Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-04-07
THE RECENT GENERAL CONFER.
ENtE.

lbhf uNlHF WIZ hfFA'
than any previous gathering Of the
same character In the history Of the
Church In this dispensation. Doubtless
the eagorness Of the whole community
Of Latter-day Saints TO witness the
ceremonies connected with the laying
ofthe capstone Of the Temple accounted
to considerable degree, for the COM
parauve increase in the number
OF people who usually flock half
yearly to this city from all paris
Of this inter.mountain region to
worship, be instructed by the servants
OF God and to consider the best means
Of developing the cause Of Zion. In
dependent, however, Of any unusual
attraction, It ia demonstrated fact
that each succeeding Conference Is
more fully attended than it, predeces-
sor, and the cry for Conditional room"
becomes more and more urgent. The
great Tabernacle IL no longer adequate
to accommodate the general assemblies
OF the Saints. The evidences OF tue
growth Of this people are unmisiak'
able.
The inclemency Of the weather dur
ing the first two and half days OF the
time Conference was In session, APP
peared TO cause but little dimlnutlonin
the attendance and NO abatement In
tho interest taken by tho people In the
proceedings. lthas been necessary In
recent years to hold an overflow meet
Ing at the Sunday afternoon session.
On tbs occasion, for the first time, two
such meetings had to be Improvised-
one on Sunday april 3rjl and the
other oil Tuesday 1.-THE 5thl.
The late occasion was Of engross'
Ing interest for several reasons.
The teachings OF the authori'
Ties were characterized by marked
pointedness and refrefhing vigor.
The Lord has said He delights
sin plainness." II may therefore he
taken for granted that He must have
been gratifed by the teachings i'm
parted by His servants to the Saints.
How could II be otherwise, His Spirit
having inspired themg
Probably the most important topic
dwelt upon, aside from the great theme
Of Temples, their object and uses, was
the necessity for greater unity among
the brethren. This was called forth on
account OF some Of tho brc,hren,i In their
excess Of zeal In party politics, forget
tug the principles Of sacred fraternity
and brother hood that ought TO govern
their intercourse withland conduct to.
ward each other. Thetreatmeni,of this
subject by theFirst Presidency and some
Of the Apostles was most timely, and
viii have powerful effect In correct
lug the evils to which the remarks re-
ierred. II n halt were not called In
this direction, there would be danger OF
practical illustration Of the prophetic
character OF the warning given by the
Lord to His people to beware Of certain
conditions lest they should 'become M
the Nephites OF Ole" That ancient peo-
plp INDUCED In wraDgling, bitter par
tisan spirit political matters, and there
began "to DO disPutings" among them.
On this subject the 9Th chapter Of third
Nephi makes instructive reading.
Among the important themes treat.
ed was the necessity Of willingness on
tho part Of the Saints to DO directed
by tho counsel OF the authorities OF the
Church In eve rything pertaining TO
the welfare Of Zion. 1t san anomaly
that the Church should have 10 DO re-.
minded OF their duty In this respect,
seeing the revelations- with which
the people ought to DO familiar-aro so
plain on this subject. Every man
should act In his own calling,and not
assume 10 take the place Of others
or to direct those who preside
over him. Resistance TO this
principle must bring, as lts legitimate
irult, a schismatio condition. There
IL, however, sufficient sense Of order
and consistency In the great bulk Of
the brethren to preuent any such dc.
plorable situation. We do not believe
that any great permanent differences
will develop from the wrong referred to
by the brethren who stand nj the head
OF the Church. The teachings Of
Conference will, doubtless, have u
powerful corrective effect In this
direction.
Tho laying Of the capstone
ON the Temple was grand
and impressive occasion. The
weather was mellow ant beautlful,and
could scarcely have been more suit.
able. This Spirit Of God was poured
out upon the vast assemblage, number.
Ing, within the block, fully forty
thousand, while many thousands more
lhronged the adjacent streets and
covered the roof. OF buildings In rroxi.
nifty to the Temple Block. Not a
single accident, ~ far rs we have
learned, occurred TO mar the pleasure
Of the notable event. The shout
ing Of tho hosanua chorus, accom-
panied by the waving OF handkerchief
constituted sublime spectacle to tn,
eye, while 1t furnished a grand, soul
stirring sound To the ear. The layins
OF the capstOne 10y means OF electricity
hy nur pattpmad aud yeuerated pr.at