Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-07

Inc mtmDeiu VI ihc ohuicu Wuo
were able to attend the General Con.
ierer ce Just closed have been the re.
cipieuts OF smother time Of refreshing
for the Saints. The timely and prac.
ticaI character OF the instructions
given at these conferences make them
OF iDestimable value TO the Church,
and at the recent Conference such in
structions were conveyed with vigor
and impressiveness by those who Rd-
dressed the congregations, The Spirit
of God was given in rich abundance to
the speakers, inspiring them to bring
forth topics OF special Importance to
the Church at this time, and enabling
them to present subjects with the pc.
cnlisr force TINT Saints recognizes as
accompanying the divine word.
Tho marked progress made In
Church matters throughout the world,
as shown by reports rendered at the
Conference, is Of specially gratifying
character. From thess reports it is
evident that the Clutch never was
in such an advanced con-
dition, 30 for as relates to the
spread OF the Gospel. In all its career
it has made supreme efforts to extend
the Gospel message; bat 1t never has
been 60 well equipped for the work as
now, and the way never has been 30
clear among the nations as at present,
The power OF the Almighty has been
manifest In bringing to pass the present
conditions, Tor the iurtherance OF thu
cause OF truth. Hence the Church i
increasing rapidly In numbers and In
fiuence in the world, aud the goo
work for salvation goes speedily on.
30 far as relates to the development
among the gathered Saints, the organ
izations directed by the Church nj
accomplishing mighty work
progress; and ut the Conference wei
considered the various question
that press In local sHhf
while Instructions relative ther
TO W ere issued by the authorities. A
observance OF these Instructions wi
produce a change in come OF the nj
satisfactory conditions that exist
regard to material matters, and Il
temporal state OF tho people will
improved greatly thereby; while the
spiritual advancement will be u
CELEBRATED by needing the coune
given.
In the Conference the voice I
divine inspiration admonlshed u
Saints OF their duties, warned them
errors and dangers that lie In the pat
and exhorted them to renewed dil
gsnce In observing the Gospel law
The advice thus given is the coul
Sci OF God to the Saints; 1t is hu
monious with His revealed wor
and uttered by His divinely cor
mitsloned servants. In this dispens
tlon the Lord has called and O
dained men to oilioiate in II
name in the ordinances Of the Gospe
and through whom to c0mmunica
-his VIII " 'ho pcbpio "s SonSS'hS "
Gospel laws affecting their SOUPS 81
walton. Those men are selected fro
among the people, according to diviI
rule anu direction, aud In respect
their obligations aud rights under Il
earthly government in whose iurisdl
tlon they reside, they are neith
relieved nor deprived OF the same; Il
call to ofiiciate In the holy PrlesIho'
does not relieve them OF their oDlig
tlons TO the state, neither does 1t
prive them OF their rights as either
lt is their legal and moral duty to q
state to fulfill those obligations al
exercise those rights; II would be
interference with the state TO rtqui
them to do otherwise. But they ma
had added to them and have accept
voluntarily the eacred responsibility
attaching to an ordination to the no
Prissthood. and aaass bssr I
same. Tbs saiats also are
quired to peciozs- a part IN 5uildii
up the klngdom OF esd. These mi
teTa wers presented to the Conferen
in a clear and torolUle manner, th
the Sainls nigh, comprehend ID
duties aud discharge the same.
1t was pleasing fsature OF
Conference to have on the last day v
presence and minlatrAtion OF Preside
Wlllord Woodruff, and the greeu'
he received indicates the great sn'
ton the Saints have for him. +
two or three wseks he has not been
tho beat OF health, and this conulti
ut his advanced u, . made 1t somewu
doubtful whether he would be able
attend. BY the divine blessing
was able to be at the meetings on
eth; and his health lie steadily u
proving. -.
Tho splrl, OF tho whole Confsie,
was one OF rejoicing and thanKsg'v'
for the blessings Of the Lord anu
arzing the Saints 10 give closer op'