The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-10-07
Head of Mormon Church, Ris-
ing From Sickbed, De
mands That Enemies Within
Church Cease Falsifying.
SAYS HIS LIFE HAS
BEEN WITHOUT BLOT
Does Not Care for Attacks
From Enemies Outside and
Has No Fear of Reward in
Hereafter for Life Led.
OPENING OF CONFERENCE

n ISING from his he'd, where he had
lain for month suffering from
sciatic rheuma tism, President
Joseph H. smith hurled "A challenge "a
his enemies in the Mormon church al
the opening meeting of the eighty-firsI
Semi-annuaI conference of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints In
the tabernacle yesterday morning, de-
claring he would NO longer tolerate ne
cusatiOas made against hts life and
character by members Of the church.
Ii had been feared that President
Smith would not be able 10 be present
at the opening session Of the confer
enee. owing 20 his suffering since his
return from a tour OF the European
mission field with Bishop c, W. Nibley.
But when the session started al 10
O'Clock, the president was there and
presided most of the time during the
day. His speaking was an effort, how
ever and several times during his talk
of 20 minutes, his voice broke. ana he
was almost forced To give way 10 his
weakness.
lii was with a voice Of challenge that
President Smith defended his honor and
character against attacks coming, he
said, from men within the church. II
was not a defense OF the church posi-
ticn upon any matter, nor, in general,
in regard 10 the policies of President
Smith. There have been some attacks
against the president by members of
the church. IL is understood, and these
tain terms, in spite OF his weak cOndi-
tiOn.
After welcoming the saints and ex-
pressing his gratitude for such large
assemblage al the first meeting. Pres
ident Smith talked on honor and truth.
He said there was never a time within
his life when he had done anything dis
honest, nor had he ever broken faith,
he said. He declared that he had been
true 10 his God, TO his church and to
his fellow men, and that there was
nothing in his life which would make
him quail when he came before the
Almighty on the day OF reckoning.
II was at this time that the voice OF
the president rang out denouncing the
men who had assailed his character
and declared him to be a hypOcrite and
tWO-faced. The president said in clear
tones that he had always been honest
and straightforward.
President smiths Address.
The address OF President Smith fol-
~ feel very grateful for the privi-
lege of being present with YOU this
morning, al the opening of our eighty
first anniversary OF the seml-annual
conference of the church. 1 am pleased
20 see SO many present, and my heart
IS fun OF blessing Tor the I4atter-day
Saints, and, indeed for all honest in
heart throughout the world. l ear
nestly desire that the spirit OF the
Lord may visit as and abide with us
throughout all the sessions Of this con-
ference tnhL those VINO administer ana
those who are administered unto may
rejoice exceedingly in the presence Of
the Holy Spirit upon them and in their
hearts. inspiring them 10 diligence and
fatthfuiness In the great work OF God
in which we are engaged.
Il do not feel that ] shall occupy
very much time this morning. ] have
lust got out OF my bed, where have
lain for more than a month, with very
little exercise. and ] feel the effects
OF the inertia. the inactivity TO which
] have been subjeoted-not willingly,
hut unwillingly-for the last thirty
days or more. Nevertheless, I feel IN
my heart 10 say 20 this congregation
that / love the gospel : love the truth
that has been revealed anew 20 the
CONTINUED on Page Three.)