sang:
High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled,
Ye nations now look up,
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret's sweet peaceful land --
On Zion's mount behold It stand.
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
FIRST DAY.
The Seventy-third Annual Conference the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a. m. on April 4th, 1903, President Joseph F. Smith presiding.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
There were present of the general authorities: Of the First Presidency, Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund.
Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles: John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham O. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot and Hyrum M. Smith;
Presiding Patriarch of the Church, John Smith;
First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin;
of the presiding Bishopric, William B. Preston, Robert T. Burton and Orrin P. Miller.
There were likewise a large number of presidents of stakes, their counselors, presidents of missions and other leading men of the Priesthood.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn which begins:
Our God we raise to Thee,
Thanks for Thy blessings free
We here enjoy;
In this far distant land,
A true and chosen band,
Led hither by Thy hand.
Would sing for joy.
The opening prayer was offered by Elder David H. Cannon, of St. George Stake.
The choir sang:
High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled,
Ye nations now look up,
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret's sweet peaceful land --
On Zion's mount behold It stand.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
Opening Address.
Leading subjects for the Conference—Get out of debt while prosperity prevails—How to accomplish it—Saints should live their religion The young should be taught mechanism and Industrial arts generally.
My brethren and sisters, I feel very grateful to the Lord, the Giver of all good, for the privilege that we enjoy this morning of assembling here, where we are wont to gather, at our annual and semi-annual conferences, for the purpose of attending to such business and matters of duty that may present themselves to us during this conference, and for the purpose of giving out, so far as the Spirit of the Lord may dictate to us, the word of the Lord, in counsel, admonition and instruction to the people.
I am pleased to see the large number who have assembled on this opening day of the conference, and I sincerely hope that we may all enjoy our coming together as we have enjoyed this privilege in days past, and, if pleasing before the Lord, even more abundantly.
We desire to have the privilege of listening to as many of the brethren as time will permit. We would like to hear from as many of the presidents of stakes as we can, and we shall endeavor to select those who did not have the privilege of speaking at the last conference, among whom were the First Presidents of Seventies. There is a vast field for remarks and for reflection by those who shall speak to the people, which will be interesting and instructive, and which will be beneficial to the cause we are engaged in.
It is not my intention to prolong my remarks this morning, but I desire to mention one or two subjects that I think worthy of the attention of the brethren, who may be led to enlarge upon them and to speak to the people as the Spirit may give them utterance.
One of these subjects is, that in the time of prosperity which we are now enjoying, it is highly proper for the Latter-day Saints to get out of debt. I have unceasingly urged this thought upon the brethren for the past year or more. Wherever I have had the opportunity of speaking I have scarcely ever forgotten to hold out to the people the necessity—that I feel, at least—of our settling our obligations and freeing ourselves from debt in the day of prosperity. Our experience in the years that have past must have led us to the conclusion that we have periods of prosperity, followed by periods of depression. We have now had a long period of success and prosperity, and we may expect, almost at any time, to see these conditions change and a time of depression spread over the land and over the people. I would say, in connection with this subject, that one of the best ways that I know of to pay my obligations to my brother, my neighbor or business associate, is for me first to pay my obligations to the Lord. I can pay more of my debts to my neighbors, if I have contracted them, after I have met my honest obligations with the Lord, than I can by neglecting the latter; and you can do the same. If you desire to prosper, and to be free men and women and a free people, first meet your just obligations to God, and then meet your obligations to your fellowmen. Bishop Hunter used to put the matter in these words: "Brethren, pay your tithing and be blessed;" and that is just what I mean.
It is not necessary, perhaps, for me to say that there never was a time since the organization of the Church when it was more necessary than it is at present for all the Latter-day Saints to live their religion and to keep the commandments of the Lord, to purge from their midst iniquity, folly and sin and the transgression of the commandments of the laws of God unto them. I may add to this that perhaps there never was a time when the work of the Lord in the earth was in greater earnest or reality than it is today. As a proof of this, we need only to open our eyes and see the energy and activity of the enemies of this people at the present time. When the wicked rage and the heathen imagine a vain thing relative to this people, we may set it down as a fact that the devil is not dead, and that the work of the Lord is not dead, either.
We are lacking in much that is good and necessary. One of the things that I think is very necessary is that we should teach our boys mechanism, teach them the arts of industry, and not allow our sons to grow up with the idea that there is nothing honorable in labor, except it be in the profession of law, or in some other light, practically unproductive and, I was going to say, unremunerative employment, but I know of scarcely any employment more remunerative than is the practice of law, to those, at least, who are proficient. But what do they do to build up the country? What do they produce to benefit the world? There may be a few of them who have farms; there may be a few of them who have manufactories; there may be a few of them who may be interested and engaged in ether productive labor, something that Mill build up the country and the people and establish permanence, stability and prosperity in the land; but the vast majority of them are leeches upon the body politic and are worthless as to the building up of any community. There are a good many of our boys who feel that they could not be farmers, and that the pursuit of farming and stock raising is beneath their dignity. There are some who think it is menial and low for them to engage in building enterprises as masons, carpenters or builders in general. There are but a few of our boys who take to the hammer and the anvil and to those pursuits of labor that are essential to the permanence of any community in the world and that are necessary to build up the country.
I say that we are remiss and slack in relation to these things, that we are not instilling them sufficiently in the minds of our children, and that we are not giving them the opportunity that they should enjoy of learning how to produce from the earth and the materials that are on the face of it or in the bowels of it, that which is necessary for the advancement and prosperity of mankind. Some of us have the idea that it is degrading for our daughters to learn how to cook, how to keep house, or to make a dress, apron or bonnet, if necessary. No. Daughters in families that are blessed with plenty of means are taught to play the piano, to sing, to go out in society and spend their time in idle, useless pleasure, instead of being taught how to be economical, industrious and frugal and how to become good housewives. That is degrading! I would like to say to this congregation, and to the world, that if I possessed millions of dollars I would not be satisfied or content in my mind unless my boys knew how to do something that would bring them in a living, how to handle a pitchfork, or to run a mowing machine or reaper, or how to plow the ground and sow the seed; nor would I be satisfied if my daughters did not know how to keep a house. I would be ashamed of my children if they did not know something of these things.
We need manual training schools instead of so much book-learning and the stuffing of fairy tales and fables, which are contained in many of our school books of today. If we would devote more money and time, more energy and attention to teaching our children manual labor in our schools than we do, it would be a better thing for the rising generation.
There are many subjects of this character, in addition to the principles of the Gospel of eternal truth and the plan of life and salvation, that can be dwelt upon with profit by those who may speak to us.
Now, I do not desire to prolong my remarks this morning. I pray God to bless those who may speak to us and inspire them to say those things that will be instructive and beneficial, and that we may all enjoy that measure of the spirit of intelligence that we may divide rightly the word of truth, and that we all may receive meat in due season. That God may grant us these privileges and blessings is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Opening Address.
Leading subjects for the Conference—Get out of debt while prosperity prevails—How to accomplish it—Saints should live their religion The young should be taught mechanism and Industrial arts generally.
My brethren and sisters, I feel very grateful to the Lord, the Giver of all good, for the privilege that we enjoy this morning of assembling here, where we are wont to gather, at our annual and semi-annual conferences, for the purpose of attending to such business and matters of duty that may present themselves to us during this conference, and for the purpose of giving out, so far as the Spirit of the Lord may dictate to us, the word of the Lord, in counsel, admonition and instruction to the people.
I am pleased to see the large number who have assembled on this opening day of the conference, and I sincerely hope that we may all enjoy our coming together as we have enjoyed this privilege in days past, and, if pleasing before the Lord, even more abundantly.
We desire to have the privilege of listening to as many of the brethren as time will permit. We would like to hear from as many of the presidents of stakes as we can, and we shall endeavor to select those who did not have the privilege of speaking at the last conference, among whom were the First Presidents of Seventies. There is a vast field for remarks and for reflection by those who shall speak to the people, which will be interesting and instructive, and which will be beneficial to the cause we are engaged in.
It is not my intention to prolong my remarks this morning, but I desire to mention one or two subjects that I think worthy of the attention of the brethren, who may be led to enlarge upon them and to speak to the people as the Spirit may give them utterance.
One of these subjects is, that in the time of prosperity which we are now enjoying, it is highly proper for the Latter-day Saints to get out of debt. I have unceasingly urged this thought upon the brethren for the past year or more. Wherever I have had the opportunity of speaking I have scarcely ever forgotten to hold out to the people the necessity—that I feel, at least—of our settling our obligations and freeing ourselves from debt in the day of prosperity. Our experience in the years that have past must have led us to the conclusion that we have periods of prosperity, followed by periods of depression. We have now had a long period of success and prosperity, and we may expect, almost at any time, to see these conditions change and a time of depression spread over the land and over the people. I would say, in connection with this subject, that one of the best ways that I know of to pay my obligations to my brother, my neighbor or business associate, is for me first to pay my obligations to the Lord. I can pay more of my debts to my neighbors, if I have contracted them, after I have met my honest obligations with the Lord, than I can by neglecting the latter; and you can do the same. If you desire to prosper, and to be free men and women and a free people, first meet your just obligations to God, and then meet your obligations to your fellowmen. Bishop Hunter used to put the matter in these words: "Brethren, pay your tithing and be blessed;" and that is just what I mean.
It is not necessary, perhaps, for me to say that there never was a time since the organization of the Church when it was more necessary than it is at present for all the Latter-day Saints to live their religion and to keep the commandments of the Lord, to purge from their midst iniquity, folly and sin and the transgression of the commandments of the laws of God unto them. I may add to this that perhaps there never was a time when the work of the Lord in the earth was in greater earnest or reality than it is today. As a proof of this, we need only to open our eyes and see the energy and activity of the enemies of this people at the present time. When the wicked rage and the heathen imagine a vain thing relative to this people, we may set it down as a fact that the devil is not dead, and that the work of the Lord is not dead, either.
We are lacking in much that is good and necessary. One of the things that I think is very necessary is that we should teach our boys mechanism, teach them the arts of industry, and not allow our sons to grow up with the idea that there is nothing honorable in labor, except it be in the profession of law, or in some other light, practically unproductive and, I was going to say, unremunerative employment, but I know of scarcely any employment more remunerative than is the practice of law, to those, at least, who are proficient. But what do they do to build up the country? What do they produce to benefit the world? There may be a few of them who have farms; there may be a few of them who have manufactories; there may be a few of them who may be interested and engaged in ether productive labor, something that Mill build up the country and the people and establish permanence, stability and prosperity in the land; but the vast majority of them are leeches upon the body politic and are worthless as to the building up of any community. There are a good many of our boys who feel that they could not be farmers, and that the pursuit of farming and stock raising is beneath their dignity. There are some who think it is menial and low for them to engage in building enterprises as masons, carpenters or builders in general. There are but a few of our boys who take to the hammer and the anvil and to those pursuits of labor that are essential to the permanence of any community in the world and that are necessary to build up the country.
I say that we are remiss and slack in relation to these things, that we are not instilling them sufficiently in the minds of our children, and that we are not giving them the opportunity that they should enjoy of learning how to produce from the earth and the materials that are on the face of it or in the bowels of it, that which is necessary for the advancement and prosperity of mankind. Some of us have the idea that it is degrading for our daughters to learn how to cook, how to keep house, or to make a dress, apron or bonnet, if necessary. No. Daughters in families that are blessed with plenty of means are taught to play the piano, to sing, to go out in society and spend their time in idle, useless pleasure, instead of being taught how to be economical, industrious and frugal and how to become good housewives. That is degrading! I would like to say to this congregation, and to the world, that if I possessed millions of dollars I would not be satisfied or content in my mind unless my boys knew how to do something that would bring them in a living, how to handle a pitchfork, or to run a mowing machine or reaper, or how to plow the ground and sow the seed; nor would I be satisfied if my daughters did not know how to keep a house. I would be ashamed of my children if they did not know something of these things.
We need manual training schools instead of so much book-learning and the stuffing of fairy tales and fables, which are contained in many of our school books of today. If we would devote more money and time, more energy and attention to teaching our children manual labor in our schools than we do, it would be a better thing for the rising generation.
There are many subjects of this character, in addition to the principles of the Gospel of eternal truth and the plan of life and salvation, that can be dwelt upon with profit by those who may speak to us.
Now, I do not desire to prolong my remarks this morning. I pray God to bless those who may speak to us and inspire them to say those things that will be instructive and beneficial, and that we may all enjoy that measure of the spirit of intelligence that we may divide rightly the word of truth, and that we all may receive meat in due season. That God may grant us these privileges and blessings is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG.
Manual training should be embodied in educational system--Devotion and progress in Sabbath Schools-Material and spiritual progress among the people—Missionary success paralleled by opposition—Joseph Smith a genuine Prophet.
My beloved brethren and sisters, I desire very much that you will grant me your faith and prayers and earnest attention. I feel highly honored this morning in being called to address this large congregation. We have another privilege of assembling together in our annual conference, and I feel, for one, very thankful for this privilege. My heart goes out in gratitude to mv heavenly Father for the conditions of prosperity that surround His people today. I have a testimony to bear, and it is the same testimony that I have been able to bear for many years. It is the truth, as I have heard it from the lips of my father before me, and from the lips of my brethren.
When I observe, as I do, the conditions of the Latter-day Saints in the different Stakes of Zion where I have the privilege of visiting occasionally; when I see the chances that our young people have to advance along the lines of mind and spirit culture, I rejoice exceedingly to find so many of our young men and young ladies taking the opportunity offered them, and preparing themselves fairly well on the lines of culture for the great work that is before them. But, with the feelings expressed by President Joseph P. Smith, I have sometimes regretted, and do regret today, the lack of physical or manual training in our general system of education. President Young used to say that the education of the youth was incomplete without this manual training and the cultivation of those attributes of the human mind which would lead to the development of strength and ability to produce from the earth and from the elements surrounding us. This, I realize, is the case with us today to a certain extent.
I do not feel to find any fault whatever with our institutions of learning, or with those men and women who devote themselves so faithfully to the training of our young people in the Church schools and in the different auxiliary organizations of the Church. Let me say here in relation to our Sunday schools, that they have become a very excellent part of the training of our young people. They begin at the very beginning, as it were. Our Sunday school teachers commence with the little children and work with them until they reach the advanced grades, devoting their time to this labor of love to a degree that does not exist perhaps among other people. This devotion, is manifest by all, from the Sunday school Union Board down to the last and least teacher in the organization. They not only devote their time every Sabbath, but on week days they spend hours and hours in the development of their own minds along the line of the educational welfare of the children. I say, they ought to be praised for this devotion, and they certainly are blessed in their labors.
In regard to this manual training, I feel that our schools and colleges are incomplete, and will remain so until we have in every one of them a system of training that will develop the pupil along the lines of manual culture in the most useful trades. Today, as has been truly remarked, we are in a condition of great prosperity. Go where I may throughout the length and breadth of the Stakes of Zion, I find the people in a condition of worldly comfort. There are very few who are actually in want among the Latter-day Saints. Especially is this the case in the outside Stakes of Zion. Away from these populous cities like Salt Lake City, it is the exception to find an indigent person. The fact that we have some of them here is accounted for by the tendency of the poor and those who are more or less financially helpless to flock to these centers of population. But, speaking generally, there exists today a condition of prosperity among the Latter-day Saints. And I believe I can truthfully say, too, that I have seen decided marks of improvement and evidences of advancement among the Latter-day Saints along the lines of faith and the cultivation of the principles of the Gospel. There has been spiritual advancement as well as advancement in other directions. I am glad to be able to say this. I testify to you who are assembled here that the Latter-day Saints are a very choice people, and that they are working very diligently and faithfully in almost every Stake of Zion. Most of them, in all the Stakes, seem to be impressed with the spirit of their religion. I am glad this is so. In it I see the results of the teachings of our leaders. The brethren and sisters have awakened to a sense of their condition, and have renewed their diligence in paying their tithes and offerings. I see the blessings of heaven showered down upon the people, and I know it Is the result of their obedience to the principle that has been so sacredly observed by them, especially in the last few years. Since they have obeyed that law more faithfully the blessings of the Lord have been more abundantly poured out upon them from one end of the land to the other. The quotation of Bishop Hunter's has been truly verified; "Pay your tithing and be blessed." We do feel we are blessed when we obey this law.
Commensurate with our present condition of happiness and advancement, as a result of the blessings of the Lord upon us, we may expect to find opposition in the minds of the people of the world. It has been the history of this people from the first that as they advanced in faith and power through their obedience to the principles of the Gospel our enemies have increased in their endeavors to put down the truth and stay the progress of this work. I speak of this as a matter of history, not to throw any blame upon any Individual. We know, my brethren and sisters, that the powers of evil are upon the face of the land today, as they have been ever since the organization of the Church; and they have been more manifest as the people have grown in faith and power. I saw not long ago a play represented, and in it was the character of Satan. He said, "I rule the earth; my power is everywhere." I thought within my own heart, how true that is, in a sense; but on further reflection I was led to exclaim in my heart, "And the power of God is everywhere also." The same thought brought to my remembrance the sentence that "God and one good man are a majority."
The work of the Lord is progressing. The Elders are laboring faithfully in the different missions, and success has crowned their efforts in most places. Occasionally we hear of some violent opposition, as for instance the misfortune that recently befell one of our Elders in the South, who was severely beaten and maltreated. This, however, is no new thing. The powers of evil have been all the time arrayed against the power of the Lord and against His servants, in every land where they ministered. We may expect opposition. I remember hearing of a remark that Sidney Rigdon made soon after he was mobbed with the Prophet Joseph Smith and dragged to insensibility through the woods. He asked the Prophet Joseph how long that was going to continue. How long, said he, must we submit to these outrages and abuses from the enemies of all righteousness? The Prophet's reply was something like this: "Just so long, Brother Sidney, as the power of evil is upon the earth; and until the power of God overcomes the power of evil, so long will there be evidences of the power of that evil one existing upon the earth, to the hurt and injury of the servants of the Lord." The answer made by Elder Sidney Rigdon was not the most hopeful. Said he, "Brother Joseph, I can't stand it; it is more than I can bear." I have sometimes reflected upon that statement, and wondered whether he was wanting in faith through a lack of diligence or of purity of life, or whether it was his misfortune to be so organized that he could not grasp the situation and comprehend the responsibility that was placed upon him. Some men are naturally weak, and soon succumb to opposition; while others are made of sterner stuff and meet all opposition with unswerving integrity, especially if they know for themselves that they are engaged in the cause of right and truth; for this knowledge to any man brings a power and a reliance that is not easily overcome. When I look back upon the great characters that have been the pioneers of this work, I realize that they have been men of strength and courage. The Prophet Joseph Smith, the very head and front of this Latter-day dispensation, was a man who was never known to flinch or falter, though through all the years of his ministry he was hardly for a moment free from the bitterness of hate exhibited by his fellowmen, and for no other reason that I could ever see than that he had been chosen by the Almighty Himself to be His Prophet in this the great dispensation of the fulness of times. The men who have followed him in the leadership of the Church have been equally tried and true. No man has ever seen the time when such as Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and other noted ones that I could mention, have failed or faltered in their allegiance to the Prophet Joseph or to the Lord Almighty. Though these men, like Brother Sidney Rigdon, received more than their share of persecution and opposition, looking at it from a natural standpoint, yet they were never overcome. They had the courage of their convictions, like their great leader, the Prophet Joseph, and they stayed by them under all circumstances. The reason for it is that they received in their own hearts a testimony of the divinity of this work, and that testimony was burning bright in their hearts all the days of their lives.
We hear about children being born in the Church. Yes, every Latter-day Saint is born in the Church, and there is only one birth that admits them into the Church, and that is the birth of baptism—the birth of the water and of the Spirit. That admits them into the Church of Christ, and marks them as the children of God. In no other way can they receive this birth. The great warrior, Napoleon, said that although the Savior had been dead eighteen hundred years the impress of His ministry and power had been so developed in the hearts of the human family that, notwithstanding men had not beheld Him for centuries. His divine mission still moved the world. So it is with the Latter-day Saints today. Thousands upon thousands have gathered here from all parts of the earth. Very few are living who saw the Prophet Joseph Smith; but the power of God manifested through him has been so impressed upon the people that although we may never have seen him we testify that he was divinely inspired. Why? Because we have the same testimony of Jesus in our hearts that Peter had when the Master asked him, "But whom say ye that I am?" "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," said Peter. Jesus answered him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Peter had the revelation from the Father that Jesus was the Christ. By the same power we testify that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. As a people we have not seen our Savior and talked with Him face to face; our prophets have that high honor and privilege, as far as the Lord designs they should have; but the Saints generally have received the impress and the power of the Holy Spirit; and although most of them have not seen the Lord face to face yet they testify that Jesus is the Christ. How? By the power of the living God, and by the witness of that Holy Spirit which He gives to every earnest and faithful believer. So the Saints, who have yielded obedience to the Gospel, know that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the living God, the President of this great dispensation of the fulness of times.
My brethren and sisters, let us take heed to the admonition of our prophet and leader today. While we are in a condition of prosperity, let us not forget the obligations that we owe to our Heavenly Father, and see to it that we tithe ourselves honestly before the Lord all the time. Let us make good every obligation that is laid upon us, so living before the Father and before each other that we can claim a continuation of the great blessings that we are in possession of today. I testify to you that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God, and that he went to his fate knowing that he was to be martyred for the truth that God had given to him; yet, like his great leader, the Savior of the world, lie did not flinch or turn aside from the course that the Lord had marked out for him to pursue. In like manner the brethren who have been bis successors have been unswerving in their integrity, true to their faith, true to their covenants with God and with each other. As the Lord blessed them, so He is blessing His servants and people today; and He will continue His blessings upon us if we will continue to serve Him faithfully. Although we may have the evidence of the hatred of wicked men, that need not discourage us at all, but rather give us more determination, that through the grace of our Father and through the blessings of the Gospel we will remain true and faithful to Him who has thus blessed us. I pray that the blessings of the Lord may be upon the speakers during the remainder of this conference, and that the spirit of our leader may fill every heart and encourage every one of you, my brethren and sisters, and lead us all on in the paths of life eternal. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning,
The latter-day glory begins to come forth.
The visions and blessings of old are returning.
The angels are coming to visit the earth.
Manual training should be embodied in educational system--Devotion and progress in Sabbath Schools-Material and spiritual progress among the people—Missionary success paralleled by opposition—Joseph Smith a genuine Prophet.
My beloved brethren and sisters, I desire very much that you will grant me your faith and prayers and earnest attention. I feel highly honored this morning in being called to address this large congregation. We have another privilege of assembling together in our annual conference, and I feel, for one, very thankful for this privilege. My heart goes out in gratitude to mv heavenly Father for the conditions of prosperity that surround His people today. I have a testimony to bear, and it is the same testimony that I have been able to bear for many years. It is the truth, as I have heard it from the lips of my father before me, and from the lips of my brethren.
When I observe, as I do, the conditions of the Latter-day Saints in the different Stakes of Zion where I have the privilege of visiting occasionally; when I see the chances that our young people have to advance along the lines of mind and spirit culture, I rejoice exceedingly to find so many of our young men and young ladies taking the opportunity offered them, and preparing themselves fairly well on the lines of culture for the great work that is before them. But, with the feelings expressed by President Joseph P. Smith, I have sometimes regretted, and do regret today, the lack of physical or manual training in our general system of education. President Young used to say that the education of the youth was incomplete without this manual training and the cultivation of those attributes of the human mind which would lead to the development of strength and ability to produce from the earth and from the elements surrounding us. This, I realize, is the case with us today to a certain extent.
I do not feel to find any fault whatever with our institutions of learning, or with those men and women who devote themselves so faithfully to the training of our young people in the Church schools and in the different auxiliary organizations of the Church. Let me say here in relation to our Sunday schools, that they have become a very excellent part of the training of our young people. They begin at the very beginning, as it were. Our Sunday school teachers commence with the little children and work with them until they reach the advanced grades, devoting their time to this labor of love to a degree that does not exist perhaps among other people. This devotion, is manifest by all, from the Sunday school Union Board down to the last and least teacher in the organization. They not only devote their time every Sabbath, but on week days they spend hours and hours in the development of their own minds along the line of the educational welfare of the children. I say, they ought to be praised for this devotion, and they certainly are blessed in their labors.
In regard to this manual training, I feel that our schools and colleges are incomplete, and will remain so until we have in every one of them a system of training that will develop the pupil along the lines of manual culture in the most useful trades. Today, as has been truly remarked, we are in a condition of great prosperity. Go where I may throughout the length and breadth of the Stakes of Zion, I find the people in a condition of worldly comfort. There are very few who are actually in want among the Latter-day Saints. Especially is this the case in the outside Stakes of Zion. Away from these populous cities like Salt Lake City, it is the exception to find an indigent person. The fact that we have some of them here is accounted for by the tendency of the poor and those who are more or less financially helpless to flock to these centers of population. But, speaking generally, there exists today a condition of prosperity among the Latter-day Saints. And I believe I can truthfully say, too, that I have seen decided marks of improvement and evidences of advancement among the Latter-day Saints along the lines of faith and the cultivation of the principles of the Gospel. There has been spiritual advancement as well as advancement in other directions. I am glad to be able to say this. I testify to you who are assembled here that the Latter-day Saints are a very choice people, and that they are working very diligently and faithfully in almost every Stake of Zion. Most of them, in all the Stakes, seem to be impressed with the spirit of their religion. I am glad this is so. In it I see the results of the teachings of our leaders. The brethren and sisters have awakened to a sense of their condition, and have renewed their diligence in paying their tithes and offerings. I see the blessings of heaven showered down upon the people, and I know it Is the result of their obedience to the principle that has been so sacredly observed by them, especially in the last few years. Since they have obeyed that law more faithfully the blessings of the Lord have been more abundantly poured out upon them from one end of the land to the other. The quotation of Bishop Hunter's has been truly verified; "Pay your tithing and be blessed." We do feel we are blessed when we obey this law.
Commensurate with our present condition of happiness and advancement, as a result of the blessings of the Lord upon us, we may expect to find opposition in the minds of the people of the world. It has been the history of this people from the first that as they advanced in faith and power through their obedience to the principles of the Gospel our enemies have increased in their endeavors to put down the truth and stay the progress of this work. I speak of this as a matter of history, not to throw any blame upon any Individual. We know, my brethren and sisters, that the powers of evil are upon the face of the land today, as they have been ever since the organization of the Church; and they have been more manifest as the people have grown in faith and power. I saw not long ago a play represented, and in it was the character of Satan. He said, "I rule the earth; my power is everywhere." I thought within my own heart, how true that is, in a sense; but on further reflection I was led to exclaim in my heart, "And the power of God is everywhere also." The same thought brought to my remembrance the sentence that "God and one good man are a majority."
The work of the Lord is progressing. The Elders are laboring faithfully in the different missions, and success has crowned their efforts in most places. Occasionally we hear of some violent opposition, as for instance the misfortune that recently befell one of our Elders in the South, who was severely beaten and maltreated. This, however, is no new thing. The powers of evil have been all the time arrayed against the power of the Lord and against His servants, in every land where they ministered. We may expect opposition. I remember hearing of a remark that Sidney Rigdon made soon after he was mobbed with the Prophet Joseph Smith and dragged to insensibility through the woods. He asked the Prophet Joseph how long that was going to continue. How long, said he, must we submit to these outrages and abuses from the enemies of all righteousness? The Prophet's reply was something like this: "Just so long, Brother Sidney, as the power of evil is upon the earth; and until the power of God overcomes the power of evil, so long will there be evidences of the power of that evil one existing upon the earth, to the hurt and injury of the servants of the Lord." The answer made by Elder Sidney Rigdon was not the most hopeful. Said he, "Brother Joseph, I can't stand it; it is more than I can bear." I have sometimes reflected upon that statement, and wondered whether he was wanting in faith through a lack of diligence or of purity of life, or whether it was his misfortune to be so organized that he could not grasp the situation and comprehend the responsibility that was placed upon him. Some men are naturally weak, and soon succumb to opposition; while others are made of sterner stuff and meet all opposition with unswerving integrity, especially if they know for themselves that they are engaged in the cause of right and truth; for this knowledge to any man brings a power and a reliance that is not easily overcome. When I look back upon the great characters that have been the pioneers of this work, I realize that they have been men of strength and courage. The Prophet Joseph Smith, the very head and front of this Latter-day dispensation, was a man who was never known to flinch or falter, though through all the years of his ministry he was hardly for a moment free from the bitterness of hate exhibited by his fellowmen, and for no other reason that I could ever see than that he had been chosen by the Almighty Himself to be His Prophet in this the great dispensation of the fulness of times. The men who have followed him in the leadership of the Church have been equally tried and true. No man has ever seen the time when such as Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and other noted ones that I could mention, have failed or faltered in their allegiance to the Prophet Joseph or to the Lord Almighty. Though these men, like Brother Sidney Rigdon, received more than their share of persecution and opposition, looking at it from a natural standpoint, yet they were never overcome. They had the courage of their convictions, like their great leader, the Prophet Joseph, and they stayed by them under all circumstances. The reason for it is that they received in their own hearts a testimony of the divinity of this work, and that testimony was burning bright in their hearts all the days of their lives.
We hear about children being born in the Church. Yes, every Latter-day Saint is born in the Church, and there is only one birth that admits them into the Church, and that is the birth of baptism—the birth of the water and of the Spirit. That admits them into the Church of Christ, and marks them as the children of God. In no other way can they receive this birth. The great warrior, Napoleon, said that although the Savior had been dead eighteen hundred years the impress of His ministry and power had been so developed in the hearts of the human family that, notwithstanding men had not beheld Him for centuries. His divine mission still moved the world. So it is with the Latter-day Saints today. Thousands upon thousands have gathered here from all parts of the earth. Very few are living who saw the Prophet Joseph Smith; but the power of God manifested through him has been so impressed upon the people that although we may never have seen him we testify that he was divinely inspired. Why? Because we have the same testimony of Jesus in our hearts that Peter had when the Master asked him, "But whom say ye that I am?" "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," said Peter. Jesus answered him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Peter had the revelation from the Father that Jesus was the Christ. By the same power we testify that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. As a people we have not seen our Savior and talked with Him face to face; our prophets have that high honor and privilege, as far as the Lord designs they should have; but the Saints generally have received the impress and the power of the Holy Spirit; and although most of them have not seen the Lord face to face yet they testify that Jesus is the Christ. How? By the power of the living God, and by the witness of that Holy Spirit which He gives to every earnest and faithful believer. So the Saints, who have yielded obedience to the Gospel, know that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the living God, the President of this great dispensation of the fulness of times.
My brethren and sisters, let us take heed to the admonition of our prophet and leader today. While we are in a condition of prosperity, let us not forget the obligations that we owe to our Heavenly Father, and see to it that we tithe ourselves honestly before the Lord all the time. Let us make good every obligation that is laid upon us, so living before the Father and before each other that we can claim a continuation of the great blessings that we are in possession of today. I testify to you that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God, and that he went to his fate knowing that he was to be martyred for the truth that God had given to him; yet, like his great leader, the Savior of the world, lie did not flinch or turn aside from the course that the Lord had marked out for him to pursue. In like manner the brethren who have been bis successors have been unswerving in their integrity, true to their faith, true to their covenants with God and with each other. As the Lord blessed them, so He is blessing His servants and people today; and He will continue His blessings upon us if we will continue to serve Him faithfully. Although we may have the evidence of the hatred of wicked men, that need not discourage us at all, but rather give us more determination, that through the grace of our Father and through the blessings of the Gospel we will remain true and faithful to Him who has thus blessed us. I pray that the blessings of the Lord may be upon the speakers during the remainder of this conference, and that the spirit of our leader may fill every heart and encourage every one of you, my brethren and sisters, and lead us all on in the paths of life eternal. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning,
The latter-day glory begins to come forth.
The visions and blessings of old are returning.
The angels are coming to visit the earth.
ELDER JESSE N. SMITH,
(President of Snowflake Stake.)
Brethren and sisters, I suppose I am a stranger to the most of you. I came here, however, in the pioneer year of 1847. I remained in Utah till about 23 years ago, when I was sent out to Arizona, where I have been ever since, simply for the reason, I suppose that I have never been sent anywhere else. I have enjoyed my labors there very much, and have felt a great deal of happiness, believing as I do that one is always happier in trying to do his duty than under any other circumstances. We have built up some small communities there, and I believe that they compare very favorably with the other communities of that territory. If you will come out and see us, we well show you a people where spades grow bright and idle words grow dull, where jails are empty and barns are full. You will observe that the paths which lead to the houses of worship are well worn, our Sunday schools are popular, and in all respects the people are in good condition. They are an intelligent, upright people. We have fairly good schools, and a good academy. We have had some difficulties to contend with of a physical nature. The most crying trouble has been the scarcity of water— a very essential element. It is related that a newspaper correspondent came out to Arizona anxious for something to fill his paper, perhaps, and asked a native about affairs there. This man felt a pride in his country, and he said: We have an excellent country; we only lack two things — we are short of water and we lack good society. Oh! said the newspaper man, it is just so in hell; all they lack there is water and good society. But we have been trying to remedy these conditions. In the place where I live we have tried reservoiring. There is an abundance of water in the winter season, but in the summer season it disappears. So we have tried to solve the problem of holding the water until the time of scarcity. Of course, it has been in rather a small way; for our capital consisted mainly of our labor. When we had planned our first reservoir, there came along two gentlemen in a buggy. I never saw them before, and I never saw them after. They inquired what was the object of our labor there, and I explained to them as well as I could briefly. They seemed much interested, and as they went on they took me by the hand and said, "God bless you; you are in the right of it." Well, we have proved that it was a. profitable investment.
We met with another difficulty when we went to that country. Although so long ago, we found all the facilities of the country were taken up. We were compelled to buy ranchmen out, and we did so at very high figures—the best we could do. Soon afterwards it was discovered that we were upon a railroad grant. The authorities of the railroad notified us that we were on their land, and that we would be required to go away from it or pay up. They had assured us earlier that no advantage would be taken of us, and that we could make our improvements freely. They even distributed among us blanks, which we filled out signed and executed, setting forth that we had rights. But these papers were ignored after our Improvements were made, after our ditches had been dug and several crops had been produced. We felt that we had made everything secure, but this great corporation was not above taking advantage in that way of a handful of people who were struggling for an existence. At this juncture the authorities of the Church came to our assistance. President Woodruff advanced some means to help us in making the purchase. Those who could, afterwards refunded the money that had been paid on their land; the balance the authorities of the Church gave to our stake for the benefit of reservoirs and academies, for which we have felt very thankful.
If Mrs. Nation should give us a call, her occupation would be gone, so far as smashing saloons is concerned; for we have none. You may remain with us for days and you will never hear profanity on our streets. I say this advisedly. Surrounded by a cowboy element, in a wild land, I think this speaks well for our communities. I believe they have the faith and the hope of the Gospel in them. Drunkenness is entirely unknown, almost unheard of in our communities. We are able by our industry to secure a livelihood, and, I believe, are reasonably contented. For my part, I can say that I am contented.
May the Lord add His blessings. May we be enabled to be faithful to the trust reposed in us. Amen.
(President of Snowflake Stake.)
Brethren and sisters, I suppose I am a stranger to the most of you. I came here, however, in the pioneer year of 1847. I remained in Utah till about 23 years ago, when I was sent out to Arizona, where I have been ever since, simply for the reason, I suppose that I have never been sent anywhere else. I have enjoyed my labors there very much, and have felt a great deal of happiness, believing as I do that one is always happier in trying to do his duty than under any other circumstances. We have built up some small communities there, and I believe that they compare very favorably with the other communities of that territory. If you will come out and see us, we well show you a people where spades grow bright and idle words grow dull, where jails are empty and barns are full. You will observe that the paths which lead to the houses of worship are well worn, our Sunday schools are popular, and in all respects the people are in good condition. They are an intelligent, upright people. We have fairly good schools, and a good academy. We have had some difficulties to contend with of a physical nature. The most crying trouble has been the scarcity of water— a very essential element. It is related that a newspaper correspondent came out to Arizona anxious for something to fill his paper, perhaps, and asked a native about affairs there. This man felt a pride in his country, and he said: We have an excellent country; we only lack two things — we are short of water and we lack good society. Oh! said the newspaper man, it is just so in hell; all they lack there is water and good society. But we have been trying to remedy these conditions. In the place where I live we have tried reservoiring. There is an abundance of water in the winter season, but in the summer season it disappears. So we have tried to solve the problem of holding the water until the time of scarcity. Of course, it has been in rather a small way; for our capital consisted mainly of our labor. When we had planned our first reservoir, there came along two gentlemen in a buggy. I never saw them before, and I never saw them after. They inquired what was the object of our labor there, and I explained to them as well as I could briefly. They seemed much interested, and as they went on they took me by the hand and said, "God bless you; you are in the right of it." Well, we have proved that it was a. profitable investment.
We met with another difficulty when we went to that country. Although so long ago, we found all the facilities of the country were taken up. We were compelled to buy ranchmen out, and we did so at very high figures—the best we could do. Soon afterwards it was discovered that we were upon a railroad grant. The authorities of the railroad notified us that we were on their land, and that we would be required to go away from it or pay up. They had assured us earlier that no advantage would be taken of us, and that we could make our improvements freely. They even distributed among us blanks, which we filled out signed and executed, setting forth that we had rights. But these papers were ignored after our Improvements were made, after our ditches had been dug and several crops had been produced. We felt that we had made everything secure, but this great corporation was not above taking advantage in that way of a handful of people who were struggling for an existence. At this juncture the authorities of the Church came to our assistance. President Woodruff advanced some means to help us in making the purchase. Those who could, afterwards refunded the money that had been paid on their land; the balance the authorities of the Church gave to our stake for the benefit of reservoirs and academies, for which we have felt very thankful.
If Mrs. Nation should give us a call, her occupation would be gone, so far as smashing saloons is concerned; for we have none. You may remain with us for days and you will never hear profanity on our streets. I say this advisedly. Surrounded by a cowboy element, in a wild land, I think this speaks well for our communities. I believe they have the faith and the hope of the Gospel in them. Drunkenness is entirely unknown, almost unheard of in our communities. We are able by our industry to secure a livelihood, and, I believe, are reasonably contented. For my part, I can say that I am contented.
May the Lord add His blessings. May we be enabled to be faithful to the trust reposed in us. Amen.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
I may be pardoned perhaps if I announce to the young portion of the congregation that the last speaker is one of the two living cousins of the Prophet Joseph Smith left among us.
I may be pardoned perhaps if I announce to the young portion of the congregation that the last speaker is one of the two living cousins of the Prophet Joseph Smith left among us.
ELDER E. D. WOOLLEY.
(President of Kanab Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I do not know whether I will be able to make you all hear, as this is more of a congregation than we have in two or three of our stakes; but I rejoice in being present at this conference. I realize that it is the duty of the presidents of stakes to visit the general conference of the Church, wherever it may be called, for the reason that there they can receive the instructions that are needed, and be able to impart the same to the people they represent. There is a responsibility upon every presidency of a stake similar in proportion to that upon the Presidency of the Church, and I realize that it is necessary for me as an individual to be humble and to seek unto the Lord for His Spirit, that I may be useful to my brethren and sisters, and guard and protect the interests of the people. It requires a great deal of labor, thought, patience and perseverance to be able to detect and to ward off the adversary, the enemy of righteousness in the earth.
The physical conditions of our country are very similar to that which you have heard described by Brother Smith, of Arizona. We are only about three miles from the Arizona line; and when he was speaking of Mrs. Nation I thought that if she made a visit to our country she would have to go just over the line into Arizona to get occupation. There is a man established there in a tent, and he dispenses liquor, and entices some of our young people down to play cards. But we have no saloons or places of that kind in our county.
The spiritual condition of our people is fairly good. We have good Latter-day Saints, who are conscientiously trying to keep the commandments of the Lord, and they have an abiding testimony of the Gospel, which they are trying to maintain by living uprightly before the Lord. I have felt that of all the gifts of the Gospel which follow the believer, we should seek for the gift of discernment of spirits. I have asked the Lord to give me this gift; for I can see that the adversary will work upon the minds of the people, and one of the great safeguards against this is for the Latter-day Saints to possess this gift, that they may ward off the adversary and his temptations, or any influence that is calculated to bring up doubts in their minds and cause them to complain and find fault and to think that perhaps the work of God is not growing. I can testify to you, my brethren and sisters, that the work of the Lord is growing, and it will continue to grow, whether we keep pace with it or not as individuals. One of the evidences of the truth, to my mind, is that as we grow and advance the heavier the opposition becomes against us. You take the opposition that has been against the Latter-day Saints from the time that the Father and the Son appeared to Prophet Joseph Smith down to the present. Considering that, it is marvelous in my eyes that this people have made the progress that they have. They never could have done it if it had not been for the individual testimony that the Saints receive. And they must receive that testimony from the Lord. It cannot come from our brother or our sister. We may encourage, we may strengthen, we may build one another up in faith; but the testimony of the Spirit and the genius of this work must come from our heavenly Father. That is what I tell my children. When my boys went to school at Provo, I said to them: Now, you will study theology. The mechanical part you can receive; but the spirit, the testimony of the work, you must receive from our Heavenly Father, and it must be through your humility, your faith and your prayers to Him.
My experience thus far in life has been with the Latter-day Saints. I was born in the Church; I have been reared in the Church, and I am pretty familiar with the history of the Latter-day Saints by passing through it from the early settling of this valley. I came here as a child in 1848, and have been in Utah ever since. I have seen many trials that this people have passed through, and I have heard many prophecies delivered from this stand, and in the old Tabernacle, which I have lived to see fulfilled. I have heard the warning voice of the Prophet of the Lord from time to time all my life.
Speaking in relation to the suggestions given this morning by President Smith concerning our financial condition, I remember that for years before the financial distress of 1893 the Apostles warned the Latter-day Saints — they did in our stake—to prepare for a financial crisis. Many of the people accepted the advice and profited by it. Before I left home, I had been reading the editorials of President Smith, and his remarks in different stakes, and I remarked to some of the brethren, there is going to be a financial depression, and that very soon, because the President is beginning to warn the people. From the early settlement here up to the present time there has never been an approaching evil but this people have been warned of in ample time to avoid it if they would listen to the voice of inspiration. It has been so in all the history of the world. When the Lord has had a people upon the earth He has always forewarned them of any calamity that was approaching, and I firmly believe that He always will. We should appreciate these privileges that we have over and above other people, because of the testimony and assurance we have that when we receive this advice or instruction it comes through the inspiration of our heavenly Father. He is fulfilling His promises to us. He will guide us, if we will listen. He will give us every opportunity to grow and expand, and to become a noted people in the earth. He is magnifying this people in the eyes of the people of the world today, and He will continue to do this. I have no fear of the growth and prosperity of this work. I have no fear of the leaders of this work not receiving the necessary inspiration for the guidance of this people. I believe that the majority of the Latter-day Saints have a testimony of this, and will have understanding hearts and listening ears to receive these Instructions and to profit thereby. In our stake we have a good people. We are similar to other stakes; we have good Latter-day Saints, we have good "Mormons," we have lukewarm "Mormons" and we have a very few that are not of our faith at all.
May the Lord bless us at this conference, that we may receive those things that are calculated to build up and strengthen us in our faith, that we may magnify the Lord in the earth and establish His kingdom, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Kanab Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I do not know whether I will be able to make you all hear, as this is more of a congregation than we have in two or three of our stakes; but I rejoice in being present at this conference. I realize that it is the duty of the presidents of stakes to visit the general conference of the Church, wherever it may be called, for the reason that there they can receive the instructions that are needed, and be able to impart the same to the people they represent. There is a responsibility upon every presidency of a stake similar in proportion to that upon the Presidency of the Church, and I realize that it is necessary for me as an individual to be humble and to seek unto the Lord for His Spirit, that I may be useful to my brethren and sisters, and guard and protect the interests of the people. It requires a great deal of labor, thought, patience and perseverance to be able to detect and to ward off the adversary, the enemy of righteousness in the earth.
The physical conditions of our country are very similar to that which you have heard described by Brother Smith, of Arizona. We are only about three miles from the Arizona line; and when he was speaking of Mrs. Nation I thought that if she made a visit to our country she would have to go just over the line into Arizona to get occupation. There is a man established there in a tent, and he dispenses liquor, and entices some of our young people down to play cards. But we have no saloons or places of that kind in our county.
The spiritual condition of our people is fairly good. We have good Latter-day Saints, who are conscientiously trying to keep the commandments of the Lord, and they have an abiding testimony of the Gospel, which they are trying to maintain by living uprightly before the Lord. I have felt that of all the gifts of the Gospel which follow the believer, we should seek for the gift of discernment of spirits. I have asked the Lord to give me this gift; for I can see that the adversary will work upon the minds of the people, and one of the great safeguards against this is for the Latter-day Saints to possess this gift, that they may ward off the adversary and his temptations, or any influence that is calculated to bring up doubts in their minds and cause them to complain and find fault and to think that perhaps the work of God is not growing. I can testify to you, my brethren and sisters, that the work of the Lord is growing, and it will continue to grow, whether we keep pace with it or not as individuals. One of the evidences of the truth, to my mind, is that as we grow and advance the heavier the opposition becomes against us. You take the opposition that has been against the Latter-day Saints from the time that the Father and the Son appeared to Prophet Joseph Smith down to the present. Considering that, it is marvelous in my eyes that this people have made the progress that they have. They never could have done it if it had not been for the individual testimony that the Saints receive. And they must receive that testimony from the Lord. It cannot come from our brother or our sister. We may encourage, we may strengthen, we may build one another up in faith; but the testimony of the Spirit and the genius of this work must come from our heavenly Father. That is what I tell my children. When my boys went to school at Provo, I said to them: Now, you will study theology. The mechanical part you can receive; but the spirit, the testimony of the work, you must receive from our Heavenly Father, and it must be through your humility, your faith and your prayers to Him.
My experience thus far in life has been with the Latter-day Saints. I was born in the Church; I have been reared in the Church, and I am pretty familiar with the history of the Latter-day Saints by passing through it from the early settling of this valley. I came here as a child in 1848, and have been in Utah ever since. I have seen many trials that this people have passed through, and I have heard many prophecies delivered from this stand, and in the old Tabernacle, which I have lived to see fulfilled. I have heard the warning voice of the Prophet of the Lord from time to time all my life.
Speaking in relation to the suggestions given this morning by President Smith concerning our financial condition, I remember that for years before the financial distress of 1893 the Apostles warned the Latter-day Saints — they did in our stake—to prepare for a financial crisis. Many of the people accepted the advice and profited by it. Before I left home, I had been reading the editorials of President Smith, and his remarks in different stakes, and I remarked to some of the brethren, there is going to be a financial depression, and that very soon, because the President is beginning to warn the people. From the early settlement here up to the present time there has never been an approaching evil but this people have been warned of in ample time to avoid it if they would listen to the voice of inspiration. It has been so in all the history of the world. When the Lord has had a people upon the earth He has always forewarned them of any calamity that was approaching, and I firmly believe that He always will. We should appreciate these privileges that we have over and above other people, because of the testimony and assurance we have that when we receive this advice or instruction it comes through the inspiration of our heavenly Father. He is fulfilling His promises to us. He will guide us, if we will listen. He will give us every opportunity to grow and expand, and to become a noted people in the earth. He is magnifying this people in the eyes of the people of the world today, and He will continue to do this. I have no fear of the growth and prosperity of this work. I have no fear of the leaders of this work not receiving the necessary inspiration for the guidance of this people. I believe that the majority of the Latter-day Saints have a testimony of this, and will have understanding hearts and listening ears to receive these Instructions and to profit thereby. In our stake we have a good people. We are similar to other stakes; we have good Latter-day Saints, we have good "Mormons," we have lukewarm "Mormons" and we have a very few that are not of our faith at all.
May the Lord bless us at this conference, that we may receive those things that are calculated to build up and strengthen us in our faith, that we may magnify the Lord in the earth and establish His kingdom, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER BYRON SESSIONS.
(President of Big Horn Stake.)
My dear brothers and sisters, I feel grateful to my Heavenly Father for this honor that is bestowed upon me this morning in being called to address you and to represent the Big Horn Stake of Zion. I feel proud of the people that you have sent into that stake. I presume that there are before me many of the fathers and mothers, the sisters and the brothers of that body of people that compose the Saints in the Big Horn Stake of Zion. I wish to say to you that I feel proud of them. They have honored me in my position. I never have had yet an unpleasant word from one of the colony in the Big Horn stake in the last three years. It is three years the 22nd of this month since I left my home in Rich County, in the Woodruff Stake of Zion, to go to that land, according to a call; and I feel to thank the brethren for that call. I thank my Heavenly Father that I was taken up root and branch and moved into that land. I feel satisfied now with my labors, which I never have been before. As has been said by Brother Woolley, I was born and raised in the Church, and I was born in your beautiful city, and immediately after my birth was taken to what is known as Bountiful. I thank my Heavenly Father that my parents have obeyed every law that God has revealed for them to obey; and I thank my Heavenly Father that a great portion of the people in our land have obeyed those laws, and are the issue from some of the highest laws that God has ever revealed. Do not worry about your sons and your daughters. Do not think that they are going to starve to death in that land. We have a goodly land, and we are prospering. Our canal is finished. The brethren are fencing their farms, and were plowing their land long before I left home, and I left there two weeks ago last Wednesday. I can truthfully say that none of them have mortgaged their farms, for the simple reason that they have not the title to them yet, and I thank the Lord for it. We propose to keep them out of the title just as long as possible; we do not want them to have it till we have complied with the laws of our state. We love the laws of our state. I believe that there is no better laws in any state of the Union than they have in the state of Wyoming. We love the executive; we love the officials of that state. I have been fortunate enough to live for 30 years on the borders of the state of Wyoming, and all the business that I transacted has been transacted in that state. I have known two of the supreme judges for over 26 years, and I have known the governor for 26 years, and I have known nearly every state official. I have had the honor of being in that legislative body in connection with President Osmond of the Star Valley stake, during the winter; and I have gone to the governor of that state just as I would go to my father whenever any doubt or dubiety pertaining to any measure that was for the welfare of the common people has arisen. I have gone to him and got his advice. The first thing he told me before he let loose of my hand when I went there was, "Now, then, I want you, Byron, to use my office just as if it was your own, and my secretary; I want you to come to my home and visit me and stop all night with me and eat with me." The same with the supreme judges. They want our people in that land. They invite us there. They know that when the authorities of our Church take hold of a proposition, whether it be in building canals or anything else, there is no doubt in their minds in regard to the success. They have learned that we have the only successful colonization people that there is in that land. They have tried it repeatedly, and they have made failures. In a great many instances men have come to me and wanted information. "How can we handle a people like this people are handled by Mr. Woodruff and yourself?" Apostle Woodruff, you know, we look upon as our father, as our common instructor and guide in that land, in temporal matters as well as in spiritual matters; and I thank my Father in Heaven for him. I thank my Father that I have become so thoroughly acquainted with him, although sometimes it has been quite a trial for me to follow him, I followed him about 15 days before coming down here, holding one end of a surveyor's chain and he holding the other, and I thought he would walk me to death. There was no lie down, no stop. He has that same desire and anxiety in his heart regarding the work up there. He has remarked to me that he would rather die than see it fail. I have made that remark, and I make it again. Send men there, if you are going to send men, that are not afraid to labor. I endorse every word, and thank God for the words that we have heard here this morning from our Prophet. Let us keep out of debt, brethren. Let us be true; let us not be traitors to our brethren and to one another. Preach the Gospel by honoring ourselves and honoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and those who have in charge His work here in the earth. Preach it by being honorable to our fellow-man. I teach the people in our country to put up the fences of their neighbors, Jew or Gentile; drive the cattle out of their fields; lift the poor cattle out of the mire, and show unto them that we do believe the teachings of our Lord and Savior. That Is the way I propose to preach the Gospel to the people, until I am directed otherwise, as well as sitting down by their firesides and preaching it to them. I tell you that example has more effect; it has been my observation through life, in preaching the Gospel to men who do not believe as we do. We have a desire to bring them into the fold. They are my brothers and my sisters, and it is my business to show unto them by example that I do believe that which I preach.
Brothers and sisters, I pray that God may bless this conference, bless our Prophet and these Apostles, and help us to be true to them, to honor them in their positions, and not to be traitors. It would not be a healthy thing for a traitor, if ever I sat on a Jury to try him. God bless you, in the name of Jesus Christ.
The choir sang: "Hark listen to the trumpeters."
Benediction by Elder Charles W. Penrose.
(President of Big Horn Stake.)
My dear brothers and sisters, I feel grateful to my Heavenly Father for this honor that is bestowed upon me this morning in being called to address you and to represent the Big Horn Stake of Zion. I feel proud of the people that you have sent into that stake. I presume that there are before me many of the fathers and mothers, the sisters and the brothers of that body of people that compose the Saints in the Big Horn Stake of Zion. I wish to say to you that I feel proud of them. They have honored me in my position. I never have had yet an unpleasant word from one of the colony in the Big Horn stake in the last three years. It is three years the 22nd of this month since I left my home in Rich County, in the Woodruff Stake of Zion, to go to that land, according to a call; and I feel to thank the brethren for that call. I thank my Heavenly Father that I was taken up root and branch and moved into that land. I feel satisfied now with my labors, which I never have been before. As has been said by Brother Woolley, I was born and raised in the Church, and I was born in your beautiful city, and immediately after my birth was taken to what is known as Bountiful. I thank my Heavenly Father that my parents have obeyed every law that God has revealed for them to obey; and I thank my Heavenly Father that a great portion of the people in our land have obeyed those laws, and are the issue from some of the highest laws that God has ever revealed. Do not worry about your sons and your daughters. Do not think that they are going to starve to death in that land. We have a goodly land, and we are prospering. Our canal is finished. The brethren are fencing their farms, and were plowing their land long before I left home, and I left there two weeks ago last Wednesday. I can truthfully say that none of them have mortgaged their farms, for the simple reason that they have not the title to them yet, and I thank the Lord for it. We propose to keep them out of the title just as long as possible; we do not want them to have it till we have complied with the laws of our state. We love the laws of our state. I believe that there is no better laws in any state of the Union than they have in the state of Wyoming. We love the executive; we love the officials of that state. I have been fortunate enough to live for 30 years on the borders of the state of Wyoming, and all the business that I transacted has been transacted in that state. I have known two of the supreme judges for over 26 years, and I have known the governor for 26 years, and I have known nearly every state official. I have had the honor of being in that legislative body in connection with President Osmond of the Star Valley stake, during the winter; and I have gone to the governor of that state just as I would go to my father whenever any doubt or dubiety pertaining to any measure that was for the welfare of the common people has arisen. I have gone to him and got his advice. The first thing he told me before he let loose of my hand when I went there was, "Now, then, I want you, Byron, to use my office just as if it was your own, and my secretary; I want you to come to my home and visit me and stop all night with me and eat with me." The same with the supreme judges. They want our people in that land. They invite us there. They know that when the authorities of our Church take hold of a proposition, whether it be in building canals or anything else, there is no doubt in their minds in regard to the success. They have learned that we have the only successful colonization people that there is in that land. They have tried it repeatedly, and they have made failures. In a great many instances men have come to me and wanted information. "How can we handle a people like this people are handled by Mr. Woodruff and yourself?" Apostle Woodruff, you know, we look upon as our father, as our common instructor and guide in that land, in temporal matters as well as in spiritual matters; and I thank my Father in Heaven for him. I thank my Father that I have become so thoroughly acquainted with him, although sometimes it has been quite a trial for me to follow him, I followed him about 15 days before coming down here, holding one end of a surveyor's chain and he holding the other, and I thought he would walk me to death. There was no lie down, no stop. He has that same desire and anxiety in his heart regarding the work up there. He has remarked to me that he would rather die than see it fail. I have made that remark, and I make it again. Send men there, if you are going to send men, that are not afraid to labor. I endorse every word, and thank God for the words that we have heard here this morning from our Prophet. Let us keep out of debt, brethren. Let us be true; let us not be traitors to our brethren and to one another. Preach the Gospel by honoring ourselves and honoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and those who have in charge His work here in the earth. Preach it by being honorable to our fellow-man. I teach the people in our country to put up the fences of their neighbors, Jew or Gentile; drive the cattle out of their fields; lift the poor cattle out of the mire, and show unto them that we do believe the teachings of our Lord and Savior. That Is the way I propose to preach the Gospel to the people, until I am directed otherwise, as well as sitting down by their firesides and preaching it to them. I tell you that example has more effect; it has been my observation through life, in preaching the Gospel to men who do not believe as we do. We have a desire to bring them into the fold. They are my brothers and my sisters, and it is my business to show unto them by example that I do believe that which I preach.
Brothers and sisters, I pray that God may bless this conference, bless our Prophet and these Apostles, and help us to be true to them, to honor them in their positions, and not to be traitors. It would not be a healthy thing for a traitor, if ever I sat on a Jury to try him. God bless you, in the name of Jesus Christ.
The choir sang: "Hark listen to the trumpeters."
Benediction by Elder Charles W. Penrose.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Saturday, 2 p. m.—The choir and congregation sang:
Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah
Saints unto the promised land;
We are weak, but Thou art able,
Hold us with Thy powerful hand.
Holy Spirit, Feed us till the Savior comes.
Prayer by Elder Matthias F. Cowley.
Singing by the choir:
Though deep'ning trials throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God;
Ere long the resurrection day
Will spread its life and truth abroad.
Saturday, 2 p. m.—The choir and congregation sang:
Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah
Saints unto the promised land;
We are weak, but Thou art able,
Hold us with Thy powerful hand.
Holy Spirit, Feed us till the Savior comes.
Prayer by Elder Matthias F. Cowley.
Singing by the choir:
Though deep'ning trials throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God;
Ere long the resurrection day
Will spread its life and truth abroad.
ELDER B. H. ROBERTS.
