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Show CACHE VALLEY STAKE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. The Conference of the Cache Valley Stake was held in this city, Aug. 5th and 6th, 1882. The services on the first day commenced with singing; prayer by Elder F. S. Richards. The clerk read the statistical report, showing an increase of 91 souls. Apostle F. M. Lyman was the first speaker. He hoped that the brethren, would be filled with the spirit of the Lord; he was pleased to visit the valley in mid-summer, he hoped the Saints had progressed and increased in the things of the kingdom, that the young men had lived temperately; that the educational interests of the valley had increased, that parents had been diligent in teaching their children faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith and repentance, to help them for baptism, when they came to the age of 8 years. He was of the opinion that in this particular the Saints were remiss, more so than in any other, he dilated upon the benefit of reaching children when young our religious ideas and principles, that they may be so implanted into their minds, that they might grow in the knowledge of the truth, and set forth the dire results of a contrary course. He also referred to the amicable relations that should exist among heads of families; he hoped that the Saints would be blessed and increase in all good things. Pres. W. Woodruff next addressed the meeting; he spoke upon the proper training of the young. He had no one to train him in the gospel in his childhood days. He spoke of the loss sustained by our memories becoming forgetful, oftimes neglecting things of vital importance. He spoke of the great labor devolving upon the Saints, in building up Zion, and the Temples, in officiating for the dead, and of their redemption. In St. George, since the dedication of the Temple, we had baptized for 160,000 souls. Our duty in the world was to warn the people of the second coming of the Son of God, to proclaim the fullness of the gospel to all nations. He spoke of the far-reaching effects of this work affecting the past, present and future. All nations were more or less hostile to us. He related a dream in which Prest. Young appeared to him and told him to teach the people to strive for the spirit of God and he governed by it, if all had His spirit some would apostatize and turn away from God. We should labor for the riches of the gospel. A few persons had been gathered up here from the nations to co-operate with the Almighty in the great latter-day work. He referred to the first time when he heard Joseph the Prophet speak, when he declared they little knew the greatness of the work they were then laying the foundation of. He also spoke of the salvation of the Lamanites, and hoped all would strive for more of the spirit. The benediction was pronounced by President Card. 2 p. m. Services were opened by singing, prayer by Apostle John Henry Smith. Apostle L. Snow addressed the Saints upon the labor necessary to attain to a proper spiritual condition in order to come to an acceptance of the Lord. When a person is in possession of the spirit of the Gospel, he is in a safe situation. He mentioned the advantages that would occur to the faithful and the distaste we naturally have to encounter trials and adversity. He spoke of the trials Jesus endured when He wrought out the world's redemption, of His glory and exaltation. He exhorted the Saints to turn to good account every trial that they might be called upon to pass through, as an opposite course would be attended with sorrow and misery. He related some of the trials that Joseph the Prophet was called upon to suffer. All was for his good, the Lord called upon him to pass through such ordeals as would qualify him for the Fathers' use. He read from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants respecting the glory and exaltation of the ancient twelve Apostles a consequence of the trials they had endured while living in the flesh for the Gospel's sake. He spoke of the fallacy of the Saints bringing unnecessary trials upon themselves, but rather ask God for strength to cope with such things as He would bring upon them. He alluded to the sufferings fo the Saints passing through Missouri, out of which God delivered them according to their merit and faithfulness. He mentioned the folly of the Saints in disposing of their homes to outsiders who were our enemies. He suggested the wisdom of desisting from such a course. He urged the Saints to be faithful and keep the commandments of God and preserve their character in the kingdom. Elder F. Snow remarked that as a people the Saints were much blessed in that the Lord had given us, homes and habitations that for 30 years, we had dwelt in peace, notwithstanding the efforts of our enemies to the contrary. The Lord sometimes suffered us to have trials for wise purposes; he had restrained the wicked from harming the Saints and in many ways made Himself manifest for the good and salvation of this people. He spoke regarding parents neglecting their children's education in the day of their youth. This was a source of great anxiety to many parents; no child need expect blessings on account of his parents' faithfulness to the Lord, and none will be entitled to access to the Temple, unless they have observed the laws of God. Young men assisting their parents to pay tithing will be entitled to the blessing ?? therefrom, inasmuch as he continues, when the responsibility devolves upon him. The responsibilities of a family rested not alone with the father, it rests proportionately upon the mother, in training up a family properly. He spoke of things we should overcome, in subduing every evil feeling that may arise in our hearts, we should endeavor to control ourselves and subdue our turbulent tempers, without which no one can ever become a ruler. The Lord will teach us His ways, even if He has to permit our enemies to chastise us, and thus drive us nearer to Him. The benediction was pronounced by Elder F. S. Richards. Sunday, Aug. 6. SECOND DAY. Choir sand, "Lo, the Mighty God appearing." Prayer by Elder W. W. Taylor. Choir sand, "To Him who reigns on high." President Joseph F. Smith said he hoped that all would enjoy a portion of the Spirit during this meeting. He was pleased to have the privilege of visiting the temple and noting the improvements made, and its near completion. The Lord has blessed the people in their labors on that building, and he trusted that the same degree of interest would continue to mark their efforts until the building is completed. He hoped the interest would not flag, but continue until the work is all