Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-04-21
SUNDAY SERVICES.

a Come we that love che Lord.
! And let our Joys be known
Prayer by Elder A. NJ. Musser.
3 The choir sang the hymn ccm-
mencing:
3 Come hither, al re weary souls
|. Ye heavy. laden sinners, come
The Priesthood Of the Eighteenth
$ Ward officiated in the administra-
e ton of the Sacrament.
ELDER CHARLES w. sTAYNER
addressed the congregation. 1t is
always a source of qualification, after
an absence Of several months. for
an Elder to mingle again with the
people in our mountain home; par
ticularly so when he has been visit
Ing exclusively among those who
are not OF our faith, and has been
deprived, therefore, Of the privilege
Of hearing the inspired teachings
and counsels Of the Apostles and
Elders Of the Church.
As / am about 70 leave shortly on
mission 10 the Northern States.
where | have been appointed to take
charge, tnis may perhaps be my last
opportunity for some months of
speaking TO the Saints who assemble
here.
My recent visit t. the city Of Wash
ington WIS entirely Of a professional
] character, hence 1 have no special
report 10 make to the brethren and
sisters upon my return l desire,
however, TO state that while in WASH
ington met with many genial gen.
temen, and intelligent ladies,
who took considerable interest in the
affairs Of Utah. Itwas a pleasure,
indeed, TO me TO have the oppor-
tunity OF convefsing with Others
upon the condition Of the people In
these valleys, and Of explaining
some matters which had not been
made thoroughly clear TO their
minds regarding our position as
Latter-day Saints, religiously and
otherwise. invariably found much
friendship manifested for the pion-
eers of this portion Of the country
those who have to a large extent
contributed to make it what il is.
With one exception-and that was
in the argument before the Supreme
Court of the United States in con-
nection with the Idaho test oath
case-I lever heard an unkind ex-
preston, nor even an insinuation.
| regarding the Mormsns during my
stay in the east. But regret 10 say
that there is very little opportunity
afforded one in the course Of n con-
versation TO establish belief in the
great principles of our religion. Peo-
pie care more about the worldly as
poets OF Utah-the prospect of finan-
cial advancement-than for the fun
damental principles which have
gathered together here 80 many peo-
pie from different parts of the world,
forming, as il were, a common |
wealth in the midst of the noun
tains. 1t is a matter of in |
difference TO the generality Of peO-
pie whether baptism be performed |
by immersion or sprlnkling; they |
trouble very little in regard 10 the |
Deity, except that in a general way |
they believe that there is aGOd who |
is the Supreme Ruler OF the uni
verse, and that all things are more
or less controlled rs well as created
by this invisible Power. Still, [ be-
lieve that IL any religion at all |
would attract the wOrldly-minded I
today, it IL that which prOclaims
that something has been received
within the present generation, for
they appear 20 utterly despise things
which are old. The old prophets
have bJ. little influence with this
generation. The spiritual marvels
OF the past do not attract as much
attention as the scientific wonders of
today. And but little belief Is mani
tested in the future except that
which may be the result Of scientific
skill.
The Misrepresentation which
have gone forth cOncerniDgu us have,
more or less, turned away the hearts
Of the people from our belief. They
fear that there is something decep-
tive in the doctrines of a people who
are so much maligned and, like the
Saints OF old, everywhere spo-
ken against They seem to ignore
the fact which the Savior himself
predicted as one Of the signs Of His
coming-that His people should be
hated Of all nations for His sake.
They turn deaf ear to anything
in the shape of doctrine, or the
principles OF the Gospel as revealed
through the modern Prophet; new
ertheless, they are willing and even
anxious, to know how we conduct
our affairs, how matters are regulat-
ed executively, judicially, and
politically, while some enquire reli-
tive to our domestic concerns.
Despite the various obstacles in the
way, there are opportunities, both
by precept and example, to bring
the religion of the Eatter-day Saints
to the attention Of the people, TO
show them that il Is 4 practical re-
ligiOn, that il involves something
more than mere belief, and that it
requires a life Of self-denial, of
purity Of heart, aud Of righteous
ness of purpose TO become what the
Lord has designed His people must
be before they can receive the full
ness of His glory.
/ was exceedingly gratified 10
learn in conversation with business
men. that the financial standing OF
the Latter-day Saints through their
various Institutions was considered
No. l, and that whenever they have
had any dealings with us,as individ
uals, they were always well treated.
One gentleman, | well remember,
stated in the presence Of quite n
company that he had done business
with the Latter-day Saints for q
number Of years, TO the amount Of
many thousands OF dollars, and in
every case he had received his
money. The same gentleman re-
marked that when he came in
to this community he was surprised
TO find people Of capital trusting
their poorer brethren to a con-
siderable amount, although know
ing that they had no property upon
which 10 levy in the event Of its
being necessary TO enforce payment.
He expressed the opinion, more
over, that he did not believe the
same could be said OF any other COM
munity in the United States
sxhort the I4atter-day Saints TO
continue in well doing in this re-
gard; to be as prompt as possible In
the payment Of their debts and care
full in all their public and private
dealings TO set that example before
the world which shall cause man
kind 10 realize there is something
more in this Gospel, called "Mor-
monism," than many in the world
suppose. Let men STE that our re-
ligiOn is not a deception and fraud,
that it is not intended 10 hoodwink
the people; bat that it is a religion
designed Of heaven 10 purify the
hearts AMI lives of the human race
and 10 bring mankind into closer
communion with God.
l pray that His Holy Spirit may
rest down upon Zion, that she may
glow with that spirit Of truth and