With you, my brethren and sisters, I rejoice in the privileges and blessings of this conference. The presence of so many upon the opening day of conference bespeaks the widespread interest that exists among the Latter-day Saints in the work of God. I take it that we are all interested in all the affairs of the Church, in all phases of the work, both the work within the stakes of Zion and the work abroad among the nations of the earth. But while we have this general interest in all departments of the great works of our Father, it is but natural that we should have a particular interest in that department of it In which more especially we are called to labor. I make this remark in order that you may understand why it is that I address a few words to the conference in relation to that body of Priesthood over which, in connection with the other presidents of the First Council of Seventy, I am called to preside.
We have in the church 143 quorums of Seventy. There would be over 10,000 men in that body if all the quorums were full; but some of them are not full. Others, however, have members awaiting admission. So that the number of Seventies today in the Church is not far from 10,000. They are a body of men set apart and especially ordained to engage in the foreign ministry of the Church. When you take into account the very extended area of country in which these quorums are scattered, you can readily understand that it requires considerable labor to reach these organizations and keep them fully organized and the vacancies in the respective councils filled.
Why I refer to this subject is for the purpose of making a suggestion or two to the Presidents of stakes and the Bishops of wards who are gathered on this occasion. I think a little careful attention to the great amount of work that is required at the hands of the First Council of Seventy in keeping these quorums completely and fully organized would make the presiding brethren a little cautions about taking our Seventies, and especially the presidents of quorums, for local positions. Of course, I understand that there are very Important offices to fill in the Church, and when the right man is found among the Seventies it is proper that he should be ordained to the position; but if one equally fitted could be found among the Elders or the High Priests I think it would be wisdom on the part of presidents of stakes and Bishops to find men for local positions in these quorums and not disturb the presidencies of the quorums of Seventy. Of late, when thinking upon this subject, and the inconvenience that we are frequently put to, I have been much impressed with a principle that is named in the Book of Mormon. The passage gives a description of the manner in which the Apostles among the Nephites, upon this continent ordained men to office. It is as follows:
"The manner which the disciples who were called the Elders of the church, ordained Priests and Teachers.
"After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said,
"In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a Priest; (or, if he be a Teacher,) I ordain you to be a Teacher to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen."
This is the point more especially, however, to which I direct your attention:
"And after this manner did they ordain Priests and Teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men.”
If those who in the first instance direct the footsteps of our youth into the quorums of the Priesthood, would take into account more the gifts and callings of God unto these young men, I think it would be possible to overcome some of our difficulties. The young men should be directed into those quorums that their natural gifts—"the gifts and callings of God" unto them — qualify them for. If it is observed in a young man as he develops under the eye of the Bishop, that he is possessed of executive abilities, then that fact should be remembered, and he should be directed into that quorum where his special training would develop the qualities he possesses for a career of usefulness in the Church. Or when a young man is found who is possessed of that combination of qualities that go to the making of the judicial mind; if he has the rare faculty of balancing one statement as against another; the ability to look at both sides of a question, and justly weigh the evidence; then he should be directed to the Elders' or High Priests' quorum, whose business it is to prepare men for presiding and judicial callings in the Church; and sometime in the future, when a High Councilor, or some presiding officer is required he might be remembered and found in that quorum where it would create no disturbance to take him, and place him In the presiding or judicial position. On the other hand, where men are observed to possess the ability to teach, and the spirit of testimony is strong upon them, and they have in them the making of a good witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, let such be directed into the quorums of the Seventy. Thus, if we stand down the line where we begin to divide men off in the direction of their life's labors In the Church, and consider "the gifts and callings of God unto them," I think we can help the conditions of which I am now speaking. In any event, while present conditions exist, local presiding officers, I am sure, would confer a great favor upon the First Council of Seventy, if they took more into account the inconvenience and the increase of labor they make us when they choose men from among the presidencies of the quorums of seventy, when others could be found who would fill the positions equally well.
While speaking on the subject of the Seventy, I wish to call attention to one of the great things laid before us in the opening remarks of President Smith. There is no body of men in the Church to whom his remarks on the matter of freeing themselves from debt, apply with so much force, as to the .Seventy. The First Council is in constant communication with the Seventies in all parts of the Church territory. We are continually on the lookout for men who can go on missions. All the time we are corresponding with men who are recommended to us as worthy to go upon missions, but we find so many of them involved in debt that when this glorious opportunity is presented to them, of going upon a mission, to discharge the high, duties of their calling in the Priesthood, they art; barred from accepting that appointment by reason of being financially involved. If I could say a word that would emphasize the teachings of the president upon this subject, I most certainly would do it, and urge upon our Seventies, above all men in the world, to free themselves from financial obligations, that they may be at liberty to exercise the powers of the Priesthood in preaching righteousness to the world, and in standing before it as witnesses of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the opening remarks of our president texts were given to the Elders of Israel which they can expound and teach with very great profit to the people; and I believe that upon those various subjects in this conference there will be words spoken that will throw great light and intelligence upon those subjects. The matter of encouraging our young men to engage in mechanical arts and trades is a matter that calls for most earnest attention and wisest consideration on the part of the leading brethren in Israel, and from fathers and mothers everywhere. The fact that it becomes necessary to call attention to such a matter is an indication that circumstances are undergoing a great change with us. Heretofore, occupying as we do a new country, our young men when they came to manhood and found a place inconveniently narrow for them, had but to remove a few miles where lands could be obtained, and out of those lands make themselves homes and establish in themselves in a community where they would furnish themselves with employment; and doubtless for some time to come there will be an outlet for our young people in that direction, although we may be required to remove to greater distances than in the years that are past. But as our communities increase in number and our centers of population become more and more crowded, we shall find those among us—in fact, we do now—who have no taste, no desire, to engage in the kind of life incident to opening new lands and establishing new communities; and of necessity they must turn their attention to the acquiring of skill in some kind of useful labor. It will be impossible for all to engage in the professions; for the cry already, is that the professions are overcrowded. But in connection with turning our attention to the acquirement of skill in mechanical arts and trades, there is a question which we must needs reflect upon and provide for. This is an age of organization, both of capital and labor. The hosts of men that are engaged in the several trades have found it necessary in some way or other to protect themselves, that they may command a reasonable price for that labor. In other words, they have combined to control wages, just as far as it is possible to control them. It is beyond question that these organizations in some cases become oppressive and work great mischief. They feel power, and they forget right. But something had to be done in order to make it possible for labor to hold its own against the growing force and greed and power of combined capital; and whatever the excesses may be, and however much we may regret them, nevertheless organization and union on the part of labor became an absolute necessity to the working masses. The labor unions today to a very great extent dictate the number that shall be permitted to enter into the various crafts and trades. They say how many apprentices shall be allowed in the respective trades. They attempt to control the supply of labor in that way, because they do not desire that the supply shall be greater than the demand; because the greater the demand the better the price that may be asked for the labor. I do not in the few words that can be said on this occasion undertake to discuss this question at length. I merely call attention to its existence. And it will become necessary for the Latter-day Saints in our centers of population to determine what shall be the relation of those entering into these trades to the unions that are controlling the trades. I merely bring it before you, that the wise men in Israel may take it into account; for it is one of the facts that we shall necessarily be brought in contact with when we undertake to encourage our youth, as perforce we must, to enter into mechanical arts and trades as the means of sustaining themselves by their labor.
The work of the Lord, President Smith tells us, is growing; and further he says there never was a period of time in its history when interest in it was greater than today. I rejoice in that growth. I sometimes wonder if we comprehend or even apprehend the facts that enter into that growth, and that enlargement of interest. If time would permit it, I should only be too glad to call attention, not only to the direct evidences of growth and of interest in the work of God, but also to the indirect means that God is employing in the matter of enlarging His work and preparing the way for nations to be born within it in a day. It does seem to me that the whole world is fermenting with the leaven that God planted when He brought this work into the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. To the Church has been assigned the honor of the title role in God's great drama of the last days. But as in the drama the actor bearing the title role does not alone develop the thought of the poet's mind, so we as the Church of Latter-day Saints, though bearing the honor of the position assigned to us, do not constitute the only force that God is using in bringing to pass His great and mighty purposes. In his day Paul said that some men preached Christ of envy and strife, and some of good will; but he gloried in this fact, that whether preached out of envy and strife or of good will, the Lord would so overrule their actions as to bring to pass His purposes. I sometimes feel amused when I reflect upon what the surprise of many of our enemies will be when they discover that the Lord has overruled their actions, made even of them instruments to accomplish His ends, and had so controlled their wrath as to make it praise Him.
The theology of the world has changed since the introduction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can find no minister today to voice from his pulpit the doctrine of infant damnation. You can get no minister today to deny the possibility of continued revelation from God. You can get no minister today to undertake to defend the position that God, by a mere caprice of His sovereign will, "sends one to heaven and ten to hell"—not for any good or ill they have done before Him, but just for His glory. The doctrine which the poet Burns satirizes in substantially that language is a thing of the past in the pulpits of men. These modifications in the Christian world's theology—and a hundred other modifications—have been due chiefly to the truths God revealed through Joseph Smith the prophet; and thousands of eloquent tongues and pens have been employed teaching these truths which have led to the correction of many errors in religion, without knowing the origin of their doctrine.
The advancement made in all the arts and sciences is also very materially helping to bring to, pass God's mighty purposes. We overlook, it seems to me sometimes, the moral force that goes with some of our great inventions. It is now about three-quarters of a century since the electric telegraph flashed from Washington to Baltimore the first intelligible message by" that means of communication. Since then that all parts of the world have been brought into instant communication with one another. It seemed to dawn upon the minds of some that if a message could be transmitted over wires, by means of sounds in dots and dashes there was no reason why the tones of the human voice could not be so communicated; and now, though separated by hundreds and thousands of miles, a man may converse familiarly with his friend by means of this great invention. Recently another step has been taken in the progress of this means of communication, which gives us reason to believe that before long the wives may be dispensed with, the ocean cables may be abandoned, and out on the sensitive, trembling atmosphere, that touches all parts of the world, a message can be sent forth, and safely carried even across the great expanse of ocean, so that the whole round world can be through this means in constant communication. The moral force—the force that makes for faith—in these things is this: The idea is dispelled that it is impossible for God, at His home, to be in immediate communication with the whole world. These mighty inventions, this progress in art and in science, are constantly developing the powers that are in man and the great things that he can accomplish, narrow as are his limitations at present. The result is that men reason after this fashion: If man with his limited knowledge and intellectual powers can accomplish so much, is it difficult to believe that God has accomplished all that is accredited to Him in the revelations of the prophets? So there is in the development of these arts and sciences that which makes for faith in the power of God; and these indirect means are accomplishing very much in preparing the minds of men for these great truths that are to be found in the revelations brought forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The leaven is working; and some of these days it will only be necessary to strike the keynote and there shall be a wide and broad acceptance of the things that God has revealed through the great latter-day prophet.
I rejoice in these indirect means, as well as in the direct means, that the Lord is using for the accomplishment of His purposes, in preparing the way for the coming of His kingdom, which I pray may come quickly, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With you, my brethren and sisters, I rejoice in the privileges and blessings of this conference. The presence of so many upon the opening day of conference bespeaks the widespread interest that exists among the Latter-day Saints in the work of God. I take it that we are all interested in all the affairs of the Church, in all phases of the work, both the work within the stakes of Zion and the work abroad among the nations of the earth. But while we have this general interest in all departments of the great works of our Father, it is but natural that we should have a particular interest in that department of it In which more especially we are called to labor. I make this remark in order that you may understand why it is that I address a few words to the conference in relation to that body of Priesthood over which, in connection with the other presidents of the First Council of Seventy, I am called to preside.
We have in the church 143 quorums of Seventy. There would be over 10,000 men in that body if all the quorums were full; but some of them are not full. Others, however, have members awaiting admission. So that the number of Seventies today in the Church is not far from 10,000. They are a body of men set apart and especially ordained to engage in the foreign ministry of the Church. When you take into account the very extended area of country in which these quorums are scattered, you can readily understand that it requires considerable labor to reach these organizations and keep them fully organized and the vacancies in the respective councils filled.
Why I refer to this subject is for the purpose of making a suggestion or two to the Presidents of stakes and the Bishops of wards who are gathered on this occasion. I think a little careful attention to the great amount of work that is required at the hands of the First Council of Seventy in keeping these quorums completely and fully organized would make the presiding brethren a little cautions about taking our Seventies, and especially the presidents of quorums, for local positions. Of course, I understand that there are very Important offices to fill in the Church, and when the right man is found among the Seventies it is proper that he should be ordained to the position; but if one equally fitted could be found among the Elders or the High Priests I think it would be wisdom on the part of presidents of stakes and Bishops to find men for local positions in these quorums and not disturb the presidencies of the quorums of Seventy. Of late, when thinking upon this subject, and the inconvenience that we are frequently put to, I have been much impressed with a principle that is named in the Book of Mormon. The passage gives a description of the manner in which the Apostles among the Nephites, upon this continent ordained men to office. It is as follows:
"The manner which the disciples who were called the Elders of the church, ordained Priests and Teachers.
"After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said,
"In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a Priest; (or, if he be a Teacher,) I ordain you to be a Teacher to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen."
This is the point more especially, however, to which I direct your attention:
"And after this manner did they ordain Priests and Teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men.”
If those who in the first instance direct the footsteps of our youth into the quorums of the Priesthood, would take into account more the gifts and callings of God unto these young men, I think it would be possible to overcome some of our difficulties. The young men should be directed into those quorums that their natural gifts—"the gifts and callings of God" unto them — qualify them for. If it is observed in a young man as he develops under the eye of the Bishop, that he is possessed of executive abilities, then that fact should be remembered, and he should be directed into that quorum where his special training would develop the qualities he possesses for a career of usefulness in the Church. Or when a young man is found who is possessed of that combination of qualities that go to the making of the judicial mind; if he has the rare faculty of balancing one statement as against another; the ability to look at both sides of a question, and justly weigh the evidence; then he should be directed to the Elders' or High Priests' quorum, whose business it is to prepare men for presiding and judicial callings in the Church; and sometime in the future, when a High Councilor, or some presiding officer is required he might be remembered and found in that quorum where it would create no disturbance to take him, and place him In the presiding or judicial position. On the other hand, where men are observed to possess the ability to teach, and the spirit of testimony is strong upon them, and they have in them the making of a good witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, let such be directed into the quorums of the Seventy. Thus, if we stand down the line where we begin to divide men off in the direction of their life's labors In the Church, and consider "the gifts and callings of God unto them," I think we can help the conditions of which I am now speaking. In any event, while present conditions exist, local presiding officers, I am sure, would confer a great favor upon the First Council of Seventy, if they took more into account the inconvenience and the increase of labor they make us when they choose men from among the presidencies of the quorums of seventy, when others could be found who would fill the positions equally well.
While speaking on the subject of the Seventy, I wish to call attention to one of the great things laid before us in the opening remarks of President Smith. There is no body of men in the Church to whom his remarks on the matter of freeing themselves from debt, apply with so much force, as to the .Seventy. The First Council is in constant communication with the Seventies in all parts of the Church territory. We are continually on the lookout for men who can go on missions. All the time we are corresponding with men who are recommended to us as worthy to go upon missions, but we find so many of them involved in debt that when this glorious opportunity is presented to them, of going upon a mission, to discharge the high, duties of their calling in the Priesthood, they art; barred from accepting that appointment by reason of being financially involved. If I could say a word that would emphasize the teachings of the president upon this subject, I most certainly would do it, and urge upon our Seventies, above all men in the world, to free themselves from financial obligations, that they may be at liberty to exercise the powers of the Priesthood in preaching righteousness to the world, and in standing before it as witnesses of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the opening remarks of our president texts were given to the Elders of Israel which they can expound and teach with very great profit to the people; and I believe that upon those various subjects in this conference there will be words spoken that will throw great light and intelligence upon those subjects. The matter of encouraging our young men to engage in mechanical arts and trades is a matter that calls for most earnest attention and wisest consideration on the part of the leading brethren in Israel, and from fathers and mothers everywhere. The fact that it becomes necessary to call attention to such a matter is an indication that circumstances are undergoing a great change with us. Heretofore, occupying as we do a new country, our young men when they came to manhood and found a place inconveniently narrow for them, had but to remove a few miles where lands could be obtained, and out of those lands make themselves homes and establish in themselves in a community where they would furnish themselves with employment; and doubtless for some time to come there will be an outlet for our young people in that direction, although we may be required to remove to greater distances than in the years that are past. But as our communities increase in number and our centers of population become more and more crowded, we shall find those among us—in fact, we do now—who have no taste, no desire, to engage in the kind of life incident to opening new lands and establishing new communities; and of necessity they must turn their attention to the acquiring of skill in some kind of useful labor. It will be impossible for all to engage in the professions; for the cry already, is that the professions are overcrowded. But in connection with turning our attention to the acquirement of skill in mechanical arts and trades, there is a question which we must needs reflect upon and provide for. This is an age of organization, both of capital and labor. The hosts of men that are engaged in the several trades have found it necessary in some way or other to protect themselves, that they may command a reasonable price for that labor. In other words, they have combined to control wages, just as far as it is possible to control them. It is beyond question that these organizations in some cases become oppressive and work great mischief. They feel power, and they forget right. But something had to be done in order to make it possible for labor to hold its own against the growing force and greed and power of combined capital; and whatever the excesses may be, and however much we may regret them, nevertheless organization and union on the part of labor became an absolute necessity to the working masses. The labor unions today to a very great extent dictate the number that shall be permitted to enter into the various crafts and trades. They say how many apprentices shall be allowed in the respective trades. They attempt to control the supply of labor in that way, because they do not desire that the supply shall be greater than the demand; because the greater the demand the better the price that may be asked for the labor. I do not in the few words that can be said on this occasion undertake to discuss this question at length. I merely call attention to its existence. And it will become necessary for the Latter-day Saints in our centers of population to determine what shall be the relation of those entering into these trades to the unions that are controlling the trades. I merely bring it before you, that the wise men in Israel may take it into account; for it is one of the facts that we shall necessarily be brought in contact with when we undertake to encourage our youth, as perforce we must, to enter into mechanical arts and trades as the means of sustaining themselves by their labor.
The work of the Lord, President Smith tells us, is growing; and further he says there never was a period of time in its history when interest in it was greater than today. I rejoice in that growth. I sometimes wonder if we comprehend or even apprehend the facts that enter into that growth, and that enlargement of interest. If time would permit it, I should only be too glad to call attention, not only to the direct evidences of growth and of interest in the work of God, but also to the indirect means that God is employing in the matter of enlarging His work and preparing the way for nations to be born within it in a day. It does seem to me that the whole world is fermenting with the leaven that God planted when He brought this work into the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. To the Church has been assigned the honor of the title role in God's great drama of the last days. But as in the drama the actor bearing the title role does not alone develop the thought of the poet's mind, so we as the Church of Latter-day Saints, though bearing the honor of the position assigned to us, do not constitute the only force that God is using in bringing to pass His great and mighty purposes. In his day Paul said that some men preached Christ of envy and strife, and some of good will; but he gloried in this fact, that whether preached out of envy and strife or of good will, the Lord would so overrule their actions as to bring to pass His purposes. I sometimes feel amused when I reflect upon what the surprise of many of our enemies will be when they discover that the Lord has overruled their actions, made even of them instruments to accomplish His ends, and had so controlled their wrath as to make it praise Him.
The theology of the world has changed since the introduction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can find no minister today to voice from his pulpit the doctrine of infant damnation. You can get no minister today to deny the possibility of continued revelation from God. You can get no minister today to undertake to defend the position that God, by a mere caprice of His sovereign will, "sends one to heaven and ten to hell"—not for any good or ill they have done before Him, but just for His glory. The doctrine which the poet Burns satirizes in substantially that language is a thing of the past in the pulpits of men. These modifications in the Christian world's theology—and a hundred other modifications—have been due chiefly to the truths God revealed through Joseph Smith the prophet; and thousands of eloquent tongues and pens have been employed teaching these truths which have led to the correction of many errors in religion, without knowing the origin of their doctrine.
The advancement made in all the arts and sciences is also very materially helping to bring to, pass God's mighty purposes. We overlook, it seems to me sometimes, the moral force that goes with some of our great inventions. It is now about three-quarters of a century since the electric telegraph flashed from Washington to Baltimore the first intelligible message by" that means of communication. Since then that all parts of the world have been brought into instant communication with one another. It seemed to dawn upon the minds of some that if a message could be transmitted over wires, by means of sounds in dots and dashes there was no reason why the tones of the human voice could not be so communicated; and now, though separated by hundreds and thousands of miles, a man may converse familiarly with his friend by means of this great invention. Recently another step has been taken in the progress of this means of communication, which gives us reason to believe that before long the wives may be dispensed with, the ocean cables may be abandoned, and out on the sensitive, trembling atmosphere, that touches all parts of the world, a message can be sent forth, and safely carried even across the great expanse of ocean, so that the whole round world can be through this means in constant communication. The moral force—the force that makes for faith—in these things is this: The idea is dispelled that it is impossible for God, at His home, to be in immediate communication with the whole world. These mighty inventions, this progress in art and in science, are constantly developing the powers that are in man and the great things that he can accomplish, narrow as are his limitations at present. The result is that men reason after this fashion: If man with his limited knowledge and intellectual powers can accomplish so much, is it difficult to believe that God has accomplished all that is accredited to Him in the revelations of the prophets? So there is in the development of these arts and sciences that which makes for faith in the power of God; and these indirect means are accomplishing very much in preparing the minds of men for these great truths that are to be found in the revelations brought forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The leaven is working; and some of these days it will only be necessary to strike the keynote and there shall be a wide and broad acceptance of the things that God has revealed through the great latter-day prophet.
I rejoice in these indirect means, as well as in the direct means, that the Lord is using for the accomplishment of His purposes, in preparing the way for the coming of His kingdom, which I pray may come quickly, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER JOSEPH H. MERRILL.
(Late President of the Samoan Mission)
I am truly thankful to my Heavenly Father for the privilege thus accorded me to stand before you, my brethren and sisters, this afternoon. I hope that the Spirit of God may dictate that which I may say, that we may all be profited together. I have been greatly interested in the remarks that have been made thus far by the brethren, and I heartily endorse all that has been said.
It has been my privilege for the past fifteen months to preside over the Samoan Mission, which consists of a few small islands in the Pacific ocean, about 5,000 miles from here. No doubt, there are in this congregation parents, brothers and sisters of the Elders who are laboring upon that group, and for their benefit as well as for the benefit of the Saints in general I will give a short report of our labors upon those islands. We have a band of faithful brethren and sisters at present laboring among the Lamanites there, and they are enjoying the Spirit of God even as we enjoy it here in conference. There is a spirit that is poured out upon the Elders in the nations of the earth which binds them so closely together in the bonds of brotherhood and love that they are one in very deed. The same spirit prevails here this afternoon, and it fills my heart with joy to meet with the Saints in general conference. The Samoan Mission, as you are more or less aware, has been opened nearly 15 years. During that time, a great deal of work has been done, both manual and spiritual. We have at present a faithful band of Saints, numbering over 1,400, upon those islands, out of a population of about 30,000. There is quite a number also who have been identified with the work, and, through temptation and sin, have fallen away and are scattered among the people. Strange to say, those who are cut off from the Church there do not lose the testimony of the Gospel, but are always ready to bear a strong testimony to the truth as revealed through Joseph Smith and preached by the Elders.
The report has gone out among the Saints at home, I believe, that the Samoan Mission is a hard mission; and when young people have been called to go to those islands I have heard some of the Saints remark that any place on earth would be preferable to the Samoan Mission. I wish to dispel that notion from your minds. I feel assured that in stating to you that the Samoan Mission is as healthy and as favorable a mission as an Elder can go to, I am only stating the truth. There has been some sickness among the Elders, and one of our number has lately passed away; but the same conditions exist in other missions. The power of God is felt just as strongly in the Samoan Mission as it is in the California Mission, or the Southern States Mission, or any place upon the face of the earth. God has a protecting hand over all His Elders, wherever they are sent. So that when your sons and daughters are called to take a mission to Samoa, you should rather feel to say, go and God bless you, than to desire the mission changed to some other part of the world. Your sons and daughters are safe there. God watches over and cares for them. His will is done concerning us, no matter as to which part of the earth we are located upon. There is one thing we can rest assured of—there is no accident with the Lord. Anything which happens to an Elder in the prosecution of his duty, that takes him from his field of labor, is not an accident. The purposes of the Lord are fulfilled concerning us, no matter where we are, if we only yield to the promptings of His Spirit.
I have a testimony which I am proud to be able to bear. I know that this is the Church and kingdom of God, established upon the earth in these the latter days for the last time, never more to be taken away nor given to another people. Should we desire proofs to establish our belief in this matter? Brother Roberts has given us a row external evidences by which we may know the workings of our Heavenly Father with this people. When I contemplate the fact that nearly, if not all who sit before me this afternoon have the same testimony that has been given unto me—that the Gospel of Christ has been again revealed to the earth, and we have been made partakers of it—it makes my heart rejoice, and I am led to exclaim in my joy to my Father; how great is His goodness towards us. His children! Then the thought comes to my mind: Are we living up to the opportunities that the Gospel affords us? We come together in conference and the Spirit of God is poured out upon us in great measure, as the word of God is given unto us through His servants. We feel to rejoice and are willing to give all we have for the work of the Lord. We feel to consecrate and dedicate all our property and all that the Lord has given us for the upbuilding of His kingdom upon the earth. Often in our prayers we dedicate unto Him all that He has made us stewards over, and ask Him for wisdom to use it acceptably before Him. I wonder if we really mean it on all occasions. If the Bishop were to come in just as you got up from your prayer and asked you for your best cow, or for $100, or for five acres of land, to help the work of the Lord, would you give it up?
God has given us the light of the everlasting Gospel. He has bestowed great promises upon us—eternal life exaltation and glory in the celestial kingdom of our God. If we will only keep His commandments, loving Him with all our might, mind and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves, these things will be ours. He has also given us all our earthly possessions. They are His. He can take them from, us in a moment; He can take us in a moment; but we cannot take any of these worldly things with us. Then if we set our hearts upon them, and they become greater in our sight than our Father and His purposes; if we regard the gift greater than the giver, we shall forfeit the blessings that are promised unto us.
Brother Roberts has been speaking a little about the Seventies. I am a Seventy myself—a president of Seventy. I have had some experience with Brother Roberts, Brother Kimball, and a few of the Seventies, and I just wish to say a word or two to the Seventies present. I believe Brother Roberts placed us all in the same box. Whether he did or not, we are all there. The word comes to us to select a certain number from our quorum to fill missions abroad. The presidents of the quorum meet together and consider the circumstances of the Seventies in that quorum. The names are selected and sent in. They are notified, and the word comes back, "We are in debt; we cannot go; possibly we can go in six months from now." That is a long "minute" man, asking for six months! Then again, a man accepts the call. He is notified to depart at a certain time. But his wife does not like to lose him. She whines, she cries a little, and she says, "Oh! what will I do when you are gone? What will the children do? You are our only support, and I don't see how you can go." Then the man has to write back and tell the First Council that he can't go, because his wife can't spare him. That is the condition of some of our "minute" men. I want to tell you that the woman who will lay a straw in the path of her husband against the fulfilling of his duty and calling will come under condemnation before the Lord. The man that will be involved in indebtedness so that he cannot accept a call and fulfil his duty will come under condemnation. The kingdom of God has been established in these last days, and it must roll on God has selected from among His people those who are worthy to bear this Priesthood, whose duty it is to carry this Gospel to the nations of the earth; and it is our duty to fulfil our calling, to be "minute" men, not "six months" men, nor, "one year" men. That is the calling of a Seventy; and if the Seventies are not fulfilling their calling they come under condemnation, and those of the Lesser Priesthood receive these calls and obtain the blessing.
I do not make these remarks with a desire to find fault; but these are conditions that have come to my notice as existing among the Latter-day Saints. I heard a remark made at one time that the faithful Latter-day Saints would go back and redeem Jackson county, while the indifferent would stay in the valleys of the mountains. These blessings and privileges that God has promised unto us through our faithfulness will be ours if we labor for them. There is no blessing, no reward promised except by obedience to the law upon which the blessing is predicted. This was made very plain to the ancient Saints, and has been made plain to us. It has been said here this morning that we should pay our tithes and offerings. This is a commandment that God gave unto His people anciently, and coupled with this command is a blessing, even a temporal blessing. The Lord promised those who would obey this law that He Would pour out upon them such blessings that they would not have room to contain them. On one occasion, when the children of Israel were without the Spirit of God and their Priests had lost their power, the Lord told them that it was not because His arm was shortened that He could not save, nor that He-was deaf that he could not hear, but it was because of their wickedness. In speaking to Israel through His prophet Malachi, the Lord says:
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
President Snow preached to the people to pay their tithes and the Lord, he said, would pour out great blessings upon them. We rounded up our shoulders and paid tithing as we have never done before. As a consequence, the blessings of God have been poured out upon us, until today we see prosperity on every hand. These commandments are with us continually, and should receive our attention every day. President Woodruff laid stress upon these words: "Get the Spirit of God and keep it." I would say to the Saints this afternoon, if you would be in the right path, if you would be safe from the snares and temptations of this world, get the Spirit of God and keep it; be humble; keep in touch with those who are in authority over you; seek to have confidence in your Bishop and his counselors and in the Teachers of the Church. God gives unto us His mind and will through His servant the prophet, and it is our duty to lend a listening ear thereto. When President Smith tells us it is a good thing to get out of debt, we should do all we can to get out of debt. It means something, brethren and sisters. There are things in store for the Latter-day Saints that we cannot see today. There are things coming upon us which we may be prepared to meet, if we will only take the counsel of the prophet of God.
I pray that the Spirit of God may be poured out upon us, that when we return to our homes the spirit of this conference may attend us and always be with us, that we may have a burning testimony within us of the truthfulness of this work, that we may always have a desire to keep the commandments oi God, let come what may, and then salvation and eternal glory will be ours in the end. May the Spirit of God continue with us, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Late President of the Samoan Mission)
I am truly thankful to my Heavenly Father for the privilege thus accorded me to stand before you, my brethren and sisters, this afternoon. I hope that the Spirit of God may dictate that which I may say, that we may all be profited together. I have been greatly interested in the remarks that have been made thus far by the brethren, and I heartily endorse all that has been said.
It has been my privilege for the past fifteen months to preside over the Samoan Mission, which consists of a few small islands in the Pacific ocean, about 5,000 miles from here. No doubt, there are in this congregation parents, brothers and sisters of the Elders who are laboring upon that group, and for their benefit as well as for the benefit of the Saints in general I will give a short report of our labors upon those islands. We have a band of faithful brethren and sisters at present laboring among the Lamanites there, and they are enjoying the Spirit of God even as we enjoy it here in conference. There is a spirit that is poured out upon the Elders in the nations of the earth which binds them so closely together in the bonds of brotherhood and love that they are one in very deed. The same spirit prevails here this afternoon, and it fills my heart with joy to meet with the Saints in general conference. The Samoan Mission, as you are more or less aware, has been opened nearly 15 years. During that time, a great deal of work has been done, both manual and spiritual. We have at present a faithful band of Saints, numbering over 1,400, upon those islands, out of a population of about 30,000. There is quite a number also who have been identified with the work, and, through temptation and sin, have fallen away and are scattered among the people. Strange to say, those who are cut off from the Church there do not lose the testimony of the Gospel, but are always ready to bear a strong testimony to the truth as revealed through Joseph Smith and preached by the Elders.
The report has gone out among the Saints at home, I believe, that the Samoan Mission is a hard mission; and when young people have been called to go to those islands I have heard some of the Saints remark that any place on earth would be preferable to the Samoan Mission. I wish to dispel that notion from your minds. I feel assured that in stating to you that the Samoan Mission is as healthy and as favorable a mission as an Elder can go to, I am only stating the truth. There has been some sickness among the Elders, and one of our number has lately passed away; but the same conditions exist in other missions. The power of God is felt just as strongly in the Samoan Mission as it is in the California Mission, or the Southern States Mission, or any place upon the face of the earth. God has a protecting hand over all His Elders, wherever they are sent. So that when your sons and daughters are called to take a mission to Samoa, you should rather feel to say, go and God bless you, than to desire the mission changed to some other part of the world. Your sons and daughters are safe there. God watches over and cares for them. His will is done concerning us, no matter as to which part of the earth we are located upon. There is one thing we can rest assured of—there is no accident with the Lord. Anything which happens to an Elder in the prosecution of his duty, that takes him from his field of labor, is not an accident. The purposes of the Lord are fulfilled concerning us, no matter where we are, if we only yield to the promptings of His Spirit.
I have a testimony which I am proud to be able to bear. I know that this is the Church and kingdom of God, established upon the earth in these the latter days for the last time, never more to be taken away nor given to another people. Should we desire proofs to establish our belief in this matter? Brother Roberts has given us a row external evidences by which we may know the workings of our Heavenly Father with this people. When I contemplate the fact that nearly, if not all who sit before me this afternoon have the same testimony that has been given unto me—that the Gospel of Christ has been again revealed to the earth, and we have been made partakers of it—it makes my heart rejoice, and I am led to exclaim in my joy to my Father; how great is His goodness towards us. His children! Then the thought comes to my mind: Are we living up to the opportunities that the Gospel affords us? We come together in conference and the Spirit of God is poured out upon us in great measure, as the word of God is given unto us through His servants. We feel to rejoice and are willing to give all we have for the work of the Lord. We feel to consecrate and dedicate all our property and all that the Lord has given us for the upbuilding of His kingdom upon the earth. Often in our prayers we dedicate unto Him all that He has made us stewards over, and ask Him for wisdom to use it acceptably before Him. I wonder if we really mean it on all occasions. If the Bishop were to come in just as you got up from your prayer and asked you for your best cow, or for $100, or for five acres of land, to help the work of the Lord, would you give it up?
God has given us the light of the everlasting Gospel. He has bestowed great promises upon us—eternal life exaltation and glory in the celestial kingdom of our God. If we will only keep His commandments, loving Him with all our might, mind and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves, these things will be ours. He has also given us all our earthly possessions. They are His. He can take them from, us in a moment; He can take us in a moment; but we cannot take any of these worldly things with us. Then if we set our hearts upon them, and they become greater in our sight than our Father and His purposes; if we regard the gift greater than the giver, we shall forfeit the blessings that are promised unto us.
Brother Roberts has been speaking a little about the Seventies. I am a Seventy myself—a president of Seventy. I have had some experience with Brother Roberts, Brother Kimball, and a few of the Seventies, and I just wish to say a word or two to the Seventies present. I believe Brother Roberts placed us all in the same box. Whether he did or not, we are all there. The word comes to us to select a certain number from our quorum to fill missions abroad. The presidents of the quorum meet together and consider the circumstances of the Seventies in that quorum. The names are selected and sent in. They are notified, and the word comes back, "We are in debt; we cannot go; possibly we can go in six months from now." That is a long "minute" man, asking for six months! Then again, a man accepts the call. He is notified to depart at a certain time. But his wife does not like to lose him. She whines, she cries a little, and she says, "Oh! what will I do when you are gone? What will the children do? You are our only support, and I don't see how you can go." Then the man has to write back and tell the First Council that he can't go, because his wife can't spare him. That is the condition of some of our "minute" men. I want to tell you that the woman who will lay a straw in the path of her husband against the fulfilling of his duty and calling will come under condemnation before the Lord. The man that will be involved in indebtedness so that he cannot accept a call and fulfil his duty will come under condemnation. The kingdom of God has been established in these last days, and it must roll on God has selected from among His people those who are worthy to bear this Priesthood, whose duty it is to carry this Gospel to the nations of the earth; and it is our duty to fulfil our calling, to be "minute" men, not "six months" men, nor, "one year" men. That is the calling of a Seventy; and if the Seventies are not fulfilling their calling they come under condemnation, and those of the Lesser Priesthood receive these calls and obtain the blessing.
I do not make these remarks with a desire to find fault; but these are conditions that have come to my notice as existing among the Latter-day Saints. I heard a remark made at one time that the faithful Latter-day Saints would go back and redeem Jackson county, while the indifferent would stay in the valleys of the mountains. These blessings and privileges that God has promised unto us through our faithfulness will be ours if we labor for them. There is no blessing, no reward promised except by obedience to the law upon which the blessing is predicted. This was made very plain to the ancient Saints, and has been made plain to us. It has been said here this morning that we should pay our tithes and offerings. This is a commandment that God gave unto His people anciently, and coupled with this command is a blessing, even a temporal blessing. The Lord promised those who would obey this law that He Would pour out upon them such blessings that they would not have room to contain them. On one occasion, when the children of Israel were without the Spirit of God and their Priests had lost their power, the Lord told them that it was not because His arm was shortened that He could not save, nor that He-was deaf that he could not hear, but it was because of their wickedness. In speaking to Israel through His prophet Malachi, the Lord says:
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
President Snow preached to the people to pay their tithes and the Lord, he said, would pour out great blessings upon them. We rounded up our shoulders and paid tithing as we have never done before. As a consequence, the blessings of God have been poured out upon us, until today we see prosperity on every hand. These commandments are with us continually, and should receive our attention every day. President Woodruff laid stress upon these words: "Get the Spirit of God and keep it." I would say to the Saints this afternoon, if you would be in the right path, if you would be safe from the snares and temptations of this world, get the Spirit of God and keep it; be humble; keep in touch with those who are in authority over you; seek to have confidence in your Bishop and his counselors and in the Teachers of the Church. God gives unto us His mind and will through His servant the prophet, and it is our duty to lend a listening ear thereto. When President Smith tells us it is a good thing to get out of debt, we should do all we can to get out of debt. It means something, brethren and sisters. There are things in store for the Latter-day Saints that we cannot see today. There are things coming upon us which we may be prepared to meet, if we will only take the counsel of the prophet of God.
I pray that the Spirit of God may be poured out upon us, that when we return to our homes the spirit of this conference may attend us and always be with us, that we may have a burning testimony within us of the truthfulness of this work, that we may always have a desire to keep the commandments oi God, let come what may, and then salvation and eternal glory will be ours in the end. May the Spirit of God continue with us, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER SYLVESTER Q. CANNON,
(Late President of the Netherlands Mission.)
It is very unexpected to me, my brethren and sisters, to be called upon to address you this afternoon, as I realize that there are so many here who are much more competent to give instruction, and to whom I would rather listen, as no doubt you all would, who have had experience in the work of the Lord, and the Saints are gathered to receive instructions, to be profited in their future lives. At the same time I rejoice to be privileged to meet with the Saints in general conference. It is the first time in eight years that I have been able to meet with the Saints in this capacity. For over three years past I have been in the mission field, and previous to that I was absent studying. Therefore, I appreciate probably greater than I otherwise would what a grand opportunity it is to meet with the Saints, to partake of the spirit of conference, and to receive the instructions which are given. As I say, I rejoice to be with you. I rejoice in the instructions which have been already given during this day, and I feel certain that during the remainder of this conference there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that we will all be built up and benefited if we prepare our hearts to receive and carry out the instructions.
It is some five months since I returned from my mission to the Netherlands, where I was absent for three years. I desire to say that the work in that field is prospering. The outlook is excellent. It was at the time I left, and from news that I have lately received I learn that the condition is just as good or better now. The Gospel is being preached in Holland and Belgium of that mission, and progress is being made. There are 30 Elders in the field. There are over 2,000 Saints and children in the entire mission, and during the past year over 200 were baptized. There was a greater average per missionary baptized during the past year in that mission than in any other mission in Europe, it being eight persons per missionary.
Holland is recognized as a land of religious liberty. For centuries, the people of Holland struggled—in fact, at the time of the Reformation they were among the first to obtain religious liberty, and to be freed from that oppression and domination which was characteristic of the countries of Europe at that time. On this account they have given religious liberty to other sects, and we are as free to preach there as almost any other religious denomination. We are not allowed to preach upon the streets; but ,as a matter of fact, none of the religious denominations are allowed this privilege. In every respect we receive the same protection as the other sects. The people are plain and honest; they are readers of the Bible, and they appreciate the truths of the Bible when they are explained. When our missionaries go among them with doctrines which agree exactly with the doctrines presented by our Lord and Savior as contained in the holy scriptures, they are received with welcome, generally speaking, and the people give them a fair hearing. As a result of this, the missionaries are busily occupied in preaching the Gospel to that nation, and the results are apparent. The only lack is, there are not enough missionaries to carry the work on as they would like. New branches are being opened up, and the work is prospering. To a certain extent, the same is true of Belgium. However, that country has a different population— a people of different characteristics. They are almost entirely Catholic. I believe, however, that if we can get men who are intelligent and energetic, and who understand something of the French language, the work in that country will be a great help to the work there. It is developing slowly at present, and I believe there is a greater future for it. I also feel that there is a work to be done in France; for a number of those who have accepted the Gospel in Belgium were born in France, coming especially from northern France; and from persons with whom I have talked in regard to conditions in that country I gather that the people are somewhat of the same nature as those in Holland. They desire religious liberty, and they wish to learn the truth. During my mission I read an article in one of the papers In Holland, to the effect that there is a certain division of the Catholic church called "Old Catholics." They separated from the Catholic church several centuries ago; and the article stated that at least a part of that sect believe that Elijah the Prophet is to return and bring a message from the heavens, and they are waiting his return. It seemed to me that to a certain extent these people were prepared to receive the Gospel. If it should be testified to them that the Prophet Elijah had come, and that he had restored that which was his province to restore, it might be a message of glad tidings to them. In connection with the principles of the Gospel as they have been revealed in these latter days.
I believe there is a great work to be done in those nations and in other nations of Europe and of the world. It was my privilege, during my absence, to make a journey, in company with President Francis M. Lyman, throughout several of the countries of Europe, Africa and Asia, visiting among others the Holy Land; and upon our return we passed through Italy. I was agreeably disappointed in the condition of that people. From the idea we obtain here at home, from seeing the Italians who are in our midst, we are apt to gain an entirely wrong view of the Italians as a people. They are a fine people, a people of intelligence, a people of hospitality and kindness in every respect, and a people many of whom, I believe, will accept the Gospel in the future. There are no missionaries in that field at the present time. As we know. Apostle Lorenzo Snow was sent there to open that field many years ago, but no great success was obtained at that time.
I rejoice in the Gospel. I rejoice in the testimony I have received of the truth of it. I trust that we may all go forward, faithfully performing our duty from time to time. There is a great responsibility resting upon the Latter-day Saints. There is a serious responsibility resting upon the young men to qualify themselves, spiritually, morally and physically, to preach the Gospel, to be pillars of strength in the Church of our God, and to perform every labor which they are called upon to perform. After being absent from this city preaching the Gospel, and returning home, one notices probably more than one who is at home continually the changes that have occurred, and the temptations which are constantly increasing in this city. It may be the same in other cities and towns. Trials and temptations surround our young people which tend to cause them to be thoughtless, to go after the pleasures of the world, and to consider simply those things which will give them pleasure for the time being. For this reason I believe there is a slight tendency to devote ourselves more to these useless pleasures than to the serious things of life; to be considering always how we can obtain worldly enjoyment rather than how we can make progress in the Gospel and be of use to our fellowmen. I believe it is of great importance to the young people among the Latter-day Saints that they should endeavor to cultivate a spirit of earnestness and of seriousness in regard to the responsibilities which rest upon them. And we have heard many times, those who are now pillars of the Church, who have endured many years, and whose hair has grown white in the service of the Lord, will not always be with us; and those who are growing up will have to bear off the kingdom on their shoulders, and assuredly it is important that they should prepare themselves for these responsibilities. The kingdom is constantly growing, the responsibilities are becoming constantly greater, and the Lord requires more and more instruments to accomplish His purposes upon the earth.
I rejoice, my brethren and sisters, to be with you. I pray that the Spirit of the Lord may be with us continually, that perfect unity and harmony may prevail among us, that we may profit greatly by this conference, that we may take to heart the instructions we receive, and that they may be as a seed which when planted in our hearts shall grow and bring forth fruit that will be of great benefit to the Church, to one another, to our fellowmen, and to the country in which we live, that we may be wise and prudent in fulfilling the responsibilities which rest upon us as citizens of this great country. May we be blessed in fulfilling every duty which rests upon us. I desire to testify that I know that the Gospel is true; that the Latter-day Saints are in possession of the truth as it has been revealed from heaven; that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that his successors have been and are prophets of God, and that those upon this stand who have been called and sustained as leaders of this Church are in very deed men of God, who receive revelations from Him for the guidance of this people. May we support them fully. May we be united in all things, and may we endeavor to improve ourselves and our opportunities from day to day, that we may be finally saved in the kingdom of heaven, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Late President of the Netherlands Mission.)
It is very unexpected to me, my brethren and sisters, to be called upon to address you this afternoon, as I realize that there are so many here who are much more competent to give instruction, and to whom I would rather listen, as no doubt you all would, who have had experience in the work of the Lord, and the Saints are gathered to receive instructions, to be profited in their future lives. At the same time I rejoice to be privileged to meet with the Saints in general conference. It is the first time in eight years that I have been able to meet with the Saints in this capacity. For over three years past I have been in the mission field, and previous to that I was absent studying. Therefore, I appreciate probably greater than I otherwise would what a grand opportunity it is to meet with the Saints, to partake of the spirit of conference, and to receive the instructions which are given. As I say, I rejoice to be with you. I rejoice in the instructions which have been already given during this day, and I feel certain that during the remainder of this conference there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that we will all be built up and benefited if we prepare our hearts to receive and carry out the instructions.
It is some five months since I returned from my mission to the Netherlands, where I was absent for three years. I desire to say that the work in that field is prospering. The outlook is excellent. It was at the time I left, and from news that I have lately received I learn that the condition is just as good or better now. The Gospel is being preached in Holland and Belgium of that mission, and progress is being made. There are 30 Elders in the field. There are over 2,000 Saints and children in the entire mission, and during the past year over 200 were baptized. There was a greater average per missionary baptized during the past year in that mission than in any other mission in Europe, it being eight persons per missionary.
Holland is recognized as a land of religious liberty. For centuries, the people of Holland struggled—in fact, at the time of the Reformation they were among the first to obtain religious liberty, and to be freed from that oppression and domination which was characteristic of the countries of Europe at that time. On this account they have given religious liberty to other sects, and we are as free to preach there as almost any other religious denomination. We are not allowed to preach upon the streets; but ,as a matter of fact, none of the religious denominations are allowed this privilege. In every respect we receive the same protection as the other sects. The people are plain and honest; they are readers of the Bible, and they appreciate the truths of the Bible when they are explained. When our missionaries go among them with doctrines which agree exactly with the doctrines presented by our Lord and Savior as contained in the holy scriptures, they are received with welcome, generally speaking, and the people give them a fair hearing. As a result of this, the missionaries are busily occupied in preaching the Gospel to that nation, and the results are apparent. The only lack is, there are not enough missionaries to carry the work on as they would like. New branches are being opened up, and the work is prospering. To a certain extent, the same is true of Belgium. However, that country has a different population— a people of different characteristics. They are almost entirely Catholic. I believe, however, that if we can get men who are intelligent and energetic, and who understand something of the French language, the work in that country will be a great help to the work there. It is developing slowly at present, and I believe there is a greater future for it. I also feel that there is a work to be done in France; for a number of those who have accepted the Gospel in Belgium were born in France, coming especially from northern France; and from persons with whom I have talked in regard to conditions in that country I gather that the people are somewhat of the same nature as those in Holland. They desire religious liberty, and they wish to learn the truth. During my mission I read an article in one of the papers In Holland, to the effect that there is a certain division of the Catholic church called "Old Catholics." They separated from the Catholic church several centuries ago; and the article stated that at least a part of that sect believe that Elijah the Prophet is to return and bring a message from the heavens, and they are waiting his return. It seemed to me that to a certain extent these people were prepared to receive the Gospel. If it should be testified to them that the Prophet Elijah had come, and that he had restored that which was his province to restore, it might be a message of glad tidings to them. In connection with the principles of the Gospel as they have been revealed in these latter days.
I believe there is a great work to be done in those nations and in other nations of Europe and of the world. It was my privilege, during my absence, to make a journey, in company with President Francis M. Lyman, throughout several of the countries of Europe, Africa and Asia, visiting among others the Holy Land; and upon our return we passed through Italy. I was agreeably disappointed in the condition of that people. From the idea we obtain here at home, from seeing the Italians who are in our midst, we are apt to gain an entirely wrong view of the Italians as a people. They are a fine people, a people of intelligence, a people of hospitality and kindness in every respect, and a people many of whom, I believe, will accept the Gospel in the future. There are no missionaries in that field at the present time. As we know. Apostle Lorenzo Snow was sent there to open that field many years ago, but no great success was obtained at that time.
I rejoice in the Gospel. I rejoice in the testimony I have received of the truth of it. I trust that we may all go forward, faithfully performing our duty from time to time. There is a great responsibility resting upon the Latter-day Saints. There is a serious responsibility resting upon the young men to qualify themselves, spiritually, morally and physically, to preach the Gospel, to be pillars of strength in the Church of our God, and to perform every labor which they are called upon to perform. After being absent from this city preaching the Gospel, and returning home, one notices probably more than one who is at home continually the changes that have occurred, and the temptations which are constantly increasing in this city. It may be the same in other cities and towns. Trials and temptations surround our young people which tend to cause them to be thoughtless, to go after the pleasures of the world, and to consider simply those things which will give them pleasure for the time being. For this reason I believe there is a slight tendency to devote ourselves more to these useless pleasures than to the serious things of life; to be considering always how we can obtain worldly enjoyment rather than how we can make progress in the Gospel and be of use to our fellowmen. I believe it is of great importance to the young people among the Latter-day Saints that they should endeavor to cultivate a spirit of earnestness and of seriousness in regard to the responsibilities which rest upon them. And we have heard many times, those who are now pillars of the Church, who have endured many years, and whose hair has grown white in the service of the Lord, will not always be with us; and those who are growing up will have to bear off the kingdom on their shoulders, and assuredly it is important that they should prepare themselves for these responsibilities. The kingdom is constantly growing, the responsibilities are becoming constantly greater, and the Lord requires more and more instruments to accomplish His purposes upon the earth.
I rejoice, my brethren and sisters, to be with you. I pray that the Spirit of the Lord may be with us continually, that perfect unity and harmony may prevail among us, that we may profit greatly by this conference, that we may take to heart the instructions we receive, and that they may be as a seed which when planted in our hearts shall grow and bring forth fruit that will be of great benefit to the Church, to one another, to our fellowmen, and to the country in which we live, that we may be wise and prudent in fulfilling the responsibilities which rest upon us as citizens of this great country. May we be blessed in fulfilling every duty which rests upon us. I desire to testify that I know that the Gospel is true; that the Latter-day Saints are in possession of the truth as it has been revealed from heaven; that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that his successors have been and are prophets of God, and that those upon this stand who have been called and sustained as leaders of this Church are in very deed men of God, who receive revelations from Him for the guidance of this people. May we support them fully. May we be united in all things, and may we endeavor to improve ourselves and our opportunities from day to day, that we may be finally saved in the kingdom of heaven, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRESIDENT SMITH.
It gives me pleasure to say to the congregation that the last speaker is a son of our late lamented President George Q. Cannon. It always gives me pleasure to see the sons of men who have been faithful in the Church following in the footsteps of their fathers.
It gives me pleasure to say to the congregation that the last speaker is a son of our late lamented President George Q. Cannon. It always gives me pleasure to see the sons of men who have been faithful in the Church following in the footsteps of their fathers.
ELDER CHARLES KELLY.
(President of Boxelder Stake.)
Beloved Saints, I trust that the Lord will give me utterance the few moments I may stand before you in response to the request made by our beloved president. I appear before you as a representative of the Boxelder Stake of Zion, one of the oldest Stakes of Zion, located in the extreme north of our state, bordering on to southern Idaho and eastern Nevada, bounded on the east by Hyrum and Cache Stakes, and on the south by Weber Stake. We number about 7,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our Stake we have a little over 1,500 who bear the holy Aaronic and Melchisedec Priesthoods—a strong army of workers; and we're all alive, active and energetic in the performance of the sacred duties required of that priesthood and authority which God has restored to the earth, we would certainly be a strong and a powerful Stake of Zion. I am pleased to report to this conference our condition as a stake. I am pleased to say that the presidency of the stake are united and love each other. We unite on every proposition before we go before the people. We have a High Council who are united with the presidency of the stake. We hold High Council meetings once a month, and at each of these meetings all matters of general interest to our wards and organizations are discussed and a thorough understanding arrived at. We are active in visiting the wards, of which there are 13 in the stake, together with three branches. I am pleased to tell you that the same spirit which prevails with the presidency and High Council can be found in every ward. The Boxelder Stake of Zion in the Last seven years has doubled its tithing, accepting the counsel of our former and beloved President of the Church, Lorenzo Snow, who counseled this whole people to more fully observe that law and get closer to the Lord and receive His blessings. Our stake has been endeavoring to carry out that advice, and I testify that we have got nearer to the Lord.
There is a greater spirit of union and love for the truth among our people today than ever in my experience of between thirty and forty years among that people. That principle taught by President Snow years ago, by which we got together in our temporal interests and established what we called the United Order; that principle of co-operation by which all were employed in some industry or another—the spirit of that principle has not left our stake entirely. In those days we had no idle boys and girls, no idle men and women, in our county. We had employments established there that took in everybody. We had a peculiar currency, by which we met our obligations. It was a scrip that was made suitable to our conditions, in which our brethren and sisters were paid from the shoe shop, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, the dressmakers, the dairy workers, and from the other departments, thirty in number, that were organized in that stake. For years, my brethren and sisters, there was love, union and industry in the midst of that people. But for some cause or other, misfortune came—shall I say through the providence of the Lord? We say that the Lord doeth all things well, and that nothing happens but what He knows about. At any rate, misfortune came to us. The enemy came upon us and assessed us between $10,000 and $11,000 for circulating our scrip, which was never intended for or passed as money, and we got but very little of it back from the government. Fire destroyed our woolen factory, which entailed a loss of between $30,000 and $40,000; but the unity of the people was sufficient for the occasion, and it was rebuilt. We are an industrious people now, but we have not got those institutions in our midst. You will remember that Boxelder Stake was noted throughout the Church for its cooperation, for its United Order. But while the Institutions of that order have gone the principle by which they were created and governed so many years, under the administration of President Snow, has not left our people. We are a united people. In our stake we have not got a secret order or combination outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When a young man comes to our Priesthood meeting with a recommend from his Bishop to be ordained an Elder, the question is put to him. Are you a member of any secret order? So far, the answer has been "No" in every instance. We are trying to educate our brethren and sisters against the introduction of these evils. Many years ago we taught these principles to our people, and though many attempts have been made to introduce these orders into our stake they have been without effect. I am pleased to make that statement to you at this conference.
I was very much pleased with the remarks of Elder Roberts touching these matters. A brother came to me the other day, and asked if a trades union was a secret order, and whether it was so considered by the authorities of the Church. I said I did not know how the authorities viewed trades unions, but I would consider them secret orders. It is a system by which one man is protected and another is turned adrift. His family may be suffering for the necessaries of life; he may be a skillful mechanic and an honest laborer; but if he is not a member of a certain union he cannot get employment. I told the brother that in my opinion trades unions are secret orders and come under the orders described in the Book of Mormon. I feel that their effects will be felt by and by in the world, and also among us if we unite ourselves with them. I asked the question through one of the Apostles, whether this order was considered among the secret orders, and I received the word that to all intents and purposes it was, and they should be discouraged. I am thankful that in our stake thus far they have been discouraged. I am thankful that we are as good a people as we are; but I do not want you to think that we are all perfect by any means. We have saloons in our midst; we have apostates; we have half-hearted "Mormons;" we have those who are opposed to God and His work; but the great majority of the people are on the Lord's side, and are desirous of serving Him and keeping His commandments. We have glorious prospects before us in the stake at present. We have a new sugar factory in course of erection; we have a new railroad being built through our valley; we have the prospect of an east side canal from the Bear river canyon, converting into farms, orchards, and beautiful homes some 23,000 acres on the east side of the river that are now barren and almost worthless. The canal is partly built, but whether it will be finished or not is an unsettled question at present. With these conditions before us we have splendid prospects in the Boxelder Stake of Zion. We will have plenty of work for idlers. If there are any families, good members of the Church, that will come along to the Boxelder stake and help raise beets, build the railroad and make a canal, and redeem the land that is yet open for purchase at a nominal figure, we will welcome them, and will not be under the necessity of going to Canada or to any far-off state to look for employment.
A serious problem that confronts this people today is. What shall we do with our boys and girls? It is true, many of them are going to the colleges and being educated; but it is only the brain that is being educated, not the hand. They are not getting that intelligence which takes the crude material and makes it subservient to our use, to make our homes comfortable, and to furnish our own shoes, hats and bonnets and other things that we send our substance for to other places and thus build them up instead of ourselves. I feel that the day is not far distant when the principles presented by President Brigham Young to this Church will be more fully carried out; for we have a man at our head today who is looking after the interests of Zion, whose pen is busy daily on some of the most timely articles that we have read for years. Read the Juvenile Instructor, the Improvement Era, and the Deseret News, and there you get the word of the Lord from His servants, who cannot reach us all by their voices. I thank God for these men. I thank God for the past prophets—for President Young, the mighty Moses of latter times, who led this people out of bondage, and planted their feet in these beautiful valleys of the mountains, and located our cities and towns. I am proud of the name of the city in which I live, for it is after that illustrious man —the city of Brigham. I rejoiced in sitting under the sound of his voice. I rejoiced in sitting under the sound of the voice of President John Taylor, his successor, upon whom fell his mantle. I rejoiced in the teachings of that meek and lowly Wilford, who, to a certain extent, made peace between us and this nation by disbanding the People's Party and by introducing, through the will and revelation of God, the manifesto, which stopped in a measure proceedings against this people. When he stood in that sacred edifice, the Temple, he made the statement that now the set time to favor Zion had come. Has hot that prediction been literally fulfilled? Just as literally as many other predictions that have been uttered.
