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Show SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Sunday, Ocluber 7, 1877. 10 a. m. Conference assembled pursuant to adjournment and was called to ordor by President John Taylor. Choir sang the hymn commencing "Come all ye saints who dwell on oarth," etc. Prayer was offered by Elder Joseph F. Smith. Singing by the choir, "Glorious things of thee are spoken," etc. Elder Georuk Q. Cannon slated that in presenting the names yuster-day, yuster-day, that of Truman O. Angel, jr., assistant architect, hud been omitted, and callei upun those who were in favor of upholding him in that position posi-tion to raise their right hauds, which they did unanimously. He then stated that there was a large amount due to tho P. E. fund, and the twelve hud taken steps lo more fully carry out the objects ol this fund. He then read the following names of persons niKiseu to assist tho president of that tu tid, who were uuanimously sustained sus-tained by a show of hands: F. D. tiich.trds, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Jhn W. Young, Angus M. Cannon, Mobss Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, J. R. Winder, H. Dinwoodey, R. T. Burton, Bur-ton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Ciawson. The presidents of b takes were requested re-quested to act as agents. Eider Cannon then referred to the effect produced upon the minds of the mints by the martyrdoru ot Joseph Smith, and related some incidents which trauppired and tho course pursued pur-sued at that time by tlie authorities of tho church. He showed how the twelve apod ties had stepued forward and lead the church for nearly three years, until the Lord inspired Brig-bam Brig-bam Young to organize the first presidency. This experience had been very valuable in the present condition of the church. Referred to the labors ol President Young cHiring the past summer, and slated that he had enjoyed better health and appeared ap-peared tu have received a new lease al lite, and it must be a great satis -taction to him that he iiad left the chucb in such a guo.l condition, for as Elder Orson Pratt stated in a recent discourse, thechurch was in a belter stale of organization to-day than it had ever been. Pre i-, dent Young had lived lo converse; with the brethren on their return iroru organizing the last stake of Zion, and then died a few hours after. The Lord had prepared tbe church for the change that should lake place. All die officers of the priesthood hud been bo thoroughly instructed that acne ueed be in ignorance of their duties, aud it the saints would follow the instructions given by President Young while living, the Lord would bless them as he hud him; for the Lord bad been with him all his life. He urged the members of the various grades of priesthood to do their duty and tollow Brigham, as h had fol lowed Joseph, and as Joseph followed Christ. Aud in so doing, with that earnestneis which should characterize the labors of tbe saints, God would bear them off triumphant, and not leave them destitute ot his power when they Btood in need of it in the performance of their duties. Tbe question had often been asked of him who would lead the church in case of the death of the president? The twelve were the men tj lead, but it was not to he understood that each member ol the twelve was entitled or au( horiz d to individually receive revelations to lead the church. When Joseph Smiih died, the man thus authorized au-thorized wns Bnghmn Young, and nuw that Brigham Young had passed away, the man to hold this power was he whom the conference had upheld as the president ol the twelve one of the twelve and first presidency of the church John Taylor. He stated that none had been more modest in repre-Bentingjhia repre-Bentingjhia claims to this portion than Johu Taylor himselt. It" all the apoatles were fllain except one, that uue would have the power to organize a first presidency and to choose twelve apostles and preside over the church. When President Young chose Geo. A. Smith ae bin first counselor, he did not act him upart nor ordain him, for he held the apoatleBhip and already possessed the authority to act in that capacity. Some might wonder whether a man would be specially rained up lo preside over thechurch; it it Bhould ever become necessary to do this, God would m an i feat it through the president of the twelve and not through any member of the quorum aside Irom him. The reason a first presidency was not organized at this conference was that the Lord tind not commanded it, and until he did reveal ttmt it was proper to do so it Mould not be done. But wheu God should