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Show STAKE CONFERENCE. Held in the Tabernacle Sunday and Monday. THE BISHOPS' REPORTS. Mrmuoi by Irt. CI"". Kid" Hubert. Apotl Cnm.n, Blutaoi. Whitney. Aptl Souw ami Other-. The Quarterly Conference of the Box Elder Stake of Zion was held in the Tabernacle Sunday and Monday. Mon-day. As usual, on these occasions, the building was filled to overflowing. overflow-ing. Sunday morning there were present on theBtand.LorenzoSnow, President of the Twelve Apostles; Apostle Geo. Q. Cannon; Bishop Orson F. Whitney; Elder B. H. Roberts; Stake President Rudger Clawson; Stake Counselor Charles Kelly; Patriarch Samuel Smith; Elders W. L. Watkins, M. L. Ensign, En-sign, J. Jeppson. P. F. Madson. Crandal Dunn and Bishop Neely. Meeting called to order by Prest. Uudger Clawbon. Singing by the Choir. Prayer by Elder David Booth. Bishop Carl Jensen of Bear River City, said the people of the settlement settle-ment over which he presided felt well and were united. For years thiB little community, which now numbers eighty families, lias struggled against adverse circumstances circum-stances to found a city. The people peo-ple are at present rejoicing that the water of Bear River has been brought to their land. Said the various organizations of the Church in Bear River City were in a good spirit of God, that the words spoken may reach your hearts and be re-i re-i membered. How beautiful it is to 'listen to expressions illuminated by the spirit! without it all we can say of the remarks of a highly educated person, is that his language lan-guage is good. The presidency of the Stake take pleasure in visiting the various wards. We find a general disposition among the people peo-ple to attend Sabbath meeting , and partake of the Lord's Supper. It is important that Saints partake of this ordinance worthily. We are required to be active in the work of the Lord there is much to do temples and tabernacles to erect; the poor to he brought from the nations of the earth and other works. Another duty wish to' bring befure the Saints is that they support and foster our Stake Academy. Acad-emy. We have endeavored to make it a useful and popular institution. insti-tution. Ttis the duty of theSaintsof Zion to sustain that institution, where their children can be brought up in the nurture of the principles of the Gospel. The terras, too, are phenomenally low. Send your children there; we will endeavor to have the spirit of God thrown about them an influence that will preserve them from the evils of this life. Sufficient attention is not paid by parents to the welfare of the young children; they should be well looked after. We are also admonished to see that they are baptized when they reach the age of tight years. There is a propensity propen-sity among some of our young men to indulge in intoxicants and to take the name of the Deity in vain. Our young men can not but know that it is wrong and contrary to the spirit and genius of the Gospel. that the Mormons are a peculiar people." This led me to reflect on the things that make us a peculiar people: In the first place, there is our absolute faith in God. All Christians profess a belief in God, but our faith is different; to them He is an abstraction, to us God is a grand reality. We live in an age when there areliving witnesses to Him and His attributes; we do not have to depend on the statements state-ments of musty volumes made venerable by age. This knowledge know-ledge makes our faith broader and deeper. Above all things let us not lose this peculiarity. We believe that God takes, an active interest in the welfare of his children, child-ren, and presides over their destinies desti-nies today, as he did thousands of years ago. We believe in spiritual gifts ana revelations at the present time. Repentance with us does not consist merely of sorrow for sin. but includes forsaking of sin to which wc attach more importance. impor-tance. The world pays little attention at-tention to babtisin; they have changed its form' and its object. The laying on of hands is another peculiarity. The sobriety of our communities is another item. We have been remarkably free from intemperance. It is also the case in the use of tobacco. We do not want to get rid of these peculiarities, do we? The deep regard for virtue shown by this people is another peculiarity. It may sound egotistical egotis-tical hut I say truly here in these mountains among this people a deeper regard for virtue of both men and women is to be found, than anywhere else under the sunlight sun-light of heaven. We are to a remarkable re-markable extent free from social sins. These simple principles will connected with the Church i thie: it is not left with the President Presi-dent of the Church, or the First