The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-11
RSE
By NEPHI L.
MORRIS
DELIVERED AT OGDEN TAeER-
NAcLE YESTERDAY.
Prohibition the Theme Now Being
AgItated In State Of Utah-oni'
ciaI Declaration of L. D. S.

Yesterday Afternoon at o'clock, at
the regular Sunday services in the
Ogden Tabernacle, there was an ex-
ccptionally large attendance. the at
traction being the presence OF Elder
Nephi l.. Morris of Salt Lake. who
delivered a mastorly address on the
topic of Prohibition" In his dis
course Mr.. Morris made telling points
in support of the prohibition Idea.
ana his talk was highly appreciated
by the audience. The speaker was
at his best. giving much stress OF
conviction to his remarks. The Og-
oen choir gave an appropriate mu-
sical program which also was much
appreciated.
did not think when l stood here
two or three weeks ago that | should
soon again occupy this position. But
as 1t has been explained to you, 1
have been requested TO meet you for
the purpose of discussing the ques-
tiop of prohibition In the State OF
Utah. / sincerely trust that in doing
SO | shall have the assistance OF the
spirit Of the Lord and hope that IL
there is need of any special work in
the way of converting members OF this
church or any one who may be with
Us today, that the spirit or the sub
ject connected with the spirit OF the
Lord, which is always In harmony
with truth and purity may work such
conversions. and | sincerely trust,
repeat that We may have an outpour-
ing of Gods Holy Spirit.
The state OF Utah Is today consider
ably agltated over the matter of tenn
perance as some call 1t, but to others
IL has taken the more radical aspect,
that Of prohibition. There Is quite A
difference In temperance and prohibit
ton. Prohibition is the real thing.
To an IriShman or Scotchman, tenn
perance would be his undoing. Tenn
pevance is a matter OF degree. l be-
lieve In prohibition. / believe in to.
tai abstinence as being preferable
thing for mankind. In the recent
conference held in Salt Lake City
President Smith with the other gen.
oral authorities OF this church spoke
more on the matter OF observing the
word OF wisdom. cardinal principal
Of our faith, than any other subject,
and 1t was the distinctive thought OF
the entire conference. After the re-
marks. In which he took every ground
In relation to liquor and its use as Il
beverage, a resolution was introduced,
which l desire to read for the re-
freshing of your memory. (He read
tho resolution recently adopted at the
October conference) On motion the
immense congregation voted aye.
The reference to the Sunday law is
a matter which Is entirely over.
shadowed by the larger question. that
OF prohibition, or the liquor traffic Of
our state; and | assume II the matter
Of liquor were properly systemaused
there would not be nearly so much
evil in the Sunday law, but 1t is 4
measure which will receive attention
at the hands Of the legislature, which
is convening for sixty days following
tomorrow This resolution Is the Of
flcial declaration Of the Church OF
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
AS member Of that church, ] may
speak here this afternoon with pro-
priety upon the movement Of temper
ance. One may speak as 4 citizen IN
terested In the social and civil life Of
your community In which you live,
but first as member of this church.
in Utah conditions are somewhat alb
normal. Church influence is tho
sound for agitation and impassion
feelings and expression, In other
countries where normal conditions
prevail church influence Is good in its
sphere. A church that does not add
something to the good OF the public.
to the refinement OF man and to their
culture and education has no economic
value In any social phase OF COM
munity. A church, after all is said
and done, should be appreciated for
the kind Of men and women it gives
forth strictly upon an economic
standpoint and by them l VIII judge
the value of your church. ] care very
little for your creeds, for your hair
splitting doctrine, for your pulpit ora
tors, your fine choir: show me the
men and women your church gives,
end by them l will Judge the value OF
your church. Salvation comes with
man In his manner Of thought and his
conduct In relation to his fellow man.
In these measures will be discovered
the real intrinsic value of man and
the church which produces them. |
say in this regard the state should
guard very dearly the interests OF the
church that it might exercise inIlu-
cnce In these various directions so
this may serve for a justification OF
discussing the problem which Is
-
matter of prohibition has been agi-
tating the United States for a number
of years. Some forty years ago 1t was
a sort of hy5terical emotion in regard
to prohibition and some states declare
themselves in favor Of ultimate prohi-
bition. and measures were adopted by
Legislative enactment In many states
but the law was never carried into
effect directly and satisfactorily for
the reason that public sentiment had
not been sufficiently developed. and
without that sentiment behind the
laws your laws are Of no effect
Eight or ten years ago this question
was agttated again 1t grew In the
southern states, because Of the traffic
that was going on in the liquor busi.
ness and because Of the incompetency
of the largo number OF negroes TO re-
sist the wiles Of the saloon man,
more because of their natural ten
dency In natural directions In this
and sometimes In their manners and
practices they became the wholesale
patrons Of the saloon man. And while
this increase Of people In the south
were receiving credit In the stores the
saloon man was receiving the money.
Tho business man became sufficiently
encouraged TO demand local option,
and they had at first what Is called the