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Show QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. The regular quarterly conference of Cache Valley Stake of Zion convened in Logan Tabernacle at 10 a.m. on Saturday the 7th last. During the conference the Saints were favored with the presence of and addresses from president Joseph F. Smith; Apostles Lorenzo Snow and Moses Thatcher, Counselor D.H. Wells, and Elders G.W. Penrose and J.F. Wells. There were also in attendance at the conference Presidents Wm. [William] B. Preston, and C.O. Card, and many of the Bishop's [Bishops] and prominent elders of the Stake, and from elsewhere. On the whole the conference was very interesting and profitable. The discourses were characterized by plainness, vigor, power, appropriateness to the present condition of the Saints, and the wrapt [rapt] attention given by the congregation showed that the good words spoken were finding lodgement [lodgment]. Our synopsis of the discourses do but poor justice to them, though they show what the leading topics were and in what spirit they were treated. SATURDAY, 10 A.M. The forenoon was largely consumed in the rendering of verbal reports by bishops, and the statistical report by the clerk. About half the Bishops of the Stake reported their wards, and, without exception the reports were favorable, most of them very much so, indicating a time of general peace and prosperity throughout the Stake. When the reports were all in President Wm. [William] B. Preston arose to report this stake of Zion. He was pleased with the Bishops reports, though not nearly all of the Bishops of this Stake had reported on account of a lack of time. There were 27 Bishops in this Stake, and they generally bore themselves as fathers rather than as rulers of the people. It would be well for Bishops to keep their wards, the quorums, society, &c., therein, well organized and in thorough working order, for where this is the case there is a better spirit and condition of things. Last winter there was quite a disposition on the part of our youth to indulge too much in round dancing, contrary to the counsel of the servants of God, and an improvement in this respect was desired. Young men should marry and thus fulfill a great obligation. Our brethren should try to find employment at home rather than to scatter their energies abroad on railroads, &c. The effect of working on the railroad was apt to be bad on the morals of our young men. There is need for more missionary work in this Stake than we have been having. Some of the Bishops take too much labor and responsibility upon themselves. If they would divide their cares among the teachers, such as looking after this and [?] the condition of the people spiritually, &c., it would be better. Missionaries [unreadable] called from this stake, and we have many young men who are well-fitted for this work, and many elders who are willing to go at any time. It had been suggested that we establish a missionary fund to assist missionaries to go, or to help their families in their absence, and it would be a most excellent thing to establish this fund. As elders and saints we can all do better in the future, with the aid of our experience than we have in the past. The speaker hoped the saints of Logan would invite home to dinner the Saints in the country. Singing. Benediction by Elder J.P. Wells. SATURDAY 2 P.M. Opening exercises. Prayer by Elder James A Leishman. Counselor D.H. Wells addressed the Saints. He was pleased to meet with the Saints in Logan, as he had not done so for several years. He was pleased at the good condition of the people as reported this forenoon. The efforts of our enemies are a testimony that the work of God is progressing. The disposition to destroy this work is as strong in the hearts of some as it ever was, but their efforts tended to unite us and make us more faithful. It seems that such a condition of things is necessary to keep us in remembrance. It is necessary to unite us, and keep our duties before us. The Saints of this Temple district have done a good work in building the temple here, though not quite as well as was promised when the ground was first broken. It now looks, however, as though it would be completed and the Saints could work in it before the enemy would be able to do anything to prevent it. As the people gain strength and power they may expect the adversary to do the same. The enemy seeks to wean [?] the Saints from a love of the gospel, and to lead the youth away from its influence. There are influences at work to cause our youth to think that one religion is about as good as another, and this is to be feared more than a martial army. It is not in times of great difficulty and adversity that Saints are most apt to apostatise [apostatize], but in times of peace, plenty, and abundance, such as we are now having, for then we are apt to forget God. The belief is spreading that the youth of this people are not receiving the faith of their fathers, and that, when the older portion of the people are passed away "Mormonism" will die. It is much to be regretted that in Salt Lake, and perhaps other places there is a portion of the youth who are not growing up in the gospel, but they are few in comparison. Still, if there are any young people among us who are not believing the gospel, there are too many. How many of us have a testimony that our sins are forgiven? If we have