makti this known, the organization organi-zation would again be completed as before, and the saints musl await the revelatious of God in this matter. Elder Frnklis D. Richards next addressed the conference. He deai red to express his eudorjement of the remarks of Elder Cannon, and was pleased that he had lelt moved to Uy tbH matter bo plainly and clearly before the conference. He thought that those who desired a "sign" ol the truth of this work, might be satis-lied satis-lied ou witnessing the unanimity in the voting on yesterday, for nowhere could a body of 12,000 or 13,000 people peo-ple be found to carry measures without with-out one dissenting vote on bo many motions as had been presented. The twelve were the special ministers to the nations of the earth, and he wished tbe seventies to remember that they were appointed to bo coworkers co-workers with the twelve in their duties in this re.specl, laboring under the direction and counsel of the twelve. The gospel must ba preached for a witness to all nations ere the end came. This work must necessarily ha elow, owing to the diversity of tongues existing I i among the nations, and tbe aurveil-1 ' lance which was exercised over the 1 people in mauy of the foreign countries. He spoke ol those who persecuted the saints in the lands of their nativity, aud urged the paints to entertain kindly feeling towards their persec Jtors, so that when sorrow and judgment covered the nations with the pall of God's displeasure, they might feel that they could look to -wurds the smnts for assistance, and seek for light from those who had found it before them. Tho speaker then referred to tne gathering of the saints, and quoted from the writings ol Moses in proof of the doctrine; stated although the Israelites bad broken their covenant, yet Moses had not lost his interest in this work, bad appeared to Joseph Smith in the temple in Kirkland, and conferred on him the keys of the gathering of the seed of Joseph scattered abroad, and of the ten tribes in the north country; and tho prejent congregation were the fruits ol the labors of Joseph aud Bi ighum in accordance with that revelation. The Bpeaker referred to the fact that nearly a million of dollars dol-lars was due the perpetual emigration uud, which was uHcded to gather the poor. It was proposed lo present this matter to the presidents ol stakes and bishopa bo that the hands of the oth ers in charge of this fund minhl he arenk-thened. Referred to the poverty pov-erty existing among the s tints in the old countries, aud called nin-niion U the imminent wars in those h-im-his, aud urged that they bo asainwd nelmp me ravages of war should bruit k out upon them, and he called upon those owing the fund to repay what they had received to gather lo Ziou It was realized that there were many calls uiikde upun the people in this new country, but lot no consideration contract the feelings of the saints in their donations lor tbe building up ol God's kingdom. He then explained to some extent the law of tithing, and stated that (or eight years after the organization of the church the law ol timing was not revealed, and in ruar inn the temple where the greatest visions of the latter days were beheld, tithing was not mentioned, but all went to work with all they had and built tlie temple, Was this donation or was it consecration? Aflor this Joseph asked the Lord, and it was ro vealed that the law of tithing was a standing law to God's people. The speaker said that the saints could go in with their all to build up Ziou, but if they desired to keep accounts with the Lord, let them pay up their tithing. Elder George Q. Cannon then read the following names of missionaries, who were unanimously sustained: - To Minnesota Anton Anderson ol Paotaquiu; N ils R. Lindull, Union Fort. Lower C'difomia Jesse W. Crosby, Cros-by, St. George; David Cameron, Pan-g Pan-g witch. South--rn States Lewis Booth, Honey ville ; Russell Rogers, Fillmore. Fill-more. Arizona Joseph Frietz, Richfield; Hen son Walker, jr., Pleasant Grove; Ephraim Hanks, Midway; ex-Biahop Farnsworth, Joseph city; John Mo-Niels, Mo-Niels, 6en. and jr., and families, Bountiful; W. D. and Bjck Kartell-ner, Kartell-ner, D. O. Clayton, Alma Palmner, N. Miller, Paugwitch; John Kartchner, Orderville; Peter Nhlseu, Morgan county. tennmjlvania Thomas R. Jones, Lchi; David Bowen, Spanish Fork. Scotland Audrew Watson and Geo. Meldrum, Frovo. Sandwich Islands Joa. H, Dean and wife, James Solomon and wife, Salt Lake city. Maine Peregrine Sessions, Judson Tollman, Wm. Atkinson, Bountiful; Artemua Pulnum, Woodruff". Denmark Wm. Peterson, P. C. ChriatenBen, Salt Lake city: William Christenseu, Fairviaw; James