done, and all obligations are cancelled. We will then have a house built to the Lord, which He will be pleased to sanctify. The time of harvest is drawing near, when the fruit of the labor for this season will be gathered, and in this time people may be wise and prudent in the blessings poured out by the Lord, and devote a proper portion of their substance to the temple. While the brethren of this temple district have done well and the Trustee in Trust has been liberal in appropriating means for the building, there are still some obligations, which should be met. Employees should be paid, and those who have advanced means for material should be properly remunerated. He trusted that all would feel and interest in doing whatever they could, consistently towards the consummation of this work. He liked to see everything carried right along and paid for at the time. The temple will then be free from debt and can be offered to the Lord as a free will offering. He was thankful that the work had been pushed with so much vigor and that all things were satisfactory. He asked God to bless the people in all their offerings, in their minds, then flocks, herds, and orchards, that they might realize that the Lord's blessing is on them. The people are in a critical condition before the world, but if they have God's spirit and protection there is no necessity for fear and alarm, as it will make little difference who is our enemy or who is our friend. He had all his life been deeply impressed with that fact, and had never seen the time when he had occasion to tremble or fear for Zion when he could feel satisfied that the people were acceptable to God. It will not be difficult to feel this security if we can realize that we are doing God's work. If he had no faith other than that we are engaged in the work of man, that the kingdom depends on the wisdom, judgement and power of one, or a dozen of a hundred men for its success he would feel to tremble. He felt satisfied that on the earth there is no set of men, however good, virtuous or upright, they may be, who can hear of the kingdom. It is not within the province of man to build up the kingdom. God will do it through His people and in His own way, and will move the people to act His mind and will. As Heaven is above the earth so God's ways are above the ways of man. The Lord has given out through His servants that He, not man, will do the work. He does not propose to give the honor of this work to Joseph Smith, or Brigham Young, or John Taylor. But He will honor, acknowledge and bless His servants, as instruments for carrying out his will on earth. The purpose of the Kingdom will depend on the power of God, exerted to the end. He believed that God, who rules in the Heavens raised up Joseph Smith, that He stands at the head of this kingdom, and rules not only for our prosperity, but overrules the acts of nations. He did not believe that Congress could pass inimical laws unless God permits and He will overrule for their disgrace and discomutate. If he does not we are in a bad ?? with the whole world against, and no one for us. Our words, our petitions, and remonstrances will avail nothing unless guided by the spirit of God. When accompanied by the power of God, they will have the desired effect according to the wisdom of God. The people may not always be able to comprehend fully His acts, but when they do then teachings will be in accord with the spirit of righteousness, and will prevail. This is the work and kingdom of God. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is a power unto salvation to all who will obey the law it is this he was living for, and but for this he would not desire to live one moment. He was born of parents who were members of the Church, he had been reared in the Church and recollected the wanderings of the people.-the persecutions heaped upon them in his childhood. He remembered the struggles of a widowed mother to protect her children from privation and suffering. She taught him the Gospel he had had the privilege of hearing the words of God.-of reading the books since his childhood. He had not learned as much as some, but all he knew-the little he had acquired-all converged to convince his mind that this is the kingdom of God; that the Lord has bestowed the priesthood. There is not the shadow of a doubt, there can be no doubt that this is the work of God. It is so. It must be so. It cannot be otherwise. God is doing this work. While He bears with the weakness of this children, He may have to chastise were driven from their homes, and their inheritances were in the hands of mobs, there was no likelihood of their ever them. In Missouri, when the people possessing their inheritances again; yet the Lord told the people not to sell but to keep them. Would he have commanded if it had not been for a purpose? The people came to these mountains because obliged to. They spread out upon the land,-the Lord gave us these valleys for an inheritance, and for safety from destruction. Can anyone put a finger on a single circumstance when the Lord has commanded the people to part with their inheritance? To sell his homestead to one not a member of the Church? No. He believed the Lord designed that the people should occupy His land, redeem it, and restore it to [unreadable] did not intend that we ??. should part with it. Yet how many do part with their property. We must learn by the things we suffer, and God will allow us to suffer that we may improve. But if we are wise servants and continue the designs of God. It will be better for us and it will not be necessary to bring us under the bonds of the Gentiles. If man was doing this work, for personal aggrandizement, it would not make much difference. The Lord has given us all things. We cannot have what God does not give us, and all we do have He gave. Refer to your own individual history. What did you have when the Gospel found you? Were you here, and did you have lands and homes? Every man, woman, boy or girl is dependent upon the will of God for all they possess. But God has allowed them to toil, to get property and wealth. He can easily make this country as barren as when we came if He desired. He can destroy the crops, blight the soil, curse the fruits of your labor, that you plant and do not gather, but you know that by the perseverance of the diligent the blessings of the Almighty have come to this people. Apostle F. D. Richards said he was certain that all who have a supreme love for the latter-day work have been truly edified this morning from listening to President Smith. His words are most true and most previous. The Lord said to the ancient Prophets "My people shall be willing in the day