Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-08-29

transaction OF business pertaining TO
the stake. The High Council take part
in celebrating upon any changes tnat
are effected. ! am pleased to report
that the High Council are efficient,
united, and prompt In their attendance
at meetings. We do not walt one
minute to organize our councils. They
are instructed that If there is no busi-
ness they shall adjourn, II the presiden-
cy are not prompt TO the minute. Today
there are thirty-seven wards In the
stake. all In a prosperous and united
condition, excepting one, where we reel
It will be necessary to effect a change
In some form, to bring about greater
union and more OF the fellowship OF the
Lord Jesus We have all the organs
cations OF the Church and the PRIEST
hood. We have sixteen quorums OF
Elders. We have good attendance
at our High Priests meeting. Presi-
dent Mckenzie, OF the High Priests
quorum, has adopted the rule OF call
Ing roll, which has proved TO be OF
great good 1t prompts men to be pres
ent, to respond TO their names, and TO
show that they are worthy OF that
Priesthood. The Elders quorums are
improving In their condition, We ind
some few that neglect their duties, and
have effected changes In the organiza-
lions that have been OF great good TO
the quorums. We find the instructions
that are impaired TO the quorums
through the rules that have been en-
acted for their government, tend to
benefit the Elders OF this stake. A great
many have been called to take missions
Of late. IL has not been deemed neees-
sary TO ordain all who so on missions
TO the office OF Seventy, but many have
gone clothed upon with the Melchisedek
Priesthood, as helps unto the Seventies
and TO the Twelve. II is gratifying to
witness the response that Is made by
the young men when they are called to
engage In missionary work. The man
ner In which they lay aside their own
personal matters and take the harness
upon them Is very encouraging we
have the Relief society. the Mutual I'M
proyement associations. the Primary
associations, the Sabbath schools, all
in successful operation, efficient as
helps In the government OF the Church.
We feel that n serious evil arises from
multitudes coming to this city 10 reside
and depending upon the offerings OF the
people and the funds Of the Church for
their maintenance.
Over a year ago I was amused In re-
ceIving q letter from a president or
stake, I'm which he called upon me TO
forbear sending people into that stake
who were poor. | smiled at the idea,
because never had been known 10 send
a person TO any other stake from this.
On the other hand, they would come
here In great numbers; and not con-
tent with coming themselves, many that
are supported by the Church funds ana
the offerings Of the people have their
Young relatives come and eat OF their
substance and live off them, because
here they can find amusements ana the
like. They DO not realize the cost u
Is IN the aggregate.
The people, as a rule, are prosperous
! believe as President Smith has ex-
pressed himself, that today Is one OF
The most prosperous times that Is likely
10 dawn upon this people and this ma
ton. ! heartily endorse the remark
that Il Is wise for us to refrain from
contracting further debt, and use all our
powers, by the help Of God, 70. free
ourselves from our present indebted
ness Many have been compelled TO
forfeit their homes, which have gone
into the hands OF outsiders, and the
latter IN turn have established saloons
and disreputable places right In the
nelghborhood where the most faithful
live. There Is no way to counterfeit
this evil when people will voluntarily
dispose Of their homes, and then excuse
themselves by saying that they had to
sell out because they could not re.
deem them. from mortgage. A fearful
responsibility Is sure TO result 10 US Is
In these particulars. think we VIII be
held accountable for the society we In
troduce into the neighborhood to which
people have honestly gathered from the
| nations, to be separate from the world
and TO partake not Of their sins and
/ their calamltles. believe the people
OF Salt Lake Stake are more Jealous
and more faithful than they have ever
been. There are exceptions, OF course
| There are those that are falling away
| II Is rs the Lord said Il would be.
God give us grace and strength, that
we may be worthy to occupy the sta
lions He has permitted us to fll,wheth-
er presiding In stakes In wards, In
quorums In associations, or In our
| families; that when the day OF account
shall come, we may be able to render
a faithful account of our stewardship
and find Justification at the hanas o.
| Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.
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