Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-10-05

FIJI When President Joseph f. Smith
Z arose to announce the opening of the
+ seventy-ninth semi-annual conference
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, there
was not vacant seat. upstairs or
down, in the tabernacle. Already the
aisles We're filed with people stand
ing, and President Smith gave notice
that an overflow meeting would be
held In the Assembly hail. an an
nouncement that took many of those
who had been unab BILE to obtain seats in
the great auditorium into the other
building Many there were. however,
who preferred to stand during the en-
tire service rather than miss the open
Ing addresses OF the conference.
1t has been a considerable time since
the opening day of conference fell on
sunday. and that fact was responsible
in Il measure for the wonderful out
pouring of people at the initial service.
Perhaps never before has u tabernacle
meeting of such magnitude been 80
quiet during n period of two hours. One.
thing responsible for this condition was
the absence OF Infants III arms, proNi-
s;ons having been made for the care OF
babies and small children whose moth
ers desired to attend conference.
Despite the inclemency of the wealth
or, the conference opened most aus
piciously. or the general authorities OF
the Church, only three were absent.
namely, Elder John Henry Smith, abb
sent from the state; Elder Charles w
Penrose, presiding over the European
mission. and Elder George Reynolds Of
the First Council of Seventy, whose
health Is somewhat impaired.
AUTHORITIES PRESENT.
Those present on the stand were, OF
the first presidency. Elders Joseph e.
Smith. John r. Winder and Anthem Fl.
Jund; OF the dnnrumspr3 the APOSTLES.
Elders Francis NJ. Lyman. Heber j..
Grant, Rudger Clawson. Reed Smoot,l
Hyrum NJ. Smith. George Albert Smith.
George L. Richards, Orson f. Whitney.
David o. Mckay and Anthony w. W.
ms; John Smith, presiding patriarch or
the Church; OF the first council of sew.
enty Elders Seymour B. Young, Brig
ham n. Roberts. Jonathan Golden Kim
ball, Rulon S. Wells. Joseph w. Nc.
Murrin and Charles H. Hart; Of tho
presiding bishoprlc, Charles w. Nib
ley Orrin p. Miller and David a.
Smith.
The services were presided over by
President Joseph T. Smith. who. after
appointing Elder Anthony w. WINS
to conduct a meeting to be held IN the
Assembly hall, announced the opening
hymn, Come let us. anew our Journey
pursue" which was sung by the con-
gregation and choir. Prayer was Of
fcred by Bishop Charles w. Nibley
and the benediction was pronounced by
Bishop o. P. Miller. Other musicat
numbers during the morning were.
"Harl, Listen to the Trumpeters,
Grouse, oh, Ye Mortals," and Praise
the Lord. All We Nations, rendered by
the choir
The opening address of the confer
ence was delivered by President Joseph
IL. Smith, who spoke strongly and
earnestly on the Word OF Wisdom. thus
striking the keynote of the conference.
He was followed by Presidents Winder
and Lund. both speaking moro or less
along tho line indicated by President
Smith.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
1t is indeed q cause for congratula-
ton and joy and great satisfaction to
scn tho large number Of officers and
members of the Church assembled for
our seyenty-ninth semi-annual confer
/, once Notwithstanding the inclelncnt
weather. feel gratificd for the spirit
of the Lord enjoyed by the people. evil
denccd by their presence here today.
and hop, and pray that the light OIL
the gospel of the Son of God viii per-
wade our conference and all g, meet
i tnps. and L hope everybody will feel re-
Maid forEtheir attendance And to TINS
epd invoke the blessings of the Al
mighty upon every individual VINO Shail
attend the conference meetings.
8 The Lord las truly blessed us as