Presidency, or the Twelve, or the Stake Presidency, etc., to receive all revelations, but every member of the Church, however humble, even to little children, are entitled to revelation from God. I can testify from personal experience that revelation is not confined to a few prominent members of the Church. No man or woman can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost without the spirit of revelation also. It may be that those who have leceived this talent do not feel the full force of what they have received. They may not be aware of the full extent of the power of the gift that has been bestowed be-stowed upon them. There are different kinds of manifestations. Some receive the gift of wisdom ; some the gift of discernment of of spirits, prophecy, faith, hope and charity. These gifts are dispersed throughout the Churchy but there is one general gift which we all receive: re-ceive: the gift of revelation. It becomes a source of knowledge , of the mind and will of God. These gifts are distributed in the Church today and every member should seek for those which are best suited to his or her wants. We all have imperfections of character, and should seek for gifts adapted to . our capacities or organizations. The spirit of revelation has been a constant flowing stream to the President of the Church, the Apostles and the members. The stream has never ceased to flow from the days the Church was organized down to the present time. There never has been a minute of cessation of the stream of condition. Bishop A. A. Jansen of the Third ward, said the members of his ward were united, and were endeavoring to live up to the principles of the Gospel. Felt to bear his testimony to the truth of this work. Had received the- Gospel many years ago in a foreign country and rejoiced re-joiced in it at all times. Bishop Thomas Harper of the North ward, had a desire to worship God in the way that He had designed. de-signed. It ib a hard trial to many to bring themselves into subjection to the Priesthood, or to make God's will their will. The people of the North ward are a good people; if they have a fault, it is that they are too wealthy; they take up too much time in taking care of their wealth. President Rudger CUwson: I trust that I may be guided by the , I rejoice to meet with you and feel sanguine that this will be one of the most interesting of our Conferences. Con-ferences. Elder B. II. Roberts: The circumstances cir-cumstances by which we are surrounded sur-rounded require that we should consider the foundation principles of our faith. I am well aware of the fact that many regard them as simple, but they are the things that will effect our prosperty both spiritually and temporally. The Lord operates through simple means and so accomplishes his great designs. Religion has need I to be simple as it concerns the simple as well as the wise; the small and the great, and the unlearned un-learned aa well as the learned. In conversation with one whom we might term, a "progressive" young man, he remarked that "we should do something to get rid of the idea make us "a peculiar people, zealous zeal-ous of good works." The choir sang the anthem, "Go Forth Ye Heralds." Benediction, by Bishop 0. A. Perry of Three Mile Creek. SUNDAY AFTEKNOON. Meeting called to order by Prest. Clawson. Singing. Prayer by Bishop J. C. Dewey. Singing. Sacrament Sac-rament administered. Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon then delivered de-livered a sermon, in course of which he said: We have had good instructions in-structions so far at this Conference and I have been pleased with the spirit that has prevailed. We have been told this morning about the Church believing in revelation. If we did not believe in receiving revelation we would not be the Church of Christ. A grand feature revelation since I have beon in the Church and I do not think previous; previ-ous; not been a minute during which the spirit of God has ceased. That is as true aB God lives and that I am now here speaking to you. There never has been a moment that the voice of revelation revela-tion has ceased in the Church whether in the days of Joseph. Brigham, John, or Woodruff. To those who tremble today I will say to you: Let not your hearts be troubled. The Lord is presiding over this work and will continue to. He has not withdrawn with-drawn His power and never will. Some fear at what happened at the late Conference. It wa.s not done for policy or that wc might get along with man, but to carry out the designs of God. The speaker then concluded his remarks by But a love for reading good books should be cultivated. There has been nothing written more interesting inter-esting and fascinating than the Book of Mormon, the Bible and other religious works. I would love to talk to