The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-04-06
AUSPICIOU S
OPENING OF
SESSION
CONGREGATION FILLED THE
GREAT AUDITORIUM.
Elder o. F. Whitney Quotes From
Declaration of Indepondence|is
Proud to BE Latter-Day Saint.

Salt Lake. April 5.-The second day
Of the general conference opened un-
dor very auspicious circumsta ances.
When the meeting was called to order
by President Joseph Smith, at 1905
a. M, there was a congregation pres
cnt that completely filled the great
auditorium. and there were but few
vacant seats in the gallery. Late
corners filed the building to com
Portable degree.
The opening hymn was Now Let
us Rejoice In the Day OF Salvation"
by the choir and congregation The
invocation was offered by Elder Orrin
P. Miller, first counsellor to President
Bishop Charles w. Nibley. The choir
rendered the hymn, "O'er the Gloomy
Hills of Darkness" 1
The speakers of the morning ses-
sion were Elders Orson F. Whitney
Serge F, Baliff. former president of
the Swiss and German mission, and
Elder George F. Richards,
A brief synopses Of the remarks Of
each follows. ef
Elder Whitney, the first speaker.
began by quoting from the Declara-
tion of Independence regarding the
equality of all men and the pursuit
of happiness being their inalienable
right, and stated that the Church Of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was
organized 79 years ago tomorrow
1T is a matter to be proud of to be
a Lntter-day Saint, but l am also
happy to be a citizen of this great
government, the best the sun shines
upon There Is relationship between
the establishment of this government
and the organization of the Church OF
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
not a combination. or union OF church
and state. but relationship between
| the message OF the gospel and the
great principles Of human freedom
He desired to point out some OF the
points Of relationship between the
great religious government and the
great OWL government. 1T may seem
hard TO believe a nation of S0.000.000
people and community of 100000 or
400, 900" He spoke OF the fact that
figures are sometimes deceptive, and
that great movements have grown
from small beginnings.
In all great movements time is
necessary for development, and 1t is
best to consider principles, rather
than the number that believes In
them 1t is coincidence that the
principles that underlie the govern
ment were ingrafted In the organiza
ton OF the Church. In each, two great
principles are uppermost. equal rights
and common consent. All men arc
not alike, though equal before tho law
all are entitled TO life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.
Joseph Smith declared that God
instituted certain laws for the ad-
vancement of lesser intclligences. All
were not equal there. neither are they
hero. All men are Eot equal In ca.
pacity or intelligence. but they are
equal in their opportunities for pro-
gression. The terms of salvation are
the same to all Rich or poor are
equal In this respect before God.
Money cannot purchase the gifts OF
the gospel and all men are equal be.
fore the law OF man as Of God
God intended that men should be
free. but II not intended that God
should be shut out OF human govern
ments. II was expressly implied In
the formation OF this government that
no church should be recognized but
in the Church II Is different. There
are two sources of power In the
Church, the power of God and the
power of the people. When Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery, April G.
1880, called the Church together, the