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Show LOGAN CITY, NOVEMBER 6, 1879. QUARTERLY CONFERENCE Of the Cache County Stake of Zion, held in the Logan Tabernacle on Saturday and Sunday, November 1st and 2d, 1879. Present upon the stand. Prest. Taylor, Apostles Orson Pratt, F. D. Richards, L. Snow and George Q. Cannon; Elder Sheets, Penrose, the Presidency of the Stake. Singing; prayer by Elder F. D. Richards; singing. Apostle L. Snow read from Book of Doctrine and Covenants page 217 in regard to the redemption of Zion and the purchase of lands in Missouri as given to Joseph the Prophet; remarked that we sometimes think and talk about returning to Jackson county to build up the centre stake of Zion, and feel that there is a preparation necessary to enable us to consummate that work; spoke of the condition of the Saints as not being just as we desire it, there being a tendency on our part to look after the things of the world, yet we often find good financial ability among the Saints. Illustrated an application of the Lord directing perfecting? any work He may require done on the earth, by stating that supposing the Lord would send a messenger to Logan and require the people to build a Temple, &c., and to redeem Zion, the people set to work and inquire how they can accomplish the work required, the messenger finds upon examination the people have a book esteemed by them as sacred, in which was contained the very information they needed; treated upon the manner by which they could redeem Zion and build a Temple, viz.; by purchasing the land. Spoke of the selfishness and ? feeling of the Saints at the time the Lord desired to build up the ? of Zion, by withholding their goods? wherewith those lands could have been purchased, and thus possession obtained of the Centre Stake, and the lands of that region; dwelt at some length upon the solicitude of Joseph the Prophet to accomplish that end, but owing to the covetousness of the Latter-day Saints that great undertaking was postponed; touched upon the United Order in connection with the building up of the Centre Stake, &c. setting forth that a preparation? ? would be necessary on the part of the Saints in order to accomplish that work, and asserted that the Centre Stake of Zion could only be established according to the method that God had revealed long ago to the Prophet Joseph, and treated upon the law of consecration, and showed how important it was, and that God had revealed the same; admonished the Saints not to fall into the same error as did the Saints in the early days of the Church, by withholding? ? when required to build up Zion and thereby avoid the displeasure of the Lord; treated with more force upon the spirit of the law of consecration and the United Order, and entreated the Saints to live accordingly; reviewed the hard heartedness of the Saints in the days when the Lord undertook to redeem the Centre Stake of Zion, and introduce the law of consecration and the United Order. He implored the blessing of the Lord upon the Saints. Prest. Taylor next addressed the Saints and expressed his pleasure at hearing the remarks of Bro. Snow and said that what the Lord had contemplated bringing to pass in Jackson County would yet be brought to pass, and said we had approached in a ? degree, the spirit of the work sought to be introduced at that time. We were not in a condition to adopt at present the principles referred to in their entirety. He spoke of the fallacy of considering it a sacrifice in accepting the Gospel; showed the great blessing we enjoy in receiving the Gospel; said that we had taken a great deal of pains in selecting suitable men to go to the nations; we did not wish to send any one away because he was in the way of some one or to reform himself; but wanted them to be reformed before they went. Spoke of the indebtedness to the P.? P.? P.? Co. and wished it was less. Referred to the building up of the Temple, and was pleased to see that the work upon the Temple had progressed so well; treated at some length upon water rights in particular, and showed how futile the labors and efforts of some who arrogated greater rights than others. He admonished the Saints to be liberal in their feelings and cultivate the spirit of God. He spoke of the class of men and women that should be selected in making new settlements, namely, they should be men of stamina, and men of God who had the law of the Lord written in their hearts. He exhorted the Saints to honor God and the laws and thus prepare ourselves to re-turn to Jackson County and build up the Centre Stake of Zion. Benediction by Bishop E. P. Sheets. SATURDAY, TWO P.M. Singing; prayer by Bishop L? Hardy. Elder Orson Pratt read from the book of Jacob, in the Book of Mormon, which treated upon the wild and natural fruit of a tree, remarking that we had here a plain prediction concerning us and the