Chris-liansou, Chris-liansou, during city; Rasmus Nielson, i Loan. I Sweden John QviBt, Cottonwood; A. O. F. F.irssll, John F. Oisen, Johu Eckman, Slt Like city; Johu Lir bon, Gunnison; Jonas Lin berg, Tooele. Great Britain Joseph Bull, Salt Lake city. Not Designated Joseph S. Jones, Norman Salmon, Francis M. Elmer, Payson. Andrew Heodrickson of Levan was given permission to go to Scandinavia to preach to bis friends and settle some business. Choir Bang the anthem, "O how beautiful upon the mountains." Adjourned Ad-journed till 2 p.m. Benediction by Elder Chas. C. Rich. 2 P.M. Called to order by President John Taylor. Chnir saug the hymn commencing com-mencing "E'er long the vail will rend in twain," etc. Prayer by Elder Albert Cirrington. Singing by the choir "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire," etc. The sacrament of the Lord's1 supper was then ad miniate red lo the vast congregation. Elder Gko. Q. Cannon then read the following names of missionaries, who were unanimously voted in by the conference: To Canada Christopher Merkley, Salt Lake city. Wisconsin John H. Freeman, Jas. E. Malin, Salt Lake city; Robert Ell-wood, Ell-wood, West Jordan. Michigan Luther M. Palmer, Chicken creek; Joseph Will, Glen-wood; Glen-wood; Isaac Losey, Spanish Fork. New Mexico Ammon W. Tenney, Kanab; Llewellin Harris, Psragwitcb; A. W. Ivins, St. George. Denmark Jaa. Christenseu, Spring city. Home Missionaries for the Salt Lake Stake of if-.oi Gaorge Reynolds, A. H. Raleigh, Wm A. McMaater, Geo, G. Bywater, Junius F. Weils, Joseph Home, Milen Atwood, E. Schoeufeld, Richard W. Young, John R. Winder, Ben., A W. Wiuberg, Thos. E. Tay lor. Jamss P. Freeze, C. H. Wilckeu, Miiando Pratt, Hamilton G. Park, J. T. Caine, Septimus W. Sears, Miner G. Atwood, Robert Patrick, Thomas E. Jeremy, John H. Ruraell, James W. Cummings, Elias Morris, John Clark, John G. Midgley, Benjamin F. Cummings, jr., William J. Smith. Edward Hanham, Wm. Eddinglon, William C. Staines, Wm. W. Taylor, Samuel H. B. buiith, A. M Musser, Brigham S. Young, I. M. Morteusen. President John Tay lob said that there was a matter he wished to lay before '.he conference. He had been appointed trustee in trust and he wished tOBelect, with the approval nt this conference, a committee to audit the accounts, and suggested the names ot Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow and Joseph F. Smith, and the congregation voted them in unanimously. unani-mously. President Taylor then stated that Hie twelve had labored, some of them for forty years, without purse or scrip, and he thought they ought to he placed al least ou a level with other men in the matter of compensation compen-sation for ttieir time, tbe whole of which they must now devote to the aff jirs of the church, and asked that the trustee in trust be authorized to arrange the matter of a reasonable compensation with lliein. Sustained unanimously. He then included tbe two counselors, who were also sustained. sus-tained. President Taylor then said thai tho position occupied by tbti saints lo day was a very important oue; there had been a change ot presidency and there would be necessarily a change of administration. It bad pleased Almighty G9d to remove President Young, and this had cast a gloom over the people throughout the territory. terri-tory. They had felt sorry to lose his counsel, and the wisdom which had characterized all his labors. He had net only interested the Baints, but his name was known in all the world. Like bis predecessor, Joseph Smith, he had to leave, and while the Baints were called to mourn a president dead, anela were heralding a president presi-dent born into the other world. President Pres-ident Young could not have done anything any-thing without thi aid of God, neither could anyone else. It did not consist in the wisdom of one man or another, an-other, but in the wisdom ot God. lie felt liice Moves, that uuless the Lord was with the work h would not be willing to have auyihiug to do with it. There was a vete takeu yesterday that the twelve should be prophets, suera aud revelators. This niik-hl seem strange, but it was not new, ior they had been so presented by Joseph Smith in the KirUaod temple; and the speaker referred the congregation lo the Ductriue and Covenants for instruction in-struction on this point. There were some things which must come direct from God, and it devolved upon the twelve I o beck lor them and obtain them. Also the high priests, seventies and prominent men bhould seek uulo God, "whom to know is 'ife everlasting. everlast-ing. " Me referred to the perfect ttate of the organization ol tne church, which had been t-o