The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-07

once lived, where the bishop was not
preaching bishop, and had counselor
a man who had the same kind OF
gift" Mr.. Roberts said that there We're
times when 1t was necessary TO talk,
and on one of these occasions the coun-
selor had made the remark that ne do
not know what hurt most, to try 10 say
something himself or to listen 10 the
bishop when he tried to express MS
thoughts. This, he thought might ap-
ply to the speakers and listeners at the
conference.
Mr.. Roberts said there was no desire
in his heart excepting that he might
speak with the right inspiration, and
that he might help in the work to when
he had given his lifetime of work ana
love, and in speaking he wanted to as
sist in the work in which, although ne
might have fallen short, he loved IN
tensely.
The sermon of President William ii.
Taft in the tabernacle was recalled by
the speaker, who recalled the occasion
when the President of the United States
was the hOnOred and welcome guest OF
the people of Utah. Mr. Roberts san
he listened to that most excellent ad-
dress with a great deal of interest ana
pleasure, and he thought that the Pres
ident presented to non Mormons as wen
as MormOLs a discourse of most excel
lent thought as well as advice. The
speaker said he felt. however, that the
address of President Taft fell on stony
ground, because he was afraid that eacn
felt that the President meant the other
fellow" you know we are all anxious
for reformation in the other fellow,
said Mr.. Roberts The speaker said he
was sitting near Mr.. Whitney on that
occasion. and he thought that the Pres
ident meant him when ne was giving
that good advice, and so far as he meant
Mr.. Roberts it was all right.
Is Man of Peace.
Mr.. Roberts said he was a man Of
peace, not so much because it pleased
him to assume that characteristic as be-
cause those with whom he came in con-
tact liked a peaceful attitude better. He
said he did not believe the President
addressed him so much as an individual
as he addressed condition which eX-
listed here. Mr.. Roberts said he won
dered if those who represented the peO-
pie were willing to take seriously into
account the question of whether the
people gave any color to the cOntrO-
versy and if there was any fault in the
methods of his hearers, and whether
there was any fault which gave Occa-
sion for criticism or attack.
"Of course, we do not expect the other
fellow to change, but a change in our
attitude would at least sweep out every
yestige of excuse for the warfare which
is being waged against US" said Mr.
Roberts
The speaker said that although his lines
Of labor had fallen into historical lines,
he did not regard himself as an histO-
rian, but in this work he had formed
habit of analysis.
I'VE have not always been absolutely
blameless in our attitude as a commUn-
ity.' ne said. The truth that God gave
us is unaAailable and to defend it is a joy,
but as to our history, which is but an
other name for our conduct, it never has
been perfect"
He said the church in Missouri had
never violated the Constitution: yet in
Missouri there was much narrOwness and
fanaticism and insOlenCe and imDTudence
on the part of the individuals He said
there were many who could not stand
prosperity; and il was dangerous thing
for men to feel that they were favored
of heaven, for they were likely to give
way to fanaticism, overzeal and unwis-
dom, and this was one of the factors that
led TO the prosecutions against the mem
bers of the church. For this reason, the
Lord was not bound to give them vic
tory over their enemies at all times, be-
cause they had not always done right.
Mr.. Roberts suggested that a little retro
spect and self-analysis would be good for
all, saying it would be we'll for the men,
bers of the church to be frank with them
selves and put themselves right; not only
as individuals, but as a community.
Joseph Smiths Mistakes.
Mr.. Roberts said that in his early ex-
perieDces Joseph Smith made his mis-
takes. He said that when the Lord gave
Joseph Smith the plates of Nephi he com
manded Joseph to guard the plates and
translations as sacred, and that they
should be shown to no one except at the
direction of God. Mr.. Roberts related
how Joseph Smith was assisted in the
translation by Martin Harris and how
Harris wanted TO show the translation
to his family and friends. At the solicit
tation of Harris. Mr.. Roberts said, Jo-
seph Smith asked the Lord repeatedly for
permission to show the translation, and
finally, when 1l6 pages of manuscript had
been translated, God allowed permission,
but took away the plates and the Trim
and ThUmmim. The loss of the plates
and the power of translation was a source
of great grief to Joseph Smith, said Mr.
Roberts, and it was not until some time
afterwards that the Urim and Thummim
were restored to Joseph Smith.
After these powers We're restored, Mr..
Roberts said one of the first revelations