Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-03-20
CONFERENCE OF
SALT LAKE STAKE
Interesting Meetings Held Yester'
day Morning and After
noon.
ENCOURAGING REPORTS MADE
President Joseph F. Smith Makes Re-
ply to His crltics--oiher
Speakers.

The opening session OF the quarterly
.orference of the Salt Lake stake was
,sla at 10 a. m. Sunday, March 49, In
.ho Assembly hall, Prest, Nephi H. Nor
,ls and his counselors presiding. The
,,ota choir under the direction of AL
yin Beesley, chorlster rendered the
ononIng and closing selections. Prayer
WAC offered by Elder Rodney G. Bad
GER There were present Of the general
authorities, Priests. John II. Winder
and Anthem II. Lund, and Elders
uyrum NJ. Smith, Reed Smoot and
Charles w. Penrose, of the Apostles
quorum. The local stake priesthood
was well represented.
ENCOURAGING REPORTS.
President Morris briefly reported the
rendition OF the stake. The various
ouorums and auxiliary organizations,
he said were In good working order,
characterized by unity, harmony and a
Willingness TO do all possible to advance
the word Of the Lord The speaker di-
lated on the workings Of the Spirit
OF the Lord in the hearts OF the child
rem Of men, and urged the Saints to
seek for and cultivate the gifts Of the
Spirit knowledge, dlscernment, faith
and power with God. Elder Morris re-
ported that the Scandinavian and Ger
man Saints in the stake would be or
ganized for meeting purposes, to be
under the supervision of the stake or
ganization. The Holland Saints are al
ready so organized.
Elder David l.. Davis reported the
work and labors of the High Council.
SO far as settling disputes and hearing
cases against members for any cause,
there had as yet been no occasion for
the High Council since the organization
OF the stake. The members of the Coun-
eli visit and keep in touch with tho
various quorums of Priesthood In all
the wards There s the speaker re-
ported, noticeable Improvement I'm
the work and efficiency Of the labors
OF all the Quorums, including the act
Ing teachers, progress marking every
phase Of the Church affairs Of the
stake.
Elder Elias s. Woodruff reported the
work Of the local home missionary
corps, Last October, some 30 Elders
We're set apart as foreign missionaries
are and labored in similar manner
and holding cottage meetings, visiting
with all the people--non-members OF
the Church as well as members. There
are now 81 Elders laboring in this
work, which Is diligently prosecuted
with very good results particularly In
the building up and strengthening Of
the Elders and lesser Priesthood quor-
ums, The Elders work in conjunction
with the block teachers,
Is PRESIDENT ANTHoN II. LUND.
Prest Anthem II. Lund next adj
dressed the congregation, taking as his
text Pauls description of the Church
OF Christ, likening 1t unto the body
OF Christ, He said he was grathed TO
hear the good reports given as showing
the unity and harmony which prevailed
IN the Church. II the Saints viii live In
righteousness the Spirit of God would
dwell In the hearts Of all, and there
would be no strife, enyyings. pride,
faulthndine, or evil OF any kind ex-
istlrg and there would be no class dis
unclions in the Church. Except we
are one we are not Christs." II Ia not
the possession OF riches that disquali-
hes It's owner for the kingdom OF hea-
ven, but the love OF wealth and the
ldoatry of riches which debar from
heaven, He urged humility and dill.
gence on the part of the Priesthood,
and Efforts to uplift, help and bless
their fellow man. The speaker eau.
uoned his hearers against the spirit OF
faulthndlng and criticism so prevalent
m the community. The Later-day
saints cannot afford to imbIbe this
Spirit lest they lose the faith and be-
come reoreant to the truth,
ELDER HYRUM NJ. SMITH.
Elder Hyrum NJ, Smith, spoke short
tlme on the fruits OF the Spirit OF God,
as aptly described by Paul, against
winch there is no law" A conscientious
obedience to the commandments OF God
WI enable all to enjoy the fruits of
Inc Spirit and to live I'm harmony with