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Show HON Ifi 110 10 BE BUI) PRESIDENT SMITH SAY? CM NTS ARE RELEASED FROM DUTY IN SOUTHERN REPUBLIC. Head of 'Mormon" Church at Semi-Annual Semi-Annual Conference Discusses Troubles of Colonist Session Ses-sion One of Interest Salt Lake City. At the opening ws. alon of the eighty-third semi-unr.ual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of La'ler-duy Saints, held In this city on Friday, October 4, President Presi-dent Joseph F. Smith spoke of the trial of the Saint In war stricken Mexico, and declared that the mission there la, at leant for the present, at an end; and that the brave men and Women who had risked their fortunes and their ltv.i lu the attempt to build up a branch of thu church In that country are released from further duty in the southern republic. The president paid a glowing tribute trib-ute to tho members of the church who had fcono to Mexico to make their homea, declaring that they have Buffered Buf-fered a great deal at the hand or a degraded, wicked, unprincipled rade of men, many of w hom uiiiucH:io..ably have good hear' In them, and will manifest the goodnoM of their hearts when under the influence of good men and of fuvorable surrounding." "The American government." said President Smith, "haa played the purt of wlndom lu Handing aloof and lotting lot-ting dog eat dog," The church dignitaries were well represented at tho conference, only two of the apostles being absent Rudger Clawson, who Is In lOuropc, and George F, Richard. Of the flrat sever, president of the seventies, there wen-present: wen-present: J. Golden Kimball, Seymour II Young. Rulon S. Wnlls, J. W. Me-Murrtn, Me-Murrtn, and Charlea H. Hart, bishop Charles XV. Nlbley, presiding blf Imp of the church, and his counselors, O. P. MjUer and David A. Smith, wert pre. -A. Scores of other high churchmen, including Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith, occupied aeati of honor. Fully 8.800 persons, many of them pilgrims from throughout the world, far and near, where the branches of the church are located, were presen. the attendance exceeding that of any ' opening session in yenrs. Following the addres of Prexldent Smith, President Anthon II. Lund made a brief doctrinal add reus, follow, ing cloely the line marked out by President Smith in the cloaing of his aermon. Four of tbe first council of seventies. seven-ties. Charlea H. Hart. Joseph W. Mo Murrin, Rolon S. Wells and Jonathan G. Kimball, also spoke at tbe opening day sessions, each delivering an Instructive In-structive and entertaining address. At the Saturday cession, the vnut audience listened to three more of the first council of seventies, ltrlghum H. Roberta, Seymour H. Young and I.evl Fdgar Young, the principal address being be-ing delivered by Klder Rober". In the afternoon four of the Apostle spoke. Including Pr aldent Francrs M. Lyman and Apoitl-s Heber J Grant, Reed Smoot and Hyrum M. Smith. In hi address at 'he Saturday session, ses-sion, President Smith said: 'God. In His boundleK wlxdom and gracloue mercy, has provided means and has ahown the way to the children of men, whereby even In the realm of freedom and the exerrke of their own Judgment Judg-ment they may individually come to (!d In faith and prayer and And out what should guide and direct their human judgment and wisdom; and I don't want the Latter-day Sainta to forget this la their privilege. It la estimated that there were 12 000 persons in the tabernae'e at each of the meet'ngs on Sunday, and, In the afternoon, there munt have been 21.000 persons In the tabernacle, a acmbly hall and oittdoor gathering. The cloning sessions rounded out a conference that has been gratlfylngly aufcesiful. It waa a mighty exposition exposi-tion of the wonderful and close fellow-ah fellow-ah p which bind together a great people In one faith, one hope and united worahip of one supreme being. Knpec!al!y In the afternoon did the overwhelming throng typify the compact com-pact unity of the Mormon people. Speaker at the 'nbernacle meetlnss we-e K'der Charles W, Penrose, of the first presidency; Klder Omon F. Whitney, Georee A Smith. Dnvld O. McKay. Joseph K. Sm'th, Jr.. and James E. Talmage of the quorum ol twelve apostlea. and President Josepn F. Smith, who closed and dismissed the conference in a brief address of admonition. Elder George F. Rlchxrdt Is'eor.flned to hi home on account of illness, and President Smith asked the saints to make a pe'Hln for his recovery ft special aubject of their prayer. One of the overflow meeting wai held In the assembly hall. !n charge of Elder Anthony W. Ivlna of the quorum quo-rum of twelve apoatles. Assisting him as spetkere were Prealdent 8am net O. Ilennion of the Central States mission. President Gewnan E. Ella worth of the Northern State mission. Pres dent Charlea A. Callla of the Southern Statea mlasion and Elder David II. Cannon of SL George. Ten missionary aocietlea of tbe Church of Jau Christ of Latter-day Balnta held reunions Friday night, talked over old daye while on missions, mis-sions, renewed old acquaintance from among the many who are In the city to attend the conference, enjoyed music and dancing od listened to hort addressee of good fellowship front representative mea from among them. Sixteen stakes were represented at the meeting of tbe Woman nal glcaJ ooclety of tne Mormon enure held Saturday. |