The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-11-11
RULERS
ARE SUSTAINED
Special Conference Was Haid
Yesterday.
PRESIDENT SMITHS vow
PLEDGES HIMSELF To- CONsERV
ALIVE ACTION.

Standing in front Of the vast multi
tude that had just unanimously sUs-
tanned him as president of the Mormon
church. Joseph F. Smith yesterday
pledged himself to conservatism. He
entered into a solemn covenant with
the Mormon people to take no import
ant step without seeki8g the advice of
his cOunselOrs.
It was almost at the close of the spe-
ciai conference held in the tabernacle
10 sustain he new officials of the
church. Inc gloom of the late after
noon, deepened by the increasing cloud
mess of the approaching rainstOTm,
made distant objects indiSunct in that
great interior. The electric lights over
the speakers stand had been turned
ON. however, and the new president
stood beneath their rays in stronger
relief as he addressed the audience. He
spoke in tones that rang with earnest
4 SIS
y propose that my cOunselors shall
share with me the responsibility Of
every act" he said, after reviewing
the powers Of the first presidency. Il
don't propose to take the bit in my
own mouth nor the TeinS n my own
hand. / believe it is wrong for one man
to possess all the authority and all the
power. I dare not assume such re-
spCnsibility, and will not so 20 E as 1
can get men like these to stand with
me and counsel with me. If anyone
in the future sees a tendency on my
part to violate his pledge i ask il
the name Of my Father that he will
come to me and tell me Of this solemn
covenant that ] make to the general
Oh af he oh a n
ference at this time"
This intense sneech ended with an
appeal to every member of the church
to do his duty. 1t brought forth a
chorus Of "Amens
Taberna cle Was Crowded
The conference opened yesterday
forer oOn, but the vote on sustaining
the new officials was not taken until
afternoon. All were sustained without
dissent. The tabernacle was packed to
The doors, and many stood up. Some
time was spent in arranging the diff
ferent bodies Of the priesthood in their
proper seats. President Smith stood
AT the speakers desk, with his cOun-
sellers behind him, Patriarch John
Smith at the left ana George Reynolds
az his right The apostles were seated
in front Of him. Grouped about ban
ners denoting their ralylng places,
such as are generally seen at political
CONVENTIONS, were the presidents Of
stakes and high COUnselOrs. the high
priests, the seventies. the bishops and
coVaiselors, the elders ard the lesser
priesthood.
When III had taken the seats as
signed to them, after prayer by apes
tie ldarrinner W. Merrill and couple
OF hymns by the choir and cOngrega-
ton. President Smith rose. AS he did
so, The electric lights above him flick
cred an instant and then burst into full
radiance President Smith waited a
moment until the rustling and shutting
of the numbers Of beIated persons died
away and until-a.-cOuple of wailings in
fants had been hushed, and then, after
explaining the method of votir ne
said:
Brethren and Sisters: It is pro-
posed that we sustain Joseph F. Smith
as prophet, seer and revelator and
president Of the Church Of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
He turned to the cOunselOTs, and
Presidents Winder and Lund rose with
their right hands uplifted-
Apostles" he said, turning to the
group of men seated directly in front
of him. All rose with their right hands
uplifted-
.'Patriarchs." White bearded Pa
triarch John Smith rose beside the
president. and raised his right hand
while others responded on the north
side of the house
Presidents OF stakes and high cOun-
selors."
In the southwest corner rose a large
group of men, all with uplifred hands,
If any contrary, as indicated, said
the president.
A person desiring to vote in the neg
alive, he was to rise, with his left
hand uplifted Although the negative
was repeatedly called for, there was
not a response at any time.
As each group was called for, a wave
seemed to spread over the assemblage
subsiding only to spring up in new
Mace. IT passed to the seventies IN
the rear. to the elders, alongside OF
them, thence to the bishops and cOun-
seiors on the north side and to tht
lesser priesthood in the far rear. l.
nally, as President Smith called fol
"aH the members of the church, the
wave became mighty tide, sweeping
over all the vast interior and bringing
up the entire assemblage, with up
lifted hands.
"a. clear vote" said the. president.
Counselors Are Confirmed.
The same ceremony was obse: we'd IT
sustaining all the. other officials JOhI
r. Winder was sustained as first &C n
selor, and Anthem H. Luna as seCoAC
counselor, as was Brigham Young al
president of the twelve apostles. Thi
APOSTLES were sustained, including tn
recently chosen Hyrum NJ. Smith. sol
of the president. John Smith as pa
tTiarCh was duly sustained, and thel
the first presidency and apostles Wer
sustained as prophets. seers and reve
lators. The same procedure was thel
gone through with for the seven pres
ideats of seventies, and the presidinl
bishop and cOunselors.
Joseph F. Smith was sustained a
-in-trust for the church. and al
mis- acts since his appointment. Oct. II
yvsre ratified and confirmed. Presiden
Smith was also sustained as head o
the church board of education, genera
superintendent of the Deseret S.,nda
School Union and general supe-iHtend
ent of the Young Mems Mutual I'm
prOvement association.
George Reynolds was sustained a
first assistant superintendent of tn
Sunday School union, Joseph NJ Tan
ner as second assistant superintendent
Jcnn r. Winder. James r. TalmagS
George NJ. Tanner and Horace Cum
minis as members Of the Deseret Sun
day School UniGa board. The member
OF the church board of education 1ver
again sustained, as were Heber
Grant and Brigham II. Roberts as as
sistant superintendent Of the Youn
Mems Mutual Improvement associa
ton
Bathsheba ". Smith was sustaine
president Of the Relief corps. wit
Aanie T. Hyde of Set Lake and Id
S Dusenberry Of Provo as first an
second counselors, Emmeline B. Wei
as general secretary. Annie X. Hard