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Show CACHE VALLEY STAKE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. Second Day. In the afternoon the services were opened by singing; prayer by Elder Aaron Farr, Sr. President W. B. Preston read the usual quarterly reports, and the names of the general and Stake authorities of Cache Valley were sustained in their several offices. Samuel Roskelly was appointed President of the High Priests Quorum, in place of John Parry, deceased. President John Taylor expressed great pleasure in being permitted again to meet with the Saints of Cache Valley; he regretted that the intense heat of the day would cause the great multitude assembled to be uncomfortable. He spoke of the great progress made on the Temple, and was gratified to learn of the liberality manifested by the Saints. They had done nobly, leaving no room for complaint. He explained the necessity of raising some 819,000 additional, to complete the Temple. He also expressed a willingness to help; he knew where to put his hands on $5,000, which would enable those in charge of the work to get along and pay the indebtedness until harvest was over, and all would no doubt then he enabled to square up matters. He moved that the Temple affairs he left in the hands of the committee as heretofore. (This was assented to by the people present.) The Temple could be dedicated after it was paid for, it was intended to be dedicated to the Lord; it would then be the Lord's Temple, wherein we could dedicate ourselves to Him, and do our work for the living and dead. He said from remarks that he had heard he understood then the city was experiencing difficulty with regard to the liquor traffic. He thought that credit was due to the people for the part acted in this matter, and he advised them to keep it up; these law prosecutions could be easily arranged. He trusted that the people would carry their arms to a successful issue. God had organized our church in such a way that matters can be amicably and rightly arranged within the church. If you do your duty faithfully and magnify your calling upon all occasions the Lord will undoubtedly bless you. Corporations, as well as individuals, sometimes act in an obstreperous manner, and endeavor to trample upon men's rights. Brethren you must use your best endeavors to at all times to carry out the object you have in view without favor or affection. In regard to the organization of the Church of Jesus Church of Latter-day Saints, this church was formed after the pattern in the heavens. We set teachers and priests over the people in the various districts, and we expect them to do their duty and look after their flock, and if they do not perform those duties they must be removed. Every member of the church should perform his duty, whatever others may do or neglect to do. There should be no hard feelings, evil speaking, nor dishonest nor fraudulent acts among Latter-day Saints. Let no evil, back-biting, strife, licentiousness, drunkenness, adultery, or Sabbath-breaking exist in your midst. All members should discharge their duty rightly, and should see that none occupy or possess a position in the church of God of which they are unworthy. See to it that the priests and elders do their duty, but let there be no hard feel feelings, no evil speaking of any kind, but let all manifest their calling aright. If you see any members of the church going astray, go to them and advise and plead with them. If they do not obey, or are not disposed to do right, it is then your duty to report them to the Bishop. It then devolves upon the Bishop to do his part; he must see the offender, not with angry words, or in a vindictive mood, but as a mediator, and as one who teaches what is right and just. When God established His church upon the earth and organized it after the heavenly pattern, he appointed various officers in it each to fulfil certain duties unflinchingly before Him, to act with justice and judgment, with mercy and long-suffering in all cases. The law of God is considered hard by the workers of iniquity, but good and holy men may rejoice in the words of the Holy One of Israel. If any member feels aggrieved at the Bishop's action and thinks him unnecessarily harsh, he may appeal to the High Council, who are men set apart in the various Stakes for their known fidelity, integrity, honor and justice; these men possess every requisite qualification to fill their positions, and they will properly inquire into every case and see that justice is equally done; they will see that no man is oppressed in Israel, they will deal equal justice to all without fear or favor. But if men and women will not obey the commands of the Almighty they are not fit to be His servants, and must be dealt with according to His laws. The speaker had heard that there were men in this place who sold intoxicating liquors and kept places of a disreputable character that some people seemed to admire, and where drunkenness was indulged in. He had heard that Elders and High Priests, as well as some other members of the Church had been seen coming out of these places, the worse for liquor. He said if he had seen one of them he would have gone to them, have advised with them and endeavored to prevent a recurrence; which would have been his duty; such was the duty of every one in the Church. Every Elder should be alert on the watch-tower against all kinds of iniquity among this people. Where evil, or corruption exists, they should do their utmost to stop it. If they understood correct principles they would try and stem the current of evil, and would thus be enabled to realize the blessings Jehovah has promised to those who are faithful. The speaker remembered an instance of an old gentleman, who was respected and considered a good praying man, who had a wife,-which some