The remarks of Brother Roberts reminded me of that poetical man, Parley P. Pratt, who wrote The Key to Theology, and who prefaced one of his chapters with these lines:
"Oh, Mystic Babel, long has been thy reign!
What direful evils follow in thy train!
The veil is rent—thy mystery revealed,
Angels cry woe! and God thy doom has sealed.
The nations, from thy long and dreary night.
Are waking now to everlasting light."
Those words rang in my ears as Elder Roberts called our attention to these modern improvements. Light has come into the world. The axe has been laid at the root of all false doctrine. That is why our friends the ministers are trembling. That is why the churches are fearful. Light and truth have come into the world, and they will prevail. God has established this work; it is not ours. He has given us pastors after His own heart, to feed us with knowledge and understanding. I am thankful to be associated with this people. This people are my people; their God is my God. I want to share with you, my brethren and sisters, in all the conditions that arise. I came here many years ago, and have grown up under the light and intelligence that has come from God through His servants. I have sat for over 35 years with very few exceptions, under the droppings of this holy sanctuary while the Prophets of the Most High have fed us with knowledge and understanding, and I hope to enjoy that privilege many years yet.
I pray God to bless the Latter-day Saints, to fill us with His Spirit and with a desire to heed the counsels that are given to us from those that preside. Then Zion will prosper; every weapon that is formed against her will be broken to pieces; for this is our Father's work, and we are told that He and one man are a great majority. The power and influence of this people are being felt in the earth today as never before, and we are only commencing. It is only the dawn of a brighter day; it is but the commencement of the work our Father has established in the earth, and which will be Inspired and sustained by Him from this time henceforth until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ. Ma" He give us His grace and Spirit sufficient to establish His righteousness in the earth, to sanctify our hearts in the truth, and to be guided unto His praise, that in the sequel of our days, like many who have addressed us here, we may be gathered home to our Father and rejoice in His salvation, is my prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir sang:
How are Thy servants blessed, O Lord,
How sure is their defense!
Eternal wisdom is their guide.
Their help, Omnipotence.
Benediction was pronounced by Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
(President of Boxelder Stake.)
Beloved Saints, I trust that the Lord will give me utterance the few moments I may stand before you in response to the request made by our beloved president. I appear before you as a representative of the Boxelder Stake of Zion, one of the oldest Stakes of Zion, located in the extreme north of our state, bordering on to southern Idaho and eastern Nevada, bounded on the east by Hyrum and Cache Stakes, and on the south by Weber Stake. We number about 7,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our Stake we have a little over 1,500 who bear the holy Aaronic and Melchisedec Priesthoods—a strong army of workers; and we're all alive, active and energetic in the performance of the sacred duties required of that priesthood and authority which God has restored to the earth, we would certainly be a strong and a powerful Stake of Zion. I am pleased to report to this conference our condition as a stake. I am pleased to say that the presidency of the stake are united and love each other. We unite on every proposition before we go before the people. We have a High Council who are united with the presidency of the stake. We hold High Council meetings once a month, and at each of these meetings all matters of general interest to our wards and organizations are discussed and a thorough understanding arrived at. We are active in visiting the wards, of which there are 13 in the stake, together with three branches. I am pleased to tell you that the same spirit which prevails with the presidency and High Council can be found in every ward. The Boxelder Stake of Zion in the Last seven years has doubled its tithing, accepting the counsel of our former and beloved President of the Church, Lorenzo Snow, who counseled this whole people to more fully observe that law and get closer to the Lord and receive His blessings. Our stake has been endeavoring to carry out that advice, and I testify that we have got nearer to the Lord.
There is a greater spirit of union and love for the truth among our people today than ever in my experience of between thirty and forty years among that people. That principle taught by President Snow years ago, by which we got together in our temporal interests and established what we called the United Order; that principle of co-operation by which all were employed in some industry or another—the spirit of that principle has not left our stake entirely. In those days we had no idle boys and girls, no idle men and women, in our county. We had employments established there that took in everybody. We had a peculiar currency, by which we met our obligations. It was a scrip that was made suitable to our conditions, in which our brethren and sisters were paid from the shoe shop, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, the dressmakers, the dairy workers, and from the other departments, thirty in number, that were organized in that stake. For years, my brethren and sisters, there was love, union and industry in the midst of that people. But for some cause or other, misfortune came—shall I say through the providence of the Lord? We say that the Lord doeth all things well, and that nothing happens but what He knows about. At any rate, misfortune came to us. The enemy came upon us and assessed us between $10,000 and $11,000 for circulating our scrip, which was never intended for or passed as money, and we got but very little of it back from the government. Fire destroyed our woolen factory, which entailed a loss of between $30,000 and $40,000; but the unity of the people was sufficient for the occasion, and it was rebuilt. We are an industrious people now, but we have not got those institutions in our midst. You will remember that Boxelder Stake was noted throughout the Church for its cooperation, for its United Order. But while the Institutions of that order have gone the principle by which they were created and governed so many years, under the administration of President Snow, has not left our people. We are a united people. In our stake we have not got a secret order or combination outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When a young man comes to our Priesthood meeting with a recommend from his Bishop to be ordained an Elder, the question is put to him. Are you a member of any secret order? So far, the answer has been "No" in every instance. We are trying to educate our brethren and sisters against the introduction of these evils. Many years ago we taught these principles to our people, and though many attempts have been made to introduce these orders into our stake they have been without effect. I am pleased to make that statement to you at this conference.
I was very much pleased with the remarks of Elder Roberts touching these matters. A brother came to me the other day, and asked if a trades union was a secret order, and whether it was so considered by the authorities of the Church. I said I did not know how the authorities viewed trades unions, but I would consider them secret orders. It is a system by which one man is protected and another is turned adrift. His family may be suffering for the necessaries of life; he may be a skillful mechanic and an honest laborer; but if he is not a member of a certain union he cannot get employment. I told the brother that in my opinion trades unions are secret orders and come under the orders described in the Book of Mormon. I feel that their effects will be felt by and by in the world, and also among us if we unite ourselves with them. I asked the question through one of the Apostles, whether this order was considered among the secret orders, and I received the word that to all intents and purposes it was, and they should be discouraged. I am thankful that in our stake thus far they have been discouraged. I am thankful that we are as good a people as we are; but I do not want you to think that we are all perfect by any means. We have saloons in our midst; we have apostates; we have half-hearted "Mormons;" we have those who are opposed to God and His work; but the great majority of the people are on the Lord's side, and are desirous of serving Him and keeping His commandments. We have glorious prospects before us in the stake at present. We have a new sugar factory in course of erection; we have a new railroad being built through our valley; we have the prospect of an east side canal from the Bear river canyon, converting into farms, orchards, and beautiful homes some 23,000 acres on the east side of the river that are now barren and almost worthless. The canal is partly built, but whether it will be finished or not is an unsettled question at present. With these conditions before us we have splendid prospects in the Boxelder Stake of Zion. We will have plenty of work for idlers. If there are any families, good members of the Church, that will come along to the Boxelder stake and help raise beets, build the railroad and make a canal, and redeem the land that is yet open for purchase at a nominal figure, we will welcome them, and will not be under the necessity of going to Canada or to any far-off state to look for employment.
A serious problem that confronts this people today is. What shall we do with our boys and girls? It is true, many of them are going to the colleges and being educated; but it is only the brain that is being educated, not the hand. They are not getting that intelligence which takes the crude material and makes it subservient to our use, to make our homes comfortable, and to furnish our own shoes, hats and bonnets and other things that we send our substance for to other places and thus build them up instead of ourselves. I feel that the day is not far distant when the principles presented by President Brigham Young to this Church will be more fully carried out; for we have a man at our head today who is looking after the interests of Zion, whose pen is busy daily on some of the most timely articles that we have read for years. Read the Juvenile Instructor, the Improvement Era, and the Deseret News, and there you get the word of the Lord from His servants, who cannot reach us all by their voices. I thank God for these men. I thank God for the past prophets—for President Young, the mighty Moses of latter times, who led this people out of bondage, and planted their feet in these beautiful valleys of the mountains, and located our cities and towns. I am proud of the name of the city in which I live, for it is after that illustrious man —the city of Brigham. I rejoiced in sitting under the sound of his voice. I rejoiced in sitting under the sound of the voice of President John Taylor, his successor, upon whom fell his mantle. I rejoiced in the teachings of that meek and lowly Wilford, who, to a certain extent, made peace between us and this nation by disbanding the People's Party and by introducing, through the will and revelation of God, the manifesto, which stopped in a measure proceedings against this people. When he stood in that sacred edifice, the Temple, he made the statement that now the set time to favor Zion had come. Has hot that prediction been literally fulfilled? Just as literally as many other predictions that have been uttered.
The remarks of Brother Roberts reminded me of that poetical man, Parley P. Pratt, who wrote The Key to Theology, and who prefaced one of his chapters with these lines:
"Oh, Mystic Babel, long has been thy reign!
What direful evils follow in thy train!
The veil is rent—thy mystery revealed,
Angels cry woe! and God thy doom has sealed.
The nations, from thy long and dreary night.
Are waking now to everlasting light."
Those words rang in my ears as Elder Roberts called our attention to these modern improvements. Light has come into the world. The axe has been laid at the root of all false doctrine. That is why our friends the ministers are trembling. That is why the churches are fearful. Light and truth have come into the world, and they will prevail. God has established this work; it is not ours. He has given us pastors after His own heart, to feed us with knowledge and understanding. I am thankful to be associated with this people. This people are my people; their God is my God. I want to share with you, my brethren and sisters, in all the conditions that arise. I came here many years ago, and have grown up under the light and intelligence that has come from God through His servants. I have sat for over 35 years with very few exceptions, under the droppings of this holy sanctuary while the Prophets of the Most High have fed us with knowledge and understanding, and I hope to enjoy that privilege many years yet.
I pray God to bless the Latter-day Saints, to fill us with His Spirit and with a desire to heed the counsels that are given to us from those that preside. Then Zion will prosper; every weapon that is formed against her will be broken to pieces; for this is our Father's work, and we are told that He and one man are a great majority. The power and influence of this people are being felt in the earth today as never before, and we are only commencing. It is only the dawn of a brighter day; it is but the commencement of the work our Father has established in the earth, and which will be Inspired and sustained by Him from this time henceforth until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ. Ma" He give us His grace and Spirit sufficient to establish His righteousness in the earth, to sanctify our hearts in the truth, and to be guided unto His praise, that in the sequel of our days, like many who have addressed us here, we may be gathered home to our Father and rejoice in His salvation, is my prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir sang:
How are Thy servants blessed, O Lord,
How sure is their defense!
Eternal wisdom is their guide.
Their help, Omnipotence.
Benediction was pronounced by Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
SECOND DAY. Sunday, 10 a. m.
The choir and congregation sang:
Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation,
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam;
Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation.
And shortly the hour of redemption will come.
Prayer was offered by Elder Abraham O. Woodruff.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell,
By faith and love, in every breast;
Then shall me know, and taste, and feel
The joys that cannot be expressed.
The choir and congregation sang:
Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation,
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam;
Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation.
And shortly the hour of redemption will come.
Prayer was offered by Elder Abraham O. Woodruff.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell,
By faith and love, in every breast;
Then shall me know, and taste, and feel
The joys that cannot be expressed.
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND.
Success of Missionaries—Prejudice giving way —Zion progressing—In relation to tithing— Proper use of riches—Reckless speculation should be avoided.
I rejoice this morning in seeing such a large congregation before me. Zion is growing, and the people are trying to live their religion. In looking back upon the past year we see that the Lord has been with His work and blessed His servants in their labors. The missionaries abroad have been successful in reaching the people and in bringing many into the Gospel fold. They have met some opposition; but as a general thing our people are getting better known in the world. In Germany some of our Elders have been exiled, and others notified to leave; but the courts have taken it under consideration, and It is not yet decided whether our Elders will be exiled or not. When the officers are asked what objection they have to our Elders, they say they have nothing against their lives or conduct, but they do not like their religion, and they claim the right to say who shall be their guests. They have this right; but I believe that when they really examine the fruits of "Mormonism" and see the effect it has upon its converts, they will not be opposed to our people being in their midst. There are several lands where there is not perfect freedom of conscience, where there are state religions, and the people are not allowed to worship God in the way they believe to be right; but gradually prejudice and intolerance are giving way, and the most intolerant countries are yielding and allowing the people to believe as they please. In Norway we are not recognized as dissenters; still the police authorities and the people generally who have watched our course are pleased with it. The police of Christiania say that they have less trouble with the Latter-day Saints than they have with others; so we are tolerated there. For many years we have had a meetinghouse of our own in that city, which has been a great help to us. Last year we found that the foundations of the house were giving way, and we had to tear the house down; but it is being rebuilt: and this summer we hope that a better structure will be dedicated, and that our people of that city can again have their own house of worship. The house in Copenhagen is giving general satisfaction, and many people are coming to our meetings. There is a project on foot for the building of a meetinghouse in Stockholm, which I hope will soon begin to be realized. A brother in that city offered a spot upon which to build a meetinghouse, and we believe that the brethren and sisters here, especially from the Scandinavian countries, will help to build such a house there. We have seen the necessity of having our own meetinghouses in branches where we have such large numbers of people in the Church. Stockholm, Copenhagen and Christiania each number several hundred of our people, and it will be a blessing for them to have a place of their own to worship in. I believe that this would also be well in cities like Berlin and other places, where our branches are growing to the extent they are.
We are pleased with the reports that come in from the different missions. Our Elders are laboring zealously, going- from house to house, spreading their tracts, preaching in the streets and halls wherever opportunities afford.
In Zion, the work is also progressing. The people seem more united, and a greater desire to attend meetings is noticed. The Presidency have visited many of the stakes, from the extreme north down to St. George, during the past year, and have found that the people are growing, and that the Spirit of God is in their midst. They show by their works that they are trying to live the lives of Saints. The tithing during the last year was up with the year before and even better. We commend the Saints for their fulfillment of this duty. President Smith in his opening address to the conference, gave us some good counsel. He asked the people to be honest and fulfill their duty to the Lord and to their neighbors. I am pleased to see that the people have met their obligations to the Lord as well as they have during the past year. There is much room, however, for improvement. We find that there is a large number, still on the books, of non-tithepayers. This should not be. A man who professes to be a Latter-day Saint ought to show it in his works. If he does not pay his tithing, he shows there is something wrong with him. He cannot have the faith which he professes to have; for if he did he would not be delinquent in this matter. It is a matter between him and his God. There is no compulsion. But a man who has covenanted with the Lord to do His will cannot feel that he is honest with the Lord when he refuses to obey the calls He makes upon him. This law of tithing is not a new law. It is as old as the days of Abraham, and further back than that; but the first mention we have of it in the Bible is where Abraham paid his tithing. He believed in it; so did Jacob; and so did Israel. In our day, the Lord has again revealed that law to His people and those who have obeyed it have realized the truth of what Bishop Hunter used to say: "Pay your tithing and be blessed."
I would say to the people, be honest one to another. Do not run in debt. The advice of the president yesterday was certainly wholesome. The Lord, in one of His revelations given very early in the Church, says:
"Seek not for riches, but for wisdom, and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich; behold he that hath eternal life is rich."
The riches of eternal life we ought to seek, not the riches of the world. There is a raging thirst for riches in this land. The love of money is growing, even in our midst. We do not look upon wealth in itself as a curse. We believe that those who can handle means rightly can do much to bless their fellows. But he who is ruled by the love of money is tempted to commit sin. The love of money is the root of all evil. There is hardly a commandment but is violated through this seeking for riches. I think, therefore, that it is timely advice to our people to guard against the growing tendency to speculation, and making investments when they have not the means wherewith to do It. It is not safe. We have prosperous times at present. We hope they may continue. But it would be very unwise to build upon the future, and not stand on a firm foundation in regard to financial matters. If anyone wants to make investments, let him make them with his own means; not be too hopeful and borrow means beyond his ability to pay. If he makes investment with his own means and fails, he can still be an honest man; but if he borrow money of his neighbor that he is not able to pay, he may cause the financial ruin of his benefactor who trusted him. Now, brethren and sisters, let us not let the spirit of speculation take hold of us; for past experience shows that inflation is followed by depression, and many of those who are thought to be rich and prosperous, when such times come, may not be able to meet their honest debts. I would advise our people to guard against this thirst for riches, this wanting to get rich quickly. The old way of earning by our labor is the best way to become rich. It is true, we see some who engage in mining quickly realize fortunes; but we do not think of the hundreds and thousands who do not succeed. We find some that invest in certain enterprises that pay well, and we think that any enterprise which is started will do as well. This, we can certainly say, will not be the case. There are always some enterprises that are really needed and may pay their projectors, but in the common run of business great returns cannot be expected. .So let us stay on solid ground, and not venture too far out. The love of money is very marked in the world. The question is not, how much good will such an enterprise do? but will it pay? Now, even in business that should not always be the predominant motive. Many enterprises that have been started in our midst, and that have done a great deal of good, have not paid great dividends to the shareholders. Our Provo Woolen factory has been a great I blessing to the State; yet the owners have not realized great benefit from the investment. When it was first built, money was scarce in the state, and we used to turn our produce there and make exchange for woolen goods. Then we valued the institution perhaps more than we do now. I am glad to see that that institution is getting on a paying basis. We could mention several others that have been projected by our leaders that have not brought great financial returns to the owners. The question, how much good can we do with our means? should be before the question, how can we double our means? The Lord says, seek not for riches, but for wisdom. Let that be our seeking." "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you," is the promise. He that hath eternal life is rich, indeed, says the Lord. Let us seek for eternal life, and while we live here make our lives as useful as possible, and do what we can for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God upon the earth. God bless you all. Amen.
Success of Missionaries—Prejudice giving way —Zion progressing—In relation to tithing— Proper use of riches—Reckless speculation should be avoided.
I rejoice this morning in seeing such a large congregation before me. Zion is growing, and the people are trying to live their religion. In looking back upon the past year we see that the Lord has been with His work and blessed His servants in their labors. The missionaries abroad have been successful in reaching the people and in bringing many into the Gospel fold. They have met some opposition; but as a general thing our people are getting better known in the world. In Germany some of our Elders have been exiled, and others notified to leave; but the courts have taken it under consideration, and It is not yet decided whether our Elders will be exiled or not. When the officers are asked what objection they have to our Elders, they say they have nothing against their lives or conduct, but they do not like their religion, and they claim the right to say who shall be their guests. They have this right; but I believe that when they really examine the fruits of "Mormonism" and see the effect it has upon its converts, they will not be opposed to our people being in their midst. There are several lands where there is not perfect freedom of conscience, where there are state religions, and the people are not allowed to worship God in the way they believe to be right; but gradually prejudice and intolerance are giving way, and the most intolerant countries are yielding and allowing the people to believe as they please. In Norway we are not recognized as dissenters; still the police authorities and the people generally who have watched our course are pleased with it. The police of Christiania say that they have less trouble with the Latter-day Saints than they have with others; so we are tolerated there. For many years we have had a meetinghouse of our own in that city, which has been a great help to us. Last year we found that the foundations of the house were giving way, and we had to tear the house down; but it is being rebuilt: and this summer we hope that a better structure will be dedicated, and that our people of that city can again have their own house of worship. The house in Copenhagen is giving general satisfaction, and many people are coming to our meetings. There is a project on foot for the building of a meetinghouse in Stockholm, which I hope will soon begin to be realized. A brother in that city offered a spot upon which to build a meetinghouse, and we believe that the brethren and sisters here, especially from the Scandinavian countries, will help to build such a house there. We have seen the necessity of having our own meetinghouses in branches where we have such large numbers of people in the Church. Stockholm, Copenhagen and Christiania each number several hundred of our people, and it will be a blessing for them to have a place of their own to worship in. I believe that this would also be well in cities like Berlin and other places, where our branches are growing to the extent they are.
We are pleased with the reports that come in from the different missions. Our Elders are laboring zealously, going- from house to house, spreading their tracts, preaching in the streets and halls wherever opportunities afford.
In Zion, the work is also progressing. The people seem more united, and a greater desire to attend meetings is noticed. The Presidency have visited many of the stakes, from the extreme north down to St. George, during the past year, and have found that the people are growing, and that the Spirit of God is in their midst. They show by their works that they are trying to live the lives of Saints. The tithing during the last year was up with the year before and even better. We commend the Saints for their fulfillment of this duty. President Smith in his opening address to the conference, gave us some good counsel. He asked the people to be honest and fulfill their duty to the Lord and to their neighbors. I am pleased to see that the people have met their obligations to the Lord as well as they have during the past year. There is much room, however, for improvement. We find that there is a large number, still on the books, of non-tithepayers. This should not be. A man who professes to be a Latter-day Saint ought to show it in his works. If he does not pay his tithing, he shows there is something wrong with him. He cannot have the faith which he professes to have; for if he did he would not be delinquent in this matter. It is a matter between him and his God. There is no compulsion. But a man who has covenanted with the Lord to do His will cannot feel that he is honest with the Lord when he refuses to obey the calls He makes upon him. This law of tithing is not a new law. It is as old as the days of Abraham, and further back than that; but the first mention we have of it in the Bible is where Abraham paid his tithing. He believed in it; so did Jacob; and so did Israel. In our day, the Lord has again revealed that law to His people and those who have obeyed it have realized the truth of what Bishop Hunter used to say: "Pay your tithing and be blessed."
I would say to the people, be honest one to another. Do not run in debt. The advice of the president yesterday was certainly wholesome. The Lord, in one of His revelations given very early in the Church, says:
"Seek not for riches, but for wisdom, and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich; behold he that hath eternal life is rich."
The riches of eternal life we ought to seek, not the riches of the world. There is a raging thirst for riches in this land. The love of money is growing, even in our midst. We do not look upon wealth in itself as a curse. We believe that those who can handle means rightly can do much to bless their fellows. But he who is ruled by the love of money is tempted to commit sin. The love of money is the root of all evil. There is hardly a commandment but is violated through this seeking for riches. I think, therefore, that it is timely advice to our people to guard against the growing tendency to speculation, and making investments when they have not the means wherewith to do It. It is not safe. We have prosperous times at present. We hope they may continue. But it would be very unwise to build upon the future, and not stand on a firm foundation in regard to financial matters. If anyone wants to make investments, let him make them with his own means; not be too hopeful and borrow means beyond his ability to pay. If he makes investment with his own means and fails, he can still be an honest man; but if he borrow money of his neighbor that he is not able to pay, he may cause the financial ruin of his benefactor who trusted him. Now, brethren and sisters, let us not let the spirit of speculation take hold of us; for past experience shows that inflation is followed by depression, and many of those who are thought to be rich and prosperous, when such times come, may not be able to meet their honest debts. I would advise our people to guard against this thirst for riches, this wanting to get rich quickly. The old way of earning by our labor is the best way to become rich. It is true, we see some who engage in mining quickly realize fortunes; but we do not think of the hundreds and thousands who do not succeed. We find some that invest in certain enterprises that pay well, and we think that any enterprise which is started will do as well. This, we can certainly say, will not be the case. There are always some enterprises that are really needed and may pay their projectors, but in the common run of business great returns cannot be expected. .So let us stay on solid ground, and not venture too far out. The love of money is very marked in the world. The question is not, how much good will such an enterprise do? but will it pay? Now, even in business that should not always be the predominant motive. Many enterprises that have been started in our midst, and that have done a great deal of good, have not paid great dividends to the shareholders. Our Provo Woolen factory has been a great I blessing to the State; yet the owners have not realized great benefit from the investment. When it was first built, money was scarce in the state, and we used to turn our produce there and make exchange for woolen goods. Then we valued the institution perhaps more than we do now. I am glad to see that that institution is getting on a paying basis. We could mention several others that have been projected by our leaders that have not brought great financial returns to the owners. The question, how much good can we do with our means? should be before the question, how can we double our means? The Lord says, seek not for riches, but for wisdom. Let that be our seeking." "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you," is the promise. He that hath eternal life is rich, indeed, says the Lord. Let us seek for eternal life, and while we live here make our lives as useful as possible, and do what we can for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God upon the earth. God bless you all. Amen.
ELDER GEORGE REYNOLDS.
Need of manual training in schools-Incidental reference to athletics — New methods of teaching in Sunday Schools.
It was with more than ordinary interest and pleasure, my brethren and sisters, that I listened to the remarks of President Smith yesterday morning, perhaps for the reason that I felt for some time the great necessity of instructions being given on many of the points on which he touched. One thing particularly impressed me, and that was the necessity of more encouragement being given to the teaching of manual training in our schools. I well remember when President Brigham Young established our Church schools, how strong was his wish that these things should be encouraged and this department taught in the institutions of which he then laid the foundation; and I have always regretted that more attention has not been given to this department in these schools. We all know what a very practical man President Young was; how essential he felt it was that we as a people should be self-sustaining. In his day, our territory was full of the best of mechanics, who had gathered from various portions of the earth. It -was well known that in no part of the United States were there better handicraftsmen, and artisans than in Utah. The work done in those times still stands as a monument of how well they could accomplish their purposes. But today, unfortunately, it is not altogether so. Our rising generation, born in the midst of these valleys, apparently does not turn naturally in this direction. Although we have increased in numbers, we have not developed in these conditions; in fact, we are not so well off as we were a quarter of a century ago or more. One remedy for this evil is that those who direct the feelings and thoughts of this people should impress upon the youth the necessity of learning trades, by which the community can be built up, and not so many turn in the direction of what are called the learned professions. We cannot have a prosperous community if it is overweighted and top-heavy with so many inclined in one direction, and the arts and industries which lie at the foundation of all progressive and successful communities are neglected or trifled with. Therefore, feeling the necessity of our people being impressed with these truths, I was exceedingly pleased to hear our President talk as he did yesterday morning. I will acknowledge that I have felt that some of our institutions of learning paid more attention to athletics—to basketball and such games—and thought more of the credit they received by overcoming their competitors in that line, than they did of training the young men placed In their care in those things that will make them most useful. Of course, we are told that athletics are necessary. I admit that. But the argument appears to me to be essentially weak when applied to ball games and games of a like description, when we recollect that those engaged in them are the strongest, the healthiest and the best developed students in the institution, and that those who are not so well developed, and who need the training to strengthen them, if any do, are the ones that stand around, applaud, clap their hands and yell themselves hoarse when their representatives play a good game, or secure a victory. I believe, my brethren and sisters, that in developing the muscles and the vitality of our people a little change from athletics to manual training will be a great advantage to this community.
As a number of the presidents of stakes have reported their stakes, I wish to say a few words with regard to our Sunday schools, as I am one of the assistants to President Joseph F. Smith in the general superintendency. I wish to report that as a general thing the schools are progressing satisfactorily. During the past year we have made a marked change in our methods and in the conduct of our schools by introducing a uniform plan of study in all the schools, so that any pupil going from one school to another can continue in the new school the same series of lessons that he studied in the school which he has just left. There has been a complaint that in our Sunday schools some of the children have received a one-sided education, having studied but from one or two of our sacred books during the whole time they have been in school. Some have been confined to the Bible, others to the Book of Mormon, others to Church history, others to the Articles of Faith. This has not been intentional, but it has been for the want of a detailed, progressive outline of study. This the General Board has endeavored to obviate by the "Outlines" which have lately been published. At this time, any child who continues in the Sunday school through the entire course will have had every phase of religious, history and doctrine desirable to be learned presented to him by the time he has passed through the various departments. He will commence with the kindergarten, where he will be taught in the story form; then up through the primary, the intermediates and the theological, until he will become acquainted with the history of the Church, with the doctrines of the Gospel, with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and their contents. While no book, sacred though it be, is made the especial object of study, that which is taught in all the departments is intended to increase the faith of the child in the Gospel of the Son of God and in love for Him. When the pupil has passed through all the departments he will go out with a well-rounded understanding of the dealings of the Lord with His people in this and in past dispensations. This has been our object in preparing the "Outlines;" and though occasionally we hear a word of fault found that we are adhering too closely to the mere historical record, yet I wish to say, as one of the representatives of the Sunday schools, that that is not our intention. Our intention is, first, and before all other things, to Implant in the hearts of the children a love for God and for the holy cause, a reverence for all sacred things, and to develop within them a testimony of the truth of the great work of the latter days. I would exhort the teachers in this great cause to remember that all other considerations are secondary. While we give the historical portion a prominent place, yet that is simply intended to lead the mind and feelings of the child in the direction of the great truths that God has revealed, and we desire to make all teaching subservient to this end and intent. I cannot this morning give you any figures with regard to the increase of our schools, or of our attendance, because we have lacked some of the statistical- reports. And this teaches us a lesson of how dependent the whole people are upon Individual effort. If the lack of one report causes the whole report of the Church or of the schools to be incomplete, inaccurate and unreliable, it shows how necessary it is that those who have the clerical work of the Church to do, whether in the wards and stakes or in the auxiliary organizations, should be correct and prompt; for statistics of any kind, if not exact and truthful, are worse than worthless, because they are misleading, and they give wrong ideas regarding existing conditions and what is being done. But I find—as I have much to do with these things in my daily duties—that the reports which are sent in, both by -the school officers and the stake officers, often come in a most undesirable condition. We receive reports occasionally that are unsigned, undated, and unnamed, and we have to guess whence they come from the little information that is recorded. Think of a report without any signature, without any date, without any name, and you can see how difficult it is to make up general reports. Then they are occasionally sent -in just a day or two before the general report is required, when they ought to be in at least a month before, and two months would be better, so that they could be properly tabulated, examined, and the results understood.
Altogether, as far as the Sunday schools are concerned, we feel that we have great cause for encouragement, and with succeeding years they are doing more and more good in the establishment of righteousness and in the confirming of the faith of God's people. God bless you. Amen.
Need of manual training in schools-Incidental reference to athletics — New methods of teaching in Sunday Schools.
It was with more than ordinary interest and pleasure, my brethren and sisters, that I listened to the remarks of President Smith yesterday morning, perhaps for the reason that I felt for some time the great necessity of instructions being given on many of the points on which he touched. One thing particularly impressed me, and that was the necessity of more encouragement being given to the teaching of manual training in our schools. I well remember when President Brigham Young established our Church schools, how strong was his wish that these things should be encouraged and this department taught in the institutions of which he then laid the foundation; and I have always regretted that more attention has not been given to this department in these schools. We all know what a very practical man President Young was; how essential he felt it was that we as a people should be self-sustaining. In his day, our territory was full of the best of mechanics, who had gathered from various portions of the earth. It -was well known that in no part of the United States were there better handicraftsmen, and artisans than in Utah. The work done in those times still stands as a monument of how well they could accomplish their purposes. But today, unfortunately, it is not altogether so. Our rising generation, born in the midst of these valleys, apparently does not turn naturally in this direction. Although we have increased in numbers, we have not developed in these conditions; in fact, we are not so well off as we were a quarter of a century ago or more. One remedy for this evil is that those who direct the feelings and thoughts of this people should impress upon the youth the necessity of learning trades, by which the community can be built up, and not so many turn in the direction of what are called the learned professions. We cannot have a prosperous community if it is overweighted and top-heavy with so many inclined in one direction, and the arts and industries which lie at the foundation of all progressive and successful communities are neglected or trifled with. Therefore, feeling the necessity of our people being impressed with these truths, I was exceedingly pleased to hear our President talk as he did yesterday morning. I will acknowledge that I have felt that some of our institutions of learning paid more attention to athletics—to basketball and such games—and thought more of the credit they received by overcoming their competitors in that line, than they did of training the young men placed In their care in those things that will make them most useful. Of course, we are told that athletics are necessary. I admit that. But the argument appears to me to be essentially weak when applied to ball games and games of a like description, when we recollect that those engaged in them are the strongest, the healthiest and the best developed students in the institution, and that those who are not so well developed, and who need the training to strengthen them, if any do, are the ones that stand around, applaud, clap their hands and yell themselves hoarse when their representatives play a good game, or secure a victory. I believe, my brethren and sisters, that in developing the muscles and the vitality of our people a little change from athletics to manual training will be a great advantage to this community.
As a number of the presidents of stakes have reported their stakes, I wish to say a few words with regard to our Sunday schools, as I am one of the assistants to President Joseph F. Smith in the general superintendency. I wish to report that as a general thing the schools are progressing satisfactorily. During the past year we have made a marked change in our methods and in the conduct of our schools by introducing a uniform plan of study in all the schools, so that any pupil going from one school to another can continue in the new school the same series of lessons that he studied in the school which he has just left. There has been a complaint that in our Sunday schools some of the children have received a one-sided education, having studied but from one or two of our sacred books during the whole time they have been in school. Some have been confined to the Bible, others to the Book of Mormon, others to Church history, others to the Articles of Faith. This has not been intentional, but it has been for the want of a detailed, progressive outline of study. This the General Board has endeavored to obviate by the "Outlines" which have lately been published. At this time, any child who continues in the Sunday school through the entire course will have had every phase of religious, history and doctrine desirable to be learned presented to him by the time he has passed through the various departments. He will commence with the kindergarten, where he will be taught in the story form; then up through the primary, the intermediates and the theological, until he will become acquainted with the history of the Church, with the doctrines of the Gospel, with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and their contents. While no book, sacred though it be, is made the especial object of study, that which is taught in all the departments is intended to increase the faith of the child in the Gospel of the Son of God and in love for Him. When the pupil has passed through all the departments he will go out with a well-rounded understanding of the dealings of the Lord with His people in this and in past dispensations. This has been our object in preparing the "Outlines;" and though occasionally we hear a word of fault found that we are adhering too closely to the mere historical record, yet I wish to say, as one of the representatives of the Sunday schools, that that is not our intention. Our intention is, first, and before all other things, to Implant in the hearts of the children a love for God and for the holy cause, a reverence for all sacred things, and to develop within them a testimony of the truth of the great work of the latter days. I would exhort the teachers in this great cause to remember that all other considerations are secondary. While we give the historical portion a prominent place, yet that is simply intended to lead the mind and feelings of the child in the direction of the great truths that God has revealed, and we desire to make all teaching subservient to this end and intent. I cannot this morning give you any figures with regard to the increase of our schools, or of our attendance, because we have lacked some of the statistical- reports. And this teaches us a lesson of how dependent the whole people are upon Individual effort. If the lack of one report causes the whole report of the Church or of the schools to be incomplete, inaccurate and unreliable, it shows how necessary it is that those who have the clerical work of the Church to do, whether in the wards and stakes or in the auxiliary organizations, should be correct and prompt; for statistics of any kind, if not exact and truthful, are worse than worthless, because they are misleading, and they give wrong ideas regarding existing conditions and what is being done. But I find—as I have much to do with these things in my daily duties—that the reports which are sent in, both by -the school officers and the stake officers, often come in a most undesirable condition. We receive reports occasionally that are unsigned, undated, and unnamed, and we have to guess whence they come from the little information that is recorded. Think of a report without any signature, without any date, without any name, and you can see how difficult it is to make up general reports. Then they are occasionally sent -in just a day or two before the general report is required, when they ought to be in at least a month before, and two months would be better, so that they could be properly tabulated, examined, and the results understood.
Altogether, as far as the Sunday schools are concerned, we feel that we have great cause for encouragement, and with succeeding years they are doing more and more good in the establishment of righteousness and in the confirming of the faith of God's people. God bless you. Amen.
ELDER R. G. MILLER.
(President of Emery Stake.)
While sitting here I was reminded of what President J. Golden Kimball said at one of our conferences. He said: "You brethren around here want to look out; lightning is going to strike, and you can't tell just where." 1 feel like it had struck this morning. In standing before this vast congregation I feel very weak; but I trust I may be able to speak for a few minutes and report the Emery Stake, over which I have been called to preside. It pleases me very much to hear the brethren tell of their stakes. It is a testimony to me that we are being blessed in the Emery Stake of Zion; for a similar report to those given might be made of the Emery stake. It lies about southeast from here, and east of the Sanpete stake. It is comprised of two counties—Carbon and Emery—and is about 70 miles east and west and 90 miles north and south. We have 13 wards, and they are scattered over this large area of country. We have some disadvantages compared with other stakes. As a consequence, we are probably not making the progress that we should. But the people generally are trying to do their duty and to serve God, though there is considerable room for improvement. We have all the modern conveniences of civilized (?) society; we have saloons, and organizations of most every kind. I am, however, happy to say that very few of our people have joined the organizations outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The saloons, with perhaps two exceptions, are run by people not of our faith; and in a short time we hope to be able to say that no one runs a saloon in our stake who claims to be a member of the Church. If the Bishops will do their duty, there will be no saloons run by our people.
There are great resources in our part of the country, and only about one corner of it has yet been touched. From the name of one of our counties—Carbon— you will see that we have coal there. The statistics of the state show that we have more coal in that region than there is in any other part of the west. We hope that this will be developed, and that the world may be supplied from the abundance of coal to be found there. There is coal all along the north boundary of our stake, and on the west also. It is full of coal, and we hope the day is not far distant when it will be produced and marketed. We have a fine agricultural district also. There is a movement now on foot whereby many thousands of acres will be brought tinder cultivation; and we invite the Saints who are looking for homes to cast their eyes on Emery stake. The people of Juab and Sanpete counties have had a movement on foot for some time to store water in the mountains and convey it into their counties; but they have seen a more feasible way to get rid of this water, and they have kindly consented to come into Carbon county. We ask you brethren and. sisters who are looking for homes to join with us, and we will welcome you there.
I feel well in the position to which I have been called. I desire to do my duty. My great desire is to press forward and assist the people and help build up the kingdom of God. I have been blessed with good companions. My counselors are sturdy, thrifty men — John H. Pace and Henry G. Mathis. We work together in unity. I know this work is true. It is the work of God. I have known this from my infancy. It seems as if I was born with a testimony of the Gospel. My parents were among the early settlers of this country, and went through all the hardships and privations; and it seems to have been implanted in my nature that this is the work of God.
I pray that the blessings of the Lord may continue with us during this conference, that we may go home filled with the Spirit of the Lord and more determined to serve Him and keep His commandments; which I do in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of Emery Stake.)
While sitting here I was reminded of what President J. Golden Kimball said at one of our conferences. He said: "You brethren around here want to look out; lightning is going to strike, and you can't tell just where." 1 feel like it had struck this morning. In standing before this vast congregation I feel very weak; but I trust I may be able to speak for a few minutes and report the Emery Stake, over which I have been called to preside. It pleases me very much to hear the brethren tell of their stakes. It is a testimony to me that we are being blessed in the Emery Stake of Zion; for a similar report to those given might be made of the Emery stake. It lies about southeast from here, and east of the Sanpete stake. It is comprised of two counties—Carbon and Emery—and is about 70 miles east and west and 90 miles north and south. We have 13 wards, and they are scattered over this large area of country. We have some disadvantages compared with other stakes. As a consequence, we are probably not making the progress that we should. But the people generally are trying to do their duty and to serve God, though there is considerable room for improvement. We have all the modern conveniences of civilized (?) society; we have saloons, and organizations of most every kind. I am, however, happy to say that very few of our people have joined the organizations outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The saloons, with perhaps two exceptions, are run by people not of our faith; and in a short time we hope to be able to say that no one runs a saloon in our stake who claims to be a member of the Church. If the Bishops will do their duty, there will be no saloons run by our people.
There are great resources in our part of the country, and only about one corner of it has yet been touched. From the name of one of our counties—Carbon— you will see that we have coal there. The statistics of the state show that we have more coal in that region than there is in any other part of the west. We hope that this will be developed, and that the world may be supplied from the abundance of coal to be found there. There is coal all along the north boundary of our stake, and on the west also. It is full of coal, and we hope the day is not far distant when it will be produced and marketed. We have a fine agricultural district also. There is a movement now on foot whereby many thousands of acres will be brought tinder cultivation; and we invite the Saints who are looking for homes to cast their eyes on Emery stake. The people of Juab and Sanpete counties have had a movement on foot for some time to store water in the mountains and convey it into their counties; but they have seen a more feasible way to get rid of this water, and they have kindly consented to come into Carbon county. We ask you brethren and. sisters who are looking for homes to join with us, and we will welcome you there.
I feel well in the position to which I have been called. I desire to do my duty. My great desire is to press forward and assist the people and help build up the kingdom of God. I have been blessed with good companions. My counselors are sturdy, thrifty men — John H. Pace and Henry G. Mathis. We work together in unity. I know this work is true. It is the work of God. I have known this from my infancy. It seems as if I was born with a testimony of the Gospel. My parents were among the early settlers of this country, and went through all the hardships and privations; and it seems to have been implanted in my nature that this is the work of God.
I pray that the blessings of the Lord may continue with us during this conference, that we may go home filled with the Spirit of the Lord and more determined to serve Him and keep His commandments; which I do in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER W. C. PARKINSON
(President of Hyrum Stake).
I have truly rejoiced, my brethren and sisters, in the timely and practical instructions that have been given at this conference. I have enjoyed the spirit that has rested upon those who have spoken to us. In reporting the Hyrum Stake of Zion I will say, it is a newly-organized stake. It was organized two years ago on the 30th of April. It comprises the south end of Cache valley, with ten wards and about 5,700 Saints. I believe the spiritual condition of the people there has improved of late. I think it was an excellent thing to divide the old stake, make it smaller, and place more active men in the field to look after the people and to encourage them in the work of the Lord. We have divided one of the wards in our stake, and we believe it is an excellent thing. It has brought about good results. We now have three wards where we had one, and three Bishops and three sets of officers where we only had one. We find that the people are better looked after, and spiritual activity is growing. We have better attendance at our meetings. The presidency of the stake are united; and have a good deal of pleasure in their labors. We have an excellent High Council, and I think I am safe in saying that every member of that body is a good, faithful, consistent Latter-day Saint. They are good tithepayers. They observe the Sabbath day, they observe the Word of Wisdom, and they are active in the ministry. We meet together once a month, and we always have a splendid attendance. Usually nearly all the members are present, both regular members and alternates. The presidency are supposed to meet once a week. We do not always do this, but we do it as often as we can find it convenient and practicable. In our meetings we have a great deal of pleasure, and, I believe, have enjoyed the Spirit of the Lord. We take under consideration matters pertaining to the general interest and welfare of our people. Our wards are close together. We only cover a small area of country— about ten miles to our farthest ward; so that our stake is very compact, and. I think, a model stake. We have some splendid people in that part of the country—perhaps as good as can be found in Israel; and we have enough of the other element to keep those who are willing to work busily engaged. There is plenty of opportunity for them to labor in the ministry. We only have two saloons in our midst—and that is two more than we would like to have. Our tithing has increased between $5,000 and $6,000 the last year. Our Priesthood meetings are very well attended. We have ten very good, active Bishops. 1 can say for all our Bishops that they are good, intelligent men, who thoroughly understand the Gospel and the duties of their calling. They are qualified and able to look after their wards, and I believe they are giving the people good attention. Our stake officers, as far as I have learned, are all good, faithful people, and our organizations are all complete. Although it is a new stake, we have the organizations all complete, both in the wards and in the stake. There is a meeting of the Priesthood every month, and all stake officers have their regular monthly meetings, at which they devise means and plans for the best interest and welfare of the various organizations. While we are located in one of the most fertile and prosperous valleys in the Rocky Mountains, still we always have the poor with us. We have plenty to consume the fast offerings and the funds placed at the disposal of the Bishops, though the people are increasing in the payment of their fast offerings, and we hope sometime in the near future that we will be able to take good care of all the poor in our part of the Lord's vineyard without calling upon the Church for assistance. We are working to that end.
I do not know that I have anything further to say, more than that I rejoice in the principles of the Gospel. I have a testimony of the divine mission of the Prophet .Joseph Smith and the great work of the latter days. I have had this testimony for many years. I can hardly remember the time when I did not look upon the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ and the men who stood in prominent positions in this Church with the greatest degree of reverence. I have looked upon those who have presided over me all the days of my life with perhaps as much consideration almost as I have my own parents. I have learned to love the servants of God, and I am glad to be associated with them. I am glad to attend these conferences, and I always rejoice in listening to the instructions that are imparted. The last conference that we held in the Hyrum Stake of Zion, I believe, was the best we have had. It was more liberally attended than any previous conference. Our house was so full that we had to have an overflow meeting, and the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us in abundance. We felt that the Lord had kindly recognized our efforts, and made us to rejoice. Although the roads were exceedingly bad, the people turned out in great numbers, and we had a spiritual feast.
May the Lord bless us, brethren and sisters, and preserve us in the truth. I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of Hyrum Stake).
I have truly rejoiced, my brethren and sisters, in the timely and practical instructions that have been given at this conference. I have enjoyed the spirit that has rested upon those who have spoken to us. In reporting the Hyrum Stake of Zion I will say, it is a newly-organized stake. It was organized two years ago on the 30th of April. It comprises the south end of Cache valley, with ten wards and about 5,700 Saints. I believe the spiritual condition of the people there has improved of late. I think it was an excellent thing to divide the old stake, make it smaller, and place more active men in the field to look after the people and to encourage them in the work of the Lord. We have divided one of the wards in our stake, and we believe it is an excellent thing. It has brought about good results. We now have three wards where we had one, and three Bishops and three sets of officers where we only had one. We find that the people are better looked after, and spiritual activity is growing. We have better attendance at our meetings. The presidency of the stake are united; and have a good deal of pleasure in their labors. We have an excellent High Council, and I think I am safe in saying that every member of that body is a good, faithful, consistent Latter-day Saint. They are good tithepayers. They observe the Sabbath day, they observe the Word of Wisdom, and they are active in the ministry. We meet together once a month, and we always have a splendid attendance. Usually nearly all the members are present, both regular members and alternates. The presidency are supposed to meet once a week. We do not always do this, but we do it as often as we can find it convenient and practicable. In our meetings we have a great deal of pleasure, and, I believe, have enjoyed the Spirit of the Lord. We take under consideration matters pertaining to the general interest and welfare of our people. Our wards are close together. We only cover a small area of country— about ten miles to our farthest ward; so that our stake is very compact, and. I think, a model stake. We have some splendid people in that part of the country—perhaps as good as can be found in Israel; and we have enough of the other element to keep those who are willing to work busily engaged. There is plenty of opportunity for them to labor in the ministry. We only have two saloons in our midst—and that is two more than we would like to have. Our tithing has increased between $5,000 and $6,000 the last year. Our Priesthood meetings are very well attended. We have ten very good, active Bishops. 1 can say for all our Bishops that they are good, intelligent men, who thoroughly understand the Gospel and the duties of their calling. They are qualified and able to look after their wards, and I believe they are giving the people good attention. Our stake officers, as far as I have learned, are all good, faithful people, and our organizations are all complete. Although it is a new stake, we have the organizations all complete, both in the wards and in the stake. There is a meeting of the Priesthood every month, and all stake officers have their regular monthly meetings, at which they devise means and plans for the best interest and welfare of the various organizations. While we are located in one of the most fertile and prosperous valleys in the Rocky Mountains, still we always have the poor with us. We have plenty to consume the fast offerings and the funds placed at the disposal of the Bishops, though the people are increasing in the payment of their fast offerings, and we hope sometime in the near future that we will be able to take good care of all the poor in our part of the Lord's vineyard without calling upon the Church for assistance. We are working to that end.
I do not know that I have anything further to say, more than that I rejoice in the principles of the Gospel. I have a testimony of the divine mission of the Prophet .Joseph Smith and the great work of the latter days. I have had this testimony for many years. I can hardly remember the time when I did not look upon the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ and the men who stood in prominent positions in this Church with the greatest degree of reverence. I have looked upon those who have presided over me all the days of my life with perhaps as much consideration almost as I have my own parents. I have learned to love the servants of God, and I am glad to be associated with them. I am glad to attend these conferences, and I always rejoice in listening to the instructions that are imparted. The last conference that we held in the Hyrum Stake of Zion, I believe, was the best we have had. It was more liberally attended than any previous conference. Our house was so full that we had to have an overflow meeting, and the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us in abundance. We felt that the Lord had kindly recognized our efforts, and made us to rejoice. Although the roads were exceedingly bad, the people turned out in great numbers, and we had a spiritual feast.
May the Lord bless us, brethren and sisters, and preserve us in the truth. I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER THOMAS E. BASSETT.
(President of Fremont Stake.)
I am very gratified, my beloved brethren and sisters, for the position that I now occupy in standing before you as a representative of the Fremont Stake of Zion. Our Stake is located about two hundred miles north of this city. It is in the extreme northeast corner of what is usually termed Southeastern Idaho. It also extends across the continental divide into the southern borders of Montana, the branch of Lima in that State of the Union being a part of the Fremont stake. In the state of Idaho there are eighteen wards located in the Fremont stake. The area of our stake is approximately 70 miles square, embracing in the neighborhood of 5,000 square miles. We have a population of about 6,000 Latter-day Saints. All of the organizations of our stake are complete. Like the rest of my brethren who have reported, I feel proud to be associated with those who have charge of the various organizations in our stake. I am especially pleased to be associated with my two counselors, whom I have learned to love as men of God, and who are heart and hand with me in every enterprise that we esteem for the good and welfare of our people. I do not think that there is a better High Council throughout the length and breadth of the Church than we have In the Fremont stake of Zion. We hold meetings regularly once a month, and have a splendid attendance. There is no proposition ever brought before our people until the entire High Council are apprised of it and are unanimous in favor of it. We have two councils of Seventy, whose jurisdiction extends throughout our stake and one of the adjoining stakes. They are doing a very good work. We have four Elders' quorums, actively engaged in their labors. The superintendency of the Sunday schools of the stake are most active men, and the Union Board associated with them are exemplary members of the Church. They meet regularly bi-weekly, and arrange for their labors among- the various Sunday schools of the stake. So does also the stake board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, and the Stake board of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, meet bi-weekly, and I can testify that they are men and women of God and doing a noble work among our young people in that vicinity. We have not met with the success in our religion class work that I would like to see; but we hope to bring that institution to the front as soon as we possibly can. With this exception, all the auxiliary organizations and the quorums of that stake are in excellent condition.
Financially we are more blessed and prospered than we have ever been before, although we have no need whatever to complain of the blessings of our Heavenly Father that have attended us in that section of the country. It seems but yesterday that we settled on that then sagebrush plain, and located our tents on the banks of the South Teton river, under the direction of President Thomas B. Ricks, who was then Bishop Ricks, and he was under the jurisdiction of Presiding Bishop William B. Preston, who was then the President of the Cache stake of Zion. All that extent of country which now comprises the Fremont stake, the Bingham stake, the Teton stake, and a part of the Pocatello stake, was then known as the Bannock ward of the Cache stake of Zion. The number of Latter-day Saints in that locality at that time did not exceed perhaps 2C0 souls. Today in these various stakes our people number approximately 20,000.
What was then the Bannock ward of the Cache stake of Zion is now known as the Ricks Academy district, named in honor of our late highly esteemed and lamented president, Thomas E. Ricks. I am pleased to say that this institution of learning was organized by him under the direction of President Wilford Woodruff, fifteen years ago on the 12th of November next. Prom that time unto the present, although it has had many difficulties to encounter, it has lived and increased its usefulness among our young people. This year we have an attendance in that institution of 265; and I can tell you, brethren and sisters, I feel extremely proud of them, and of the noble work they are doing, with the faculty of the institution, under the able leadership of Brother Ezra Christiansen. The work that they have been doing this winter is indeed excellent. In this institution there have been 40 young men, called from these different stakes, to take the missionary course, and this spring nearly all of them have been called to take missions to various parts of the earth. These young men are scattered abroad today, others are going, and the benefits of this institution are so widespread that we cannot estimate the length and breadth thereof. On the 15th of November next—the fifteenth birthday of this institution — we expect to have completed a $50,000 structure as a home for it. This year Fremont stake has contributed upwards of $12,000 for the erection of this building, and by doing a similar work during^ the coming season we hope to have it ready for occupancy on the 12th of November.
As far as the tithes of our people are concerned, we feel that we have no complaints whatever to offer. In connection with what we have done towards the erection of the academy, our tithes have increased nearly $4,000 during the year 1902.
I bear my testimony to you, as I have borne it time and time again, that this is the Church and kingdom of God in which we are engaged. Notwithstanding all of the opposition that has been brought to bear against it during the 73 years of its existence, look at it today, scattered throughout the length and breadth of these mountain valleys, our young men in almost every nation under heaven promulgating the truths of the Gospel, and who is there that cannot say with me this morning that were it not for the overruling power of Omnipotence this work would have gone down; but today we find it is the work of God, and the people are growing and increasing upon the right hand and upon the left. We have in our stake, as some of the other brethren have said, all of the modern improvements (?). Twenty years ago it was a sagebrush plain; today we have upwards of 50 wards in that part of the country, we have a branch railroad, we have the electric lines, we have telephone communication, and everything is prosperous with us, financially and temporally. I feel to thank God for it; but above all things I thank Him for a standing in the Church of God. I bear my testimony to you of its truthfulness. Above all things, let us be true to the covenants that we have made, and not one of us be a traitor. I am extremely thankful for the very timely suggestions that have been offered by our Presidency during this conference with regard to the importance of teaching our young people the necessity of manual work. I omitted to state that in our institution of learning which I have been speaking of we have made preparations already to have a class in manual training the coming winter, as also a class in domestic science. We are scattered over a very large tract of country, and I only regret that there are not more of our young people who are looking for homes, that they may come and help us carry our burdens. We have had bridges to build, schoolhouses to build, churches to build, roads to maintain, and everything that is necessary in the development of a new country. Our people have taken up large farms; they are too large, and in too many cases they have been under the necessity of mortgaging them, and I am sorry to say that more than 50 per cent of the farms in our stake today are mortgaged. Our people are carrying too heavy a load, and we would very dearly like to see a host of our young people come into that country and buy out one-half or two-thirds of the farms we own, and help us to lift our mortgages and maintain those things that are necessary in the colonization of a country. We invite you there; but we do not want to go contrary to the counsel of the First Presidency in asking our young people to scatter out too far. However, we will always welcome you to come and share our burdens, because we want to observe the counsel of the First Presidency and get out of debt as soon as we can. We do not want, though, to sell our farms to strangers, but we would like to sell to our own people.
God bless you, brethren and sisters. May His Spirit attend this people throughout the length and breadth of the world. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Fremont Stake.)
I am very gratified, my beloved brethren and sisters, for the position that I now occupy in standing before you as a representative of the Fremont Stake of Zion. Our Stake is located about two hundred miles north of this city. It is in the extreme northeast corner of what is usually termed Southeastern Idaho. It also extends across the continental divide into the southern borders of Montana, the branch of Lima in that State of the Union being a part of the Fremont stake. In the state of Idaho there are eighteen wards located in the Fremont stake. The area of our stake is approximately 70 miles square, embracing in the neighborhood of 5,000 square miles. We have a population of about 6,000 Latter-day Saints. All of the organizations of our stake are complete. Like the rest of my brethren who have reported, I feel proud to be associated with those who have charge of the various organizations in our stake. I am especially pleased to be associated with my two counselors, whom I have learned to love as men of God, and who are heart and hand with me in every enterprise that we esteem for the good and welfare of our people. I do not think that there is a better High Council throughout the length and breadth of the Church than we have In the Fremont stake of Zion. We hold meetings regularly once a month, and have a splendid attendance. There is no proposition ever brought before our people until the entire High Council are apprised of it and are unanimous in favor of it. We have two councils of Seventy, whose jurisdiction extends throughout our stake and one of the adjoining stakes. They are doing a very good work. We have four Elders' quorums, actively engaged in their labors. The superintendency of the Sunday schools of the stake are most active men, and the Union Board associated with them are exemplary members of the Church. They meet regularly bi-weekly, and arrange for their labors among- the various Sunday schools of the stake. So does also the stake board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, and the Stake board of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, meet bi-weekly, and I can testify that they are men and women of God and doing a noble work among our young people in that vicinity. We have not met with the success in our religion class work that I would like to see; but we hope to bring that institution to the front as soon as we possibly can. With this exception, all the auxiliary organizations and the quorums of that stake are in excellent condition.
Financially we are more blessed and prospered than we have ever been before, although we have no need whatever to complain of the blessings of our Heavenly Father that have attended us in that section of the country. It seems but yesterday that we settled on that then sagebrush plain, and located our tents on the banks of the South Teton river, under the direction of President Thomas B. Ricks, who was then Bishop Ricks, and he was under the jurisdiction of Presiding Bishop William B. Preston, who was then the President of the Cache stake of Zion. All that extent of country which now comprises the Fremont stake, the Bingham stake, the Teton stake, and a part of the Pocatello stake, was then known as the Bannock ward of the Cache stake of Zion. The number of Latter-day Saints in that locality at that time did not exceed perhaps 2C0 souls. Today in these various stakes our people number approximately 20,000.
What was then the Bannock ward of the Cache stake of Zion is now known as the Ricks Academy district, named in honor of our late highly esteemed and lamented president, Thomas E. Ricks. I am pleased to say that this institution of learning was organized by him under the direction of President Wilford Woodruff, fifteen years ago on the 12th of November next. Prom that time unto the present, although it has had many difficulties to encounter, it has lived and increased its usefulness among our young people. This year we have an attendance in that institution of 265; and I can tell you, brethren and sisters, I feel extremely proud of them, and of the noble work they are doing, with the faculty of the institution, under the able leadership of Brother Ezra Christiansen. The work that they have been doing this winter is indeed excellent. In this institution there have been 40 young men, called from these different stakes, to take the missionary course, and this spring nearly all of them have been called to take missions to various parts of the earth. These young men are scattered abroad today, others are going, and the benefits of this institution are so widespread that we cannot estimate the length and breadth thereof. On the 15th of November next—the fifteenth birthday of this institution — we expect to have completed a $50,000 structure as a home for it. This year Fremont stake has contributed upwards of $12,000 for the erection of this building, and by doing a similar work during^ the coming season we hope to have it ready for occupancy on the 12th of November.
