The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-10-13
CHURCH LEADERS
MEET IN SALT LAKE
THOUSANDS ATTEND THE SEMI
ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND
LISTEN TO ABLE SPEAKERS.
President Smith Pleads for Greater
Activity in Church Work and Ex-
horts Members to be Guided
by Spirit of Brotheriy Love.

sodlL Lake IlLys--lHe stOfHg WCd-
Their may have kept a few people at
home last week, but one vlsitmg the
Temple grounds would not have east
ly believed such was the case, when
more than 5000 members of the
church focked into the tabernacle 10
hear the keynote address delivered
by President Joseph F. Smith at the
eighty-sixth semi-annuaI conference of
the Church of Jesus Christ OF Latter
day Saints.
Pleas by President Smith for great
er activity in the work Of the church,
both on the part Of stake and ward
officers and among the members OF the
church, and exhortations to Mormons
in general to be guided by spirit Of
brotherly love and settle differences
that members sometimes take before
church and civil courts were the fea-
lures of the opening session.
With but two exceptions the gener-
III authorities of the church were
present for the conference. George z.
Richards. one of the twelve apostles
Of the church, who is in Liverpool
presiding over the vast European mis-
mission, and Levi Edgar Young, one Of
the first seven presidents Of seventies.
who was unavoidably detained else
where, were the only two abserrees.
President Smith delivered the open
ing address. and Anthem H. Lund, first
counsellor, was the only other speak
er at the morning session Practically
what as to numbers, if possible, heard
what as to numbers, if possible, heard
Charles w. Penrose, counsellor of the
first presidency; Francis NJ Lyman.
president of the twelve apostles, and
Apostle Heber ]. Grant speak at the
afternoon session.
President Smith exhorted his audi
ence to greater interest in the activi-
ties of the church, and spoke regret
fully of the tendency of many OF the
members of the faith, and he referred
particularly to the bishopric, to step
down and pass their duties along to
others. He chided the bishops for
what he Hkened to carelessness in fail
ing to gain better knowledge of the
| personalities of their charges, and de
clared that members Of the church
should strive to settle whatever diff
ferences that might arise between
them without recourse to either church
or civil courts.
President Lund's talk urged great
err and more regular attendance at
sacramental meetings. He warned his
hearers of the dangers of spiritual
starvation, and he dwelt upon the ad
visibility of encouraging singing as
part of the religious services inasmuch
made the greater will be the attend
ance.
/ Joseph Smith, founder OF Mormon
ism. and the relationship which he and
the present head OF the church bear
to the Divinity furnished the theme Of
| the principal address at the afternoon
session delivered by Charles w. Pen
rose, second counsellor of the first
presidency of the church. President
Penrose emphasized his conviction
that Joseph Smith was a prophet Of
the living God, adding that in his be
lief he was one OF the mighty re
ferred to in Holy Scriptures as reserv
ed to come on earth in this last dis
pensation to revive religious princi
pies that had been lost for ages.
Active and inactive membership
furnished the theme for Mr.. Lyman
talk. He said that although only d
small percentage Of the membership
of the Mormon faith was present al
the conference. he hoped that all whC
were in attendance were active mem
bers. The whole membership coult
not be present, he said, but the words
| uttered at the church's conference
would be carried to every branch o.
the church and he expressed a hope
that they would have the effect q
stopping the necessity of reports from
bishops 10 general church officers call
ing attention to the number Of mac
tive members, Inactivity tends t.
darkness he said. Activity to light.
He drew attention TO the tact thai
4 ever oSNS - Ih0uslA tOlS III tSluptEa
matters and decried the fact that they
were not as industrious in insuring tbs
success of the religious side OF theil
natures.
Heber J. Grant. member OF the
twelve apostles. delivered the conelud
ing address. He, too. decried tn,
tendency to sidestep religious duties
The tendency of the American PEG
pie TO live beyond their means and tC
indulge in practices that cannot help
but have the effect of making them
unworthy of the blessing OF the Heav
a.,.5 - p-.,,.,. E-I.