Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-04-07
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.


The annual conference Of the Church
Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints
which closed on Monday afternoon was
one Of the most Interesting, profitable
md largely attended gatherings of
these latter times. From the opening
to the finish the great Tabernacle was
densely filed. and on Sunday both the
Tabernacle aud the Assembly Han were
packed to their utmost limits Of seat
ing and standing room, while great
crowds were unable to gain admlttance'
President Joseph +. Smith gave the
key notes to the instructions impaired
In his opening address. which was pub
llshed in fun in the Deseret News Of
Saturday evening. The necessity Of
manual training and domestic science
as parts Of the education of our young
people, and the duty Of getting and
keeping out of debt were salient points
presented. The speaker did not desire
to beittle in any way the scholastic at
tainments generally comprehended in
the term education, but desired TO i'm
press upon the minds Of the people the
benefits arising from ability to pro-
duce something for the general welfare,
over and above those which accrue 10
the community from what are called
the learned professions The cultiya-
ton OF the soil In the best possible man
ner. the manufacture OF articles neces-
sary to the comfort and convenience of
mankind the conduct and management
of home affairs and the practical side
OF youthful training were Impressed
upon the assembly, and were emphasiz-
ed and enlarged upon by most OF the
speakers,
The reports which were made by the
representatives. Of the different stakes
Of Zion, from Arizona In the South to
Idaho and Wyoming in the North, were
very encouraging, showing the growth
OF population. the increase Of faith, the
prevalence OF good works and, In most
places, the absence Of saloons and their
concomltant evils, forming subjects Of
interest and congratulatlon. The energy
and zeal Of the speakers and their evil
dent sincerity and desire for the ben
fit Of the Saints and the extension Of
the work Of the Lord IN all the earth,
We're marked by their hearers, both
Saints and non-"Mormons,"
In reference to the prosperity now at
tending the people Of Utah as well as
the entire nation, and the well-known
fact that seasons Of prosperity are usu-
ally followed By times Of financial de-
preston, President Smith and others
uttered a warning to the Latter-day
Saints so that they might be prepared
for events which are sure to come. To
do so, one Of the best steps to be tax
en- was to extricate themselves from
the bondage OF debt. The evil results
Of mortgaglng homes and farms were
graphically depicted, and the tenor Of
the advice given was for the purpose
Of placing the people on a solid flnan-
clal basis The danger Of specializing
With borrowed capital was plainly
pointed out and the wrong Of placing
in jeopardy other peoples money was
vigorously denounced.
In the testimonies borne TO the divine
mission Of the Prophet Joseph Smith
and the divine origin of the doctrines
ordinances, organization and gifts en-
loycd IN the Church Of Jesus Christ Of
Latter-day Saints, the power OF God
vas greatly manifested, and the spirit
attending them vlslbly impressed the
great assembly that listened with the
most intense interest.
In his closing remarks. President
Joseph f. Smith bore most eloquent
md forceful testimony 70 the patriotism
and love OF the institutions Of their
country felt by the true Latter-day
Saints, while he denounced with with
ring scorn the hypocrites Who in
heep's clothing acted as raving wolves,
nalignlng and misrepresentng the
iaints and their faith. He paid tribute
o the worth Of the honorable men OF
he nation and Of this city and state
Who attended to their own business and
While not agreeing with US on religious
matters, refrained from attempting to
10 us wiful injury, He declared the
Intention OF the Mormon" people was
o stand up for the liberties and rights
II an people. both good and bad and
ven Of those who prosecuted, lied about
nd despitefully used us
President Smith announced the inten-
ion Of our people TO support this gov
rnment in It's righteous work Of car
wing liberty abroad to other nations
nd the Islands OF the sea- and cxhorted
he people to maintain go govern
nent. to live lives OF truth. honor. So
riety, chastity and faith. as Saints OF
Tod and good citizens of the nation In
'hch they lived. lie denounced the
quor traffic. declared thafno Latter
ay Saint In good standing could en-
age In such business; that the sa-
IONS that existed In the various parts
the state were not run by our people.
nd expressed his opinion that any one
rofessing to BE- a Mormon" who fob
,wcd such a Nay OF making living
ught to be cut on from the Church
Ie Invoked the spirit and blessing Of
le Lord upon all the good and upright
the earth.
The tendency OF the teachings Of this