the Saints, if y talking I could encourage them to an increased love tor Ciod; if I could teach them that there is no great good or happiness that God will withold if we listen to Him. We should give heed to that still, small voice s peaki ng w it h in us. Satan is constantly offering his blandishments and allurements to i lead us astray. Brothers and sisters, sis-ters, let us obey God and be to Him like clay in the hands of the potter. Then may we dwell with Him in the eternal heavens, is my prayer. Amen. Bishop Jensen of Mantua and ! Patriarch Samuel Smith made short, interesting remarks. The choir sang the anthem. ''The Lord Reigneth." Benediction, by Elder Justin Wixom. MONDAY AFTERNOON. Singing by the choir. Prayer by Crandal Dunn. Singing. Erastus 1). Meechem was sustained sus-tained as a patriarch of Box Elder Stake. Wm. H. Meechem was sustained as bishop of Park Valley. Hans C. Christiansen was sustained sus-tained as first counselor of the Second Chorum of Elders. Mrs. M. J. Snow was released from the position of organist. Apostle Lorenzo Snow arose and said: We have received important instructions during this Conference.-I Conference.-I could not do better, if I had the retentive memory, than to repeat what has been given. I tind in reading good books the second time, I gather important ideas that were lost in the first perusal. But I have not a sufficiently powerful power-ful memory, and depend for what J shows that though we have faults and weaknesses, still by faithfulness faithful-ness and adhesion to the truth, we may reach exaltation as he did. But undoubtedly we shall have to gutter for sins, but that must not cause us to lose faith. In Joseph Smith's time the people found fault with the prophet; and we read in the Doctrine and Covenants that the Lord justifies Joseph, saying that he will .require sacrifices at his hands. No doubt Joseph did things that it would have been better had he not done; so with Noah and the Apostle Paul. Had Paul lived in our day. we woulo have considered him a very wicked man; on one occasion, he was on his way to Jerusalem, with his pockets full of warrants for the ; arrest of the Saints, both men and women. But when His servants repent of their wrong doings, the Lord will forgive seventy limes seven; and forever and forever, as long as man has weaknesses IIo will extend mercy towards him. If all men are eventually to be saved, what then is the use of all this anxiety and trouble, some may say. There are vastly different, degrees of glory in the kingdom of our God. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are now Gods. We are told that Father Smith, the Patriarch, is at His right hand. This glory it is for us to attain. May we so live and order our lives, that we may be worthy to etand in the presence of God, and receive the glory he has prepared is my prayer. Amen. Counselor Chas. Kelly gave an interesting account of the visit of the presidency through Box Elder stake. Referred in particular to the faith enjoyed by the people in the far western settlements. The choir sang the anthem, "I Will Lift up Mine Eyes." Benediction, Bene-diction, by Elder P. F. Madson. admonishing the young to bechaBte find virtuous and all to refrain from 1 lie use of stimulants. ; Bishop O. F. Whitney was the next speaker. He said: We murmur mur-mur and complain because of the sorrows and miseries of this life, and ourcountenancesarecast down. We lose our encouragement and feel to despond. We sometimes think that if we had the ruling of the universe and our will was being be-ing done, tilings would be different. Col. Ingersoll said, speaking of the trials, sorrows and miseries of the world: ''If I were God and could not make a better world than tins, I would not consider that I was worthy of being worshiped and adored." Doubtless this finds an echo in many men's hearts. Some people think all our sorrow and pain is of our own making, and God lends no hand in causing men to suffer. Wo know by Adam's transgression and Mother Eve's yielding to temptation, that sorrow was brought upon the world. We believe that the fall of Adam was foreordained and that he fell' that man might be. Mother Eve rejoiced re-joiced when she had yielded, for had there been no violation, there would have been no posterity. i Adam had the Gospel that is now called Mormonism. Noah had this Gospel and preached it to the world, but it was rejected. Abraham Abra-ham and Moses had this Gosr el and strove hard to bring the people back into the presence of God by it. We came as' Jesus came: not to do our own will, but the will of our heavenly Father. It is not to be supposed that the Lord is coming to each one of us every time we expect, and explain things. We need not all expect that we are going to see the Father and