The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-04-06
PRESIDENT SNOW
ADDRESSES SAINTS
Immense Congregation Attends
Seventy-frst Conference.
DISCOURSES OFINTEREsT
REFERENCES TO PRESIDENT
CANNcN's ILLNEr5 5.

The seventy-frst annual conference
of the church -of Jesus Christ of Lat
ter-day Saints opened at the tabernacle
yesterday under most favorable condi-
tons. 1t has long since become pro-
We. bal that conference shall be a sea-
son Of rain and wind. but contrary TO
the rule. the day overhead was ideal,
which more than compensated for the
Indictment condition of the weather I'M
derf0ot and the chilliness Of the out
door atmosphere, so unusual for this
time OF the year.
There were two sessions of the con-
ference yesterday and both were large
~ attended. the big structure being
taxed to its capacity IN the afternoon.
President Snow delivered his annual
address in the forenoon and in spite
iOf his 81 years. his voice reached the
1nnermOst recesSeS of the immense au
ditOrium and more than one old-timer
expressed admiration and wonder at
the venerable leaders vigor. His dis
course, too, was full Of interest to the
saints and was listened to with rapt
attention.
The familiar figure of President
George Q. Cannon was missed on the
stand. This is probably the first an
nual conference in many years at
which he has not presided. The duty
fell upon the third member OF the first
Throughout the meetings. both in the
prayers and the sermons. there were
fervent and tender references TO Pres
ident Cannon. The heartiest Amen"
OF the conference went up when he
blessing Of the Almighty was invoked
on his head and his speedy recovery
wa asked for.
The lower floor was crowded to over
flowing when President Smith called
the morning. session to order. The
opening hymn was Now Let Us Anew,
Our Jou. ney Pursue The prayer was
offered by Elder John Nicholson. The
anthem ''All Hail the Glorious Day"
was sung by the choir
President SHOWS Address.
President Snow then began his sd-
dress, devoting a major portion of his
time to the question of salvation and
sxaltation which, he promised. would
be the lot of the saints who lived faith
ful lives here on earth He referred to
thu Mormon people as the most self
sacrificing community in the world and
cOmplimented young men of the church,
in this connection, on their Willingness
20 sacrifice everything TO fulfill mis-
siOns. This. he said, would win for
them glorious Immortality.
We are indeed few in numbers when
we consider the worlds multitude"
said President Snow. and we have diff
ficulty in making the world accept the
gospel of Christ But was if not the
same Wnen the Don OF Too was on
earrh2 Very few would receive his
testimony. and IL is practically the
same condition that exists today. His
was not a pleasurable calliBg-to be
put upon the cross and suffer the most
eXcruciating pain man could devise.
And no one in modern times has suf-
fered as have the Latter-G3y Saints.
Christ was here to save the world. We
are here for that purpose now"
In closing President Snow promised
he al MT - fhslr ne = 81
conference than the one which preceded
it If they would exercise their faith and
prayers.
Apostle smoot
Apostle Reed Smoot addressed the
congregation. He referred to the
pleasure he has experienced in his
WORT as an apostle of God since one
year ago. when he was called to that
office. Continuing. ne said there are
some people in the church who are try
ing to cloud the simple ordinances Of
the church with mystery, by deViatinS
from time-honored and divinely-pre-
scribed forms. BY this he referred to
the holding OF special meetings of fast
and prayer for the sick. He reminded
the congregation that any member OF
the church had the right to call in ell
ders in case of sickness and SSid this
should sutfice-that tie heads of the
church deemed it wrong to call special
meetings. In support Of this doctrine,
ne pointed to St. James, who said that
the elders IN uld heal all sickness by
faith and prayes'. Besides. he said.
there are fast meetings and prayer cir
CIes. in both Of which it is the priv
lege OF any saint to be prayed for 4 I'd
the holding Of special meetings, he
said. was entirely unnecessary. He
hoped the people would realize that this
is the same church placed on the earth
by God,
Apostle S1noot predicted the success
OF the missionary work about to be in
auEuratv5 IL. Japan
The hearts of the people. lie said,
IN conclusion, are drawn out to Broth
en- George . Cannon. and we all ask
Gcd to restore him TO US. if possible.
But whether he lives or dies, ii viii be
in the Lord. That mLcn we know"
Apostle Clawson.
Apostle Ru1geT Clawson read a reve-
lation from the Doctrine and Covenants
on Salvation. Repentance and Baptism,
from which he spoke interestingly.
THE gospel IS about to.be introduced
in Japan" said he. Japan is getting
to be a great and progres I've nation
and the gospel OF Christ will find a
fcothOld there. But repentance is not
alone Intended for foreign nations.
There are those among us at home who
must repent
The speaker referred to the great inn
prOvement there has been in the MAJ
ter OF tithe-payiHS and congTatU' ate
the church. NJ the same time urging
tnem 20 keep up the good work.
The concluding hymn vas Hail to
the Brightness of Zion : Great Morn
ing" benediction being pronounced by
Patriarch John Smith
The afternoon assemblage crowded
the tabernacle in all parts. Not sin
gle seat was available a quarter of an
hou- before the meeting commenced,
many having remained in. the building
all during the intermissiOn. The aisles
were packed.
Apostle Woodruff.
Apostle 4. O. Woodruff was the first
speaker. He expressed his belief that
the people We're living their re igion
better today than ever before. He said
the church is growing steadily in mum
bers and the outlook for the Latter-day
Saints is exceedingly bright. He spoke
at length on the subject Of fasting,
deploring the prlctice of some who
went about WITH "disfigured faces. 10