completely com-pletely arranged before (he death ol President Young. Was this tit place ionic men in positions of hunor or emolument? No 1 But to place the people in possession of the blessings of God which would be thus increased unto them. U was expected that the presidents of stakes woula he full of the Holy Ghost, as God would hold them re sponsible. And tbe high councilors wore also required to he wise and laithful. President Young and the people had felt drawn out with an almost unaccountable desire to build temples. It was difficult at. times to explain these matters. Elijah, aa well its Moses, had come to bring certain keys to Joseph Smith; and when he came he delivered the keyB ol baptism for the dead. And then the people began to feol after their lathers who were behind the veil. Tbe speaker then showed how the people would become saviors to the world, and how they had already been saviors to many. In his further remarks he stated that no sect was interfered with in Utah by the saints, nod that be would be among the first lo protect them, if any Bhould in the least molest those of a different faith . The saints had gathered the pocr, and now were building temples, and not less than 150 workmen were employed on the temple in Salt Lake cily, and nnt lesB than 500 on the temples throughout the territory. Toii might seem strange to the outside world, but the saints knew in whom they trusted and in whom they bad believed. He instructed the presidents of stakes to see that there was no oppression in their fields of labor; instead ot taking anything from the poor, feed them; receive nothing but what is strictly proper and voluntary, and be called a wrong to no one. "Bless the widow, and pour balm into every wound among the afflicted. " He referred to those who owed the perpetual per-petual emigration fund, and called upon them to remember that there were otherB in the world besides themselves, them-selves, and to pay their indebtedness as laul as they were able. Spoke of tho erection oi the new tabernacle which would be done by the brethren of this stake. None would be compelled com-pelled to assist, fur there were plenty who were willing to dj it. He called upon the people, aud llie masons in particular, to go forward and put it up. He then referred to the united order. Tne saints were uuiled to-day with G td and with Jesua, and the ancient prophets aud apostles, in a grand cooperative co-operative pociely, the heavens with ttie earth. He desired that the leading lead-ing men whould encourage all institutions institu-tions calculated in their nature to uuite the saiuts. He blessed all the people present, and their generations alter them in the name oi the Lord. Eldkb Wilfoiid Woodruff said he wished to bear his testimony to what had been said. It was the duly of every man to have revelation concerning con-cerning whatever portion of the people he was called apon to preside over. It was the privilege of the brethren chartering a ship to know whether that ship was about to sink or be burned, and if the leader who chartered the Saluda had been living for the revelation of God to rest upon him, he need oot now bs responsible for a hundred lives. He called upon those who went to receive their endowments en-dowments in the St. George temple to take their offerriugs, for although the authorities did not make mer-chand mer-chand ise of the temple of God, nor baptize for money, still there were some L expenses attending this labor. Twenty-five persona were engaged en-gaged in the labors in that temple who supported themselves. Called upon the leading men to Bee that all the Bisters were enrolled in the relief societies, and the young brethren and sisterB in the mutual improvement associations. Referred to laying up i :Krain, for it would soon be needed. Spoke of planting mulberry treea and raising silk. Tne people could produce pro-duce all that was needed if Utah should ba cut off from the world, sustain home productions and home journals and periodicals, including the Woman's Exponent and tbe Juvenile Instructor. Pkesident Taylob stated that they had been very anxious to obtain a financial report to read to the conference, confer-ence, aud called upon the presidents presi-dents of Htakea to Bee that their reports re-ports were duly furwarded so that it mignt be laid btfore the next conference confer-ence and the saints he made acquainted acquaint-ed with what was done with the means which was put in the hands of the authorities. Coir sang Mozart's Gloria. Conference Con-ference then adjourned till April 6th, 1878, at 10 a.m., the place to be made known hereafter. Benediction by Elder Orson Pratt. |
