Show priesthood MEETING the evils of the liquor traffic discoursed upon the regular monthly priesthood meeting of the utah stake was held in provo last saturday february 4 1888 after the bishops had given in their reports and more especially so far as the tithing was concerned president A 0 smoot expressed bis gratitude at hearing the good reports and thought in view of the circumstances cum stances and present surroundings i they were very satisfactory there is a class of men connected with the church who as soon as the clouds of persecution and trouble come upon the people seem to forget all sense of obligation to their duties in the church and float with the tide of popular opinion we have seen such a condition of things during the last year some of this class of men have said that the law of tithing was done away with and that donations were not obligatory consoling themselves that they are relieved from all financial responsibilities connected with tho church had always sought to know the mind and will of the lord through his servants on important questions and tried to carry the of the spirit into action exhorted the bishops to faithfulness in the discharge of their duty aud called upon them that whenever evil appeared in their midst to fight it with all the power god had given them teach the people to love the gospel and leam that obedience is better than sacrifice president david john was pleased to meet with so many of the bishop and to hear the good council that had been given them the liquor question is a very serious matter yd our midst and we should use our every endeavor to stop the use of the same as it will rob the man who uses it of the wisdom god has blessed him with ary man who is addicted to drinking liquor should not be entrusted with any position of responsibility either in the church or out our sons though probably wild and reckless have noble spirits in them and they may be tempted to tamper with strong drink and drift away from the church the speaker read a portion of deu tr onomy showing that while israel kept the statutes of god they grew up and prospered in the land but when they failed to observe them they were overcome and scattered exhorted the brethren to keep the commandments of god and put down evil presidents H oluff read from the chapter of ezekiel and stated that he considered the circumstances of tha people required a great deal more of the labors of the priesthood now than the brethren seemed able 0 o bestow there is one class of the priesthood who have been enduring persecution of late years while the masses of people seemed to consider themselves comparatively safe the speaker however thought he could see circumstances and changes coming upon the people in this territory which would cause far more members of the church to apostatize than all the persecution so far endured spoke at some length upon the evils of the liquor frame and exhorted the priesthood to use every possible exertion against the abomination meeting then adjourned |