Show PI P OF Oli TIlE THE CR INCA last Christmas tiny day tho tiro Church of Jesus J Christ of SINCE S day Saints has rondo mode advancement and taken new steps in accordance with its genius and the th requirements require requirements e ments of now conditions con showing that it is l a n living organism ready randy for every emergency and on endowed om ocd with that vitality which is needful to resist opposition and 1111 tho the initiative in important movements Notwithstanding the tho loss by y death of two of oC its venerable standing nt at tho the head of its affairs it has haa not boot boon injuriously affected It is so constituted constituted that every place made vacant from any uny cause causo is filled as U soon as necessary by qualified officials and tho the work ark goes forward without hindrance or delay lelay All the tho councils and ond quorums of tho the holy Priesthood are organized and on in ill working order There are aro now fifty Stakes of Zion Won including those in Colorado Oregon and Canada n They arc aro established with their several presidencies and bish bishoprics tad and time the various auxiliary societies Thorn Thoro are oro fourteen missions outside of or Zion lion including that which has boon beet opened in ill Japan Those These with their presidencies and nc ne tivo missionaries numbering about seventeen n hundred aro busily engaged without pay for tor their services in promulgating tho the principles of tho ho everlasting Gospel l for the tho amelioration and salvation sl of labors pro arc not in vain Seekers after niter truth led into the waters of baptism and the the th t influence of ol time the teachings n s of tho the Elders 1 is felt if not ac oe acknowledged throughout At the tho October con conference ference statistics showed shoved that the th Church membership was at least three hundred hun ml and ton thousand Time Tho mission of tho the Church is tho the same samo ns as that inaugurated by tho the birth into this world and mission work of i A Athe tho the lie He who was the tho babe babo of Bethlehem and then tho the lamb Iamb that was slam slain and nn afterward the risen and glorified Savior and who will ho be King of kings line hoe in ill person re ro reestablished established His Ills church mind Ills His Spirit gives it lifo life and light and amid power Jower At tho the Christmas Christians of oC 1901 1001 tho the work Ho lIo has hos be begun begun begun gun in this ago ngo has hns brighter prospects greater facilities stronger unity and a n firmer position than over before belore There Thoro is ono one particular feature of oC its present existence which is worthy of or special attention A nephew of tho the Prophet Joseph Smith in accordance with a n prophecy de do delivered livered many years ngo ago stands at nt tho head hend Of ol tho time Church oc occupying occupying the tho position first hold by tho the great grent Seer of the Nineteenth Nine Nineteenth century Another nephew Is the tho Patriarch of tho the whole wh 10 Church As Joseph and oud labored together as ns brothers before their martyrdom so tho the brothers Joseph F P Fand Fand and John Smith are nrc intimately associated now There was in that early curly tiny day ono one of oC the tho Smith family in time the Council of oC tho the Twelve std nud today thero there aro two taro of that lineage in tho the sonic samo body bod It lIt is gratifying that stalwarts having tho the blood bl d of 01 tho the Prophets figure figuro prominently in tho the Church today Christmas day in 1901 conies canines laden with blessings to time tho Saints Peace Peuco reigns in ill Zion lion joy dwells in their hearts and contentment in their homes hones Union faith and hope are manifested throughout the tho Church The Tho sentiment of nil all hearts toward both friend and foo foe is good will to oil all allmen t mon men moo Tho Fite angelic song which gave forth the first notes of tho the opening of oC the Christian Era Bra is now echoed in tho last ost dispensation ns liS nn am overture to tho consummation of nil timings things spoken of by tho the holy Prophets Lot tot God GOll be praised and an tho the world bow to His Ills overlaying everlasting dominion |