As far as the tithes of our people are concerned, we feel that we have no complaints whatever to offer. In connection with what we have done towards the erection of the academy, our tithes have increased nearly $4,000 during the year 1902.
I bear my testimony to you, as I have borne it time and time again, that this is the Church and kingdom of God in which we are engaged. Notwithstanding all of the opposition that has been brought to bear against it during the 73 years of its existence, look at it today, scattered throughout the length and breadth of these mountain valleys, our young men in almost every nation under heaven promulgating the truths of the Gospel, and who is there that cannot say with me this morning that were it not for the overruling power of Omnipotence this work would have gone down; but today we find it is the work of God, and the people are growing and increasing upon the right hand and upon the left. We have in our stake, as some of the other brethren have said, all of the modern improvements (?). Twenty years ago it was a sagebrush plain; today we have upwards of 50 wards in that part of the country, we have a branch railroad, we have the electric lines, we have telephone communication, and everything is prosperous with us, financially and temporally. I feel to thank God for it; but above all things I thank Him for a standing in the Church of God. I bear my testimony to you of its truthfulness. Above all things, let us be true to the covenants that we have made, and not one of us be a traitor. I am extremely thankful for the very timely suggestions that have been offered by our Presidency during this conference with regard to the importance of teaching our young people the necessity of manual work. I omitted to state that in our institution of learning which I have been speaking of we have made preparations already to have a class in manual training the coming winter, as also a class in domestic science. We are scattered over a very large tract of country, and I only regret that there are not more of our young people who are looking for homes, that they may come and help us carry our burdens. We have had bridges to build, schoolhouses to build, churches to build, roads to maintain, and everything that is necessary in the development of a new country. Our people have taken up large farms; they are too large, and in too many cases they have been under the necessity of mortgaging them, and I am sorry to say that more than 50 per cent of the farms in our stake today are mortgaged. Our people are carrying too heavy a load, and we would very dearly like to see a host of our young people come into that country and buy out one-half or two-thirds of the farms we own, and help us to lift our mortgages and maintain those things that are necessary in the colonization of a country. We invite you there; but we do not want to go contrary to the counsel of the First Presidency in asking our young people to scatter out too far. However, we will always welcome you to come and share our burdens, because we want to observe the counsel of the First Presidency and get out of debt as soon as we can. We do not want, though, to sell our farms to strangers, but we would like to sell to our own people.
God bless you, brethren and sisters. May His Spirit attend this people throughout the length and breadth of the world. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER J. G. KIMBALL.
How the Bible can be understood—Results of sacred books—How to popularize the Church —Friends in the world—Relating to Seventies— Prophetic promise and fulfillment.
The few moments I occupy I very much desire to enjoy the Spirit of the Lord. I realize that the ways of the Lord are not in harmony altogether with the ways of men. I have labored in the ministry long enough to know that should I be favored to enjoy the Holy Spirit and speak the things that the Lord shall give unto me; they will not be altogether in harmony with people who do not enjoy that spirit. I believe it is proper for us to be conservative and consistent in all that we say and do; but I confess to you that my time is too short on this occasion to prepare your minds for what I may say, for I have not an entire conception of just how I am going to come out in fifteen minutes from now.
I have thought some little lately about the Bible, which we claim to be the word of God, "as far as it is translated correctly." Taking that statement into consideration, there are no people on the earth that quibble so little about the Bible as do the Latter-day Saints. I am strongly impressed with the idea that the Bible cannot be understood only by the same spirit with which it was written. If that statement be true, I am impressed with the idea that the Christian world have not got very much of it, or else they would understand it more alike. There are said to be six hundred or more denominations. X have never exactly found out how many. I have heard Elders talk about it, but I never had an exact statement. And I believe what was expressed in an editorial in the Deseret News—we would like to know which one of them is the Christian church, for we are in some doubt.
Now, we have the Book of Mormon; and if there is anything on earth that has made trouble for this people it is that book. It is largely the means of costing the lives of the Prophet Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum, and hundreds of others belonging to this Church. But I am prepared to testify that it contains the word of God. We have also the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, which are accepted by this people as the revelations of God; and they have made an endless lot of trouble for this people, because they are the word of God. There is only "one of a city and two of a family" that are willing to accept them; so you need not think I am going to get discouraged because they do not believe all I say, and you need not think I am going to stop talking, if permission be given me, because some people do not believe all I say.
Brethren and sisters, I believe I will tell you how to popularize the "Mormon" Church. If you want to be popular, I can tell you how to be so. The "Josephite" church has started out in about the right line to accomplish their purpose, by cutting out a number of truths that Joseph Smith revealed to the Saints, and in this way they are trying to popularize themselves. Now, if you will stop sending out these fourteen hundred Elders, testifying that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, that we have apostles and prophets Inspired of God, that we enjoy revelation, that the signs follow the believer, that the sick are healed by the laying on of hands, that we have divine authority from God, then you will be popular. Are your prepared to do it? If you will stop going into these temples and receiving your endowments and being married for time and all eternity, that will help a little. After a while, it seems to me, if I have the right spirit, they will refuse to al. low us to hold offices if we go into these temples and receive our endowments from the Lord. And while they have not rejected us yet, I am rather impressed that they will reject us; for the Christian world have already done it, and I do not know but what this nation will. I do not know but I will be glad when it comes. If the Lord cannot take care of His Church and His people and look after their interests, then we have been mistaken. I tell you we have friends and we have men in the world who have the Spirit of God, who will rise up and protect this people. I am not numbered among those who think that we have no friends, for we have friends; but, brethren and sisters, you are not of the world, and therefore the world hateth you, speaking generally. If you want to be popular, stop doing the things that I have mentioned, and deny their truth. But if you want to stay with this Church, be true to your covenants. The time will come when you will be—as you are now— a light set upon a hill. I tell you, all the devils in hell cannot destroy this Church. And the devil never has been entirely comfortable since that temple (the Salt Lake Temple) was completed.
I would like to call your attention to another subject: I happen to have a little information on paper this morning, which is rather unusual for me. I desire to call your attention to some of the labors of the First Council of the Seventy. Listening to all these presidents of stakes, you would think that their stakes were the only stakes in Zion; and I rather approve of that style. I believe that you ought to love that which is your own. I am learning that slowly. If you have got anything that is not presentable, for heaven’s sake do not say anything about it; they will find it out soon enough. We have been laboring among these Seventies for four years—ever since the presidency of the Church notified us that we had a number of Seventies on that book containing the non-tithepayers of the Church. We received reports from these Seventies for two years, 1899 and 1900. Now we have a report here, which is a good deal like the reports Brother Reynolds was talking about—not entirely true, because twenty quorums have failed to send their report in. I feel so annoyed, I can hardly express myself. I have been working with the presidents of those quorums for four months to get their reports. I will say here that we have some Seventies, amongst those quorums that are just about as near dead as they ever will be in the world. They are walking around, but they are dead. From top to bottom they are dead spiritually. We have 143 quorums. Number not reported, 20. We have between 8,000 and 10,000 Seventies; we are not quite clear as to the actual number. There are 14 quorums that have no non-tithepayers. Number of Seventies who do not pay tithing because of neglect and carelessness, 238. Number that do not pay tithing because of sickness and physical ailments, 28. Number on account of debt, 12. Some of these men get in debt, and a few of them have told me that the Lord is so merciful and their creditors are so hard on them that they will pay them first. Number on account of poverty, 77. Number on account of unbelief in tithing, 28. Missionaries that have just returned and are heavily in debt, and make that as their excuse, 35. There are 7 that are disgruntled^ that is, they do not like their Bishops, or they have locked horns with the Presidency of the Stake, or else they have not been treated right when they went to pay their tithing. There are 9 that do not like the manner of disbursing the tithing. These make a total of 412. Including the 20 quorums that have not reported, we perhaps have about 500 non-tithepayers out of 9,000 Seventies.
The First Council of the Seventy have been looking after the Seventies during the last year for missionaries. We took up the matter under the direction of the First Presidency. We have had suggested from the different quorums of the Church 497 missionaries, and we have been laboring with those men ever since—that Is, writing letters of inquiry regarding their moral, their spiritual, their physical, their financial and their educational condition; and after sending out these letters, I want to say to some of the Presidents of Stakes, you need not be exercised—we did not get all the 497. There is nothing that has been done by the First Council, under the direction of the Presidency, for years that has done as much good as our inquiring after these brethren. I wish we had the time to inquire after every one of the Seventies, and those that are nearly dead, it would doubtless start their blood to circulating, and teach these Seventies the fact that they are witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ to the nations of the earth, and it is their privilege to preach the Gospel continually, and that they ought to be out of debt and prepared to go. Out of the 497 the number reported to the missionary committee of the Apostles was 163. The number excused, on account of financial and physical condition, 138. Number who have not answered letters of inquiry yet, 60; but some of these letters have only just been sent out, and they will answer them. Number notified to report to the First Council In one year, 131. The 131 were in debt, nearly all of them, and we gave them a year to get out of debt. They are now on the anxious bench for a whole year, and at the end of the year, with the blessings of the Lord and a desire on their part to go forth as witnesses, God will be with them; but if they do not get free, all they have to do is to report it, and they will be excused, no doubt. Number who declined to go, 5. Out of 497 only 5 declined; and I believe if we had fully understood their letters and had started the Presidents to labor with them, there would not be found probably more than one out of the whole number who would decline to go. I tell you, it is a remarkable thing. The Christian church cannot show anything like it.
I have not time to talk much about missionary work. In a few words, I want to say that I am strongly impressed that we are spending too much money in this labor. I learned from the Deseret News last night—which corroborates largely what I have believed —that they have seventy missionaries out of Davis stake, and it cost them $15,000 a year. If that statement be true, that every Elder spends at least $200 a. year on an average, and we have 1,400 Elders out preaching the Gospel to the nations of the earth, it costs this people $280,000 every year in cash. All I have to say, brethren, if you cannot go On missions; you are too rich to go, or you have too much business, or you have positions In the Church that prevent you from going; then, for heaven's sake, help those who do go. The Church must be protected in its business, in its wards, its stakes and its Church schools. I believe in protection—if I am among the number protected; but inasmuch as I am not, I tell you who are, in the name of Israel's God, if this Gospel must be preached, and we must spend $280,000 to preach It, you men that stay home must help carry the burden, and not have our brethren mortgage their homes and sell out everything to do this work. There are not two rich Seventies in the whole number we have reported to the missionary committee of the Apostles. They are all poor men, and some of their letters would bring tears to your eyes, when they write to us explaining the little they have, but they say, "I am ready to go; I know God Almighty will bless us." I will rob you of a little time for the purpose of reading you what the Lord told my father, and I take it as a testimony to me that there is nothing that brings a greater blessing than preaching the Gospel to the nations of the earth.
Far West, April 6, 1839.
"A word from the Spirit of the Lord to my servant, Heber C. Kimball.
"Trouble not thyself about thy family; for they are in my hands. I will feed them, and clothe them, and make unto them friends. They never shall want for food, nor raiment, houses nor lands, fathers nor mothers, brothers nor sisters, and peace shall rest upon them forever, if thou wilt be faithful and go forth and preach my Gospel to the nations of the earth."
I stand before you as a living witness of its truth. I have traveled among this people for eleven years. I have received honors and blessings from among this people, because of my father. I have found fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. I have found friends everywhere I have been among this people. And I attribute the greater part of it to the fact that my father fulfilled that commandment. His children have never wanted for bread, and I tell you, in the name of Israel's God, they never will. They will be mighty poor, but they will always have bread. God bless you. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem:
"Rouse all ye mortals, the dawn is near."
Benediction by Elder John H. Smith.
How the Bible can be understood—Results of sacred books—How to popularize the Church —Friends in the world—Relating to Seventies— Prophetic promise and fulfillment.
The few moments I occupy I very much desire to enjoy the Spirit of the Lord. I realize that the ways of the Lord are not in harmony altogether with the ways of men. I have labored in the ministry long enough to know that should I be favored to enjoy the Holy Spirit and speak the things that the Lord shall give unto me; they will not be altogether in harmony with people who do not enjoy that spirit. I believe it is proper for us to be conservative and consistent in all that we say and do; but I confess to you that my time is too short on this occasion to prepare your minds for what I may say, for I have not an entire conception of just how I am going to come out in fifteen minutes from now.
I have thought some little lately about the Bible, which we claim to be the word of God, "as far as it is translated correctly." Taking that statement into consideration, there are no people on the earth that quibble so little about the Bible as do the Latter-day Saints. I am strongly impressed with the idea that the Bible cannot be understood only by the same spirit with which it was written. If that statement be true, I am impressed with the idea that the Christian world have not got very much of it, or else they would understand it more alike. There are said to be six hundred or more denominations. X have never exactly found out how many. I have heard Elders talk about it, but I never had an exact statement. And I believe what was expressed in an editorial in the Deseret News—we would like to know which one of them is the Christian church, for we are in some doubt.
Now, we have the Book of Mormon; and if there is anything on earth that has made trouble for this people it is that book. It is largely the means of costing the lives of the Prophet Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum, and hundreds of others belonging to this Church. But I am prepared to testify that it contains the word of God. We have also the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, which are accepted by this people as the revelations of God; and they have made an endless lot of trouble for this people, because they are the word of God. There is only "one of a city and two of a family" that are willing to accept them; so you need not think I am going to get discouraged because they do not believe all I say, and you need not think I am going to stop talking, if permission be given me, because some people do not believe all I say.
Brethren and sisters, I believe I will tell you how to popularize the "Mormon" Church. If you want to be popular, I can tell you how to be so. The "Josephite" church has started out in about the right line to accomplish their purpose, by cutting out a number of truths that Joseph Smith revealed to the Saints, and in this way they are trying to popularize themselves. Now, if you will stop sending out these fourteen hundred Elders, testifying that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, that we have apostles and prophets Inspired of God, that we enjoy revelation, that the signs follow the believer, that the sick are healed by the laying on of hands, that we have divine authority from God, then you will be popular. Are your prepared to do it? If you will stop going into these temples and receiving your endowments and being married for time and all eternity, that will help a little. After a while, it seems to me, if I have the right spirit, they will refuse to al. low us to hold offices if we go into these temples and receive our endowments from the Lord. And while they have not rejected us yet, I am rather impressed that they will reject us; for the Christian world have already done it, and I do not know but what this nation will. I do not know but I will be glad when it comes. If the Lord cannot take care of His Church and His people and look after their interests, then we have been mistaken. I tell you we have friends and we have men in the world who have the Spirit of God, who will rise up and protect this people. I am not numbered among those who think that we have no friends, for we have friends; but, brethren and sisters, you are not of the world, and therefore the world hateth you, speaking generally. If you want to be popular, stop doing the things that I have mentioned, and deny their truth. But if you want to stay with this Church, be true to your covenants. The time will come when you will be—as you are now— a light set upon a hill. I tell you, all the devils in hell cannot destroy this Church. And the devil never has been entirely comfortable since that temple (the Salt Lake Temple) was completed.
I would like to call your attention to another subject: I happen to have a little information on paper this morning, which is rather unusual for me. I desire to call your attention to some of the labors of the First Council of the Seventy. Listening to all these presidents of stakes, you would think that their stakes were the only stakes in Zion; and I rather approve of that style. I believe that you ought to love that which is your own. I am learning that slowly. If you have got anything that is not presentable, for heaven’s sake do not say anything about it; they will find it out soon enough. We have been laboring among these Seventies for four years—ever since the presidency of the Church notified us that we had a number of Seventies on that book containing the non-tithepayers of the Church. We received reports from these Seventies for two years, 1899 and 1900. Now we have a report here, which is a good deal like the reports Brother Reynolds was talking about—not entirely true, because twenty quorums have failed to send their report in. I feel so annoyed, I can hardly express myself. I have been working with the presidents of those quorums for four months to get their reports. I will say here that we have some Seventies, amongst those quorums that are just about as near dead as they ever will be in the world. They are walking around, but they are dead. From top to bottom they are dead spiritually. We have 143 quorums. Number not reported, 20. We have between 8,000 and 10,000 Seventies; we are not quite clear as to the actual number. There are 14 quorums that have no non-tithepayers. Number of Seventies who do not pay tithing because of neglect and carelessness, 238. Number that do not pay tithing because of sickness and physical ailments, 28. Number on account of debt, 12. Some of these men get in debt, and a few of them have told me that the Lord is so merciful and their creditors are so hard on them that they will pay them first. Number on account of poverty, 77. Number on account of unbelief in tithing, 28. Missionaries that have just returned and are heavily in debt, and make that as their excuse, 35. There are 7 that are disgruntled^ that is, they do not like their Bishops, or they have locked horns with the Presidency of the Stake, or else they have not been treated right when they went to pay their tithing. There are 9 that do not like the manner of disbursing the tithing. These make a total of 412. Including the 20 quorums that have not reported, we perhaps have about 500 non-tithepayers out of 9,000 Seventies.
The First Council of the Seventy have been looking after the Seventies during the last year for missionaries. We took up the matter under the direction of the First Presidency. We have had suggested from the different quorums of the Church 497 missionaries, and we have been laboring with those men ever since—that Is, writing letters of inquiry regarding their moral, their spiritual, their physical, their financial and their educational condition; and after sending out these letters, I want to say to some of the Presidents of Stakes, you need not be exercised—we did not get all the 497. There is nothing that has been done by the First Council, under the direction of the Presidency, for years that has done as much good as our inquiring after these brethren. I wish we had the time to inquire after every one of the Seventies, and those that are nearly dead, it would doubtless start their blood to circulating, and teach these Seventies the fact that they are witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ to the nations of the earth, and it is their privilege to preach the Gospel continually, and that they ought to be out of debt and prepared to go. Out of the 497 the number reported to the missionary committee of the Apostles was 163. The number excused, on account of financial and physical condition, 138. Number who have not answered letters of inquiry yet, 60; but some of these letters have only just been sent out, and they will answer them. Number notified to report to the First Council In one year, 131. The 131 were in debt, nearly all of them, and we gave them a year to get out of debt. They are now on the anxious bench for a whole year, and at the end of the year, with the blessings of the Lord and a desire on their part to go forth as witnesses, God will be with them; but if they do not get free, all they have to do is to report it, and they will be excused, no doubt. Number who declined to go, 5. Out of 497 only 5 declined; and I believe if we had fully understood their letters and had started the Presidents to labor with them, there would not be found probably more than one out of the whole number who would decline to go. I tell you, it is a remarkable thing. The Christian church cannot show anything like it.
I have not time to talk much about missionary work. In a few words, I want to say that I am strongly impressed that we are spending too much money in this labor. I learned from the Deseret News last night—which corroborates largely what I have believed —that they have seventy missionaries out of Davis stake, and it cost them $15,000 a year. If that statement be true, that every Elder spends at least $200 a. year on an average, and we have 1,400 Elders out preaching the Gospel to the nations of the earth, it costs this people $280,000 every year in cash. All I have to say, brethren, if you cannot go On missions; you are too rich to go, or you have too much business, or you have positions In the Church that prevent you from going; then, for heaven's sake, help those who do go. The Church must be protected in its business, in its wards, its stakes and its Church schools. I believe in protection—if I am among the number protected; but inasmuch as I am not, I tell you who are, in the name of Israel's God, if this Gospel must be preached, and we must spend $280,000 to preach It, you men that stay home must help carry the burden, and not have our brethren mortgage their homes and sell out everything to do this work. There are not two rich Seventies in the whole number we have reported to the missionary committee of the Apostles. They are all poor men, and some of their letters would bring tears to your eyes, when they write to us explaining the little they have, but they say, "I am ready to go; I know God Almighty will bless us." I will rob you of a little time for the purpose of reading you what the Lord told my father, and I take it as a testimony to me that there is nothing that brings a greater blessing than preaching the Gospel to the nations of the earth.
Far West, April 6, 1839.
"A word from the Spirit of the Lord to my servant, Heber C. Kimball.
"Trouble not thyself about thy family; for they are in my hands. I will feed them, and clothe them, and make unto them friends. They never shall want for food, nor raiment, houses nor lands, fathers nor mothers, brothers nor sisters, and peace shall rest upon them forever, if thou wilt be faithful and go forth and preach my Gospel to the nations of the earth."
I stand before you as a living witness of its truth. I have traveled among this people for eleven years. I have received honors and blessings from among this people, because of my father. I have found fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. I have found friends everywhere I have been among this people. And I attribute the greater part of it to the fact that my father fulfilled that commandment. His children have never wanted for bread, and I tell you, in the name of Israel's God, they never will. They will be mighty poor, but they will always have bread. God bless you. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem:
"Rouse all ye mortals, the dawn is near."
Benediction by Elder John H. Smith.
OVERFLOW MEETING.
Held in the Assembly Hall, April 5, 2 p. m.
Elder A. O. Woodruff presided. He was assisted by Elders Rudger Clawson and Hyrum M. Smith, also of the Twelve.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn beginning:
An angel from on high.
The long, long silence broke.
Prayer was offered by Elder Rudger Clawson.
The choir sang:
A holy angel from on high.
The joyful message has made known.
Held in the Assembly Hall, April 5, 2 p. m.
Elder A. O. Woodruff presided. He was assisted by Elders Rudger Clawson and Hyrum M. Smith, also of the Twelve.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn beginning:
An angel from on high.
The long, long silence broke.
Prayer was offered by Elder Rudger Clawson.
The choir sang:
A holy angel from on high.
The joyful message has made known.
ELDER BEN. E. RICH,
President of the Middle States mission,
was the first speaker. He said:
I sincerely trust that the Spirit of the Lord will be with us this afternoon, and that it will rest upon those who may speak as well as those who listen. If we are here to learn more concerning our duties to our God, it is as necessary for the congregation to have the Spirit of the Lord as it is for those who address the congregation. It is not enough that those who speak to us shall do so under the influence of that Spirit, but we should listen and strive to understand the spirit prompting the utterances made.
I rejoice that we have the privilege of coming together and listening to the words of counsel and inspiration that fall from the lips of the authorities of the Church. While we are here in conference assembled our brothers and sisters scattered throughout the different nations of the earth are assisting us with their faith and prayers, and they are praying for their deliverance from the land of Babylon; they are praying that the time may come, and that speedily, when they will have the privilege of coming to Zion to worship the Lord. I have listened to the prayers of the faithful Saints In far off Europe and in the missionary fields of America, and I know that it is not necessary for the Elders to preach the principle of the gathering to those who render obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When they have faith in the Lord Jesus and repent of their sins, and are baptized for the remission of the same, and receive the seal of the Spirit through the laying on of hands, the spirit of gathering rests upon them, and they are anxious to gather to Zion, where they can learn more of the ways of the Lord. It has been predicted that in the last days the mountain of the Lord's house would be established in the tops of the mountains, and that people from many nations would be heard to say: "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." This is being literally fulfilled by the Latter-day Saints in the valleys of these mountains. People from all nations under heaven—all civilized nations— are praying that they might come up to this house of the Lord, where they may learn more of the ways of the Lord; for they want to walk in the path that will bring them near to God. Many, however, on emigrating to Zion are disappointed, and when they behold the acts of some people, they feel that this is a different Zion to the one they have seen in their dreams — to the Zion they have prayed for.
The Latter-day Saints should understand that they all hold a portion of the Priesthood of God. All male members of the Church hold a portion of the Priesthood of God, or have the privilege of holding it, from their earlier years to the grave. We are expected to honor that Priesthood. When we come to Zion It is required of us that we shall aid in making it Zion in very deed, that we shall assist in purifying and cleansing it from everything that is displeasing in the sight of God, making it such a place as would be expected that the Lord would select for the gathering place of His people from the nations of the earth.
Our faith is not a myth; it is a reality. God has come to the earth in the age in which we live, and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, came with Him and They opened up this work in which we are engaged. They gave to us the Prophet Joseph Smith; They gave to us the ones who have succeeded the Prophet Joseph in the Presidency of this Church; They gave to us the Apostles and the Priesthood, and They have also given us to understand that while They have granted us our free agency, we are to be brought back into their presence. Then the books will be opened, and we will discover that we have been talking, aye, and thinking, into such a phonograph as has recorded our words, acts and thoughts in the Lamb's book of life. When that book is opened we will be held accountable for every idle word we have spoken; and the Lord is going to reward us, or He is going to condemn us, for that which we have done. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness, and we will be held accountable for the way and manner in which we have used the authority that He has given us to act in His name; this we know. We also understand that where much is- given much will be required. We claim more than is claimed by any other religious body on the earth. We claim that the windows of heaven have been opened to us; that God has visited the earth in person; that Jesus is our Elder Brother; that unto us is given the privilege, honor and authority to speak in the name of our Father in heaven. As I said, we claim more than is claimed by any other people on the face of the earth, but I want to tell you, my brethren and sisters, that more will be required of us than of any other people, and that we will be judged according to the light that we have received. We have received more light than any other people on the earth; we have received the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness and power. To us has been given the knowledge that the Gospel is not only for the living but also for the dead. While we send missionaries throughout the world to preach to the living the principles of repentance and baptism for the remission of sin, we also have our brothers and sisters laboring in the same cause for the redemption of the dead, knowing as we do that the Priesthood of God does not pertain to this earth alone, but that it also pertains to the spirit world, where mission fields have been opened and are being operated. People on the other side of the veil also hear the glad tidings of the Gospel of salvation; we know that the living can do the work for the dead. We also know that the dead without the living cannot be made perfect, nor the living without the dead. Not one necessary principle connected with the Gospel of life and salvation, either for the living or for the dead, has been withheld from us, but we have been made the custodians of this knowledge. We are the light that God has placed on the earth, and He has commanded us not to set it under a bushel, but to set it on a mountain, where it can be seen from afar.
We are commanded to go into the darkness of the world and spread the light of the Gospel, and to lift up our voices and cry, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Let us remember that we all shoulder a portion of this responsibility, that we have a portion of this Priesthood, and that we are expected to magnify the same. Let us remember that two Priesthoods have been given us—the Aaronic and the Melchisedec Priesthood. Those who have been ordained Elders hold the Melchisedec Priesthood, and also the Aaronic Priesthood. They have just as much Priesthood as any man in the Church. They have just as much Priesthood as the Presidency of the Church, or the Apostles; for there are but two Priesthoods, as I have said, and an Elder holds them both. However, there are different offices in these Priesthoods. In the Melchisedec Priesthood men are set apart to labor as Elders, others as Seventies, and still others as Apostles—special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ in all the world; but there is only one Melchisedec Priesthood. Those who hold the Priesthood had better magnify their callings, for the day will surely come when the dead, great and small, will stand before the judgment seat of God, and then, as I have said, where much was given, much will be required. May God bless you Amen.
President of the Middle States mission,
was the first speaker. He said:
I sincerely trust that the Spirit of the Lord will be with us this afternoon, and that it will rest upon those who may speak as well as those who listen. If we are here to learn more concerning our duties to our God, it is as necessary for the congregation to have the Spirit of the Lord as it is for those who address the congregation. It is not enough that those who speak to us shall do so under the influence of that Spirit, but we should listen and strive to understand the spirit prompting the utterances made.
I rejoice that we have the privilege of coming together and listening to the words of counsel and inspiration that fall from the lips of the authorities of the Church. While we are here in conference assembled our brothers and sisters scattered throughout the different nations of the earth are assisting us with their faith and prayers, and they are praying for their deliverance from the land of Babylon; they are praying that the time may come, and that speedily, when they will have the privilege of coming to Zion to worship the Lord. I have listened to the prayers of the faithful Saints In far off Europe and in the missionary fields of America, and I know that it is not necessary for the Elders to preach the principle of the gathering to those who render obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When they have faith in the Lord Jesus and repent of their sins, and are baptized for the remission of the same, and receive the seal of the Spirit through the laying on of hands, the spirit of gathering rests upon them, and they are anxious to gather to Zion, where they can learn more of the ways of the Lord. It has been predicted that in the last days the mountain of the Lord's house would be established in the tops of the mountains, and that people from many nations would be heard to say: "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." This is being literally fulfilled by the Latter-day Saints in the valleys of these mountains. People from all nations under heaven—all civilized nations— are praying that they might come up to this house of the Lord, where they may learn more of the ways of the Lord; for they want to walk in the path that will bring them near to God. Many, however, on emigrating to Zion are disappointed, and when they behold the acts of some people, they feel that this is a different Zion to the one they have seen in their dreams — to the Zion they have prayed for.
The Latter-day Saints should understand that they all hold a portion of the Priesthood of God. All male members of the Church hold a portion of the Priesthood of God, or have the privilege of holding it, from their earlier years to the grave. We are expected to honor that Priesthood. When we come to Zion It is required of us that we shall aid in making it Zion in very deed, that we shall assist in purifying and cleansing it from everything that is displeasing in the sight of God, making it such a place as would be expected that the Lord would select for the gathering place of His people from the nations of the earth.
Our faith is not a myth; it is a reality. God has come to the earth in the age in which we live, and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, came with Him and They opened up this work in which we are engaged. They gave to us the Prophet Joseph Smith; They gave to us the ones who have succeeded the Prophet Joseph in the Presidency of this Church; They gave to us the Apostles and the Priesthood, and They have also given us to understand that while They have granted us our free agency, we are to be brought back into their presence. Then the books will be opened, and we will discover that we have been talking, aye, and thinking, into such a phonograph as has recorded our words, acts and thoughts in the Lamb's book of life. When that book is opened we will be held accountable for every idle word we have spoken; and the Lord is going to reward us, or He is going to condemn us, for that which we have done. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness, and we will be held accountable for the way and manner in which we have used the authority that He has given us to act in His name; this we know. We also understand that where much is- given much will be required. We claim more than is claimed by any other religious body on the earth. We claim that the windows of heaven have been opened to us; that God has visited the earth in person; that Jesus is our Elder Brother; that unto us is given the privilege, honor and authority to speak in the name of our Father in heaven. As I said, we claim more than is claimed by any other people on the face of the earth, but I want to tell you, my brethren and sisters, that more will be required of us than of any other people, and that we will be judged according to the light that we have received. We have received more light than any other people on the earth; we have received the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness and power. To us has been given the knowledge that the Gospel is not only for the living but also for the dead. While we send missionaries throughout the world to preach to the living the principles of repentance and baptism for the remission of sin, we also have our brothers and sisters laboring in the same cause for the redemption of the dead, knowing as we do that the Priesthood of God does not pertain to this earth alone, but that it also pertains to the spirit world, where mission fields have been opened and are being operated. People on the other side of the veil also hear the glad tidings of the Gospel of salvation; we know that the living can do the work for the dead. We also know that the dead without the living cannot be made perfect, nor the living without the dead. Not one necessary principle connected with the Gospel of life and salvation, either for the living or for the dead, has been withheld from us, but we have been made the custodians of this knowledge. We are the light that God has placed on the earth, and He has commanded us not to set it under a bushel, but to set it on a mountain, where it can be seen from afar.
We are commanded to go into the darkness of the world and spread the light of the Gospel, and to lift up our voices and cry, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Let us remember that we all shoulder a portion of this responsibility, that we have a portion of this Priesthood, and that we are expected to magnify the same. Let us remember that two Priesthoods have been given us—the Aaronic and the Melchisedec Priesthood. Those who have been ordained Elders hold the Melchisedec Priesthood, and also the Aaronic Priesthood. They have just as much Priesthood as any man in the Church. They have just as much Priesthood as the Presidency of the Church, or the Apostles; for there are but two Priesthoods, as I have said, and an Elder holds them both. However, there are different offices in these Priesthoods. In the Melchisedec Priesthood men are set apart to labor as Elders, others as Seventies, and still others as Apostles—special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ in all the world; but there is only one Melchisedec Priesthood. Those who hold the Priesthood had better magnify their callings, for the day will surely come when the dead, great and small, will stand before the judgment seat of God, and then, as I have said, where much was given, much will be required. May God bless you Amen.
ELDER HUGH S. GOWANS,
(President of the Tooele Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, to attend the general conferences of our Church has always been a feast to me, and this one is no exception to the rule. I pray that the same spirit that has characterized the remarks of the brethren who have already spoken during this Conference will continue with us; that the people may be fed with the bread of life and that we may rejoice together.
I feel pleased to have the privilege of representing the Tooele Stake of Zion. This stake joins the County of Salt Lake on the west. It is large in area, comprising the entire county, which extends 50 miles north and south and 125 miles east and west. Although our stake is large in area, the population is small, it is probably one of the smallest stakes in Zion, the population being a little over 3,000 souls. There are nine wards, located in a radius of about 50 miles. A few of our people live on the extreme west of the stake, bordering on the Nevada line, where a small Sunday school has recently been organized. The presidency of the Tooele stake and the High Council labor in unison. Quite a number of the High Councilors have been members of the High Council ever since the stake was organized, in 1877, and they are laboring for the best interests of the people. Although the stake is small in population, we have the same organizations that they have in other stakes—Relief societies, Sunday schools, etc. So far as our population is concerned, we have not increased very much. We have been very limited in our resources, and are today, so far as our water supply is concerned. Our population has been limited on this account. We are not able to get the young people to settle in our midst and make homes; however, a few have taken up dry farms and have been successful to some extent, although last year was quite a failure. Since 1882 our population has only increased 159 souls. Our resources have been limited, and we have been swarming, like bees, and the people have scattered, going to other places to which they have been invited to go to establish homes. A great portion of what is known today as Cassia county was built up by people from Tooele county. During the past season as many as twenty persons left Grantsville. They were obliged to leave on account of our limited water supply. The only remedy we can find for this, though we have not established it yet, is the piping of our water from the mountain streams to reservoirs to be stored and used during the dry season. That is the only way that I know of that we can increase our population.
I feel pleased to report that we have established a Sunday school at the Mercur mining camp (sometimes referred to as the Johannesburg of America), according to a suggestion of Brother George Reynolds, of the general superintendency of the Sunday schools of the Church. We have a nice ward there, but it is composed mostly of transients. We are kept busy re-organizing the various organizations of the ward, on account of the transient nature of the people. At one time this ward numbered 500 persons. We have been able to establish successfully religion classes in all the wards of the stake but three, one of these being Mercur. Our people are so engaged there that it has not been possible to get anybody to take hold of the matter, and the teachers of the district schools are not of our faith. The people of the Vernon ward, in the extreme south of the stake, are so scattered that, during the winter months, it has been impossible to retain the children after school hours to attend the religion class.
All the organizations and institutions of our stake are in a good and healthy condition, I believe. I feel to rejoice in this, and in the amount of faith exercised by the people. The subject of tithing has been referred to by some of our brethren who have represented their stakes, and they have reported a wonderful increase, amounting to thousands of dollars. In the year 1882 the tithing of the Tooele stake was about $9,000. Since that time it has doubled itself, though our population is about the same. I take that as an indication of an increase of faith on the part of the people. The tithing paid last year amounted nearly to $19,000, and the population is but 3,000. As I remarked, I take this as an indication of an increase of faith on the part of the people, because it is the oldest members of the stake who pay this tithing, the young people having moved to Canada and other places to find homes.
I feel to rejoice in making this report, though it is probably not as complete as I would like to make it, as we have not time to go into details this afternoon.
I hope that we will be able to remain faithful and to appreciate the blessings and privileges that we enjoy, associated, as we are, with the living oracles of God, who have been placed in the midst of the people to guide and direct them. I hope that we will be able to enjoy the same feeling expressed by Abraham Lincoln during the time of the civil war. A friend was talking with him regarding the condition of the country, and so on, and made the remark, "I hope that the Lord is on our side." "Well," said President Lincoln, "I do not worry about that at all; I know that the Lord is always on the side of right. What worries me most is to know if We are on the Lord's side." I hope, my brethren and sisters that we will worry over this until we have a testimony of the truth, and an assurance that we are on the Lord's side. Amen.
(President of the Tooele Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, to attend the general conferences of our Church has always been a feast to me, and this one is no exception to the rule. I pray that the same spirit that has characterized the remarks of the brethren who have already spoken during this Conference will continue with us; that the people may be fed with the bread of life and that we may rejoice together.
I feel pleased to have the privilege of representing the Tooele Stake of Zion. This stake joins the County of Salt Lake on the west. It is large in area, comprising the entire county, which extends 50 miles north and south and 125 miles east and west. Although our stake is large in area, the population is small, it is probably one of the smallest stakes in Zion, the population being a little over 3,000 souls. There are nine wards, located in a radius of about 50 miles. A few of our people live on the extreme west of the stake, bordering on the Nevada line, where a small Sunday school has recently been organized. The presidency of the Tooele stake and the High Council labor in unison. Quite a number of the High Councilors have been members of the High Council ever since the stake was organized, in 1877, and they are laboring for the best interests of the people. Although the stake is small in population, we have the same organizations that they have in other stakes—Relief societies, Sunday schools, etc. So far as our population is concerned, we have not increased very much. We have been very limited in our resources, and are today, so far as our water supply is concerned. Our population has been limited on this account. We are not able to get the young people to settle in our midst and make homes; however, a few have taken up dry farms and have been successful to some extent, although last year was quite a failure. Since 1882 our population has only increased 159 souls. Our resources have been limited, and we have been swarming, like bees, and the people have scattered, going to other places to which they have been invited to go to establish homes. A great portion of what is known today as Cassia county was built up by people from Tooele county. During the past season as many as twenty persons left Grantsville. They were obliged to leave on account of our limited water supply. The only remedy we can find for this, though we have not established it yet, is the piping of our water from the mountain streams to reservoirs to be stored and used during the dry season. That is the only way that I know of that we can increase our population.
I feel pleased to report that we have established a Sunday school at the Mercur mining camp (sometimes referred to as the Johannesburg of America), according to a suggestion of Brother George Reynolds, of the general superintendency of the Sunday schools of the Church. We have a nice ward there, but it is composed mostly of transients. We are kept busy re-organizing the various organizations of the ward, on account of the transient nature of the people. At one time this ward numbered 500 persons. We have been able to establish successfully religion classes in all the wards of the stake but three, one of these being Mercur. Our people are so engaged there that it has not been possible to get anybody to take hold of the matter, and the teachers of the district schools are not of our faith. The people of the Vernon ward, in the extreme south of the stake, are so scattered that, during the winter months, it has been impossible to retain the children after school hours to attend the religion class.
All the organizations and institutions of our stake are in a good and healthy condition, I believe. I feel to rejoice in this, and in the amount of faith exercised by the people. The subject of tithing has been referred to by some of our brethren who have represented their stakes, and they have reported a wonderful increase, amounting to thousands of dollars. In the year 1882 the tithing of the Tooele stake was about $9,000. Since that time it has doubled itself, though our population is about the same. I take that as an indication of an increase of faith on the part of the people. The tithing paid last year amounted nearly to $19,000, and the population is but 3,000. As I remarked, I take this as an indication of an increase of faith on the part of the people, because it is the oldest members of the stake who pay this tithing, the young people having moved to Canada and other places to find homes.
I feel to rejoice in making this report, though it is probably not as complete as I would like to make it, as we have not time to go into details this afternoon.
I hope that we will be able to remain faithful and to appreciate the blessings and privileges that we enjoy, associated, as we are, with the living oracles of God, who have been placed in the midst of the people to guide and direct them. I hope that we will be able to enjoy the same feeling expressed by Abraham Lincoln during the time of the civil war. A friend was talking with him regarding the condition of the country, and so on, and made the remark, "I hope that the Lord is on our side." "Well," said President Lincoln, "I do not worry about that at all; I know that the Lord is always on the side of right. What worries me most is to know if We are on the Lord's side." I hope, my brethren and sisters that we will worry over this until we have a testimony of the truth, and an assurance that we are on the Lord's side. Amen.
L. W. SHURTLIFF,
(President of the Weber Stake of Zion.)
My brethren and sisters, it is a pleasure to have this privilege of standing before you here today to make such report as I may be led by the Spirit to give, concerning the Weber Stake of Zion, over which I have the honor to preside. It is one of the oldest stakes in Zion. Although the area of our stake is small, the population is large, numbering over 13,000 souls. I believe we are all laboring in harmony. So far as the tithing is concerned, we have made a large increase during the past year; in fact, the tithing has been increasing for several years. I rejoice to say that the people of the Weber Stake are a good people.
Regarding the opening remarks of President Smith at this Conference, advising the Latter-day Saints not to neglect the useful professions, I will say, that although we are located in the central part of the state and have quite a large city, yet nearly all our people are farmers and fruit growers, and a great many of them are employed in sugar and canning factories, which have been erected by the Latter-day Saints. I believe there is none in the Weber Stake of Zion who cannot obtain lucrative employment along the lines referred to, without being obliged to enter into the professions.
I rejoice in meeting with the people of God in conference, in hearing the testimonies of our brethren, and in listening to the voice of God's servants, proclaiming the truths of heaven and pointing out our duties. It has been my good fortune, as I deem it, to be associated with the Church all my life. I have had the privilege of being personally acquainted with all of the Presidents of the Church, Prophets of God, since the days of Brigham Young, and have taken a small part in the labors pertaining to the Priesthood from that day until the present. I feel that those who lead the Church today have the same power and authority to guide us as did the first President of the Church. I thank the Lord that we have such men to lead us—the, sons of those great men who led Israel in the past, and who introduced the work of God in the earth.
I do not feel that I should prolong my remarks. I know this to be the work of God. I have had this testimony from my youth up, and I have had the privilege of bearing the same not only in my own land, but also in foreign lands; for I realize, as has been said here today, that we will be held accountable for our acts, either of a public or of a private character. I thank the Lord that there is a Judge who will judge us—perhaps more carefully, and according to our deserts, than we judge one another. I pray God to bless us, and to fill us with a love for the truth, that we may never turn traitors to the principles of the Gospel or the servants of God. Amen.
(President of the Weber Stake of Zion.)
My brethren and sisters, it is a pleasure to have this privilege of standing before you here today to make such report as I may be led by the Spirit to give, concerning the Weber Stake of Zion, over which I have the honor to preside. It is one of the oldest stakes in Zion. Although the area of our stake is small, the population is large, numbering over 13,000 souls. I believe we are all laboring in harmony. So far as the tithing is concerned, we have made a large increase during the past year; in fact, the tithing has been increasing for several years. I rejoice to say that the people of the Weber Stake are a good people.
Regarding the opening remarks of President Smith at this Conference, advising the Latter-day Saints not to neglect the useful professions, I will say, that although we are located in the central part of the state and have quite a large city, yet nearly all our people are farmers and fruit growers, and a great many of them are employed in sugar and canning factories, which have been erected by the Latter-day Saints. I believe there is none in the Weber Stake of Zion who cannot obtain lucrative employment along the lines referred to, without being obliged to enter into the professions.
I rejoice in meeting with the people of God in conference, in hearing the testimonies of our brethren, and in listening to the voice of God's servants, proclaiming the truths of heaven and pointing out our duties. It has been my good fortune, as I deem it, to be associated with the Church all my life. I have had the privilege of being personally acquainted with all of the Presidents of the Church, Prophets of God, since the days of Brigham Young, and have taken a small part in the labors pertaining to the Priesthood from that day until the present. I feel that those who lead the Church today have the same power and authority to guide us as did the first President of the Church. I thank the Lord that we have such men to lead us—the, sons of those great men who led Israel in the past, and who introduced the work of God in the earth.
I do not feel that I should prolong my remarks. I know this to be the work of God. I have had this testimony from my youth up, and I have had the privilege of bearing the same not only in my own land, but also in foreign lands; for I realize, as has been said here today, that we will be held accountable for our acts, either of a public or of a private character. I thank the Lord that there is a Judge who will judge us—perhaps more carefully, and according to our deserts, than we judge one another. I pray God to bless us, and to fill us with a love for the truth, that we may never turn traitors to the principles of the Gospel or the servants of God. Amen.
ELDER DAVID JOHN,
(President of the Utah Stake.)
I am pleased to make a few remarks, and they must be very few, as a good many others have to speak.
I am pleased to say that the Church in the Utah Stake of Zion is in a healthy, thriving condition. Of course, our stake is one of the oldest, being organized soon after the settlement of the people in that county. They divided our stake about 27 months ago, organizing two other stakes—Alpine and Nebo — leaving us between nine and ten thousand souls. Previous to the division we had between twenty-four and twenty-five thousand souls in the stake. We are trying our best to keep up with the times. The people are paying their tithing. Some 2,500 Saints in our stake are paying a full tithing. There are others who pay only a partial tithing, 480 who should be tithe-payers pay no tithing at all. This is quite a drawback to them, and it is also a drawback to the Church. We are laboring with these people and are trying to get them to assist the kingdom. We want to labor with all of them; for we do not want to be rash in handling them for their fellowship. It is far better to labor with them, to seek to enlighten them, and to draw them to us, and to get the Spirit of God in their hearts.
I labored a long time in the Utah stake with the late President A. O. Smoot. I was with him over 18 years, assisting in the presidency of the stake. Then I assisted President Partridge Ave and a half years. Since the death of Brother Partridge I have had charge of the stake, in connection with my counselors. We labor in harmony and with love for one another. Our High Council and our quorums are in good working condition. Our Bishops and their counselors are men of God, alive to their callings. Our home missionaries and all our organizations are doing excellent work. We have been striving, of late, to infuse new life into the quorums of the Deacons, Teachers and Priests. We feel that we have neglected these quorums more than we should in our stake. We want to bring the boys to the front, those who belong to the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood, and have them do the work pertaining to their callings. In doing this, they will grow and develop and become members of the Church in very deed.
I have a testimony of Jesus Christ in my heart, and light from heaven to comfort my heart and to cheer me in my labors. To me serving God is a pleasure. I have endeavored to do this all my life, and to devote my life and all that I have to God's service. I pray God to bless us all and to enable us to obey the Priesthood, to pay our tithes and offerings and attend to our duties, and to build an altar of prayer in our own homes. May God enable us to do this, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of the Utah Stake.)
I am pleased to make a few remarks, and they must be very few, as a good many others have to speak.
I am pleased to say that the Church in the Utah Stake of Zion is in a healthy, thriving condition. Of course, our stake is one of the oldest, being organized soon after the settlement of the people in that county. They divided our stake about 27 months ago, organizing two other stakes—Alpine and Nebo — leaving us between nine and ten thousand souls. Previous to the division we had between twenty-four and twenty-five thousand souls in the stake. We are trying our best to keep up with the times. The people are paying their tithing. Some 2,500 Saints in our stake are paying a full tithing. There are others who pay only a partial tithing, 480 who should be tithe-payers pay no tithing at all. This is quite a drawback to them, and it is also a drawback to the Church. We are laboring with these people and are trying to get them to assist the kingdom. We want to labor with all of them; for we do not want to be rash in handling them for their fellowship. It is far better to labor with them, to seek to enlighten them, and to draw them to us, and to get the Spirit of God in their hearts.
I labored a long time in the Utah stake with the late President A. O. Smoot. I was with him over 18 years, assisting in the presidency of the stake. Then I assisted President Partridge Ave and a half years. Since the death of Brother Partridge I have had charge of the stake, in connection with my counselors. We labor in harmony and with love for one another. Our High Council and our quorums are in good working condition. Our Bishops and their counselors are men of God, alive to their callings. Our home missionaries and all our organizations are doing excellent work. We have been striving, of late, to infuse new life into the quorums of the Deacons, Teachers and Priests. We feel that we have neglected these quorums more than we should in our stake. We want to bring the boys to the front, those who belong to the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood, and have them do the work pertaining to their callings. In doing this, they will grow and develop and become members of the Church in very deed.
I have a testimony of Jesus Christ in my heart, and light from heaven to comfort my heart and to cheer me in my labors. To me serving God is a pleasure. I have endeavored to do this all my life, and to devote my life and all that I have to God's service. I pray God to bless us all and to enable us to obey the Priesthood, to pay our tithes and offerings and attend to our duties, and to build an altar of prayer in our own homes. May God enable us to do this, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER FRANK J. BRAMWELL,
President of the Union Stake of Zion.
It affords me very great pleasure, my brethren and sisters, to represent the Union Stake of Zion, one of the youngest stakes in the Church. I believe it was organized nineteen months ago today. We were very few in number at that time, and were located almost entirely in the Grand Ronde Valley, in Oregon. Since our organization, our number has increased exceedingly. I am reliably informed that the increase of the Union stake exceeded that of any other stake in the Church during the year 1902. To be exact, our number increased 1,030 during the past year. We have ten organized wards and one branch. All the organizations of the stake are complete, as are also the ward organizations, with the exception of two.
The Union Stake of Zion was organized, you might say, in the midst of the world, and there are great opportunities for missionary work—and especially by the good .example of the Saints living there. The people of Oregon, I am pleased to report, are very broad-minded, as a rule. We meet with practically no opposition. We are invited into the business circle. We are invited to take part in committees in the local government. Only a few days ago I was sent for by the business men of the city of LeGrand, which has a population of upwards of 5,000, and I was informed by that body of gentlemen that they had decided to put a ticket into the field that should be known as a business ticket, and that they wanted a "Mormon" to head that ticket. I considered this a very great compliment to the few of us located in that vicinity.
We have an exceptionally rich valley. The soil is exceedingly rich, and with the cultivation that will be given it, I trust, by the Latter-Day Saints already there and those who may join us, it will produce enormous crops, and our people, I trust, will become wealthy.
The spirit of unity prevails there. I know of no unhealthy condition in any of our stake or ward organizations. I think I am also safe in saying that there are fewer drones, at least in one or two of our wards, than it has been my lot to observe in any other stake. I do not say this boastingly, but with thanksgiving to the Lord.
Our borders extend to the state of Idaho. We have two wards in that state which are increasing with rapidity. A few weeks ago I was in the office of the chief executive of the state of Idaho, and was speaking of the colonization of the Western portion of that state by the Mormon people. I assured the governor that it was our intention to multiply and replenish the earth, to reclaim the desert, to do as much good as possible, and to assist in the civil government all we could. He gave expression to an observation that he had made, which will perhaps be of interest to you. He said, "Mr. Bramwell, the Mormon people compose about one-third of the population of this state. There are in the penitentiary today about 125 persons, nine of whom are, or call themselves. Mormons." There are in the insane asylum of this state ninety or one hundred persons, only six of whom are furnished by the Latter-day Saint populace. Such figures as these are very encouraging. It seems to me that to those who do not like "Mormons" or "Mormonism," in their sober moments of reflection, this would appeal at once and bear witness that some good, at least, can come from what they term "Mormonism." I consider it a very favorable showing and a great compliment to the Church of Christ in the earth. I remarked to the governor that if those nine individuals who found themselves behind the bars In the penitentiary had listened to the teachings of the authorities of the Church, there would have been nine less in that institution at the present time. After all, these favorable conditions are not to be wondered at, because it is claimed by 'the people, and rightly too, that we are led of the Lord. I have claimed, and do always claim, that anybody can follow, but that it takes a great deal of intelligence and wisdom to lead. As President Rich has suggested, the Lord has been true to his promises. He has gathered His people from the nations of the earth and has established them here in the tops of the mountains. He has said that He would gather us from every nation and that He would teach us of His ways, that we might walk in His paths. If we are the best people on the face of the earth, it is because we have been taught of the Lord.
I rejoice in the spread of the Gospel. I rejoice in the privilege that I have of being a witness of the Lord Jesus, that I am able to testify to the restoration of His Gospel, and that I know it is the power of God unto salvation to all those who accept it. I have been greatly privileged, for which I am exceedingly thankful. I am thankful that the Lord has blessed our efforts in the Union Stake of Zion. I think it has the nicest name that any stake in Zion could have. As I tell our people, we expect a great deal of them because as long as they are at home they cannot get away from Union. The great and last prayer of the Lord was that union might prevail, and we have got it in Oregon, at least in name. I trust that the fruits we bear will prove that we are worthy of the name. I know that "Mormonism" is true, that the Lord has revealed Himself in the earth, and that the power of God is in the earth for the salvation of the human family. Let us be faithful; let us live according to the light that the Lord has given to us, following our file leaders. We sometimes sing the hymn, “We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, to guide us in these latter days;" but, unfortunately for us, individually at least, when we are told to do a certain thing, in some instances we fail. If we are thankful to the Lord for a Prophet to guide us, let us listen to his words, else how can he guide us? God bless us, and may He bless His children in all the world, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
President of the Union Stake of Zion.
It affords me very great pleasure, my brethren and sisters, to represent the Union Stake of Zion, one of the youngest stakes in the Church. I believe it was organized nineteen months ago today. We were very few in number at that time, and were located almost entirely in the Grand Ronde Valley, in Oregon. Since our organization, our number has increased exceedingly. I am reliably informed that the increase of the Union stake exceeded that of any other stake in the Church during the year 1902. To be exact, our number increased 1,030 during the past year. We have ten organized wards and one branch. All the organizations of the stake are complete, as are also the ward organizations, with the exception of two.
The Union Stake of Zion was organized, you might say, in the midst of the world, and there are great opportunities for missionary work—and especially by the good .example of the Saints living there. The people of Oregon, I am pleased to report, are very broad-minded, as a rule. We meet with practically no opposition. We are invited into the business circle. We are invited to take part in committees in the local government. Only a few days ago I was sent for by the business men of the city of LeGrand, which has a population of upwards of 5,000, and I was informed by that body of gentlemen that they had decided to put a ticket into the field that should be known as a business ticket, and that they wanted a "Mormon" to head that ticket. I considered this a very great compliment to the few of us located in that vicinity.
We have an exceptionally rich valley. The soil is exceedingly rich, and with the cultivation that will be given it, I trust, by the Latter-Day Saints already there and those who may join us, it will produce enormous crops, and our people, I trust, will become wealthy.
The spirit of unity prevails there. I know of no unhealthy condition in any of our stake or ward organizations. I think I am also safe in saying that there are fewer drones, at least in one or two of our wards, than it has been my lot to observe in any other stake. I do not say this boastingly, but with thanksgiving to the Lord.
Our borders extend to the state of Idaho. We have two wards in that state which are increasing with rapidity. A few weeks ago I was in the office of the chief executive of the state of Idaho, and was speaking of the colonization of the Western portion of that state by the Mormon people. I assured the governor that it was our intention to multiply and replenish the earth, to reclaim the desert, to do as much good as possible, and to assist in the civil government all we could. He gave expression to an observation that he had made, which will perhaps be of interest to you. He said, "Mr. Bramwell, the Mormon people compose about one-third of the population of this state. There are in the penitentiary today about 125 persons, nine of whom are, or call themselves. Mormons." There are in the insane asylum of this state ninety or one hundred persons, only six of whom are furnished by the Latter-day Saint populace. Such figures as these are very encouraging. It seems to me that to those who do not like "Mormons" or "Mormonism," in their sober moments of reflection, this would appeal at once and bear witness that some good, at least, can come from what they term "Mormonism." I consider it a very favorable showing and a great compliment to the Church of Christ in the earth. I remarked to the governor that if those nine individuals who found themselves behind the bars In the penitentiary had listened to the teachings of the authorities of the Church, there would have been nine less in that institution at the present time. After all, these favorable conditions are not to be wondered at, because it is claimed by 'the people, and rightly too, that we are led of the Lord. I have claimed, and do always claim, that anybody can follow, but that it takes a great deal of intelligence and wisdom to lead. As President Rich has suggested, the Lord has been true to his promises. He has gathered His people from the nations of the earth and has established them here in the tops of the mountains. He has said that He would gather us from every nation and that He would teach us of His ways, that we might walk in His paths. If we are the best people on the face of the earth, it is because we have been taught of the Lord.
I rejoice in the spread of the Gospel. I rejoice in the privilege that I have of being a witness of the Lord Jesus, that I am able to testify to the restoration of His Gospel, and that I know it is the power of God unto salvation to all those who accept it. I have been greatly privileged, for which I am exceedingly thankful. I am thankful that the Lord has blessed our efforts in the Union Stake of Zion. I think it has the nicest name that any stake in Zion could have. As I tell our people, we expect a great deal of them because as long as they are at home they cannot get away from Union. The great and last prayer of the Lord was that union might prevail, and we have got it in Oregon, at least in name. I trust that the fruits we bear will prove that we are worthy of the name. I know that "Mormonism" is true, that the Lord has revealed Himself in the earth, and that the power of God is in the earth for the salvation of the human family. Let us be faithful; let us live according to the light that the Lord has given to us, following our file leaders. We sometimes sing the hymn, “We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, to guide us in these latter days;" but, unfortunately for us, individually at least, when we are told to do a certain thing, in some instances we fail. If we are thankful to the Lord for a Prophet to guide us, let us listen to his words, else how can he guide us? God bless us, and may He bless His children in all the world, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER DON C. DRIGGS,
(President of the Teton Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I am proud to stand before you this afternoon to represent the youngest stake of Zion that has been organized, being the fiftieth, I believe. We are located in the eastern part of Idaho, joining the great national park, our boundaries taking in the Jackson Hole country as well as the Teton valley. It has been about 15 years since our people first began to settle in that country. I was one of the first. The scene that greeted our eyes at that time was very fascinating indeed, in looking into the Teton valley. It was then uninhabited, with the exception of a few trappers and frontiersmen, I think about 30 in number. To look upon that beautiful valley and see the miles and miles of fine land threaded by silvery streams of water, one was led to exclaim, "How in the world has a country like this lain so long unoccupied?" But as w^ view it now and see it occupied largely by our people, we cannot help but think that it was reserved as a gathering-place for the Saints. In fact, the Apostles who visited us in those early days told us that it would be a home for many thousands of the Saints of God, that the land would be fruitful, that the elements would be tempered, and that we would be able to produce all that was necessary for our sustenance. These promises have been truly verified, for we are not only producing that which is necessary to sustain us, but we are exporting a great deal in the way of grain, potatoes, timothy seed, etc. Of course we do not raise everything, but we are able to produce that which is necessary to sustain us. Our stake was organized about one and one-half years ago, by President Joseph F. Smith. We rejoice very much that we have this organization and to receive the blessings that we derive from our various organizations in the stake. They bring into active labor a large number of people, and we see the benefits and are enjoying the blessings that come to us in this respect.