sincerely repented and obeyed the gospel, we are entitled to this testimony. To know God is life eternal, and by parity of reasoning, if we do not know Him we have not eternal life. We as Saints know that God is our Father and that Jesus is our brother. The scripture so states, but we did not know it till Joseph Smith taught it, nor do the worldly know it to day. Thus the gospel has brought us a knowledge of God and of His Son Jesus Christ. It has taught us how to regain the presence of God. The gospel is open to be received by all, but the tendency of the age is to a disbelief in God and the scriptures. The speaker had had an argument with a man who believed that man sprang from a molecule. He asked this individual if he ever had a father. He replied, "Certainly." "Did your father have a father?" "Yes," "That will do then," said Elder Wells. "If neither you nor your father sprang from a molecule, how can you prove that any of your ancestors did? There certainly was never a son who did not have a father." The gentleman confessed that he never heard anyone argue in that manner before. The first testimony Joseph Smith received was that God lived, but the world do not know it. God has a purpose in creating this world and placing us upon it. It was to afford us a probation, but while we are in the flesh we may commune with God by the principles of the gospel. When a man joins the church he ought to devote himself, all he has and all he expects to have, to the work. We should consider it a most inestimable privilege to do this, and to know how best to serve the Lord. The Lord has determined to have a self-sustaining people, and he will raise up a people who will be entirely independent. The Lord will not give us the kingdom until we cease giving to the devil that which He gives to us. When the kingdom of God is established all will be protected in their rights of worship, whether they be Christians or [unreadable]. With this people alone can be found the plan of salvation. The speaker could wish that the young would search elsewhere for it; and investigate the foundation upon which this church is founded. The very existence of this people today is a testimony that God is with them. It was predicted that in the last days the sun should be darkened. This had lately taken place. People said, "No, that darkness was caused by fires in Michigan." No matter, it was a fulfillment of prophesy [prophecy]. Again the prophet has said the sea should heave beyond its bounds. This had lately occurred on the coast of Texas, where the sea had risen and drowned out several towns. It seems as though, however, that the people were determined not to believe. Sometimes Saints would say, "O, if we could only see such miracles here in Zion as we used to in our branch in the old country." The fact is, as many and as great miracles are being shown here as ever were in the world, and the reason why it seems otherwise is because we have become so accustomed to what we used to call miracles that we take them as a matter of course. The question is asked, "Why don't we have more revelation?" We may all receive revelations for our own government, guidance and instruction. How much more labor or means would we devote to the work of God, if we should have more revelation and the consequent increase of responsibility? If a thing is revealed and you cannot see it at once, and it comes from a proper source, let the matter rest, and pray about it, in the meantime holding fast to what you do know, and by and by all will come right. Don't deny what you know is true because something is presented that you cannot understand. Singing. Benediction by Apostle Moses Thatcher. SUNDAY 10 A.M. Opening exercises. Prayer by Elder Junius F. Wells. Stake Clerk James A. Leishman read a report of the donations to the Temple. Prest. [President] Preston presented the report, which was unanimously accepted. Apostle Lorenzo Snow addressed the Saints. Was much pleased with the reports of the Bishops yesterday, and with the instructions given. Was also much pleased with the report of the donations of Cache Valley Stake to the Temple. Yesterday President Preston had spoken of the practice of round dancing, so extensively engaged in by the young. Where the speaker resided he had used his influence to provide the young with amusements, both dancing and the drama, and, after the circular of Prest. [President] Young relating to round dancing had been issued, the sugject was discussed by the Y.M. [Young Men's] and Y.L.M.I.A. [Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Assocation], and these voted to dispense with round dancing. A conference of Box Elder Stake passed a similar vote. But after Prest. Taylor had given permission to indulge to a small extent in round dancing, there was a disposition to begin it again, but again the subject was presented to the Saints of the Stake, and the former resolution was readopted. Another subject demanding consideration was that of furnishing the people employment at home. It is one of the most important that can engage our attention. There are in Logan several cooperative institutions, and though they may not be conducted exactly in accordance with the principles of the United Order, it is the privilege of managers thereof to approach the United Order in the managment [management] of those institutions as nearly as their wisdom will permit. We may have an indefinite