Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-04-05

what promises to become one Of
the most important conferen ces pf the
Church, com m enced at 10 O'Clock this
morning In the great tabernacle. the
auditorium OF which was completely
fllled by saints from far and near
The distinguishing features were the
discourse OF President Josenh f.
Smith. who spoke for nearly am hour,
and THE reading of an address APP
pesring over the signatures az the
First Presidency, by Apostle Orxon F,
Whitney The document Is directed
to the people OF all tho world and is a
review OF the teneLs and practises OF
the Church. a statement of Its faith
and denial OF the numerous falls
ctargel recently made agains 1t. The
reading was listened to with rapt at
tenton and wa< followed by unanl-
NOUS adoption on the part Of the
large conRr egauon.
Conference opened auspicl0usly, not
wLthsihndins threatening weather,
There We're present of the general aus
thcrities tho fotlowingi Presidents
Joseph II. Smith. John r.. Winder and
Anthem FL. Land; Apostles Francis NJ
LYMAN John Henry Smith. George
Tsasdale. Hsher j. Grant. Rudgsr
Smith. George Albert Smith, George
". Richards, Orson r. Whitney and
David o. MCKAY; Presiding Patriarch
John Smith; presidents of seventies
Seymour b. Young, Brigham II. Rob
erts, Jonathan q. Kimball. RuIon s.
Wells, Joseph w. McMurTin and Chas
III. Hart Bishops William Il. Preston
yac al
large representation OF presidents
of stakes and missions and bishops ~
wards.
The morning session was opened by
the choir and congregation singing
the hymn beginning. Guide US o
offered by Elder David Mckenzie.
"Redeemer Of Israeli was then sung
by the choir and congregation, The
opening ad was delivered as usu-
al by President Joseph F. Smith
PRESIDENT SMITHS REMARKS.
President Joseph It. Smith was the
first speaker az the opening meeting,
and delivered a very interesting and
instructive discourse He expressed
hls delight In seeing so many present
at the first meeting OF the conference
which. he said, indicated an interest
in this work. which was very conf
mendable.
President Smith spoke at length OF
The condition OF the Church, and was
especially happy TO be- able 10 say thaL
th ere never was time snce the Or
ganiza ton OF Ehe present presidency
when they were as united as today.
as united in spirit, In faith, and In
works. Tho presidency and tho apos-
ties are also united and labortng to-
gether in love and harmony. He was
also pleased to say that ths same good
will, love and union. exist between
these two bodies and the presiding
sew entities OF the Church, and IL was
q source OF gratitude 10 him that all
these brethren wero 50 faithful In the
performances OF every duty and that
they airs always ready and willing TO
perform every duty that Is required
Of them The president spoke briefly
OF the efficient work being done by the
presiding blshopric. and Of the work
TO be accomplished by the pa!rlarchs
OF the Church
RESIDENTS OF STAKES.
Referring 10 the presidents OF tho
various stakes OF Zion, President
smith said. 81 can speak heartily and
warmly os taa hdeIity. lntelliE ence
Wisdom, strength ana inilusnce OF EhosQ
who today, through tho organised
stakes OF Zion are acting az presidents
aud i would hardly desire 10 admit
That there Is any exception. but II there
are any exceptions, Rhey aIs eNcead-
InFly few The presidents OF the
stakes OF Zion and their counsel ors are
men after Gods own heart They are
men true 10 their calling. true TO their
blsn0prics. true 10 the Church OF
Jesus Christ ~ Latter-day Saints,
faithful IN the discharge OF their duty,
diligently looking after The spiritual
AZ veil as The temporal welfare OF the
stakes Of Zion over which Shey pre-
de."
= PRECEDENT smith then spoke ~ tho I'M
portant duties devolylns upon the hleh
councils OF the various stakes and SAID
thar men would not be selected fol
these places who wore not exemplary
IN their lives sald they should be "
c0unEslors 20 the presidency or the
stake they should not only be able to
fairly adjust the differences chat may
arise In Inc stakes. but look after the
pr0clama don NJ the gospel hOsh by pre-
rneTnhArs OF the hishOnrio ~ the various
wards, President Smith said he did not
know 81 amy organization IN the Church
OF rreatar importance than that OF the
bish0prics Of Tho wards They We're IN
dead fathers 10 the peoples II Is their
duty n Hook after this widows, tho
faith 0rleHs, The poor. the needy the sick
ard the afflicted IT Is their duty not
only 10 be- temporal fathers OF the
people but spiritual fathers ms we'll,
fI,a sald 1t was expaulod that the bish-
ops ot tho wards should know every
ma ahl.ta ~ lkaalp 49,.