Some of the brethren here have mentioned something about the products of the soil. I might mention the fact that in the Jackson's Hole country we have, I presume, the greatest game country in the United States. Most of the elks from the national park are wintering there. I suppose that about 20,000 elks have wintered in the Jackson's Hole country during the past winter. I was going to say that many thousands of them had died of starvation, but I believe it would be more correct to say many hundreds. There has been a great loss among these animals on account of the early thaw that came in the winter resulting in the crusting of the snow, which prevented the animals from getting their feed. The loss was mainly among the calves. The settlers have encroached upon the winter feeding grounds of the elks. The elks have resented this by breaking into the haystacks, and they have become a menace to the people in that region, especially during the past winter.
I rejoice in the instructions that we have received during this conference. I have been particularly pleased in listening to the reports of the presidents of stakes. I am glad to be able to take advantage of their experience, having learned what they are doing and how they are working in their stakes. I hope to profit by their experience, and also by the counsel and advice that has been given to us by the brethren. I do not feel that it would be proper for me to occupy more of your time. I want to remember the advice given in the manual of the Y. M. M. I. A. To practice stopping at the right time and in the right place. I pray that the Lord will bless us, and bless Zion, that we may all rejoice in the Gospel and the blessings that are vouchsafed to us, through obedience to the commandments of God, which is my prayer. Amen.
Sisters Maggie S. Hull and Maria B. Winder favored the congregation with a duet.
(President of the Teton Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I am proud to stand before you this afternoon to represent the youngest stake of Zion that has been organized, being the fiftieth, I believe. We are located in the eastern part of Idaho, joining the great national park, our boundaries taking in the Jackson Hole country as well as the Teton valley. It has been about 15 years since our people first began to settle in that country. I was one of the first. The scene that greeted our eyes at that time was very fascinating indeed, in looking into the Teton valley. It was then uninhabited, with the exception of a few trappers and frontiersmen, I think about 30 in number. To look upon that beautiful valley and see the miles and miles of fine land threaded by silvery streams of water, one was led to exclaim, "How in the world has a country like this lain so long unoccupied?" But as w^ view it now and see it occupied largely by our people, we cannot help but think that it was reserved as a gathering-place for the Saints. In fact, the Apostles who visited us in those early days told us that it would be a home for many thousands of the Saints of God, that the land would be fruitful, that the elements would be tempered, and that we would be able to produce all that was necessary for our sustenance. These promises have been truly verified, for we are not only producing that which is necessary to sustain us, but we are exporting a great deal in the way of grain, potatoes, timothy seed, etc. Of course we do not raise everything, but we are able to produce that which is necessary to sustain us. Our stake was organized about one and one-half years ago, by President Joseph F. Smith. We rejoice very much that we have this organization and to receive the blessings that we derive from our various organizations in the stake. They bring into active labor a large number of people, and we see the benefits and are enjoying the blessings that come to us in this respect.
Some of the brethren here have mentioned something about the products of the soil. I might mention the fact that in the Jackson's Hole country we have, I presume, the greatest game country in the United States. Most of the elks from the national park are wintering there. I suppose that about 20,000 elks have wintered in the Jackson's Hole country during the past winter. I was going to say that many thousands of them had died of starvation, but I believe it would be more correct to say many hundreds. There has been a great loss among these animals on account of the early thaw that came in the winter resulting in the crusting of the snow, which prevented the animals from getting their feed. The loss was mainly among the calves. The settlers have encroached upon the winter feeding grounds of the elks. The elks have resented this by breaking into the haystacks, and they have become a menace to the people in that region, especially during the past winter.
I rejoice in the instructions that we have received during this conference. I have been particularly pleased in listening to the reports of the presidents of stakes. I am glad to be able to take advantage of their experience, having learned what they are doing and how they are working in their stakes. I hope to profit by their experience, and also by the counsel and advice that has been given to us by the brethren. I do not feel that it would be proper for me to occupy more of your time. I want to remember the advice given in the manual of the Y. M. M. I. A. To practice stopping at the right time and in the right place. I pray that the Lord will bless us, and bless Zion, that we may all rejoice in the Gospel and the blessings that are vouchsafed to us, through obedience to the commandments of God, which is my prayer. Amen.
Sisters Maggie S. Hull and Maria B. Winder favored the congregation with a duet.
ELDER JOHN M. BAXTER.
(President of the Woodruff Stake.)
I take pleasure, my brethren and sisters, in representing the Woodruff stake of Zion. The Woodruff stake was organized about five years ago. It comprises the south half of Rich county, Utah, and the southern half of Uintah county, Wyoming, also taking in the Lucern valley in Uintah county, Utah. We have fifteen wards and branches in the Woodruff Stake. It covers a large area of country. Our stake extends east and west 125 miles, and about the S3.me distance north and south. The mining and agricultural districts are divided about equally. That portion of the stake in Wyoming is composed principally of mining districts, and the Latter-day Saints are greatly in the minority; while that portion of the stake in Utah and in the Ft. Bridger country, Wyoming, Is composed mainly of farming districts, and the people are mostly Latter-day Saints. We have erected five meetinghouses since the organization of the stake, all of which have been completed and paid for. We now have a meetinghouse in course of construction at Randolph, which will cost upwards of $15,000. It has not been finished yet.
We suffered a great loss two years ago, after the organization of our stake, when so many of our people were called to colonize the Big Horn country, including President Sessions, my first counselor, and a number of other persons holding prominent positions in the Woodruff Stake. The Big Horn Stake was organized two years ago; previous to that time it belonged to the Woodruff stake of Zion; We met with another great loss in the Woodruff stake, through the closing of the mines at Alma, Wyoming, which caused the breaking up of the ward at that place. Alma was the largest ward in the Woodruff stake at the time of its organization. When the mines closed down, the people scattered throughout the states of Wyoming and Utah. I am pleased to say, however, that the tithes of the people have not diminished on account of this loss. We are paying more tithing at present than we were when the Alma ward was in a flourishing condition and when the Big Horn country was still included in our stake. So, we are increasing in number and good works. That barren country known as the Ft. Bridger country, over which so many of our fathers and mothers traveled in coming to these valleys, which was then, and up to a few years ago, a barren desert, now has many beautiful farms and homes. We now have a thriving people there. They have erected a large meetinghouse, and it is equipped with all the modern improvements.
We are getting along very nicely with our neighbors in Wyoming, although, in many of the towns in which our people are located we are greatly in the minority, yet we are accorded all the rights and privileges that others enjoy. We find the people of Wyoming to be a broad-minded, generous and large-hearted people. They are willing to accord to the Latter-day Saints all the rights and privileges that are given to other people, and we are enjoying the friendship and fellowship of the people of that state. We love them, and love to associate with them. I am happy to say that some of the congressmen of Wyoming have had the courage to defend our people in the halls of Congress.
All the organizations of the Woodruff Stake of Zion are complete. I have, indeed, been blessed with good counselors— men of wisdom, men of experience, who have been a support to me. We also have a good High Council, which is a help to the Woodruff stake. We also have good Bishops and good people in that stake of Zion.
There is one thing that was brought to my mind this morning, while one of the brethren was speaking about the young people's moving away from his stake. We find that a great many young men and young ladies from Utah go to the mining camps of our stake, in search of employment. There are many temptations surrounding the young people in those places, which are not to be found in our agricultural districts in Utah and other places. So far as saloons are concerned, I believe we can boast of more saloons in the Woodruff stake than in any other stake in the Church. Every mining town in the stake has from 10 to 15 saloons, and I almost believe the people drink more beer than water; but it is not our people, as a rule. Our people who live there are nearly all temperate. Some of them visit the saloons, I am sorry to say. Some of the young people who go to the mining towns from our agricultural districts in Utah and other places, after getting married, being surrounded by these influences and no longer under the watchcare of their parents and the Priesthood—some of them partake of these influences and fail to attend to the duties that devolve upon them as Latter-day Saints.
I will say in conclusion, that I have a testimony to bear of the truth of this Gospel. I know that it is true. I was born and reared in this Church, being born In Salt Lake City. I have had evidence, all my life, of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. I know that this Gospel is a perfect law of liberty. I was freeborn, and I have been free ever since I was born. I have taken a great deal of comfort and pleasure in seeking the counsel and advice of those who were placed over me, and I want to testify to you, that I have profited in every instance by doing so. I know that those who are placed in the Church to lead us are men of God; they are men of experience; they are men of wisdom, and above all, they are inspired of God. It will be profitable to us as Latter-day Saints not only to take the advice that they may give us from time to time, but to seek for their counsel and advice continually. May God bless us and help us to do this, is my prayer. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of the Woodruff Stake.)
I take pleasure, my brethren and sisters, in representing the Woodruff stake of Zion. The Woodruff stake was organized about five years ago. It comprises the south half of Rich county, Utah, and the southern half of Uintah county, Wyoming, also taking in the Lucern valley in Uintah county, Utah. We have fifteen wards and branches in the Woodruff Stake. It covers a large area of country. Our stake extends east and west 125 miles, and about the S3.me distance north and south. The mining and agricultural districts are divided about equally. That portion of the stake in Wyoming is composed principally of mining districts, and the Latter-day Saints are greatly in the minority; while that portion of the stake in Utah and in the Ft. Bridger country, Wyoming, Is composed mainly of farming districts, and the people are mostly Latter-day Saints. We have erected five meetinghouses since the organization of the stake, all of which have been completed and paid for. We now have a meetinghouse in course of construction at Randolph, which will cost upwards of $15,000. It has not been finished yet.
We suffered a great loss two years ago, after the organization of our stake, when so many of our people were called to colonize the Big Horn country, including President Sessions, my first counselor, and a number of other persons holding prominent positions in the Woodruff Stake. The Big Horn Stake was organized two years ago; previous to that time it belonged to the Woodruff stake of Zion; We met with another great loss in the Woodruff stake, through the closing of the mines at Alma, Wyoming, which caused the breaking up of the ward at that place. Alma was the largest ward in the Woodruff stake at the time of its organization. When the mines closed down, the people scattered throughout the states of Wyoming and Utah. I am pleased to say, however, that the tithes of the people have not diminished on account of this loss. We are paying more tithing at present than we were when the Alma ward was in a flourishing condition and when the Big Horn country was still included in our stake. So, we are increasing in number and good works. That barren country known as the Ft. Bridger country, over which so many of our fathers and mothers traveled in coming to these valleys, which was then, and up to a few years ago, a barren desert, now has many beautiful farms and homes. We now have a thriving people there. They have erected a large meetinghouse, and it is equipped with all the modern improvements.
We are getting along very nicely with our neighbors in Wyoming, although, in many of the towns in which our people are located we are greatly in the minority, yet we are accorded all the rights and privileges that others enjoy. We find the people of Wyoming to be a broad-minded, generous and large-hearted people. They are willing to accord to the Latter-day Saints all the rights and privileges that are given to other people, and we are enjoying the friendship and fellowship of the people of that state. We love them, and love to associate with them. I am happy to say that some of the congressmen of Wyoming have had the courage to defend our people in the halls of Congress.
All the organizations of the Woodruff Stake of Zion are complete. I have, indeed, been blessed with good counselors— men of wisdom, men of experience, who have been a support to me. We also have a good High Council, which is a help to the Woodruff stake. We also have good Bishops and good people in that stake of Zion.
There is one thing that was brought to my mind this morning, while one of the brethren was speaking about the young people's moving away from his stake. We find that a great many young men and young ladies from Utah go to the mining camps of our stake, in search of employment. There are many temptations surrounding the young people in those places, which are not to be found in our agricultural districts in Utah and other places. So far as saloons are concerned, I believe we can boast of more saloons in the Woodruff stake than in any other stake in the Church. Every mining town in the stake has from 10 to 15 saloons, and I almost believe the people drink more beer than water; but it is not our people, as a rule. Our people who live there are nearly all temperate. Some of them visit the saloons, I am sorry to say. Some of the young people who go to the mining towns from our agricultural districts in Utah and other places, after getting married, being surrounded by these influences and no longer under the watchcare of their parents and the Priesthood—some of them partake of these influences and fail to attend to the duties that devolve upon them as Latter-day Saints.
I will say in conclusion, that I have a testimony to bear of the truth of this Gospel. I know that it is true. I was born and reared in this Church, being born In Salt Lake City. I have had evidence, all my life, of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. I know that this Gospel is a perfect law of liberty. I was freeborn, and I have been free ever since I was born. I have taken a great deal of comfort and pleasure in seeking the counsel and advice of those who were placed over me, and I want to testify to you, that I have profited in every instance by doing so. I know that those who are placed in the Church to lead us are men of God; they are men of experience; they are men of wisdom, and above all, they are inspired of God. It will be profitable to us as Latter-day Saints not only to take the advice that they may give us from time to time, but to seek for their counsel and advice continually. May God bless us and help us to do this, is my prayer. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER EPHRAIM H. NYE,
(President of the Southern States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, I regard myself as being highly honored this day to stand before you for a few moments as the representative of the Southern States mission.
I will say, in brief, that the Southern States mission was cut down to its present proportions last June. It now constitutes the states of Mississippi, Alabama. Georgia, Florida and North and South Carolina. There are about 100 Elders laboring there—good, earnest, faithful, hardworking men—your brothers, your sons, your fathers, but not many of your fathers. We would like to have more of the fathers. We have some faithful Saints in the Southern States mission. We also have some good friends, strong and influential. We are concentrating our efforts in the cities, and are meeting with good success. We have the promise of protection by the mayors and chiefs of police, and in most of the cities in which we are laboring, some 19 or 20, we have the privilege of preaching on the streets. It is true that we have some enemies.
It has fallen to my lot to be much among the children of men preaching the Gospel, and I have noted one thing to which I wish to call your attention, by way of comparison, between the God we worship and the God worshiped in the Christian world, and their form of worship. I have visited a good many churches and have listened to their sermons. One of the things that strikes me most forcibly is that they are always talking of a "merciful God," pleading His wonderful mercies," teaching His "mercies," calling for His "mercies." We seldom if ever hear them talk about anything else, but 'the long, suffering and mercies of God." I want to ask you: Do you often hear the Latter-day Saints talk about the mercies of God? Have you heard a single word thus far during this conference, from the servants of the living God, concerning His mercies? No; and why? Because the Lord has given us something better. Not only is the God of heaven, whom the Latter-day Saints worship, a merciful God, but He is something else. I want to speak of that something else in the view that I take of it. He is a God of Justice; furthermore, He is a most munificent giver of great and wonderful gifts. I call your attention to some of those gifts: He gave us a Prophet, in- the person of Joseph Smith, to reveal to us His mind and will; He has continued to give us a Prophet to lead and guide us, even to this day. This is certainly a great and wonderful gift. It might well be said among the children of men in the Christian world, "O for a Prophet of the Living God," providing they could only comprehend the great blessing it would be to them. Not only has He given us a Prophet, but Prophets, and further, Apostles; men after his own heart, men of God, filled with the Spirit of God, Prophets of the Most High, to guide and direct us. Are these mercies? No; they are grand and wonderful gifts, gifts such as the world knows nothing of. We are not yet obliged to plead for mercy. Next, we come down to such men as we have been listening to during the sessions of this conference—Presidents of Stakes. They are grand gifts, as are also their counselors and the Bishops, and all the directing officers in the ministry, at home. They are grand gifts whom God has given us to guide us through the dark ways of life, to lead us out of darkness into the glorious light of eternal truth. These are not mercies, they are gifts, such as we do not always appreciate, perhaps. Perhaps we do not always comprehend how great these gifts are; perhaps we do not always revere or treat those men as we should in their lot and calling. Then we have the various ramifications in the Holy Priesthood, which Priesthood is also a wonderful gift, as are the blessings that we derive through its administrations.
I also desire to refer to His favors, because He is a God of favors. It is a favor to be called to the Priesthood as a Teacher, and to be required to labor in that capacity under the direction of any Bishop. It is an especial favor granted to every man who is called to an office in the Holy Priesthood, and to have that Priesthood bestowed upon him. It is a favor from the Lord to be called and sent forth to preach the Gospel in foreign lands, or wherever it may. It is a special blessing that God has given them; and if they will accept it as a favor and feel grateful to the Lord for the same, going forth and magnifying their calling, they will reap great and grand blessings, beyond their present powers to fully comprehend. God bless you. Amen.
(President of the Southern States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, I regard myself as being highly honored this day to stand before you for a few moments as the representative of the Southern States mission.
I will say, in brief, that the Southern States mission was cut down to its present proportions last June. It now constitutes the states of Mississippi, Alabama. Georgia, Florida and North and South Carolina. There are about 100 Elders laboring there—good, earnest, faithful, hardworking men—your brothers, your sons, your fathers, but not many of your fathers. We would like to have more of the fathers. We have some faithful Saints in the Southern States mission. We also have some good friends, strong and influential. We are concentrating our efforts in the cities, and are meeting with good success. We have the promise of protection by the mayors and chiefs of police, and in most of the cities in which we are laboring, some 19 or 20, we have the privilege of preaching on the streets. It is true that we have some enemies.
It has fallen to my lot to be much among the children of men preaching the Gospel, and I have noted one thing to which I wish to call your attention, by way of comparison, between the God we worship and the God worshiped in the Christian world, and their form of worship. I have visited a good many churches and have listened to their sermons. One of the things that strikes me most forcibly is that they are always talking of a "merciful God," pleading His wonderful mercies," teaching His "mercies," calling for His "mercies." We seldom if ever hear them talk about anything else, but 'the long, suffering and mercies of God." I want to ask you: Do you often hear the Latter-day Saints talk about the mercies of God? Have you heard a single word thus far during this conference, from the servants of the living God, concerning His mercies? No; and why? Because the Lord has given us something better. Not only is the God of heaven, whom the Latter-day Saints worship, a merciful God, but He is something else. I want to speak of that something else in the view that I take of it. He is a God of Justice; furthermore, He is a most munificent giver of great and wonderful gifts. I call your attention to some of those gifts: He gave us a Prophet, in- the person of Joseph Smith, to reveal to us His mind and will; He has continued to give us a Prophet to lead and guide us, even to this day. This is certainly a great and wonderful gift. It might well be said among the children of men in the Christian world, "O for a Prophet of the Living God," providing they could only comprehend the great blessing it would be to them. Not only has He given us a Prophet, but Prophets, and further, Apostles; men after his own heart, men of God, filled with the Spirit of God, Prophets of the Most High, to guide and direct us. Are these mercies? No; they are grand and wonderful gifts, gifts such as the world knows nothing of. We are not yet obliged to plead for mercy. Next, we come down to such men as we have been listening to during the sessions of this conference—Presidents of Stakes. They are grand gifts, as are also their counselors and the Bishops, and all the directing officers in the ministry, at home. They are grand gifts whom God has given us to guide us through the dark ways of life, to lead us out of darkness into the glorious light of eternal truth. These are not mercies, they are gifts, such as we do not always appreciate, perhaps. Perhaps we do not always comprehend how great these gifts are; perhaps we do not always revere or treat those men as we should in their lot and calling. Then we have the various ramifications in the Holy Priesthood, which Priesthood is also a wonderful gift, as are the blessings that we derive through its administrations.
I also desire to refer to His favors, because He is a God of favors. It is a favor to be called to the Priesthood as a Teacher, and to be required to labor in that capacity under the direction of any Bishop. It is an especial favor granted to every man who is called to an office in the Holy Priesthood, and to have that Priesthood bestowed upon him. It is a favor from the Lord to be called and sent forth to preach the Gospel in foreign lands, or wherever it may. It is a special blessing that God has given them; and if they will accept it as a favor and feel grateful to the Lord for the same, going forth and magnifying their calling, they will reap great and grand blessings, beyond their present powers to fully comprehend. God bless you. Amen.
ELDER JOSEPH E. ROBINSON,
(President of the California Mission.)
When I hear the reports of the Elders of Zion, indicating how she has prospered, how her borders have lengthened and been strengthened, I feel like exclaiming as did Balaam of old when he beheld the multitude of the children of Israel: "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!" To know that the wilderness has blossomed as the rose, that the desert has become as the garden of the Lord, and that joy, peace, thanksgiving and melody are found therein; is not this blessed? Should we not be grateful? I tell you, my brethren and sisters, we who have been away from you for some time, who have met with the sinister spirit of the world, are made to rejoice, and our souls are filled with joy. Our spirits are refreshed, and we are built up again in our faith upon hearing the testimonies of our brethren, and again looking into your faces and feeling the grasp of the hands of our brethren and sisters.
The California mission comprises the states of Nevada and California and the western part of Oregon. The latter, however, has been added to the mission since my presence in Zion, making the mission over 1,700 miles in length. In California, particularly, we have but a few Saints. We can only make converts fast enough to replace those who come to Zion, in spite of the fact that we do not preach to them to gather. We would rather have them stay with us to strengthen the branches in that land; but, as President Rich has said, the spirit of gathering comes upon them when they have taken upon them the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has said that He would gather them from the east and from the west, that He would say to the north, give up, and to the south keep not back; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, even so many as have taken upon them my name.
The Californians, as the people of the west, are not a religious people. Our converts are made largely among the foreigners, and among people who have gone there from the eastern states. A few native Californians have come into the Church, whose fathers and mothers drifted away from the Church in early days, when this place was, as it now is, as a threshing floor, and the unfilled grains of wheat are blown away. Some of the sons and daughters have had the faith with them, and have heard the shepherd's voice and have come into the fold.
Our efforts during the winter were largely hampered on account of sickness. Many of the Elders have had typhoid fever, or smallpox; but, thanks to God, in His mercy He has preserved, us, and most all of the members of the Church as well as our Elders now have health and strength, and our prospects are again bright, and our souls have been made glad by a few coming into the fold.
We were recently strengthened and encouraged by a visit of some 300 Utahns, including 80 or 90 members of the Tabernacle choir. With them, we had the privilege of meeting with about such a congregation as we have here today, in the Alhambra theater, San Francisco, two weeks ago tonight. Not many people get to hear of us this way, and the influence of our visitors does not extend as far as we would like. It is but as a drop in a bucket for fifteen or eighteen hundred persons in a city of 400,000 to hear the testimonies of the Elders. But we are bearing testimony dally on the streets and are distributing thousands of tracts, leaving the responsibility of a testimony of the restored Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ on thousands of people. In addition to doing this, we are making men of the boys who have gone into the field. They are receiving testimonies of the truth, and are contrasting and comparing the completeness of our Gospel with the man-made systems of the day, and noting how unsatisfactory the sectarian gospel is to those who have espoused it, who do not know the truthfulness of the saying of St. Paul, that "the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation." They make money their god, and pleasure its counterpart, not knowing the peace and joy that comes to those who are rich in a knowledge of heavenly things. I think the cause of the disregard for religion by the people of that state is largely their pleasant environments and the wealth of that land. Next to this is the individualism of the people, who interpret the Scriptures for themselves and care not for authority for prophets or revelation.
God bless you, my brethren and sisters; may peace be in your homes: may you cleave fast to the covenants you have made, and be true to yourselves, to your brethren and to your God, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem: "O How Amiable."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Hyrum M. Smith.
(President of the California Mission.)
When I hear the reports of the Elders of Zion, indicating how she has prospered, how her borders have lengthened and been strengthened, I feel like exclaiming as did Balaam of old when he beheld the multitude of the children of Israel: "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!" To know that the wilderness has blossomed as the rose, that the desert has become as the garden of the Lord, and that joy, peace, thanksgiving and melody are found therein; is not this blessed? Should we not be grateful? I tell you, my brethren and sisters, we who have been away from you for some time, who have met with the sinister spirit of the world, are made to rejoice, and our souls are filled with joy. Our spirits are refreshed, and we are built up again in our faith upon hearing the testimonies of our brethren, and again looking into your faces and feeling the grasp of the hands of our brethren and sisters.
The California mission comprises the states of Nevada and California and the western part of Oregon. The latter, however, has been added to the mission since my presence in Zion, making the mission over 1,700 miles in length. In California, particularly, we have but a few Saints. We can only make converts fast enough to replace those who come to Zion, in spite of the fact that we do not preach to them to gather. We would rather have them stay with us to strengthen the branches in that land; but, as President Rich has said, the spirit of gathering comes upon them when they have taken upon them the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has said that He would gather them from the east and from the west, that He would say to the north, give up, and to the south keep not back; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, even so many as have taken upon them my name.
The Californians, as the people of the west, are not a religious people. Our converts are made largely among the foreigners, and among people who have gone there from the eastern states. A few native Californians have come into the Church, whose fathers and mothers drifted away from the Church in early days, when this place was, as it now is, as a threshing floor, and the unfilled grains of wheat are blown away. Some of the sons and daughters have had the faith with them, and have heard the shepherd's voice and have come into the fold.
Our efforts during the winter were largely hampered on account of sickness. Many of the Elders have had typhoid fever, or smallpox; but, thanks to God, in His mercy He has preserved, us, and most all of the members of the Church as well as our Elders now have health and strength, and our prospects are again bright, and our souls have been made glad by a few coming into the fold.
We were recently strengthened and encouraged by a visit of some 300 Utahns, including 80 or 90 members of the Tabernacle choir. With them, we had the privilege of meeting with about such a congregation as we have here today, in the Alhambra theater, San Francisco, two weeks ago tonight. Not many people get to hear of us this way, and the influence of our visitors does not extend as far as we would like. It is but as a drop in a bucket for fifteen or eighteen hundred persons in a city of 400,000 to hear the testimonies of the Elders. But we are bearing testimony dally on the streets and are distributing thousands of tracts, leaving the responsibility of a testimony of the restored Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ on thousands of people. In addition to doing this, we are making men of the boys who have gone into the field. They are receiving testimonies of the truth, and are contrasting and comparing the completeness of our Gospel with the man-made systems of the day, and noting how unsatisfactory the sectarian gospel is to those who have espoused it, who do not know the truthfulness of the saying of St. Paul, that "the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation." They make money their god, and pleasure its counterpart, not knowing the peace and joy that comes to those who are rich in a knowledge of heavenly things. I think the cause of the disregard for religion by the people of that state is largely their pleasant environments and the wealth of that land. Next to this is the individualism of the people, who interpret the Scriptures for themselves and care not for authority for prophets or revelation.
God bless you, my brethren and sisters; may peace be in your homes: may you cleave fast to the covenants you have made, and be true to yourselves, to your brethren and to your God, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem: "O How Amiable."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Hyrum M. Smith.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON. Sunday, 2 p. m.
The choir sang the anthem, "In Our Redeemer's Name."
The opening prayer was offered by Elder John Nicholson.
The choir sang the anthem: "God of Israel, Hear our Prayers."
The choir sang the anthem, "In Our Redeemer's Name."
The opening prayer was offered by Elder John Nicholson.
The choir sang the anthem: "God of Israel, Hear our Prayers."
RULON S. WELLS.
The Bible and Book of Mormon—Both true — Latter fresh from pen of Prophet—Word of the Lord today Is "get out of debt"—Seventies willing to go on missions—Many hindered by debt.
My brethren and sisters, I sincerely hope that I may be sustained by your faith and prayers. As one of the presidents of stakes was coming upon the stand this afternoon, after having been invited by President Smith, he stopped and shook hands with myself and Brother McMurrin, and asked that we pray for him. In standing before you here I feel like shaking hands with the Latter-day Saints and asking them to pray for me, because I believe that the prayers of the Saints are heard by our Heavenly Father, when they are offered up in faith.
Brother Kimball made reference this morning to the Bible, and I am reminded of an article of our faith, which says that we believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. While he was quoting this article of our belief, the thought came Into my mind, how often has it been quoted In the mission field, and how frequently have our enemies and those who have not accepted our faith criticized us in making reference to the Bible and qualifying it by saying that we believe it as far as it is translated correctly. "O yes," say they, "you Latter-day Saints believe the Bible when it is convenient for you to accept of it, but when it is not convenient, then you fall back upon the provision which says, "as far as it is translated correctly." In giving this article of faith the Prophet Joseph Smith was inspired by our Heavenly Father. Suppose for a moment that he had left out that condition. The question would at once arise, Which Bible do you Latter-day Saints believe in? Do you believe in the King James translation of the Bible, or do you believe in the revised edition? Do you accept the Catholic Bible, or the one that was translated by Martin Luther in the German language? There are a great many different editions of the holy scriptures; which of these Bibles do you believe in? because in many particulars the translations are at variance, and do not always agree. There was inspiration in the putting in of that condition. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; and when it has not been translated correctly, we do not believe in that. To all intents and purposes, however, the Bible which is common among us is accepted by the Latter-day Saints as the word of God. When you refer to the Book of Mormon, however, you say that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, without any qualification.
Now, what is it that the Latter-day Saints believe in? We believe that holy men of old spake and wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and that which they spoke and wrote was the word of God; and If that has been handed down to us in its purity, we accept it as being the word of God. The Book of Mormon comes to us fresh from the pen of the prophet, and was translated under the inspiration of our Heavenly Father by one whom He raised up for that purpose. Consequently we can accept it without qualification as being the word of God. We also believe in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, because it contains the predictions of the prophets and the revelations of God delivered unto this people by the living oracles upon the earth in this day and age of the world. We read in the scriptures that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The Latter-day Saints understand that the Lord will yet reveal many things pertaining to the upbuilding of His kingdom upon the earth. In other words, we believe in learning the will of God through the proper channels, and then to do it. That is our creed, our faith. We have among us the living oracles of God. The mouthpiece of the Lord has spoken to us at the beginning of this conference, and in his remarks he gave unto us the word of the Lord. He gave us counsel upon certain things that are of great importance to the Latter-day Saints, and we will do well to heed the counsel of God as it is delivered unto us. I take this lesson to myself, and I believe it ought to be the feeling of every Latter- day Saint, to hearken to the warning voice. As Latter-day Saints, we pray unto our Heavenly Father that the President of this Church may receive wisdom from on high, and the inspiration of His Holy Spirit and the revelations of His mind and will, that we may be guided and directed in the ways of all truth. How willing, therefore, and how eager we ought to be to hearken unto his words and carry them out in our daily lives. The great spectacle that I see before me this afternoon is an evidence that the Latter-day Saints are eager to hear the words of the servants of God. No doubt, many have come today with the expectation of hearing the voice of the mouthpiece of God. But what would it avail unto us unless we tried to carry out his advice and counsel?
Whatever may arise as a hindrance to the work of the Lord ought to be dispensed with, and that which interferes with the performance of our duty ought to be set aside. The adversary of the souls of men is striving with all his might to thwart the purposes of our Heavenly Father; but in no particular do I think that he has had greater influence upon the people at large than he has in taking advantage of their weaknesses by persuading them: to go beyond their means and into debt. It does not necessarily require a wicked man to yield to that influence at times. We are all more or less susceptible to it. Even some of the characteristics of our people which are to be commended—that, for example, of being unselfish and willing to let go of the substance that has come into our hands, have sometimes been a means that the adversary has employed to lead our people into debt. We have received, as has already been stated, a great many letters from the Seventies whose names have been suggested for missions to the nations of the earth, and the great majority of those letters have brought with them the spirit of the Gospel. The brethren have shown a willingness to respond to every call, and many of them have set forth their circumstances, but have closed their letters with a statement something like this: "These are my circumstances. I do not offer excuses. I am willing to go into the mission field, and lift up my voice and cry repentance unto this generation. I am willing to leave my home, because I know this is the work of the Lord." They have thereby placed the responsibility upon the authorities of the Church to decide whether or not they should go. Notwithstanding this, there has been no disposition to work any hardship upon the Seventies or the brethren suggested for missions, and many of them have been excused when we have known their circumstances. Over 100 have been released on account of their financial condition. Thus the going in debt has been a hindrance to the work of the Lord. It has hindered the brethren from going out and magnifying their callings. It has been the means of depriving them of privileges which they might enjoy if they were only free. Those who are encumbered with debt, indeed, know what it is to be in bondage. It is a block in the way of their magnifying their calling and responding to a call that would bring to them great joy and blessing. Oh! how willing we ought to be, and how careful to overcome the difficulties that stand between us and the performance of our duty.
I ask the Lord to abundantly bless His people, and to bless all those who are striving to live by every word that cometh forth from the mouths of the prophets. May the Lord lead us to do His will and keep His commandments, that thereby we may keep pace with the work of the Lord and do our part in helping to roll it on, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Bible and Book of Mormon—Both true — Latter fresh from pen of Prophet—Word of the Lord today Is "get out of debt"—Seventies willing to go on missions—Many hindered by debt.
My brethren and sisters, I sincerely hope that I may be sustained by your faith and prayers. As one of the presidents of stakes was coming upon the stand this afternoon, after having been invited by President Smith, he stopped and shook hands with myself and Brother McMurrin, and asked that we pray for him. In standing before you here I feel like shaking hands with the Latter-day Saints and asking them to pray for me, because I believe that the prayers of the Saints are heard by our Heavenly Father, when they are offered up in faith.
Brother Kimball made reference this morning to the Bible, and I am reminded of an article of our faith, which says that we believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. While he was quoting this article of our belief, the thought came Into my mind, how often has it been quoted In the mission field, and how frequently have our enemies and those who have not accepted our faith criticized us in making reference to the Bible and qualifying it by saying that we believe it as far as it is translated correctly. "O yes," say they, "you Latter-day Saints believe the Bible when it is convenient for you to accept of it, but when it is not convenient, then you fall back upon the provision which says, "as far as it is translated correctly." In giving this article of faith the Prophet Joseph Smith was inspired by our Heavenly Father. Suppose for a moment that he had left out that condition. The question would at once arise, Which Bible do you Latter-day Saints believe in? Do you believe in the King James translation of the Bible, or do you believe in the revised edition? Do you accept the Catholic Bible, or the one that was translated by Martin Luther in the German language? There are a great many different editions of the holy scriptures; which of these Bibles do you believe in? because in many particulars the translations are at variance, and do not always agree. There was inspiration in the putting in of that condition. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; and when it has not been translated correctly, we do not believe in that. To all intents and purposes, however, the Bible which is common among us is accepted by the Latter-day Saints as the word of God. When you refer to the Book of Mormon, however, you say that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, without any qualification.
Now, what is it that the Latter-day Saints believe in? We believe that holy men of old spake and wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and that which they spoke and wrote was the word of God; and If that has been handed down to us in its purity, we accept it as being the word of God. The Book of Mormon comes to us fresh from the pen of the prophet, and was translated under the inspiration of our Heavenly Father by one whom He raised up for that purpose. Consequently we can accept it without qualification as being the word of God. We also believe in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, because it contains the predictions of the prophets and the revelations of God delivered unto this people by the living oracles upon the earth in this day and age of the world. We read in the scriptures that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The Latter-day Saints understand that the Lord will yet reveal many things pertaining to the upbuilding of His kingdom upon the earth. In other words, we believe in learning the will of God through the proper channels, and then to do it. That is our creed, our faith. We have among us the living oracles of God. The mouthpiece of the Lord has spoken to us at the beginning of this conference, and in his remarks he gave unto us the word of the Lord. He gave us counsel upon certain things that are of great importance to the Latter-day Saints, and we will do well to heed the counsel of God as it is delivered unto us. I take this lesson to myself, and I believe it ought to be the feeling of every Latter- day Saint, to hearken to the warning voice. As Latter-day Saints, we pray unto our Heavenly Father that the President of this Church may receive wisdom from on high, and the inspiration of His Holy Spirit and the revelations of His mind and will, that we may be guided and directed in the ways of all truth. How willing, therefore, and how eager we ought to be to hearken unto his words and carry them out in our daily lives. The great spectacle that I see before me this afternoon is an evidence that the Latter-day Saints are eager to hear the words of the servants of God. No doubt, many have come today with the expectation of hearing the voice of the mouthpiece of God. But what would it avail unto us unless we tried to carry out his advice and counsel?
Whatever may arise as a hindrance to the work of the Lord ought to be dispensed with, and that which interferes with the performance of our duty ought to be set aside. The adversary of the souls of men is striving with all his might to thwart the purposes of our Heavenly Father; but in no particular do I think that he has had greater influence upon the people at large than he has in taking advantage of their weaknesses by persuading them: to go beyond their means and into debt. It does not necessarily require a wicked man to yield to that influence at times. We are all more or less susceptible to it. Even some of the characteristics of our people which are to be commended—that, for example, of being unselfish and willing to let go of the substance that has come into our hands, have sometimes been a means that the adversary has employed to lead our people into debt. We have received, as has already been stated, a great many letters from the Seventies whose names have been suggested for missions to the nations of the earth, and the great majority of those letters have brought with them the spirit of the Gospel. The brethren have shown a willingness to respond to every call, and many of them have set forth their circumstances, but have closed their letters with a statement something like this: "These are my circumstances. I do not offer excuses. I am willing to go into the mission field, and lift up my voice and cry repentance unto this generation. I am willing to leave my home, because I know this is the work of the Lord." They have thereby placed the responsibility upon the authorities of the Church to decide whether or not they should go. Notwithstanding this, there has been no disposition to work any hardship upon the Seventies or the brethren suggested for missions, and many of them have been excused when we have known their circumstances. Over 100 have been released on account of their financial condition. Thus the going in debt has been a hindrance to the work of the Lord. It has hindered the brethren from going out and magnifying their callings. It has been the means of depriving them of privileges which they might enjoy if they were only free. Those who are encumbered with debt, indeed, know what it is to be in bondage. It is a block in the way of their magnifying their calling and responding to a call that would bring to them great joy and blessing. Oh! how willing we ought to be, and how careful to overcome the difficulties that stand between us and the performance of our duty.
I ask the Lord to abundantly bless His people, and to bless all those who are striving to live by every word that cometh forth from the mouths of the prophets. May the Lord lead us to do His will and keep His commandments, that thereby we may keep pace with the work of the Lord and do our part in helping to roll it on, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER HYRUM GOFF.
(President of Jordan Stake.)
My dear brethren and sisters, this is the first time in my life I have been called upon to address so large an audience. I rely upon the Spirit of our Heavenly Father to sustain me; for I realize that I am surrounded by some of the best men upon the earth. In arising to represent the Jordan Stake of Zion, I do so with great pleasure. Our stake is yet in its infancy, being only about three years and three months old. It is located in the southern end of this county. Its area is about 15 by 30 miles. We have 13 wards, and I believe all the organizations that we have been called upon to establish are fully organized. I take great pleasure in representing our Sunday schools. They are in a very good, flourishing condition; also our Mutual Improvement associations. Those who have been called upon to preside over these organizations are faithful men and women, who observe the law of tithing, and, I believe, the Word of Wisdom; for these are two of the qualifications required of them. We desire those who represent these young people's associations to strictly adhere to these things, that they may set an example to the others. I have had called to my assistance two worthy men as counselors. We are working together in perfect harmony. Our High Councilors are men of God, who are willing to sacrifice their time and talents to promulgate the Gospel in our Stake. They are- willing, when called upon, to do missionary labor in the various wards, and labor with the people at their firesides, holding cottage meetings, etc. This has proved a great blessing to us, and we feel that great good will come of it. We have many aged people who are not able to attend public gatherings much, and it is our privilege to carry to them the joy and satisfaction that we have in the Gospel. We have many good, faithful Latter-day Saints, and we have some to whom it is necessary to preach repentance. I have taken great pleasure myself in visiting the homes of the Saints in the various wards. I desire to say that we have a good people there, and that we are enjoying the spirit of our religion to a goodly extent. We have what is termed civilization with us. It should be "uncivilization." Out of our 13 wards we have 10 that have no saloons; but I am sorry to report that in the other three we have enough to supply all the rest. My brethren and sisters, I take pleasure in testifying to you that I know this is the work of God. I have a testimony of it. When I got that testimony I do not know; for something over 53 years ago I was born in the Church, and that testimony seems to have .been born within me. I desire that this testimony may be increased within me, and I know that it will as long as I am on the road of progress and intelligence. The more I learn of the Gospel, the stronger becomes my testimony, and I believe that is the case with all of us. I wish to testify that it is through the power of the Almighty that I am here today; for I know, had it not been for the power of the Holy Priesthood, I should have been gone hence before now. I feel a desire in my heart to testify to the goodness of my Heavenly Father in this line. I pray God to bless the faithful Latter-day Saints, and to stir up those who are not so faithful to renewed diligence. I ask these blessings, with all others that are necessary for us to prove true to the end, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Jordan Stake.)
My dear brethren and sisters, this is the first time in my life I have been called upon to address so large an audience. I rely upon the Spirit of our Heavenly Father to sustain me; for I realize that I am surrounded by some of the best men upon the earth. In arising to represent the Jordan Stake of Zion, I do so with great pleasure. Our stake is yet in its infancy, being only about three years and three months old. It is located in the southern end of this county. Its area is about 15 by 30 miles. We have 13 wards, and I believe all the organizations that we have been called upon to establish are fully organized. I take great pleasure in representing our Sunday schools. They are in a very good, flourishing condition; also our Mutual Improvement associations. Those who have been called upon to preside over these organizations are faithful men and women, who observe the law of tithing, and, I believe, the Word of Wisdom; for these are two of the qualifications required of them. We desire those who represent these young people's associations to strictly adhere to these things, that they may set an example to the others. I have had called to my assistance two worthy men as counselors. We are working together in perfect harmony. Our High Councilors are men of God, who are willing to sacrifice their time and talents to promulgate the Gospel in our Stake. They are- willing, when called upon, to do missionary labor in the various wards, and labor with the people at their firesides, holding cottage meetings, etc. This has proved a great blessing to us, and we feel that great good will come of it. We have many aged people who are not able to attend public gatherings much, and it is our privilege to carry to them the joy and satisfaction that we have in the Gospel. We have many good, faithful Latter-day Saints, and we have some to whom it is necessary to preach repentance. I have taken great pleasure myself in visiting the homes of the Saints in the various wards. I desire to say that we have a good people there, and that we are enjoying the spirit of our religion to a goodly extent. We have what is termed civilization with us. It should be "uncivilization." Out of our 13 wards we have 10 that have no saloons; but I am sorry to report that in the other three we have enough to supply all the rest. My brethren and sisters, I take pleasure in testifying to you that I know this is the work of God. I have a testimony of it. When I got that testimony I do not know; for something over 53 years ago I was born in the Church, and that testimony seems to have .been born within me. I desire that this testimony may be increased within me, and I know that it will as long as I am on the road of progress and intelligence. The more I learn of the Gospel, the stronger becomes my testimony, and I believe that is the case with all of us. I wish to testify that it is through the power of the Almighty that I am here today; for I know, had it not been for the power of the Holy Priesthood, I should have been gone hence before now. I feel a desire in my heart to testify to the goodness of my Heavenly Father in this line. I pray God to bless the faithful Latter-day Saints, and to stir up those who are not so faithful to renewed diligence. I ask these blessings, with all others that are necessary for us to prove true to the end, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER COLLINS R. HAKES,
(President of Maricopa Stake.)
My dear brethren and sisters, in standing before you for a few moments I earnestly desire your faith and prayers, to the end that we may be blessed in the time that I occupy.
For twenty years, the 22nd of this month, I have been connected with the Maricopa Stake of Zion, which is situated in the heart of the Arizona desert —the territory that we called the sunkissed land. I have learned to love that land; I have learned to love the climate; I have learned to love many of the people in that country. While our stake is one of the smallest, if not the smallest, in all Zion, we have many good, staunch, thorough Latter-day Saints in that little stake—men and women who are seeking "first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," and who have faith that God in His mercy will add all things that are necessary. But we are not all of that type. We have others that are not so full of faith and good works. We have the company of almost everything, in the shape of saloons, and orders, and societies that are not of God, to contend with; but the majority of the Latter-day Saints in our little stake get along with the saloons by simply letting them alone, and we get along with our neighbors of the different societies by treating them with kindness and courtesy, but not affiliating with their organizations. As a rule, they treat us in about the same way. We have in that country, I think, one of the most fertile and productive pieces of land that can be found within the bounds of the United States. We are lacking one element— water for irrigation purposes; but it certainly looks now as though that question was about to be solved in our country and a supply of water provided sufficient to make that one of the most beautiful spots of the earth. We have every prospect of having it at an early date. Let me say that while many of our people have within the past few months pulled out of that country and gone to other parts, I feel In my heart that it will be many years before they are any more comfortably situated for making a living for themselves and families than they were in Mesa, Arizona. This was the feeling 1 had the other day when I separated from a company of fourteen who came with me as far as Ogden, and who were going into Montana, Canada and Idaho, seeking homes. I hope that they may be blessed, so far as the Lord sees fit to bless them and to give them better places than they have left. We sow our wheat in November and December, and we reap it in May and June, and when we have water we get from forty to fifty bushels to the acre. We put our stock upon the stubble until the middle of July, and then, if we have water, we plant corn and fall crops; and in our second crop we can get just as good a yield of corn as is got in almost any country. But these possibilities are only when the water supply is there. I say to the Latter-day Saints that want to breathe good warm air, come down to Arizona. We will give you a warm reception—especially if you come in July and August. I came here a little early this morning, and stood outside before the doors were opened. Some of my friends were admiring the beautiful fresh and bracing breezes that were coming in from these snowclad hills, and I thought that if I only had power to bring down a few thousand cubic feet of Arizona weather and spread it out here, it would be a great benefit. But to me, my brethren and sisters, it does not matter where I live; it does not matter a great deal how long I live; but it does matter a great deal how I live. I believe that God is able to adapt us to the elements of the country where the servants of God wish us to reside; and I believe that the men and women who are filled with the Spirit of God are filled with the spirit of contentment, and that they will seek after the kingdom of God and His righteousness in any land or clime, hot or cold. If you want a healthful clime, we have it in Arizona. I believe we have as many days of sunshine in that country as there is in any land. We will positively agree not to freeze you; but we will give you plenty of good warm air to breathe, plenty of room to labor, and a country that under the blessings of God and the toil of the Latter-day Saints will yield of its fulness, as results to the farmer.
May God bless all Israel in every clime, and prosper His work, and bless His servants with the power of the holy Priesthood, that Zion may grow and spread abroad and her borders be strengthened, is my desire and prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of Maricopa Stake.)
My dear brethren and sisters, in standing before you for a few moments I earnestly desire your faith and prayers, to the end that we may be blessed in the time that I occupy.
For twenty years, the 22nd of this month, I have been connected with the Maricopa Stake of Zion, which is situated in the heart of the Arizona desert —the territory that we called the sunkissed land. I have learned to love that land; I have learned to love the climate; I have learned to love many of the people in that country. While our stake is one of the smallest, if not the smallest, in all Zion, we have many good, staunch, thorough Latter-day Saints in that little stake—men and women who are seeking "first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," and who have faith that God in His mercy will add all things that are necessary. But we are not all of that type. We have others that are not so full of faith and good works. We have the company of almost everything, in the shape of saloons, and orders, and societies that are not of God, to contend with; but the majority of the Latter-day Saints in our little stake get along with the saloons by simply letting them alone, and we get along with our neighbors of the different societies by treating them with kindness and courtesy, but not affiliating with their organizations. As a rule, they treat us in about the same way. We have in that country, I think, one of the most fertile and productive pieces of land that can be found within the bounds of the United States. We are lacking one element— water for irrigation purposes; but it certainly looks now as though that question was about to be solved in our country and a supply of water provided sufficient to make that one of the most beautiful spots of the earth. We have every prospect of having it at an early date. Let me say that while many of our people have within the past few months pulled out of that country and gone to other parts, I feel In my heart that it will be many years before they are any more comfortably situated for making a living for themselves and families than they were in Mesa, Arizona. This was the feeling 1 had the other day when I separated from a company of fourteen who came with me as far as Ogden, and who were going into Montana, Canada and Idaho, seeking homes. I hope that they may be blessed, so far as the Lord sees fit to bless them and to give them better places than they have left. We sow our wheat in November and December, and we reap it in May and June, and when we have water we get from forty to fifty bushels to the acre. We put our stock upon the stubble until the middle of July, and then, if we have water, we plant corn and fall crops; and in our second crop we can get just as good a yield of corn as is got in almost any country. But these possibilities are only when the water supply is there. I say to the Latter-day Saints that want to breathe good warm air, come down to Arizona. We will give you a warm reception—especially if you come in July and August. I came here a little early this morning, and stood outside before the doors were opened. Some of my friends were admiring the beautiful fresh and bracing breezes that were coming in from these snowclad hills, and I thought that if I only had power to bring down a few thousand cubic feet of Arizona weather and spread it out here, it would be a great benefit. But to me, my brethren and sisters, it does not matter where I live; it does not matter a great deal how long I live; but it does matter a great deal how I live. I believe that God is able to adapt us to the elements of the country where the servants of God wish us to reside; and I believe that the men and women who are filled with the Spirit of God are filled with the spirit of contentment, and that they will seek after the kingdom of God and His righteousness in any land or clime, hot or cold. If you want a healthful clime, we have it in Arizona. I believe we have as many days of sunshine in that country as there is in any land. We will positively agree not to freeze you; but we will give you plenty of good warm air to breathe, plenty of room to labor, and a country that under the blessings of God and the toil of the Latter-day Saints will yield of its fulness, as results to the farmer.
May God bless all Israel in every clime, and prosper His work, and bless His servants with the power of the holy Priesthood, that Zion may grow and spread abroad and her borders be strengthened, is my desire and prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER DANIEL HEINER.
(President of Morgan Stake.)
If the Lord will bless me with His spirit and give me strength, I will be pleased to say a few words in reporting the Morgan Stake. The Morgan Stake is comparatively small. Brother Hakes stated that he had one of the smallest Stakes. I have been thinking that we had almost the smallest in the Church. We live in a very small valley, but the soil is very fertile. The Presidency of the Stake feel that they have a very good people. The Priesthood of Morgan Stake are becoming more united, and the prospect for the spiritual growth of the people is very favorable. The Presidency of the Stake are united. We meet once a week. My counselors understand just about as much of the condition of the stake as I do. I have two very good counselors. The same may be said of the High Council. Our financial condition is improving. The people are just beginning, I believe, to find out the value of their homes. I think the homes in Weber valley have, in the estimation of the people there, increased in value 100 per cent within the last year or two. It is probably due to the people cultivating the land more thoroughly and making better use of their time and opportunities. The organizations In the Stake, such as the Sunday school, we are very proud of. We feel that there is an extra good work being done in the Sunday schools and in the Mutual Improvement associations. I am happy to say that everything is favorable in the Stake, although we have some people that are a long way off from being as good as they ought to be; but the Presidency of the Stake are encouraged by the prospects. I thank the Lord for a living testimony of the Gospel. I thank Him that He blessed me with goodly parents, who taught me the Gospel, and that He gave me faith in the Gospel, so much so that I have a living testimony, which comforts me all my days. I ask the Lord to bless the people in the Morgan Stake and in the whole Church, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of Morgan Stake.)
If the Lord will bless me with His spirit and give me strength, I will be pleased to say a few words in reporting the Morgan Stake. The Morgan Stake is comparatively small. Brother Hakes stated that he had one of the smallest Stakes. I have been thinking that we had almost the smallest in the Church. We live in a very small valley, but the soil is very fertile. The Presidency of the Stake feel that they have a very good people. The Priesthood of Morgan Stake are becoming more united, and the prospect for the spiritual growth of the people is very favorable. The Presidency of the Stake are united. We meet once a week. My counselors understand just about as much of the condition of the stake as I do. I have two very good counselors. The same may be said of the High Council. Our financial condition is improving. The people are just beginning, I believe, to find out the value of their homes. I think the homes in Weber valley have, in the estimation of the people there, increased in value 100 per cent within the last year or two. It is probably due to the people cultivating the land more thoroughly and making better use of their time and opportunities. The organizations In the Stake, such as the Sunday school, we are very proud of. We feel that there is an extra good work being done in the Sunday schools and in the Mutual Improvement associations. I am happy to say that everything is favorable in the Stake, although we have some people that are a long way off from being as good as they ought to be; but the Presidency of the Stake are encouraged by the prospects. I thank the Lord for a living testimony of the Gospel. I thank Him that He blessed me with goodly parents, who taught me the Gospel, and that He gave me faith in the Gospel, so much so that I have a living testimony, which comforts me all my days. I ask the Lord to bless the people in the Morgan Stake and in the whole Church, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER J. S. PAGE, JR.
(President of Nebo Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, for a good many years I have been In the habit of attending the annual and semi-annual conferences of the Church, but have sat in the congregation and looked from there in this direction, and I must confess that I had grown to feel much more at home than I do standing here facing you. At the same time it is an inspiring spectacle to see this large number from among the hosts of Israel, gathered together in the name of the Lord. It gives one some impression of the strength of the work that the Lord is accomplishing upon the earth, and we take strength from one another in thus assembling. In standing before you for a short time to represent the affairs in the Nebo Stake of Zion, I do so in humility and with a desire to have utterance given me of the Lord for this purpose. The Priesthood of that Stake are engaged in preaching the Gospel as recorded in the scriptures, which were written by holy men of God as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. They are endeavoring to realize the efficacy of the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, to understand our relationship to Him, and our dependence upon His atonement and labor. We are endeavoring also to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith as an instrument of God, who was called to establish Zion in the last days, and through whom the Gospel was restored, with the authority to administer its ordinances; to also honor those who have succeeded him in the Presidency, and to realize that their words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit are the words of God unto His people. In addition to this, we are trying to have every man who holds a portion of the Priesthood honor the office and station in which he is called to labor and magnify the Priesthood that has been placed upon him. In doing this we have taken pains that not one young man of sufficient years should be overlooked, but that all should have the opportunity to labor according to their capacity and desire, that they may not rise up in later days and say that the doorway to progress and advancement had been closed in their face by those whose duty it was to open it. The Priesthood are also trying to inculcate the principles of faith, humility, obedience, and a seeking after the things of God, in order that they may have the Spirit of God to be a companion and guide, that we may all realize that light has come into the world, and that we may walk according to that light, and continue to be in companionship with the Holy Ghost. I believe I can say with truth that the very great majority of the Priesthood are striving to labor for the establishment of Zion upon the earth, and to be enabled to give a good report of the work that is placed in their hands to accomplish. This can be said, too, of those who preside over and labor in the auxiliary societies of the Church. As a rule, they are zealous and earnest. The interest of the religion class work particularly comes to my mind at this time. It is something that we have not given as much attention to as some other branches of the work; but with its development in our midst we begin to appreciate the blessing of the Lord in having this established among us, and we look for great good to come therefrom. It is coming to be loved by the people. The Priesthood of the stake are working together in harmony from first to last, so far as I am acquainted, with a desire to be humble, to be led by the- Holy Spirit, and to labor according to the counsels of the Prophet of God and to sustain those who preside over us. That we may be able to continue to do so, and that the blessings of God may be upon all the Church in every part of the earth, is my prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
(President of Nebo Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, for a good many years I have been In the habit of attending the annual and semi-annual conferences of the Church, but have sat in the congregation and looked from there in this direction, and I must confess that I had grown to feel much more at home than I do standing here facing you. At the same time it is an inspiring spectacle to see this large number from among the hosts of Israel, gathered together in the name of the Lord. It gives one some impression of the strength of the work that the Lord is accomplishing upon the earth, and we take strength from one another in thus assembling. In standing before you for a short time to represent the affairs in the Nebo Stake of Zion, I do so in humility and with a desire to have utterance given me of the Lord for this purpose. The Priesthood of that Stake are engaged in preaching the Gospel as recorded in the scriptures, which were written by holy men of God as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. They are endeavoring to realize the efficacy of the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, to understand our relationship to Him, and our dependence upon His atonement and labor. We are endeavoring also to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith as an instrument of God, who was called to establish Zion in the last days, and through whom the Gospel was restored, with the authority to administer its ordinances; to also honor those who have succeeded him in the Presidency, and to realize that their words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit are the words of God unto His people. In addition to this, we are trying to have every man who holds a portion of the Priesthood honor the office and station in which he is called to labor and magnify the Priesthood that has been placed upon him. In doing this we have taken pains that not one young man of sufficient years should be overlooked, but that all should have the opportunity to labor according to their capacity and desire, that they may not rise up in later days and say that the doorway to progress and advancement had been closed in their face by those whose duty it was to open it. The Priesthood are also trying to inculcate the principles of faith, humility, obedience, and a seeking after the things of God, in order that they may have the Spirit of God to be a companion and guide, that we may all realize that light has come into the world, and that we may walk according to that light, and continue to be in companionship with the Holy Ghost. I believe I can say with truth that the very great majority of the Priesthood are striving to labor for the establishment of Zion upon the earth, and to be enabled to give a good report of the work that is placed in their hands to accomplish. This can be said, too, of those who preside over and labor in the auxiliary societies of the Church. As a rule, they are zealous and earnest. The interest of the religion class work particularly comes to my mind at this time. It is something that we have not given as much attention to as some other branches of the work; but with its development in our midst we begin to appreciate the blessing of the Lord in having this established among us, and we look for great good to come therefrom. It is coming to be loved by the people. The Priesthood of the stake are working together in harmony from first to last, so far as I am acquainted, with a desire to be humble, to be led by the- Holy Spirit, and to labor according to the counsels of the Prophet of God and to sustain those who preside over us. That we may be able to continue to do so, and that the blessings of God may be upon all the Church in every part of the earth, is my prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
ELDER JOSEPH M. TANNER.
Development of Church school system—Efforts In the direction of manual training—Beneficent effects of technical Instruction—Its application to agriculture—A local scientific expert.
I have enjoyed very much the spirit and instructions of this Conference, and I trust that I may have your interest while I report the work that has been placed in my charge. We have an organization which we call the Church schools. Twenty of these institutions are located in Utah, Arizona, Idaho and Old Mexico. They are attended by about 5,000 of our young people, and the increase of late has been quite marked. Last year we had 940 students more than the preceding year.
