The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-10-06

L hC HIS udy > proceedings OF the
semi-annual conference of the Mormon
church, which convened yesterday.
would have been featureless save for
the opening address delivered by Pres
ident Joseph F. Smith in the morning
With great feeling and eloquence he
referred to the fact that his personal
life was being attacked, and asserted
that he would keep the covenants he
had made. intimating that he would do
so even If the keeping of them landed
him in a prison cell. He scathingly
denounced those who are attacking him
and the church through him, and then
checked himself with the remark:
Il will say too much if / don't stop
soon.'
1t was evident to everyone that
President Smith was making a ire
mendouS effort to repress his feelings,
erence in his speech was where he de-
nounced his foes by saying:
L do not care, and don't want to
pay any heed to the ridiculous non
sense, the foolish twaddle, and to the
impious slurs that are being cast at
me and my people by impious hearts
and wicked minds. Let God deal with
them as seemeth to him good. Don't
allow yourselves TO be troubled over
Conference Well Attended.
There were probably 5000 people in
the Tabernacle when the conference
was called to order yesterday morn
ing. One feature Of the opening was
the fact that of the twenty-six gen
eral authorities of the church all out
two were present. The absentees were
Apostle Heber J. Grant, who is in Eu-
rope in charge of the mission work in
that field, and Brigham II. Roberts of
the first council of seventies, who is
visiting in Mexico.
Just before the conference met the
tall, gaunt form of Apostle George
Teasdale, who, until a few weeks ago,
has been absent from the United
States ever since the Smoot investiga-
tior started, appeared in the pulpit
Mr.. TeaSdale's appearance guarantees
that the reports that he has been des-
perately Ill have lot been exaggerat-
ed. He looks ike an exceedingly sick
man still.
Apostle Reed Smoot, United States
senator, was one of the early arrivals.
and all day long he occupied a seat
with his associates in the quorum Of
the twelve. He was warmly greeted
be scores of his church brethren before
the conference opened. Apostle Smoot
ference. The general authorities pres
ent yesterday were as follows:
First presf6enCy-JosepE T. Smith,
John r. Winder, Anthem II. Lurd.
Quorum OF apOstIes-Francis VI. Ly-
man, Joho II 2nry Smith, Geoi ge Teas
dale, Rudger Clawson, Reed SmoOt,
Geore A. Smith, Hyrum NJ. Smith. Or
son F. Whitney. George F. Richards.
David o. Mckay and Charles W. Pen
rose.
First council of seventies Seymour
B. Young, James W McMurrin, Rulon
S. Wells, j. Golden Kimhall. George
Reynolds and Charles H. Hart.
Presiding bishopric-W. Z. Preston.
r. T. Burton and Orrin p. Miller.
Presiding patriarch-Jchn Smith.
Conference Is Opened.
It was a few minutes after 10 O'Clock
when President Smith called the con-
ference to order and announced the
hymn, 'Redeemer of Israel" The
singing was followed by a prayer by
President William Mclaughlin of Lib
erty stake. Eliza r. Shows hymn
Though Deepening Trials Throne
Your Way, Press On was sung BY
the congregation and choir.
President Smith then made his open
ing address. Much of it was taken uo
WITH q narrative Oh MS recent trip TO
Europe and to the scenes of the early
history of the church He compliment
ed the relief societies, 1weIt at length
on the harmony which exists among
the general authorities Of the church
and made the personal references
which nave already been quoted:
II feel very grateful this morning for
the privilege l have of beholding the
faces OF my brethren and sisters assem-
bled here at the opening of our seventy
seventh seni-annual conference and as
on all past occasions when we have met
Ia our conferences, / sincerely hope that
the spirit of peace and love of truth. and
the desire for good may be paramount in
all that may be said or done during our
conference. 1t is gratifying also to see
the number of our brothers and sisters
who are assembled at this first meeting.
Il shows an interest in our work and in
the cause of Zion which speaks well for
those who are present; and | sincerely
believe that the faith of the Latter-dav
Saints is increasing and their love for
the truth growing, and the people becom-
ing more and more established in their
convictions of the truth of the gospel
which has been restored in these latter
days.
Zion Is Prospering.
Everything seems to point to the con
tiEGed advancement of the cause of Zion.