Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-06-09
The Subject Of Testimony Meet.
ing and Giving Discussed
At Length.
WERE SEVERAL SPEAKERS.
Theme Was Sub-DlvilCd and Treated
Accordingly and From Number
OF View Points.

The Testimony Meeting, a number OF
talks being given on various things Of
Importance connected with the holding
and conduct Of the gatherings. The
session opened with singing by the con-
gregatlon "Hark. Listen 10 The Trum-
peters and was followed by prayer;
the song Where the Voice Of Friend
ships Heard coming afterward. Presi-
dent Matte Horne Tngey made an adj
dress OF greeting and said thar she was
anxious to know how many fepresen-
.auyes were present from the different
stakes. as she had heard that there was
such a splendid attendance u the Y. NJ
VI. l. a conference that cheers were
given as each stake responded. She
felt sure there was an equal representa-
ton among themselves and was proud
OF the interest manifested Mrs. Lucy
Smith gave the first address. her SUBJ
je3, being The Value OF Testimony
Meetings The FIRST thing 90 De cone
sidered was % help others with our
prayer In giving their testimonies. for
many desired 10 do this who had not
the courage. The testimony meetings
are invaluable. for IN this way We show
our gratitude for Gods blessings. And
even as human parents love their chill.
dteL, and w!ll DO more for them when
they show gratitude FOR good done
them. so viii our heavenly Father do
lot Us In proportion as We acknowledge
cur blessings Every time we testify
% Hts goodness We are added upon,
and when We rise 20 our feet I'M hu-
mility Of spirit to testify. We will be
filled with a higher spirit. She read
TIE message given by Joseph Smith 10
the missionaries who should 20 abroad
20 preach the Gospel and said these
passages should be committed TO men,
Org b. all,
SOME EXPERIENCES.
She spoke II the testimony Of FIRE
and earthquake and divers things
which should follow the testimony of
the preaching Of the Gospel and be-
licyed those were al hand. naming
the recent san Francisco disaster. and
telling incidentally Of the interesting
experience OF Ave Mormon" Elders
who were 10 have set out on a mission
10 the Hawaiian Islands on the morn.
Ing Of the disaster and whose trunks
were az the ferry All they had IN the
way Of equipment for the Journey was
IN those trunks, and 10 wait for new
supplies under the circumstances
meant a long delay.
Without hope Of finding their be-
longings they made their way 10 the
office with their checks and were all
but ridiculed by the clerk. However
he accompanied them TO the wharf,
where they saw a single trunk which
proved 10 be that Of one Of the mis-
sionaries and those Of the other four
were rescued in the same strange way
She felt that this was sign Of the
Lords protection Of His servants IN
His work. In closing she urged that
all should bear testimony on every pos
siole occasion as a blessing followed Il.
she said that when missionaries are at
a loss for words, that II they testify
10 the divine mission Of Joseph Smith
their tongues are loosened II we
are faithful, true and pure We viii
have a testimony that we are made An
the image Of God, and that we arc His
children.
AS TO ESSENTIALS.
The next subject What Are the
Essentials OF a Successful Testimony
Meeting was given by Mrs. Emma
Goddard In place OF Mrs. Mary Freeze
who was not able 20 be present. She said
that II what Mrs Smith had Just said
was obseryed,and II we put an our heart
into the object Of serving God and ob.
tanning a testimony. the Spirit Of God
would flow through our physical frame
even Ike blood. She and many 9TH
ers had experienced Il. & could not be
described. An important element OF
the success OF testimony meetings was
TO 90 to them prepared with the right
spirit. on that day no thoughts OF
discord should be allowed 10 gain prom
inence, only sweet and loving thoughts
should enter our consciences. Even II
things went wrong as they often do,
We must strive with prayer to maintain
this attitude Of peace Prayer was a
most essential thing, and all should at
tend the meeting with prayer for A
peaceful spirit and influence. II you
can do nothing else. get the saying OF
some good writer IN your mind and
hold 20 u. Il viii have Its influence
In keeping your spirit calm. Can this
telepathy or what you will. the power
Of holding the right thoughts Is Won
derful In It's effect on the spirit. and
We can use II She spoke OF a recent
Temple meeting. IN which she had eX-
perienced a peculiar Incident. which a.
Illustrated the power OF telepaihy. An
other element Is the right choice Of
songs, peaceful and sacred ones that
will bring us nearer 10 our Heavenly
Father. Judgment must be used also
IN selecting one 20 pray who seems TO
have the special power In prayer.
WHEN FAILURE COMES.
Mrs. Esrdly spoke on the theme,
when Testimony Meetings are Fall
ure and said that this occurred when
there was not good order. when there
was not the proper spirit Of love Of
officers for members and members for
officers. when The officers occupy the
| time themselves, when long essays are
/ read or speeches made. and when there
/ Il not enough concentration on the pur-
Z pose ~ the meeting. Prayer should
/ be offered Tor an outpouring o. the
spirit that an those obstacles might be
| put down
Mrs Euene NeH Caldwell spoke Of
I the Dangers Of Testimony Meetings
ana said that Ike all good things
| these may be carried 10 excess. that
once a month Is an that Is necessary,
outside OF special occasions. and that
/ they should always be authorized. No
/ doubt u would appeal 10 some that IL
would be pleasant Tor a few 20 meet
I together privately and hold these meet
ings. but where II had been done,
false doctrine had come IN, and IN
fuences Of evil. and they were there
I fore 10 be avoided. Authority Jay with
/ the Priesthood 10 direct these spiritual
I gifts. and meetings should be held only
/ under the authority of the Blshopric.
/ Another great danger was 10 allow the
I emotions TO overcome reason and self
I control The splrit ~ violence or eN-