number of United Orders among the people and all will be well if they are all established and conducted on right principles. No such an institution should be established in a Stake without the consent of the Presidency of the Stake. There was a United Order established in Kirtland, and another in Jackson county and another in the town of Thompson. In Thompson the people were to be so organized as to preserve their means for themselves, and this was a patern [pattern] for the establishment of the United Order in other places, and in all the churches. In a certain revelation the Lord says that the Saints of Kirtland shall organize under the name of the United Order of Kirtland, while the Saints in Jackson county were to organize under the name of the United Order of Zion. One of the great objects of this Order is the furnishing of employment to the Saints, and one of its principles is a perpetual consecration of the profits arising to the Saints. Many of the Saints in their native countries were too poor, and had too little employment to be able to provide their families with sufficient food. But now they are in possession of abundance. If we will only feel that the wealth we hold is possessed by us only as the stewards of the Lord, there would be little danger of our apostetizing [apostatizing] through wealth. It is scarcely a month since the Saints of this Temple district were asked if they would like to donate fifty cents for each member of their families, to have the names of all recorded on the books of the Temple, and the people were pleased with the idea, and they are responding generously. Now such things as these pertain to the principles of the United Order, and are preparing us for it. Many calls are made upon us, but they all tend to enlarge our generosity, and are great blessing to us. We will be very greatly blessed in the practice of these principles of generosity and liberality. In the Kirtland temple Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in his glory, a glory which we may share if we will make our calling and election sure. The speaker knew and conversed with men who had seen Jesus. But was this eternal life to him? No. The knowledge necessary to eternal life comes by the power of the Holy Ghost and the testimony of this Spirit to the understanding is far more effectual than any physical testimony. Lyman Johnson, once one of the Twelve, made a vow to go into the forest, and to never leave it until he had received the ministry of an holy angel. He received the blessing he sought, and so testified before thousands, and yet he apostatized. Singing. Benediction by Elder R.G. Lambert. SUNDAY, 2 P.M. Opening exercises. Prayer by Prest. C.O. Card. Sacrament administered by the Bishopric of the Logan 1st Ward. President W.B. Preston read a report of the Y.L.M.I.A. and desired the Bishops of wards where the young ladies were not organized, to have it done as soon as could be. He then presented the general authorities of the church and of this Stake of Zion, all of whom were unanimously sustained. The only changes were Lyman R. Martineau was sustained as Superintendent of the Y.M.M.I.A. with Seth A. Langton and Frank A. Benson as his first and second assistants. Counsellor [Counselor] C.O. Card then presented the missionaries of this stake, with their respective circuits, who were all sustained unanimously. Apostle Moses Thatcher said it had been just one year since he last addressed the Saints here. In that time he had passed through many scenes, some pleasant and others trying. He rejoiced to be with the people of God, and he always tried to appreciate associations with them. He was glad to see the saints enjoying the blessings of the heaven, and his heart rejoiced to see the willingness of the Saints to build houses to the name of the Lord. While we are sending forth missionaries to the nations, the great work of the Latter-day Saints consists in preparing their children to perform the work that lies before them. We have been gathered from many nations with different ideas of government and religion, but we are here to become one people. If we are one people, then are we they for whom Jesus prayed. Our hearts should be cemented together in the bonds of love. When the child begins to learn the gospel its mission has commenced, but when the youth and maiden approach the alter [altar] of matrimony, they have commenced to lay a foundation for a future exaltation. And yet how many young men and women take this step without seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Parents should teach their children concerning these things, for in the marriage relation lies the Key of the Godhead. It is a matter of infinite importance, reaching into eternity. And yet some young people still go to a justice of the peace or some elder who has no authority to seal, to be married. The sudden taking away of the life of a young man at Franklin lately who had been married to a young sister by a justice of the peace, had impressed these matters upon the speaker's mind. It might be asked, will not a brother or other relative of the deceased act for him in a Temple? Perhaps they may, but this will not excuse our carelessness and negligence while living. We are the people of God. How happy we might and ought to be! But we can only be happy by living near the Lord, and by being kind to each other. We as elders have no right to become so engrossed in