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Show w HEARD MUSIC IN THE HEAVENS WHEN A SMALL BOY In tributes of spoken word and song, Lewis W. Shurtllff, tho venerable president pres-ident of tho Weber stake, was honored yesterday at the quarterly conference of tho stake held In the Tabernacle. Tho tributes were in commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of tho day whon Elder Shurtllff was Bet apart as president of the Weber stake, the position he has held continuously ever since, the date being January 15, 1883. An especially pleasing feature of the morning service was the presentation presenta-tion of a large basket of carnations to President Shurtllff by Mrs, Aggie Stevens, president of tho Stake Relief Re-lief society board, on behalf of tho people of the stake. This followed tho tribute of President John Watson to his superior officer and tho recipient was, for tho tlmo being, overcome with emotion at tho beautiful expression expres-sion of love shown him through the gift Before tho meeting was con; eluded, however, Pres. Shurtllff recovered recov-ered and, at tho request of Apostle Orson F. Whitney, made a brief talk. Ills remarks wore as follows: "I can assure you I appreciate all that has boen said. I appreciate theso ' flowers, as I believo they were given to me because you loved mo; not because it Is Brother Shurtllff, but because of our labor together. When I look upon this body of men here, I see before mo and around mo men who ahve labored diligently and faithfully faith-fully in this Stake of Zion for years-all years-all of my time and before and aro not yet tired. Perhaps In some respects re-spects we have grown weary on account ac-count of health or sometlhng of that kind, but the man who receives a testimony tes-timony of Jesus and is filled with a love of the work of God, never gets tired of tho work. I am glad we have one bishop who has spoken to us who was my bishop; wo have another one John I Hart who was bishop at that time; and Uncle P. G. Taylor was bishop thoso wero tho throe bishops thirty-three years ago when I was bishop and called to preside over the Stake. It will be Impossible for me to tell you what feelings I had when I came Into this house that morning, thJrty-three years ago today. I remember re-member we had not such a choir as we have now: didn't have Joseph Bal-lantyno Bal-lantyno to lead this grand singing, but a few brethren like Brother Dox-ey; Dox-ey; and John McQuarrie was, I think, a membor, and a few others were in the choir. I loved music and singing, although I was never able to iriake any, only a noise. But I love music because In my boyhood I heard music that charmed my soul. In 1847, when we came out of Nauvoo at tho Bluffs, I herded cattle on the hills. The bluffs were the highest hills I had ever seen then. In the testimony meeting before that, the brethren said they wanted all tho boys to bear their testimony, and I wondered what I could say; I didn't know, and I knelt down on those hills the temples of the Lord then. There were no farms, nor anything but wildornesB. I remember re-member I received a testimonj'; I heard the music in the heavens. I havo heard that music but twice since once through this choir and onco in a Temple of the Lord. I received re-ceived a testimony of tills work that has always stayed with me; and, whenever when-ever I have been called to labor for the cause of truth, I have endeavored to do the best I could, in my weak way; and I appreciate the fact it is not Brother Shurtllff It is the Lord's work, and I am only an instrument, and a weak one, in his hands to accomplish ac-complish His purposes. It is the Priesthood I saw before, and around me and who have passed beyond in this Stake of Zion that have accomplished accom-plished what has been done. I rejoice re-joice exceedingly In tho laborB of today: to-day: when I look around and know the number of thousands laboring so efficiently, effi-ciently, I praise God every night and morning for this, for I reallzo that the future generation are receiving that which will be of the utmost and eternal etern-al benefit for them. This Stake of Zion, when I began to preside over It, as I remember, had about six or seven thousand people; it has improved until un-til it was eighteen thousand, and the Lord's servant saw fit to divide it and it was a proper division and I desired it some time before, and today we have nine thousand people In one Stake, and the other Stakes in proportion, pro-portion, and yet we are growing. My soul is full today with praise to our Father that He has spared my life to say this today and to see our brethren breth-ren who are leading the Church proclaiming pro-claiming the necessity of advancement advance-ment and Improvement Brethren and sisters, night before last the three Stakes of Zion the Presidencies Presiden-cies determined to Insure this old Tabernacle. Do we realize that every Prophet and man who has