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

doubtless not be heard by all of the
congregation, but he desired TO en-
dorse every word spoken by President
Joseph f. Smith and bear testimony
of the truth OF the latter day work.
There has been a marked increase
IN the work performed in the temple
during the last six months, said
President Winder, 80 much so that
on occasions many persons have been
turned away. Such conditions indi-
cate that the saints are becoming
more and more interested in the work
of redemption for the dead There
never was a brighter day for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. The Lord has blessed His
people. and will continue to do so, IL
they will but seek to do His holy
will'
PRESIDENT A. H. LUND.
President Anthem H. Lund was the
next speaker. He said in part.
Il am happy in having the privilege
OF being with you / rejoice I'm the tes'
timony we have heard; and / rejoice
in possessing this same testimony.
President Smith said that conten-
tious spirit was that OF apostacy; and
/ thought of the words of the Savior.
blessed are the peacemakers for theirs
is the kingdom of God
IF our opponents only want TO argue
with us i'm a contentious spirit we do
not desire to confer with them; but
il they come seeking truth we willingly
answer all arguments they may desire
10 be enlightened upon"
President Lund read part of Section
SO of the Doctrine and Covenants and
then said that these verses give the
ethics of Mormonism.
Through the principle of gathering
this large audience is here today. The
older members have come from afsr
TO assemble with the Saints in Zion;
those who came with an eye single
toward God have found Zion; those
who came for other ends, to build UP
self, to achieve selfish ends, have not
found God" said the, speaker. You
who have Zion in your hearts feel that
you have come to Zion indeed, and re-
joice in the opportunity.
PRINCIPLE OF GATHERING.
"The principle of gathering is not. a
principle that was evolved after the
Church was organized The angel Mo-
ROM taught IL TO Joseph before any
one was baptized into the Church. The
Prophet Joseph could not have taken
this principle from amy of the exist
ing religions, it was given to him by
God
During the first year of the Church's
organization there were illusions to
the principle of gathering; but II was
finally given forth in a revelation to
the prophet
President I.und read the section OF
the Doctrine and Covenants containing
the principle of gathering and said It
was given on March z 1881. when the
Church had not yet been established a
year.
Revelations bearing on the subject
of The gathering continued 10 be given
TO the Church during the first years of
It's existence, There were but fow
people who gave adherence to tho
teachings of the young prophet,
scarcely 20 years Of age, and from
the conditions surrounding him he
bad little to encourage belief In the
magnitude OF the gathering OF Gods
people as outlined In the revelations
81 His word. Many who have Yield
| ed obedience 10 the command OF the
| Almighty to gather out from Babylon
| have endured untold persecution and
| contumely bur they have received
a pearl of great price that fully COM
! pensates for all that they have beer
| called upton to suffer,
''The plan for the migration of the
| Lattor-day Saints To these valleys AID
| not originate with Brigham Young
| The prophet Joseph Smith predicted
| that this people would become might,
J ana strong In the Rocky mountains
| President Young, under direction al
! the Almighty, led the people 10 THU
llninVitlng land which by the blessings
| Of heaven has been made fruitful ana
| n nleasant Mace OF abOdeN