people would call a termagant. This wife died and he took another, a very amiable lady, but he had become accustomed to the thorn pricking him he felt out of place, and he commenced to take a drop. The narrator said he went to him and talked to him of his folly, beseeching him to let the cup alone, the old gentleman felt humbled and promised to reform. Could not you, as Latter-day Saints, go to these mistaken men and, in all affection, ask them to leave the path they are treading on? Use persuasion, love, regard, sympathy; be not harsh with them, but plead with them and for them. "Charity covereth a multitude of sins." Our privilege here is to do good,-to exalt our fellow-men. But if men are predisposed to do wrong and violate God's commands, and refuse to clear their skirts, then neither Bishop nor other official is authorized to cover up things, nay, all must perform their several duties and see that all are kept doing right. The words and commands of God must be kept pure and unsullied, and it was the duty of all the officers to see that no one in iniquity remained in the Church of God. God must be honored among His people, and evils rooted out of the land. We may then make supplication for our needs to Him in good faith, and will find the door duly opened to us, and we shall be brought nearer to Him, and comprehend fully that we are His children and His elect. The Quorum of High Priests should exercise an influence over this people. They should humble themselves before the Lord and desire to fully understand the law of equity and justice; watchfully look after their flocks and their interests, exercising a salutary influence among them. The Seventies should see that no iniquity exists among their quorums. No evil nor impure member should be permitted to remain among the elect, chosen as God's messengers on this earth. The same words applied to Elders and others, who were messengers appointed to teach and instruct the people. There is a great influence for good to be found in the Y. M. M. I. A., they should watch over and look after one another, using supervising care. The Y. L. M. I. A. are doing well, striving to keep the daughters of Israel from being led astray. Labor for them and see that they are kept in the paths of God. If the people would watch they would see the sapping of the foundations of rule in this world, and signs that thrones will be cast down, empires destroyed patrons overthrown; because of their iniquity and corruption. The priesthood must not think themselves too wise, but must repent of their sins. God will manage and dictate to His people, for He is their Head. He will give us His revelations in due season, so as to guide us aright, and we must obey them. Acknowledge every man in his other in the name of the Lord. This is the kingdom of God and no other. We are doing a good work, spreading the Gospel of Christ, and we are fast growing and increasing in numbers. Instead of Zion being crushed, it will become as the flocks upon a thousand hills, and the little one shall become a strong nation. The Relief Societies are doing a good work, and the Sunday Schools are progressing. Then let all act with an eye single to the glory of God. This is an important age; time progresses; there are many moving against us, as far as God will permit them. His power none can assail. You must all do right, and observe His laws; His eyes are upon you; He sends His angels to guard us,-they are more interested in our welfare than we are ourselves, and more than we are probably aware of. Many are more interested in their daily duties than they are in the work of the kingdom, God is redeeming this earth, and accomplishing the prophecies that have been made, and He requires the Saints to be co-workers with Him; there is yet a great work to be performed. We have to build temples, and administer in them; continue to preach the Gospel to the world, as in the past, advocate our religion in the courts of princes; teach to the poor the paths of righteousness, gather them to Zion, and then teach them their duty here. Go on and control your own affairs. Do not trouble yourselves too much about outside matters. The earth is getting worse and worse daily. Jesus said in His day, if the Saints were of the world they would love its own; but, thank God, you are not of the world, and therefore the world hates you. Jesus said, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and shall persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven." There is nothing strange about that, is there? It has been declared that liars shall have their portion in the next world, but there will be a wall between them and us. I have no doubt we can stand it. These things will not make much difference to us; our potatoes will grow and we shall get along; there is no doubt of it; we will let them attend to their business, and we will look after our own; their need be no excitement; let us ask the Lord for guidance. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." The Spirit of the Lord has been operating upon the Lamanites, and numbers are being baptized. Elders, Priests and Teachers spread the Gospel. The Lord God expects this at your hands. Magnify what you are possessed of. We need to feel as little children and humble ourselves before our God. He has called me to my work and I desire to magnify it. I will do any labor commanded by my God. God bless you; God bless all Israel; God bless all in favor of truth, and all who uphold the rights of men, and may He confound all who are opposed to His just rule in the land, is my earnest prayer in the name of our God. Amen. President Preston gave notice that the Relief Society will convene in the Tabernacle on Sept. 1st. After singing, the conference adjourned for three months. President Wilford Woodruff pronounced the benediction. |