| Show thanksgiving Nd AND PRAYER to the latter day saints in zion and throughout the world beloved brethren fand and sisters A little over two years ago we were impressed to call upon the latter day saints to set apart a day for fasting and solemn prayer unto the lord our position at that time was such that it seemed as though no earthly power could deliver us from the evil which environed us and which threatened our overthrow turn agich which way we would every avenue seemed closed against us human help was beyond our reach out our eyes and hearts under those circumstances turned to the lord as the only power to which which we could appeal for succor do we say too much when we testify that the lord did on that occasion condescend to bear sad and answer the supplication of his people their hu humiliation Mil lation before him was not without its fruits if the objects which were suggested in our circular letter at that time to be prayed for be examined the results will show how wonderfully the lord has granted the prayers of his deop people le in view of abi and the great mercy shown unto us by our father in heaven in permitting us at our recent general conference to lay the top stone of the salt lake temple with shouts of hosanna to god and aad the lamb it has suggested itself to us that it would be most appropriate for the latter day saints to gather in their various places of worship on sunday the first day of may 1892 and in fasting and prayer offer up to the most high their heartfelt and solemn for his goodness and he has shown unto them and the deliverance that he has wrought utin out in their behalf surely no people have greater cause flur fi r thanksgiving and praise than biu have the latter day saints throughout these them mountains and as we cannot ha ve 70 occasion oco aBion for thanksgiving because of deliverance wrought our for us without our bre brethren Ahren and sisters in other lands sharing in our joy it is ie proper that they too should select a day as may be suitable and convenient to them in like manner to fast and pray and offer up their gratitude and thanks to t he be great creator for the blessings he has bestowed upon his people we have decided to select sunday for this purpose because it can meet with a more general observance on the part of all the people than would be possible upon any other day every man woman and child belonging to our church should join in this glad service for although we have many obstacles to contend with and the adversary of our souls has not made truce nor laid down lite his arnois arms yet the lord nas has spoiled many of his bis schemes and destroyed his snares and has provided for us a way of escape from his power in our prayers we should still supplicate the almighty father to continue to bless and deliver hiis hia zion and to prepare the way for the ushering in of the full reign ot of righteous righteousness Dess and truth when he whose right it is to reign shall hold undisputed sway away over all the earth the following resolution was unanimously adopted by the immense assemblage sem blage of people at the laying of the topstone top stone of the temple believing that the instruction of president woodruff respecting the early completion oi of the salt lake temple temp ae is the worb of the lord to us I 1 propose that this assemblage pledge themselves collectively and individually to furnish as fast as it may be needed deeded all the money that may b be required to complete the temple at the earliest time possible so that the dedication may take place on april ath 1898 plans plane have been suggested for the collection of the funds needed to oom corn the fhe temple in accordance with this resolution but we have bave decided that no better occasion could offer for this purpose than the time when the saints shall be assembled to observe this day of prayer and thanksgiving subscriptions can then be taken by the alie various bishops and other prodding presiding officers from all who 00 present at the meetings and it if all are not prepared to give that which they desire to subscribe at the time they can make their arrangements arrange mento to pay by installments it to is very desirable that ahls labor should be completed so that the sacred building can be dedicated aw the lord at the general conference april aarn ath 1893 steps have already been taken to have the work done with the full expectation that the funds which were voted for when this resolution was adopted will be forthcoming in time to meet all the payments we feel assured there will be no digap point mentin in this lithe if the bishops and other presiding authorities do their duty there is no labor in which the lat ter day saints feel more deeply interested than in the building and corn com plating of temples this temple at salt lake city has long been in process of erection by the ath of april next forty yeara will have elapsed since the laying of the foun da tion stones it seems proper then that the expiration of that period should wit ness its dedication we trust that no exertions will be spared to accomplish this thin end and that all will respond lib brally to the call which will be made upon them praying the lord to bestow upon all the latter day saints upon this occasion the spirit of prayer and thanks giving we remain your brethren WILFORD GEO gao Q CANNON JOSEPH P F SMITH first presidency Preel dency of the church of jesus jesua christ of latter doiy W saints the view obtainable on a clear day from the top of the east middle tower of the temple is enchanting the question fuestion of aerial navigation seems 10 to have been solved by the he germans who have nevertheless kept the matter 9 so 0 secret that the fact seems to lave have been unknown until the balloons appeared they have been seen over encampments encamp ments in poland and at warsaw the inh inhabitants abitanta wore startled by a bright light which proved to be an electric search light from a balloon which moved about or remained stationary evidently at the will of who the operator |
