Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-04-03
preSt Joseph F, Smith COmmends
Il for Its Work Of Mercy
AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE
Two Sessions Were Held one tbs
Forenoon and Another THIS si'er-
noon 81 Interesting Reports

One Of the most interesting Rellei So
ciety conferences In many years was
commenced IN the Assembly hall at "
q m today. II was presided over by
Mrs. Bathsheba W. Smith, president OF
The organization, The forenoon session
was devoted wholly to the giving Of
and listening to, reports from officers
of Inc different stakes. The subject
matter related to increased member
ship, renewed activity and storing Oh
grain for days Of need, and other mat
tiers Of Ike Importance. The singing
was directed by Prof c. j. Thomas
who is slowly recovering from his long
siege OF sickness.
The attendance this afternoon, was
like that Of the morning session, rather
larger than usual The lower part OF
the building was almost filled, WINE
Their was a strong sprinkling OF people
In the gallery. The society was nom
ored this afternoon. with the presence
of Prest. JOS. f. Smith and Elder John
Henry Smith Of the Council Of Twelve
Apostles The first speaker was Presl-
dent Smith whose remarks were MS
tened TO with rapt attention as he out
lined the purposes and good work OK
the relief societies throughout the
Church.
President Smith opened his address
with the statement that he had run IN
for a brief period only; that he had
been 80 busy with the press Of duties
that always comes like a flood just be-
fore each Conference. lie said he could
speak only for a few moments after
which he would beg to De excused lie
said that he was Informed that q large
number OF those present were OF the
active membership of the Relief society.
Wherefore he knew that he was adj
dressing those who We're much interest
en- In the work OF lettering the condi-
ton of their fellow men and women,
those who represented a body Of inllu-
entlal women. Said he. VERY much de-
wolves upon YOU very much Is expect
ed Of you In the building up Of Zion and
the establishment OF proper domestic
relations ard spirit in the home The
Relief society is one Of the most effect
i've organizations I'm the Church. It's
work is Of vital Importance to the
mothers and daughters OF Zion. The
influence Of It's acts reaches from nation
10 nation, and from continent to conti-
nent, II Is associated with the per-
Torrance OF mighty eyents-oyents that
affect the welfare OF the people
throughout the world It's mission in
cludes charity, love, mercy, and kindly
ministraton 10 the poor, the sick. {
ailllctedand those bowed down with the
weight Of years, and those whose hearts
are torn with sorrow. IL looks after
the fatherless and the motherless- lit
Tie ones who have been boreft OF pa
rents. II Is your duty, my sisters, to
see that they are cared for II Is your
duty to help educate them, 10 assist In
the enlightenment OF the mothers ana
daughters Of Zion, As / have said.
the Relief society Is one OF the most
important organizations in the Church
But there is another important organ
izatlon II Is that Of the familywhich
under the provisions OF the Gospel eX-
lists not only through time but which in
Vades and extends through the domain
OF eternity The influence OF the
Relief society upon the family Organi-
zation is very great 10 viii be felt
far beyond this vale OF tears, beyond
this stage of action. The family or
ganization." said President Smith. "is
ifANAlfNA III IlAilN VIAL llhAlNIN- Ut~
tween husband and wife, between pa
rents and children. II Is the duty Of
the Relief society 10 enlighten where
ignorance exists, to see To It, as far as
u can. that the wife Is a good wife, %
wise and prudent mother; that she not
only helps her husband but that she
rcars her children IN the fear of
God. In the veueration of His
name and with respect for His
laws It is the duty Of the Relief
society TO see that the children
who are without parents are
provided with homes, but that their
mental and spiritual welfare IS also
looked after that so Gar as possible
an deficiencies are compensated for.
When you do this you can rest assured
that the Church Is behind you, to en-
courage you. and to hold up your
hands" President Smith said that he
recently visited a settlement Of the
IpttCr-d0y Saints not 900 miles from
Salt Lake where there was an epidemic
OF sickness in the nature OF malarial
FOYER. He arrived I'M the town late az
night. and was Immediately requested
10 accompany some OF his brethren 20
administer 10 the needs NJ the athlete
ed. In short order they set out on their
errand. In the first home they entered
they were met by a neat. mauouly WOO
man with "a basket ON her arm In
1riry developed the fact that she was
one OF the sisters Of the Relief society
who had come 90 take the place OF one
who had been Gt the post Of duty dur
Ing the day and who In turn would be-
succeeded by another on the morrow.
IN caring for the mother who was very
lll IN undressing and putting The little
ores 10 bed. after the evening prayer
had been said and IN getting some
Thing FOR the Worn out and hard work
ms husband 90 eat Further inquiry
developed the fact that this was tho
Kind Of work the Relief society had
benn doing among the sufferers NJ the
erure town II was the Kind of work
that was being done everywhere. and
fu which 10 would Doe blessed beyond
che comprehension of man But this
was only one of the duties that q was
performing II did many others and
ala them weu And great as this WORK
was there WAS other work that was
sian greater than the temporal care OF
any one II was their spiritual welfare
and salvation. and Tor that AN should
work unitcdlV