Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-10-05
CONFERENCES OF THE SAINTS.


In the gatherings Of LAtter.day
Saints 10 regular conferences the
spiritual life u the Church OF Christ is
well unaffected. The general desire
on the part Of the people In tbs various
settlements TO meet their brethren ana
to rejoice with them In tho Divine
light that iiuminates their hearts and
understanding Ia a sign Of abundant
faith In thg' work especially entrusted
to the Saints. Without this faith
meetings VI this kind, which require
some sacrifice ana Involve temporary
Inconvenience without apparent nuan.
ciAl returns, would soon dwindle away.
The gathering u the people OF God
In conferences is In obedience to a
Divine order. Such meetings are
part Of the organization Of the Church
provided for by direct command from
the Almighty. The revelation direct.
Ing the Elders 10 meet In conference
at regular intervals wta given
ar early rs April, 1880, dating
almost from the beginning OF the
Church. Aud II II noticeable that In
every aye when God has through row.
citation to men directed the govern
ment OF His people ON earth, lie hiss
Instructed them to gather. Tho Mosaic
dl-prnsation had, besides It's weekly
sabbaths, annual festivals OF various
kinds, when the people, rejoicing and
free from their daily cares, turned
toward the sanctuary for the puf-
pose Of worehiping Jehovah and
realizing that they were one In origin,
In faith, In spirit. Similarly the first
followers Of Christ, although soon
scattered to tho four winIa Of heaven,
came together whenever practicable.
One OF the most important questions OF
that dispensation was decided ut a con-
ference Of the Apostles and Elders
convened at Jerusalem, and the de.
cision was sanctioned by tho Holy
Spirit. Tho institution OF general
gatherings OF tho people OF Goi In this
dispensation Is therefore In full accord
with the dealings Of tho Almighty
with His children In all ages and the
observance thereof 10 Ms binding "a the
obedience 10 other commandments
pertaining to the organization OF the
Church.
Their object Is the spiritual
benefit Of the members. II ever the
influence OF heaven Ia felt on earth, It
IL whore Gods children unite In praise,
ia thanksgiving, In prayer and IN
resolutions to terve Him. Everyone
who uniges with his brethren for such
purposes and In the spirit Of humility
VIII feel better able q fulfil his dutief;
hls views will he clearer, hia knowledge
more extended, ana his faith slreagth-
ened. The klory Of the Almighty
shope through the features Of Alopes,
when ho had communicated with his
Maker on the mountain, AMI In tho
same way the Divine presence
promised where God's people gather
together IN The sncred name Will be
reflected In tho thoughts and feelings
anu words aud acts Of the faithful
saints VINO come before Him IN
solemn assemblies.
The Saints at this time have special
reasons Tor thanksgiving and joy.
The world IL In commotion, as are tue
elements War aud rumora ofwar aud
iears Tor the iu,ure hold the hearts Of
men In breaIhless suspense. Visitation
are sweeping over the surface VI the
earth. The minds Of the human race
seem In many Instances to become
dAfkened In relation to the eternal