I was very gratified yesterday to hear President Smith speak upon some matters of education to the people at large, and manifest to them the same desire that he has manifested to the Church board of education and the board of examiners. I am very pleased to say that we are making special efforts to introduce manual training into these schools. In Salt Lake City—and what is true of this city is true of other places we have hundreds of young men who leave the schoolroom during the summer season, and for three or four months are without employment, left to pastime that leads them into idleness and frequently into frivolous lives. The question arose as to what should be done with these young people during these long summer vacations. If we had in the City of Salt Lake a manual training school, hundreds of our boys within a very few summers might learn much that goes to make up a trade. Looking to these particular needs. President Smith appointed a committee to make investigation and report to the General Church Board of Education the status of affairs in this respect, and also what, in the judgment of the committee, could be done to remedy the evils that are so apparent among us. A report has not been made, and therefore I cannot give you the findings of that body. But I desire to call your attention to one item of their investigation. After a careful computation of the industrial situation in this state, from the standpoint of the tradesman, it was found, reckoning on a conservative basis, that we are paying out every year something like eight millions of dollars to tradesmen; that our own people are diminishing in numbers in this class ; that many of the older ones are, so to speak, out of date, not having kept up with the demands of the times; that we are gathering few from foreign countries who learn trades in their native land, and that we are having few or no apprentices among us. One of this committee (several of which are at the head of industrial concerns in this city) made the remark that during the 30 years he had been in charge of a building firm they had not educated one single apprentice. We feel the necessity of this training. We feel that the people should give it their support. I am perfectly free to say to you this afternoon that many of the Latter-day Saints are overly-anxious that their sons should become bookkeepers. We have 10 young men anxious to become bookkeepers where we have a place for one of them when they are educated. We do not have one young man learning a trade where there is and will be a demand for 50 of them within the next few years. So they are preparing in great numbers for that which they are not likely to need, and neglecting that which they ought to have in the course of their education. One of the reasons for this is the sentiment which the parents inculcate in the hearts of their children by encouraging them to pursue some branch of study that is called culture. I would like to relate an anecdote that explains much of our educational culture in these times. Some few years ago, when I was at Harvard, the dean of the scientific school said to me that our educational culture was so empty and so worthless that he never used the word "culture" when he could possibly avoid it. Then he related an anecdote of two farmers who were cultivating their land near the town of Cambridge, where the Harvard university is situated. These two farmers came to the partition fence one day, and one of them said to the other, "John, what is culture " Why," John says, "don't you know what culture is?" "No," said he; "I hear these school teachers that come by here on to Arlington Heights in the summer time, talking about culture. They say, he is cultured, or she is cultured, or they are cultured, and 'Oh, my, how I do love culture!' Now, what are they talking about?" "Why," said John, "you know what potato culture is?" "Yes, I know that." "And you know what wheat culture Is?" "Yes, I know that." Well, you take out the wheat, and take out the potatoes, and then you have the culture."
Our education has been provided in a large measure by the state, and it has made its demands upon us, and that education has been almost exclusively confined to books. In some of the eastern states Wealthy men are contributing their means for the establishment of technical institutions, where young men can learn mechanism; and these institutions are most interesting. In some of the states the government itself is establishing schools of technical training, in order that the citizens maybe more useful. I expect to see the day in Utah when the men that are possessed of means will contribute likewise for the establishment of similar institutions in the state and in the Church, that our young people may become more useful in building up the country. For mechanism has in it something that is stable. It educates the judgment, and it gives wisdom to the men and women who are trained to use their hands along with their brains. Its importance to us cannot be overestimated.
A few months ago I had the opportunity of traveling through Canada and some of the cities of the east. I found in many of those large cities schools of technical training. I found they had a very beneficial influence upon the morals of the people. For example, these schools were kept up from morning until ten o'clock at night. During the middle of the day you would see the bootblack, after his work was over in the morning, wend his way into the school; and the newsboy, after he had sold his morning edition, was going into this technical school, that he might learn him a trade. I am told that some of those boys have already graduated from these schools^ and that instead of blacking boots or selling newspapers they are now mechanics, earning good wages ,and are valuable citizens in the communities where they live. I remember very well when visiting one of these polytechnic schools in Brooklyn, the man took us into a room and said, "These benches and this work are all ready for the men who come here at night." I asked him who these men were. He replied, "They are mostly clerks from the stores and men that are driving teams. After their work is over at six o'clock in the evening, they go home at once to supper, and they are here by seven o'clock. It Is only a question of two or three years until their services are demanded in some of the best workshops of the city ,and some of them now are earning large salaries." Many of our young men find themselves compelled to take up vocations in life for which they are not suited. They are clerking in stores when they have that mechanical talent that would make them most useful in that line.
We are encouraging some of our young men to go east and work up in these technical schools. One or two are now at work, and it is hoped that others will go as soon as they possibly can, and fit themselves for the demands that must be made upon them in the near future. We not only desire that these schools should be organized in the Church, but it is only a question of time when they will be organized in the state and our Legislature will be as anxious to appropriate money to teach men to be artisans as they are to teach them Latin and Greek and foreign languages that they have no use for; but we can hardly make some of our legislators today realize that manual training and that the artisan is as important to our state as the student of Greek and Latin. I desire to say that we shall respond as far and as rapidly as we can to the instructions which our President has given us. We realize only too well the truth of his remarks in this respect.
One thing more. We have organized in this state an agricultural experiment station. It has given out very valuable information that will make our people scientific and technical farmers; aye, and teach them how to cultivate the soil, how to raise stock; and our housewives how to produce in this state a million dollars a year more than they do from their poultry. When I was in Canada I was told of the great value to the farmers of that country the bulletins issued by Dr. Widtsoe, of the Agricultural college, had been to them; how many thousands of dollars those bulletins had been in wealth to the people away off in eastern Canada. I asked myself the question, How much value have these bulletins been to the people in the state where they are issued? Dr. Truman Allen, of the Agricultural station at Washington, says of them that they are the highest authority in the world on the subjects that they treat of. And Dr. Widtsoe is one of our home boys, and is giving out to the world this information that is doing so many hundreds of thousands of dollars' good to the world, while many of us at home have scarcely gained any value from them whatever! 1 was very glad when the Legislature set apart something like $12,000 for experimental work in the dry farms of this state; and if you will watch the work of this eminent scientist, if you will read something of his bulletins, you will gain great advantage, and you may become professional farmers and stock raisers. He is just now finishing a bulletin on irrigation. I understand it will be out of the press soon. I hope that he will issue a popular edition of it—that is, strip it of its scientific and technical terms; for I am sure that when we come to find out something more about irrigation we shall discover that after all in many places it is not more water that we need, but a more scientific and accurate use of the water that we have already. So I am pleased to make these statements to you here, because I feel that by a little attention on our own part, by following the investigations and experiments of eminent men in our midst, and especially by following the work of our scientist. Dr. Widtsoe, we may gain a great deal that is valuable and that will increase the wealth and prosperity of the people.
Our schools, above all things, aim to inculcate the Spirit of God in our young people, and fit and qualify them for the mission of disseminating the -Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations of the earth. I need not say to you that these schools have accomplished a vast amount of good in this respect, and there is hardly a family in the Church that has not felt, directly or indirectly, the spiritual blessings that have come to their homes from these institutions of learning.
God bless you. God bless the schools, and all the departments and organizations of Zion, that there may be a harmonious effort through all our labors for the accomplishment of a common good. God bless the man that stands at the head of them all; for I want to testify to you today that I have great encouragement in this work from the interest that is felt by our President, and the Church Board of Education. The students feel it also, and his interest in their lives has been so exceptional and great that they are enthusiastic when he meets them in their schools and takes part with them in their exercises. God bless you all. Amen.
Development of Church school system—Efforts In the direction of manual training—Beneficent effects of technical Instruction—Its application to agriculture—A local scientific expert.
I have enjoyed very much the spirit and instructions of this Conference, and I trust that I may have your interest while I report the work that has been placed in my charge. We have an organization which we call the Church schools. Twenty of these institutions are located in Utah, Arizona, Idaho and Old Mexico. They are attended by about 5,000 of our young people, and the increase of late has been quite marked. Last year we had 940 students more than the preceding year.
I was very gratified yesterday to hear President Smith speak upon some matters of education to the people at large, and manifest to them the same desire that he has manifested to the Church board of education and the board of examiners. I am very pleased to say that we are making special efforts to introduce manual training into these schools. In Salt Lake City—and what is true of this city is true of other places we have hundreds of young men who leave the schoolroom during the summer season, and for three or four months are without employment, left to pastime that leads them into idleness and frequently into frivolous lives. The question arose as to what should be done with these young people during these long summer vacations. If we had in the City of Salt Lake a manual training school, hundreds of our boys within a very few summers might learn much that goes to make up a trade. Looking to these particular needs. President Smith appointed a committee to make investigation and report to the General Church Board of Education the status of affairs in this respect, and also what, in the judgment of the committee, could be done to remedy the evils that are so apparent among us. A report has not been made, and therefore I cannot give you the findings of that body. But I desire to call your attention to one item of their investigation. After a careful computation of the industrial situation in this state, from the standpoint of the tradesman, it was found, reckoning on a conservative basis, that we are paying out every year something like eight millions of dollars to tradesmen; that our own people are diminishing in numbers in this class ; that many of the older ones are, so to speak, out of date, not having kept up with the demands of the times; that we are gathering few from foreign countries who learn trades in their native land, and that we are having few or no apprentices among us. One of this committee (several of which are at the head of industrial concerns in this city) made the remark that during the 30 years he had been in charge of a building firm they had not educated one single apprentice. We feel the necessity of this training. We feel that the people should give it their support. I am perfectly free to say to you this afternoon that many of the Latter-day Saints are overly-anxious that their sons should become bookkeepers. We have 10 young men anxious to become bookkeepers where we have a place for one of them when they are educated. We do not have one young man learning a trade where there is and will be a demand for 50 of them within the next few years. So they are preparing in great numbers for that which they are not likely to need, and neglecting that which they ought to have in the course of their education. One of the reasons for this is the sentiment which the parents inculcate in the hearts of their children by encouraging them to pursue some branch of study that is called culture. I would like to relate an anecdote that explains much of our educational culture in these times. Some few years ago, when I was at Harvard, the dean of the scientific school said to me that our educational culture was so empty and so worthless that he never used the word "culture" when he could possibly avoid it. Then he related an anecdote of two farmers who were cultivating their land near the town of Cambridge, where the Harvard university is situated. These two farmers came to the partition fence one day, and one of them said to the other, "John, what is culture " Why," John says, "don't you know what culture is?" "No," said he; "I hear these school teachers that come by here on to Arlington Heights in the summer time, talking about culture. They say, he is cultured, or she is cultured, or they are cultured, and 'Oh, my, how I do love culture!' Now, what are they talking about?" "Why," said John, "you know what potato culture is?" "Yes, I know that." "And you know what wheat culture Is?" "Yes, I know that." Well, you take out the wheat, and take out the potatoes, and then you have the culture."
Our education has been provided in a large measure by the state, and it has made its demands upon us, and that education has been almost exclusively confined to books. In some of the eastern states Wealthy men are contributing their means for the establishment of technical institutions, where young men can learn mechanism; and these institutions are most interesting. In some of the states the government itself is establishing schools of technical training, in order that the citizens maybe more useful. I expect to see the day in Utah when the men that are possessed of means will contribute likewise for the establishment of similar institutions in the state and in the Church, that our young people may become more useful in building up the country. For mechanism has in it something that is stable. It educates the judgment, and it gives wisdom to the men and women who are trained to use their hands along with their brains. Its importance to us cannot be overestimated.
A few months ago I had the opportunity of traveling through Canada and some of the cities of the east. I found in many of those large cities schools of technical training. I found they had a very beneficial influence upon the morals of the people. For example, these schools were kept up from morning until ten o'clock at night. During the middle of the day you would see the bootblack, after his work was over in the morning, wend his way into the school; and the newsboy, after he had sold his morning edition, was going into this technical school, that he might learn him a trade. I am told that some of those boys have already graduated from these schools^ and that instead of blacking boots or selling newspapers they are now mechanics, earning good wages ,and are valuable citizens in the communities where they live. I remember very well when visiting one of these polytechnic schools in Brooklyn, the man took us into a room and said, "These benches and this work are all ready for the men who come here at night." I asked him who these men were. He replied, "They are mostly clerks from the stores and men that are driving teams. After their work is over at six o'clock in the evening, they go home at once to supper, and they are here by seven o'clock. It Is only a question of two or three years until their services are demanded in some of the best workshops of the city ,and some of them now are earning large salaries." Many of our young men find themselves compelled to take up vocations in life for which they are not suited. They are clerking in stores when they have that mechanical talent that would make them most useful in that line.
We are encouraging some of our young men to go east and work up in these technical schools. One or two are now at work, and it is hoped that others will go as soon as they possibly can, and fit themselves for the demands that must be made upon them in the near future. We not only desire that these schools should be organized in the Church, but it is only a question of time when they will be organized in the state and our Legislature will be as anxious to appropriate money to teach men to be artisans as they are to teach them Latin and Greek and foreign languages that they have no use for; but we can hardly make some of our legislators today realize that manual training and that the artisan is as important to our state as the student of Greek and Latin. I desire to say that we shall respond as far and as rapidly as we can to the instructions which our President has given us. We realize only too well the truth of his remarks in this respect.
One thing more. We have organized in this state an agricultural experiment station. It has given out very valuable information that will make our people scientific and technical farmers; aye, and teach them how to cultivate the soil, how to raise stock; and our housewives how to produce in this state a million dollars a year more than they do from their poultry. When I was in Canada I was told of the great value to the farmers of that country the bulletins issued by Dr. Widtsoe, of the Agricultural college, had been to them; how many thousands of dollars those bulletins had been in wealth to the people away off in eastern Canada. I asked myself the question, How much value have these bulletins been to the people in the state where they are issued? Dr. Truman Allen, of the Agricultural station at Washington, says of them that they are the highest authority in the world on the subjects that they treat of. And Dr. Widtsoe is one of our home boys, and is giving out to the world this information that is doing so many hundreds of thousands of dollars' good to the world, while many of us at home have scarcely gained any value from them whatever! 1 was very glad when the Legislature set apart something like $12,000 for experimental work in the dry farms of this state; and if you will watch the work of this eminent scientist, if you will read something of his bulletins, you will gain great advantage, and you may become professional farmers and stock raisers. He is just now finishing a bulletin on irrigation. I understand it will be out of the press soon. I hope that he will issue a popular edition of it—that is, strip it of its scientific and technical terms; for I am sure that when we come to find out something more about irrigation we shall discover that after all in many places it is not more water that we need, but a more scientific and accurate use of the water that we have already. So I am pleased to make these statements to you here, because I feel that by a little attention on our own part, by following the investigations and experiments of eminent men in our midst, and especially by following the work of our scientist. Dr. Widtsoe, we may gain a great deal that is valuable and that will increase the wealth and prosperity of the people.
Our schools, above all things, aim to inculcate the Spirit of God in our young people, and fit and qualify them for the mission of disseminating the -Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations of the earth. I need not say to you that these schools have accomplished a vast amount of good in this respect, and there is hardly a family in the Church that has not felt, directly or indirectly, the spiritual blessings that have come to their homes from these institutions of learning.
God bless you. God bless the schools, and all the departments and organizations of Zion, that there may be a harmonious effort through all our labors for the accomplishment of a common good. God bless the man that stands at the head of them all; for I want to testify to you today that I have great encouragement in this work from the interest that is felt by our President, and the Church Board of Education. The students feel it also, and his interest in their lives has been so exceptional and great that they are enthusiastic when he meets them in their schools and takes part with them in their exercises. God bless you all. Amen.
ELDER REED SMOOT.
Importance of cleanliness—Effects of its opposite — Other and worse conditions—Manual training —Future material development.
I am indeed pleased, my brethren and sisters, for the privilege of addressing this vast audience this afternoon, for a few moments. It seems to me that the spirit of this Conference has been one of teaching the people concerning the material interests of life, and I know of nothing better to speak of, as such instruction reaches the dally lives of all the people.
There is a saying that cleanliness is next to Godliness; I hope I may be the means, through the Spirit of God, to bring the attention of our people to the necessity of cleanliness. If I had time, I would like to go into the subject far enough to include cleanliness of the mind, cleanliness of the body, cleanliness of the surroundings, cleanliness of city and town. I hope that the Bishops, and presidents of stakes, when they go home, will see that the attention of the people over whom they preside is called to this subject. I wish that every family in Zion understood the value of cleanliness in the home. I have often said that a clean home does not, of necessity, mean a mansion; no matter how small the home may be, the father and mother, and particularly the mother, should be interested in keeping that home free from all filth. The father should keep clean the dooryard, the outhouses, the barns, the sidewalks, and all that pertains to the home surroundings. The mother should see that the inside of the home, though it consist of but two rooms, is kept scrupulously clean. I cannot stop to tell you of the thousand benefits that would result from so doing; I know the people would be healthier; children would love their homes more, have more pride in them, enjoy more the beauties of nature, and learn more of the joys of life. I also trust that we can teach all to be clean in person, clean in their associations, and pure in their thoughts.
I remember, when I was a small boy. President Brigham Young was making one of his tours and arrived at a town in one of the southern counties. He had intended to stop there and speak to the people, but, as he drove along the streets, entering town, he noticed the unclean condition of the surroundings. He drove direct to the Bishop's home, stopped his team and said to the Bishop, who stood in front of his residence awaiting the arrival of the president: Why Bishop, I see the same old rocks upon the streets; I see the same old dirty surroundings; I see the same old gates off their hinges; I see the same old broken down fences; I see the same old puddles of mud before the tithing office and your public buildings, just as they were when I was last here; and, inasmuch as I called attention to these defects when I was here before, and it has had no effect upon the people whatever, I do not think it necessary for me to stop this time. Good-bye, Bishop. Tell the people when they attend to these things and rectify them, I will stop next time."
I wish, my brethren and sisters, that we all could realize what it means to us as a people to keep our surroundings clean and pure. I assure you it is worthy our consideration and attention.
I read a synopsis of a speech that was made here the other day, by .a reverend gentleman, before the Young Men's Christian association.
He spoke to a large audience, and called attention to what he termed the three reigning sins of this great nation of ours, viz: gambling, intemperance, and moral impurity. I am pleased to state that I can say amen to all that he said in regard to these subjects. But there are other things which I believe are just as much reigning sins as the three he spoke of. We know that these three evils spoken of rob the home of comfort. They rob the wife of a probable loving and devoted husband. They rob the children of the necessities of life. They bring degradation and misery into the homes of millions of people. While I was thinking of these reigning sins, I thought too of other evils which are the cause of many men gambling and drinking, and leading impure lives; upon one of these evils or causes I want to say a few words this afternoon.
One of the greatest evils of our day is that there are so many willfully motherless wives. Closely connected with this is another, the willful laziness of men who do not properly provide for their wives. Psychologists are studying these questions, and trying to solve the problem of why there is so much sin in the world today, so many men devoid of manliness, so many vicious scoundrels who have no other aim in life than to prey upon mankind. I have thought many times there certainly is a reason for this; and at least one reason is, there are so many children brought into this world by unwilling mothers, the offspring also, in many cases, of equally unwilling fathers. Every child born into this world has a right to a tender and loving welcome. It has a right, by laws of nature, to claim this of the father and mother; but in the world today — and I fear it is creeping- Into our midst —mothers and fathers do not want many children. They "do not want to be bothered with them," as it is so often said. Coming home from the east lately, I was conversing with a man on the train, and he remarked to me: Why, Mr. Smoot, I have one child, and I would not take a million dollars for it; but I Would not give five cents for another." I want to tell the fathers and mothers of Israel that the first great law God gave to mankind is as binding today upon the world as it ever was, I hope and trust that the people of this nation, and' of this Church in particular, will live according to this law, and not violate it in any manner. Let us, my brethren and sisters, show to the world that we love children more than we do lapdogs. Let us show that we love our offspring more than anything earthly, so that, the world may understand that what God reveals we believe and practice. I promise you that if we live to this law, God will provide for the men and women who, willingly and lovingly, bring children into this world and teach them His commandments.
You have, doubtless, noticed, of late, that President Roosevelt has called the attention of the world to the fact that "race suicide" is one of the great evils of the day. I thank God that this nation of ours has a man as its president, who believes it the duty of all married people to become parents. I also rejoice that the wife God gave him is thankful she is the mother of a number of children—not ashamed of one of them. He believes in rearing children, and in making the home an altar for our religious devotion. He believes in bringing children into the world by willing parents, and making Americans of them. I believe that this theory is pleasing in the sight of God. So I say to my brethren and sisters today, and I would that I had the power to say to the world, stop "race suicide." If you don't want a family, don't get married. I hope that we, as Latter-day Saints, will learn from the experiences of the world the evil effects of "race suicide," and not pass through the experiences ourselves.
I have indeed enjoyed the practical remarks made at this Conference. Ever since I was twenty-two years of age, I have said on many occasions that, if God blessed me with sufficient means, I would someday establish a school of manual training. I have noticed the lack of this in our schools for many years. Many, perhaps, have said that I was a crank on this subject. But, I have been placed in a position, at the Provo Woolen Mills, where I have seen the evils that exist in the lack of manual education for our children, I can go to Provo today and put up. a notice for common laboring men at a salary of a dollar and a half a day and the next morning, more than likely, there would be dozens of applications; but just let me post a notice that we want a competent finisher, head of a department, or a dyer, and there would not be a person in all of the state of Utah make application, that is qualified for the position. I desire to say to the people of Utah that we are on the verge of an opportunity for wonderful growth, and, while we may have reverses and hard times at intervals, there will be an impetus come to this state that we little dream of at present. There will be great iron manufactories in the south, and many great smelting plants in different parts of the state. The time will come, and it is not far distant, when the manufacturing interests of this state will be the greatest of her industries. Are we preparing for this? I take it for granted that the smelters we have today can get all the common laborers they want for two dollars or two dollars and fifty cents per day; but, if they require a man who knows the business thoroughly, and who could take charge of it, I guarantee that they cannot find him here, but will have to look to some eastern city where people, through necessity, have learned that, in order to get along in this world, they must be thoroughly educated in some particular line or calling.
Before sitting down, I desire to say that I feel grateful to my heavenly Father for His special blessings to me; and I am also grateful to the people of this state for their confidence in me. I know that if we pray to God in earnestness He certainly will sustain us. The danger of our becoming lukewarm is not from without—the danger is within. I hope and trust that God will strengthen us; that He will make us honest, upright and honorable members of His Church; that we will never falter for a minute, nor ever have a doubt this this is the Church and Kingdom of God. God bless us all, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mrs. Lizzie Thomas Edward and the choir sang the anthem: “When Thou Comest to the Judgment."
Benediction by Elder Moroni W. Merrill.
Importance of cleanliness—Effects of its opposite — Other and worse conditions—Manual training —Future material development.
I am indeed pleased, my brethren and sisters, for the privilege of addressing this vast audience this afternoon, for a few moments. It seems to me that the spirit of this Conference has been one of teaching the people concerning the material interests of life, and I know of nothing better to speak of, as such instruction reaches the dally lives of all the people.
There is a saying that cleanliness is next to Godliness; I hope I may be the means, through the Spirit of God, to bring the attention of our people to the necessity of cleanliness. If I had time, I would like to go into the subject far enough to include cleanliness of the mind, cleanliness of the body, cleanliness of the surroundings, cleanliness of city and town. I hope that the Bishops, and presidents of stakes, when they go home, will see that the attention of the people over whom they preside is called to this subject. I wish that every family in Zion understood the value of cleanliness in the home. I have often said that a clean home does not, of necessity, mean a mansion; no matter how small the home may be, the father and mother, and particularly the mother, should be interested in keeping that home free from all filth. The father should keep clean the dooryard, the outhouses, the barns, the sidewalks, and all that pertains to the home surroundings. The mother should see that the inside of the home, though it consist of but two rooms, is kept scrupulously clean. I cannot stop to tell you of the thousand benefits that would result from so doing; I know the people would be healthier; children would love their homes more, have more pride in them, enjoy more the beauties of nature, and learn more of the joys of life. I also trust that we can teach all to be clean in person, clean in their associations, and pure in their thoughts.
I remember, when I was a small boy. President Brigham Young was making one of his tours and arrived at a town in one of the southern counties. He had intended to stop there and speak to the people, but, as he drove along the streets, entering town, he noticed the unclean condition of the surroundings. He drove direct to the Bishop's home, stopped his team and said to the Bishop, who stood in front of his residence awaiting the arrival of the president: Why Bishop, I see the same old rocks upon the streets; I see the same old dirty surroundings; I see the same old gates off their hinges; I see the same old broken down fences; I see the same old puddles of mud before the tithing office and your public buildings, just as they were when I was last here; and, inasmuch as I called attention to these defects when I was here before, and it has had no effect upon the people whatever, I do not think it necessary for me to stop this time. Good-bye, Bishop. Tell the people when they attend to these things and rectify them, I will stop next time."
I wish, my brethren and sisters, that we all could realize what it means to us as a people to keep our surroundings clean and pure. I assure you it is worthy our consideration and attention.
I read a synopsis of a speech that was made here the other day, by .a reverend gentleman, before the Young Men's Christian association.
He spoke to a large audience, and called attention to what he termed the three reigning sins of this great nation of ours, viz: gambling, intemperance, and moral impurity. I am pleased to state that I can say amen to all that he said in regard to these subjects. But there are other things which I believe are just as much reigning sins as the three he spoke of. We know that these three evils spoken of rob the home of comfort. They rob the wife of a probable loving and devoted husband. They rob the children of the necessities of life. They bring degradation and misery into the homes of millions of people. While I was thinking of these reigning sins, I thought too of other evils which are the cause of many men gambling and drinking, and leading impure lives; upon one of these evils or causes I want to say a few words this afternoon.
One of the greatest evils of our day is that there are so many willfully motherless wives. Closely connected with this is another, the willful laziness of men who do not properly provide for their wives. Psychologists are studying these questions, and trying to solve the problem of why there is so much sin in the world today, so many men devoid of manliness, so many vicious scoundrels who have no other aim in life than to prey upon mankind. I have thought many times there certainly is a reason for this; and at least one reason is, there are so many children brought into this world by unwilling mothers, the offspring also, in many cases, of equally unwilling fathers. Every child born into this world has a right to a tender and loving welcome. It has a right, by laws of nature, to claim this of the father and mother; but in the world today — and I fear it is creeping- Into our midst —mothers and fathers do not want many children. They "do not want to be bothered with them," as it is so often said. Coming home from the east lately, I was conversing with a man on the train, and he remarked to me: Why, Mr. Smoot, I have one child, and I would not take a million dollars for it; but I Would not give five cents for another." I want to tell the fathers and mothers of Israel that the first great law God gave to mankind is as binding today upon the world as it ever was, I hope and trust that the people of this nation, and' of this Church in particular, will live according to this law, and not violate it in any manner. Let us, my brethren and sisters, show to the world that we love children more than we do lapdogs. Let us show that we love our offspring more than anything earthly, so that, the world may understand that what God reveals we believe and practice. I promise you that if we live to this law, God will provide for the men and women who, willingly and lovingly, bring children into this world and teach them His commandments.
You have, doubtless, noticed, of late, that President Roosevelt has called the attention of the world to the fact that "race suicide" is one of the great evils of the day. I thank God that this nation of ours has a man as its president, who believes it the duty of all married people to become parents. I also rejoice that the wife God gave him is thankful she is the mother of a number of children—not ashamed of one of them. He believes in rearing children, and in making the home an altar for our religious devotion. He believes in bringing children into the world by willing parents, and making Americans of them. I believe that this theory is pleasing in the sight of God. So I say to my brethren and sisters today, and I would that I had the power to say to the world, stop "race suicide." If you don't want a family, don't get married. I hope that we, as Latter-day Saints, will learn from the experiences of the world the evil effects of "race suicide," and not pass through the experiences ourselves.
I have indeed enjoyed the practical remarks made at this Conference. Ever since I was twenty-two years of age, I have said on many occasions that, if God blessed me with sufficient means, I would someday establish a school of manual training. I have noticed the lack of this in our schools for many years. Many, perhaps, have said that I was a crank on this subject. But, I have been placed in a position, at the Provo Woolen Mills, where I have seen the evils that exist in the lack of manual education for our children, I can go to Provo today and put up. a notice for common laboring men at a salary of a dollar and a half a day and the next morning, more than likely, there would be dozens of applications; but just let me post a notice that we want a competent finisher, head of a department, or a dyer, and there would not be a person in all of the state of Utah make application, that is qualified for the position. I desire to say to the people of Utah that we are on the verge of an opportunity for wonderful growth, and, while we may have reverses and hard times at intervals, there will be an impetus come to this state that we little dream of at present. There will be great iron manufactories in the south, and many great smelting plants in different parts of the state. The time will come, and it is not far distant, when the manufacturing interests of this state will be the greatest of her industries. Are we preparing for this? I take it for granted that the smelters we have today can get all the common laborers they want for two dollars or two dollars and fifty cents per day; but, if they require a man who knows the business thoroughly, and who could take charge of it, I guarantee that they cannot find him here, but will have to look to some eastern city where people, through necessity, have learned that, in order to get along in this world, they must be thoroughly educated in some particular line or calling.
Before sitting down, I desire to say that I feel grateful to my heavenly Father for His special blessings to me; and I am also grateful to the people of this state for their confidence in me. I know that if we pray to God in earnestness He certainly will sustain us. The danger of our becoming lukewarm is not from without—the danger is within. I hope and trust that God will strengthen us; that He will make us honest, upright and honorable members of His Church; that we will never falter for a minute, nor ever have a doubt this this is the Church and Kingdom of God. God bless us all, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mrs. Lizzie Thomas Edward and the choir sang the anthem: “When Thou Comest to the Judgment."
Benediction by Elder Moroni W. Merrill.
THIRD DAY. Monday, April 6, 10 a. m.
The choir and congregation sang:
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven;
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain;
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer that hero again.
Prayer was offered by Elder George Teasdale.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Great God, attend while Zion sings
The joy that from Thy presence springs;
To spend one day with Thee on earth
Exceeds a thousand days of mirth.
The choir and congregation sang:
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven;
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain;
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer that hero again.
Prayer was offered by Elder George Teasdale.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Great God, attend while Zion sings
The joy that from Thy presence springs;
To spend one day with Thee on earth
Exceeds a thousand days of mirth.
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER.
Important recent occurrences—Beneficent character of Temple work—Suggestions about Marriage —Indebtedness should be avoided—Work of God pressing onward to Its destiny
I am very much gratified this morning to have another privilege of meeting with you in conference, and have been delighted with what I have seen and heard during the last two days.
I am reminded this morning of an occurrence that took place just ten years ago—the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple by President Wilford Woodruff; and I have reflected a little upon some of the things that have happened since that time. Two presidents of the Church—President Woodruff and President Snow—have passed away; one First Counselor—President George Q. Cannon; one- President of the Twelve Apostles—President Franklin D. Richards; and one Apostle. But, my brethren and sisters, they have not lost interest in the work that we are now engaged in. Since the dedication, of the Salt Lake Temple there have been performed in that house about eight hundred thousand ordinances, or about eighty thousand per annum. While the world are ridiculing and scoffing at what we are doing in the temples, I wish to say to you all, and you can bear testimony of the same, that every ordinance, every ceremony that is performed therein is of a sacred and holy character. Every ordinance performed there makes better fathers, better mothers, better children, better husbands and wives, better citizens of the state, and better citizens -of the United States. Nothing occurs in that house that we need be ashamed of; but everything that takes place there is for the betterment of all who attend. I presume that there are thousands now listening to my voice who could testify to the truth of that which I speak.
There is one thing we regret sometimes, and that is with regard to our young people who, when they are about to enter matrimony, fail to come to the house of the Lord to have' the ceremony performed there; because we know that if they are prepared to enter that house they will receive ordinances that will be of great benefit to them while they live. We also regret sometimes to learn that some of our sisters contract alliances with those who are not of our faith. It has been said that we are too exclusive in this matter. I was reading an article in a paper yesterday, and I took a clipping from it to show that we are not the only ones that are exclusive in this respect. This article was headed "Mixed Marriages Barred in Future," and the clippings reads:
"Chicago, April 4th.
"The Record-Herald New York correspondent says: Owing to the reception of orders from the Propaganda at Rome, Archbishop Farley will not officiate at the wedding of Reginald Vanderbilt and Miss Catherine Nellson. Positive instructions have been received by the Roman Catholic hierarchy of the United States forbidding them to officiate at any more weddings in which one of the contracting parties is not a Roman Catholic."
So, brethren and sisters, you see that we do not stand alone on this question. We know from past experience that where our sisters have entered into matrimonial engagements with those not of our faith they have, as a rule, proved to be unhappy. Therefore, we want to urge upon the presidents of stakes. Bishops, and officers everywhere, to use your influence with our young people in regard to this matter, to the end that they may so order their lives as to be prepared to come to the house of the Lord when they desire to enter the sacred and holy state of wedlock, and be worthy of a recommendation from their Bishop, signed by the president of the stake.
I want to sustain the remarks made by our president in the opening of this conference, with reference to going into debt. It is a matter of regret, but I am cognizant of the fact that many of our people even now are mortgaging their homes and farms to obtain money for the purpose of going into some speculation. It is all very well for us, if we have a little means aside from our homes and farms, to go into some enterprise wherein we think we can make something for ourselves, if we wish to do so; but when it comes to borrowing money and mortgaging our homes, it is liable to prove very disastrous. I could mention a number of our brethren who in the "boom" mortgaged their homes and entered into speculation and enterprises which proved disastrous failures, and today they are without homes to cover the heads of their wives and children. Let us take warning from this, my brethren and sisters. I know that what President Smith said yesterday is timely and appropriate. It is said by some that we are going to have an era of prosperity. All right; let prosperity come, and if during that time we can get out of debt, we will rejoice that we are out of debt. But if, on the other hand, a time of adversity should come, and we are in the bondage of debt, what will be the result? We will likely lose our homes and our farms. I hope, therefore, that we will take to heart what was said in relation to this matter. It is important that we should.
I do not know how many more conferences the Lord will permit me to enjoy with you; but I know He has been very merciful to me, and has extended my days beyond what I could expect. I will soon be 82 years of age, and I rejoice to think that the Lord has so preserved me that I have this one more privilege of standing before you.
Now, my brethren and sisters, when we go from this conference let us go with a determination, each one of us, that "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I have a very strong- impression that missionaries will not be withdrawn from the nations of the earth, and that the temples will not he closed, but that the work will progress and go on from this time henceforth with greater force and strength than it ever has done before. May the Lord help us all to be faithful and true, even to the end, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Important recent occurrences—Beneficent character of Temple work—Suggestions about Marriage —Indebtedness should be avoided—Work of God pressing onward to Its destiny
I am very much gratified this morning to have another privilege of meeting with you in conference, and have been delighted with what I have seen and heard during the last two days.
I am reminded this morning of an occurrence that took place just ten years ago—the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple by President Wilford Woodruff; and I have reflected a little upon some of the things that have happened since that time. Two presidents of the Church—President Woodruff and President Snow—have passed away; one First Counselor—President George Q. Cannon; one- President of the Twelve Apostles—President Franklin D. Richards; and one Apostle. But, my brethren and sisters, they have not lost interest in the work that we are now engaged in. Since the dedication, of the Salt Lake Temple there have been performed in that house about eight hundred thousand ordinances, or about eighty thousand per annum. While the world are ridiculing and scoffing at what we are doing in the temples, I wish to say to you all, and you can bear testimony of the same, that every ordinance, every ceremony that is performed therein is of a sacred and holy character. Every ordinance performed there makes better fathers, better mothers, better children, better husbands and wives, better citizens of the state, and better citizens -of the United States. Nothing occurs in that house that we need be ashamed of; but everything that takes place there is for the betterment of all who attend. I presume that there are thousands now listening to my voice who could testify to the truth of that which I speak.
There is one thing we regret sometimes, and that is with regard to our young people who, when they are about to enter matrimony, fail to come to the house of the Lord to have' the ceremony performed there; because we know that if they are prepared to enter that house they will receive ordinances that will be of great benefit to them while they live. We also regret sometimes to learn that some of our sisters contract alliances with those who are not of our faith. It has been said that we are too exclusive in this matter. I was reading an article in a paper yesterday, and I took a clipping from it to show that we are not the only ones that are exclusive in this respect. This article was headed "Mixed Marriages Barred in Future," and the clippings reads:
"Chicago, April 4th.
"The Record-Herald New York correspondent says: Owing to the reception of orders from the Propaganda at Rome, Archbishop Farley will not officiate at the wedding of Reginald Vanderbilt and Miss Catherine Nellson. Positive instructions have been received by the Roman Catholic hierarchy of the United States forbidding them to officiate at any more weddings in which one of the contracting parties is not a Roman Catholic."
So, brethren and sisters, you see that we do not stand alone on this question. We know from past experience that where our sisters have entered into matrimonial engagements with those not of our faith they have, as a rule, proved to be unhappy. Therefore, we want to urge upon the presidents of stakes. Bishops, and officers everywhere, to use your influence with our young people in regard to this matter, to the end that they may so order their lives as to be prepared to come to the house of the Lord when they desire to enter the sacred and holy state of wedlock, and be worthy of a recommendation from their Bishop, signed by the president of the stake.
I want to sustain the remarks made by our president in the opening of this conference, with reference to going into debt. It is a matter of regret, but I am cognizant of the fact that many of our people even now are mortgaging their homes and farms to obtain money for the purpose of going into some speculation. It is all very well for us, if we have a little means aside from our homes and farms, to go into some enterprise wherein we think we can make something for ourselves, if we wish to do so; but when it comes to borrowing money and mortgaging our homes, it is liable to prove very disastrous. I could mention a number of our brethren who in the "boom" mortgaged their homes and entered into speculation and enterprises which proved disastrous failures, and today they are without homes to cover the heads of their wives and children. Let us take warning from this, my brethren and sisters. I know that what President Smith said yesterday is timely and appropriate. It is said by some that we are going to have an era of prosperity. All right; let prosperity come, and if during that time we can get out of debt, we will rejoice that we are out of debt. But if, on the other hand, a time of adversity should come, and we are in the bondage of debt, what will be the result? We will likely lose our homes and our farms. I hope, therefore, that we will take to heart what was said in relation to this matter. It is important that we should.
I do not know how many more conferences the Lord will permit me to enjoy with you; but I know He has been very merciful to me, and has extended my days beyond what I could expect. I will soon be 82 years of age, and I rejoice to think that the Lord has so preserved me that I have this one more privilege of standing before you.
Now, my brethren and sisters, when we go from this conference let us go with a determination, each one of us, that "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I have a very strong- impression that missionaries will not be withdrawn from the nations of the earth, and that the temples will not he closed, but that the work will progress and go on from this time henceforth with greater force and strength than it ever has done before. May the Lord help us all to be faithful and true, even to the end, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER WILLIAM A. HYDE,
(President of Pocatello Stake.)
My beloved brethren and sisters, I am deeply sensible of the honor that is conferred upon me and the consideration that is shown our stake by this privilege of standing before you to report. I have been greatly interested in the remarks that have fallen from the lips of other presidents of stakes who have had a like privilege. In a certain sense, "it has been to me a convention of brethren holding like responsibilities to myself, and for that reason I have listened with a great deal of interest. I have learned much from the older brethren who have occupied positions of responsibility for years, and who have had many experiences, some of them we are undergoing at present. Especially was I impressed with the patriotism of the remark uttered yesterday by one of the brethren, who said it did not matter to him where he lived, so long as he was doing the work of the Lord. That has been my feeling since my incumbency in this position.
Our stake might be termed almost a composite of the other stakes of Zion; for we have within it many of the problems that confront them all. We have our large areas of uncultivated and arid land; we have little communities that are flourishing, but have not the advantage of close proximity to the head of the Church; we have a large railroad town, in which problems of labor and the employment of our brethren are to be considered; we have the disadvantages that arise from living in cities of this character, and the other ills and evils that have been mentioned. But I am pleased to say that we have a people whose desire is to do the will of the Lord. Our stake has been organized about five years, of which time I have been at the head only two years. Since the stake was organized our tithing has increased 60 per cent; and taking into consideration the fact that our numbers have not been largely augmented, I take it is an evidence of the spiritual growth of our people. I believe their desire still is to serve the Lord and to increase in this particular requirement. The brethren are united in their work. We feel that we cannot do too much for the kingdom of God; and although there are many obstacles, which at times have seemed insurmountable, every temporary embarrassment and apparent defeat we have only considered as a stepping stone to our ultimate success. We believe that the time will come when we shall not be considered one of the smallest or least efficient of the stakes, but that in due time we shall do our part toward the glory of God. My faith is strong in the promises which have been made to the people of God. I believe in their ultimate success. All my life I have looked forward to the time when our people shall be vindicated, when the nations of the world shall look upon us as we really are, when our virtues shall be known, and we shall be indeed a light set upon a hill, by which they may get ideas of advancement. I have been galled all my life under the criticisms that have been uttered against those brethren that have stood at our head, whom we have known to be men of honor, honesty of purpose, and of integrity. I confidently expect to see the time come when they shall be vindicated in the eyes of the world.
Brethren and sisters, I bear my testimony to the truth of the work of the Lord. I know it is of God. I feel in my heart that the day of our triumph is not far distant, that there is an undercurrent of success and of spiritual progress permeating the entire body of the Church, and that the only result that can ensue from this will be our increase in things spiritual and things temporal, and the increase of the glory of God upon the earth; which I pray for in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Pocatello Stake.)
My beloved brethren and sisters, I am deeply sensible of the honor that is conferred upon me and the consideration that is shown our stake by this privilege of standing before you to report. I have been greatly interested in the remarks that have fallen from the lips of other presidents of stakes who have had a like privilege. In a certain sense, "it has been to me a convention of brethren holding like responsibilities to myself, and for that reason I have listened with a great deal of interest. I have learned much from the older brethren who have occupied positions of responsibility for years, and who have had many experiences, some of them we are undergoing at present. Especially was I impressed with the patriotism of the remark uttered yesterday by one of the brethren, who said it did not matter to him where he lived, so long as he was doing the work of the Lord. That has been my feeling since my incumbency in this position.
Our stake might be termed almost a composite of the other stakes of Zion; for we have within it many of the problems that confront them all. We have our large areas of uncultivated and arid land; we have little communities that are flourishing, but have not the advantage of close proximity to the head of the Church; we have a large railroad town, in which problems of labor and the employment of our brethren are to be considered; we have the disadvantages that arise from living in cities of this character, and the other ills and evils that have been mentioned. But I am pleased to say that we have a people whose desire is to do the will of the Lord. Our stake has been organized about five years, of which time I have been at the head only two years. Since the stake was organized our tithing has increased 60 per cent; and taking into consideration the fact that our numbers have not been largely augmented, I take it is an evidence of the spiritual growth of our people. I believe their desire still is to serve the Lord and to increase in this particular requirement. The brethren are united in their work. We feel that we cannot do too much for the kingdom of God; and although there are many obstacles, which at times have seemed insurmountable, every temporary embarrassment and apparent defeat we have only considered as a stepping stone to our ultimate success. We believe that the time will come when we shall not be considered one of the smallest or least efficient of the stakes, but that in due time we shall do our part toward the glory of God. My faith is strong in the promises which have been made to the people of God. I believe in their ultimate success. All my life I have looked forward to the time when our people shall be vindicated, when the nations of the world shall look upon us as we really are, when our virtues shall be known, and we shall be indeed a light set upon a hill, by which they may get ideas of advancement. I have been galled all my life under the criticisms that have been uttered against those brethren that have stood at our head, whom we have known to be men of honor, honesty of purpose, and of integrity. I confidently expect to see the time come when they shall be vindicated in the eyes of the world.
Brethren and sisters, I bear my testimony to the truth of the work of the Lord. I know it is of God. I feel in my heart that the day of our triumph is not far distant, that there is an undercurrent of success and of spiritual progress permeating the entire body of the Church, and that the only result that can ensue from this will be our increase in things spiritual and things temporal, and the increase of the glory of God upon the earth; which I pray for in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER DAVID CAMERON,
(President of Panguitch Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I feel highly honored in having- this privilege, although very weak. I desire that the ' Spirit of the Lord may be with me In the few remarks I may make, that I may speak those things that will be for our mutual good.
The Panguitch Stake of Zion is located in the southern part of this state. We are in a high altitude, ranging from 5,000 feet to 8,000 feet above sea level; consequently we have all kinds of climate. For the last four months the valley in which the town of Panguitch is situated has been covered with snow, and the only bare ground to be seen was where the streets had been worn by travel. Such a condition has not been known there before. Consequently we feel that we will be blessed of the Lord in the supply of water for the coming year. Some wards in our Stake have neglected putting in grain during the last year, on account of the scarcity of water, realizing that if they put it in it would perish for want of moisture. There are ten wards in our Stake, and upwards of 3,600 inhabitants. We have a good people in that Stake, who are trying to serve the Lord and keep His commandments, although we have those that do not take much interest in the work. The presidency of the Stake are in harmony; also the High Council of the Stake. The presidency meet together once a week, except on rare occasions when they are not at home, to talk over matters pertaining to the Stake; and they meet once a month with the High Council. The High Council are given to understand that the presidency of the Stake do not expect to carry the responsibilities of the Stake alone, but that they expect the High Council to help them. We have many children in our Stake. Last Fourth of July was celebrated in Panguitch, and there was a Washington official present. After it was over, he asked me about the population of Panguitch. I told him it was somewhere between 800 and 1,000. Well, said he, about three-fourths of them I suppose are children, there was such a turnout of them. We have about 1,400 children of school age in the Stake. We have 1,100 in Garfield county. The Stake takes in Garfield county and a part of Piute county. Last year we had in the neighborhood of seventy going to the Beaver Branch of the Brigham Young Academy. Our organizations are in tolerably good condition. The religion class, however, is not worked up very well. It is running in some of our wards. We hope it will be better in the future.
I know the Gospel is true. I know this is the Church of God; and inasmuch as we will observe the commandments of the Lord we will be blessed, and His Spirit will be with us to help u; in all our endeavors to do right. We have before us the Presidency of the Church. The Lord has said that He reveals His mind and will, for the people, to none save His servants the Prophets. This is one thing we should look to, that we should give heed to the counsels of the Prophets of the Lord, and to the things that President Smith has stated during this Conference. While he was speaking in regard to the law of Tithing and the obligations of debt, I thought that many of the brethren are not as careful in paying their tithing as they are in meeting their obligations to individuals. Many do not come to settle their tithing with the Bishop. They pay what they choose as tithing and they never go to the Bishop to find out whether they have paid their tithing or not. They do not know whether the Bishop has sent in their names as full tithepayers or part tithepayers. Every individual should be as careful in settling his account with the Lord as he is with his brothers and sisters.
I pray that the Lord may bless us, and let His Spirit be with us today as it has been in the past, that we may be instructed and built up in our faith, and be encouraged to go from this Conference to do better in the future than we have in the past. May the Lord bless us to this end, is my prayer. Amen.
(President of Panguitch Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I feel highly honored in having- this privilege, although very weak. I desire that the ' Spirit of the Lord may be with me In the few remarks I may make, that I may speak those things that will be for our mutual good.
The Panguitch Stake of Zion is located in the southern part of this state. We are in a high altitude, ranging from 5,000 feet to 8,000 feet above sea level; consequently we have all kinds of climate. For the last four months the valley in which the town of Panguitch is situated has been covered with snow, and the only bare ground to be seen was where the streets had been worn by travel. Such a condition has not been known there before. Consequently we feel that we will be blessed of the Lord in the supply of water for the coming year. Some wards in our Stake have neglected putting in grain during the last year, on account of the scarcity of water, realizing that if they put it in it would perish for want of moisture. There are ten wards in our Stake, and upwards of 3,600 inhabitants. We have a good people in that Stake, who are trying to serve the Lord and keep His commandments, although we have those that do not take much interest in the work. The presidency of the Stake are in harmony; also the High Council of the Stake. The presidency meet together once a week, except on rare occasions when they are not at home, to talk over matters pertaining to the Stake; and they meet once a month with the High Council. The High Council are given to understand that the presidency of the Stake do not expect to carry the responsibilities of the Stake alone, but that they expect the High Council to help them. We have many children in our Stake. Last Fourth of July was celebrated in Panguitch, and there was a Washington official present. After it was over, he asked me about the population of Panguitch. I told him it was somewhere between 800 and 1,000. Well, said he, about three-fourths of them I suppose are children, there was such a turnout of them. We have about 1,400 children of school age in the Stake. We have 1,100 in Garfield county. The Stake takes in Garfield county and a part of Piute county. Last year we had in the neighborhood of seventy going to the Beaver Branch of the Brigham Young Academy. Our organizations are in tolerably good condition. The religion class, however, is not worked up very well. It is running in some of our wards. We hope it will be better in the future.
I know the Gospel is true. I know this is the Church of God; and inasmuch as we will observe the commandments of the Lord we will be blessed, and His Spirit will be with us to help u; in all our endeavors to do right. We have before us the Presidency of the Church. The Lord has said that He reveals His mind and will, for the people, to none save His servants the Prophets. This is one thing we should look to, that we should give heed to the counsels of the Prophets of the Lord, and to the things that President Smith has stated during this Conference. While he was speaking in regard to the law of Tithing and the obligations of debt, I thought that many of the brethren are not as careful in paying their tithing as they are in meeting their obligations to individuals. Many do not come to settle their tithing with the Bishop. They pay what they choose as tithing and they never go to the Bishop to find out whether they have paid their tithing or not. They do not know whether the Bishop has sent in their names as full tithepayers or part tithepayers. Every individual should be as careful in settling his account with the Lord as he is with his brothers and sisters.
I pray that the Lord may bless us, and let His Spirit be with us today as it has been in the past, that we may be instructed and built up in our faith, and be encouraged to go from this Conference to do better in the future than we have in the past. May the Lord bless us to this end, is my prayer. Amen.
ELDER ANGUS M. CANNON
(President of Salt Lake Stake).
It is twenty-seven years today since your humble servant was permitted by the grace of God to preside over the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, and I believe I am as nervous today as I was at that time, when my name was called. The fact is, I am familiar with something of the responsibility that rests upon a man in this position. There have been four temples dedicated to the Lord in that time. There have been five different men presiding as the mouthpiece of God to this people in that time. In sitting here and contemplating the remarks which were made by brethren of the Twelve in Winter Quarters, before they started for this valley, I have been led to ask myself, Is it possible that the brethren comprehended this scene in the time that has elapsed since that day until now? How many of us are there that have kept our estate, maintained and preserved our inheritances, and given evidences in our conduct that we are here simply to possess the Priesthood of the Lord, to minister in His name, to His honor and glory, and to our own salvation?
Twenty-seven years ago this stake consisted of the counties of Tooele, Davis, Morgan, Summit, Wasatch, and Salt Lake. Five stakes have been organized in these five adjoining counties, and since that time two other stakes—Jordan and Granite Stakes, within this county—have been organized out of this stake. Today this stake numbers upwards of twenty thousand members of the Church and between five and six thousand children under eight years of age. In the organization of the stake twenty-seven years ago, the late David O. Calder was the first counselor and Joseph E. Taylor the second counselor. Today Joseph B. Taylor and C. W. Penrose are the counselors to the president of the stake. In the twenty-seven years there has never been a disagreement between the presidency of the stake, nor yet between the presidency of, the stake and the High Council. The presidency of the stake and High Council, with the presidency of the High Priests' quorum, meet in the Temple once a week, and we also meet as occasion requires, for the transaction of business pertaining to the stake. The High Council take part in deliberating upon any changes that are effected. I am pleased to report that the High Council are efficient, united, and prompt in their attendance at meetings. We do not wait one minute to organize our councils. They are instructed that if there is no business they shall adjourn, if the presidency are not prompt to the minute. Today there are thirty-seven wards in the stake, all in a prosperous and united condition, excepting one, where we feel it will be necessary to effect a change in some form, to bring about greater union and more of the fellowship of the Lord Jesus. We have all the organizations of the Church and the Priesthood. We have sixteen quorums of Elders. We have a good attendance at our High Priests' meeting. President McKenzie, of the High Priests' quorum, has adopted the rule of calling a roll, which has proved to be of great good. It prompts men to be present, to respond to their names, and to show that they are worthy of that Priesthood. The Elders' quorums are improving in their condition. We find some few that neglect their duties, and have effected changes in the organization « that have been of great good to the quorums. We find the instructions that are imparted to the quorums through the rules that have been enacted for their government, tend to benefit the Elders of this stake. A great many have been called to take missions Of late. It has not been deemed necessary to ordain all who go on missions to the office of Seventy, but many have gone clothed upon with the Melchisedek Priesthood, as helps unto the Seventies and to the Twelve. It is gratifying to witness the response that is made by the young men when they are called to engage in missionary work. The manner in which they lay aside their own personal matters and take the harness upon them is very encouraging. We have the Relief society, the Mutual Improvement associations, the Primary associations, the Sabbath schools, all in successful operation, efficient as helps in the government of the Church.
We feel that a serious evil arises from multitudes coming to this city to reside and depending upon the offerings of the people and the funds of the Church for their maintenance.
Over a year ago I was amused in receiving a letter from a president of a stake, in which he called upon me to forbear sending people into that stake who were poor. I smiled at the idea, because I never had been known to send a person to any other stake from this. On the other hand, they would come here in great numbers; and not content with coming themselves, many that are supported by the Church funds and the offerings of the people have their young relatives come and eat of their substance and live off them, because here they can find amusements and the like. They do not realize the cost it is in the aggregate.
The people, as a rule, are prosperous. I believe, as President Smith has expressed himself, that today is one of the most prosperous times that is likely to dawn upon this people and this nation. I heartily endorse the remark that it is wise for us to refrain from contracting further debt, and use all our powers, by the help of God, to free ourselves from our present indebtedness. Many have been compelled to forfeit their homes, which have gone into the hands of outsiders, and the latter in turn have established saloons and disreputable places right in the neighborhood where the most faithful live. There is no way to counteract this evil when people will voluntarily dispose of their homes, and then excuse themselves by saying that they had to sell out because they could not redeem them, from mortgage. A fearful responsibility is sure to result to us is in these particulars. I think we will be held accountable for the society we introduce into the neighborhood to which people have honestly gathered from the nations, to be separate from the world and to partake not of their sins and their calamities. I believe the people of Salt Lake Stake are more zealous and more faithful than they have ever been. There are exceptions, of course. There are those that are falling away. It is as the Lord said it would be.
God give us grace and strength, that we may be worthy to occupy the stations He has permitted us to fill, whether presiding in stakes, in wards, in quorums, in associations, or in our families; that when the day of account shall come, we may be able to render a faithful account of our stewardship and find justification at the hands of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.
(President of Salt Lake Stake).
It is twenty-seven years today since your humble servant was permitted by the grace of God to preside over the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, and I believe I am as nervous today as I was at that time, when my name was called. The fact is, I am familiar with something of the responsibility that rests upon a man in this position. There have been four temples dedicated to the Lord in that time. There have been five different men presiding as the mouthpiece of God to this people in that time. In sitting here and contemplating the remarks which were made by brethren of the Twelve in Winter Quarters, before they started for this valley, I have been led to ask myself, Is it possible that the brethren comprehended this scene in the time that has elapsed since that day until now? How many of us are there that have kept our estate, maintained and preserved our inheritances, and given evidences in our conduct that we are here simply to possess the Priesthood of the Lord, to minister in His name, to His honor and glory, and to our own salvation?
Twenty-seven years ago this stake consisted of the counties of Tooele, Davis, Morgan, Summit, Wasatch, and Salt Lake. Five stakes have been organized in these five adjoining counties, and since that time two other stakes—Jordan and Granite Stakes, within this county—have been organized out of this stake. Today this stake numbers upwards of twenty thousand members of the Church and between five and six thousand children under eight years of age. In the organization of the stake twenty-seven years ago, the late David O. Calder was the first counselor and Joseph E. Taylor the second counselor. Today Joseph B. Taylor and C. W. Penrose are the counselors to the president of the stake. In the twenty-seven years there has never been a disagreement between the presidency of the stake, nor yet between the presidency of, the stake and the High Council. The presidency of the stake and High Council, with the presidency of the High Priests' quorum, meet in the Temple once a week, and we also meet as occasion requires, for the transaction of business pertaining to the stake. The High Council take part in deliberating upon any changes that are effected. I am pleased to report that the High Council are efficient, united, and prompt in their attendance at meetings. We do not wait one minute to organize our councils. They are instructed that if there is no business they shall adjourn, if the presidency are not prompt to the minute. Today there are thirty-seven wards in the stake, all in a prosperous and united condition, excepting one, where we feel it will be necessary to effect a change in some form, to bring about greater union and more of the fellowship of the Lord Jesus. We have all the organizations of the Church and the Priesthood. We have sixteen quorums of Elders. We have a good attendance at our High Priests' meeting. President McKenzie, of the High Priests' quorum, has adopted the rule of calling a roll, which has proved to be of great good. It prompts men to be present, to respond to their names, and to show that they are worthy of that Priesthood. The Elders' quorums are improving in their condition. We find some few that neglect their duties, and have effected changes in the organization « that have been of great good to the quorums. We find the instructions that are imparted to the quorums through the rules that have been enacted for their government, tend to benefit the Elders of this stake. A great many have been called to take missions Of late. It has not been deemed necessary to ordain all who go on missions to the office of Seventy, but many have gone clothed upon with the Melchisedek Priesthood, as helps unto the Seventies and to the Twelve. It is gratifying to witness the response that is made by the young men when they are called to engage in missionary work. The manner in which they lay aside their own personal matters and take the harness upon them is very encouraging. We have the Relief society, the Mutual Improvement associations, the Primary associations, the Sabbath schools, all in successful operation, efficient as helps in the government of the Church.