great work of God in which we were engaged. The speaker referred to the subject dwelt upon by Brother Snow, and stated there may be persons among us who may think that God had almost left us, and queried whether we could consistently lay aside the present order of things or whether we were to take it for granted that we were doing the best we could, being desirous of doing right and enjoying the spirit of God. He showed that a great improvement had taken place among the Saints; that if the Saints had not lived up to the perfect law, their aim and object was to do so, and a great improvement was manifest. He referred to the various institutions known as the United Order among the Saints; which were indeed various as the Elders see and understand variously, but none organized according to the perfect law of God. He touched upon the proposition of an United Order all working together, all uniting together, and upon the result of an observance of the perfect law, in regard to that Order. He spoke of his expectation? that God would in his own due time, fulfill His words with regard to the redemption of Zion, and peradventure may purchase the lands in Jackson county, and asserted that God would gather from among the Saints a people that would serve him aright and build up the Centre Stake of Zion. He spoke of the condition that would surely come to pass, when there would be none rich and none poor, and all enjoy similar blessings, and set forth how the law of consecration and the law of God would be carried out. He dwelt upon the matter of inheritances of the Saints being dealt out according to the law of God; and spoke of the Prophet Isaiah, the prophet speaking of the things to take place in the latter days, with regard to the accruing wealth that would come to the Latter-day Saints. He also debated upon the blessings that would come to the Saints arising from a proper observance of the law of God, in making a proper use of their stewardship given them for the purposes of maintaining themselves and families. He showed that God would build the New Jerusalem out of materials indestructible and in perfect order, so that when He should take it unto Himself, it would be in keeping with His holy and ever enduring character. He spoke of the nature and character of the Temple to be built in the New Jerusalem, showing and explaining the nature of the building, including the various uses to which it will be put. He prayed that God would be with the Saints and qualify them to realize these things. Elder C. W. Penrose was gratified for the privilege of listening to the many good things we had heard. He mentioned his desire to assist in the building up of the Kingdom of God, alluded to the Order of Enoch, and dilated? upon that principle as carried out by Enoch; stating that we were in ignorance concerning the method of bringing about that order, information being given only in a general manner. He queried what can we do to bring about that order of things among us as Latter day Saints. Stated that our reception of the Gospel involved the adoption of that order, to be carried out in every day life. He remarked that a few among us were afraid of the adoption of that order lest they would be deprived of their worldly means. But the adoption of that order would abolish individualism and explode the narrow ideas of mankind who make their own interests supreme and exclusive. He referred to the Introduction of the United Order in our families. Each man should stand at the head of his family, and if a polygamist he should act in fairness with his wives and children, using no partiality with any member of his family, each one acting in good faith and in honesty with his fellows. He showed the variety of organizations among us, some men being more attentive than others, and having their minds more drawn out after the things of God than others. He set forth that the priesthood eventually would put every man in his own proper place, and God would in this generation establish a proper order of things, in which the principle "Love Each Other" would be exemplified and carried out. He admonished the Saints to observe all the commandments of God, and be blessed. Benediction by Elder George Q. Cannon. SUNDAY, TEN A.M. Singing; prayer by Elder George Q. Cannon. Bishop L. W. Hardy addressed the Saints and implored their faith and prayers in his remarks; referred to the statements made yesterday upon the subject of the United Order and continued his remarks upon ? ? of ? ? ? propriety of attending to ? and deprecated the indifference manifested on the part of the Saints with regard to observing the fast days, and in paying tithes and offerings and observing the Sabbath day. He spoke of the violation of the Sabbath day, and set forth the necessity of all observing these things, in order to prepare us to enter into the United Order in a proper