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Show I PRESIDENT SMITH II I 1 ADDRESS ST I CONFERENCE ft Salt Lake, Oct. 7. In his opening W address at the eighty-sixth seml-an-m naJ conference of the Church of i Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. which was held in the tabernacle yesterday yes-terday morning, commencing at 10 o'clock, President Joseph F. Smith made It apparent that some members of the church have recently complained com-plained that no more revelation is received. Making reference to this condition, the venerable president gave emphatic and effective answed to such criticism. Applying his answer to himself as an illustration, President Smith siad, in substance; "If by any possible means I could perfectly and thoroughly understand and live up to all that has already been revealed to this people I would consider myself in readiness to receive re-ceive more. My regret is that I am not perfect enough to do that." Causes Are Discussed. Then, directing his remarks to thtj causes which he thought were responsible respon-sible for these criticisms, Mr. Smith said, in part: "You avIII usually find that the men who complain because of lack of new revelation are counted among those who do not keep the word of wisdom, who do not observe the law of tithing and who do not faithfully attend to their prayers." Notwithstanding tho drizzling rain which characterized tho morning, the tabernacle was filled, but all attendants attend-ants were comfortably seated, the number present being estimated at 8000. President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors, Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose, were seated in the pulpit tier of the first presidency, and of the apostles the following were present: President Francis M. Lyman, Ly-man, Hebor J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, Hynim M. Smith, Orson F. Whitney, David O. M,cKay, Anthonv W. Irvine, Joseph F. Smith, Jr and Tames E. Talmage. Apostle George F. Richards was not present, for the reason that he was recently called to preside over tlve European mission of the church. He is now In Liverpool, England. Only One Absentee. Of the first seven presidents of seventies sev-enties were present Seymour B, Young, Brlgham H. Roberts, Jonathan G. Kimball, Ruion S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin and Charles H. Hart His duties at tho University of Utah prevented the attendance of Elder Levi Edgar Young of this quorum. Charles W. Nibley, presiding bishop, was on the officials' stand, as were his counselors, Orrln P. Miller and David A. Smith. Presiding Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith was also seated in his usual place. In the inclosures near the great choir loft were seated officers of the different priesthood organizations and offcials of the auxiliary boards, prominent prom-inent among them being Mrs. Emme-llne Emme-llne B. Wells, the president of the Woman's Relief society. It was observed that in the auditorium, audi-torium, in seals near the speakers' stand, were many aged persons who had accupied practically these same seats at every conference since the first semi-annual gathering in the great building in ctober, 1S6G. Singing Is Feature. A feature of the morning meeting illustrated the wide and general attention at-tention that Is given to singing in the church. A few minutes before 10 o'clock President Joseph F. Smith requested re-quested that members of stake and ward choirs seated in the congregation congrega-tion go to the choir loft to assist In. tho singing, but few members of the regular tabernacle choir being present pres-ent on account of their daily duties. Hundreds of men and women responded respond-ed to the call, and In a few minutes the choir loft was almost completely filled and the seats there will accommodate ac-commodate 500 singers. "How Firm a Foundation. Ye Saints of the Lord." was the first hymn sung and Elder Orrln P. Miller of the presiding pre-siding bishopric uttered the Invocation, Invoca-tion, after which the choir and congregation con-gregation sang "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet." During the meeting Professor Anthony An-thony C. Lund, director of the tabernacle tab-ernacle choir, sang "The Seer" in excellent ex-cellent voice and with splendid interpretative inter-pretative effect. The closing hymn was "O. Say What Is Truth," and Elder Moroni Heiner pronounced the benediction Last night, commencing at 7 o'clock the general priesthood meeting meet-ing was held In the tabernacle, but to this there was no admission for the general public or members of the church other than men holding the Priesthood. President Smith Speaks. President Smith, although not having hav-ing been in the best of health of late, was in fair vigor of voice at the opening open-ing of his address, and he warmed up in spirit as he proceeded with hi3 remarks, in part, he spoke as follows: fol-lows: "It is worthy of note that this great building is -wen fjned, notwithstanding notwithstand-ing the unfavorable weather conditions. condi-tions. It is a good omen. I feel grateful to be able to greet you all and look Into your faces. It is gratifying grati-fying to me to know that I am in the presence of a vast congregation of men and women who are here, because be-cause of their love of righteousness. I thank God that I am still in the faith of the gospel of Christ. "My only regret is that I am not capable of doing more for the advancement ad-vancement of Uiis great work In all the world. The religion that we have espoused is not a Sunday religion. It 's I was going to say a most terrible