Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-11
God 10 those who would love God ana
keep His commandments.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

God 70 those who would love Goo ana
keep His commandments.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Elder Henry A. Peterson Of Forest
Dale was the first speaker IN the after-
noon. He spoke in behalf OF the he
liglon class organization, he having
come 10 Provo to meet with the Relig-
lon class teachers. The Importance OF
the Religion class work was presented.
and the parents urged to enoourage the
children to attend these classes In or
der that the spiritual HE or
| the child might he developed equally
| with the intellectual development. He
| spoke of the benefits driyed by the
| children and referred 10 the testimonis
borne by the children In their classes,
| showing the spiritual growth resulting
| from their organization. The co-opera-
| lion Of the Bishops and ecclesiastical
authorities were earnestly solicited TO
encourage and support the organiza-
ton.
Elder l.. Holbrook of the stake presi-
dency expressed pleasure In hearing the
reports made by Bishops and presi-
dents OF organizations and with the
organizations Of the Church.
President Joseph +. Smith expressed
his pleasure In seeing so many chill
dren present and TO see them take part
In voting to sustain the authorities OF
the Church. He had this TO say TO the
brethren and sisters on this subject:
when you vote to sustain the authors
ties OF the Church do II freely and not
stintingly" II was matter Of vast
Importance 10 the people and to the
authorities OF the Church whether they
we're sustalnd or not, and the members
OF the Church should signify their sup
port In whole-souled way. This
should be carried into all the duties OF
the Saints and duties should be per-
formed In an earnest and thorough
manner. President Smith spoke OF at
tending a meeting IN one OF the most
progressive wards OF the Church, pro- 4
sressive In bringing into active service
the Priesthood OF the ward. lie saw
number Of little children, who had
been seated In front OF the speaker.
They were made welcome and made TO
understand that the house was for
them, as we'll as for their parents. In
the same ward the boys were ordained
bchtullF, itdCntIo anu ill'Str, Ntit
assigned certain positions In the house,
and II they were desired to do any SER
vice during the meeting they could be
found at once and requested to perform
the needed duty This was what he
called good discipline In the house OF
the Lord and he would like to see 1t
here and everywhere.
President Smith bespoke for Elder
Peterson good attendance In his Re-
llglon class work, as he considered 1t
very important mission, II was very
important that religion be taught the
children, faith In God and In the divin-
lily OF His Son, the Savior OF the world.
This was not permitted to be taught In
the district schools, and II was there
fore very important to have the little
children taught these principles, that
they might be saved from unbelief, that
they might be brought up In the way
In which they should go, that when
they are old they will not depar. from
IT, He read from the Doctrine and
Covenants the commandment requiring
parents In Zion 10 teach TIE principles
OF the Gospel, and the penalty for neg
Letting this duty. The fallacy
OF the theory that boys must SOW
their wild oats" was strongly present.
ed. He had actually heard some home
advance the doctrine that
q man was not worth heaven-room un-
III he had passed through all kinds of |
He did not believe In the
prodigal son; he believed In the refor-
nation of the prodigal II possible, but
he did not beleye that he was AS good
as one who was good all the time and
who did not need my repentance. The
speaker read from the New Testament,
the parallels OF the lost sheep, and of
the prodsal son. and explained the re-
ioicing over the finding OF the sheep,
which was because OF the restoration OF
the sheep. and not because OF the loss.
And there was danger that the sheep
which becomes lost falll>g among
wolves and sustaining wounds and
scars. and would not be as valuable az
the remaining sheep who had not been
lost. II was the scars that the speaker
did not want 10 see.
The parable of the prodigal son was
upon and explained. The son
who had remained at home Is ever
with his father, and all that Is father
has Is his, while the boy who left was
but servant OF his father. No bless
ing and no reward will be received, ex-
cept by the observance OF the COM
mandments Of the Lord, upon which
they are predicated. President Smith
earnestly exhorted the young men not
to lmblbe the idea that they could
tiansgress the laws Of God and escape
without serious consequences.
The choir rendered beautiful music
at the various meetings which was
highly appreciated.
MIA. CONFERENCE.
Sunday evening NJ. 7, A. conference
convened in the Tabernacle but owing
to the electric lights being out the
meeting adjourned after brief ad-
dress by Patriarch John Smith,