manner. Set forth the feasibility of all attending fast meetings, no meeting holding longer than two hours, taking only twenty-four hours during the entire year. Did all observe these things the blessing of the Lord would attend us daily and the sick could and would be healed. Showed that the receiving of the blessing of the Lord hinged upon paying our tithes and offerings, and urged the payment of the best articles forr tithing and not inferior ones. Showed how the Lord treats an inferior article paid for tithing, by referring to the tithing paid by Cain, which was unacceptable. Referred to the excellent spirit which prevailed in the meeting yesterday. He alluded to the bringing up of our children and set forth the difficulty attending their training and proper religious education. He urged parents to see to it that our children are properly trained; urged mothers to take a proper course with their daughters; deprecated the course of some of the Elders who indulged in beer and other intoxicating drinks, and urged the Saints to abstain from such vices?. The clerk read the statistical report of the Stake of Zion, also the donations to the Logan Temple; they are as follows: Statistical report of the Cache Valley Stake of Zion, for the quarter ending? October, 1879: Apostles, 1; Patriarchs, 7; Seventies, 831?; High Priests, 428?; Elders, 1,211; Priests, 867?; Teachers, 898?; Deacons, ?; members, 3,870?; children under eight years of age, 4,128?; total of souls, 13,00?; families, ?,301?; marriages, 79?; children blessed 190?; members received, ?; members removed, 38; baptized, 188?; excommunicated, 0?; deaths, males, 19?; females, 24?; persons drawing support, 129?. Free will offerings to Logan Temple, from May 8th 1877?, to Oct. 1st, 1879: Labor, $15?,821.38?; merchandise, $2m514,1?; stock, $7m61?.10; produce, ?; lumber, $318.17?; tools, ?; hay, $1,811,??; cash from wards, $?, from Sunday schools, $3?8.94?; and from 50 cent donations, $1,997.1?; teams and wagons, $517.??; wood, ?; meat, ?; building material, $?; grand total, $175,938.40?. Of this amount Cache Valley Stake furnished $?; Bear Lake Stake, ?; Box Elder Stake, $?; Logan Tithing Office, $; Trustees? In Trust, $14,381.10?; from other sources, $201.40?. Elder George Q. Cannon addressed the congregation and read from page ?02 of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants; and remarked that in standing up to address the Saints he desired their faith and prayers. He stated that it was a great undertaking to stand up in a congregation to teach? in the name of the Lord; and spoke of the necessity for one to have the holy spirit to guide him in his remarks?. He dilated? upon the various wants and needs of the Saints present, which wants were unknown to him, hence the wants of the Saints could only be met by the dictation? of the holy spirit, which would mete out to all according to their several needs, in due season. He referred to the peculiarity of the Saints, in that one of a family in a great many instances had received the Gospel; and set forth the anomaly? that out of families who being apparently equally? capable and intelligent, only one member of such families would and had received the Gospel and gathered up to these vallies? [valleys]. He spoke of the importance of our situation as Saints in being in a position to avail ourselves of the blessings of the Gospel, and in preparing ourselves for the great future that awaits us as Saints. He showed the greatness to which we were destined?, the Lord had? chosen? us to become great and glorious, yea more!? had chosen us to be Gods and become like Him. He referred to the feelings entertained by the Saints when they first heard the Truth, of the affinity? that existed in their minds for the Truth, and the avidity with which they received the Truth. He treated upon the trouble that many had occasioned in the Church turning away from the Truth, not having sufficient stamina to stem the current of opposition of others who became corrupt, went into darkness and turned away from the Church. He set? forth that for those who were faithful, all in? the power of? a God, and of our Father would be conferred upon them. Alluded to the assiduous? labors? of Joseph the Prophet and his brethren, prominent in the Church, entering into the order? of celestial marriage, and set forth the repugnance felt by persons of pure minds to receive that principle at first, but being desirous to do Gods work and will, accepted it and entered into it. He set forth with great force the importance of that law, and the glorious results ? there from?. Benediction by Elder Lorin? Farr?. TWO P.M. SUNDAY Singing and prayer by Elder Orson Pratt Sacrament administered by Bishop B. M. Lewis, his Counselors and the Teachers of the First Ward. Bishop ? F. Sheets addressed the congregation and remarked that he felt pleased at the opportunity