The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-12-28
A MORMON CHURCH IN FLORIDA.
Greeted With Large Audience and
Preach Like other Preachers.

Rich, were greeted with a large and
appreciaiive congregation last evening
at the latter day Saints church. on
Highway avenue There was a pro-
fusion Of beautiful flowers around
the pulpit and the singing was GER
tainly excellent. The sermons were
of course doctrinal, and the exposi-
ton of Mormon doctrine was the OBJ
ject sought by each of the speak
ers.
Elder Rich introduced Elders Smih
and Roberts, and in the course of his
remarks expressed his gratitude for
the courtesy and the large congrega-
ton accorded his brethren in the
southern states wherever they had
held meetings.
Elder Roberts theme was the Per
sonality of God" He declared that it
was essential to the salvation that
the divinity of Jesus Christ should be
taught. God is not an incorporal being.
Jesus Christ was divine and God man
Iifest in the flesh. He was a spirit
united to a mortal body of ferahtr
united to an immortal body of flesh
and bone, and he thus assembled into
heaven. God, the Father. and God
the Son, are two distinct personages.
The eY-congressman then paid an
eloquent tribute to the hospitality
and religious fervor and federation
which characterizes the people Of the
south. and the courtegies expended
! by the press of the south.
Elder George \. Smith was the last
speaker of the evening Mr. Smith
said that north and south America
said that North and South America
was the land of Zion, and that it
was a choice land above all other
lands, indicated by the Almighty to
liberty. and the establishment of a
free government. The elder admon-
ished everybody to revere the flag
and be loyal to our country. The
/ Book of Mormon, the elder continued,
| is the American volume of Scripture,
/ the history of the ancient inhabitants
Of this Western Hemisphere, as the
Bible is the record of Gods dealings
with the people of the Eastern Femis-
phere. The book of Mormon has been
translated into fouteen different Ian
guages, and its sale reaches into the
thousands and is increasing every
day. The Bible, Book of Mormon,
Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of
Great Price are standard works of
the church.
A notable feature of the Mormon
conference was the optimistic tone
of the churchman's remarks. They as
serted that the wrok was growing
at rapid rate, and the membership
of the church was daily augmented.
There are upwards of 1000 men,
bers of the Mormon church in the
southern states mission, which COM
prises ten states. Of this number
1900 are in the Florida conference
Messrs. Smith and Roberts left today
for st. Augustine.
Some of the peculiarities of the
Mormon church not generally known
to the people hereabouts:
The Mormon church is ruled by the
following organization: There is a
president and two councillors, con-
stituting the first quorum or council;
next twelve apostles; then a council
of seventy, which is followed by a
presiding bishopric, with bishop and
two councillors. Then there is pat
riarch, who must be blood relation Of
the founder of the church by descent,
whose office is merely ordination and
blessing.
The church is divided into fifty-five
states at present, and these may be
increased indefinitely. The present
stakes are subdivided into six hundred
and fifty wards Salt Lake City is
now divided into thirty-three OF these
stakes, over which presides a presi-
dent and two counsellors. Each ward
has bishop and two counsellors and
these are responsible for heir wards
Mormonism has practically abolish,
ed pauperism and idlesness. The en-
blem of Utah is the beehive, and the
motto is industry.
They regard the negro race as for
= hidden. No negro can rise In the
: Mormon church, nor can he affiliate
with the Mormons. The church has
set it's fiat against social or other
equality.
Colonies Of the church are flourish
ing. especially in Mexico and In South
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Metropolis.
Florida a Big State.
, The area of Florida is greater thar
the combined areas of Connecticut
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