Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-04-09
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE

The SEVENTEEN Annual Conference OF
Tho Church Of Jesus Christ OF Latter
dav saints will be numbered among the
most interesting and profitable official
assemblies OF the Church in this dispeh-
sstion. The attendance at the opening
ssssiong was unusually large, and the
rreat Tabernacle was crowded on sat
urday and sunday to overlooking. Not
withstandlng the great storm on sun
day morning. the building was filled to
tie utmost capacity, and in the after
noon masses Of people stood throughout
the services. every seat being occupied
The rain and snow. which made II un-
pleasant Cor visitors, was a great boon
TO the State. 1t brought wealth to the
agrlculiurist and was welcome to every
one who senses the needs OF the parched
and thirsty soil. The storm appears to
be general over the State only the ex-
IRENE southeastern section excepted. II
was a comfort to the people from dis
tant points who met to worship the
Lord. that during their absence their
fields and farms and gardens were be-
ing watered by showers from above.
All the speakers were animated by a
power above their individual. human
capacity. Every topic touched upon was
presented with a clearness and force
that penetrated TO the hearts as well
as the intellect Of their auditors, ana
the eager attention that was PAID
showed that their words found a place
in the souls Of the Saints assembled
The vigor exhibited by the venerable
President OF the Church, now eighty
six years OF age, was most remarkable.
His voice rang out strongly and DIS
tinctly and his instructions were con-
veyed with a power that rlveted the at
tention Of the vast audience and gave
them great JOY.
The teachings Of the occasion em-
braced a large variety Of topics. The
progress OF the work throughout the
world, enhanced By. the Efforts made
against il by the enemies Of the
church, opening the way for the eish-
teen hundred missionaries actively en-
gagged; the success Of the colonies
which are being planted in newly set
tied localities: the continuance Of rev.
elation from God for the guidance OF
His people the purpose Of the gather
ing Of the Saints from all quarters OF
the globe: the work OF preparation fol
the redemption Of Zion; the difference
In the conduct Of the Saints and theil
religious opponents, the former mindlnl
their own business and the latter en-
deavoring to interfere with the religion
OF the "Mormons;" the necessity FOL
continual improvement in keeping th'
commandments Of God; the reverence
which should be paid to the Priesthood
which God has bestowed upon His ser
wants, 70 direct His people and govern
the affairs OF the Church; the danger o
rebelllng against the word and VIII o
the Lord as revealed through the prop
or channel; the duties OF parents Z
their children, and the need Of publ
men devoting some portion OF thel
time to the training Of their families
instead Of spending II all in the publ
service; the failure OF people who de
pend upon signs and miracles and grea
manifestations which, Of themselves
would not bring salvation to q singl
soul. because the keeping Of God
commandment IS the only way to b
saved; the value Of the Deseret New
TO the Latter-day Saints as the orga
OF the Church. the possession OF IN
gifts OF the Spirit. their absence froI
the Church being indicative OF spiritu'
death; the non-necessity 20 members
the Church % association with secrt
societies, which belong TO the worl
and may be all right 20 worldly peopl,
the evidences OF the divine mission
the Prophet Joseph Smith; the witnel
of the spirit Of revelation to all WI
obey the Gospel the different function
Of the higher and the lesser Prlesthoo
all the offices being essential membe
OF the body OF Christ; the obligatC
resting upon every member Of Il
Church 10 pay 20 the Lord one-ten
OF his or her interest annually; the col
SEQUENCES Of neglecting to keep "a
law; the reasons given by number
persons for their failure In this respec
the blessings both temporal and spirl
ual which follow faithful and hone
compliance with the law Of tithing. t
duty OF tho Bishops and visiting office
TO impress upon the Saints the requig
ment in relation TO tthing the wisdc
OF getting and keeping out Of del
the great Improvement I'm the fnanc
condition Of the Church the dideren
IN the degrees Of rewards and punis
ments which win be meted out
eternal justice: the way 70 obtain
lestial glory; the happiness IN time a
the fulness Of soy IN eternity VIII
win be the result of living by eve
word that proceedeth from the mou
Of God. These were among the subje
touched upon by the speakers and
Interest OF the hearers was maintain
throughout all the meetings Of the CO
ference
The appointment Of suitable man
IN the vacancy Ia the Council Of
Twelve Apostles occasioned by
death OF rs late President Frank
d. Richards. whose memory Is Oh