The sun., 1898-02-06
MoRMoHs IN CONFERENCE.
Thirty-nve Elders Meet In Brooklyn to Arrange
for n ProseiytinR Campaign.

Thirty-nve Elders Meet In brooklyn to Arrn nEe
for n ProseiytinR Campaign.
Missionary elders of tho Church Of the Latter
Day Saints, all of them from Salt Lake City are
In conference at Grand Union Hall, 25s Court
street. Brooklyn. The meeting is the result OF
work done by Elder A. =. Kesler. who has been
conducting what is known in Utah as the East
ern mission. Elder Kcsler has established his
headquarters at so Concord street. but he has
not confined himself to local work. and, in con-
junction with other representatives Of the Nor
mon Church, has been proselytinp actively
throughout the East and has reported crafty
ing results.
The missionary work Of the Church of the
Latter Day Saints is of recent development, and
the sending of missionary elders to the East
was not resorted to until it was discovered that
the ReorRanizod Church OF the Latter Day
Saints led by its President Joseph Smith. the
son Of tho first organizer Of the Mormon Church,
had been successful in the Eastern missionary
work, securing number of wealthy and in
huential converts.
At the meeting yesterday there were present
thirty.fve elders, brought together by Elders
Cowley and Lyman. who have bocn delegated by
Church to go over the ground and plan for future
work. There has always been contention be-.
tween the Utah Church and the Reorganized
Church as to which represented the true Nor
mon hb ny JoSepn omlln at tne
time he was "inspired" to reveal the real truth.
The regular Church processes relgously
to have followed the tenets of faith OF the
elder Smith, but the younger Smith in
starting tho ReogGaniYed Church declared
in Utah had grievously erred, and that his
father never admtted that Polygamy was an
essential to true Mormonisni. This has resulted
| in a sharp rivalry between the two sects. 1t
leading elders at Salt Lake City proclaimed that
it had been revealed to them that polygamy
| SHOULD no longer be regarded as a religious
obligation.
an interchange of ideas and the delivering of
series of sermons. Elder Lyman expressed the
attitude TO be main tanned by the elders in seek
| ing converts when he said: III u person sub
scriblnR TO some other doctrine of faith is sober,
| industrious, charitable. truthful. generous TO a
| degree equal to that of a Lutter.Day Saint, IL is
not our contention that he will not be rewarded
for these virtues in the same manner as Latter
| Day Saint. IL Is our contention. however that
| we can bring him TO know God and Jesus Christ,
| and that we can reveal them to him"
IL is also explained that the intention Is not to
| lead people from their homes to Utah or some
other strange state, but to strengthen the faith
| in the East relying upon each convert to
| hood. Last night the meeting was addressed by
| Congressman King OF Utah. who came from
| Washington to encourage the elders.
| No revelations were made to the elders yester
| day, but In view OF the work which 10 to %
| planned ut the session il is expected that some
| in pertecting their arrangements.
Tho meetings to-day Will be In the afternoon
| and evening. IL no revelations are made the
services will not differ IN form from tho usual
from the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City furnishes
| the music.