afforded him of attending this conference. The topics treated upon took him back to the days of his childhood: he referred to the many blessings God had bestowed upon us as a people; and remarked that if we would be faithful greater blessings would be conferred upon us. Spoke of the favorable circumstances in which the Saints are now situated?; spoke of the humbleness that was attached to every faithful worker in the Church, in the several capacities in which we were called to act. Referred to the order of the Church, as relating to the responsibility resting upon the Bishops and Teachers to see that no iniquity remain and exist in the Church, and set forth the modus operandi of accomplishing the object?. Counselor C. O.? Card presented the authorities of the Church and of this Stake, which were unanimously sustained. Elder F. D. Richards addressed the Saints and stated that it was a pleasant sight to see so many people present; it indicated a desire on the part of the Saints to listen to instruction; referred to the fact? of a small attendance at our Conference yesterday, and gave his reasons for it, and remarked that often we make a mistake in staying away from meeting when the most important things are presented and talked about. He said that each? one was expected to come to Conference and add his mite to the enjoyment of the occasion, and hoped that hereafter the brethren would arrange their work to attend Conference on Saturday as well as on Sunday. He re? to the topics ? ? ? ?vanced life of the Latter-day Saints, and dilated upon the subject of coming to a knowledge of the truth, and recommended that all study upon these more advanced principles of the Gospel. He alluded to the fact that Joseph was in the possession of knowledge of celestial marriage as early as 1832? and queried how was it not make known then? The answer was, the Saints were not ready then, but in the due time of the Lord that principle was revealed. He spoke of the necessity of accepting that principle and reducing? it to practice; referred to the propriety of ridding ourselves of selfishness found in our hearts, and not in the spirit of the Gospel; touched upon the subject of celestial marriage and plurality of wives and treated upon the trials incident to that order, and showed the reason of those trials, and intimated that God would regulate his children according to that order, and dwelt at great length upon that principle and reviewed the history of plurality of wives and God's injunction upon that order. He set forth the idolatrous career of King Solomon and the visit of the Queen of Sheba to him, and treated upon the strictures placed upon Israel against marrying outside? women, and set forth many items of social interest among Israel. He also treated upon the family matters of father Abraham in regard to his wives and children; hoped the Saints would see and understand the great blessings God has? restored us in these days in regard to that holy principle. And as the boy of twelve looks forward to his coming manhood, when he will enjoy grand? blessings, so should the Saints look forward to their maturity when they will enjoy a full fruition of the blessing of Heaven. President John Taylor remarked that we had heard many things, none of which were bad, and as Christ said, I have done many good things among you; which of them do? you persecute me for, so we might say we had done many good things, which of these are we persecuted for. The Congress of the United States had seen fit to put themselves in array against us, as also some of our friends here at home. He spoke of the principle of polygamy, and showed that three-fourths of mankind now were polygamists, and it was the mutual condition of man, and showed that we had nothing to do with planting man upon the earth; and in fact?, who knew anything about God and His Gospel and ways until God revealed to Joseph the Prophet, and set orth that all we have and know came from God. Polygamy was ordained of God for a great and wise purpose. He set forth that our being? was brought about without our agency, and showed that a great and grand creator was the author of our being. He treated upon the ? of the human being, descanted upon the varied phases of humanity; the affinity of the sexes, which was implanted in the hearts of mankind by the Almighty, and showed the Laws? of God regulating the social condition of mankind by instituting polygamy and the everlasting covenant of marriage. Touched upon the apostate condition of the world and referred to the efforts of the Romans? to improve the ways of the Lord, and portrayed the terrible condition of mankind, and the social disaster that prevails in the world, and predicted the final triumph of the kingdom of God and the deliverance of those who do right. He blessed the Saints in the name of the Lord. Benediction by Elder Geo. Q. Cannon. |