The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-10-12
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 Brotherly Love.

Salt Lake City.-The stormy WEI
Their may have kept few people a
tome last week, but one visiting IN
Temple grounds would not have cas-
" believed such was the case, whel
more than. 5000 members OF tn
church focked into the tabernacle 4
hear the keynote address delivere'
by President Joseph F. Smith at tn
elghty-sixth semi-annual conference o
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 ware
officers and among the members Of the
church, and exhortations to Mormoni
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-
al authorities OF the church were
present for the conference. George F.
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 absentees.
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, II possible, heard
what as to numbers, II possible, heard
Charles w. Penrose. counsellor of the
first presidency; Francis M. Lyman,
president OF the twelve apostles, and
Apostle Heher j. 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 likened 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
er and more regular attendance at
sacramento 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
as the more attractive the service is
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
tnat Joseph Smith was a prophet of
the living God, adding that in his be-
llei ne was one of the mighty" re-
Ierred to in Holy Scriptures as reserv-
ed to come on earth in this last dis
pensation to revive religions nrinc,.
pies that had been lost for ages.
Active and inactive membership
furnished the theme for Mr.. Lyman,s
AK. He said that although only a
small percentage of the membership
d the Mormon faith was present At
ne conference, he hoped that all who
we're In attendance were active mem.
'ers. The whole membership could
iot De present, he said, but the words
altered at the churchs conference
would be carried to every branch of
ne church and he expressed hone
nat uney would have the effect of
'.opping the necessity of reports from,
bishops 70 general church officers call.
ns attention to- the number of inoc.
I'VE members. Inactivity tends TO
he said. Activity to light
ne drew attention to the tacr that
is industrious in temnoral
ana decried the fact that they
we're not as industrious in insurinp tbs
uecess OF the religious side of their
latures. ''iei'
Heoer J. Grant, member of the
we've apostles. delivered the conclud.
ng address. He. too. decried Tho
enuency TO sidestep religious duties
The tendency of the American neo.
lie to live beyond their means and ~
nau,ge IN practices that cannot helm
ul nave the effect of making them
-~ol'ny OF tne blessing of the Heav.