The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-12-09

erS.
AT the morning service, Stake Coun-
cillor c. w. Penrose was the first
speaker.
He made a verbal report of the gen.
eral condition of the people and the
various ecclesiastical and benevolent
organizations of the stake. The show
ing made by him was, as a rule favor
able, showing a commendable degree
of advancement and progress. A con-
siderable portion of his discourse was
devoted to a delineation of the duties
of the saints and also pointing out
people. These he exhorted his hearers
to avoid. otherwise the spirit of the
gospel would diminish instead of in
creasing in their hearts.
Elder Joseph e. Taylor was the next
speaker. He followed in the same line
as Elder PenroSe and also spoke OF the
Importance of performing sacred or
d;nances vicariously for the dead in the
temple. On this subject he was espec-
tally emphatic. He concluded wiz
statement of the satisfaction he felt
at matters being as favorable as they
appeared to be throughout the wards
of the stake.
President Angus NJ. Cannon delivered
the concluding discourse of the morn
ing service. He also reported upon the
various organizations of the church
that are under his supervision. His re-
marks were similar in purport to those
of the previous speakers. The larger
portion of the time occupied by him
was devoted to pointing out to the Of
ficers and saints generally how they
could improve in conforming their lives
more strictly to their professions as
followers of the Savior.
Afternoon Meeting.
At the afternoon service President
Woodruff was the first speaker. He
said the report of the Stake Presidency
as to the condition of the people had
caused him to reflect seriously on many
things. Every spirit had a being be-
fore coming here, but the history of
what was done then, from Eloheim
down to Lucifer, is a sealed book to us.
All spirits will go back in some form
and receive reward or punishment &C
cording to the deeds done in the flesh.
During all the early period of the
world Gods light and intelligence have
been revealed to the people. 1t is ap-
parent to us that the two great powers
are at continual warfare. This fact is
shown on the face of all history. 1t
began at Eden and can be traced
through the lives of all the patriarchs.
The higher the priesthood with which
a man is endowed the stronger is the
warfare of darkness against him. Luz
offer has to a large extent prevailed
against the holy men, as many of them
suffered martyrdom at the hands of
evil men. The war will continue to be
waged between the two powers until
the truth finally prevails Never be-
fore were the forces of evil more stirred
UP than since the time when God re-
vealed his will to the prophet of our
day, Joseph Smith. Wherever the ell
ders of the kingdom have gone, an OPP
posing influence has been arrayed
against them. The higher, the greater,
the better the man the more powerful
this influence has been.
Every Latter-day Saint expects to go
to the celestial kingdom upon leaving
this sphere, but in this fancy will be
disappointed This will depend upon
the obedience to God and good deeds of
the people The presidency and the
apostles have the right to instruct Lat
ter-day Saints and this fact should be
remembered by the people. If we mis-
lead the people we shall be responsible
for so doing and will have to give an
account of it to God. Children should
meetings, for the tempter is always
present to lead them astray. The op-
position of the arch-enemy is stronger
than most of us believe. He wants to
accomplish the downfall of this people
and we must be on our guard and not
permit him to gain any advantage
Few men comparatively have been able
to see the light of the gospel and fewer
still have been able to remain stead
e. +1-r1f1
allowed to sever US; we should re-
main united in the love of God and
the fight for intelligence and truth.
President George Q. Cannon said he
could testify to the truth of what
President Woodruff had said regarding
the temptations of the adversary. God
has given us his spirit by which he
can withstand the inspirer OF evil. This
spirit should be cultivated by the
Saints so that the unity and strength
which has always existed among us may
continue always. People who visit the
Latter-day Saints are conscious of a
difference between themselves and US.
There is a difference in our aims, our
feelings, our aspirations. Everywhere
these same characteristics prevail
among Latter-day Saints. 1t can be
found in remote countries and distant
islands of the sea. The same spirit is
manifested; the same fruits are brought
forth. The love of family, the love of
country burns strongly within US, but
then there is love of the gospel which
is still more powerful. This is the love
that will bind the nations of the earth
together and bring men to a unity of
the faith Such a love as this gradual
ly destroys Satan and his influence be-
comes less where the Latter-day Saints
are. Where love reigns Satan cannot
reign.
We do not realize the greatness of
Gods work and the responsibility rest
ing upon us. OF what value is the spir-
II of what value is the gospel if we
not appreciate them? The Latter-day
Saints have enjoyed the blessings OF
God SO long that they do not seem
to recognize them. We should remem-
her these things and be full of thanks
giving towards God. The great desire
of the Latter-day Saints is not the &C
ouirement of wealth but the betterment
of ourselves and our fellow men. Our
desire to make ourselves more pure
and more acceptable to God. 1t is true
our people are of the lower classes of
people. but they have been led by the
light of the gospel and they are now
wonder to the nations. Men like Brig
ham Young and John Taylor have worn
their lives out to instil knowledge into
the people and gradually this mass Oh
people have been advanced in wisdom
and knowledge until they compare IA
yorably with other communities. The
Saints have a grandeur Of character
not to be found among other people.
Evening Meeting.
Elder Willard Done, who was the
first speaker, began by saying he haC
been requested to speak on the subject
of the Latter-day Saints college. Re-
garding education he said without the
nrnner sowing of seed in the spring