Show I 1 APOSTLE THATCHER addresses tho th o people in an and pointed manner theo president geo 0 cache valley stake was read at the priesthood meeting on saturday jan ath in logan dear brother to yourself and the saints generally over whom you preside may the present prove a peaceful happy and prosperous year peaceful in the quiet enjoyment of life and liberty happy in the exer cise of charity mercy and justice and prosperous in the gain of heavenly and eternal riches while entertaining these sentiments and humbly invoking blessings from the lord upon yourself and themi am constrained your attention to some things prevailing to an extent in the cache valley stake of zion that seem to require correction than the education and training of our children no greater responsibility has devolved amuse ments under proper restrictions becomes a necessary part thereof in this connection the presidency of the church and apostles have given at various times wise counsel which when strictly observed has never failed IEL securing to the obedient satisfaction peace and happiness on the other hand I 1 have noted from information received from many sources and from personal observation that contrary results have uniformly followed a disregard of those counsels As the night follows the day so legitimate fruits follow acts whether well or illy considered As a whole the children of latter day saints are by no means inherently wicked nor should they be regarded as low and vile in the main they i are mettlesome high strung and like a thoroughbred at first somewhat difficult to manage while in preparation for the race of life but what man among us would throw the reins to an unbroken colt hitched to a valuable buggy containing wife or child and yet is not the risk much greater and the consequences likely to be disastrous if we throw them loose to son or daughter have of fathers and mothers bound them to that more precious than anything constructed by the handoc man who among us would be imprudent enough to give free rein even to a yell broken horse of high temper and noble spirit and how many under such conditions would fail sooner or latec to rush wildly to destruction and to the ruin of all attacked from these homely figures we fail not to recognize the importance of control over demestic animals sow vastly more important is the government of our children to slacken for a single month the proper restriction of government m these times of trial and test when the power darkness and evil seemed combined for the work of destruction st many of matured years called sainta as well as some of the younger members of society among us appear determined to introduce anarchy and throw all things intha chaotic state would bebie throwing the reins of licensor loose on the neck of rapacity we as saints professing the service of gad cannot afford he lakim our duty and con M 5 in this connection permit me to aak douthe members high couri wards landi heir and all rearing theare 5 w t i af j wards continued after twelve or half past twelve at night why are they made the means of revenue for charitable or other purposes why are the lists of invitation not submitted for the approval of the bishop as formerly why are round dances in excess or one or two during the evening permitted in the social gatherings of the saints wherein the counsels of the servants of god in these matters violated an whether through the carelessness or indifference of our church officers or through the stent determination of a few unruly boys bent on having their way regardless of consequences is it not time to call a halt and institute a thorough and determined reformation harshness and arbitrary measures are unnecessary but the firm grasp of the hand of friendship and love is imperative ilet the frends of god and his manfully step forward and maintain the responsibilities bili ties the lord has placed upon them and see that all social gatherings under their jurisdiction are properly and prayerfully conducted what shall be said of the slothful servant who sleeps on the watch towers of zion in these grave limes when many of their brethren are exiled or in prison wretched must be the ultimate condition of all who take advantage of our present surroundings roun dings unless they repent and turn to the fjord the use of intoxicating drinks is evidently increasing among the saints of the cache baffey stake this ought not to be under the rulings of the district court city was compelled to caaso her efforts at prohibition hibi tion under municipal law but that surely affords no license for the elders to prostitute their powers at the shrine of alcohol that there are many who are depriving their families of the bread of life and some of the common necessaries of temporal existence is daily too evident in the wake of these pernicious practices follow others of equal gravity the disposition to borrow and buy without the means or disposition to pay leads to distrust and in some instances to dishonesty under these conditions the fraudulent and treacherous boldly sow among the people the seeds of discord bitterness and hatred that array brother against brother and friend against friend it is written except ye are one ye are not mine mayeth the lord union and oneness cannot exist in a community torn apart by dissensions and distracted by slander and hell and all men who know not god are fighting his people but no tromble equals that brought by false brethren I 1 earnestly pray that all saints under your care will beware of these evils while carefully guarding them delves ag ains itne F thirst for earthly riches for the love of riches and the honors and praises of men are jocks upon which many have wrecked their hopes of salvation may yon and your brethren successfully cess fully contend against the en croach ments of the adversary to the peace and happiness of the saints that yon and they may ultimately gain the victory over death hell and the grave is the prayer of tour fellow laborer in the lord MOSES THATCHER |