presided over this Church and every Apostle, I believe, and President of Seventy, except the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, has spoken in this house. No wonder Apostle Whitney Is inspired to give us such a wonderful wonder-ful sermon as he has this day. No man can stand here and havo the spirit of the past, or present, but what he can say truthfully that he knows that this is the work of God and teach tho people the principles of eternal life. Brethren and sisters, I know the time is spent, but I appreciate the visit of my brethren here today; I appreciate them because I love them, and I know that the love and fellowship fellow-ship that exist in tho Priesthood of this Stake of Zion Is beyond anything that I know of, and I thank God for It, Tho Lord bless you and bless all that favor the work of the Lord, Is my prayer, Amen." Morning Program. The morning program of tho conference con-ference was conducted by President Alva L. Scovllle and following a beautiful beauti-ful organ preludo, by Organist Sam F. Whi taker, the Tabernacle choir and congregation sang tho hymn, "Now Let Us Rejoice." The Invocation was offered by Elder Thomas A. Shreeve and was followed by tho rendition of "Ave Maria" by an instrumental quarter quar-ter composod of Arthur Swanson, violin; vio-lin; Arvld Nylander, cello; Axel Ny-landor, Ny-landor, fluto, and Sam F. Whltaker, organ. The choir then sang, "I Shall Not Pass Again This Way." President John Watson submitted the quarterly summary report of the stake presidency which, in part, follows: fol-lows: "Tho presidency of the stake report that since the Conference held October Octob-er 17, 1915, they with the members of the High Council, have held Confer-once Confer-once in tho Thirteeen Wards of the Stake, during the months of October, November and December. The attendance attend-ance at theso conferences was very good and an excellent spirit prevailed Special meetings wero held with the Priesthood of each Ward, records were examined and suggestion given where necessary. "The Presidency hold weekly council coun-cil meetings, also weekly meetings with the members of tho High Council Coun-cil and tho Auxiliary Stake Boards. "Our clasBWork committees of the High Council are arranging for the Melchezldek priesthood and the Priests to commence their first lesson 'Jesus the Christ, on Sunday, February Febru-ary 6th, using tho new outlines. "The committees aro working on a Year Book and Stake Directory which, when completed, will give a list ot the members in each Ward and the Ward in which they reside; also the stake officers with reports of attendance attend-ance and activity. "Wo are certainly gratified with the reports of ward toaching having reached 98 per cent for the months of October and November, and 99 per cent for tho month of December. The efficiency of teaching is much improved, im-proved, and, as a result the attendance attend-ance at our Sacrament Meotlngs has Increased. "Our auxiliary organizations throughout the Stake aro doing a good work and our Stako Officers are united unit-ed and earnestly endeavoring to look after this part of the work. On November No-vember 30th, 1915, the first annual "Swarm Day" of our Beo Hive work of tho Y. L. M. I. A. was held conjointly con-jointly with the Ogden and North Weber Stakes in the Tabernacle. Out, of the thirteen wards of our Stake, eleven have been active in this new work Of the three ranks outlined, one hundred fifty-one girls have completed com-pleted the first rank; and eleven the second rank. 'We are thankful to the bishops and their associates for the support they bave given us and their labors for the betterment of the conditions in the Stake." President Watson's Tribute. After presenting the report, President Presi-dent Wataon paid a fine tribute to President Shurtllff, saying that the latter had been a member of tho "Weber "We-ber stako presidency 37 years, having for four years, prior to his being set apart as the head of the stako, been a counselor to President D. H. Peery. During this long period of time, he continues, President Shurtliff bad done a great work and had made himself him-self loved by all who knew him. President Presi-dent "Watson concluded his remarks by introducing Mrs. Aggie Stevens, who informally .presented the basket of carnations to President Shurtllff. The latter accepted the gift, but being too much overcome to respond in words, requested President ScoviHo to convey his thanks to the congregation. congrega-tion. The request was complied with In a brief but finely worded talk. President Scovillo also stating that it was a beautiful thing to make gifts of flowers to loved ones in life, as such expressions could then be appreciated. ap-preciated. He also briefly expressed bis regard for an appreciation of President Pres-ident Shurtliff, whose life, past and present, he said, was one of splendid works and high example. Teachers and Supervisors. Elder James