Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-09-02

Interesting Report Of their Conference by
the independent Of that Place.

on Saturday aud Sunday last there
was ID conference % Mormon Elders
boo this city the sessions being held iu
the a., a. u, hail lu the summer build
IuE, There were twDnty-uuu Mormon
Elders present. Including Matthias 4.
DuWley, one uf the Twelve Apostles uf
Che Utah Church. Included also ln
this number were Elder j, H. Thomas,
president OF the conference. liUn a..
luuh. superintendent Of missions in the
Southern states and Louis A. kelHCh.
superintendent OF missions iu tho
Northern States. Elder u. J. Hammond,
who has recently been In charge uf the
mission BOO this city WIS also present
II was notable gathering OF Nor
muuiHm from which Wo dCdugo the
following observations
10 wuH group Uf men who outward
ly present the appearance OF EeutlU-
men, we'll dressed, well behaved Duur-
opinions OF others and yet arm and UNI
yielding ln faith toward their own doe.
trinca. The MUrmuns diner from
other denominations OF Christians
mainly in thUir bciirf IN later ryNpla-
lions than the Holy Scriptures. They
accept tho Bible literally aud yet be-
llpNo In the Inspiration uf Joseph Smith,
the martyr aH % luttor.day Prophet who
brought t0 light the Book of Mormon.
They teach that there lH "a possible sal.
walton for the dead who have died IN
their sins. through the utuncmcnt and
intgrcyHsiun uf Jesus Christ. They
therefore huutlED Tor the dead, who
have not had fun opportunities for
r,conClllng themselves during ne with
tho plan of salvation, They teach that
the sick can be- healed through faith
and the laying on III hands. They
teach that polyglmy was tolerated by
God lu the ancient days ana lu later
times revealed Co Joseph smith anu
other Prophets on the church, but is
now suspended by Divine command
through the President of the Mormon
church. They neither advocate ID now
nor do they condemn pulygamy, but
claim that they Loyalty obey the laws
uf the land regarding the Institution,
but commend such uf their members
as who having had plural wives before
the laws against pulygamy were
enacted. now maintain ana cherish
such wives according to thplr vows of
marriage They baptizo by immersion.
but infants need no baptism. They
claim the power of the Holy Ghost
may be conferred uH iu ancient times
hy the laying ON OF hands by those
who have tho authority, Their mis-
siunarlcH ANA Elders receive ma salary.
but preach without pay. They believe
IN the pTo-vNlstyuCe Of spirits. Such
are some among the most distinctive
doctrines that they teach. Elders Rich
and kclsch preached on the themes In
diCutcd on last sunday afternoon and
on sunday evening Apostle CoWluy de-
llvcrcd a very Interesting ana able adj
dress Ia defense ~ the Church and ita
doctrines. Each OF these addresses
was marked with intellectual power
and Indicated that the speakers were
familiar with the Scriptures. II n
notable that they had mo- harsh words
Tor their enemies, but spoke with great
moderation and charity OF those who
differed from them In opinion.
Earucstnvss and zeal charnotcrlzed
an their utturauups. The majority OF
tho Elders were born and brought up
In the Mormon Church and however
strange their doctrine may De 90 US
these men preach u with enthusiasm
and with "a power that carries "a con.
victiun Of their honesty. The annals
OF Mormlnism constitute unique
chapter In American history. The
night from Nuuyul, their Journcyinga
through the wilderness 20 the fast
nOsses OF the Rocky Mountains; the
selection OF salt Lake Valley as the
center Of the ecclesiastical empire cs,
tabllshed by brigham Young m,
marvellous growth uf the religion. ok.
tending 10 an the nations OF tho earth
ana the islands OF the sea. the catnh,
lishmcnt OF peaceful propaganda
that dose not take account OF danger
but pushes on with "a mighty force De,
spite all persecution. All these make
up the chronicles OF q church that ui
first glance seems out Of harmony with
our civilization AMI yet presents nH the
fruits Of lis enterprise "a people who
have conquered tho barbarian nul
Htorillty of the do8rrt, built splendid
cities. taught temperance and the
Christian virtues Ut hospitality and
charity and made their colonies exam.
plies OF Industry and thrift to tn,
world that they dcnominate aH Gen,
tlles,-Ottumwn Independent