Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-04-09
A SPLENDID CONFERENCE.

ter-day Saints which closed on sunday,
may be regarded az the banner con-
ference, as to the numbers Of people
who attended. the encouraging reports
of the financial and general conditions,
the missionary work, the harmony and
unity prevailing, The confidence re-
posed in the authorities the Intense
interest IN the proceedings and the
splendid spirit that prevailed through
out. The past year was the banner
year IN the payment OF tithing, and
this announcement gave general sats-
faction. The report OF the auditing
committee commencing the accurate
aud complete accounting made Of the
receipts and disbursements was a
pleasing feature, and the announce
meht that not dollar OF the tithing
fund had been used For the expenses
OF the general authorities Of the
Church, was as surprising TO carpers
and maligners as it was gratifying to
the Saints
The instructions impaired were prac-
teal IN character and forcibe IN their
simplicity and earnestneys. From the
opening address Of President Joseph +.
Smith to the closing remarks by Presi-
dent Francis NJ. Lyman, fervent
spirit inspired all the utterances OF the
speakers and animated the immense
audiences The musical exercises, as
usual, were choice and enjoyable. The
juvenile choir, the soloe and quartets,
as well as the grand anthems and the
organ accomplishments, we're OF high
order Of merit and were duly appre-
ciated.
On the first day Of the Conference
the great Tabernacle was filled above
and below. The crowds in attendance
gradually increased until the spacious
building could not contain them. and
ON Sunday morning the Assembly Hall
was thrown open for an overflow
meeting and was speedily filed TO its
utmost capacity. In the afternoon
both buildings were packed with listen
ing humanity, and thousands could not
gain admission to either, 80 an inter-
estlng meeting was held on the grounds
in the open air with very large at
tendance.
The authorities Of the Church were
sustained without dissenting vote.
Numerous speoulations had been In
dulged I'm by persons and papers hav-
Ing no connection or business with
such matters, as TO appointments 10
MI vacancies IN the Church councils,
AS usual they were very wide of the
mark, and demonstrated the folly Of
the prognosticators and their lack OF
understanding Of the Church methods
and discipline. The demise Of Mar
riner w Merrill, a devoted and valiant
soldier In tho warfare against sin and
error, left vacancy IN the Council OF
the Twelve Apostles, and that OF Chris
tlan d. Fjelstead, also faithful and
able servant Of the Lord, vacancy In
the First Council OF Seventy. These
were filled by the appointment OF
George F. Richards rs an Apostle, and
OF Charles II. Hart as one OF the Seven
Presidents of the Seventies
The announcement by President
Lyman that Elders John w Taylor
and Matthias r. Cowley haG rendered
their designations as members OF the
Quorum Of the Twelve Apostles, not
being IN harmony with their associates
on important matters, and that those
designations were accepted on the 2sth
Of October, 1905, occasloned much SUR
prise. That action had not previously
been made public, There was no de-
sire to crafty the curiosity OF people
who had no business with the affair,
nor to give occasion for such meddlers
10 claim that Il was done to influence
secular Investigation. The resignatlons
were made to the Council OF the
Twelve, accepted, and reported to
the First Presidency. Outside OF the
presiding authorities ii belonged only
10 the general conference to consider
the matter, II was with profound re-
greet that the step was taken and Il
was acquiesced IN without objection
but IN much sorrow The vacancies
were filled by the appointment " Or
son +, Whitney and David o. Mckay.
TO nh the place Of Elder Whitney on
the staff OF the Church Historian.
Joseph i. Smith, Jr,, who has been an
efficient worker there was nominated
All the authorities presented were
unanimously sustained by the confer
ence, forest Of hands being raised
nj every vote and not one being offered
'n the negative. II was gratifying
and imposing sight and the new app
pointces received the cordial congratu.
lations OF hosts OF friends and admir-
ers their fitness for the positions Ia
which they were assigned was uni
versally recognized
The entire conference was fraught
with great interest enthusiasm aud
enjoyment Latter-day Saints came
from all points from Canada to Next.
CO. and from the far east 20 California
aid the northern Pacific coast Tn,
weather was delightful, the railwa,
service excellent, and though the road
across country were In bad shape from
the continuous rains and SHOWS tina
precede the splendid sunshine durinl
conference, the people travelled #
comparative comfort and were wei
repaid for their journeyings.
A