terri-ble reality. I will use that term, for it is as life unto life and death unto death. It Is tho most Important thing In the world to use. Its results to us will depend upon our integrity to the truth and our obedience to the requirements of the gospel. Tribune to Saints. "No other people in tho world more exclusively or more really believe in Jesus Christ than do tho Latter-day Saints. No people In tho world are more entitled to be called Christians. "I would toll you of the condition of the church throughout the world, except ex-cept that I think it unnecessary to devote the time to that subject, as you are all more or less familiar with it Suffice it to say that we arc prospering pros-pering as an organization and increasing in-creasing our membership. I want to say, though, that we have an efficient oorns of missionaries out in the field honest, upright, good-living men who are, so to speak, as pure as the angels in their lives. They are doing a good work and the church is feeling feel-ing the beneficial effects of their labors. la-bors. "The presidents of stakes have our confidence, but there nre young men among them who have not had the experience of their older brethren. They are learning, though, anJ, by strict attention to their duties, will become valuable shepherds of the people. "Bishops have large responsibilities. They are required to look after the temporal and religious welfare of their fiockes. It is their duty to visit every family and learn the status of every member of the ward. In too many instances the bishops are not instant, in season and out of season, to do their duty. "In this respect I would mention the fact that sometimes a bishop will recommend for a mission a young man who is the sole support of his widowed mother and younger brothers broth-ers and sisters. However well this young man may be fitted for a mis, sion. it is not just to expect him to go and leave his mother and the remainder remain-der of tho family without support. It is in such things that judgment should be exercised. "Too many of our bishops want to quit they want to resign. It is a common saying that "God hates a quitter, and It does not seem to'mc to be the right thing for a man to wnt to quit doing his duty. 'There have been some who have complained lately that tho Lord js giving us no more revelations. If by any possible means I could perfectly and thoroughly understand and live upto all that has already been revealed re-vealed to this people I would consider consid-er myself In readiness to receive more. My regret is that I am not perfect enough to do that. You will usually find that the men who complain com-plain because of lack of new revelations revela-tions are counted among those who do not keep the word of wisdom, who do not observe the law of tithing and who d0 not faithfully attend to their prayers. The man who does not observe ob-serve these simple things is prone to quiz on subjects which are not at aU essential. "I hold the keys and authorities of the patriarchal order, with my associated asso-ciated brethren we hold the authority authori-ty to confer tho patriarchal office upon others therefore I bless you all from the depths of my soul. I prephe-By prephe-By that the blessing of the Lord will be upon our people and the people of this nation, and particularly upon the Latter-day Saints if they will but half live their religion. "There is another matter that I want to mention here. Some of the brethren come to us .for settlement of difficulties that they have among themselves. My first advice is that tho individuals themselves settle these difficulties. If that is not possible pos-sible then they should apply to the bishop's court, and appeal to the high council if they arc not satisfied with the decision of the bishop's court. "It is better, however, if they can settle their trouble once and for all between themselves. That Is my course, and has been through my life. If I should call In others and thoy should decide In my favor I should, of course, feel satisfied, but how about the neighbor, or the brother, with whom I had the difficulty. I doubt if he would feel as satisfied about it If the decision were against him, and I believe that he would likely like-ly never consider the matter settled." Ficasina feature. A feature of the afternoon meeting, wliJch was also conducted by President Presi-dent Joseph F. Smith, was a contralto solo sung by Miss Jane Tout. It was the Bible song taken from Isaih, "Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace," and was sung immediately after the invocation by President Stephen L. Chlpman of Alpine stake. The singer's voice was of magnificent strength and she went through the difficult recitative and minor passages in good style and absolute truth to tune. Hymns sung by the improvised choir and the congregation were "Now i Let Us Rejoice In the Day of Salvation," Salva-tion," "Praise to the Man Who Communed Com-muned With Jehovah" and "O, Ye Mountains High." President Jameo Houston of Panguitch pronounced the benediction. Seated in the front row of seats facing the speakers' stand were the following mission presidents who have come in from their various headquarters head-quarters throughout the country: Joseph Jo-seph E. obinson, California; Samuel seph E. Robinson, California; Samuel Monson, eastern states; German E. Ellsworth, northern states; Melvin J. Ballard, northwestern states; C. A. Callis, southern states. President Charles W. 'Penrose, second sec-ond counselor to President Joseph F. Smith, was the principal speaker of the afternoon meeting, his address being purely of a doctrinal character- |