Barlow addressed the congregation for a short time, announcing an-nouncing the meetings of the "Teachers "Teach-ers and Supervisors" training class, which has been organized in the Weber stake. This class, he said was organized to increase the efficiency of tho ward teachers and instructors in the priesthood quorums and auxiliary auxil-iary associations. Elder "Wlllard Ellis followed with a detailed explanation of the "Year Book," mentioned in tho stake presidency's presi-dency's report. Bishop Robert McQuarrie was the next speaker, his remarks being1 confined con-fined to a tribute to President Shurtliff, Shurt-liff, saying they long had worked together to-gether and that he had greatly appreciated appre-ciated the association. President Shurtliff, ho said, was a man who never did things by halves, is a church, social or business way. That trait tho speaker illustrated by recalling recall-ing a party that had been given in the Second ward -19 years ago by President Pres-ident Shurtllff, who not only paid the entire expenses of tho affair, but arranged ar-ranged for tho transportation of his guests to their homos from the hall and from the hall to their homes. This president, Bishop 'McQuarrie said, had beon recalled by the recent Daughters of tho Pioneers' party at tho Berthana hall, where ho had rejoiced re-joiced to see President Shurtliff still ablo to enjoy social entertainments. Apostle Whitney. ApoBtlo Orson F. Whitney, who made the principal talk of tho morning morn-ing said he felt It an honor to bo proBont on such an auspicious occasion, occa-sion, when tho meeting had appropriately appropri-ately turned into a testimonial and love feast to Presldont Shurtllff. The term of tho Weber stake president, ho stated furthor, was tho longest of any stako president over recorded since the church was organized and, in fact, no other president's term had ever approached it in length. Great changes, he continued, had taken place since; the Ogden man had been elevated to his high position. Many stake presidents had died and others hadb ecome too Infirm for service, but President Shurtllff was still enjoying good health, and the full possession of his faculties and was eminently able to continue in active service for the kingdom of God. Speaking further, the apostle referred re-ferred to the gift presented to the well-loved stake president, saying it was a beautiful example of the best of all gifts "not those that cost the most money, but those which carry with them the most love." Following up this theme, the speaker referred to Jesus Christ as having been the greatest gift ever given to man, as through his atonement, eternal life for man was made possible In his further remarks, Apostle Whitney took up an arraignment of "Tho Higher Criticism" and other cults, whom ho declared wero endeavoring endeav-oring to win man away from a belief be-lief in divine power, through making light of miracles mentioned in tho scriptures as having been impossible of accomplishment. "Miracles," he declared, "are possible and they are only an improved method of doing things. They are tho results of the application of the higher lawB that are not understood by man. "All knowledge is the heritage of those who keep God's commandments. Some day all mysteries will be solved and until then, man can well afford to believe. be-lieve. This life is made for the exercise ex-ercise of faith, which gives us our spiritual strength and it is a good tiling for us that we don't know everything." ev-erything." In conclusion, he said that arraignment arraign-ment of "Tho Higher Criticism" was that it failed to grasp tho great idea that God's power 1b greater than man's. The Instrumental quartette favored the congregation with a rendition of "Romanza" (Correza), and President Shurtllffs talk followed. Tho benediction bene-diction was pronounced by Bishop D. H. Ensign, Afternoon Services. At the afternoon services, by special spe-cial request, tho Tabernacle choir sang the greater portion of the cantata, can-tata, "Tho coming of the King," assisted as-sisted by the following soloists, Mrs. Myrtle B. HIgloy, Douglas Brian, Leslie Les-lie H. Saville, William S. Wright and Lee Madscn, under the direction ol Prof. Joseph Ballantyne. All of the H numbers were admirably rendered and H were greatly appreciated. H The invocation was by Elder Wiley H G. Cragun and tho speakers of the H afternoon were President Charles H. H 1 Hart of the First Quorum of Seventy H and Apostle Whitney. Both delivered H Btrong sermons, their remarks being H mainly on the fulfilment of prophecies 'H of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The H general and stake authorities were H presented by Stake Clerk Everet Neu- H teboom and were unanimously sus- H talned by the congregation, which jH numbered nearly 1100 people. The closing remarks were made by Presi- H dent Watson and the benediction was H pronounced by Patriarch G. W. Lor- H kim H |