The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-11

Before audiences that thronged the
tabernacle and assembly hall. the final
sermons of the annual Mormon confer
ence were delivered yesterday after
noon. Before o'clock the auditorium
and galleries of the tabernacle were
fully occupied. and at that hour the
doors of the assembly hall We're thrown
open TO accommodate the immense
crowd
Warwas on the lips of the speakers
in the afternoon. George Q. Cannon
pleaded for a cessation among the Lat
ter-day Saints of the war spirit by
which many We're stirred and COM
mended the course of President Nc
Kinley in seeking TO overcome the
Spanish difficulties without a resort TO
arms. Apostle Franklin D. Richards
also touched upon the impending ma
tional strife. President MILFORD Wood
ruff was again heard in the afternoon
and the voice of the aged leader was
plainly heard throughout the crowded
building
Apostle Franklin d. Richards spoke
first at the afternoon services. He call
ed attention to the current rumorS of
war, which he claimed were a fulfill
ment of prophecy uttered many thou
sand years ago by the modern prophet.
War, he said, was one of the signs
which is TO proceed the second coming
of Christ.
PRESIDENT CANNON ON WAR.
The leading sermon was by President
George Q. Cannon, who referred d.
rectly to the Spanish-American war
condition, and spoke strongly in favor
of peace, if that could be had without
the sacrifice of honor. He quoted from
prophesies of Joseph Smith, in which
the assurance is given that this land
shall be fortified against all other ma
tons. Whatever Spain or Russia might
do, this land would remain free from
bondage. for this promise, had been
made by the Lord to his prophet. The
country had been blessed above all
others, and had been blessed for a di
vine purpose.
All efforts, said President Cannon. to
establish a monarchy upon this CONT
nent have been futile. Even Maxi
milan with the combined power
of France, Austria and Spain support
ing him, was unable to gain a mon
archical foothold.
The reason for this is that God has
reserved this land as the scene of the
great latter-day drama, when the pro-
phesies of old are 10 be fulfilled and
the kingdom of God established. From
the days of Babel to Columbus the land
was kept dark and the knowledge of
the land was providently withheld by
God This was done that the land
might not be overrun, and that there
might be room here for the New Jeru-
salem. for the gathering of the saints
and the establishment of the church
here under his inspiration. Attempts
to establish a monarchy upon this land
will always fail. If the nation had &C
cepted the Prophet Joseph Smith. God
would have made this nation his ma
ton.
COMMENDS MKINLEY.
In the present threatening disaster,
the administration has shown a desire
to preserve peace which should call for
commendation. The Latter-day Saints
should be governed by such a spirit,
instead of being swayed by warlike.
loOd-thirsty dispositions. There have
been statements that we were not up
holding the dignity of the nation, and
popular clamOr has been raised by
newspaper reports, many of which
have been false. l thank God that the
men who control the nation have been
given a disposition towards peace. This
country should be willing TO make any
honorable sacrifice 10 avert the ter
rors of war, and the influence of the
Latter-day Saints should be used to
squelch the desire to fight.
Gods counsel is that the nation
should offer peace a first, second and
third time, and if then the overtures
are refused, il will be time to do bat
tie. The Lord has promised to fight
our battles for US. It is only after such
attempts have been unavailing that
Christ will justify US in going to war.
Much as we should desire peace. there
need be no trepidation about the issue
in case war becomes necessary. Spain
might infiict great damage to our sea
coast on both sides of the continent,
but the promise of God is that no ma
ton shall have power TO triumph over
Us.
The young Latter-day Saints should
not be filed with the desire to go to
war; God forbid such a spirit. It is
our duty to defend the country and the
flag when it becomes necessary. but it
is no part of cowardice TO adopt the
Lords plan. Not many years ago when
it was the custom TO settle strifes by