The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-10-07

THE SEAII-ANNUAL conference of
the Mormon church. which drew
to a close yesterday afternoon,
viii go down in church annals as the
most notable of the past decade. In
point of attendance it was more re-
markable than any other in the his
tory of this body of religious worship
ers. The most conservative estimate
of the size of the congregation yester-
day afternoon was 1880 souls. On
every hand, among old-timers. it was
remarked that the capacity of She tab
ernacle has never been similarly
taxed.
On the main floor and in the gallery.
after every seat was occupied, The
Saints thrOnged the passages and stood
in long lines, three deep, around the
walls Even the steps leading to the
worshipers, who fought for places rear
the speakers stand in order TO hear
what was said Hundreds stood at the
tabernacle doors, struggling vainiy for
ingress, and a similar congested con-
dition prevailed over at the Assembly
hall, where an overflow meeting was
held. With both monster meetings in
progress, the grounds were still black
with people who had come late ard
lost the opportunity of participating in
the inscription of another page in the
history Of the church.
The reason for the unusual magni-
tude of the crowd doubtless, was the
report which had been current for sew
eral DAYS thEt the first presidency
would be reOrganized on Sunday. This
expecta ton drew a congregation in the
forenoon that would compare quite re-
r,r1 crTar a ffpT-
noon multitude, but in reality il was
several thousand smaller. 1t was said
to be. however, the largest Sunday
morning congregation of any confer
ence since the days of President Brig
ham Young.
Apostle Clawson Named.
Not until the afternoon session was
the list of officers of the church pre-
scented. and Apostle Rudger ClawsOn's
appointment as second counselor in the
first presidency announced. President
Joseph F. Smith. as had been generally
expected took the place of first cOun-
selor, left vacant by George O. Can
non.
Just before the names were present
ed to be voted upon, President Snow,
who was in attendance for the first
time during the conference. concluded
an interesting address in the following
words: There is one more subject l
might speak to you about 1 am going
on pretty rapidly in my eigthy-eighth
year. 1 have been laboring as your
president for three years and for the
past three months with only one as
sistant, Brother Joseph f. Smith l
feel now as though 1 want another. l
have selected one, through mani
festation of the Lord, 1 believe; one
who viii be energetic and strong and
serve well and faithfully. l nope you
will sustain and STTnnOrt him
President Joseph F. Smith then arose
and went through the customary pre-
sentation of the authorities He first
nominated Lorenzo Snow as prophet,
seer and reve!ator; then himself as
first counselor. 4 silence that was al
most oppressive fell over the great
congregation as President Smith came
to the third name. and this gave way
to a flutter of excitement, indicating
abnormal interest. when he slowly
pronounced "Rudger ClawsOn. second
counselor" It was a surprise to the
congrega ton. Apostle Clawson's name
not having been mentioned as pos
sibility. but the surprise was in all re-
spects agreeable.
Eleven apostles We're named by Pres
ident Smith-all save Apostle ClawsOn
and nothing was said of the vacancy.
A president of the quorum was not re-
ferred to. which was taken as d strong
indication that this office is not to be
filled. as many church members have
maintained for nearly a year Upon
reaching the Relief society, President
Smith explained that a. Zina d. H.
Young had passed away the names of
the officers of that organization would
not be presented at this conference.
No further changes were recorded in
the long list. the reading of which oc-
cupied more than a half-hour.
The afternoon meeting began with
the singing of I'VE Thank Thee, O
Lord. For a Prophet" Prayer was Of
fered by President Frank Y. Taylor
of Granite stake.
President Snow was the first speaker.
He expressed his pleasure at being
able to meet with the multitude of
Saints before him and said that was
almost an unexpected pleasure, as he
had feared his cold and hOarseness
would prevent his attendance
Officers Are Faithful.
Continuing, President Snow declared
that the officers of the various stakes,
numbering fifty, and the wards had
been faithful and energetic, but not
so much so as they might be.
The time has come" he went on.
when you must awaken TO your re-
sponsibilities and not depend upon tte
twelve apostles to conduct the affairs
/ OF your stakes. The time is mere when
channels II is their BUSINESS to spread
the gospel in foreign lands and open
new fields among she nations OF the
earth. You win no longer have them
to reform your stakes
Speaking Of the immortality that
exists in different quarters of the