of my power." The Lord knew how to make the people willing in Illinois, after taking the life of the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum,-to leave their country and come out here, is not that a significant demonstration of the truth of His words. We should cleave unto every word and keep all His commandments, not forgetting the Word of Wisdom. If we do this we can lay hold of all blessings and increase our faith in God. How difficult it is for most of the human family to believe in the word of Christ. They discard everything pertaining to God and Christ and their ways. What labor the Elders have to perform who get a few to believe in the words of God! Look back at what history tells of the work of Christ and His Apostles. Everything testifies to the works they perform, and we look to these as confirmation of the leading facts which many now ??. Come down to our own day, and men say they have seen the Father and His Son Jesus at His right hand. These testimonies come from many but have no effect upon the world. Imagine that we were back in the days of ancient Israel, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, when God determined that He would make them oracles through which His people would be blessed. While we are exercising a little faith for the forgiveness of sins, they in early days exercised a thousand times more faith in the work being performed to-day. Read how the Lord showed in vision the coming of Christ,-that He should be born of a pure and virtuous woman. Our own faith is trifling when it refers only to life and salvation. The Prophet Joseph taught that we must do all the work for our dead that we do for ourselves. It must be performed in righteousness that it may be recognized in heaven. We are just opening a great field of labor, and lose sight of that which is near before us. Our fathers in olden times took such hold on the word of God that they told what we would be doing. God will permit evils to come upon us-adultery, formation, gambling and other things that will bring us to a sense of our duty. You and I have often heard Brother Brigham Young and Brother Heber C. Kimball dedicate these valleys to us, and it seems strange that we can turn them over to our enemies. We must lay things to heart and consider them in all their bearings. He rejoiced in the common joy to see the Temple near completion, and prayed the people to continue contributing to complete the work. Before snow flies, we want to see the outside finished and the scaffolding down. We expect to complete the mason work this month, and must then have skilled carpenters, painters and others, and hence need means more than in the early stages of the work, so that in winter it may be warm and comfortable for the workmen. How I would like to see a general conference in there next spring. It will take just so much means, but if we have to work all next summer the expenses will be more. We want all the roughness torn down now and know that we have good workmen engaged, while they cannot be out doing work for others. When the temple is completed there will have to be a good place for people to stay. Whether the church will do this or the stake authorities will put up some thing of the kind we do not know. There must be some such place, as it will be inconvenient for all concerned to have visitors staying with their friends. When the temple is done we desire to have it all paid for that it may be offered to the Lord free. Elder John Henry Smith said: The Latter-day Saints would not be able to make any excuse that they are not informed of the requirements of the gospel. We have few friends in the world and still we are learning that we have a word to them from heaven. In Salt Lake we find many spots settled by leading brethren, some of whom have gone to rest their land now being used for erecting houses of intemperance etc., in which to lead astray our youth. He trusted that in Logan and other leading points, our people would endeavor to hold the property and do the business. A frightful source of evil has been saloons, and the tendency of our brethren not to use moral force to drive back these elements has seemed to encourage them. Such establishments have been the prey of people all over the world. They regard them as they would running wild animals loose, bringing destruction in their train. It brings wretchedness in the home, and robs children of proper food and clothing. None can bring too great a moral influence to counteract those elements. He was pleased to know that Logan was combating these influences. We should lead the way, the elders leading the van, we should be temperate, use no ardent spirits and avoid the possibility of becoming fascinated with these evils. He believed we have been too silent on these questions; as a body of priesthood we have been too careless in warning our sons that they should avoid the influence of men given to appetites of this kind. The Latter-day Saints should stand as a solid phalanx against all persons and any influences that might lead astray. He knew we have had to contend with courts, who let men loose to prey upon the young and innocent, and have ruled in the interests of intemperance. But I know that saloons in most places could not exist but for patronage of Latter Day Saints. They are fed by elders of Israel who use the means God gave them in dragging then families down to shame, Zion should set its face against nets of this kind that such things may not exist. Men are found in drinking dens, men of influence and large families are seen in saloons squandering their means while often their families lack for the necessaries of life. We as deacons, priests, elders, high priests and seventies should keep our lives pure and upright, feeling that we can go forward acceptably in the sight of God. It is useless to instruct the young and not desist ourselves. The strong man is he who can say to liquor "I have you under my control," who can say to those who ask him to drink, "I thank you but cannot partake." I would urge you to continue your fight and if you will not patronize drinking saloons nor allow your boys to visit them, the owners will go to fairer fields. He appended to the old, the middle aged, the young men, boys, girls, fathers and brothers alike, to turn away and not allow these influences to lead them to degradation and shame. A more decided stand must be taken and what you do now will decide your policy hereafter. That God may bless us all and enable us finally to be accepted into his kingdom saying, "well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Choir sang the anthem: "O, Father Almighty." Benediction by Elder John W. Taylor. |