Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-02
THE CONFERENCE.


The April Conference will soon CONF
mence, and We trust that our friends
who come TO our city, like the ancient
Israelites 10 the city of Jerusalem at
the annual festivals will find spiritual
rcfrcshInont and announcement to con-
tinuc in the service of the Master.
1t Is now over three-quarters OF
century since the Church was first or
sanlzad, by divine command, and its
growth In membership and influence
upon the religious thought Of the world
Is n marvel, when the cver-activc oppo-
sition Is considered Without the power
that money, social position, or learning
give. The Prophet Joseph and his fol-
lowers rose. like john in the wilderness
and give their startling message to the
world. Their lives wore taken by the
adversary But their testimony lives
today, not only In the hearts of all
faithful Latter-day Saints. but In the
consciousness Of millions who have seen
the light Of truth without knowing
through whom 1t came TO them. There
Is no parallel 10 the development OF
this work, snoo the first dissemination
OF Christianity throughout the world.
Today the Church is numerically
stronger than ever Tho Saints arc
striving TO become saviors on Mount
Zion indeed They are striving to do
right, i'm spite of the calumny They
have confidence in their leaders. They
know that the Spirit of the Lord
rests upon them. The entire history OF
the church is such that it's preserva-
ton aud development can be account
cd for on no other assumption than
this that the Lord Is directing His SER
wants and that they but follow the
divine lead whether that be manifested
In cloud on n pillar OF fire. Under
the circumstances, the saints win not
fail to have a spiritual feast during the
coming gathering.
The leaders of the anti Mormon"
crusade have some peculiar ideas Of
pIopriety They are despots who would
like to dictate the policy Of the Church,
as they are debating their own party
policy. to the infinite sorrow OF the tax
payers they now have In their relent-
less grasp. They demand that the
Church declare. first that II win not
interfere In politics; secondly, that all
Elders who hold a prominent ecclesias-
tlcal position be barred from serving
the state, or the Community. IN any
civil office.
As TO the first OF these demands the
Church has time and again denied the
charge that Il interfores in politics or
mixes political matters with those OF
al ecclesiastical nature. And for years
the truth OF this has boan demonstrate
Ell No 1atter-day saint was ever I'M
terrered with IN his political inclua.
tons No Church meeting was ever
turned Into political convention. No
church Is less liable 10 The charge OF
interfering IN politics than the Nor
mon" church. Methodist ministers and
others have preached politics IN their
Sunday services, but the Latter-day
saint speakers have. with scarcely an
exception, rcfrained from doing So
for fear OF offending.
As TO the second demand. We do not
sec how that can bc complied With
There IS no law against a Mormon"
i.lder holding an Office, n the majority
OF the voters elect him. no good pur-
pose can be served by complying with
such demand, which would virtually
mean The restriction Of the rights Of
citizens TO vote for anyone thoy
please for ciNil offices We hold that
religious t"licf ana ecclesiastical seiy-
lee must bee eliminated from an quoa-
tions pertaining 10 the govern
mcnt " the state no mis- them
with roli,ics. as tho crusaders do
~ anu-Amoncan, a sunday school
teacher has as much right go hold am
Office as has a saloon Keeper on o
stock gambler member of mission
board has as much right 10 mn for
the office of a governor senator.
as has q bank president on plutocrat
% q mine owner This position rs AN.
assailablc and VIII not he attacked ca.
cent by wplraus TO, uhlcps who canno,