| Show W c Q QI I I I tE 4 G R J F IR J T PR J E SID 1 1 v Jl r rI I I II I I II I E hail bail with pleasure the ther g advent of another Christ Christmas Christmas r mas mils day celebrated throughout Christendom ns Os the anniversary of the birth into this life of the worlds Redeemer Ve We regard and venerate Him as IU the Christ the veritable Son of the Eternal Father To io the Lat Saints we extend cordial greeting erecting at this festive season and congratulate them on the condition of the Church and its pleasing pros prospects prospects peets In temporal things our people in these valleys of the mountains have been greatly blessed Boun Bountiful Bountiful harvests have been reaped on field and farm latin in orchard and gar garden garden garden den and vineyard The flocks and herds upon the hills and anci the ranges have been multiplied most of the industries that established have flourished comfortable homes greet the eye in every direction and want and penury arc are little known among the Saints I For or these favors of divine Providence we e ought to be truly grateful lift bIt liftin bItin in addition to these good things j which arc are material there has been he en nn an increase of spiritual life and unity resulting from ironi increased faith aith in God and confidence in His Ilis servants I It Jt is delightful to behold the peace 1 find ond joy oy to be he found throughout Zion and the I determination exhibited to hold fast fasti i to the thc truths which our Heavenly Father has revealed in the latter days clays and to the spiritual kingdom which He has set sel up to be thrown down no more for ever In III all the quor quorums urns of the Holy Priesthood and in inthe inthe the th organizations there is isa a II marked increase of interest in E L I I 1 A M u I 1 j jI I p 1 I Id L c d e eL ec i 7 71 1 E I aci I IS II I S S 1 Te i I Im I J b u gj t m m J 1 5 THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE MORMON CHURCH u inquiry inquiry and intense satisfaction satisfaction satisfaction tion The efficiency displayed by bythe bythe bythe the presiding officers among them is evident to all observers The in influence influence influence fluence of education is also apparent apparent ent the Church academics college and universities show marked im mi improvement improvement provement being aided far fir more liberally than ever before from Church funds musical culture is progressing order is maintained in public gatherings and advancement is seen on both bolh intellectual and spirit spiritual nat ual lines One striking evidence of the faith fuith of the Saints is their fidel 1 ity in the payment of tithes and the offerings for the poor in the erection erection tion of substantial and elegant houses of worship in the maintenance of missions and the support given given gen generally generally emIly to all nil measures measure for or the Sf f cad ead of the work of the Lord Our peo people people arc are gradually following the ad advice adice advice vice ice given to get out of debt It Itis Itis Itis is confidently hoped that the Church itself will before long be free from the bonded indebtedness which has been a burden upon it for some sonic sometime sometime time It will be he glad tidings to us usall usall usall all if by the thO next Christmas day da we can declare truthfully that we owe oweno oweno oweno no man anything but to love one another U H i ho he Church abroad is is strengthening i s hohl hod upon the thinking portion of mankind Pre Pie judice is being removed from the minds of good people Substantial meetinghouses have been bem erected at several points and and the way is open opening opening opening ing up for the promulgation of the Gospel in many ninny lauds lands some sonic of which have hitherto been barred against t our Elders There arc open openings openings ings for our missionaries too loo numer numerous numerous ous to fill at present The cry is re ic as of old The harvest is great gr at but the laborers arc are few The unveiling of o the monument to the Prophet Joseph Smith at Shar Sharon on oil Windsor County Vermont Yermont on December 23 the one hundredth anniversary of his birth hirth is is a cause of ol great gront congratulation to all who believe in iii his divine mission Sian Slander Slander der cler false witness and all the shafts of malice arc arrayed against the Church and its ils authorities as may maybe maybe be 1 e expected until Satan is i bound and falsehood is conquered by divine truth It is our duty to hear bear such things with patience and not ourselves to be aroused aroused to anger or We Ve 1 e should stand up for forthe forthe forthe the right and and as far as possible ignore the wrongdoers The knowledge that God is with us and that His Ius work will prevail should buoy buo 1110 us up U under every difficulty and CN every cry trial having the conviction that the thc Lord will ivill came even the wrath of man to praise Him lIim The very efforts of the enemies of His Ius Church to hedge up its way will ivill be overruled by Him to accelerate its advancement We 1 e c advise the Saints h to enjoy as far as is possible and I consistent the pleasures of Christ Christmas mas time with that temperance and I regard for or others which should bo be observed at this sacred anniversary ary t S Bless the children provide for the tho poor comfort the distressed visit t the widow and the fatherless forgive t those who may be regarded as enc ene enemies 1 mies be filled with the spirit of it 11 blessing have charity charily for all alii pro promote promote promote mote peace and good will and spread abroad the thc light and intelli intelligence intelligence 1 gence which flow down from heaven in the Gospel of the thc Son of God GodS Godf f S His divine hand in in all S that is good and useful and that promotes the welfare of ol humanity All truth from rom whatever source it j seems teems to emanate in iii science in art artin i m in in philosophy in theology in indis dis discovery discover covery cover or invention which promotes happiness and nd elevates mankind is from the Father of lights who sent j His Ilis Son Jesus josm Christ of Nazareth into the world to uplift His Ilis sons and daughters and and bring them out of darkness ignorance and sin into communion communion with Him and obedi obedience ence to t His Ilis laws Glory and praise praise be unto Him for this great and nd crowning mercy I Let all nations join in the glad refrain which was WM 4 sung by the angels at the tim Saviors birth I We Ve extend extend greeting and blessing and earnest desire for tho tire favor of heaven to rest upon all the tho human family with the fervent hope j that the time is not far distant when j they will bow the knee to King Immanuel and sing with united voice voice Glory to God and the Lamb Lambor for or ever and and ever Amen JOSEPH F SMITH f JOHN R WINDER ANTHON H LUND LUNDI I First Presidency I |