receive visits from angels. But God has His prophets and priesthood to whom He reveals. His will. We caine to this earth to pass through all kinds of experiences and to become great and more like God. It i by denying self, being patient and seeking to do the work of God that we become great. The course of truth is ever upward; if we cling to it it will carry us up with it. If we cling to that whose course iB downward, it will carry us down with it The choir sang an anthem and benediction was offered by Elder W. L. Watkins. Monday morning. Singing by the choir. Prayer by Patriarch Burbanks. Singing. Apostle Geo. Q. Cannon: I would not arise to speak if thought I would not have the assistance of the spirit of Gcd. That of teacher is a responsible position: for it is a serious thing to misguide or to preach as doctrine that which is not of God. Therefore we should all come prepared to receive the word of God and be open to its promptings. The Latter-day Saints have a claim upon .God, if they keep his commandments. God is bound in a sacred manner by his own promises; our God is a God of truth, and the Saints can rely upon Him with unbounded confidence. confi-dence. A remarkable instance of God's power is shown in the history histo-ry of the sons of Mosiah contained in the Book of Mormon. Here we see how God's promises can be relied re-lied upon to the uttermost; it is one of the most powerful illustrations illustra-tions on record. We should be so close in communion with God, that we can go to Him with the confidence confi-dence of a child in its earthly parent. pa-rent. We are situated as no other people on earth, and it is our duty to live by faith, for we can not expect ex-pect to prosper unless we do live by this principle. We can gain this by knowing God. We should not approach Him with long prayers pray-ers of a set form. I think many fathers drive their children from religion by their formality. In family gatherings and public meetings meet-ings elders should use wisdom in the length of their prayers and sermons. ser-mons. Pray with your hearts and in earnestness. Joseph Smith advised advis-ed short prayers and short sermons. Mothers, teach your children to pray, and tell them it is their privilege priv-ilege to have a testimony of the truth of the Gospel. We can not bestow too much attention on the i education of our children. ThiB j Church and people, are assuming I prominence, and our children will I require a higher education in order I to move in the sphere to which they will be called. There will be a place for every young man in which to exercise his talents no matter how great they may be. God desires to make of us a great. people; if we are pliant and obedient. obedi-ent. He will also bestow great wealth when we arc prepared to receive it. The most liberal men in the Church, whether liberal with their time or means, are those who have been most prospered of God. Elders who have left their families in going on missions, will testify that their wants have been supplied, and on their return they were abundantly blessed. The or-! ganization and qualities of this Church are what will always and are now attracting the attention of the world. The prophecy, "He that will not lake up his sword against his neighW, must needs flee to Ziun." will be fulfilled. The probity and honesty of our people are becoming known. We are a simple, unsophisticated people, peo-ple, and do not know of the extent to which corruption exists in the world. Let us be Latter-day Saints in deed as well as in name. Hone Mormon takcB a wrong course, the whole people must bear the odium; we are judged in this way as no other people. Care should be taken tak-en as to what books are given to young people. Too much fiction is not a healthy diet for the mind. may be led to say, on your faith and prayers as I pass on. I find in reflecting on life, that this world iB short compared with eternity; that our intelligence, the divinity j within us. has always existed, v;is never created, and will always exist through all eternity. In view of these facts, it becomes us as intelligent beings, to realize that this life closes in a few days, then comes the life which is eternal; and in proportion as we have kept commandments, we have the advantage ad-vantage of those who failed to make those improvements. Many wonder and become despondent over the question, how can we, feeble creatures of the dust, subject to all temptation, how can wc anti- i cipate an advancement to glory j and exaltation? Is it not a chimera 1 of the brain? Is there any founda- j tion for this hope? In answering ! this question, I will trace the his- , tory of a man we have all read i i about, one who had affections, j I follies and difficulties to strive against; the history of Nuah's life |