We feel that a serious evil arises from multitudes coming to this city to reside and depending upon the offerings of the people and the funds of the Church for their maintenance.
Over a year ago I was amused in receiving a letter from a president of a stake, in which he called upon me to forbear sending people into that stake who were poor. I smiled at the idea, because I never had been known to send a person to any other stake from this. On the other hand, they would come here in great numbers; and not content with coming themselves, many that are supported by the Church funds and the offerings of the people have their young relatives come and eat of their substance and live off them, because here they can find amusements and the like. They do not realize the cost it is in the aggregate.
The people, as a rule, are prosperous. I believe, as President Smith has expressed himself, that today is one of the most prosperous times that is likely to dawn upon this people and this nation. I heartily endorse the remark that it is wise for us to refrain from contracting further debt, and use all our powers, by the help of God, to free ourselves from our present indebtedness. Many have been compelled to forfeit their homes, which have gone into the hands of outsiders, and the latter in turn have established saloons and disreputable places right in the neighborhood where the most faithful live. There is no way to counteract this evil when people will voluntarily dispose of their homes, and then excuse themselves by saying that they had to sell out because they could not redeem them, from mortgage. A fearful responsibility is sure to result to us is in these particulars. I think we will be held accountable for the society we introduce into the neighborhood to which people have honestly gathered from the nations, to be separate from the world and to partake not of their sins and their calamities. I believe the people of Salt Lake Stake are more zealous and more faithful than they have ever been. There are exceptions, of course. There are those that are falling away. It is as the Lord said it would be.
God give us grace and strength, that we may be worthy to occupy the stations He has permitted us to fill, whether presiding in stakes, in wards, in quorums, in associations, or in our families; that when the day of account shall come, we may be able to render a faithful account of our stewardship and find justification at the hands of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.
ELDER LEWIS ANDERSON,
(President of South Sanpete Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I can say that I truly rejoice in having an opportunity of meeting with you again in conference. It is like unto a fountain of living water, which the Saints come and partake of freely twice a year, and I believe we will go to our homes greatly strengthened and blessed, and with a renewed determination to press on in the work of God. I have been greatly instructed and built up in what has been said by the servants of God during the conference, and in standing before you for a few moments I trust that may be actuated by the same spirit that they have been in possession of, and that I may report the condition of the South Sanpete Stake of Zion in truthfulness.
It is only a few months since I was appointed president of the stake, succeeding our beloved president, the late lamented Canute Peterson, who had for so many years ably presided in the midst of the people of Sanpete county, now North and South Sanpete stakes. May his memory be green in the hearts of the people, and I am sure it will be, for the great good he has done; and his name will live in the hearts of the people among whom he so diligently labored day and night. Also his counselors, President Beal and President Maiben, who have stood with him shoulder to shoulder in the great work that was given unto him. We shall remember them with gratitude unto our Heavenly Father.
South Sanpete stake is located nearly due south from this city, about 120 miles to its northern boundary. It has nine wards, and a population of upwards of 6,000. The quorums of the Priesthood are all properly organized, the auxiliary associations are in good running order, and a great work has been done by them the past season, for which I am very thankful. The presidency of the stake are united in their labor. That love which characterizes the most of such quorums exists with us. The same may be said of the High Council. The presidency of the stake meet once a week, the High Council once a month, and all matters that are for the work of the ministry In that stake of Zion are thoroughly canvassed and passed upon by them before any action is taken. We are erecting in South Sanpete stake, together with the North Sanpete stake, a stake academy, upon which $20,000 has already been expended. The walls are up, and ready for the roof. It will be a magnificent building. The Saints of the two stakes are doing all they can in contributing towards its erection. Our stake the past year has paid $20,000 in tithing. This is not quite so large a tithing as has been paid in previous years; but it is a good one in view of our circumstances. For the last three years we have suffered considerably from drouth and grasshoppers, notwithstanding which the tithing has fallen off but little; in fact, I believe there has been a proportionate Increase. We have a splendid prospect for an abundant harvest the present season. The mountains are filled with snow; God has sent moisture upon the parched ground, and I believe, if the Saints will do their duty and heed the counsels of the servants of the Lord, they will be greatly blessed in their basket and in their store, according to the promises that God has given. Thousands of dollars have been expended the past two years in fighting the grasshopper pest. There has been a united effort on the part of the people to exterminate it. The civil authorities have lent their aid and I believe that good results will come from the labor performed in this direction. We have a good people residing in that stake of Zion, and I am assured that they are desirous of serving the Lord and keeping his commandments.
The keynote given us by President Smith at the opening of the conference, I feel is the word of the Lord unto this people; for I cannot conceive of anything so harmful and damaging to the Latter-day Saints as debt. I have noticed that it not only brings trouble and affliction upon those who practice this, but upon others as well. It is written that the little foxes spoil the vine. Some of our people having gone into debt, and not having been strictly honest with their neighbor, have caused hard feelings, and some have become weak in the faith by reason of their brother not paying his just dues to them according to promise. I believe that if the Latter-day Saints will listen to this counsel they will be happier- in their lives. They will be freed from slavery, which debt brings upon every man. They will enjoy a greater degree of the Spirit of God when they are free. A number of eastern gentlemen once made a statement in my hearing that the "Mormons" were practically free from debt; that they were an honest people, and they paid their debts. I hope this is true; it ought to be. I remember well a conversation I had with sortie gentlemen in the city of Boston during our trying times of a few years ago. They were talking about the conditions that existed in "Mormondom," and they said that the "Mormon" people were the most independent of any that lived in the United States. Because they had hearkened to the counsel of their leader. President Brigham Young, in early days, they had their own farms, and they placed no mortgage upon them. Of course, statistics show that there is only a small proportion of the homes of the Saints mortgaged; but there are too many. It would bring greater happiness if there were none.
I pray that God will bless us in our coming together, that we may hearken unto the counsels we have heard, and put them into practise, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of South Sanpete Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, I can say that I truly rejoice in having an opportunity of meeting with you again in conference. It is like unto a fountain of living water, which the Saints come and partake of freely twice a year, and I believe we will go to our homes greatly strengthened and blessed, and with a renewed determination to press on in the work of God. I have been greatly instructed and built up in what has been said by the servants of God during the conference, and in standing before you for a few moments I trust that may be actuated by the same spirit that they have been in possession of, and that I may report the condition of the South Sanpete Stake of Zion in truthfulness.
It is only a few months since I was appointed president of the stake, succeeding our beloved president, the late lamented Canute Peterson, who had for so many years ably presided in the midst of the people of Sanpete county, now North and South Sanpete stakes. May his memory be green in the hearts of the people, and I am sure it will be, for the great good he has done; and his name will live in the hearts of the people among whom he so diligently labored day and night. Also his counselors, President Beal and President Maiben, who have stood with him shoulder to shoulder in the great work that was given unto him. We shall remember them with gratitude unto our Heavenly Father.
South Sanpete stake is located nearly due south from this city, about 120 miles to its northern boundary. It has nine wards, and a population of upwards of 6,000. The quorums of the Priesthood are all properly organized, the auxiliary associations are in good running order, and a great work has been done by them the past season, for which I am very thankful. The presidency of the stake are united in their labor. That love which characterizes the most of such quorums exists with us. The same may be said of the High Council. The presidency of the stake meet once a week, the High Council once a month, and all matters that are for the work of the ministry In that stake of Zion are thoroughly canvassed and passed upon by them before any action is taken. We are erecting in South Sanpete stake, together with the North Sanpete stake, a stake academy, upon which $20,000 has already been expended. The walls are up, and ready for the roof. It will be a magnificent building. The Saints of the two stakes are doing all they can in contributing towards its erection. Our stake the past year has paid $20,000 in tithing. This is not quite so large a tithing as has been paid in previous years; but it is a good one in view of our circumstances. For the last three years we have suffered considerably from drouth and grasshoppers, notwithstanding which the tithing has fallen off but little; in fact, I believe there has been a proportionate Increase. We have a splendid prospect for an abundant harvest the present season. The mountains are filled with snow; God has sent moisture upon the parched ground, and I believe, if the Saints will do their duty and heed the counsels of the servants of the Lord, they will be greatly blessed in their basket and in their store, according to the promises that God has given. Thousands of dollars have been expended the past two years in fighting the grasshopper pest. There has been a united effort on the part of the people to exterminate it. The civil authorities have lent their aid and I believe that good results will come from the labor performed in this direction. We have a good people residing in that stake of Zion, and I am assured that they are desirous of serving the Lord and keeping his commandments.
The keynote given us by President Smith at the opening of the conference, I feel is the word of the Lord unto this people; for I cannot conceive of anything so harmful and damaging to the Latter-day Saints as debt. I have noticed that it not only brings trouble and affliction upon those who practice this, but upon others as well. It is written that the little foxes spoil the vine. Some of our people having gone into debt, and not having been strictly honest with their neighbor, have caused hard feelings, and some have become weak in the faith by reason of their brother not paying his just dues to them according to promise. I believe that if the Latter-day Saints will listen to this counsel they will be happier- in their lives. They will be freed from slavery, which debt brings upon every man. They will enjoy a greater degree of the Spirit of God when they are free. A number of eastern gentlemen once made a statement in my hearing that the "Mormons" were practically free from debt; that they were an honest people, and they paid their debts. I hope this is true; it ought to be. I remember well a conversation I had with sortie gentlemen in the city of Boston during our trying times of a few years ago. They were talking about the conditions that existed in "Mormondom," and they said that the "Mormon" people were the most independent of any that lived in the United States. Because they had hearkened to the counsel of their leader. President Brigham Young, in early days, they had their own farms, and they placed no mortgage upon them. Of course, statistics show that there is only a small proportion of the homes of the Saints mortgaged; but there are too many. It would bring greater happiness if there were none.
I pray that God will bless us in our coming together, that we may hearken unto the counsels we have heard, and put them into practise, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER THOMAS A. WADDOUPS.
(President of the losepa Hawaiian Colony.)
My brethren and sisters, in reporting the condition of the Hawaiian colony at losepa, I will first tell you where it is located. It is in Tooele county, in what is known as Skull valley, about 70 miles from this city. We have organized there a Sunday school. Mutual Improvement -Association and Relief Society, all presided over by brethren and sisters belonging to the Hawaiian colony. These organizations are in good running order, and the people generally feel like pressing on in the work of the Lord. The Hawaiians there are a God-fearing people, and are faithful. If I were sick, I would not go by them for anyone to administer to me, because I think they can get as near to our Heavenly Father by their childlike faith as can any of the white people. The temporal and spiritual interests of the Hawaiian colony are very closely connected. The people are hired to work on the place, and are paid wares for the same. We are getting along all right, and have nothing to complain of. By the help of the Lord we intend to do our duty. I pray God to bless us all, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of the losepa Hawaiian Colony.)
My brethren and sisters, in reporting the condition of the Hawaiian colony at losepa, I will first tell you where it is located. It is in Tooele county, in what is known as Skull valley, about 70 miles from this city. We have organized there a Sunday school. Mutual Improvement -Association and Relief Society, all presided over by brethren and sisters belonging to the Hawaiian colony. These organizations are in good running order, and the people generally feel like pressing on in the work of the Lord. The Hawaiians there are a God-fearing people, and are faithful. If I were sick, I would not go by them for anyone to administer to me, because I think they can get as near to our Heavenly Father by their childlike faith as can any of the white people. The temporal and spiritual interests of the Hawaiian colony are very closely connected. The people are hired to work on the place, and are paid wares for the same. We are getting along all right, and have nothing to complain of. By the help of the Lord we intend to do our duty. I pray God to bless us all, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER JOSEPH W. McMURRIN.
Comparative freedom from saloons—People known by their fruits—Progress of the Church means good to all—Many leaders among the Saints — Fulfillment of Prophecy.
I confess, my brethren and sisters, that I have had a little feeling- of uneasiness in all of the meetings of this conference, that feeling having been produced by the announcement made in the opening' remarks of President Joseph P. Smith, that among others who would probably He called upon to address the people at this conference would be the members of the First Council of Seventy. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed the conference, and have been deeply impressed with the testimonies that have been borne by the various brethren who have occupied this position.
I feel that some remarkable things have been brought to the attention of the people who have been gathered together in the reports which have been given by the various presidents of the stakes of Zion. I believe one of the brethren reported that in the community over which he presided, in Arizona, there was not a saloon to be found in any of the settlements of the Saints within the borders of that stake. That was followed by the report of another president of stake from the southern part of this state, in which the same declaration was made, that there were no saloons in his stake, though one man had gone over the line into Arizona and there pitched a tent, where he dispensed intoxicating liquors. Another stake president reported that in a very populous stake in this county there were but three wards in which there were saloons; and I believe he could have reported that one of those wards was organized in a mining camp, and that another ward was organized in a town where there ail smelters. Still another stake president reported that in one of the Cache Valley stakes, where there was a population of 7,500 people, and where there were ten towns, there were but two saloons.
I regard these as remarkable statements. I do not know whether this can be duplicated in any part of the world or not ;but so far as my own experiences go in traveling quite extensively among the peoples of the old world, I feel perfectly safe in saying that such a condition could not be found in any community of the old world. With the communities of the world the saloon seems to be almost as necessary, generally speaking, as do churches or business houses. I believe the conditions mentioned in the reports to which I have alluded are peculiar to this people, and cannot be found in any other communities.
While listening to these reports there kept ringing in my ears the saying of the Savior: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. * * * Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." And these are some of the fruits that have been produced by the preaching of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the gathering together of the people of the earth whose ears have been saluted with the glad message of the Gospel. They have been gathered according to the promises of the prophets of old, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and have come to these mountain valleys, where they have been given pastors after God's own heart, who have fed them with knowledge and with understanding. There need not be any concern in the minds of men concerning the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We sometimes discover that men in high places become fearful because of the development of the work of the Lord and because of the fact that Utah is becoming too small for the people of the Lord, and they have broken over the boundaries of our state and spread out on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west, and they are building towns and cities in many of the states of this American nation. I wonder what harm would come to the people of the United States; what harm would come to people in other lands. If there were populous communities of Latter- day Saints there, and if the chief men among them could stand up and say that in towns where hundreds and thousands of people reside such a thing as a saloon, or a house of ill fame, was unknown. What injury would come to the peoples of the earth by the introduction of the Gospel, and if by paying attention to the counsels that have been given by the chief men of Israel a condition of this character could be produced in all the states of the United States and in all the cities and towns that have been built by the children of men upon the face of the whole earth? And this would be the condition if the people were converted to the principles of the everlasting Gospel as they have been revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith; for sobriety is one of the foundation principles of the Gospel as taught by the modern prophet. We do not require temperance societies; we do not require extraordinary pledges, to cause us to be temperate. If we have been converted to the Gospel of the Son of God, that makes us temperate. There is more power and force in the everlasting Gospel, there is a greater influence to persuade men to do right and to refrain from doing evil than can be found in any organization that has ever been effected in the midst of the children of men. The power of the Spirit of the Lord, the power that comes through obedience to the things of God, and that enables men to plant their feet in the right Path to such an extent that they cannot be turned either to the right or to the left, is superior to all other forces or agencies.
I rejoiced in listening to another testimony that was borne—that twenty years ago a few people went up into the state of Idaho and pitched their tents on a great sagebrush flat, and that now there are twenty thousand .people there who have good comfortable homes, who have conquered the desert, and who have made it to bud and bloom as the rose, according to the predictions of the prophets. This president, in reporting his stake, made the statement that there are homes for twenty thousand people, and that an area of country seventy miles square had been subdued by the faith, the labor and the energy of the colonizers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From afar the Lord God of heaven has gathered His people, and as a result of obedience to the precious truths that have been revealed from our Father in heaven to men they have been brought unto this mountain country, and been made free men. They have been taught how to conquer the soil, how to subdue this arid country. They have been taught by good and wise men, who have been filled with the inspiration of the Lord, how to bring to pass and fulfil the sayings of the prophets, and to make the dry ground glorious, and to Cause by their faith that springs of living water should burst forth in dry places, that the soil might produce in its strength for the sustenance and blessing of the people. And these things are the direct result of "Mormonism." They have been brought to pass among the children of men through obedience to the principles that were revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and that were taught by President Brigham Young and by all the presidents and chief men of Israel, who have builded to the pattern that was given long years ago by the inspiration of the Lord through the great prophet, Joseph Smith.
I wondered also, while listening to the testimonies of these presidents of stakes, many of whom have come from remote places and are perhaps scarcely known to the great majority of the people, what comfort the enemies of Israel could find in the spectacle that has been presented in the reports that have been made by these men. It is stated, you know, among our enemies, that a few men of intelligence preside over us, and the rest are in bondage and serfdom; that the people are under the hands of a few astute men, who have banded themselves together that they may keep the Mormon people under control and in a species of bondage. I could not help but ask myself the question, What can the people think who are not of us, and who have been led to believe this statement that has gone out, when they see standing up in this great congregation men who are as deeply impressed with the truth of the everlasting Gospel as are the Apostles who preside over them; men who comprehend the truth, who love the truth, and who have dedicated themselves and their talents to the upbuilding of the work of the Lord. I wondered if it was possible for the enemies of the Latter-day Saints to glean any comfort from these men, whom they have supposed were serfs in the midst of this people. Blind indeed are we if we are not able to discern the glorious fact that these men are free, that they have been converted to the Gospel, that they comprehend its truth, and that they are determined with the help of the Lord and the inspiration of His Holy Spirit to carry on this work in the stakes of Zion, to keep their hands to the plow and to carry out the purposes of the Lord, and that they are not men that can be easily turned aside. I think it has been made evident that they are men of character, of strong beliefs, and that they will not be turned either to the right hand or to the left, but that they will press steadily on in the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord.
Our condition today, my brethren and sisters, is but a fulfilment of the promise that has been made unto us by our Father in heaven through the mouth of the Prophet Joseph; for the Prophet declared a long time ago that these very things which we witness at the present time were to come to pass, and I desire to read to you a word or two concerning this promise that our Father made in the very inception of this work in reference to the future of the work and the men who were to be called from time to time to represent Him in the preaching of the Gospel among the inhabitants of the earth. The Lord said:
"And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.
“And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them."
My heart swells within me with inexpressible joy when I think of the wonderful fulfilment of the promise of the Lord made almost before there was any Church; when the Prophet Joseph Smith, like his Master before him, stood alone in the world, despised and hated of men, laughed at by the people, yet with the promise given him of the Lord that the servants who were to be called in these last days should go forth and that none should stay them. The period of laughing at the statements of the Prophet of God is past forever. The mighty hosts of Israel who stand up in evidence of the truth and of the inspiration of His words are of such a power that they cannot be laughed out of existence. The Lord God has accomplished thus far the work that He promised He would accomplish by the mouth of His Prophet, and He has given a reason for the preaching of this Gospel and for the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“Wherefore I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;
"And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets."
In compassion for His sons and daughters He called upon His servant Joseph and others, that the threatened calamity might be averted, that the destruction which was coming upon the earth because of the transgression of law and the breaking of the ordinances might be turned away, and that the people might be saved through the everlasting Gospel. Because of His love for the children of men He called His servants and gave them commandments, clothed them with the authority of the holy Priesthood, and sent them forth with a message of glad tidings. The result has been that we have these communities—sober, industrious. God-fearing communities—communities that have attracted the attention of the world by their labors and success. The fruits of their labors bear witness that the source from which they have drawn their inspiration is a good source.
God help us to be true to this work, which has done so much for us. I heard a brother say not long ago that the Gospel had done more for him than he had ever done for the Gospel; and I think if we will look into our own hearts every man and woman in Israel will feel to say: The Gospel has done everything for me; God help me and my children after me, from generation to generation, to be true to It; for it is the power of God unto salvation. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn which begins:
Come, come ye Saints;
No toil nor labor fear.
But, with joy, wend your way.
Benediction by Elder Hyrum M. Smith.
Comparative freedom from saloons—People known by their fruits—Progress of the Church means good to all—Many leaders among the Saints — Fulfillment of Prophecy.
I confess, my brethren and sisters, that I have had a little feeling- of uneasiness in all of the meetings of this conference, that feeling having been produced by the announcement made in the opening' remarks of President Joseph P. Smith, that among others who would probably He called upon to address the people at this conference would be the members of the First Council of Seventy. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed the conference, and have been deeply impressed with the testimonies that have been borne by the various brethren who have occupied this position.
I feel that some remarkable things have been brought to the attention of the people who have been gathered together in the reports which have been given by the various presidents of the stakes of Zion. I believe one of the brethren reported that in the community over which he presided, in Arizona, there was not a saloon to be found in any of the settlements of the Saints within the borders of that stake. That was followed by the report of another president of stake from the southern part of this state, in which the same declaration was made, that there were no saloons in his stake, though one man had gone over the line into Arizona and there pitched a tent, where he dispensed intoxicating liquors. Another stake president reported that in a very populous stake in this county there were but three wards in which there were saloons; and I believe he could have reported that one of those wards was organized in a mining camp, and that another ward was organized in a town where there ail smelters. Still another stake president reported that in one of the Cache Valley stakes, where there was a population of 7,500 people, and where there were ten towns, there were but two saloons.
I regard these as remarkable statements. I do not know whether this can be duplicated in any part of the world or not ;but so far as my own experiences go in traveling quite extensively among the peoples of the old world, I feel perfectly safe in saying that such a condition could not be found in any community of the old world. With the communities of the world the saloon seems to be almost as necessary, generally speaking, as do churches or business houses. I believe the conditions mentioned in the reports to which I have alluded are peculiar to this people, and cannot be found in any other communities.
While listening to these reports there kept ringing in my ears the saying of the Savior: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. * * * Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." And these are some of the fruits that have been produced by the preaching of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the gathering together of the people of the earth whose ears have been saluted with the glad message of the Gospel. They have been gathered according to the promises of the prophets of old, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and have come to these mountain valleys, where they have been given pastors after God's own heart, who have fed them with knowledge and with understanding. There need not be any concern in the minds of men concerning the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We sometimes discover that men in high places become fearful because of the development of the work of the Lord and because of the fact that Utah is becoming too small for the people of the Lord, and they have broken over the boundaries of our state and spread out on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west, and they are building towns and cities in many of the states of this American nation. I wonder what harm would come to the people of the United States; what harm would come to people in other lands. If there were populous communities of Latter- day Saints there, and if the chief men among them could stand up and say that in towns where hundreds and thousands of people reside such a thing as a saloon, or a house of ill fame, was unknown. What injury would come to the peoples of the earth by the introduction of the Gospel, and if by paying attention to the counsels that have been given by the chief men of Israel a condition of this character could be produced in all the states of the United States and in all the cities and towns that have been built by the children of men upon the face of the whole earth? And this would be the condition if the people were converted to the principles of the everlasting Gospel as they have been revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith; for sobriety is one of the foundation principles of the Gospel as taught by the modern prophet. We do not require temperance societies; we do not require extraordinary pledges, to cause us to be temperate. If we have been converted to the Gospel of the Son of God, that makes us temperate. There is more power and force in the everlasting Gospel, there is a greater influence to persuade men to do right and to refrain from doing evil than can be found in any organization that has ever been effected in the midst of the children of men. The power of the Spirit of the Lord, the power that comes through obedience to the things of God, and that enables men to plant their feet in the right Path to such an extent that they cannot be turned either to the right or to the left, is superior to all other forces or agencies.
I rejoiced in listening to another testimony that was borne—that twenty years ago a few people went up into the state of Idaho and pitched their tents on a great sagebrush flat, and that now there are twenty thousand .people there who have good comfortable homes, who have conquered the desert, and who have made it to bud and bloom as the rose, according to the predictions of the prophets. This president, in reporting his stake, made the statement that there are homes for twenty thousand people, and that an area of country seventy miles square had been subdued by the faith, the labor and the energy of the colonizers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From afar the Lord God of heaven has gathered His people, and as a result of obedience to the precious truths that have been revealed from our Father in heaven to men they have been brought unto this mountain country, and been made free men. They have been taught how to conquer the soil, how to subdue this arid country. They have been taught by good and wise men, who have been filled with the inspiration of the Lord, how to bring to pass and fulfil the sayings of the prophets, and to make the dry ground glorious, and to Cause by their faith that springs of living water should burst forth in dry places, that the soil might produce in its strength for the sustenance and blessing of the people. And these things are the direct result of "Mormonism." They have been brought to pass among the children of men through obedience to the principles that were revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and that were taught by President Brigham Young and by all the presidents and chief men of Israel, who have builded to the pattern that was given long years ago by the inspiration of the Lord through the great prophet, Joseph Smith.
I wondered also, while listening to the testimonies of these presidents of stakes, many of whom have come from remote places and are perhaps scarcely known to the great majority of the people, what comfort the enemies of Israel could find in the spectacle that has been presented in the reports that have been made by these men. It is stated, you know, among our enemies, that a few men of intelligence preside over us, and the rest are in bondage and serfdom; that the people are under the hands of a few astute men, who have banded themselves together that they may keep the Mormon people under control and in a species of bondage. I could not help but ask myself the question, What can the people think who are not of us, and who have been led to believe this statement that has gone out, when they see standing up in this great congregation men who are as deeply impressed with the truth of the everlasting Gospel as are the Apostles who preside over them; men who comprehend the truth, who love the truth, and who have dedicated themselves and their talents to the upbuilding of the work of the Lord. I wondered if it was possible for the enemies of the Latter-day Saints to glean any comfort from these men, whom they have supposed were serfs in the midst of this people. Blind indeed are we if we are not able to discern the glorious fact that these men are free, that they have been converted to the Gospel, that they comprehend its truth, and that they are determined with the help of the Lord and the inspiration of His Holy Spirit to carry on this work in the stakes of Zion, to keep their hands to the plow and to carry out the purposes of the Lord, and that they are not men that can be easily turned aside. I think it has been made evident that they are men of character, of strong beliefs, and that they will not be turned either to the right hand or to the left, but that they will press steadily on in the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord.
Our condition today, my brethren and sisters, is but a fulfilment of the promise that has been made unto us by our Father in heaven through the mouth of the Prophet Joseph; for the Prophet declared a long time ago that these very things which we witness at the present time were to come to pass, and I desire to read to you a word or two concerning this promise that our Father made in the very inception of this work in reference to the future of the work and the men who were to be called from time to time to represent Him in the preaching of the Gospel among the inhabitants of the earth. The Lord said:
"And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.
“And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them."
My heart swells within me with inexpressible joy when I think of the wonderful fulfilment of the promise of the Lord made almost before there was any Church; when the Prophet Joseph Smith, like his Master before him, stood alone in the world, despised and hated of men, laughed at by the people, yet with the promise given him of the Lord that the servants who were to be called in these last days should go forth and that none should stay them. The period of laughing at the statements of the Prophet of God is past forever. The mighty hosts of Israel who stand up in evidence of the truth and of the inspiration of His words are of such a power that they cannot be laughed out of existence. The Lord God has accomplished thus far the work that He promised He would accomplish by the mouth of His Prophet, and He has given a reason for the preaching of this Gospel and for the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“Wherefore I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;
"And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets."
In compassion for His sons and daughters He called upon His servant Joseph and others, that the threatened calamity might be averted, that the destruction which was coming upon the earth because of the transgression of law and the breaking of the ordinances might be turned away, and that the people might be saved through the everlasting Gospel. Because of His love for the children of men He called His servants and gave them commandments, clothed them with the authority of the holy Priesthood, and sent them forth with a message of glad tidings. The result has been that we have these communities—sober, industrious. God-fearing communities—communities that have attracted the attention of the world by their labors and success. The fruits of their labors bear witness that the source from which they have drawn their inspiration is a good source.
God help us to be true to this work, which has done so much for us. I heard a brother say not long ago that the Gospel had done more for him than he had ever done for the Gospel; and I think if we will look into our own hearts every man and woman in Israel will feel to say: The Gospel has done everything for me; God help me and my children after me, from generation to generation, to be true to It; for it is the power of God unto salvation. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn which begins:
Come, come ye Saints;
No toil nor labor fear.
But, with joy, wend your way.
Benediction by Elder Hyrum M. Smith.
AT THE TABERNACLE. Closing session, 2 p. m., April 6.
Singing by the choir and congregation:
We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet.
To guide us in these latter days;
We thank Thee for sending the Gospel,
To lighten our minds with its rays.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Ye simple souls who stray
Far from the path of peace.
That lonely, unfrequented way
To life and happiness.
Singing by the choir and congregation:
We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet.
To guide us in these latter days;
We thank Thee for sending the Gospel,
To lighten our minds with its rays.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Ye simple souls who stray
Far from the path of peace.
That lonely, unfrequented way
To life and happiness.
ELDER MARRINER W. MERRILL.
Importance of Manual training for the Youth—How to gain freedom from debt.
I am very thankful for the privilege of attending this conference, and to see the interest manifested by the Saints in their presence at the meetings. We have certainly had an excellent time, a grand conference so far; and the policy of hearing from the presidents of the stakes and the missions abroad is one that I believe meets with the hearty approval of all the Saints. The Saints in the outlying districts feel that they are remembered, that they are recognized, and reported by those who have immediate charge of the various fields of labor. The results, I am sure, will be good, and the Saints will be satisfied.
The opening remarks of our president gave us some texts to talk upon, not only here, but when we go home. I think they should not be lost sight of by the brethren from the various parts of the Church. The subject of training our sons and daughters in principles of usefulness deserves our attention. While some of the brethren were talking about it, especially Supt. Tanner, I thought it would be almost impossible to teach all our boys in technical schools, if they were established. But there is opportunity to teach them trades if they do not have the advantages of a technical school. When they are taught trades as they are in the old world they become very thorough — more so, I think, than they would in a , technical school, unless they followed it until graduation. To my mind, this is an important subject, because we have so many young men and young women that need to be taught. We find that if we want to employ a mechanic it is difficult to get one that has been raised in our midst. Of course, there are a few scattered up and down the country; but it is difficult to secure skilled labor from among our own people. Now, we are just beginning to build up this country. Look back on Salt Lake City fifty years, and you will see that a vast improvement has been made in that time; but look forward fifty years, and what will you see? We need artisans. Our boys should learn trades. The Bishops and presidents of stakes should take this matter in hand. I knew a Bishop once who ran across five young men that came from the old country. They went to the Bishop to know what to do, and he told them to each learn a trade, and he assigned them different trades. They did not feel very well satisfied about it; they thought they could do something else to more profit, that would bring them in something at once; but they were finally persuaded to learn a. trade, and they stayed with their employers until they were skilled workmen. Every one of them today is in comfortable circumstances, having had employment from that time till now. There is no need of our boys going off to Montana, or out of the country, to fine employment; for there is plenty here. Teach our boys trades, is the thing to do. We must not forget this when we go home, because we have many young throughout the country who need some encouragement in this regard. It is the word of the Lord to the people, and we can all readily see the necessity for it.
Another text given was in regard to not going in debt. Perhaps some of us are in debt, with our homes mortgaged. It is a bad thing, but it is done. Now, do not do it anymore. Lift your mortgages and obligations the very first opportunity, and be free.
I want to bear testimony to another thing that was said, because I know it is true from experience, and that is, that the easiest and shortest way to get out of debt is to first pay our tithing, promptly and honestly, and then the promise of the Lord is that the way shall be opened up, and we will be able to liquidate our obligations. Be patient in the matter. Remember the Lord first, and then turn our attention to our creditors. Pay them just as fast as we can; but do not go in debt any more. Let our families live within their income. If you get $3 or $5 a day, live on considerably less than that. I knew a young couple that started out in life, and the man worked for $20 a month and the wife worked for $2 a week. They were hired out when they were married, because they hadn't anything else to do. How much did they save out of that? I took pains to inquire into the matter and I learned that they saved $12 a month. When they quit that work and went to housekeeping they had considerable means on hand, with which they bought what they needed. People think that cannot be done. Why, I knew that two people can live on $10 a month, because I have watched this thing for many years. We have high ideas about everything now. The young people must have everything that their fathers and mothers have. The first thing, they must have a house, well furnished, before they can get married. I do not think that is a good idea. My experience has taught me otherwise. Get married, young people. It is the duty of all who are of marriageable age, to get married. And get married in the Temple. Then work together, put up with circumstances as they are, and improve them as fast as you can. But do not go in debt. Do not go beyond your means to buy fine furniture. Better live in a cabin.
These are practical things, which should be of interest to our people. We do not want our young men and young women to float around; we want them to stay with the Saints. We want them to build up Zion wherever they are located. When they are called, then is the time to go—not before. Do not run up and down the country to improve your condition, unless you can go by the counsel of the Priesthood. Use economy and live within your means. Teach the boys trades. Be a wise and a considerate people. Seek for the Spirit of the Lord to guide us. Seek for the counsel of the brethren who preside. There are men appointed of the Lord throughout the land to counsel and advise with the people. Go to them for counsel; advise with them, and you will go about right. But when we undertake to go on our own hook, we are pretty sure to get off wrong.
May the Lord bless and inspire the Saints to carry out the counsel given. May we make our lives useful and honorable in the earth. I bear you my testimony that this work is true. It is from God. I testify that Joseph Smith was a great Prophet of God, raised up in our day and time to usher in the Gospel dispensation. Thousands of people have ' had this evidence and testimony, and we know the work is true. It is not our work; it is not the work of the Presidency of the Church; it is God's work, and He has placed these men to direct the affairs of the work, and let us give heed to their counsel God bless you. Amen.
Importance of Manual training for the Youth—How to gain freedom from debt.
I am very thankful for the privilege of attending this conference, and to see the interest manifested by the Saints in their presence at the meetings. We have certainly had an excellent time, a grand conference so far; and the policy of hearing from the presidents of the stakes and the missions abroad is one that I believe meets with the hearty approval of all the Saints. The Saints in the outlying districts feel that they are remembered, that they are recognized, and reported by those who have immediate charge of the various fields of labor. The results, I am sure, will be good, and the Saints will be satisfied.
The opening remarks of our president gave us some texts to talk upon, not only here, but when we go home. I think they should not be lost sight of by the brethren from the various parts of the Church. The subject of training our sons and daughters in principles of usefulness deserves our attention. While some of the brethren were talking about it, especially Supt. Tanner, I thought it would be almost impossible to teach all our boys in technical schools, if they were established. But there is opportunity to teach them trades if they do not have the advantages of a technical school. When they are taught trades as they are in the old world they become very thorough — more so, I think, than they would in a , technical school, unless they followed it until graduation. To my mind, this is an important subject, because we have so many young men and young women that need to be taught. We find that if we want to employ a mechanic it is difficult to get one that has been raised in our midst. Of course, there are a few scattered up and down the country; but it is difficult to secure skilled labor from among our own people. Now, we are just beginning to build up this country. Look back on Salt Lake City fifty years, and you will see that a vast improvement has been made in that time; but look forward fifty years, and what will you see? We need artisans. Our boys should learn trades. The Bishops and presidents of stakes should take this matter in hand. I knew a Bishop once who ran across five young men that came from the old country. They went to the Bishop to know what to do, and he told them to each learn a trade, and he assigned them different trades. They did not feel very well satisfied about it; they thought they could do something else to more profit, that would bring them in something at once; but they were finally persuaded to learn a. trade, and they stayed with their employers until they were skilled workmen. Every one of them today is in comfortable circumstances, having had employment from that time till now. There is no need of our boys going off to Montana, or out of the country, to fine employment; for there is plenty here. Teach our boys trades, is the thing to do. We must not forget this when we go home, because we have many young throughout the country who need some encouragement in this regard. It is the word of the Lord to the people, and we can all readily see the necessity for it.
Another text given was in regard to not going in debt. Perhaps some of us are in debt, with our homes mortgaged. It is a bad thing, but it is done. Now, do not do it anymore. Lift your mortgages and obligations the very first opportunity, and be free.
I want to bear testimony to another thing that was said, because I know it is true from experience, and that is, that the easiest and shortest way to get out of debt is to first pay our tithing, promptly and honestly, and then the promise of the Lord is that the way shall be opened up, and we will be able to liquidate our obligations. Be patient in the matter. Remember the Lord first, and then turn our attention to our creditors. Pay them just as fast as we can; but do not go in debt any more. Let our families live within their income. If you get $3 or $5 a day, live on considerably less than that. I knew a young couple that started out in life, and the man worked for $20 a month and the wife worked for $2 a week. They were hired out when they were married, because they hadn't anything else to do. How much did they save out of that? I took pains to inquire into the matter and I learned that they saved $12 a month. When they quit that work and went to housekeeping they had considerable means on hand, with which they bought what they needed. People think that cannot be done. Why, I knew that two people can live on $10 a month, because I have watched this thing for many years. We have high ideas about everything now. The young people must have everything that their fathers and mothers have. The first thing, they must have a house, well furnished, before they can get married. I do not think that is a good idea. My experience has taught me otherwise. Get married, young people. It is the duty of all who are of marriageable age, to get married. And get married in the Temple. Then work together, put up with circumstances as they are, and improve them as fast as you can. But do not go in debt. Do not go beyond your means to buy fine furniture. Better live in a cabin.
These are practical things, which should be of interest to our people. We do not want our young men and young women to float around; we want them to stay with the Saints. We want them to build up Zion wherever they are located. When they are called, then is the time to go—not before. Do not run up and down the country to improve your condition, unless you can go by the counsel of the Priesthood. Use economy and live within your means. Teach the boys trades. Be a wise and a considerate people. Seek for the Spirit of the Lord to guide us. Seek for the counsel of the brethren who preside. There are men appointed of the Lord throughout the land to counsel and advise with the people. Go to them for counsel; advise with them, and you will go about right. But when we undertake to go on our own hook, we are pretty sure to get off wrong.
May the Lord bless and inspire the Saints to carry out the counsel given. May we make our lives useful and honorable in the earth. I bear you my testimony that this work is true. It is from God. I testify that Joseph Smith was a great Prophet of God, raised up in our day and time to usher in the Gospel dispensation. Thousands of people have ' had this evidence and testimony, and we know the work is true. It is not our work; it is not the work of the Presidency of the Church; it is God's work, and He has placed these men to direct the affairs of the work, and let us give heed to their counsel God bless you. Amen.
ELDER ALBERT R. SMITH,
(President of San Luis Stake.)
I appreciate very much the instructions we have received so far during this Conference, and especially the spirit that has characterized the utterances of the brethren.
Representing the San Luis Stake of Zion, I feel to say that we are a long way from the headquarters of the Church, a small stake located in the central southern part of Colorado, and bordering on to New Mexico, two or three branches of the Stake being in New Mexico. This Stake has been organized about twenty years. Prior to that time a colony had been planted there under the direction of the leaders of the Church, a few people being called to go there from Utah. Many people from the Southern States emigrated to that land, and we should by this time have quite a populous Stake had all remained who gathered there; but many who came from the Southern States found the climate too rigorous for them, and they scattered into other Stakes or returned to their former homes. We have now four wards and three branches in the Stake, and they are so scattered that it requires traveling six hundred miles in order to reach them all. We have been very kindly treated by the people of the state of Colorado. The lands upon which we have located have been almost entirely state lands, which we have purchased from the state. We have been encouraged in that land by the officials, and we have no complaints to make. In fact, when there were perilous times for the Saints in this State and in other localities, the nucleus formed in the San Luis valley was like a house of refuge to many who were being persecuted, and who for the time being found peace and rest there. Our people have not made very great progress financially. Our country is perhaps not so much favored as some other localities. We live in a high altitude, and it is rather cold; yet we produce grains that bear equally to almost any other place. It is a well-watered country usually. Last season was an exception, we being affected by the general drouth that prevailed; but we have splendid prospects now for the raising of grain and stock. Many of the people who have gathered there have been like children in the Gospel, and it has required a great deal of patient labor to get them to understand and live up to their duties. Our people have made rapid advancement in obeying the law of tithing, considering their lack of understanding in the beginning. Those who bear the holy Priesthood are united, and are laboring for the advancement of the cause of God. We are united with one another, and with the counsels and instructions of the leaders of the Church. We find it difficult to disseminate the teachings of the Conference in that Stake. Very few representatives are able to come this long distance to Conference, on account of the comparative poverty of the people; but those who do come, when they return they try to spread the teachings and spirit of the Conference. At our next monthly gathering of the Priesthood there will be two meetings held, and the officers of every department in the Stake will be instructed by the representatives here. In this way we expect to disseminate the teachings of the Conference.
I am grateful to be engaged in the work of God. I feel that it does not matter so much where we labor if we are willing to labor where God appoints us. He will see to it that we are provided for, and that we and our posterity are led in the ways of righteousness. Although we may not find such pleasant places as others in this life, we will obtain eternal life. I have an abiding faith and testimony in the work of God, and I feel in my heart to say. His name be praised that He has given you and me a knowledge that surpasseth understanding, a divine testimony that we are engaged in His work; and whatever may come to us, having this knowledge and this perfect assurance, we will indeed be happy. That God may bless the Saints everywhere, and bless us to accomplish the mission He has assigned unto us in preaching the Gospel and in building up the Stakes of Zion, and rearing our children in the fear of God, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem: "Let the Mountains Shout for Joy."
(President of San Luis Stake.)
I appreciate very much the instructions we have received so far during this Conference, and especially the spirit that has characterized the utterances of the brethren.
Representing the San Luis Stake of Zion, I feel to say that we are a long way from the headquarters of the Church, a small stake located in the central southern part of Colorado, and bordering on to New Mexico, two or three branches of the Stake being in New Mexico. This Stake has been organized about twenty years. Prior to that time a colony had been planted there under the direction of the leaders of the Church, a few people being called to go there from Utah. Many people from the Southern States emigrated to that land, and we should by this time have quite a populous Stake had all remained who gathered there; but many who came from the Southern States found the climate too rigorous for them, and they scattered into other Stakes or returned to their former homes. We have now four wards and three branches in the Stake, and they are so scattered that it requires traveling six hundred miles in order to reach them all. We have been very kindly treated by the people of the state of Colorado. The lands upon which we have located have been almost entirely state lands, which we have purchased from the state. We have been encouraged in that land by the officials, and we have no complaints to make. In fact, when there were perilous times for the Saints in this State and in other localities, the nucleus formed in the San Luis valley was like a house of refuge to many who were being persecuted, and who for the time being found peace and rest there. Our people have not made very great progress financially. Our country is perhaps not so much favored as some other localities. We live in a high altitude, and it is rather cold; yet we produce grains that bear equally to almost any other place. It is a well-watered country usually. Last season was an exception, we being affected by the general drouth that prevailed; but we have splendid prospects now for the raising of grain and stock. Many of the people who have gathered there have been like children in the Gospel, and it has required a great deal of patient labor to get them to understand and live up to their duties. Our people have made rapid advancement in obeying the law of tithing, considering their lack of understanding in the beginning. Those who bear the holy Priesthood are united, and are laboring for the advancement of the cause of God. We are united with one another, and with the counsels and instructions of the leaders of the Church. We find it difficult to disseminate the teachings of the Conference in that Stake. Very few representatives are able to come this long distance to Conference, on account of the comparative poverty of the people; but those who do come, when they return they try to spread the teachings and spirit of the Conference. At our next monthly gathering of the Priesthood there will be two meetings held, and the officers of every department in the Stake will be instructed by the representatives here. In this way we expect to disseminate the teachings of the Conference.
I am grateful to be engaged in the work of God. I feel that it does not matter so much where we labor if we are willing to labor where God appoints us. He will see to it that we are provided for, and that we and our posterity are led in the ways of righteousness. Although we may not find such pleasant places as others in this life, we will obtain eternal life. I have an abiding faith and testimony in the work of God, and I feel in my heart to say. His name be praised that He has given you and me a knowledge that surpasseth understanding, a divine testimony that we are engaged in His work; and whatever may come to us, having this knowledge and this perfect assurance, we will indeed be happy. That God may bless the Saints everywhere, and bless us to accomplish the mission He has assigned unto us in preaching the Gospel and in building up the Stakes of Zion, and rearing our children in the fear of God, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem: "Let the Mountains Shout for Joy."
ELDER EDWARD H. SNOW
(President of St. George Stake).
I take pleasure and pride, my brethren and sisters, in reporting the St. George Stake of Zion, over which, with Thomas P. Cottam and George F. Whitehead as my counselors, I have the honor to preside. This stake of Zion Includes Washington county, in the southwestern part of this state, and all the settlements of the Church in the state of Nevada. There are twenty-two wards and nine branches, and a population of about 5,600, stretching over a large area of territory, and requiring a little over a thousand miles of travel for us to reach them all. The stake presidency visit all of the wards in Washington county once every quarter, and the settlements in Nevada twice a year. We are united as a Stake presidency, and hold our council meetings once a week. We are also united with our High Council, and with them hold council meeting on the first Saturday in the month, and a prayer circle the last Sunday in each month. We have the usual High Priests' quorum, three quorums of Seventy and Ave quorums of Elders in the stake. We have a most excellent people; in fact, I believe we have the best people there are in the Church. It is an old stake. Many illustrious men have lived there —men who have been marked by reason of their integrity and service in the Church of God. Many presidents of stakes and of missions have been called from this stake. At present I call to mind that there are fifteen brethren presiding over stakes in Zion and missions abroad who were born and reared in this stake.
I want to endorse what has been said by President Smith in relation to debt and diversity of industry. We believe that in our stake. There are not perhaps more than half a dozen mortgages of any kind on record in our county. We are trying to get upon a cash basis, and pay as we go. I firmly believe that there ought to be a greater diversity of industries among us. State builders must have a diversity of industry; and if the word of President Smith needed any corroboration among us as a people, I might call your attention to the fact that all the great educators of our land, those who think and reflect and are above the strife and influence of the commercial spirit, unite today in defining the word "education" as the power and ability to do some useful thing.
May God impress the teachings of this conference upon our hearts and minds, that they may bear fruit in our lives, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of St. George Stake).
I take pleasure and pride, my brethren and sisters, in reporting the St. George Stake of Zion, over which, with Thomas P. Cottam and George F. Whitehead as my counselors, I have the honor to preside. This stake of Zion Includes Washington county, in the southwestern part of this state, and all the settlements of the Church in the state of Nevada. There are twenty-two wards and nine branches, and a population of about 5,600, stretching over a large area of territory, and requiring a little over a thousand miles of travel for us to reach them all. The stake presidency visit all of the wards in Washington county once every quarter, and the settlements in Nevada twice a year. We are united as a Stake presidency, and hold our council meetings once a week. We are also united with our High Council, and with them hold council meeting on the first Saturday in the month, and a prayer circle the last Sunday in each month. We have the usual High Priests' quorum, three quorums of Seventy and Ave quorums of Elders in the stake. We have a most excellent people; in fact, I believe we have the best people there are in the Church. It is an old stake. Many illustrious men have lived there —men who have been marked by reason of their integrity and service in the Church of God. Many presidents of stakes and of missions have been called from this stake. At present I call to mind that there are fifteen brethren presiding over stakes in Zion and missions abroad who were born and reared in this stake.
I want to endorse what has been said by President Smith in relation to debt and diversity of industry. We believe that in our stake. There are not perhaps more than half a dozen mortgages of any kind on record in our county. We are trying to get upon a cash basis, and pay as we go. I firmly believe that there ought to be a greater diversity of industries among us. State builders must have a diversity of industry; and if the word of President Smith needed any corroboration among us as a people, I might call your attention to the fact that all the great educators of our land, those who think and reflect and are above the strife and influence of the commercial spirit, unite today in defining the word "education" as the power and ability to do some useful thing.
May God impress the teachings of this conference upon our hearts and minds, that they may bear fruit in our lives, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER GEORGE OSMOND
(President of Star Valley Stake).
My brethren and sisters, I feel it to be quite a privilege as well as a duty to stand before this large audience and report briefly the Star Valley Stake of Zion, in which I and my counselors have the responsibility of presiding. It is a small stake, comparatively speaking, in the western part of the state of Wyoming, and formerly formed part of the Bear Lake Stake. It was organized as a separate stake in August, 1892. Since that time there has been considerable of an increase in its population, although, being outside, as it were, of the Church generally, our population has been a floating one. It consists of two small valleys, containing an area of probably 150 square miles of habitable land. We have nine wards completely organized. Thus far I can speak with confidence as to the stake. I can also tell you that our population is about 2,300. But when you come to more minute particulars in relation to our condition, I feel to be truthful and represent us as we really are. I think, though, that we average pretty well with the other stakes of Zion, and I am led to believe this from the fact that when we are called upon to do anything, we come as near doing it as probably other stakes do. Hence I think we average up with other stakes in paying tithing and in other respects. Still, as has been remarked of other stakes, there is great room for improvement. If there were not, there would be nothing for the Priesthood to do. We are not perfect, but we are headed in that direction. My brethren and I are laboring to set an example to the people, that we may say. Follow us as we follow those who preside over us. A great deal that has. been said in relation to other stakes would apply to ours. We have different classes of people, as you have. I think we will have candidates for every degree of glory. But I do believe that the great bulk of the people are trying earnestly and honestly to serve the Lord and to keep His commandments. As a rule, the people are aiming to do right; but sometimes they are poor marksmen and miss the mark. We have in course of erection a large tabernacle, so that it will be sufficient to hold all the people who may come to conference. This is a great need with us at the present time. My counselors are united with me. The Priesthood generally are united, and trying to set an example to the rest of the people, that we may not only say, "Do as we tell you," but "Do as we do."
May the Lord help us all to improve, that our reports from year to year may show an improvement, not only in our particular stakes, but in all the Church. I ask this blessing upon us and upon our labors, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Star Valley Stake).
My brethren and sisters, I feel it to be quite a privilege as well as a duty to stand before this large audience and report briefly the Star Valley Stake of Zion, in which I and my counselors have the responsibility of presiding. It is a small stake, comparatively speaking, in the western part of the state of Wyoming, and formerly formed part of the Bear Lake Stake. It was organized as a separate stake in August, 1892. Since that time there has been considerable of an increase in its population, although, being outside, as it were, of the Church generally, our population has been a floating one. It consists of two small valleys, containing an area of probably 150 square miles of habitable land. We have nine wards completely organized. Thus far I can speak with confidence as to the stake. I can also tell you that our population is about 2,300. But when you come to more minute particulars in relation to our condition, I feel to be truthful and represent us as we really are. I think, though, that we average pretty well with the other stakes of Zion, and I am led to believe this from the fact that when we are called upon to do anything, we come as near doing it as probably other stakes do. Hence I think we average up with other stakes in paying tithing and in other respects. Still, as has been remarked of other stakes, there is great room for improvement. If there were not, there would be nothing for the Priesthood to do. We are not perfect, but we are headed in that direction. My brethren and I are laboring to set an example to the people, that we may say. Follow us as we follow those who preside over us. A great deal that has. been said in relation to other stakes would apply to ours. We have different classes of people, as you have. I think we will have candidates for every degree of glory. But I do believe that the great bulk of the people are trying earnestly and honestly to serve the Lord and to keep His commandments. As a rule, the people are aiming to do right; but sometimes they are poor marksmen and miss the mark. We have in course of erection a large tabernacle, so that it will be sufficient to hold all the people who may come to conference. This is a great need with us at the present time. My counselors are united with me. The Priesthood generally are united, and trying to set an example to the rest of the people, that we may not only say, "Do as we tell you," but "Do as we do."
May the Lord help us all to improve, that our reports from year to year may show an improvement, not only in our particular stakes, but in all the Church. I ask this blessing upon us and upon our labors, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER ANDREW JENSON.
My beloved brethren, sisters and friends. Eleven months ago I left this beautiful city to take a special mission to Europe. I spent about six months in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, engaged in literary labors, helping to publish a new edition of the Book of Mormon in the Danish-Norwegian language, it being the fourth edition of that book to be published in that language. After completing that labor, it became my privilege and duty to travel somewhat extensively throughout the British Isles, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, in the interest of Church history, and also in visiting the different branches and conferences as they are organized in these different countries.
I desire on this occasion, as I have jr.st returned home, to bring a hearty greeting from the brethren and sisters over on the other side of the waters. We have some very faithful Saints in Europe. We have preached the Gospel in the British Isles since 1837. We have preached the Gospel in Germany since 1851, in Scandinavian countries since 1850. Thousands of Latter-day Saints have emigrated to these lands, and there are thousands of faithful Latter-day Saints living there at the present time, who, like us, are praying for the welfare of Zion, and who are listening to the voice of inspiration, though not altogether as we do.. They have to be content, to a certain extent, with the written word. It is true, once in a while one of the Twelve Apostles and others visit those lands; but the most they get of the words of our leaders is through the written word. But they read this written word. The proceedings of this conference will be translated to some extent into the German, the Dutch, the Swedish and the Danish-Norwegian languages, and thus the people on that side of the ocean will derive some benefit from what is being done here.
I rejoice to have the privilege to return to you just in time to attend this conference; and while I am on my feet I desire to bring you a hearty greeting from President Francis M. Lyman, one of the Twelve Apostles, who at the present time presides over the European mission. The brethren and sisters over there respect him as a man of God, as he really is. He is a father in every sense of that word to the brethren who are laboring under his direction, and to the Saints whom he visits from time to time. Last Jul}' we had the pleasure of having him with us in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the occasion of dedicating the most beautiful house that has ever been built by the Latter-day Saints in Europe. It has a hall with a seating capacity of 600. We are just erecting a beautiful building in the city of Christiania, Norway: and we are taking steps to erect another beautiful building in the city of Stockholm, Sweden. We rejoice in the fact that the Lord is pouring out His Spirit upon His people in those lands, and I am a living witness and want to boar testimony to the fact that I know God Is no respecter of persons. It does not make any difference where we are born, nor the language we speak. The Lord can be found upon the islands of the sea, upon the continent of Europe, and the continents of Africa and Asia, where I have had the privilege of visiting, as well as upon this land of America. If we seek God, His blessings will follow us. If we obey the principles of the Gospel, it matters not where we do it, we will receive the same blessings. The Lord pours out His Spirit upon us, no matter where we are. Many are the wonderful testimonies that I have listened to during my late visit to Europe. When people have spoken even in foreign tongues, unknown to the majority of the people here, the Spirit of God has been poured out upon the speakers; and when they have defended the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith I have seen the power of God manifested in a manner that has made an impression upon me which I shall never forget.
I am glad to come home to these mountains. I have been from here a number of times on missions. I do not know but I have been more blessed on this short special mission than I have on any of my former missions; at least, I have been blessed to as great an extent. I come home to you feeling thankful for the experience. I am thankful to God my Heavenly Father that He has indeed revealed himself in these the last days and has restored the fullness of His Gospel. I thank God for my home in these mountains, and I do not know that I ever returned to Salt Lake City from a foreign mission when I rejoiced so much in the fact of coming back home as I did on this occasion. There were reasons for this. We did not have a very pleasant journey home. We had sadness on the road. We lost two of our little company of Saints—something that has not happened for many years. Yet in this I see the hand of God. I know His will has been done in the matter, as it is continually being done wherever His sons and daughters put their trust in Him.
I ask God to bless us as a people. This has indeed been' a beautiful conference; at least, it has been so to me: and I hope that the spirit of this conference will go from here to all parts of the world, not only to the different stakes of Zion, but to the uttermost parts of the world where our brethren are laboring as dispensers of truth to a fallen world. God bless us all. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
My beloved brethren, sisters and friends. Eleven months ago I left this beautiful city to take a special mission to Europe. I spent about six months in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, engaged in literary labors, helping to publish a new edition of the Book of Mormon in the Danish-Norwegian language, it being the fourth edition of that book to be published in that language. After completing that labor, it became my privilege and duty to travel somewhat extensively throughout the British Isles, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, in the interest of Church history, and also in visiting the different branches and conferences as they are organized in these different countries.
I desire on this occasion, as I have jr.st returned home, to bring a hearty greeting from the brethren and sisters over on the other side of the waters. We have some very faithful Saints in Europe. We have preached the Gospel in the British Isles since 1837. We have preached the Gospel in Germany since 1851, in Scandinavian countries since 1850. Thousands of Latter-day Saints have emigrated to these lands, and there are thousands of faithful Latter-day Saints living there at the present time, who, like us, are praying for the welfare of Zion, and who are listening to the voice of inspiration, though not altogether as we do.. They have to be content, to a certain extent, with the written word. It is true, once in a while one of the Twelve Apostles and others visit those lands; but the most they get of the words of our leaders is through the written word. But they read this written word. The proceedings of this conference will be translated to some extent into the German, the Dutch, the Swedish and the Danish-Norwegian languages, and thus the people on that side of the ocean will derive some benefit from what is being done here.
I rejoice to have the privilege to return to you just in time to attend this conference; and while I am on my feet I desire to bring you a hearty greeting from President Francis M. Lyman, one of the Twelve Apostles, who at the present time presides over the European mission. The brethren and sisters over there respect him as a man of God, as he really is. He is a father in every sense of that word to the brethren who are laboring under his direction, and to the Saints whom he visits from time to time. Last Jul}' we had the pleasure of having him with us in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the occasion of dedicating the most beautiful house that has ever been built by the Latter-day Saints in Europe. It has a hall with a seating capacity of 600. We are just erecting a beautiful building in the city of Christiania, Norway: and we are taking steps to erect another beautiful building in the city of Stockholm, Sweden. We rejoice in the fact that the Lord is pouring out His Spirit upon His people in those lands, and I am a living witness and want to boar testimony to the fact that I know God Is no respecter of persons. It does not make any difference where we are born, nor the language we speak. The Lord can be found upon the islands of the sea, upon the continent of Europe, and the continents of Africa and Asia, where I have had the privilege of visiting, as well as upon this land of America. If we seek God, His blessings will follow us. If we obey the principles of the Gospel, it matters not where we do it, we will receive the same blessings. The Lord pours out His Spirit upon us, no matter where we are. Many are the wonderful testimonies that I have listened to during my late visit to Europe. When people have spoken even in foreign tongues, unknown to the majority of the people here, the Spirit of God has been poured out upon the speakers; and when they have defended the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith I have seen the power of God manifested in a manner that has made an impression upon me which I shall never forget.
