Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-09-05

coming together, that we may hearken
unto the counsels we have heard. and
put them into practise, Ia my prayer In
the name Of Jesus Christ. Amen,
ELDER ALBERT X. SMITH,
president OF San Luis Stake.)
appreciate very much the instruc-
lions we have received so far during
this Conference, and especially the
spirit that has characterized the utter
ances OF the brethren.
Representing the San Luis Stake or
Zion. feel to say that we are long
way from the headquarters of the
Church. a small stake located In the
central southern part Of Colorado, and
bordering on to New Mexico, two or
three branches Of the Stake being In
New Mexico. This Stake has been or
ganlzed about twenty years. Prior to
that time a colony had been planted
there under the direction OF the leaders
OF the Church, few people being called
10 60 there from Utah. Many people
from the Southern States emigrated to
that land, and we should by this time
have quite populous Stake had all
remained who gathered there; but
many who came from the Southern
States found the climate too rigorous
for them, and they scattered into other
Stakes or returned to their former
homes. We have now four wards and
three branches In the Stake. and they
are 20 scattered that It requires tray
cling six hundred miles In order TO
reach them all. We have been very
kindly treated by the people OF the
state OF Colorado. The lands upon
which we have located have been al
.ta 10 xphioh
have purchased from the state We
have been encouraged In that land by
the officials, and we have no complaints
to make. In fact, when there were
perlous times for the Saints In this
State and In other localities the nu-
cleus formed In the san Luis valley
was like house of refuge to many
who were being prosecuted, and who
for the time being found peace and rest
there. Our people have not made very
great progress financially. Our country
Is perhaps not SO much favored as some
other localities. We live In high alti-
tude, and It is rather cold; yet we pro-
duce grains that bear equally to almost
any other place. 1t Is q we'll watered
country usually Last season was an
exception. we being affected by the
general drouth that prevailed, but we
huNC ePiNiuiu Pi'oPVttp INV iVi VIZ
raising Of grain and stock. Many OF
the people who have gathered there
have been like children In the Gospel.
and II has required great deal OF pa
tient labor to get them TO understand
and live up to their duties. Our people
have made rapid advancement In obey
ing the law of tithing. considering their
lack of understanding In the beginning.
Those who bear the holy Priesthood are
united, and are laboring for the adj
vancement OF the cause OF God. We are
united with one another, and with the
counsels and instructions OF the lead
ers of the Church. We find Il difficult
10 disseminate the teachings OF the
Conference in that Stake. Very few
representatives are able to come this
long distance TO Conference, on account
OF the comparative poverty Of the
people; but those who do come. when
they return they try to spread the
teachings and spirit OF the Conference.
At our next monthly gathering OF the
Priesthood there will be two meetings
held. and the officers of every depart.
ment In the Stake will be instructed by
the representatives here. In this way
we expect to disseminate the teachings
OF the Conference.
am grateful to be engaged In the
work OF God. I feel that II does not
matter so much where we labor II we
are willing to labor where God appoints
us. He will see to II that we are pro-
vided for, and that we and our poster
ity are led In the ways of righteous
ness, Although we may not find such
pleasant places as others In this life,
we viii obtain eternal life. I have an
abiding faith and testimony In the
~ Ad IA 4 al d. ,..x, Ixa 80 20
say. His name be praised that He has
given you and me knowledge that sur
posseth understanding, a divine testl-
mony that we are engaged In His
work; and whatever may come to US,
having this knowledge and this per-
feet assurance. we will indeed be happy.
That God may bless the Saints every
where, and bless lis to accomplish the
mission He has assigned unto us In
preaching the Gospel and In building
Up the Stakes OF Zion. and rearing our
children In the fear OF God. is my
prayer IN the name OF Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem:
Let the Mountains Shout for JOY"
ELDER EDWARD II. SNOW
president Of ST. George stake).
take pleasure and pride my breth-
George Stake Of Zion, over which, with
Thomas p. Gotham and George r..
Whitehead as my counselors, have the
honor to preside, This stake OF Zion
includes Washington county. In the
southwestern part OF this state, and all
the settlements Of the Church In the
state Of Nevada. There are twenty
two wards and nine branches. and
population OF about $500, stretching
over a large area Of territory, and re-
curing little over thousand miles
OF travel for us to reach them all. The
stake presidency visit all of the wards
In Washington county once every quar-
ter, and the settlements In Nevada
twice q year. We are united as a
Stake presidency. and hold our council
meetings once a week. We are also
united with our High Council, and with
them hold council meeting on the first