The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-04-06

IL ohe history OF InlS people, 1t has been
thought at different times that if the sue
cessful leaders of the church, commenced
with the prophet Joseph Smith. should
pass away there would be an end to Nor
monlsm. Our former leaders did pass away
put other men were selected to fill their
places, to be the standard bearers for the
the time, and the work of the Lord has
progressed and increased. 1t has been
thought, Also that il the church could be
separated from the state there would be an
end to the former But the church of Jesus
Chrlst OF Latter-day Saints does not de-
pend upon the power OF any man or any
certain number of men; nor does it
depend upon any political power for
It's strength; for if every vestige of politi-
cal power were to be taken from the peo-
pie IN this territory or in any other part of
the United States, IL would not affect this
church In the least, because it's organi2a-
ZION Is as independent of the state as any
other church. Though there may have
been feeling lurking in the hearts of the
hearts OF the Latter-day Saints that if
thelr political power were removed from
them The church would be broken to pieces
and destroyed, such would not be the case
Although as a people we have been de-
prlved of this power to quite an extent in
Idaho, IN Ogden, in Summit, and else
where, 1t will be found that the present is
terence ever held here, and that the saints
will continue to increase in numbers and
faith.
The work of the Lord in the establish
ment OF His church stands firmer to-day
than ever it has stood before It's chances
are better and the faith of the people is
stronger The brethren who bear the
priesthood, from the first TO the last, are
better established to day in the gospel, all
1h xrinio
through which they have passed having
tended to purify and stimulate them in the
gospel faith. Though sometimes there may
be lethargy and careleSsneSS on the part of
the saints, yet when we travel among them
from place to place we find that, with all
their weaknesses and fajlings, there is
love Tor the truth abiding in hem; and if
the occasion should arise, they would be
ready TO sacrifice any thing in the world in
pies OF eternal truth. 1t is q rare thing to
md among the Latter day Saints one per-
son who will stand out against the truth,
who is obstinate and will not yield when
shown to be in the wrong.
Apostle Lyman, in conclusion, earnestly
exhorted the Saints to be temperate, and
to rellnquish the use of tobacco and in
toxicants, in obedience to the Word of
Wisdom. He pointed out the value of ex-
ample in these respects, and urged the
necessity of a strict observance of the
Sabbath day.
Apostle Moses Thacher.
l desire to express my gratitude for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. What has
been said is in harmony with my views.
L bear testimony to their truth May the
Spirit of God continue to be impaired to
US. These conference gatherings are re
freshlng to the spirit and delight to the
soul. The people have not come together in
vain They will not go away empty Many
thoughts have passed through my mind,
Some are Of conflicting nature l have
wondered what would be proper course
Tor our leaders under the present circum-
stances surrounding US. If we will follow
our file leaders as they follow Christ. our
path will grow brighter and brighter unto
the perfect day. We must not expect the
people to listen to us unless we listen to
those who lead US. [ am reminded that
after his trlbulatlon, Joseph, who sold into
Egypt, obtained wealth and power While
Abraham was comparatively poor and
humble servant of God and obeyed Him in
all things, the Lord afterwards made him
wealthy. There is no harm in wealth, but
there is in the love of it. When the heart
is hardened and the conscience scared. the
danger IS great | have thought, of course,
of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Brigham
Young and John Taylor They did
not devote all their time to tenn
poralities, but part of it to spiritualities
and part to temporal things. 1t is only
when we depart from equity and Justice
that the holy spirit leaves US. The danger
is not in the possession of wealth, but in
depressing our fellow beings. T. c. M. l.
was not organized by President Young to
enable him to accumulate wealth, but for
the substantial benefit of the people So
with other enterprises in which he en-
gagged. When l have thought of the
financial enterprises in which our leading
brethren are engaged and the heavy burd-
ems thus placed upon them, have con-
cluded that we who have been called to be
ministers of salvation should not
so extensively engage in financial
matters. The leading authorities are
employed from fifteen to eighteen
hours day, and in giving counsel
in ninety nine cases ont of hundred in
stances it is on temporal matters rather
than those that are spiritual | did not
come to these mountains to accumulate
wealth, and for one, [ would rejoice to be
relieved. from this time on, from tempo
ralities and engage, in future, exclusively
in preaching the gospel Of salvation. The
spirit of speculation is abroad among us
and the people make the excuse for their
course that their leaders are engaged in the
same direction. am willing to be guided
In these matters by those who preside, and
trust thatI shall endure
The choir sang: Come, Spirit. Come. ),
Adjourned till pm.
Benediction by Elder George Reynolds.