the care of the world as to neglect our wives and children. Elder C.W. Penrose was pleased to meet with so many of his old friends, and with the Saints of this Stake. We have heard much good instruction at this conference, and I wish I could remember all I hear, read and think. Perhaps sometimes the Spirit may resurrect the things we have heard, and that be in memory's store house. We should listen with plastic minds and a desire to retain the good things taught unto us. If we could only remember and carry out all we hear, what a mighty people we would be! The work of our lives is to learn the will of God and to do it. But in so doing we are not deprived of working for the necessities of life. But if we seek after the glory of God first, all other things are ours and will be added. The time has been in Logan when the people could not have donated 50 cents a head. There was not that much money among the people. But now times are changed and the people have become comparatively wealthy. The Temple looms up as evidence of the faith of the people, and the people are manifesting faith. The time will never come in this life when the Lord will say we have done enough. We are here to develope [develop] the powers of the Godhead that are in us, so that we may become like God our heavenly father. While we are organized as a church, and have a work to do, as a church, each of us has a work to perform as an individual, to train, discipline and sanctify ourselves. It is required of us to believe that we may possess sufficient of the Holy Spirit to enable us to put away the evil that exists. There are those who think, if they can avoid donations or paying tithing, they make so much. But such people are foolish. It is a privilege for us to devote our means to the kingdom of God, even as it is a privilege for the people of the world to obtain a remission of their sins by baptism. All things are ours if we will be faithful, and if we can comprehend what God possesses, we can comprehend the reward that will be bestowed upon the faithful. In giving us what He possesses, God will lose nothing for the material in the universe is inexhaustible, and duration is endless and space is boundless, hence there is room for all intelligences to spread abroad. If we want more revelation, let us life up to what we have already received. Just as soon as Israel is prepared for it, the United Order will come in clearness and plainness, and all Saints who possess the spirit and faith of the gospel will receive it. Marriage was a text given the conference, and the reports of marriages in this Stake for the past quarter was small. We have a marriage system revealed from God, and we ought to carry it out. Marriages not in conformity thereto are in reality null and void. Parents should teach their children concerning the relations of the sexes, things that cannot be taught in a public, that their children may not grow up in hurtful ignorance. President Joseph F. Smith arose to occupy the remaining few minutes of the time. It is a peculiar fact that there is no legally constituted authority in Utah to solemnize secular marriages, unless implied in the law of 1882. A marriage by a justice of the peace is no more legal than a contract by the parties themselves. We are building a temple here that marriages may be performed according to the law of God, so that the people may receive the ordinance of the house of God, near their homes and without having to travel a long distance. The subject of marriage is one of supreme importance, and it is right for the young to enter that state, and where they live to be old bachelors and old maids, there is something radically wrong. Neither man nor woman will even love [?] their identity, and the ordinance of marriage is designed to be as eternal as our existence. If we would inherit all things, we must live so as to be worthy of them. We cannot do too much for the interests of Zion. We cannot sacrifice anything for the gospel's sake. Such a thing is not possible. A real sacrifice would be to part with the kingdom of God, and its blessings. To part with property, wives, children or even life, is not a sacrifice, for by parting with these for the gospel's sake, we would secure to ourselves all things. It is no more a sacrifice than to sow seed and reap an hundred fold. We have nothing to sacrifice. All we possess belongs to God, and will until God gives us something. We do possess certain things, however, that God has given us, among them the right to use the authority of the priesthood and to act in the manner of the Lord; the right to bind on earth that it may be bound in heaven. What is this power worth? Is it not worth all that is in the world? If as elders we could and should exchange this right for a world, we would be the losers. God has given me wives and children. They are mine. God has made me their head. When a woman receives a husband from the hand of the Lord, she receives something that is her own. We cannot take our property with us when we die, but death will not separate us from our wives and children. If we go first, they will follow, and if they go first we will follow. It will be impossible for us to gain an exaltation unless we are willing to make a sacrifice of all things, as Abraham was. Pres. Preston announced a meeting of the Y.M.M.I.A.'s at 6:30 in the Tabernacle basement. Singing. Benediction by Pres. Wm. [William] B. Preston. |