The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-02-22

aggregation singing the hymn:
May we who know the joyful sound,
Still practice what we know;
Not hearers of the word alone,
But doors OF it too.
Prayer was offered by Presid Mt
Abram Hatch. The choir then sang:
Lord. we come before thee now,
at Thy feet we humbly bow;
Do Il Thou our suit disdaiu;
Shall we seek Thee, Lord, in vain.
PRESIDENT J. r. MURDOCH was the
first speaker. He said that he con-
sidered it great privilege to meet with
the Latter day Sal IS, and to say some.
thing that would stimulate them to the
performance of good works. Many of.
the principles they had embraced were
not merely taught to themselves, but
were to be preached unto the remotest
parts OF the earth, SO that the rest of
mankind might have an opportunity of
hearing and testing them. The s .ints
PRINCIPLES which were calculated to
initiate them into the church and king
dom of God. The speak r, therefore,
did not deem it necessary TO dwell upon
these, but he desired to speak upon
their present situation, which was a
prominent one in the earth. By the
power of God, they were enabled to
gather to this land, that they might be-
come united people through observ-
ing the principles which were taught
them. Like the rest of mankind, they
had right to act according to what
they believed to DE true. They ought,
however, to better understand their DO
sluon anu the nature of the work to
which thew had set their hands. A
general of an army, before gong into
battle, ought 10 have proper under
standing Of his position aud the duties
connected Herewith, that he might be
able, if possible. to meet and overcome
the foe. In spiritual sense, 1t should
be so with the people of God. They
should endeapor to comprehend more
fully their situation, and the doctrines
of the gospel that they might not be
overcome by evil influences, bat that
they hould be able to prove that their
principles were superior to those taught
in the world. Thus they could give
evidences that their religion was divine,
and that God had again revealed the
gospel to the children of men. The
elders or Israel are sent out to preach
the gospel to the inhabitants of the
earth. This, however, did not deprive
men of the liberty to follow whatever
course they chose. Neither had the
servants of God any right to interfere
with them, but should allow all men to
worship according TO the dictates OF
their own conscience. The Latter-day
Saints believed that God had begun in
this dispensation great work. If God
was not its author, it would not con-
tinue. But if he had established it, it
would Withstand all powers that would
be brought against it. The speaker con-
tended that God caused His influence
TO operate through other individuals
beside the Latter-day Saints. Column
bus had been thus influenced III dis |
covering this continent where principles |
of liberty were taught, and civilization |
spread preparatory to the great and |
marvellous work which God had pur-
posed to bring about in this dispense
ton. 1t was O mistake 10 CONSIDER
that the Lattsr-day saints were the |
only instruments used in the spread of |
truth. Truth had been advanced BY |
others. Vast strides had been made IN |
progress ana invention which could not |
have been accomplished without por-
ton of that intelligence which CONT s |
from God. The Savior taught HIS |
disciples to pray that the will of God 4
might be done upon the earth as it was |
done III heaven. II required time, |
labor, and patience to bring about such |
a state of civilization The speaker |
also referred to the growing tendency, |
evil inducements, which ieaos |
the people astray into forbidden paths. |
Chey should, therefore, eDdeavor to |
continue steadfastin the cause of truth. |
President Murdoch testified that the |
worS was of God, and prayed that the
Saints might accomplish what the Lord |
required of them.
PRESIDENT w. G. SMITH. who was the
next speaker, alluded 10 the difficulties
through which the Saints had passed at
the time when this western country
was the home OF only few mountain
GERS and the indians who roved about,
maintaining themselves by hunting
for wild animals. Such was the con-
VI GLlIS VI Y, MuCu
the Saints prepared themselves fer
making a move from Illinois, and com
mencing their journey westward With
horses, mules, and oxen attached to
their wagons, they, in the winter of
1916, journeyed through the snow
which was at least twelve feet in depth.
They wendell their way to the Mississ-
ippi River for the purpose of crossing
and continuing their journey. Pro
ceeding westward, they at length
through many hardships reached the
Missouri River. Deprived of the
luxuries of life, they lived in tents and
wagons and Jared on the simplest kind
of food. Elder Smith was only boy
then, but he could well remember the
experiences of himself and brethren.
They had been requested to furnish the
United States government with num-
Der of able-bedied men as soldiers.
Their great leader, President Brigham
Young, man endowed with the spirit
of wisdom, said it was proper that they
should show their loyalty by furnishing
the men; and accordingly 500 were
raised. The speaker also referred to
the greatprogress which had been made
in this district since those days. The