I am glad to come home to these mountains. I have been from here a number of times on missions. I do not know but I have been more blessed on this short special mission than I have on any of my former missions; at least, I have been blessed to as great an extent. I come home to you feeling thankful for the experience. I am thankful to God my Heavenly Father that He has indeed revealed himself in these the last days and has restored the fullness of His Gospel. I thank God for my home in these mountains, and I do not know that I ever returned to Salt Lake City from a foreign mission when I rejoiced so much in the fact of coming back home as I did on this occasion. There were reasons for this. We did not have a very pleasant journey home. We had sadness on the road. We lost two of our little company of Saints—something that has not happened for many years. Yet in this I see the hand of God. I know His will has been done in the matter, as it is continually being done wherever His sons and daughters put their trust in Him.
I ask God to bless us as a people. This has indeed been' a beautiful conference; at least, it has been so to me: and I hope that the spirit of this conference will go from here to all parts of the world, not only to the different stakes of Zion, but to the uttermost parts of the world where our brethren are laboring as dispensers of truth to a fallen world. God bless us all. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH.
Unanimity of the Church Authorities—Relating to Capital and Labor Combinations—Preservation of Liberty—Duties within the family circle.
I would have preferred, as a matter of fact, to have listened to a continuation of the testimonies and reports of the presidents of stakes and of missions. Nevertheless, I feel happy in the privilege of standing in your presence upon this occasion, and I desire to say to you that President Brigham Young sends greeting to the Latter-day Saints, and thanks you for your faith and prayers in his behalf. He is in a critical condition, but with good faith, and determined, if possible, to make a live of it and accomplish much work in the future. I desire to report that the Presidency of the Church are in the enjoyment of the spirit of their calling and in unison in their work; and to say of the Council of the Apostles that each one of them is anxious to perform his part and discharge the obligations resting upon him to the best of his ability. The good feelings and wishes of Elder Lyman have been given to you by our brother who has just returned from that field. Brother Grant also joins in greetings to the Latter-day Saints and rejoices in their growth and development and in the good spirit of union that is manifest among the people. He is anxious to extend the work in that land as fast and as far as it may be practicable. I desire to say further that the Patriarch of the Church is in unison with the Presidency of the Church and the Council of the Apostles. The presidents of the Seventies, as you have heard from them, are in like spirit and action with their brethren. I believe the same is true of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. The general authorities of the Church are fully in attune with each other in connection with the work that is assigned them to do. I know of no time in my connection with the work of the Almighty when the general authorities of the Church were more in unison and with a higher regard and love for one another than they possess today.
I trust that the words that have been spoken and the reports that have been made will write themselves upon the hearts of the Latter-day Saints. It is necessary that we unite ourselves together in the accomplishment of every spiritual and temporal work that the Lord may set us to do. Every stake of Zion should be uniting its interests and seeking to provide, so far as within its power, a variety of employment essential to the development of that section. The people should be striving to thus unite their efforts and accomplish the purposes of the Almighty. I believe in combinations of capital, I believe in combinations of labor, so long as those combinations shall not presume to interfere with the rights and liberties of their fellowmen. But when they presume to exercise unrighteous dominion and their efforts are in the direction of harm to their fellows, I am opposed to them, one and all. I trust that the spirit of the instructions given during this conference has found lodgment in every one of your hearts, that you have determined to do the bidding of the Master, to guard your own liberties, to preserve the liberties of your fellowmen; that you propose to carry with you the spirit of the words that fell from the lips of President Winder this morning, that having been made partakers of the heavenly gift of entering the sacred precincts of the house of God, the covenants you have made there to honor your fathers, to honor the laws and institutions of your country and to maintain the rights and liberties of your fellowmen, will be sustained by you in every place and in every station where Providence shall call you to act. I trust that the sentiments of your heart shall be to have your homes pervaded with the spirit of prayer; that as fathers and mothers you shall remember to have your children taught to pray, and that thoughtlessness and disregard of these obligations shall not come in among you. I trust, my brethren and sisters, that each sentiment expressed by our brethren will find place within you, and that you will be led to glorify the name of your Father in heaven; that the voice of the truth, distilled upon your ears in your native land, shall continue to guard and guide every one of our lives in this land where we have our home, beneath the shades of these mountains, where should exist the spirit of liberty, the love of God, respect for right, and a determination to perform our part to the best of our ability.
When these brethren testify to you that they know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the priest, hood of the Son of God Is among the children of men, they testify to you a truth that you know yourselves. I trust that you seek in your ministry to so labor that the results of your lives will demonstrate, in the character and ministry of your children and your neighbors, your absolute knowledge of the truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
My brothers and my sisters, it would be Imprudent for me to take more time. Perform your part in righteousness. Impress upon the minds of your sons and daughters that no son or daughter of Zion need enter any other church to receive the ministration of the laying on of hands for the healing of the sick; that when God bestowed this Gospel and turned the key, He placed with it the power to heal the sick, to rebuke evil spirits, and to command evils to subside, and if we will live as we should live and instruct our children as we should, they will never hunt any other than the ministrations of the servants of God to be healed of their sickness or to have evil rebuked from their homes, but they will come to you for the aid and comfort necessary for them in the midst of their distresses. This that has been given to us is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation. Its mission and ministry is the regeneration of the world, the establishment of righteousness, the cleansing and purifying of mankind; and if you will walk In the pathway of the Gospel, and fulfill the requirements thereof, no man can complain of your morality; no man can find fault with your temperance; no man can censure the spirit of justice, charity and mercy that shall guide you in your lives. God Himself introduced His word in this day and age of the world. He introduced His Son to the children of men. He pointed the way of life to all His sons and daughters, and has set you upon the road to aid in the regeneration of the world and in the establishment of righteousness. May He bless you forever. May you be obedient to the truth. May you do the bidding of the Master. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Unanimity of the Church Authorities—Relating to Capital and Labor Combinations—Preservation of Liberty—Duties within the family circle.
I would have preferred, as a matter of fact, to have listened to a continuation of the testimonies and reports of the presidents of stakes and of missions. Nevertheless, I feel happy in the privilege of standing in your presence upon this occasion, and I desire to say to you that President Brigham Young sends greeting to the Latter-day Saints, and thanks you for your faith and prayers in his behalf. He is in a critical condition, but with good faith, and determined, if possible, to make a live of it and accomplish much work in the future. I desire to report that the Presidency of the Church are in the enjoyment of the spirit of their calling and in unison in their work; and to say of the Council of the Apostles that each one of them is anxious to perform his part and discharge the obligations resting upon him to the best of his ability. The good feelings and wishes of Elder Lyman have been given to you by our brother who has just returned from that field. Brother Grant also joins in greetings to the Latter-day Saints and rejoices in their growth and development and in the good spirit of union that is manifest among the people. He is anxious to extend the work in that land as fast and as far as it may be practicable. I desire to say further that the Patriarch of the Church is in unison with the Presidency of the Church and the Council of the Apostles. The presidents of the Seventies, as you have heard from them, are in like spirit and action with their brethren. I believe the same is true of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. The general authorities of the Church are fully in attune with each other in connection with the work that is assigned them to do. I know of no time in my connection with the work of the Almighty when the general authorities of the Church were more in unison and with a higher regard and love for one another than they possess today.
I trust that the words that have been spoken and the reports that have been made will write themselves upon the hearts of the Latter-day Saints. It is necessary that we unite ourselves together in the accomplishment of every spiritual and temporal work that the Lord may set us to do. Every stake of Zion should be uniting its interests and seeking to provide, so far as within its power, a variety of employment essential to the development of that section. The people should be striving to thus unite their efforts and accomplish the purposes of the Almighty. I believe in combinations of capital, I believe in combinations of labor, so long as those combinations shall not presume to interfere with the rights and liberties of their fellowmen. But when they presume to exercise unrighteous dominion and their efforts are in the direction of harm to their fellows, I am opposed to them, one and all. I trust that the spirit of the instructions given during this conference has found lodgment in every one of your hearts, that you have determined to do the bidding of the Master, to guard your own liberties, to preserve the liberties of your fellowmen; that you propose to carry with you the spirit of the words that fell from the lips of President Winder this morning, that having been made partakers of the heavenly gift of entering the sacred precincts of the house of God, the covenants you have made there to honor your fathers, to honor the laws and institutions of your country and to maintain the rights and liberties of your fellowmen, will be sustained by you in every place and in every station where Providence shall call you to act. I trust that the sentiments of your heart shall be to have your homes pervaded with the spirit of prayer; that as fathers and mothers you shall remember to have your children taught to pray, and that thoughtlessness and disregard of these obligations shall not come in among you. I trust, my brethren and sisters, that each sentiment expressed by our brethren will find place within you, and that you will be led to glorify the name of your Father in heaven; that the voice of the truth, distilled upon your ears in your native land, shall continue to guard and guide every one of our lives in this land where we have our home, beneath the shades of these mountains, where should exist the spirit of liberty, the love of God, respect for right, and a determination to perform our part to the best of our ability.
When these brethren testify to you that they know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the priest, hood of the Son of God Is among the children of men, they testify to you a truth that you know yourselves. I trust that you seek in your ministry to so labor that the results of your lives will demonstrate, in the character and ministry of your children and your neighbors, your absolute knowledge of the truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
My brothers and my sisters, it would be Imprudent for me to take more time. Perform your part in righteousness. Impress upon the minds of your sons and daughters that no son or daughter of Zion need enter any other church to receive the ministration of the laying on of hands for the healing of the sick; that when God bestowed this Gospel and turned the key, He placed with it the power to heal the sick, to rebuke evil spirits, and to command evils to subside, and if we will live as we should live and instruct our children as we should, they will never hunt any other than the ministrations of the servants of God to be healed of their sickness or to have evil rebuked from their homes, but they will come to you for the aid and comfort necessary for them in the midst of their distresses. This that has been given to us is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation. Its mission and ministry is the regeneration of the world, the establishment of righteousness, the cleansing and purifying of mankind; and if you will walk In the pathway of the Gospel, and fulfill the requirements thereof, no man can complain of your morality; no man can find fault with your temperance; no man can censure the spirit of justice, charity and mercy that shall guide you in your lives. God Himself introduced His word in this day and age of the world. He introduced His Son to the children of men. He pointed the way of life to all His sons and daughters, and has set you upon the road to aid in the regeneration of the world and in the establishment of righteousness. May He bless you forever. May you be obedient to the truth. May you do the bidding of the Master. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES.
Of the Church were presented by President Joseph F. Smith, to be voted upon by the Conference, as follows:
Joseph F. Smith, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
John R. Winder, as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Anthon H. Lund, as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Brigham Young, as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As members of the Council of Twelve Apostles: Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teas dale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham O. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot and Hyrum M. Smith.
John Smith, as Presiding Patriarch of the Church.
The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Patriarch as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Seymour B. Young, Christian D. Fjeldsted, Brigham Henry Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon b. Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin.
William B. Preston, as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton and Orrin P. Miller as his first and second Counselors.
Joseph F. Smith as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As members of the General Church Board of Education: Joseph F. Smith, Willard Young, Anthon H. Lund, James Sharp, John Nicholson, George H. Brimhall, Rudger Clawson, Joseph M. Tanner, and John R. Winder.
Anthon H. Lund, as Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
Andrew Jenson, O. F. Whitney, A. M. Musser and Brigham H. Roberts, assistant historians.
John Nicholson, as clerk of the Conference.
THE TABERNACLE CHOIR.
was also presented, as follows:
Leader and Conductor—Evan Stephens.
Secretary and First Counselor—Robert T. McEwan.
Treasurer, Librarian and Second Counselor—George C. Smith.
Organist—John J. McClellan; and all the members of the choir.
BRIGHAM YOUNG ACADEMY.
In compliance with a requirement of law, the Board of Trustees of the Brigham Young Academy were presented to the Conference for approval, as follows:
Board of Trustees of the Brigham Young Academy, Provo, Utah—Jos. F, Smith, president; David John, vice president; Wilson H. Dusenberry, Brigham Young, Susa Y. Gates, Reed Smoot, Stephen L. Chipman, John Henry Smith, Jesse Knight, Lafayette Holbrook, Oscar B. Young, Jonathan S. Page, Jr.
All of the voting was unanimously in the affirmative.
Of the Church were presented by President Joseph F. Smith, to be voted upon by the Conference, as follows:
Joseph F. Smith, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
John R. Winder, as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Anthon H. Lund, as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Brigham Young, as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As members of the Council of Twelve Apostles: Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teas dale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham O. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot and Hyrum M. Smith.
John Smith, as Presiding Patriarch of the Church.
The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Patriarch as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Seymour B. Young, Christian D. Fjeldsted, Brigham Henry Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon b. Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin.
William B. Preston, as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton and Orrin P. Miller as his first and second Counselors.
Joseph F. Smith as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As members of the General Church Board of Education: Joseph F. Smith, Willard Young, Anthon H. Lund, James Sharp, John Nicholson, George H. Brimhall, Rudger Clawson, Joseph M. Tanner, and John R. Winder.
Anthon H. Lund, as Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
Andrew Jenson, O. F. Whitney, A. M. Musser and Brigham H. Roberts, assistant historians.
John Nicholson, as clerk of the Conference.
THE TABERNACLE CHOIR.
was also presented, as follows:
Leader and Conductor—Evan Stephens.
Secretary and First Counselor—Robert T. McEwan.
Treasurer, Librarian and Second Counselor—George C. Smith.
Organist—John J. McClellan; and all the members of the choir.
BRIGHAM YOUNG ACADEMY.
In compliance with a requirement of law, the Board of Trustees of the Brigham Young Academy were presented to the Conference for approval, as follows:
Board of Trustees of the Brigham Young Academy, Provo, Utah—Jos. F, Smith, president; David John, vice president; Wilson H. Dusenberry, Brigham Young, Susa Y. Gates, Reed Smoot, Stephen L. Chipman, John Henry Smith, Jesse Knight, Lafayette Holbrook, Oscar B. Young, Jonathan S. Page, Jr.
All of the voting was unanimously in the affirmative.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
Satisfactory character of reports—What Is expected of the priesthood—Glorious destiny of American Nation - The Church Its strong supporter—Characters of those who misrepresent this community— Saloons and their Keepers—The honorable do not assail the people of God.
Brethren and sisters; I have been delighted, beyond my power to express, with the spirit of this conference, with the spirit of those who have spoken to us, with the subjects that they have dwelt upon, and with the reports which they have made to us in general conference assembled. I believe that, in the policy we have pursued, we are carrying out, in a measure at least, the original design and purpose in the Lord of holding these annual and semi-annual conferences. The Lord made it obligatory in former days that conferences should be held frequently, and that representatives from all the various branches and organized bodies of the Church should be present, with power and authority to report their condition and standing and to speak of any matter that would affect the welfare and prosperity of the people they represented. There is another purpose, I think, subserved in the policy that we have pursued, which I consider a worthy one, and .that is this: We want the people to understand, and we would like the world to understand, the great fact that it is not the prominent leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that wield all the influence among the people of this Church. We want it understood that we have fewer lay members in this Church, in proportion to the number of our membership, than you will find in any other church upon the globe. Nearly every man in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the Melchisedek or the Aaronic Priesthood, and may act in an official capacity by authority of that priesthood whenever called upon to do so. They are priests and kings, if you please, unto God in righteousness. Out of this vast body of priests we call and ordain or set apart our Presidents of Stakes, our counselors, our High Councilors, our Bishops and their counselors, our Seventies, our High Priests, and our Elders, upon whom rests the responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel of eternal truth to all the world, and upon whom also rests the great and glorious responsibility of maintaining the dignity, the honor and the sacredness of that calling and Priesthood. So that nearly every male person in the Church, who has reached the years of accountability, is supposed to be, in his sphere, a pillar in Zion, a defender of the faith, an exemplar, a man of righteousness, truth and soberness, a man of virtue and of honor, a good citizen of the state in which he lives, and a staunch and loyal citizen of the great country that we are proud to call our home.
This great American nation the Almighty raised up by the power of His omnipotent hand, that it might be possible in the latter days for the kingdom of God to be established in the earth. If the Lord had not prepared the way by laying the foundations of this glorious nation, it would have been impossible (under the stringent laws and bigotry of the monarchical governments of the world) to have laid the foundations for the coming of His great kingdom. The Lord has done this. His hand has been over this nation, and it is His purpose and design to enlarge it, make it glorious above all others, and to give it dominion and power over the earth, to the end that those who are kept in bondage and serfdom may be brought to the enjoyment of the fullest freedom and liberty of conscience possible for intelligent men to exercise in the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be a strong supporter of the nation of which we are a part, in the accomplishment of this grand purpose. There are no more loyal people to their country on God's earth today than are the Latter-day Saints to this country. There are no better, purer or more honorable citizens of the United States to be found than are found within the pale of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify to this, and I know whereof I speak. We never have been enemies to our nation. We have always been true to it. Though we have been persecuted, we have said. We will put our trust in thee. We have been driven and maligned, not by the nation, but by insidious, wicked, unprincipled, hypocritical, lying, deceitful goats in sheep's clothing, who are jealous and constantly raising a hue and cry against the covenant people of God. Our government would have befriended us, protected us, preserved our rights and liberties, and would have defended us in the enjoyment of our possessions, if it had not been for these infernal hounds who are enemies to morality and to the truth. If there is anything despicable, if there be anything that can never, no, never, enter into the kingdom of God, it is a willful liar; and if we have not been lied about, maligned and misrepresented of late, then I do not know what lying is. Well, let the falsifiers go on and lie. Some people are evidently doomed to lie. President Woodruff used to say there were some people in his day who were born to lie, and they were true to their missions. There are some of these born liars still with us and still true to their mission. They cannot, it would seem, tell the truth; they often do not when it would be for their best good. So let them go on and lie as much as they desire. But let us do right, keep the laws of God and the laws of man, honor our membership in the kingdom of God, our citizenship in the State of Utah and our broader citizenship in the nation of which we are a part, and then God will sustain and preserve us, and we will continue to grow as we have done from the beginning, only our future growth will be accelerated and be far greater than it has been in the past. These slanders and falsehoods that are circulated abroad with the view of bringing the ire of the nation upon us will by and by be swept away, and because of these misrepresentations the truth will be brought out clearer and plainer to the world. Thus the word of the Lord will be verified, that they cannot do anything against but for the kingdom of God. This is the Lord's work; it is not man's; and He will make it triumphant. He is spreading it abroad, and giving it deep root in the earth, that its branches may grow and spread, and its fruit be seen throughout the length and breadth of the land. By their fruits ye shall know them. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles; neither does a bitter fountain send forth sweet water. We, as a people, deplore as much as anybody can the existence of evil amongst us. But when our brethren get up here and talk as some have done, “We have saloons; we have all the 'modern improvements'"—WE have them— I wish they would take the pains to distinguish as to who “we" is. If they mean that the Latter-day Saints have saloons, then they are mistaken. It is not the Latter-day Saints that sustain saloons. If they are fostered and sustained in the midst of Latter-day Saint communities, they are sustained by men that are either in bad standing or have no standing at all in the Church. The most of them are sustained by men who do not belong to the Church. I will venture to say that over here in Emery county, where we hear of saloons and "modern improvements," that there is not a saloon run by a Latter-day Saint. But, says one, hold on, Brother Smith, there is one, I believe. There was one, out of the many, that used to be run by a man who claimed to be a member of the Church; I don't know that it is now. I give it out to you, my brethren and sisters, that no man who is a Latter-day Saint, in full faith and fellowship in the Church, will ever keep a saloon anywhere. Therefore, if there is a man claiming to be a "Mormon" running a saloon anywhere, the best thing you can do is to cut him off the Church, and then you will know where he' is and who he is. He is not a Latter-day Saint, at all events. Now, when you say WE have this, and WE have that, I hope you will draw the distinction between Latter-day Saints and latter-day devils.
I am not sorry I have made these remarks, because it will give some of our "friends" a chance to say something, and there is nothing like having a little of the spice of life. I rejoice in the Gospel. I rejoice in the mission of the divine Savior, the Son of God. I know it is the power of God unto salvation. I rejoice In the name and in the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; for I know his mission is divine. I rejoice in the gathering of Israel in the tops of these mountains in the latter days, because I see in it the hand of the Almighty, and not the hand of Brigham Young, nor of any mortal man. No man of himself could ever accomplish that which we see before us. The Lord is behind it, at the bottom and at the top of it, and in and through it, and He will consummate His purpose. The world cannot prevent it either, because it is for good, not for evil. If it were net for good I would pity some of these poor devils that we have amongst us. But we will be patient, longsuffering, and forbearing. We will say. Let God judge between us and our enemies, an-3 award them according to their deeds. We will not harm them. On the contrary, we will protect them. Though they seek to defile us and ridicule our religion, though they lie about us and say all manner of evil against us falsely, we will not hurt them. We will do them good, if they will let us. We will protect them, as we would protect good men in their rights. We will do all we can to protect the rights of mankind, and nothing to break down the liberties of men. This is our mission, and I pray God to help us to be true to our mission, as these poor creatures who lie about us are true to theirs. ,
Now, when I speak as I have done about the lying riff-raff that infests cur land, I do not wish it understood for a moment that I refer to honorable men. We have honorable men amongst us, and in this nation. God bless and sustain all honorable men. We will sustain, not only the rights and liberties of the honorable, but we will also defend and help to maintain to the uttermost the liberties and rights of dishonorable men. We have honorable men amongst us, and they are ever in the favor of the people of God.
The choir sang:
Do what is right; the day dawn is breaking,
Hailing a future of freedom and light;
Angels above us are silent notes taking
Of every action; do what is right.
Benediction was pronounced by Presiding Patriarch John Smith.
Conference adjourned for six months.
Satisfactory character of reports—What Is expected of the priesthood—Glorious destiny of American Nation - The Church Its strong supporter—Characters of those who misrepresent this community— Saloons and their Keepers—The honorable do not assail the people of God.
Brethren and sisters; I have been delighted, beyond my power to express, with the spirit of this conference, with the spirit of those who have spoken to us, with the subjects that they have dwelt upon, and with the reports which they have made to us in general conference assembled. I believe that, in the policy we have pursued, we are carrying out, in a measure at least, the original design and purpose in the Lord of holding these annual and semi-annual conferences. The Lord made it obligatory in former days that conferences should be held frequently, and that representatives from all the various branches and organized bodies of the Church should be present, with power and authority to report their condition and standing and to speak of any matter that would affect the welfare and prosperity of the people they represented. There is another purpose, I think, subserved in the policy that we have pursued, which I consider a worthy one, and .that is this: We want the people to understand, and we would like the world to understand, the great fact that it is not the prominent leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that wield all the influence among the people of this Church. We want it understood that we have fewer lay members in this Church, in proportion to the number of our membership, than you will find in any other church upon the globe. Nearly every man in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the Melchisedek or the Aaronic Priesthood, and may act in an official capacity by authority of that priesthood whenever called upon to do so. They are priests and kings, if you please, unto God in righteousness. Out of this vast body of priests we call and ordain or set apart our Presidents of Stakes, our counselors, our High Councilors, our Bishops and their counselors, our Seventies, our High Priests, and our Elders, upon whom rests the responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel of eternal truth to all the world, and upon whom also rests the great and glorious responsibility of maintaining the dignity, the honor and the sacredness of that calling and Priesthood. So that nearly every male person in the Church, who has reached the years of accountability, is supposed to be, in his sphere, a pillar in Zion, a defender of the faith, an exemplar, a man of righteousness, truth and soberness, a man of virtue and of honor, a good citizen of the state in which he lives, and a staunch and loyal citizen of the great country that we are proud to call our home.
This great American nation the Almighty raised up by the power of His omnipotent hand, that it might be possible in the latter days for the kingdom of God to be established in the earth. If the Lord had not prepared the way by laying the foundations of this glorious nation, it would have been impossible (under the stringent laws and bigotry of the monarchical governments of the world) to have laid the foundations for the coming of His great kingdom. The Lord has done this. His hand has been over this nation, and it is His purpose and design to enlarge it, make it glorious above all others, and to give it dominion and power over the earth, to the end that those who are kept in bondage and serfdom may be brought to the enjoyment of the fullest freedom and liberty of conscience possible for intelligent men to exercise in the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be a strong supporter of the nation of which we are a part, in the accomplishment of this grand purpose. There are no more loyal people to their country on God's earth today than are the Latter-day Saints to this country. There are no better, purer or more honorable citizens of the United States to be found than are found within the pale of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify to this, and I know whereof I speak. We never have been enemies to our nation. We have always been true to it. Though we have been persecuted, we have said. We will put our trust in thee. We have been driven and maligned, not by the nation, but by insidious, wicked, unprincipled, hypocritical, lying, deceitful goats in sheep's clothing, who are jealous and constantly raising a hue and cry against the covenant people of God. Our government would have befriended us, protected us, preserved our rights and liberties, and would have defended us in the enjoyment of our possessions, if it had not been for these infernal hounds who are enemies to morality and to the truth. If there is anything despicable, if there be anything that can never, no, never, enter into the kingdom of God, it is a willful liar; and if we have not been lied about, maligned and misrepresented of late, then I do not know what lying is. Well, let the falsifiers go on and lie. Some people are evidently doomed to lie. President Woodruff used to say there were some people in his day who were born to lie, and they were true to their missions. There are some of these born liars still with us and still true to their mission. They cannot, it would seem, tell the truth; they often do not when it would be for their best good. So let them go on and lie as much as they desire. But let us do right, keep the laws of God and the laws of man, honor our membership in the kingdom of God, our citizenship in the State of Utah and our broader citizenship in the nation of which we are a part, and then God will sustain and preserve us, and we will continue to grow as we have done from the beginning, only our future growth will be accelerated and be far greater than it has been in the past. These slanders and falsehoods that are circulated abroad with the view of bringing the ire of the nation upon us will by and by be swept away, and because of these misrepresentations the truth will be brought out clearer and plainer to the world. Thus the word of the Lord will be verified, that they cannot do anything against but for the kingdom of God. This is the Lord's work; it is not man's; and He will make it triumphant. He is spreading it abroad, and giving it deep root in the earth, that its branches may grow and spread, and its fruit be seen throughout the length and breadth of the land. By their fruits ye shall know them. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles; neither does a bitter fountain send forth sweet water. We, as a people, deplore as much as anybody can the existence of evil amongst us. But when our brethren get up here and talk as some have done, “We have saloons; we have all the 'modern improvements'"—WE have them— I wish they would take the pains to distinguish as to who “we" is. If they mean that the Latter-day Saints have saloons, then they are mistaken. It is not the Latter-day Saints that sustain saloons. If they are fostered and sustained in the midst of Latter-day Saint communities, they are sustained by men that are either in bad standing or have no standing at all in the Church. The most of them are sustained by men who do not belong to the Church. I will venture to say that over here in Emery county, where we hear of saloons and "modern improvements," that there is not a saloon run by a Latter-day Saint. But, says one, hold on, Brother Smith, there is one, I believe. There was one, out of the many, that used to be run by a man who claimed to be a member of the Church; I don't know that it is now. I give it out to you, my brethren and sisters, that no man who is a Latter-day Saint, in full faith and fellowship in the Church, will ever keep a saloon anywhere. Therefore, if there is a man claiming to be a "Mormon" running a saloon anywhere, the best thing you can do is to cut him off the Church, and then you will know where he' is and who he is. He is not a Latter-day Saint, at all events. Now, when you say WE have this, and WE have that, I hope you will draw the distinction between Latter-day Saints and latter-day devils.
I am not sorry I have made these remarks, because it will give some of our "friends" a chance to say something, and there is nothing like having a little of the spice of life. I rejoice in the Gospel. I rejoice in the mission of the divine Savior, the Son of God. I know it is the power of God unto salvation. I rejoice In the name and in the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; for I know his mission is divine. I rejoice in the gathering of Israel in the tops of these mountains in the latter days, because I see in it the hand of the Almighty, and not the hand of Brigham Young, nor of any mortal man. No man of himself could ever accomplish that which we see before us. The Lord is behind it, at the bottom and at the top of it, and in and through it, and He will consummate His purpose. The world cannot prevent it either, because it is for good, not for evil. If it were net for good I would pity some of these poor devils that we have amongst us. But we will be patient, longsuffering, and forbearing. We will say. Let God judge between us and our enemies, an-3 award them according to their deeds. We will not harm them. On the contrary, we will protect them. Though they seek to defile us and ridicule our religion, though they lie about us and say all manner of evil against us falsely, we will not hurt them. We will do them good, if they will let us. We will protect them, as we would protect good men in their rights. We will do all we can to protect the rights of mankind, and nothing to break down the liberties of men. This is our mission, and I pray God to help us to be true to our mission, as these poor creatures who lie about us are true to theirs. ,
Now, when I speak as I have done about the lying riff-raff that infests cur land, I do not wish it understood for a moment that I refer to honorable men. We have honorable men amongst us, and in this nation. God bless and sustain all honorable men. We will sustain, not only the rights and liberties of the honorable, but we will also defend and help to maintain to the uttermost the liberties and rights of dishonorable men. We have honorable men amongst us, and they are ever in the favor of the people of God.
The choir sang:
Do what is right; the day dawn is breaking,
Hailing a future of freedom and light;
Angels above us are silent notes taking
Of every action; do what is right.
Benediction was pronounced by Presiding Patriarch John Smith.
Conference adjourned for six months.
Deseret Sunday School Union.
ITS ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE,
The general semi-annual conference of the Sunday schools of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, April 5, 1903, at 7; 30 p. m. General Superintendent Jos. F. Smith presiding.
Present: of the general superintendency, Joseph F. Smith, George Reyno'.ds and J. M. Tanner; most of the members of the Deseret Sunday School Union board, several of the Apostles, and the Tabernacle was packed with officers, teachers, and Sunday school workers and Saints.
The tabernacle choir sang the hymn: "Earth with her ten thousand flowers."
Prayer was offered by Elder John W. Taylor.
Messrs. Ashworth, Best, Christopherson and Squires then rendered the quartet, "God is love."
Secretary George D. Pyper called the roll of stakes, all but two being represented, as also were the Northwestern states, California and Colorado missions. The secretary also presented the following items gleaned from the annual report of the Sunday schools:
Total number of schools in the organized stakes, 749; in the missions, 291 — grand total, 1,040; showing a gain of 64 schools during the year—33 in the organized stakes and 31 in the missions.
Number of officers and teachers in the organized stakes, 14,333; in the missions, 1,647—total officers and teachers, 15,980; a gain of 782.
Number of pupils in organized stakes, 107,323, of whom 52,752 are male and 54,571 females; in the missions, 10,413, of whom 4,821 are males and 5,592 are females—grand total of pupils, 117,736; an Increase of 3,811—2,818 in the stakes and 893 in the missions. This report shows there are 2,590 more girls than boys in the Sunday schools.
Total officers, teachers, missionaries and pupils in the stakes, 121,971, in the missions, 12,060—grand total, 134,031; a total increase of 4,399 over 1901.
The average attendance for 1902 was 58 per cent, the same as for the previous year.
Secretary George D. Pyper then presented the officers of the Deseret Sunday School Union, who were unanimously sustained as follows:
Joseph F. Smith, general superintendent, George Reynolds, first assistant general superintendent; J. M. Tanner, second assistant general superintendent.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
Joseph F. Smith, George Reynolds, Joseph M. Tanner, Thomas C. Griggs, Joseph W. Summerhays, Levi W. Richards, Francis M. Lyman, Heber J. Grant, George Teasdale, Hugh J. Cannon, Andrew Kimball, John W. Taylor, L. John Nuttall, James W. Ure, John P. Bennett, John M. Mills, William D. Owen, Seymour B. Young, George D. Pyper, Henry Peterson, Anthon H. Lund, John R. Winder, James E. Talmage, George M. Cannon, Horace Cummings, Abraham O. Woodruff.
George D. Pyper, general secretary; George Reynolds, treasurer; Thomas C. Griggs, business manager.
ITS ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE,
The general semi-annual conference of the Sunday schools of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, April 5, 1903, at 7; 30 p. m. General Superintendent Jos. F. Smith presiding.
Present: of the general superintendency, Joseph F. Smith, George Reyno'.ds and J. M. Tanner; most of the members of the Deseret Sunday School Union board, several of the Apostles, and the Tabernacle was packed with officers, teachers, and Sunday school workers and Saints.
The tabernacle choir sang the hymn: "Earth with her ten thousand flowers."
Prayer was offered by Elder John W. Taylor.
Messrs. Ashworth, Best, Christopherson and Squires then rendered the quartet, "God is love."
Secretary George D. Pyper called the roll of stakes, all but two being represented, as also were the Northwestern states, California and Colorado missions. The secretary also presented the following items gleaned from the annual report of the Sunday schools:
Total number of schools in the organized stakes, 749; in the missions, 291 — grand total, 1,040; showing a gain of 64 schools during the year—33 in the organized stakes and 31 in the missions.
Number of officers and teachers in the organized stakes, 14,333; in the missions, 1,647—total officers and teachers, 15,980; a gain of 782.
Number of pupils in organized stakes, 107,323, of whom 52,752 are male and 54,571 females; in the missions, 10,413, of whom 4,821 are males and 5,592 are females—grand total of pupils, 117,736; an Increase of 3,811—2,818 in the stakes and 893 in the missions. This report shows there are 2,590 more girls than boys in the Sunday schools.
Total officers, teachers, missionaries and pupils in the stakes, 121,971, in the missions, 12,060—grand total, 134,031; a total increase of 4,399 over 1901.
The average attendance for 1902 was 58 per cent, the same as for the previous year.
Secretary George D. Pyper then presented the officers of the Deseret Sunday School Union, who were unanimously sustained as follows:
Joseph F. Smith, general superintendent, George Reynolds, first assistant general superintendent; J. M. Tanner, second assistant general superintendent.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
Joseph F. Smith, George Reynolds, Joseph M. Tanner, Thomas C. Griggs, Joseph W. Summerhays, Levi W. Richards, Francis M. Lyman, Heber J. Grant, George Teasdale, Hugh J. Cannon, Andrew Kimball, John W. Taylor, L. John Nuttall, James W. Ure, John P. Bennett, John M. Mills, William D. Owen, Seymour B. Young, George D. Pyper, Henry Peterson, Anthon H. Lund, John R. Winder, James E. Talmage, George M. Cannon, Horace Cummings, Abraham O. Woodruff.
George D. Pyper, general secretary; George Reynolds, treasurer; Thomas C. Griggs, business manager.
GEORGE REYNOLDS,
First Assistant General Superintendent, said:
Since we met here, at the October conference, six months ago, the General Board of the union has had a very busy time, for since then the "Outlines" have "been prepared and published. We have already printed 41,000 copies for the benefit of the Sunday schools, and it appears as though we shall have to print many more. The "Outlines," as has been explained to you, are intended to bring unity in the subjects and In the lessons taught in our Sunday schools, that the wide world over, wherever there are schools, of the Latter-day Saints, there shall the same lesson be taught on the same Sunday, thus unifying our efforts and giving strength to our teachings. The preparation of these "Outlines" has required a great deal of study, of prayer, and of work, but we feel confident that where accepted, as we trust they will be, by our schools, that the teachers will fi' them a great help, and one great reason is that they cannot be used successfully and advantageously without preparation, home preparation both by the teacher and the scholar, and it will consequently make the work more thorough and more progressive.
The general report that has been read to you is, in the main, satisfactory; but there is one item that is somewhat disappointing, and that is, the average of increase. You will notice that our increase of teachers, officers and pupils is only about 4,000 for the entire year. This is a smaller pro rata increase than I remember for many a year. There may be many causes for it. but individually I believe that one of the chief causes is a lack of understanding on the part of some superintendents who, because certain ages have been suggested for the pupils in each department, and, to make it evident that the item was only suggestive it is printed in the "Outlines" in italics, yet some superintendents have endeavored to reorganize their schools and to grade them simply on the basis of the age of the child. I believe this has resulted in scores, possibly hundreds of our children, leaving school, because when simply the age was taken into consideration the dullard and the bright child of the same age have been put into the same class, and it has caused a sense of annoyance and discomfort to those who felt that they wore not being justly treated. No superintendent—and I trust the brethren will listen to what I am saying no superintendent, without he expects to injure his school, will grade simply on the basis of the age of the child. There are other considerations that are more important, and that are never to be forgotten. But then to just simply grade by the age is the easier way, and one that gives the least trouble, the least necessity for investigation. But the fact is, if we wish to do our children good, we must place them in the class or in the department where they will learn the most, where they will make the most progress, and for which they are best fitted. We must take into consideration their aptness, their advancement, their desires, their judgment, as well as their age, when they are graded.
I would say as the treasurer of the Union board, that I cannot make any definite report at this time with regard to the nickel donation, because as yet it has not all been paid to me; but I can say this much, that the nickel donation for last year is larger than it has ever been before. Nor can a complete report be made regarding the prizes offered in the Juvenile Instructor, for the reason that we have not yet been able to make the comparisons necessary before some of the prizes and premiums can be awarded. We have published those premiums that have been awarded to the stakes for the payment of the nickel donation within the time specified, but further than this we shall have to claim the indulgence of the Sunday school workers. Nor is the fault ours. But in a little while we expect to publish them, and when they are published the books awarded will be at the disposal of those to whom they are given.
There is one thing to which I wish to allude for a few moments, and that is the tendency, in some of our schools, to abridge the period of, their seasons, instead of allowing the Sunday school to continue the full two hours, from 10 to 12 o'clock, or whatever hours it may be; that is, some of the superintendents shorten the session to an hour and a half, sometimes to an hour and a quarter. It is not desired by the board, as a general thing, that the kindergarten and the primary children be Kept in the full two hours, because we know well that they will become restless and tired, and that they will not be in a condition to give attention to that which is taught them during the latter part of the session. We are always willing that the teachers in these departments should permit the children to leave when an hour and a half from the time of opening has elapsed. But surely, my brethren and sisters, two hours once a week for the religious instruction of our children in the Sunday school is none too much. It is told us sometimes that it is difficult to keep up the interest of the children for that length of time. But we generally find that where that complaint is made, the lack of interest is less, or the restlessness is less in the children than the disinclination of the teachers and superintendents to teach the full two hours. We also find that where difficulties of this kind are expressed that some exercises suggested by the Union board are omitted or neglected. For instance, we will say that there is a certain school that asserts that it cannot keep the two hours' session going with profit. On investigation we shall probably find that they do not have a ten minute singing exercise, that they have no concert recitations, or that the lessons from the "Outlines" are not gone through with that thoroughness that is expected of them. These are the reasons, my brethren and sisters, why there is a difficulty. It is because things essential to the well-being and the progress of the Sunday schools are neglected and omitted. Those who have the spirit of their calling and a love for their work and for the children will have no difficulty, under ordinary circumstances, in keeping the children interested for the full two hours by the variety of exercises planned and carried out.
I will say that taking all together, we are doing well. The work committed to our charge is receiving good attention. We are blessed of the Lord therein, and the establishment of stake union boards and stake union meetings, together with the publication of the "Outlines" is accomplishing much to make the schools more thorough, better disciplined and altogether more progressive. In conclusion, let me say, my brethren and sisters, let it always be remembered that our object in the establishment of the Sunday schools, the reason for their existence is that we may, as an auxiliary organization, strengthen the hands of the servants of God in making Latter-day Saints of the children of God's people, Latter-day Saints in faith and in works, who will love the Father's work and seek to upbuild His kingdom.
May God bless us in our endeavors to accomplish this, is my prayer through Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen.
First Assistant General Superintendent, said:
Since we met here, at the October conference, six months ago, the General Board of the union has had a very busy time, for since then the "Outlines" have "been prepared and published. We have already printed 41,000 copies for the benefit of the Sunday schools, and it appears as though we shall have to print many more. The "Outlines," as has been explained to you, are intended to bring unity in the subjects and In the lessons taught in our Sunday schools, that the wide world over, wherever there are schools, of the Latter-day Saints, there shall the same lesson be taught on the same Sunday, thus unifying our efforts and giving strength to our teachings. The preparation of these "Outlines" has required a great deal of study, of prayer, and of work, but we feel confident that where accepted, as we trust they will be, by our schools, that the teachers will fi' them a great help, and one great reason is that they cannot be used successfully and advantageously without preparation, home preparation both by the teacher and the scholar, and it will consequently make the work more thorough and more progressive.
The general report that has been read to you is, in the main, satisfactory; but there is one item that is somewhat disappointing, and that is, the average of increase. You will notice that our increase of teachers, officers and pupils is only about 4,000 for the entire year. This is a smaller pro rata increase than I remember for many a year. There may be many causes for it. but individually I believe that one of the chief causes is a lack of understanding on the part of some superintendents who, because certain ages have been suggested for the pupils in each department, and, to make it evident that the item was only suggestive it is printed in the "Outlines" in italics, yet some superintendents have endeavored to reorganize their schools and to grade them simply on the basis of the age of the child. I believe this has resulted in scores, possibly hundreds of our children, leaving school, because when simply the age was taken into consideration the dullard and the bright child of the same age have been put into the same class, and it has caused a sense of annoyance and discomfort to those who felt that they wore not being justly treated. No superintendent—and I trust the brethren will listen to what I am saying no superintendent, without he expects to injure his school, will grade simply on the basis of the age of the child. There are other considerations that are more important, and that are never to be forgotten. But then to just simply grade by the age is the easier way, and one that gives the least trouble, the least necessity for investigation. But the fact is, if we wish to do our children good, we must place them in the class or in the department where they will learn the most, where they will make the most progress, and for which they are best fitted. We must take into consideration their aptness, their advancement, their desires, their judgment, as well as their age, when they are graded.
I would say as the treasurer of the Union board, that I cannot make any definite report at this time with regard to the nickel donation, because as yet it has not all been paid to me; but I can say this much, that the nickel donation for last year is larger than it has ever been before. Nor can a complete report be made regarding the prizes offered in the Juvenile Instructor, for the reason that we have not yet been able to make the comparisons necessary before some of the prizes and premiums can be awarded. We have published those premiums that have been awarded to the stakes for the payment of the nickel donation within the time specified, but further than this we shall have to claim the indulgence of the Sunday school workers. Nor is the fault ours. But in a little while we expect to publish them, and when they are published the books awarded will be at the disposal of those to whom they are given.
There is one thing to which I wish to allude for a few moments, and that is the tendency, in some of our schools, to abridge the period of, their seasons, instead of allowing the Sunday school to continue the full two hours, from 10 to 12 o'clock, or whatever hours it may be; that is, some of the superintendents shorten the session to an hour and a half, sometimes to an hour and a quarter. It is not desired by the board, as a general thing, that the kindergarten and the primary children be Kept in the full two hours, because we know well that they will become restless and tired, and that they will not be in a condition to give attention to that which is taught them during the latter part of the session. We are always willing that the teachers in these departments should permit the children to leave when an hour and a half from the time of opening has elapsed. But surely, my brethren and sisters, two hours once a week for the religious instruction of our children in the Sunday school is none too much. It is told us sometimes that it is difficult to keep up the interest of the children for that length of time. But we generally find that where that complaint is made, the lack of interest is less, or the restlessness is less in the children than the disinclination of the teachers and superintendents to teach the full two hours. We also find that where difficulties of this kind are expressed that some exercises suggested by the Union board are omitted or neglected. For instance, we will say that there is a certain school that asserts that it cannot keep the two hours' session going with profit. On investigation we shall probably find that they do not have a ten minute singing exercise, that they have no concert recitations, or that the lessons from the "Outlines" are not gone through with that thoroughness that is expected of them. These are the reasons, my brethren and sisters, why there is a difficulty. It is because things essential to the well-being and the progress of the Sunday schools are neglected and omitted. Those who have the spirit of their calling and a love for their work and for the children will have no difficulty, under ordinary circumstances, in keeping the children interested for the full two hours by the variety of exercises planned and carried out.
I will say that taking all together, we are doing well. The work committed to our charge is receiving good attention. We are blessed of the Lord therein, and the establishment of stake union boards and stake union meetings, together with the publication of the "Outlines" is accomplishing much to make the schools more thorough, better disciplined and altogether more progressive. In conclusion, let me say, my brethren and sisters, let it always be remembered that our object in the establishment of the Sunday schools, the reason for their existence is that we may, as an auxiliary organization, strengthen the hands of the servants of God in making Latter-day Saints of the children of God's people, Latter-day Saints in faith and in works, who will love the Father's work and seek to upbuild His kingdom.
May God bless us in our endeavors to accomplish this, is my prayer through Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen.
WILLIAM KIRKUP,
Superintendent of Sunday Schools in the Oneida Stake, said:
The Oneida Stake of Zion is situated in the north end of what is known as Cache valley. We have in that stake twenty-four Sunday schools, fully organized. We also have a stake board of twelve members. This is not quite sufficient to accomplish the work that is designed by the General Board, but we have a limited supply of material, and if we were to draw fully from the various wards for the number of members required to make our monthly visits, it would materially cripple other organizations. The stake superintendency is fully organized and its members are in perfect harmony with each other. We meet every week, on the Monday night, after having made our visits on the Sunday, when we find it very convenient to make our reports, and in this way get to know and understand the conditions of the schools visited.
Our stake board meets every month, and visits made by the other members of the board are then reported. We visit three Sundays in each month. We have also arranged to hold regular quarterly Stake Sunday school union meetings. We have been holding these meetings for three years, and we find them very beneficial to all the schools of our stake. The improvement that has been made since this organization v/as effected has been very marked.
We have lately arranged to hold district Sunday school union meetings, because our stake is very widely divided, our settlements being in some cases very distant; and we thought it well in order to give our teachers better opportunity of hearing instructions from the members of the stake board, to take the union meetings to them occasionally; and we believe that by taking these meetings to five different districts, we shall be able to accomplish more good than we can by calling all of the Sunday school workers together in one place once a quarter. It would be rather difficult for us, under our circumstances, to come together every month, but at some future time we may be able to do better than we are now doing.
We feel well in the cause, and the progress of the Sunday school work in our stake is very encouraging. We are very pleased to have the "Outlines." We have been preparing, in our stake, an outline of our own for the past three years, and we fully appreciate the labors of the board, because we know how much work it takes to prepare them. We are glad, however, that now we have outlines that are applicable to all the stakes of Zion. We are laboring to the end that we may get a proper understanding of them, that we may induce our teachers to thoroughly prepare themselves, for we are cognizant of the fact that without thorough preparation good results cannot be accomplished. May the Lord add His blessings to our labors is my earnest prayer. Amen.
Superintendent of Sunday Schools in the Oneida Stake, said:
The Oneida Stake of Zion is situated in the north end of what is known as Cache valley. We have in that stake twenty-four Sunday schools, fully organized. We also have a stake board of twelve members. This is not quite sufficient to accomplish the work that is designed by the General Board, but we have a limited supply of material, and if we were to draw fully from the various wards for the number of members required to make our monthly visits, it would materially cripple other organizations. The stake superintendency is fully organized and its members are in perfect harmony with each other. We meet every week, on the Monday night, after having made our visits on the Sunday, when we find it very convenient to make our reports, and in this way get to know and understand the conditions of the schools visited.
Our stake board meets every month, and visits made by the other members of the board are then reported. We visit three Sundays in each month. We have also arranged to hold regular quarterly Stake Sunday school union meetings. We have been holding these meetings for three years, and we find them very beneficial to all the schools of our stake. The improvement that has been made since this organization v/as effected has been very marked.
We have lately arranged to hold district Sunday school union meetings, because our stake is very widely divided, our settlements being in some cases very distant; and we thought it well in order to give our teachers better opportunity of hearing instructions from the members of the stake board, to take the union meetings to them occasionally; and we believe that by taking these meetings to five different districts, we shall be able to accomplish more good than we can by calling all of the Sunday school workers together in one place once a quarter. It would be rather difficult for us, under our circumstances, to come together every month, but at some future time we may be able to do better than we are now doing.
We feel well in the cause, and the progress of the Sunday school work in our stake is very encouraging. We are very pleased to have the "Outlines." We have been preparing, in our stake, an outline of our own for the past three years, and we fully appreciate the labors of the board, because we know how much work it takes to prepare them. We are glad, however, that now we have outlines that are applicable to all the stakes of Zion. We are laboring to the end that we may get a proper understanding of them, that we may induce our teachers to thoroughly prepare themselves, for we are cognizant of the fact that without thorough preparation good results cannot be accomplished. May the Lord add His blessings to our labors is my earnest prayer. Amen.
ELDER THOMAS B. EVANS,
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Weber Stake, said:
I am pleased to report, my brethren and sisters, that there are thirty-one Sunday schools in the Weber Stake of Zion, fully organized. Twenty-six members constitute the Weber Stake Sunday School Union board. We have organized a union meeting, which meets on the second Sunday in each month. We also have what we call a local board meeting or a meeting where the officers and teachers of the local schools meet together with the idea of preparation in mind. That is, each teacher brings an individual outline. At this meeting, after the devotional exercises are over, the teachers of the respective departments prepare what we term a co-operative outline. This enables them to thoroughly prepare themselves upon the subject matter to be presented to the children on the Sunday following. We are in perfect harmony, I believe, with the Union Board, aiming to carry out their instructions, seeking with the help of the Lord to establish the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the hearts and minds of the children. May the Lord help us to this end, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Professor John J. McClellan then rendered on the organ "Andantino" (To My Wife), by Lemaire.
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Weber Stake, said:
I am pleased to report, my brethren and sisters, that there are thirty-one Sunday schools in the Weber Stake of Zion, fully organized. Twenty-six members constitute the Weber Stake Sunday School Union board. We have organized a union meeting, which meets on the second Sunday in each month. We also have what we call a local board meeting or a meeting where the officers and teachers of the local schools meet together with the idea of preparation in mind. That is, each teacher brings an individual outline. At this meeting, after the devotional exercises are over, the teachers of the respective departments prepare what we term a co-operative outline. This enables them to thoroughly prepare themselves upon the subject matter to be presented to the children on the Sunday following. We are in perfect harmony, I believe, with the Union Board, aiming to carry out their instructions, seeking with the help of the Lord to establish the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the hearts and minds of the children. May the Lord help us to this end, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Professor John J. McClellan then rendered on the organ "Andantino" (To My Wife), by Lemaire.
ELDER JAMES H. TAGGART,
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Morgan Stake, said:
My brethren and sisters, in reporting the Morgan Stake, I can say that we are and have been patterning after the Weber and other stakes. Besides the instructions we have received from the General Superintendency, we have received instructions from Superintendent Evans and his assistants. We have also had some members of our board visit Cache, Millard, Boxelder, Weber, Davis and Summit Stakes; and have been benefitted by the good points which we have found therein. Our Sunday schools in the Morgan Stake are a grand success, and though we are a small stake, we feel that we shall be able to make a good mark. We are proud to say that we are all united as a band of brethren and sisters. Our worst difficulty is the trouble we have in getting the young men in our Sunday school. We are all laboring to that end, and are succeeding very well. Our local board meetings are a success, but I am sorry to say that in some wards we have not as yet been successful in getting them started, but where they have been started they are working satisfactorily. I pray the Lord to bless us all and our labors in the Morgan Stake, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Superintendent of Sunday schools of the Morgan Stake, said:
My brethren and sisters, in reporting the Morgan Stake, I can say that we are and have been patterning after the Weber and other stakes. Besides the instructions we have received from the General Superintendency, we have received instructions from Superintendent Evans and his assistants. We have also had some members of our board visit Cache, Millard, Boxelder, Weber, Davis and Summit Stakes; and have been benefitted by the good points which we have found therein. Our Sunday schools in the Morgan Stake are a grand success, and though we are a small stake, we feel that we shall be able to make a good mark. We are proud to say that we are all united as a band of brethren and sisters. Our worst difficulty is the trouble we have in getting the young men in our Sunday school. We are all laboring to that end, and are succeeding very well. Our local board meetings are a success, but I am sorry to say that in some wards we have not as yet been successful in getting them started, but where they have been started they are working satisfactorily. I pray the Lord to bless us all and our labors in the Morgan Stake, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER JOSIAH H. BURROWS,
Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Salt Lake Stake, said:
There are forty-one Sunday schools in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, having a total membership of some 10,199. Our increase during the past year was 944. So the remarks of Assistant General Superintendent Reynolds certainly do not apply to the Salt Lake Stake in regard to the matter of increase.
Our Stake Sunday School Union Board was organized last November. It consists of 19 members, four of whom are sisters. We are proud of our Stake board, and feel that its members are working together as nicely as possible for the advancement of the interests of the Sunday schools. The superintendency meet generally twice a month in council meeting. The Stake board also meets twice a month. We visit the schools, on an average, about once in six weeks, and enjoy our labors to a very marked degree. Two special points we have been concentrating upon during the last year—the importance of superintendents holding regular monthly council meetings, and also of holding the officers and teachers' 9:45 prayer meeting. I am pleased to state that all of the schools in the stake, with the exception of two or three, observe this prayer meeting, and the number of superintendents who have acted upon the suggestion to hold regular council meetings is increasing.
We are impressed with the importance of missionary work in this Stake of Zion; and notwithstanding that five Sunday schools were organized last year and one this year, we still feel that there IS opportunity in several wards for the organization of branch or cottage Sunday schools, whereby the children can be brought together, without being compelled to go such great distances.
We have adopted the method of classifying the Stake work among several committees of the Stake board. We have one committee known as the committee on appointments, conferences, branch schools and missionary work, another on lessons and school work, another on grade, discipline, special features, anniversaries, etc., another on Sunday school choristers and music, and still another on secretaries, libraries and janitors. Since the organization, four of them have gone to work, and we have been giving the subjects presented by these committees as careful consideration as our experience and judgment enable us to do.
We feel that we are now entering upon a very important period of growth of the Sunday school work. With the adoption of the "Outlines" and of more systematic methods we feel that there is a promising period before us. We desire to be" united with the general Sunday school board and to carry out the instructions received from them.
We labored last year to make our Sunday school conference a success, and while it required considerable drilling and labor, we think it repaid our efforts. We are now trying, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, to have the Sunday schools hold annual Sunday school ward conferences, and we have already taken part in a number of these conferences. The preparation that is made enables the schools to make progress, it enables the officers to see what is being done, and it is beneficial in many ways.
I appreciate very much the responsibility that rests upon me in connection with my associates. We are working in perfect harmony and are striving to cultivate the spirit of our calling. We feel that It is a field that is worthy of every sacrifice and effort that we can put forth. May the Lord bless one and all, from the General Superintendent to the least that may be engaged in the Sunday school work, to the glory of our Father in Heaven, and in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sister Lottie Owen then sang, "Calvary."
Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Salt Lake Stake, said:
There are forty-one Sunday schools in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, having a total membership of some 10,199. Our increase during the past year was 944. So the remarks of Assistant General Superintendent Reynolds certainly do not apply to the Salt Lake Stake in regard to the matter of increase.
Our Stake Sunday School Union Board was organized last November. It consists of 19 members, four of whom are sisters. We are proud of our Stake board, and feel that its members are working together as nicely as possible for the advancement of the interests of the Sunday schools. The superintendency meet generally twice a month in council meeting. The Stake board also meets twice a month. We visit the schools, on an average, about once in six weeks, and enjoy our labors to a very marked degree. Two special points we have been concentrating upon during the last year—the importance of superintendents holding regular monthly council meetings, and also of holding the officers and teachers' 9:45 prayer meeting. I am pleased to state that all of the schools in the stake, with the exception of two or three, observe this prayer meeting, and the number of superintendents who have acted upon the suggestion to hold regular council meetings is increasing.
We are impressed with the importance of missionary work in this Stake of Zion; and notwithstanding that five Sunday schools were organized last year and one this year, we still feel that there IS opportunity in several wards for the organization of branch or cottage Sunday schools, whereby the children can be brought together, without being compelled to go such great distances.
We have adopted the method of classifying the Stake work among several committees of the Stake board. We have one committee known as the committee on appointments, conferences, branch schools and missionary work, another on lessons and school work, another on grade, discipline, special features, anniversaries, etc., another on Sunday school choristers and music, and still another on secretaries, libraries and janitors. Since the organization, four of them have gone to work, and we have been giving the subjects presented by these committees as careful consideration as our experience and judgment enable us to do.
We feel that we are now entering upon a very important period of growth of the Sunday school work. With the adoption of the "Outlines" and of more systematic methods we feel that there is a promising period before us. We desire to be" united with the general Sunday school board and to carry out the instructions received from them.
We labored last year to make our Sunday school conference a success, and while it required considerable drilling and labor, we think it repaid our efforts. We are now trying, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, to have the Sunday schools hold annual Sunday school ward conferences, and we have already taken part in a number of these conferences. The preparation that is made enables the schools to make progress, it enables the officers to see what is being done, and it is beneficial in many ways.
I appreciate very much the responsibility that rests upon me in connection with my associates. We are working in perfect harmony and are striving to cultivate the spirit of our calling. We feel that It is a field that is worthy of every sacrifice and effort that we can put forth. May the Lord bless one and all, from the General Superintendent to the least that may be engaged in the Sunday school work, to the glory of our Father in Heaven, and in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sister Lottie Owen then sang, "Calvary."
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH,
General Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Church, said:
I desire to say just a few words. The benefit of our Sunday school work to our children and the rising generation cannot, I think, be too highly regarded by the Latter-day Saints, and more especially by those who are rearing children, and who desire to have their children brought up and to grow up in the way they should go.
One of our brethren, reporting his labors as stake superintendent of Sunday schools, made a remark something like this, that they had everything in
[The last page of the report was missing.]
General Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Church, said:
I desire to say just a few words. The benefit of our Sunday school work to our children and the rising generation cannot, I think, be too highly regarded by the Latter-day Saints, and more especially by those who are rearing children, and who desire to have their children brought up and to grow up in the way they should go.
One of our brethren, reporting his labors as stake superintendent of Sunday schools, made a remark something like this, that they had everything in
[The last page of the report was missing.]