President Joseph F. Smith (Funeral of Lorenzo Snow) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1901, p.96 My beloved brethren and sisters, we are under the necessity of moving promptly, and as the time is very limited I will not attempt to make any remarks, except to say that President Lorenzo Snow was the last among the Apostles who were, in their mature years, intimately acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith; and with the exception perhaps of the Prophet Joseph Smith himself, there has never stood a man upon the earth in this generation who has borne a more clear-cut, positive and direct testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith and the divinity of this great latter day work than President Lorenzo Snow did. I was acquainted with the Prophet Joseph in the days of my childhood. With the exception of Brother Brigham Young and myself, there is not now any member of the quorum of the Apostles who had the privilege and honor of being acquainted with the Prophet in his lifetime. I knew President Brigham Young, and I bear my testimony to the world that not only was Joseph Smith inspired of God and raised up to lay the foundations of this great latter day work, but Brigham Young was raised up and sustained by the power of Almighty God to continue the mission of Joseph and to accomplish the work that he laid out during his lifetime. I have been connected with President John Taylor, and I testify that he also was a man of God. He was indeed God's mouthpiece. He was a martyr with the Prophet Joseph, for his blood was shed with Joseph's and Hyrum's, but the Lord preserved his life, that he might fulfil the mission unto which he was called, to preside over the Church for a season. I was intimately acquainted with President Wilford Woodruff, and I bear testimony to the mission of that gracious, good man. I have also been more or less intimate with President Snow, and I bear testimony that his work was of God. You who understand what he has done can testify to his good work; but there are some things he accomplished which may never be known or seen; save perhaps in the subdued spirits and increased devotion and faithfulness of those who were immediately associated with him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1901, p.96 I now desire to say just one word tn the widows and the sons and daughters of the Prophet Lorenzo Snow. As your husband and father bore the Melchisedek Priesthood and knew whereof he testified--for he was not deceived nor misguided in his knowledge of the mission of Joseph Smith and of the divinity of this great latter-day work, but possessed an absolute knowledge from the Source of all truth--I plead with the sons and with the daughters of President Lorenzo Snow to so shape their course in the future that they may follow in his footsteps in connection with this great work, so that when their mission in this world shall be finished and they shall be called hence to meet their father, they may do so proudly, joyously, and with an upright mien, having an assurance in their souls that they have obeyed his counsel, followed in his footsteps, and to their latest breath have been true to the cause of Zion. That God may grant this to the offspring of President Lorenzo Snow from generation to generation, and that the blessings, peace and consoling influence of the Holy Spirit may rest mightily upon the widows of this good man, to comfort their hearts, to buoy up their spirits, and to open up their way, that they may not lack while they shall remain with us, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.69 The course the Saints should pursue--Necessity of complete organization--The order and authority and functions of the Priesthood. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.70 My brethren and sisters, I do not expect to occupy very much time this morning, but I feel that it would be proper for me to make a few remarks, as we are gathered here in the capacity of a special general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the purpose of acting upon matters that may be presented to us, in the regular order of the Church and of the Priesthood. It is only recently that we held our semi-annual general conference, which was largely attended, and at which, on the last day, we were privileged to hear the voice of President Lorenzo Snow, who spoke to us for the last time in the flesh, and left with us his instruction and counsel in relation to some of the most important matters that pertain to the continuance of the ministry and the labor of the Apostles of Jesus Christ throughout the world. We little supposed then that it would be the last time he would appear before us, or that we would be favored with his presence, his counsel and wisdom; but the Lord has taken him from our midst. He has finished his mission here, and the labor now devolves upon us who survive. It is our duty to take hold of the work vigorously, with full determination and purpose of heart to carry it on, with the help of the Lord, and in accordance with the inspiration of His Spirit, as it has been done in the past. It is our privilege to live nearer to the Lord, if we will, than we have ever done, that we may enjoy a greater outpouring of His Spirit than we have ever enjoyed, and that we may advance faster, grow in the knowledge of the truth more rapidly, and become more thoroughly established in the faith. All this, however, will depend upon the increased faithfulness of the people--of those who have made covenant with God by sacrifice, who have come before the Lord with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and with unshaken determination in their souls that they will fight the good fight, that they will keep the faith, that they will work righteousness and that they will defend the cause of Zion by their example as well as by their professions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.70 We can make no advancement only upon the principles of eternal truth. In proportion as we become established upon the foundation of these principles, which have been revealed from the heavens in the latter days, and determine to accomplish the purposes of the Lord, will we progress, and the Lord will all the more exalt and magnify us before the world and make us to assume our real position and standing in the midst of the earth. We have been looked upon as interlopers, as fanatics. as believers in a false religion; we have been regarded with contempt, and treated despicably; we have been driven from our homes, maligned and spoken evil of everywhere, until the people of the world have come to believe that we are the offscourings of the earth and scarcely fit to live. There are thousands and thousands of innocent people in the world whose minds have become so darkened by the slanderous reports that have gone forth concerning us that they would feel they were doing God's service to deprive a member of this Church of life, or of liberty, or the pursuit of happiness, if they could do it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.70 The Lord designs to change this condition of things, and to make us known to the world in our true light--as true worshipers of God, as those who have become the children of God by repentance, and by the law of adoption have become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; and that our mission in this world is to do good, to put down iniquity under our feet, to exalt righteousness, purity and holiness in the hearts of the people, and to establish in the minds of our children, above all other things, a love for God and His word, that shall be in them as a fountain of light, strength, faith and power, leading them on from childhood to old age, and making them firm believers in the word of the Lord, in the restored Gospel and Priesthood, and in the establishment of Zion, no more to be thrown down nor given to another people. If there is anything that I desire above another in this world, it is that my children shall become established in this knowledge and faith, so that they can never be turned aside from it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.70 We have met on this occasion to confirm or reject, as we feel disposed or as the Spirit of the Lord in us may direct, the action that has been taken by the leading councils of the Priesthood since our last conference and since the death of our beloved President Lorenzo Snow. I desire to state to this congregation one or two things that may be proper to mention, in order that you may understand why we have acted as promptly as we have done in these matters. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.70 After the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Twelve Apostles continued as the presiding quorum of the Church for a number of years; but finally they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit to reorganize the First Presidency of the Church, with Brigham Young as President, and Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards as his counselors. In reality this organization might have been effected within twenty-four hours after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, but their action was delayed, until they found by experience that the exercise of the functions of Presidency and the government of the Church by twelve men at the head was not only cumbersome, but was not fully perfect in the order of the Holy Priesthood as established by the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 On the death of President Brigham Young, President John Taylor followed in some measure the example of his predecessor. and it was some time before the Presidency of the Church was organized. The Presidency was finally organized, however, with John Taylor as President and George Q. Cannon and myself as counselors. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 At the death of President Taylor, president Woodruff hesitated, and he allowed a little time to pass before the Presidency was again organized. When at last he became convinced that it was his duty, and necessary in order to carry out the purposes of the Lord, he reorganized the Presidency of the Church. At that time he gave a solemn injunction to his fellow servants in relation to this. He desired it understood that in all future time, when the President of the Church should die and thereby the First Presidency become disorganized, it would be the duty of the proper authorities of the Church to proceed at once, without any unnecessary delay, to reorganize the First Presidency. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 As soon as the news reached us of the death of President Woodruff, who was in California at the time, President Lorenzo Snow said to me, "it will be our duty to proceed as soon as possible to reorganize the Presidency of the Church." As you are aware, after the burial of the remains of President Woodruff, he proceeded at once to do this. In this connection I may tell you another thing. President Snow said to me, "you will live to he the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and when that time comes you should proceed at once and reorganize the Presidency of the Church." This was his counsel to me, and the same was given to the Twelve Apostles. In accordance with this principle and with the injunction of President Snow, within one week after his death the Apostles proceeded to designate the new Presidency of the Church, and we did it strictly in accordance with the pattern that the Lord has established in His Church, unanimously. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 I desire to read a little from the revelation in relation to the order of the Holy Priesthood, that you may understand our views concerning adhering as nearly as we can to the holy order of government that has been established by revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith in the dispensation of the fulness of times. We cannot deny the fact that the Lord has effected one of the most perfect organizations in this Church that ever existed upon the earth. I do not know of any more perfect organization than exists in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. We have not always carried out strictly the order of the Priesthood; we have varied from it to some extent; but we hope in due time that, by the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we will be led up into the exact channel and course that the Lord has marked out for us to pursue, and adhere strictly to the order that He has established. I will read from a revelation that was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, at Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, January 19, 1841, which stands as the law of the Church in relation to the presentation of the authorities of the Holy Priesthood as they were established in the Church, and from which I feel that we have no right to depart. The Lord says; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 "First, I give unto you Hyrum Smith, to be a Patriarch unto you, to hold sealing blessings of my Church, even the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby ye are sealed up unto the day of redemption, that ye may not fall, notwithstanding the hour of temptation that may come upon you." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 It may be considered strange that the Lord should give first of all the Patriarch; yet I do not know any law, any revelation or any commandment from God to the contrary, that has ever been given through any of the Prophets or Presidents of the Church. At the same time we well know that this order has not been strictly followed from the day we came into these valleys until now--and we will not make any change at present. But we will first take it into consideration; we will pray over it, we will get the mind of the Spirit of God upon it, as upon other subjects, and be united before we take any action different to that which has been done. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 The revelation continues: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 "I give unto you my servant Joseph, to be a presiding Elder over all my Church, to be a Translator, a Revelator, a Seer, and Prophet. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.71 "I give unto him for counselors my servant Sidney Rigdon and my servant William Law, that these may constitute a quorum and First Presidency. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 to receive the oracles for the whole Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "I give unto you my servant Brigham Young, to be a President over the Twelve traveling Council, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "Which Twelve hold the keys to open up the authority of my kingdom upon the four corners of the earth, and after that to send my word to every creature; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "They are--Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, William Smith, John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, George A. Smith; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "David Patton I have taken unto myself; behold his Priesthood no man taketh from him; but, verily I say unto you, another may be appointed unto the same calling. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a High Council, for the corner stone of Zion; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "Viz., Samuel Bent, H. G. Sherwood, George W. Harris, Charles C. Rich, Thomas Grover, Newel Knight, David Port, Dunbar Wilson; (Seymour Brunson I have taken unto myself, no man taketh his Priesthood, but another may be appointed unto the same Priesthood in his stead, and verily I say unto you, let my servant Aaron Johnson be ordained unto this calling in his stead), David Fullmer, Alpheus Cutler, William Huntington. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And again, I give unto you Don C. Smith, to be a president over a quorum of High Priests; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "Which ordinance is instituted for the purpose of qualifying those who shall be appointed standing presidents or servants over different Stakes scattered abroad. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And they may travel also if they choose, but rather be ordained for standing presidents, this is the office of their calling, saith the Lord your God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "I give unto him Amasa Lyman, and Noah Packard, for counselors, that they may preside over the quorum of High Priests of my Church, saith the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And again, I say unto you, I give unto you John A. Hicks, Samuel Williams, and Jesse Baker, which Priesthood is to preside over the quorum of Elders, which quorum is instituted for standing ministers, nevertheless they may travel, yet they are ordained to be standing ministers to my Church, saith the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And again, I give unto you Joseph Young, Josiah Butterfield, Daniel Miles, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Levi Hancock, James Foster, to preside over the quorum of Seventies, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "Which quorum is instituted for traveling Elders to bear record of my name in all the world, wherever the traveling High Council, my Apostles, shall send them to prepare a way before my face. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "The difference between this quorum and the quorum of Elders is, that one is to travel continually, and the other is to preside over the churches from time to time; the one has the responsibility of presiding from time to time, and the other has no responsibility of presiding, saith the Lord your God." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 The Seventies have no responsibility of presiding. It is not the calling or duty of their office to preside. They are traveling Elders, and they are to preach the Gospel to the world, under the direction of the Twelve Apostles, who constitute the traveling High Council of the Church, and who are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And again, I say unto you I give unto you Vinson Knight, Samuel H. Smith, and Shadrach Roundy, if he will receive it, to preside over the bishopric; a knowledge of said bishopric is given unto you in the Book of D&C. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And again, I say unto you, Samuel Rolfe and his counselors for Priests, and the president of the Teachers and his counselors, and also the president of the Deacons and his counselors, and also the president of the Stake and his counselors; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "The above offices I have given unto you, and the keys thereof, for helps and for governments, for the work of the ministry, and the perfecting of my Saints; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 "And a commandment I give unto you that you should fill all these offices and approve of those names which I have mentioned, or else disapprove of them at my general conference." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.72 These are the offices of the Priesthood as the Lord has given it, and we propose to follow it as near as we know how in the future; but we will take such other measures as may be deemed. proper and right in due time. These things shall be presented from time to time to the general annual and semiannual conferences of the Church, that all the business of the Church may be done in accordance with the law of God, that the people may have the privilege of sanctioning or disapproving that which is suggested to them by the mind of the Spirit through those who are placed to preside, and that all things may be done by common consent. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.73 This afternoon it is intended to present before this conference the necessary changes that have been made within the last few days. All the authorities of the Church will not be presented to you at this conference, for the simple reason that they have already been sustained at the regular semi-annual conference of the Church. We shall present, in the main, only those who have been called to fill vacancies, and put before you that which has been done in order to perfect the organization of the Priesthood. These matters, and as little as possible that is unnecessary, will be presented before this conference for your action. We intend that the Priesthood shall vote upon these questions by quorums. The Presidency of the Church will first express their mind, thus indicating, at least in some degree, the mind of the Spirit and the suggestions from the head. Then the proposition will be submitted to the Apostles, for them to show their willingness or otherwise to sustain the action of the First Presidency. It will then go to the Patriarchs, and they will have the privilege of showing whether they will sustain the action that has been taken; then to the Presidents of Stakes and counselors and the High Councilors; then to the High Priests (that office in the Melchisedek Priesthood which holds the keys of presidency); next, the traveling Elders--the Seventies--will be called to express their their feelings, and then the Bishoprics of the Church and the Lesser Priesthood, and after them the whole congregation. All the members of the Church present will have the privilege of expressing their view in relation to the matters which shall be proposed, by a rising vote and by the uplifted hand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.73 We propose to follow this order of the Priesthood this afternoon. We would like the people to be punctual in coming together, and for all to observe the regulations that shall be made. If each one will do his or her duty, there will be no confusion, but there will be order in the house of God. The house of God is a house of order, and we expect that this house, which is a house of God, will be a house of order, and we will have things done in their proper order if we can. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.73 God bless the Latter-day Saints. The Lord Almighty bless His servants the Apostles, and His servants the Presidency of the Church, and all those who labor for the welfare of Zion and for the establishment of righteousness in the hearts of the people. God bless the poor and the needy, the fatherless and the widow, and those that sorrow and are bowed down because of affliction and the loss of loved ones. May the Lord bless and comfort them, buoy up their spirits, and give them hope, joy and consolation in anticipation of the glorious future that awaits them, both in time and in eternity; for no man can foretell or foresee the glorious things that await the people of God, if only they are faithful. It hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive, neither has eye seen nor ear heard, the magnitude and fullness of the glory of God that awaits the faithful beyond the veil. God bless you, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.82 Duties and responsibilities of the First Presidency. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.82 I desire to make another remark or two before we close our conference. I will call your attention to the fact that the Lord in the beginning of this work revealed that there should be three High Priests to preside over the High Priesthood of His Church and over the whole Church, (Doc. and Cov. 107: 22, 64, 65, 66, 67, 91 and 92.) He conferred upon them all the authority necessary to preside over all the affairs of the Church. They hold the keys of the house of God, and of the ordinances of the Gospel, and of every blessing which has been restored to the earth in this dispensation. This authority is vested in a Presidency of three High Priests. They are three Presidents. The Lord himself so calls them. (D. & C., sec. 107: 29.) But there is one presiding President, and his counselors are Presidents also. I propose that my counselors and fellow Presidents in the First Presidency shall share with me in the responsibility of every act which I shall perform in this capacity. I do not propose to take the reins in my own hands to do as I please; but I propose to do as my brethren and I agree upon and as the Spirit of the Lord manifests to us. I have always held, and do hold, and trust I always shall hold, that it is wrong for one man to exercise all the authority and power of presidency in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I dare not assume such a responsibility, and I will not, so long as I can have men like these [pointing to Presidents Winder and Lund] to stand by and counsel with me in the labors we have to perform and in doing all those things that shall tend to the peace, advancement and happiness of the people of God and the building up of Zion. If at any time my brethren of the Apostleship shall see in me a disposition to depart from this principle or a forgetfulness on my part of this covenant that I make today before this body of Priesthood, I ask them in the name of my Father, that they will come to me, as my brethren, as counselors in the Priesthood, as watchmen on the towers of Zion, and remind me of this covenant and promise which I make to the body of the Church in general conference assembled at this time. The Lord never did intend that one man should have all power, and for that reason He has placed in His Church Presidents, Apostles, High Priests, Seventies, Elders and the various offices of the Lesser Priesthood, all of which are essential in their order and place according to the authority bestowed on them. The Lord never did anything that was not essential or that was superfluous. There is a use for every branch of the Priesthood that He has established in His Church. We want every man to learn his duty, and we expect every man will do his duty as faithfully as he knows how, and carry off his portion of the responsibility of building up Zion in the latter days. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, November 1901, p.83 I felt like I wanted to say that much to these my brethren who bear the Holy Priesthood--men who wield influence for the salvation of souls, who set good examples before the people among whom they dwell, who teach them the right way, admonish them for sin, lead them in the path of duty, and enable them to stand firm and steadfast in the faith of the Gospel, wherewith they have been made free from sin and from the grasp of Satan. God bless all Israel, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.1 Righteousness increasing among the Saints--Purposes of God will be fully accomplished-- His kindness and mercy to the Saints--Encouragement and blessings for for the people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.2 It is certainly gratifying to see so many of our brethren and sisters assembled here at the opening session of this the Seventy-second annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Everything seems propitious for a time of rejoicing and profit in instruction and admonition and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the servants of the Lord who may speak and upon those who shall assemble to hear from day to day. The weather is delightful, and I believe that the spirit of the people is good, and that there is an earnest desire in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints to promote all the interests of the kingdom of God in the earth and the welfare of the Saints of the Most High. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.2 I believe that the desire in the hearts of the people to serve the Lord and to work righteousness in the earth is steadily--although it may be slowly, yet steadily and surely--increasing; and I do believe with all my heart that this desire will be more and more earnest and more and more pronounced in the hearts of the people of God from time to time and from year to year, as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, until the coming of the Son of Man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.2 The kingdom of God is here to grow, to spread abroad, to take root in the earth, and to abide where the Lord has planted it by His own power and by His own word, in the earth, never more to be destroyed or to cease, but to continue until the purposes of the Almighty shall be accomplished, every word that has been spoken of by the mouths of the holy prophets since the world began. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.2 I rejoice exceedingly in the truth. I thank God every day of my life for His mercy and kindness, and loving care and protection that has been extended to all His people, and for the many manifestations of His peculiar mercy and blessing that have been extended unto us throughout all the length and breadth of the land and through all the years since the organization of the Church, on the 6th of April, 1830. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.2 The Lord about that time or soon after, decreed a decree which He said His people should realize: That they should begin from that very hour to prevail over all their enemies, and, inasmuch as they continued to be faithful in keeping His laws which He had given unto them, it was decreed that they should prevail until all enemies were subdued--not subdued by violence or the spirit of contention or of warfare but subdued by the power of eternal truth, by the majesty and power of Almighty God--and by the increased power of the righteous and of the upright covenanted people of God should be magnified and increased, until the world shall bow and acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, and that there is a people preparing for His coming in power and glory to the earth again. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.2 We carry to the world the olive branch of peace. We present to the world the law of God, the word of the Lord, the Truth, as it has been revealed in the latter day for the redemption of the dead and for the salvation of the living. We bear no malice or evil toward the children of men. The spirit of forgiveness pervades the hearts of the Saints of God, and they do not cherish a desire or feeling of revenge toward their enemies or those who hurt or molest them or seek to make them afraid; but, on the contrary, the Spirit of the Lord has possession of their spirits, of their souls and of their thoughts, and they forgive all men, and they carry no malice in their hearts toward any, no matter what they have done. They say, in their hearts, let God judge between us and our enemies, and as for us, we forgive them and we bear no malice toward any. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.2 I sincerely hope that, during this conference, which will necessarily be brief, or at least will last but three days, with the exception, possibly, of some of our Priesthood meetings that may be held later--I trust that this conference will be one signally marked by the presence of God's influence and power, and that it will be one in which all that assemble will rejoice and be exceeding glad, in which their hopes will be encouraged and strengthened their faith increased and their power for good enlarged, that they may go hence from this conference rejoicing more than ever in the truth of the Gospel, and more and more determined to fight the good fight and keep the faith and establish righteousness in the earth; that it may be like a well of pure and living water, ever springing up unto eternal life. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.3 God bless the people, the Saints of the Most High, wherever they may be, whether in the vales of these mountains and the regularly organized Stakes of Zion or in the missions in the earth, in our own land and abroad in foreign countries, and upon the islands of the sea. May God's blessing be poured out upon those that yield obedience to the truth throughout all the world, and may the power of truth, the power of testimony, and the witness of the Holy Spirit, rest mightily upon His servants who are sent forth to preach the Gospel to the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.3 I have to say this to my brethren and sisters: That I believe conscientiously, from all that I know, that the day never has been when Zion was more thoroughly equipped, more thoroughly furnished in good works, when there was a better spirit or a more united feeling existing among the people of God than exists today. I believe that the people of the Lord are more prosperous today than ever they have been. I believe they are more firmly established in the truth than they ever have been before. I believe, in other words, that we are continually growing and increasing in the knowledge of God and in good works, and in faith, power and determination to carry out and consummate the will and purpose of God in the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.3 I want to say to the people here that there never has been a time, within my knowledge at least, or within my knowledge of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when the Saints paid a better tithing than they did during the year 1901. I have this to say as a word of encouragement and congratulation to the people throughout all the Stakes of Zion. You have done better than you have ever done before, and we hope that you will continue to do better in this respect, and that you will continue to do better in all other respects throughout the year 1902, and so continue on and on, from year to year, until we shall be perfect in the sphere in which God calls us to act, as the Father and the Son are perfect in their more exalted and glorious sphere in which they act. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.3 May the Lord bless Zion, and may the Spirit of the Lord rest mightily upon His servants that shall address you during this conference, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.85 Ennobling rules of conduct--Man's indebtedness to God--The only pathway to exaltation---Good-will toward all men--Unity a principle of power--Parental power Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.85 I desire to express my sincere gratitude to God my Heavenly Father and to all the Latter-day Saints assembled here for the unanimity of faith and feeling which exists among them, and for the confidence that they have shown in the presiding authorities of the Church, and also in observing the laws of God as far as they have done. There are laws which we do not observe as we should; there are principles of the Gospel which are perhaps too pure and exalted for us to live them as we should; but I believe with all my heart --I cannot consistently believe otherwise--that we are growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, and that the day will come, and I pray that it may be hastened, when the people of God will not only be faithful in keeping the law of tithing, but that they will be faithful also in observing the Word of Wisdom, which is a law of God, and that we will be faithful in observing that most sacred and most important law of God--the law of chastity, wherein we may preserve the purity of our own persons and the chastity of our neighbors and associates as we would preserve our own lives. I would to God that the time may come, and that it is not far distant, when the Latter-day Saints will live up to the golden rule taught by the Son of God, (than whom none so perfect has ever sojourned in the flesh upon the earth,) to do unto others as we would have others do unto us; and in this way stop all faultfinding, all bickerings, all jealousies, all contentions, and all strife, and, as far as practicable, remove every possible chance for misunderstanding amongst us, that we may see as we are seen and know as we are known, that we may be true men and women in the cause of Zion and of human redemption, that God may put His holy name upon us and we bear that holy name acceptably before Him. The object of our being here is to do the will of the Father as it is done in heaven, to work righteousness in the earth, to subdue wickedness and put it under our feet, to conquer sin and the adversary of our souls, to rise above the imperfections and weaknesses of poor, fallen humanity, by the inspiration of Almighty God and His power made manifest, and thus become indeed the Saints and servants of the Lord in the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.86 Let us sustain the cause of Zion. Let no man speak lightly of the principles of the Gospel. Let no one treat lightly the ordinances of the house of God. Let no one hold in derision the Priesthood that the Lord has restored to the earth, which is the authority that He has given unto men. Let no man look contemptuously upon the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it has been established in the earth through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom the Lord raised up when he was but a child to lay the foundation of the same. Let no man treat these things lightly or doubtingly; but let every man seek earnestly to understand the truth and teach his children to become familiar with those truths of heaven that have been restored to the earth in the latter day. I believe with all my soul in God the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe with all my might, mind and strength in the Savior of the world, and in the principle of redemption from death and sin. I believe in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I believe in all the truth that I know, and I believe that there are many principles of eternal truth that still lie hid from me and from the understanding of men, which will yet be revealed by the power of God unto His faithful servants. I believe that the Lord has revealed to the children of men all that they know. I do not believe that any man has discovered any principle in science, or art; in mechanism, or mathematics, or anything else, that God did not know before he did. Man is indebted to the source of all intelligence and truth, for the knowledge that he possesses; and all who will yield obedience to the promptings of the Spirit, which leads to virtue, to honor, to the love of God and man, and to the love of truth and that which is ennobling and enlarging to the soul, will get a clearer, a more expansive, and a more direct and conclusive knowledge of God's truths than anyone else can do. I tell you this, because I know it is true. The Lord Almighty lives; He made the heavens and the earth, and the fountains of water; and we are His children, His offspring, and we are not here by chance. The Lord designed our coming, and the object of our being. He designs that we shall accomplish our mission, to become conformed to the likeness and image of Jesus Christ, that, like Him, we may be without sin unto salvation, like Him we may be filled with pure intelligence, and like Him we may be exalted to the right hand of the Father, to sit upon thrones and have dominion and power in the sphere in which we shall be called to act. I testify to this doctrine, for the Lord has made me to know and feel the truth of it from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. I love good, honorable men--even men who may be mistaken, as far as their judgment is concerned, but who try to do right; I love them for the reason that they are my brethren, the sons of my Father, and I would that they might all see the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, and accept it, and receive all the benefits of it, in time and throughout all eternity. If the Lord has revealed to the world the plan of salvation and redemption from sin, by which men may be exalted again into His presence and partake of eternal life with Him, I submit, as a proposition that cannot be controverted, that no man can be exalted into the presence of God and attain to a fulness of glory and happiness in His kingdom and presence, save and except he will obey the plan that God has devised and revealed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.86 My brethren and sisters, I feel in my heart that we have had a time of rejoicing during this conference. I wish we had a place big enough to hold the Latter-day Saints at conference. I do not know but we will have to build some boweries or something else on this temple block, to accommodate by overflow meetings the multitude of people who come to conference in the performance of their duty, many of whom cannot be accommodated in this Tabernacle. But We will visit you; we will come to you who cannot come to us, and we will carry our spirit and testimony unto you and exhort you in your homes, if the Lord will give us the strength to do it. Provided my strength holds out and my brethren do not object, I propose, the Lord being willing, to visit the Saints a little, and encourage them in their homes; let them know what we are, what we believe in, and how much we love them for Christ's sake, that they may receive His truth, and be exalted by it and eventually return into His presence. We want to visit St. George, and all the settlements between. We want to visit the northern settlements, as far as we possibly can, and see you in your cities. When we come, brethren and sisters, we hope that you will receive us in the same spirit that we take to you--the spirit of love and of earnest desire for your welfare and happiness and for the happiness of all mankind. We have no ill feeling in our hearts toward any living creature. We forgive those who trespass against us. Those who have spoken evil of us, and who have misrepresented us before the world, we have no malice in our hearts toward them. We say, let God judge between them and us; let Him recompense them for their work. We will not raise a hand against them; but we will extend the hand of fellowship and friendship to them, if they will repent of their sins and come unto the Lord and live. No matter how malicious they may have been, or how foolish they may have acted, if they will repent of it we will receive them with open arms, and we will do all we can to help them to save themselves. I cannot save you; you cannot save me; we cannot save each other, only so far as we can persuade each other to receive the truth, by teaching it. When a man receives the truth he will be saved by it. He will not be saved merely because someone taught it to him, but because he received and acted upon it. The Gospel is consistent; it is common sense, reason, revelation; it is almighty truth from the heavens made known to man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.87 The Lord bless you. We propose to do our duty according to the light we possess, by the help of the loving Father. I propose to do nothing that I have not the most positive assurance is right, through the unanimity of my counselors, Our seeing eye to eye, and our understanding alike together with as many more of the leading brethren as possible. I do not propose to do anything, or suffer anything to be done or sanctioned which will affect the kingdom of God in the earth, except by common consent, or unless we can see eye to eye upon it, then I know we shall have strength behind us, that the power of God will be with us, and the Saints will uphold and sustain our hands. Now, I want to hear from Presidents Winder and Lund. God bless Israel. May peace and prosperity goodwill and holy love for the truth abide with you and be multiplied upon you, is my earnest prayer. And oh! my brethren, be true to your families, be true to your wives and children. Teach them the way of life. Do not allow them to get so far from you that they will become oblivious to you or to any principle of honor, purity or truth. Teach your children so that they cannot commit sin without violating their conscience. Teach them the truth, that they may not depart from it. Bring them up in the way they should go, and when they get old they will not depart from it. If you will keep your boys close to your hearts, within the clasp of your arms; if you will make them to feel that you love them, that you are their parents that they are your children, and keep them near to you, they will not go very far from you, and they will not commit any very great sin. But it is when you turn them out of the home, turn them out of your affections s out into the darkness of the night into the society of the depraved or degraded; it is when they become tiresome to you, or you are tired of their innocent noise and prattle at home, and you say, "Go off somewhere else." It is this sort of treatment of your children that drives them from you, and helps to make criminals and infidels of them. You cannot afford to do this. How would I feel to enter into the kingdom of God--(if such a thing were possible)--and see one of my children outside among the sorcerers, the whore-mongers and those that love and make a lie, and that because I had neglected my duty toward him or had not kept the proper restraint upon him? Do you think I shall be exalted in the kingdom of my God with this stain and blot upon my soul? I tell you, No! No man can get there until he atones for such crime as this--for it is a crime in the sight of God and man for a father to carelessly or willfully neglect his children. This is my sentiment. Take care of your children. They are the hope of Israel, and upon them will rest, by and by, the responsibility of bearing off the kingdom of God in the earth. The Lord bless them and keep them in the paths of righteousness, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.90 I hope that the congregation will be patient just a few moments more. We have a little matter of business to bring before the conference by way of a notice for action in the future, probably at the next October conference. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.91 The Latter-day Saints generally are familiar with the book called the Pearl of Great Price. The old edition of it has been accepted by the Church as an authentic doctrinal work. It has now been re-published, with some improvements. It has been divided into chapters and verses, with references on the bottom of the pages. This has been done, under the sanction of the Presidency of the Church, by Elder James E. Talmage. We have eliminated from the Pearl of Great Price those revelations it formerly contained which are to be found, and always were, in the Book of D&C, believing that it was unnecessary to publish revelations in the Pearl of Great Price that were included in the Book of D&C. These changes have been made in the book, and it is now ready for the use of those who desire to obtain it; and at the coming October conference the book will be presented to the conference for their acceptance in its revised and changed form. General Superintendent Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.97 I have been requested to make a few remarks, and I shall certainly try to be brief. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.98 There is one point that has rested upon my mind in relation to the Sabbath Schools, and it is this: I think there is nothing in the Sunday School work more necessary or essential than that all the teachers of the Sunday Schools should win the love and the confidence of their pupils. I believe that greater good can be done in the Sunday Schools by the teachers where they have the absolute affection and confidence of their pupils than under any other conditions. You may teach them, you may drill them in concert, and you may have them commit to memory, and labor in every other way that you possibly can to accomplish the good that you desire with your children, but in nothing, in my opinion, can you succeed so well as when you possess their undivided love and confidence. If a child thinks a teacher is harsh with him or her, or unkind toward him, or does not feel a real, genuine love for him, if he feels that the teacher is not taking a real interest in him as one who loves him, he can never be led to possess the right spirit; but when he feels that the teacher loves him, is trying to do him good and to teach him that which will be for his everlasting welfare, then you have an influence over that child, that when he studies he will study with a purpose and with an earnest desire to be benefitted and to please the teacher; because he knows and feels in his little heart that the teacher loves him and is seeking to do him good. I have entertained this sentiment from the beginning and in relation to the instruction of little children. It is a principle that obtains at the home as well as in the Sunday School. If you can only convince your children that you love them, that your soul goes out to them for their good, that you are their truest friend, they, in turn, will place confidence in you and will love you and seek to do your bidding and to carry out your wishes with your love, or are harsh or speak concerning them. But if you are selfish unkindly to them, and if they are not confident that they have your entire affection, they will be selfish, and will not care whether they please you or carry out your wishes or not, and the result will be that they will grow wayward, thoughtless and careless, and although you may drill them, like a parrot, to repeat verses and to speak in concert, and all that sort of thing, they will do it mechanically, without affection, and without its having that effect upon their souls that you desire it should have. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.98 I felt to say that much, in relation to the influence of the Sunday School teachers. Be good and kind to the children; win their affection. You can do more that way than you can with the rod; you can do more than you can by tyranny or by any forceful means. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.98 May the Lord bless the teachers of the Sunday Schools, and give them, the spirit of meekness and kindness, that they may be able to convince the children entrusted to their care that they love them and are seeking for the welfare and happiness of their souls, and the children, in turn, will love them and strive to learn and to do good. God bless you. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.1 Greeting--Causes for thanksgiving-God's blessings increase through faithfulness--More Temples to be built--Great responsibility resting upon the Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.1 My beloved brethren and sisters. I greet you heartily this morning in your attendance at this the 73rd Semi-annual Conference of the Church. I am pleased to see such a good representation here this morning. Especially am I pleased to see so many of the presiding authorities of the Church--the Apostles and the presidents of stakes, and also many of the presidents of the various missions of the Church. It is indeed gratifying to see these our brethren assembled here, on whom rests so great a responsibility, they having been entrusted with the proclamation of the Gospel to the nations of the earth and with the care of the flock of Christ in the various Stakes of Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.2 During this conference we desire, as far as the time will permit, to give an opportunity to as many as possible of the Elders who are presiding abroad, and of the presidents of the stakes of Zion, to express themselves; and in order that we may reach as many as possible, we desire that the brethren who speak shall have that portion of the Spirit of God that will enable them to speak clearly, pointedly and briefly up. on those subjects that may come to their minds. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.2 We have here the Apostles, the Presidents of the Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric, who are practically travelling Elders in the Church, visiting the stakes of Zion and the various mission fields, from time to time, and they are especially posted in relation to the condition of the work of the Lord in the various fields that they have visited and will be able to speak to us in relation to those subjects and matters that will be most interesting and necessary for the general enlightenment of these who have come to the conference, and to the edification of the whole people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.2 We desire to say to the people that we feel very grateful to the Lord for His continued mercy unto us, and, notwithstanding the drouth of the past season, which has been almost unprecedented in many parts of the country, we feel that the Saints have been greatly blessed, and that there will be no necessity for any great lack or want among the people in consequence of the drouth, but we feel that all will be blessed with sufficient for their needs. In many parts of the country we have been exceedingly blessed. There has been an abundance of water, and in some sections our people have been visited by unprecedented rains, resulting in great floods, which have done more or less damage to the people; but this, of course, is not to a very great extent. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.2 We feel in our hearts that Zion is prospering, and that all is well with the people of God at large; still, we realize that there is great room for us to improve, and that the opportunities for advancement are very extensive. We hope that all the Latter-day Saints will continue their diligence and faithfulness before the Lord in the work in which they are engaged, that Zion may continue to flourish in the tops of the mountains, and that the purposes of God Almighty concerning His people and His work in the latter days may be consummated and fully realized. We feel that the Lord will bless His people and the earth, for their sake, in the future more abundantly than in the past. In proportion as we renew and redouble our diligence and faithfulness before the Lord in keeping His commandments and walking in all righteousness and acceptableness before Him, so will His blessings be increased upon the people, and upon all their substance, and upon the earth which they inhabit. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.2 We congratulate you, brethren and sisters, on your appearance here this morning, and we pray God to pour out upon you and upon all of us His Holy Spirit during this Conference, that we may have a time of rejoicing, and that we may be able to act intelligently and wisely on all matters of business that may be presented before us; that we may have the spirit of union, love and devotion to the cause of Zion abiding in our hearts; that we may have no feelings of dissension, but that we may be one, that we may be indeed the people of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.2 It is not my purpose to prolong my remarks this morning, but I desired to express my gratitude to my Father in heaven for all His mercies and blessings unto us. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.2 We will say to the people that we have no reason to complain of the diligence of the Saints, so far as we are able to Judge, In keeping the law of tithing. We believe that the Latter-day Saints are observing that law as faithfully as they have ever done, and we beseech of you that you will continue to do this until our hands shall be freed from all obligations, and until we shall have means in the storehouse of the Lord with which to accomplish greater works, which may be necessary to be done. We feel there is much that can be done and much that ought to be done in the interests of Zion and for the benefit of the people of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.3 We feel that an effort should be made to preserve the Temples of God, those houses that have been erected for the purpose of administering the ordinances of the Gospel therein for the living and the dead. We desire that these buildings shall be preserved and kept in repair and in a wholesome condition, so that the Spirit of the Lord may dwell in them, and that those who minister therein, may feel the presence and influence of His Spirit. We also feel that when the time shall come and our hands shall be free from the obligations that now rest upon us, other places should be prepared for the convenience of the Latter-day Saints in more distant stakes, in order that those who are living at great distances from the center may have the privilege of receiving the ordinances of the Gospel without being put to the great expense and loss of time that is necessary now in journeying from 500 to 1,000 miles in order to reach the houses of God. We hope to see the day when we shall have temples built in the various parts of the land where they are needed for the convenience of the people: for we realize that one of the greatest responsibilities that rest upon the people of God today is that their hearts shall be turned unto their fathers, and that they shall do the work that is necessary to be done for them in order that they may be joined together fitly in the bond of the New and Everlasting covenant from generation to generation. For the Lord has said, through the Prophet Joseph, that this is one of the greatest responsibilities devolving upon us in this latter day. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.3 God help us to do this work and help us to be faithful, one and all, that we may have means with which to accomplish it, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.30 Appreciation of faithful labors--A spirit of restlessness not desirable. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.31 It may be appropriate at this moment for me to say a few words relative to the Alberta Stake of Zion. Most of the Latter-day Saints are aware of the fact that President Charles O. Card was the pioneer of that country, and for long years has been acting as the president of the Alberta Stake of Zion. We desire to say to his numerous friends and acquaintances that no man who has been called to such a position has been more valiant and faithful in the performance of his duty, according to his knowledge and ability, than President Charles O. Card. He has been indeed a pioneer, a faithful, energetic man, and has been instrumental in laying, to a great extent, the foundations of the prosperity of the Alberta Stake. But on our late visit we found that his health was so greatly impaired that it became necessary to honorably relieve him from the great responsibilities of presiding over that Stake; and I think you will all bear me witness, if Brother Allen will continue to maintain the spirit that he possesses today, we will not have made any mistake in selecting Brother Card's successor. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.31 I would also say that we do not desire the people to get in their minds a spirit of restlessness or a desire to migrate from one place to another. We would like our brethren and sisters to remain where they are, as long as they can consistently, and only those go to the newer Stakes who have a necessity to go. We desire to maintain our foothold and to continue to establish ourselves in the central Stakes of Zion. We realize the necessity for this, and we hope that the brethren and sisters of all the Stakes will continue to abide where they are and contend for the success of the people in the locality where they live. There are a few places where our people have settled which need no words of commendation to induce settlers to go there, because they plead their own cause; but we desire to keep the foothold we have. We do not intend to retrograde, or to yield up. We believe that there has been no mistake made in the past in forming settlements in the south and in the various places where our people are located. We believe that the hand of the Lord is in it all, and that those who directed the locating and settlement of those places were inspired by that wisdom which comes from above. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.73 Possession of Priesthood not confined to a few. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.73 Although we may enjoy a little advantage over the rest of the congregation, for my part I could stay here a week longer to hear the testimonies of my brethren, and to give to the world an opportunity to see and know that the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not confined to one man, nor to three men, nor to fifteen men, but that there are thousands of men in Zion who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God, and who possess keys of authority and power to minister for life and salvation among the people of the world. I would like to give the world an opportunity to see what we are, to hear what we know, and to understand what our business is and what we intend to do, by the help of the Lord. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.83 "I hold in my hand a copy of the revised edition of the Pearl of Great Price. The Pearl of Great Price, as it originally existed, was presented before the general conference and accepted as one of the standard works of the Church. Since then the book has undergone a revision; that is to say, all the revelations that it formerly contained which were also in the Book of D&C, have been eliminated from it, as we thought it unnecessary to have revelations published in this book which were already published in the Doctrine and Covenants; therefore, these revelations have been eliminated from the Pearl of Great Price as it now is, and you will find them in the D&C. In addition to this, Professor James E. Talmage has gone through the work and divided it into chapters and verses, making it a far more convenient book of reference than it was before. He has also supplied copious footnotes or references, which will be an aid in the study of the book. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.83 These are the, changes that have been made in the book, and we now present this book in its revised form--the original matter being preserved as it was before, only divided into chapters and verses--for your acceptance as a standard work of the Church." Conference Report, October 1902, p.83 It was moved and seconded that the book be accepted as a standard work of the Church, and the motion was carried unanimously. Conference Report, October 1902, p.83 President Smith then presented the authorities of the Church, first remarking that "we desire that the brethren and sisters will all feel the responsibility of expressing their feelings in relation to the propositions that may be put before you. We do not want any man or woman who is a member of the Church to violate their conscience. Of course, we are not asking apostates or non-members of the Church to vote on the authorities of the Church. We only ask for members of the Church in good standing to vote on the propositions that shall be put before you, and we would like all to vote as they feel, whether for or against." Conference Report, October 1902, p.85 President Smith read the following and in suitable remarks gave it his hearty approval: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.85 Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 6, 1902.--An organization has recently been effected under the direction of the general board of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which Sister Emma A. Empey was sustained as general supervisor of the Relief Society nurses, with Sister Phebe Y. Beatie as secretary and treasurer, and Sister Margaret C. Roberts as instructor. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.85 It is desired that the Relief Society of every stake of Zion shall send as many young women as possible to study nursing, and that the presidents of stakes shall interest themselves with the Relief Societies and young ladies that the good work that has been started here may be carried on, and that the sick and needy throughout all the settlements may have proper attention. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.85 The class will start Monday, Nov. 3. For further information see Relief Society pamphlet, or write to Sister Phebe Y. Beatie at 55 North West Temple street, Salt Lake City. Emma A. Empey, general superintendent. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.85 Honor the Priesthood in their respective callings--Sustain the Church publications--President Snow's great and good work--Commendation of the auxiliary organziations--Closing admonitions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.85 Six months ago we announced to the people in conference assembled that we expected to carry the Gospel and our testimony to the Saints as far as we had power to do it. I desire to say to this conference that we have fulfilled that promise to the best of our ability. Myself and at least one of my counselors, together with a number of the Apostles, have visited many of the settlements between here and Canada, holding conference in Canada and meetings in several of the wards there; and we have been as far south as St. George. We have attended the conferences of the people as far as our time would permit, and there has not been a Sabbath day that we have been idle. We have visited the Saints, borne testimony and declared the truth to them as diligently and faithfully as we had strength and time to do. What remains to be done, we hope, by the blessings of the Lord and continued health and strength, to be able in the future to accomplish it. Between now and next April we will perhaps be able to visit a number of the Stakes of Zion, and Wards, too, which we have been unable to reach up to the present. We cannot afford to be idle. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.86 At this conference we have heard from nine Apostles--all that were in attendance. I regret exceedingly to say that president Brigham young is confined to his room with serious illness; and while we hope and pray that the Lord may be merciful unto him and prolong his life, we feel, from the knowledge we have of his condition and sufferings, that we will have to leave him in the hands of the Lord. If he had been present at this conference, we would have had all the brethren of the Twelve with us, excepting Brothers Lyman and Grant, who are in foreign lands laboring in the missionary field. Besides the Twelve, we have heard from almost forty presiding officers in the Church; and I only regret that we do not have the time to continue this work until we could hear from all the Presidents of Stakes, at least. But, brethren, do not be discouraged; if you will come next Conference we will give you a chance then. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.86 Furthermore, I want to say to the Saints who have listened to the brethren who have spoken unto us, that they are only an average of the Presidents of Stakes. We have not selected the brightest, the wisest and the best to speak to us. We have taken those from the outer settlements, as far as we could, because we desired to have them heard here. We desire to recognize them and we would like their people at home to realize the fact that they are recognized in the general conferences of the Church. I believe it to be the duty of the Church to recognize and acknowledge every man that holds an official position in it, in his sphere and in his calling. I hold to the doctrine that the duty of a Teacher is as sacred as the duty of an Apostle, in the sphere in which he is called to act, and that every member of the Church is as much in duty bound to honor the Teacher that visits him in his home as he is to honor the office and counsel of the presiding quorum of the Church. They all have the Priesthood, they are all acting in their callings, and they are all essential, in their place, because the Lord has appointed them and set them in His Church. We cannot ignore them; or, if we do, the sin will be upon our heads. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.86 We have had some excellent instructions from President Lurid and President Winder of the First Presidency, in relation to the work in the Temple, to discussions and contentions, in the missionary field, to the education of our children, to the maintenance of schools, to religion class work, and other matters. I endorse their remarks. President Lund has also recommended to us the Juvenile Instructor, of which the brethren have given me the honor of being the chief editor. I am not the only editor of this periodical. Brother George Reynolds is one of the editors; indeed he is the worker, the bee in that hive. He is always busy wherever you find him. So far as industry is concerned, I do not know a man in Israel that performs a greater multitude of duties and labors than George Reynolds does he is always at work, and always has plenty to do. I desire to remind you too, that the brethren have done me the honor also of electing me to be the editor of the Improvement Era, the organ of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement association, Elder E. H. Anderson being actively in charge. As the Juvenile Instructor belongs to the Sunday schools, and not to any individual or syndicate of individuals, in like manner the Era is the organ of the young men of Zion. No man has any interest or profit in it more than another; nobody is making money out of it, and nobody is getting any salary out of it, except one or two who have to be constantly employed in the office. We send the magazine to the missionaries abroad, and receive commendations from the Elders with respect to the good that is being accomplished by doing this. We recommend the Improvement Era, as we do the Juvenile Instructor, to the youth of Zion, and we say that you cannot do better than subscribe for it, and have it in your libraries, and still better, read it. Nor do we wish to overlook the Young Woman's Journal, nor the Children's Friend. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.87 Brethren and sisters, we want you to be united. We hope and pray that you will go from this conference to your homes feeling in your hearts and from the depths of your soul to forgive one another, and never from this time forth to bear malice towards another fellow creature, I do not care whether he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, whether he is a friend or a foe, whether he is good or bad. It is extremely hurtful for any man holding the Priesthood and enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost to harbor a spirit of envy, or malice, of retaliation, or intolerance toward or against his fellow man. We ought to say in our hearts, let God judge between me and thee, but as for me I wall forgive. I want to say to you that Latter-day Saints who harbor a feeling of unforgiveness in their souls are more guilt and more censurable than the one who has sinned against them. Go home and dismiss envy and hatred from your hearts; dismiss the feeling of unforgiveness; and cultivate in your souls that spirit of Christ which cried out upon the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." This is the spirit that Latter-day Saints ought to possess all the day long. The man who has that spirit in his heart and keeps it there will never have any trouble with his neighbor; they will never have any difficulties to bring before the Bishop, nor High Council; but he will always be at peace with himself, at peace with his neighbors, and at peace with God. It is a good thing to be at peace with God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.87 One year ago today, as near as I can recall, we were honored by the presence, and with the privilege to hear the voice of President Snow. Shortly after he was called home to his final account before the great Judge of the quick and the dead. The Lord preserved his life to a goodly age, and I want to say that the Lord Almighty accomplished some things through President Lorenzo Snow that neither President John Taylor nor President Wilford Woodruff accomplished in their day. Although the same questions had been brought before them, Yet they were never thoroughly decided and settled until President Snow did it. Therefore, I say, all honor and praise be unto that instrument in the hands of God of establishing order in the midst of uncertainty, and certain rules by which we know our bearings. I wish to mention this, because I feel in my heart to thank the Lord for President Snow, and to honor him as the instrument in His hands of accomplishing his mission, for which the Lord preserved him so long in life. He lived to bear his testimony to the world that Joseph Smith the Prophet taught him the doctrine of celestial marriage. He lived to declare to the world that he knew positively that Joseph Smith did receive it by revelation and that that doctrine was true and of God. And if he had done no more than this he would have accomplished a great work, because he was a living witness, an eye-witness and an ear-witness, and he knew whereof he spoke. You and I will have to meet his testimony, and so will the people of the world; and when we go to give an account of that which we have heard and known in the world, we can not dodge this, but will be held to an account for it, just as sure as the Lord lives and President Snow did his duty. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.87 I want to say a few words to the Mutual Improvement associations. You young men and young women, officers of the Mutual Improvement associations, I implore you to go from this conference and do your duty. Look after the wayward, the disobedient, the thoughtless, and the indifferent. It is necessary that they should be guarded and looked after. As it has been expressed here time and again, it is better for us to save our own boys who are being misled at home, than it is for us to go out into the world and spend years of time and endless means in order to gather in a few people from the world, while some of our own boys and girls need redemption as much as they, besides these people of the world are so full of the traditions and superstitions of their fathers when they gather to Zion that it is difficult, if not impossible, for them to entirely overcome these traditions and get down to a full comprehension of the Gospel and a complete reception of the truth. Yet a soul saved out in the world Is as precious in the sight of God as a soul saved at home. But we have work to do right at home, at our own doors; and it will not do for us to neglect the work necessary to be done at our own thresholds, and then go out, into the world to do work that is no more necessary. Let us do our duty everywhere. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.88 I desire to speak a word of commendation of the Primary associations. The sisters who are engaged in this noble work are most worthy women and very energetic in their labors. They are accomplishing a wonderful work. It is soul-inspiring, delightful and encouraging to see the results of the labors of these sisters. I commend this work to the attention of presiding officers everywhere, and would ask that the Bishops encourage and foster not only the Sunday schools and the improvement associations, but also the Primary associations; for theirs is a work necessary to be done among the little children, which cannot be done, it would appear, In any other way. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.88 Furthermore, I desire to commend the work of the Relief Society, an organization that was effected by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The objects of this organization are manifold. It is not designed to look only after the poor and the needy as to their bodily necessities, but it is also intended to look after the spiritual, mental and moral welfare of the mothers and daughters in Zion, and all who are engaged or interested in female work. I commend the Relief Societies to the Bishops, and say, be friendly to these organizations, because they are auxiliary organizations and a great help to the Bishops. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.88 I regret very much indeed that we save not had time to hear from the Seven Presidents of Seventies, but neither they nor you need to feel very bad about it, because we expect to send them out to visit you. If you have not and the privilege of hearing them here, we will let you hear them at your homes. It is their business to preach the Gospel, and another time they may have a chance to preach it to you here. I would love to have heard them and--I was going to say--hundreds of others, whom we would like to have heard, if time would permit. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.88 I now say to the brethren of the Priesthood--the High Priests, the Seventies, the Elders, and the Lesser Priesthood--magnify your callings; study the scriptures; read the 107th section of the Book of D&C, on Priesthood; learn that revelation, which was given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and live by its precepts and doctrine, and you will gain power and intelligence to straighten out many kinks that have heretofore existed in your minds, and to clear up many doubts and uncertainties in relation to the rights of the Priesthood. God gave that word to us. It is in force today in the Church and in the world, and it contains instruction to, the Priesthood and the people in relation to their duties, which every Elder should know. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.88 I will say now to all of the Latter-day Saints, Let uS live our religion; let us pay our tithing and be blessed; let us remember the poor and the needy, and sustain and help them; let us visit the sick and afflicted, and administer consolation unto them; let us help the weak; let us do all in our power to build up Zion, to establish righteousness in the earth, and to plant in the hearts of the people the glorious truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the living God, whom the Lord raised up in these last days to, restore the everlasting Gospel and the power of the Holy Priesthood to the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.88 That the Lord may help us to accomplish this work, and sustain us in every good word and work, is my humble prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. General Superintendent Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.92 My beloved brethren and sisters: I do not intend to say very much on this occasion. There are many brethren present who have subjects upon their minds and I desire to give them as much time as possible. But I feel like saying something in relation to our children. It does not need argument to convince our minds that our children will be just about what we make them. They are born without knowledge or understanding--the most helpless creatures of the animal creation born into the world. The little one begins to learn after it is born, and all that it knows greatly depends upon its environment, the influences under which it is brought up the kindness with which it Is treated, the noble examples shown it, the hallowed influences of father and mother, or otherwise, over its infant mind. And it will be largely what its environment and its parents and teachers make it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.92 The child of the lowest of our native tribes born in a wigwam and the child born in luxury start out almost equal so far as the possibilities of learning are concerned. A great deal, depends upon the influences under which it is brought up. You will observe that the most potent influence over the mind of a child to persuade it to learn, to progress, or to accomplish anything is the influence of love. More can be accomplished for good by unfeigned love, in bringing up a child, than by any other influence that can be brought to bear upon it. A child that cannot be conquered by the lash, or subdued by violence, may be controlled in an instant by unfeigned affection, and sympathy. I know this is true; and this principle obtains in every condition of life. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.92 The Sunday school teacher should govern the children, not by passion, by bitter words or scolding, but by affection and by winning their confidence. If a teacher gets the confidence of a child it is not impossible to accomplish every desired good with that child. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.93 I would have it understood that I believe that the greatest law and commandment of God is to love the Lord our God with all our mind, might and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves; and if this principle is observed at home the brothers and sisters wilt love each other, they will be kind and helpful to one another, showing forth the principle of kindness and being solicitous for each other's good. Under these circumstances the home comes nearer being a heaven on earth, and children brought up under these influences will never forget them, and though they may be in trying places their memories will revert to the homes where they enjoyed such hallowed influences, and their better natures will assert themselves no matter what the trials or temptations may be. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.93 Brethren and sisters of the Sunday school I emplore you to teach and control by the spirit of love and forbearance until you can conquer. If children are defiant and difficult to control, be patient with them until you can conquer by love and you will have gained their souls, and you can then mould their characters as you please. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1902, p.93 Sometimes children do not like their teachers, and the teachers are impatient with the children and complain of them as being very uncouth, uncontrollable and bad. The children In their turn tell their parents how they despise their teacher and say they don't want to go to school any more because the teacher is so cross. I have heard of these things and know them to be true. On the other hand, if children say to father or mother, "We think we have the best teacher in the world in our Sunday School," or "We have the best teacher in our district school that ever lived," it proves that those teachers have won the affections of the children, and the little ones are as clay in the hands of the potter to be moulded in any shape desired. This is the position you teachers should occupy, and if you get their affections this will be the report the children will make regarding you. God bless you. Amen. General Superintendent Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.97 I have been requested to make a few remarks, and I shall certainly try to be brief. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.98 There is one point that has rested upon my mind in relation to the Sabbath Schools, and it is this: I think there is nothing in the Sunday School work more necessary or essential than that all the teachers of the Sunday Schools should win the love and the confidence of their pupils. I believe that greater good can be done in the Sunday Schools by the teachers where they have the absolute affection and confidence of their pupils than under any other conditions. You may teach them, you may drill them in concert, and you may have them commit to memory, and labor in every other way that you possibly can to accomplish the good that you desire with your children, but in nothing, in my opinion, can you succeed so well as when you possess their undivided love and confidence. If a child thinks a teacher is harsh with him or her, or unkind toward him, or does not feel a real, genuine love for him, if he feels that the teacher is not taking a real interest in him as one who loves him, he can never be led to possess the right spirit; but when he feels that the teacher loves him, is trying to do him good and to teach him that which will be for his everlasting welfare, then you have an influence over that child, that when he studies he will study with a purpose and with an earnest desire to be benefitted and to please the teacher; because he knows and feels in his little heart that the teacher loves him and is seeking to do him good. I have entertained this sentiment from the beginning and in relation to the instruction of little children. It is a principle that obtains at the home as well as in the Sunday School. If you can only convince your children that you love them, that your soul goes out to them for their good, that you are their truest friend, they, in turn, will place confidence in you and will love you and seek to do your bidding and to carry out your wishes with your love, or are harsh or speak concerning them. But if you are selfish unkindly to them, and if they are not confident that they have your entire affection, they will be selfish, and will not care whether they please you or carry out your wishes or not, and the result will be that they will grow wayward, thoughtless and careless, and although you may drill them, like a parrot, to repeat verses and to speak in concert, and all that sort of thing, they will do it mechanically, without affection, and without its having that effect upon their souls that you desire it should have. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.98 I felt to say that much, in relation to the influence of the Sunday School teachers. Be good and kind to the children; win their affection. You can do more that way than you can with the rod; you can do more than you can by tyranny or by any forceful means. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1902, p.98 May the Lord bless the teachers of the Sunday Schools, and give them, the spirit of meekness and kindness, that they may be able to convince the children entrusted to their care that they love them and are seeking for the welfare and happiness of their souls, and the children, in turn, will love them and strive to learn and to do good. God bless you. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.1 Opening Address. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.1 Leading subjects for the Conference--Get out of debt while prosperity prevails--How to accomplish it--Saints should live their religion. The young should be taught mechanism and industrial arts generally. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.1 My brethren and sisters, I feel very grateful to the Lord, the Giver of all good, for the privilege that we enjoy this morning of assembling here, where we are wont to gather, at our annual and semi-annual conferences, for the purpose of attending to such business and matters of duty that may present themselves to us during this conference, and for the purpose of giving out, so far as the Spirit of the Lord may dictate to us, the word of the Lord in counsel, admonition and instruction to the people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.1 I am pleased to see the large number who have assembled on this opening day of the conference, and I sincerely hope that we may all enjoy our coming together as we have enjoyed this privilege in days past, and, if pleasing before the Lord, even more abundantly. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.2 We desire to have the privilege of listening to as many of the brethren as time will permit. We would like to hear from as many of the presidents of stakes as we can, and we shall endeavor to select those who did not have the privilege of speaking at the last conference, among whom were the First Presidents of Seventies. There is a vast field for remarks and for reflection by those who shall speak to the people, which will be interesting and instructive, and which will be beneficial to the cause we are engaged in. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.2 It is not my intention to prolong my remarks this morning, but I desire to mention one or two subjects that I think worthy of the attention of the brethren, who may be led to enlarge upon them and to speak to the people as the Spirit may give them utterance. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.2 One of these subjects is, that in the time of prosperity which we are now enjoying, it is highly proper for the Latter-day Saints to get out of debt. I have unceasingly urged this thought upon the brethren for the past year or more. Wherever I have had the opportunity of speaking I have scarcely ever forgotten to hold out to the people the necessity--that I feel, at least--of our settling our obligations and freeing ourselves from debt in the day of prosperity. Our experience in the years that have past must have led us to the conclusion that we have periods of prosperity, followed by periods of depression. We have now had a long period of success and prosperity, and we may expect, almost at any time, to see these conditions change and a time of depression spread over the land and over the people. I would say, in connection with this subject, that one of the best ways that I know of to pay my obligations to my brother, my neighbor or business associate, is for me first to pay my obligations to the Lord. I can pay more of my debts to my neighbors, if I have contracted them, after I have met my honest obligations with the Lord, than I can by neglecting the latter; and you can do the same. If you desire to prosper, and to be free men and women and a free people, first meet your just obligations to God, and then meet your obligations to your fellowmen. Bishop Hunter used to put the matter in these words: "Brethren, pay your tithing and be blessed;" and that is just what I mean. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.2 It is not necessary, perhaps, for me to say that there never was a time since the organization of the Church when it was more necessary than it is at present for all the Latter-day Saints to live their religion and to keep the commandments of the Lord, to purge from their midst iniquity, folly and sin and the transgression of the commandments of the laws of God unto them. I may add to this that perhaps there never was a time when the work of the Lord in the earth was in greater earnest or reality than it is today. As a proof of this, we need only to open our eyes and see the energy and activity of the enemies of this people at the present time. When the wicked rage and the heathen imagine a vain thing relative to this people, we may set it down as a fact that the devil is not dead, and that the work of the Lord is not dead, either. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.3 We are lacking in much that is good and necessary. One of the things that I think is very necessary is that we should teach our boys mechanism, teach them the arts of industry, and not allow our sons to grow up with the idea that there is nothing honorable in labor, except it be in the profession of law, or in some other light, practically unproductive and, I was going to say, unremunerative employment, but I know of scarcely any employment more remunerative than is the practise of law, to those, at least, who are proficient. But what do they do to build up the country? What do they produce to benefit the world? There may be a few of them who have farms; there may be a few of them who have manufactories; there may be a few of them who may be interested and engaged in other productive labor, something that will build up the country and the people and establish permanence, stability and prosperity in the land; but the vast majority of them are leeches upon the body politic and are worthless as to the building up of any community. There are a good many of our boys who feel that they could not be farmers, and that the pursuit of farming and stock-raising is beneath their dignity. There are some who think it is menial and low for them to engage in building enterprises as masons, carpenters or builders in general. There are but a few of our boys who take to the hammer and the anvil and to those pursuits of labor that are essential to the permanence of any community in the world and that are necessary to build up the country. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.3 I say that we are remiss and slack in relation to these things, that we are not instilling them sufficiently in the minds of our children, and that we are not giving them the opportunity that they should enjoy of learning how to produce from the earth and the materials that are on the face of it or in the bowels of it, that which is necessary for the advancement and prosperity of mankind. Some of us have the idea that it is degrading for our daughters to learn how to cook, how to keep house, or to make a dress, apron or bonnet, if necessary. No. Daughters in families that are blessed with plenty of means are taught to play the piano, to sing, to go out in society and spend their time in idle, useless pleasure, instead of being taught how to be economical, industrious and frugal and how to become good housewives. That is degrading! I would like to say to this congregation, and to the world, that if I possessed millions of dollars I would not be satisfied or content in my mind unless my boys knew how to do something that would bring them in a living, how to handle a pitchfork, or to run a mowing machine or reaper, or how to plow the ground and sow the seed; nor would I be satisfied if my daughters did not know how to keep a house. I would be ashamed of my children if they did not know something of these things. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.3 We need manual training schools instead of so much book-learning and the stuffing of fairy tales and fables, which are contained in many of our school books of today. If we would devote more money and time, more energy and attention to teaching our children manual labor in our schools than we do, it would be a better thing for the rising generation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.3 There are many subjects of this character, in addition to the principles of the Gospel of eternal truth and the plan of life and salvation, that can be dwelt upon with profit by those who may speak to us. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.3 Now, I do not desire to prolong my remarks this morning. I pray God to bless those who may speak to us and inspire them to say those things that will be instructive and beneficial, and that we may all enjoy that measure of the spirit of intelligence that we may divide rightly the word of truth, and that we all may receive meat in due season. That God may grant us these privileges and blessings is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.72 Satisfactory character of reports--What is expected of the priesthood--Glorious destiny of American Nation--The Church its strong supporter,--Characters of those who misrepresent this community--Saloons and their Keepers--The honorable do not assail the people of God-- Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.73 Brethren and sisters; I have been delighted, beyond my power to express, with the spirit of this conference, with the spirit of those who have spoken to us, with the subjects that they have dwelt upon, and with the reports which they have made to us in general conference assembled. I believe that, in the policy we have pursued, we are carrying out, in a measure at least, the original design and purpose in the Lord of holding these annual and semi-annual conferences. The Lord made it obligatory in former days that conferences should be held frequently, and that representatives from all the various branches and organized bodies of the Church should be present, with power and authority to report their condition and standing and to speak of any matter that would affect the welfare and prosperity of the people they represented. There is another purpose, I think, subserved in the policy that we have pursued, which I consider a worthy one, and that is this: We want the people to understand, and we would like the world to understand, the great fact that it is not the prominent leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that wield all the influence among the people of this Church. We want it understood that we have fewer lay members in this Church, in proportion to the number of our membership, than you will find in any other church upon the globe. Nearly every man in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the Melchisedek or the Aaronic Priesthood, and may act in an official capacity by authority of that priesthood whenever called upon to do so. They are priests and kings, if you please, unto God in righteousness. Out of this vast body of priests we call and ordain or set apart our Presidents of Stakes, our counselors, our High Councilors, our Bishops and their counselors, our Seventies, our High Priests, and our Elders, upon whom rests the responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel of eternal truth to all the world, and upon whom also rests the great and glorious responsibility of maintaining the dignity, the honor and the sacredness of that calling and Priesthood. So that nearly every male person in the Church, who has reached the years of accountability, is supposed to be, in his sphere, a pillar in Zion, a defender of the faith, an exemplar, a man of righteousness, truth and soberness, a man of virtue and of honor, a good citizen of the state in which he lives; and a staunch and loyal citizen of the great country that we are proud to call our home. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.73 This great American nation the Almighty raised up by the power of His omnipotent hand, that it might be possible in the latter days for the kingdom of God to be established in the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.74 If the Lord had not prepared the way by laying the foundations of this glorious nation, it would have been impossible (under the stringent laws and bigotry of the monarchical governments of the world) to have laid the foundations for the coming of His great kingdom. The Lord has done this. His hand has been over this nation, and it is His purpose and design to enlarge it, make it glorious above all others, and to give it dominion and power over the earth, to the end that those who are kept in bondage and serfdom may be brought to the enjoyment of the fullest freedom and liberty of conscience possible for intelligent men to exercise in the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be a strong supporter of the nation of which we are a part, in the accomplishment of this grand purpose. There are no more loyal people to their country on God's earth today than are the Latter-day Saints to this country. There are no better, purer or more honorable citizens of the United States to be found than are found within the pale of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify to this, and I know whereof I speak. We never have been enemies to our nation. We have always been true to it. Though we have been persecuted, we have said, We will put our trust in thee. We have been driven and maligned, not by the nation, but by insidious, wicked, unprincipled, hypocritical, lying, deceitful goats in sheep's clothing, who are jealous and constantly raising a hue and cry against the covenant people of God. Our government would have befriended us, protected us, preserved our rights and liberties, and would have defended us in the enjoyment of our possessions, if it had not been for these infernal hounds who are enemies to morality and to the truth. If there is anything despicable, if there be anything that can never, no, never, enter into the kingdom of God, it is a wilfull liar; and if we have not been lied about, maligned and misrepresented of late, then I do not know what lying is. Well, let the falsifiers go on and lie. Some people are evidently doomed to lie. President Woodruff used to say there were some people in his day who were born to lie, and they were true to their missions. There are some of these born liars still with us and still true to their mission. They cannot, it would seem, tell the truth; they often do not when it would be for their best good. So let them go on and lie as much as they desire. But let us do right, keep the laws of God and the laws of man, honor our membership in the kingdom of God, our citizenship in the State of Utah and our broader citizenship in the nation of which we are a part, and then God will sustain and preserve us, and we will continue to grow as we have done from the beginning, only our future growth will be accelerated and be far greater than it has been in the past. These slanders and falsehoods that are circulated abroad with the view of bringing the ire of the nation upon us will by and by be swept away, and because of these misrepresentations the truth will be brought out clearer and plainer to the world. Thus the word of the Lord will be verified, that they cannot do anything against but for the kingdom of God. This is the Lord's work; it it not man's; and He will make it triumphant. He is spreading it abroad, and giving it deep root in the earth, that its branches may grow and spread, and its fruit be seen throughout the length and breadth of the land. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.74 By their fruits ye shall know them. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles; neither does a bitter fountain send forth sweet water. We, as a people, deplore as much as anybody can the existence of evil amongst us. But when our brethren get up here and talk as some have done, "We have saloons; we have all the 'modern improvements'"--WE have them--I wish they would take the pains to distinguish as to who "we" is. If they mean that the Latter-day Saints have saloons, then they are mistaken. It is not the Latter-day Saints that sustain saloons. If they are fostered and sustained in the midst of Latter-day Saint communities, they are sustained by men that are either in bad standing or have no standing at all in the Church. The most of them are sustained by men who do not belong to the Church. I will venture to say that over here in Emery county, where we hear of saloons and "modern improvements," that there is not a saloon run by a Latter-day Saint. But, says one, hold on, Brother Smith, there is one, I believe. There was one, out of the many, that used to be run by a man who claimed to be a member of the Church: I don't know that it is now. I give it out to you, my brethren and sisters, that no man who is a Latter-day Saint, in full faith and fellowship in the Church, will ever keep a saloon anywhere. Therefore, if there is a man claiming to be a "Mormon" running a saloon anywhere, the best thing you can do is to cut him off the Church, and then you will know where he is and who he is. He is not a Latter-day Saint, at all events. Now, when you say WE have this, and WE have that, I hope you will draw the distinction between Latter-day Saints and latter-day devils. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.75 I am not sorry I have made these remarks, because it will give some of our "friends" a chance to say something, and there is nothing like having a little of the spice of life. I rejoice in the Gospel. I rejoice in the mission of the divine Savior, the Son of God. I know it is the power of God unto salvation. I rejoice in the name and in the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; for I know his mission is divine. I rejoice in the gathering of Israel in the tops of these mountains in the latter days, because I see in it the hand of the Almighty, and not the hand of Brigham Young, nor of any mortal man. No man of himself could ever accomplish that which we see before us. The Lord is behind it, at the bottom and at the top of it, and in and through it, and He will consummate His purpose. The world cannot prevent it either, because it is for good, not for evil. If it were not for good I would pity some of these poor devils that we have amongst us. But we will be patient, longsuffering, and forbearing. We will say, Let God judge between us and our enemies, and award them according to their deeds. We will not harm them. On the contrary, we will protect them. Though they seek to defile us and ridicule our religion, though they lie about us and say all manner of evil against us falsely, we will not hurt them. We will do them good, if they will let us. We will protect them, as we would protect good men in their rights. We will do all we can to protect the rights of mankind, and nothing to break down the liberties of men. This is our mission, and I pray God to help us to be true to our mission, as these poor creatures who lie about us are true to theirs. Now, when I speak as I have done about the lying riff-raft that infests our land, I do not wish it understood for a moment that I refer to honorable men. We have honorable men amongst us, and in this nation. God bless and sustain all honorable men. We will sustain, not only the rights and liberties of the honorable, but we will also defend and help to maintain to the uttermost the liberties and rights of dishonorable men. We have honorable men amongst us, and they are ever in the favor of the people of God. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.80 General Superintendent of Sunday Schools of the Church, said: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.80 I desire to say just a few words. The benefit of our Sunday school work to our children and the rising generation cannot, I think, be too highly regarded by the Latter-day Saints, and more especially by those who are rearing children, and who desire to have their children brought up and to grow up in the way they should go. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.81 One of our brethren, reporting his labors as stake superintendent of Sunday schools, made a remark something like this, that they had everything in excellent condition, but their greatest trouble was to get the boys to attend school. Now it occurred very forcibly to my mind while our brother was giving utterance to these words that this difficulty can be easily overcome, if the fathers and the mothers will take sufficient interest in their boys and in their girls to see to it that they attend the Sabbath school. But if the fathers and the mothers are indifferent to the welfare of their children, and indifferent to the efforts that are being made by the teachers of the Sunday schools for the benefit of their children, and allow their children to roam about unguarded, uninstructed, unwatched, on the Sabbath day as they please, then it is a task indeed to get these children to go to school. It does seem to me that if all who have children would take sufficient interest in them to see that they all attend the Sunday schools, our schools would be well filled and our children would enjoy greater opportunities than many of them do today. It shows a woeful neglect and deplorable carelessness or thoughtlessness on the part of the parents when their children are not encouraged and urged, with all kindness and yet with all parental firmness, to go to the schools that are instituted in the Church for their guidance and instruction, and to help the parents bring up their children in the way they should go. I pray you, my brethren and sisters who have children in Zion, and upon whom rests the greater responsibility, teach them the principles of the Gospel, teach them to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in baptism for the remission of sins when they shall reach the age of eight years. They must be taught in the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by their parents, or the blood of the children will be upon the skirts of those parents. It seems to me so plain a duty and so necessary for them to see to it that their children avail themselves of the opportunities that are afforded them in having them taught and instructed in these principles in the Sunday schools that are established in the Church and conducted Sunday after Sunday for the benefit of their children. I should feel contemptible, I was going to say, in my own mind, in my own feelings, if I had children who were neglected by their parents in regard to these matters. Our little ones are only too anxious to go to Sunday school, no matter what may occur, whether it rains or is cold or pleasant or what not; whether they are sick or well they cannot be kept from the Sunday school unless there is great cause for it. And I will add this, if the Latter-day Saints will take an interest in their children, the interest which they ought to do, some of the conduct exhibited by some of the children, I suppose of the Latter-day Saints, which we have witnessed this evening as we came to this meeting, would never occur, and would not be seen in the cities of Zion. The first thing that met my eye as we came down the street was a crowd of boys puffing tobacco on the sidewalk. Who are they? Are they the children of the Latter-day Saints? No, I hope not--I hope not, for the good name of the Latter-day Saints, for our sake and credit as teachers, as children of God, as parents in Israel, who have the interest and welfare of our children at heart. I should pray that these boys that I saw on the street with their mouths and their breath be-fouled by tobacco smoke are not theirs. I hope they are not the children of Latter-day Saints. Maybe they are. If they are, I am sorry for it. Language was heard, profanity, taking the name of God in vain, on the Sabbath day, by this Temple block, near the walls of this sacred building, where we meet to worship God and today our deference to Him and to acknowledge His hand and His mercies toward us here tonight. We heard the voice of profanity from the lips of children. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.82 Who are they? Are they yours, Latter-day Saints? Are they the children of men and women that have embraced the Gospel of eternal truth? If so, shame upon their parents as well as upon the children. That is my judgment and my verdict upon them. And if these children were taught and kept under proper influences and under the proper guiding eye of their parents they never would be left to do such things as these, nor would they ever do it, because they would be ashamed, and they would think too much of their parents to do it. But of course where children see their parents do those things, where children hear their parents do such things, you cannot blame the children so much for following in the footsteps of their parents or for emulating their example. The object of our Sunday schools and the object of our Church schools, the great, the paramount object, is to teach our children the truth, teach them to be honorable, pure minded, virtuous, honest and upright, and enable them by our advice and counsel and by our guardianship over them until they reach the years of accountability to become the honorable of the earth, the good and the pure among mankind, the virtuous and the upright, and those who shall be worthy to enter the house of God and not be ashamed of themselves in the presence of angels if they should come to visit them. Now I felt to make these few remarks, my brethren and sisters, tonight; and I say it is my judgment, and I think it must be the judgment of every intelligent man, that if the parents of children in this community would see to it that their children were kept under proper restraints and were properly admonished and taught, properly guarded in their youth, and sent to school under the influence of good teachers, which it is their duty to do, and is the best thing to do, the only thing to do for our children, that the evils of which I have spoken would not be witnessed in our midst. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1903, p.82 The Lord bless you and those who labor in the Sunday school cause, as well as in all departments of education for our youth, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.1 Latter-day Saints should work in harmony--Obedience to the Gospel makes man free--Progress of the community--Instructions about colonization--Division of Stakes--Prosperous Condition of missions--Recent prosperity--Trades versus professions for the young--Educational Interests--Suggestions to parents in the training of children. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.1 I am gratified to see the large attendance present at the opening of this semi-annual conference, and I sincerely hope that throughout the sessions Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.1 our people may continue to attend and participate in whatever duties or labors may be necessary to be performed during this conference. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.2 I would like all Latter-day Saints to feel in their hearts that the work in which they are engaged is not only the work that God has instituted in the latter days, but that it is a work in which each individual member of the Church is deeply and vitally interested. Every man and every woman should feel a deep and abiding interest in the work of the Lord, in the growth and development of the great latter-day cause, which cause is intended for the redemption of all men from the powers of sin, from all its contaminating effects, for the redemption of man from his own weakness and ignorance, and from the grasp that Satan holds upon the world, that men may be made free; for no man is or can be made free without possessing a knowledge of the truth and obeying the same. It is only the possession and observance of the truth that can make men free, and all those who do not possess and obey it are slaves and not freemen. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.2 It is only by obedience to the laws of God, that men can rise above the petty weaknesses of mortality and exercise that breadth of affection, that charity and love, that should actuate the hearts and the motives of the children of men. The Gospel as it has been restored is intended to make men free indeed, free to choose the good and to forsake the evil, free to exercise that boldness in their choice of that which is good, by which they will not shrink from doing that which they are convinced is right, notwithstanding the great majority of the people of the world may point at them the finger of scorn and ridicule. It requires no especial bravery on the part of men to swim with the currents of the world. When a man makes up his mind to forsake the world and its follies and sins, and identify himself with God's people, who are everywhere spoken evil of it takes courage, manhood, independence of character, superior intelligence, and a determination that is not common among men; for men shrink from that which is unpopular, from that which will not bring them praise and adulation, from that which will in any degree tarnish that which they call honor or a good name. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.2 The Latter-day Saints are a people who have been and are still familiar with the ways of the world. They have been gathered from nearly all the nations of the earth, and were formerly associated with the various religious denominations extant. Hence they are familiar with the various religious creeds existing in the world, and they have had the courage, in the face of all the opposition that they have had to meet, and the contumely that has been heaped upon them, to forsake their former creeds, to sever their former ties and relationships, and to forsake their kindred, their homes, and everything that they have held dear, for the Gospel's sake; and they are not cowards; they are not slaves; they are not bondsmen, but they are freemen, because the Gospel has made them free. It is a knowledge of these things that will make a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints an entity in the Church to which he belongs--a living factor, an active participator in the cause in which he is engaged; one who feels, deep down in his soul, the truth of the Gospel; and the love of it moves him to works of righteousness and causes him to desire to become more and more united with those who are seeking to bring to pass the establishment of the kingdom of God and a reign of righteousness, that wickedness may be destroyed and truth prevail from sea to sea. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.3 It was not and is not my intention to speak long this morning. I desired to make a few opening remarks at this conference, and the thought that seemed to be impressed upon my mind was that every Latter-day Saint here today should be here tomorrow, and should continue to attend this conference until it shall conclude on the 6th of this month, which is the semi-anniversary of the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the latter days. I would like all to feel that interest in this work and the duties and responsibilities that rest upon them during this conference, that they will be prompt in attending here, as they have been today. I felt that it would be useless for me to speak of this tomorrow, when it is possible that many might be absent, attending to business or pleasure. I take this occasion, therefore, while all are here to hear my voice and the voices of those who shall follow me, that you may know what we desire, and that you may feel prompted in your hearts to carry out this desire. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.3 I desire to say to this congregation that the work of the Lord, to the best 3 of my knowledge, has continued in grow and spread since our conference last April. I can see no evidence of weakness, or of weakening among the Latter-day Saints. Everywhere that I have had the pleasure and opportunity of traveling to visit the people we have found them earnest in their work, earnest in their faith, earnest in their devotion to the cause of God in the earth, and living according to the knowledge that they possess, agreeable to the will of the Father, as it has been made known to them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.3 There have been great improvements. We have built, completed and dedicated many houses of worship throughout the various stakes of Zion during the six months that have passed. There are many more in course of erection, and many will no doubt be completed and dedicated and ready for the service of the people before we shall assemble again six months hence. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.3 The stakes of Zion continue to increase in numbers and in strength, save, perhaps in the larger cities. We find that there is a disposition on the part of some of our people to desert the cities and those parts of the state that are more densely settled, and they are spreading out into newer countries and building up other settlements and other stakes of Zion. While we feel that this is a necessity, to a great extent, we also feel that it is unwise for our people to scatter abroad or leave their present homes, except when it becomes absolutely necessary for them to do so for their own good and for the good of their increasing families. And yet, we would advise such as have no homes, say in Salt Lake, or in Ogden, or in the larger towns and cities of our state, and who have no prospects of ever being able to obtain homes for themselves in these more crowded centers--to turn their eyes and their course toward the newer settlements, where they may have the privilege of obtaining homesteads and building up homes for themselves and their children. When you do this we would advise you to move under the direction and counsel of those who have these matters in charge, that instead of scattering abroad you may gather abroad and establish yourselves in communities where you can have the advantages of schools, of meetings, of Mutual Improvement associations, and of all the other auxiliary organizations of the Church, and where you will be able to associate together in a community for self-protection and for self-culture and advancement in all that is good. We find that it is not those who desire the welfare of Zion who are disposed to scatter abroad; those who love the truth and who are interested in the work of the Lord are always desirous of being associated with the Saints, wherever they may choose to locate. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.3 We have been under the necessity of dividing the Alberta stake of Zion, because it had grown to such dimensions that it was a very great burden upon the presidency of the stake, in its undivided condition, to attend to all the duties that devolved upon them and to visit all the people. They had grown until they had spread for a hundred miles or more from one point to the other. We divided it recently, making two stakes out of the one. There are other stakes that are growing, and we have already had appeals from the people and those who are in charge to establish other stakes out of the present existing ones, because of the increase of the people and the extent of those stakes: and in the near future it will be necessary, no doubt, to make other divisions of stakes in order that the people may be visited by their presiding officers and all may be kept in touch with the spirit of the Gospel and the work of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.4 Our missions are almost universally in a prosperous condition. The work is progressing in Europe and upon the islands of the sea. There has been some little difficulty in the German mission, of late, but matters there have quieted down and our Elders continue to prosecute their labors there as they are doing in other missionary fields. We have succeeded in completing and dedicating a very commodious and appropriate building in the city of Copenhagen, and also in Christiania, Norway, since the last conference, thus giving to these missions a permanency that they have not enjoyed to the same extent in the years that have gone by. Other meetinghouses for our people in other missions are in contemplation, and, perhaps, in the near future we may have headquarters for our Elders, and a meetinghouse, or church, if you please to call it that, in other mission fields, where we can advertise our name and our principles, and where we can have a permanent foothold and exhibit our works to those who are requiring after the truth, and not leave the people, as in years gone by, under the impression that we are constantly on the wing in these distant lands, having no permanent abiding places there. Our mission in Great Britain, for instance, has continued for the last 60 years or more, and yet we have never attempted to build houses of worship there, and many of the people have supposed that our work there was only temporary. But we desire it distinctly understood that "Mormon-ism," as it is called, has come to the world to stay. We expect to proclaim this Gospel to the nations of the earth until every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall have the privilege of hearing the sound thereof and the voices of the servants of God, lifted up in warning and in testimony to them that judgments will come upon the world and that righteousness has been made known and proclaimed from the heavens in the latter day. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.4 We have unfortunately lost some three or four of our Elders, by the hand of death, in the mission field. We regret this very much, and we are impressed with the thought that it is largely due, in some instances at least, to the lack of caution and proper care on the part of the Elders themselves. I shall be most thankful and happy myself if after I have done all that I have the power and wisdom to do for my own protection, the Lord will preserve me by His power. Still I will give to Him the honor and the glory for all. If a man receives wisdom to guard himself against evil and dangers, it is because God has bestowed the gift of wisdom upon him. It is said that faith is a gift of God, and so it is; but faith does not come without works; faith does not come without obedience to the commandments of God. Men do not receive the gift of faith, nor the gift of wisdom, nor the gift of understanding, nor a testimony of the Spirit of the Living God in their hearts, without they seek for it. The principle is: Thou shalt knock and it shall be opened unto thee; thou shalt ask and receive; thou shalt seek if thou wilt find; and if you want wisdom, ask for it, as Solomon did; if you want knowledge and the testimony of the spirit in your hearts, seek for it earnestly. Put yourself in a position whereby you will be worthy to receive it, then it will come to you as a gift of God, and His name should be praised for the same. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.4 I am grieved to say to this congregation and yet perhaps I should not express myself so--that since our last conference we have been deprived of the presence, counsel and influence of one of our beloved brethren, one of the Twelve, President Brigham Young. Of course you are all aware of this, still I mention it here, that you may know that we do not forget those with whom we have been associated in life from boyhood to old age, those, especially, who have been faithful in all their callings and in the missions to which they have been appointed. We revere their memory and we regret their absence from us today. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.4 I am delighted with the return and presence of Brother Heber J. Grant from Japan. He has been honorably released from that mission to return and to resume his labors here, or elsewhere, as he may be called and appointed. Brother Horace S. Ensign has been placed in charge of the Japan mission. Those who were laboring with him there are faithful, devoted, young men; but Brother Heber can speak of them more fully than it is possible perhaps for me to do. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.5 There are many subjects, which should, perhaps, be dwelt upon and 5 thought of during this conference. I desire to renew, in brief, what I said to you six months ago. Notwithstanding we have had six months more of prosperity in the land--our crops have been unusually good this year, and the labor of the husbandman has been crowned with abundant harvests--yet, while prosperity has abounded throughout the length and breadth of the land of Zion, I want to tell you that there has not been so much prosperity abroad. We frequently hear of financial failures and difficulties. We hear of labor troubles in various parts of our land, and of wars and rumors of wars; but here in the midst of these mountain valleys, inhabited by Latter-day Saints, the Lord has given us peace and has made us secure. Our business relations are healthy; our business institutions are prosperous, and everything looks promising for the future; but, notwithstanding the promising outlook that we behold, I desire that my brethren and sisters will not become over-confident in this condition of affairs. I tell you that it is better for us to be out of debt, free from obligations and mortgages, than it is for us to have mortgages plastered upon our homes, or upon our farms, or upon our stocks, or anything that we possess in the shape of values. I again admonish the Latter-day Saints to aim and diligently endeavor to free themselves from debt. Get out of debt and keep out of debt, and then you will be financially as well as spiritually free. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.5 I desire again to say that I would be pleased to see more of our young men learning trades instead of trying to learn professions, such as the profession of the law, or of medicine or other professions. I would rather a man would become a good mechanic, a good builder, a good machinist, a good surveyor, a good farmer, a good blacksmith, or a good artisan of any kind than to see him follow these other kinds of professions. We need, however, those who are capable of teaching in the school, and I would like to see a greater interest manifested by our young men and women in normal training, that they might become proficient teachers and look forward to following this profession, because it is a most important one, and great results will follow the faithful performance of the duties and labors of those who are engaged in it. The training of our young, the giving of proper instruction to those who are seeking education, and creating facilities in our midst for all who desire not only the common branches of education, but the higher branches; that they may obtain these privileges and benefits at home instead of being compelled to go abroad to complete their education. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.6 Some of our friends took very grievous offense at what I said in respect to some of these things last April, I believe. I was sorry to hear what they said in relation to this. Why, bless your soul, the counsel that I gave last April in relation to these matters was in the interest of all parties and of all professions. I did not speak a disrespectful word of any profession. I simply advised, and I still advise, the young men of Zion to become artisans rather than to become lawyers. I repeat it; and yet I would to God that every intelligent man among the Latter-day Saints was able to read law and to be his own lawyer. I wish that every man could and would study and become familiar with the laws of his state and with the laws of his nation, and with the laws of other nations. You cannot learn too much in these directions; but I think there are too many trying to be lawyers, for the good of that profession. They are eating one another up, to some extent. Not long ago a young man who had studied law and hung out his shingle here, after waiting for business, trying to stir up business, for some length of time, came so near starving himself and family that he came and wanted to know what to do. He could not make a living in the profession of law. I asked him if he knew how to do anything else. He said yes, he was a good printer. Well, then, I said, abandon the profession of law and take up the profession of printing; do something that you can do and that you can make a living at. If he had any practise at all in law my counsel to him, if he had obeyed it--and he did--would have been a benefit to those who remained in the profession. There are some men, most honorable, most genuine and most intelligent who are following the profession of the law. I wish I could say that much of all. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.6 Then, my brethren and sisters, get out of debt. My young friends, learn to become skilful in the arts and in mechanics and in something that will be material, useful in building up the commonwealth where we live and where all our interests are centered. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.6 O, my brethren and sisters, I admonish you to look after your children, that they may grow up with proper habits, keeping the Word of Wisdom, keeping themselves morally clean and pure, avoiding the temptations and the allurements that beset them on every hand, that they may grow up to be men and women without spot and without blemish. This is the great desideratum of life, almost, at least to me. For me to see my children following in the ways of sin, departing from the ways of uprightness, would be the most grievous affliction that could befall me. Death itself would be more tolerable. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.6 Now, I feel that it is not wise or proper for me to occupy more of the time this morning. There are many other things that might be said, and probably will be said by those who will address us during this conference. I trust that proper attention may be given to their counsels, and that we may be built up and strengthened in the faith and encouraged in our determinations to serve the Lord, to keep His commandments, work righteousness and try to do good to all men, whether they be Latter-day Saints or latter-day sinners. Let us do good to all men; that is our mission. It is our especial business to lift up those who are drooping, to strengthen the weak, to encourage those who are in doubt, and to lead on and up in the path of righteousness and of usefulness among men in the world, that we may be in deed and of a truth saviors upon Mount Zion. That God may grant this to every one of us is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.78 While I realize, as you all do doubtless, that it may be wholly unnecessary for me to say what I am going to say, yet I feel prompted to say it, and let it go for what it is worth. I have been delighted with the most excellent discourse that we have listened to; but I desire to say that it is a wonderful revelation to the Latter-day Saints, and especially to those who were familiar with the Prophet Joseph Smith, to learn in these latter days that he was an epileptic! I will simply remark, God be praised, that there are so many still living who knew the Prophet Joseph well, and who are in a position to bear testimony to the truth that no such condition ever existed in the man. He was never troubled with epilepsy. Of course, this may be unnecessary to say, after the magnificent arraignment made by Brother Roberts of this fallacious, foolish, nonsensical theory--this "fried froth"--gotten up by vain philosophers to account for something they would like to destroy from off the face of the earth, but are impotent to do it. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.84 Latter-day Saints a free people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.84 We will now present before the conference the names of the general authorities of the Church, with the earnest desire that all the members of the Church present, who by reason of their good standing before the Lord are entitled to the privilege, will express their will according to the God-given agency that every man in the world enjoys, and which is not lessened, but rather increased, in all those who have made covenant with God by sacrifice and through obedience to the principles of the Gospel. The freedom of the Latter-day Saints has never been curtailed or lessened one whit by their becoming members of the Church of Christ. Rather has it been enlarged. There are no freer people upon the face of the earth today than the Latter-day Saints. They are bound to the Church by no ties or strings, but their own conviction of the truth. And whenever a man makes up his mind that he has had enough of what is called "Mormonism," all he has to do is to make it known and we will sever the bond that unites him with the body, and let him go his own way, only bearing toward him the feeling of sympathy and of true brotherly kindness, and wishing him still the mercies of God. We will cry, Father, have mercy upon him, because he knows not what he is doing. For when a man denies the truth, when he departs from the right way, when he rejects the right of God to counsel in the affairs of men, he is either ignorant or wilfully wicked, and it only excites our pity for him. As the Savior cried upon the cross, so will we cry in the same spirit, Father, forgive him; have mercy upon him; for he knows not what he does. Therefore, we expect only those to vote at this time who are members of the Church in good standing; but all such we do expect to vote, according to their own free will, whether it be yea or nay. However, we wish it distinctly understood that no questions upon these matters will be discussed in this conference; for this is not the place to discuss questions of difference or of feeling that we may possess one towards another. Still we can manifest our approval or our disapproval by the uplifted hand; and if there are any disapprovals, we will have them heard and adjusted later on, but not here. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.86 How the will of God can be known--All offices, railings and authority embraced in the holy Melchisedek Priesthood--Material affairs of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.86 If I regret anything at all, it is that we have not time to hear the testimonies of many more of the brethren who are in attendance at this conference. Nothing would delight me more than to have the privilege of remaining here and listening to a score or two of presidents of stakes, presidents of missions, and other prominent men who are at this conference representing the different interests of the Church. I regret more than anything I can think of in connection with our conferences, that we do not have more time, and that we cannot hear from more of our brethren. But I think the time so far has been well employed, and I trust that all that has been said, all the counsel that has been given, the exhortations that have been offered and the admonitions that have been voiced, will be blessed and sanctified through the spirit of truth to the good and encouragement of all who have heard them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.86 The one thing now that I desire to impress upon the minds of my brethren of the Holy Priesthood is that we should live so near to the Lord, be so humble in our spirits, so tractable and pliable, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, that we will be able to know the mind and will of the Father concerning us as individuals and as officers in the Church of Christ under all circumstances. And when we live so that we can hear and understand the whisperings of the still small voice of the Spirit of God, let us do whatsoever that Spirit directs, without fear of the consequences. It does not make any difference whether it meet the minds of carpers or critics, or of the enemies of the kingdom of God, or not. Is it agreeable to the will of the Lord? Is it compatible with the spirit of the great latter-day work in which we are engaged? Is the end aimed at likely to advance the Church and to strengthen it in the earth? If its trend is in that direction, let us do it, no matter what men may say or think. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.87 I know, as I know that I live, that this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When I say this, I say it with a full understanding of the meaning of the term. It is the Church of Jesus Christ. It is not the church of man. The Lord laid the foundations of it. It was He who inspired the boy Prophet, Joseph Smith, and gave to him wisdom and understanding to organize the councils of the Priesthood and to establish His Church upon the foundation of prophets, apostles, evangelists, and inspired men. It was the Lord Jesus who restored the Holy Melchisedek Priesthood, through the instrumentality that He used; and all blessings, all offices, all callings, and all authority in this Church come under and are embraced in the holy Melchisedek Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God. There is no office growing out of this Priesthood that is or can be greater than the Priesthood itself. It is from the Priesthood that the office derives its authority and power. No office gives authority to the Priesthood. No office adds to the power of the Priesthood. But all offices in the Church derive their power, their virtue, their authority, from the Priesthood. If our brethren would get this principle thoroughly established in their minds, there would be less misunderstanding in relation to the functions of government in the Church than there is. Today the question is, which is the greater--the High Priest or the Seventy, the Seventy or the High Priest? I tell you that neither of them is the greater, and neither of them is the lesser. Their callings lie in different directions, but they are from the same Priesthood. If it were necessary, the Seventy, holding the Melchisedek Priesthood, as he does, I say IF IT WERE NECESSARY--he could ordain a High Priest; and if it were necessary for a High Priest to ordain a Seventy, he could do that. Why? Because both of them hold the Melchisedek Priesthood. Then again, if it were necessary--though I do not expect the necessity will ever arise--and there was no man left on earth holding the Melchisedek Priesthood, except an Elder, that Elder, by the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and by the direction of the Almighty, could proceed, and should proceed, to organize the Church of Jesus Christ in all its perfection, because he holds the Melchisedek Priesthood. But the house of God is a house of order, and while the other offices remain in the Church, we must observe the order of the Priesthood, and we must perform ordinances and ordinations strictly in accordance with that order, as it has been established in the Church through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.87 I am aware of the fact that there are those who in the past have held different views to this. They may still hold different views; and if they do, they will have to change them by and by, if they ever get a correct knowledge of the Priesthood. No office of an Apostle, no office of a President, no office of a High Priest, or a Seventy, or an Elder, is greater than the Melchisedek Priesthood. I hope you will understand that. If an Apostle has any authority at all, he derives it from the Melchisedek Priesthood, which is after God's order, and he cannot have it in any other way. There is no authority except it comes from that Priesthood. It holds the keys of the administering of blessings, ordinances and promises upon the heads of all the members of the Church. Out of the Melchisedek Priesthood grows the Lesser Priesthood, which is called the Priesthood after the order of Aaron. This is an appendage to the Melchisedek Priesthood. The office of an Elder, of a High Priest, of a Seventy--all the offices in the Church are simply appendages to the Melchisedek Priesthood, and grow out of it. You can read the revelations regarding this in the Book of D&C, and you must see it just as I have told it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.89 Now, I think I can say, without any reservation, that the brethren who are placed in charge to look after the interests of the Church are doing their whole duty to the utmost of their ability. Brother Clawson, in his discourse, alluded to the condition of our books, and records of tithing. Never since the Church was organized were they in so perfect a condition as they are today. We can tell you the name of every man, woman and child in the Church who pays tithing, and we can tell you exactly what they pay. Not only so, but we have records by which we can show the names and the number of the members of the Church who are not tithepayers. Furthermore, we can tell you that not one dollar of the tithing of the Church is used for any purpose except that which is legitimate and proper, according to the necessities of the Church. I say to you, too, that we are paying the debts of the Church, and the tithing is being used carefully and exclusively at present to meet all current expenses and to cancel our obligations, both bonded and note. I am happy to say to you, my brethren and sisters, that the people are doing as well in this direction, if not better than they have ever done before, with the exception, perhaps, of one year. There was one year wherein more tithing was paid than has been in any one year since; but we presume that was the result of unprecedented prosperity, and we are not disposed to measure subsequent years by that one, but rather to compare them year by year, on a consistent basis. It gives me pleasure to say to you that if you will continue to do your duty in this matter, it will not be long before the Church will owe nobody except God. So far as I am concerned, I have not cared particularly whether I shall live a long or short time; still I may say it would be pleasing to me if I could have the privilege of living until every dollar that the Church owes shall be paid, and a handsome surplus remain in the treasury. I want to see that day, if the Lord is willing. But if He is not willing for me to live till that day shall come. I intend at any rate to carry out that purpose to the best of my ability, and to work to that end so long as I do live and am permitted to occupy my present position. Moreover, I say to you that I have two strong, staunch, faithful counselors to assist and encourage me in this endeavor--Presidents Winder and Lund. I think if there is one of the three of us more inclined to be liberal than the others, perhaps it is Brother Lund. His generous, large soul sometimes expands a little farther than Brother Winder's or mine. We do not disagree about it, but we try to be economical and prudent, and eke out that which we have. We are endeavoring to assist the widow and the fatherless, and, as far as our means will go, the different wards and stakes of Zion, in the erection of their meetinghouses. We are trying to do the best we can for the maintenance of our temples and for the continuance of the work that is going on in them. And this requires considerable means. According to our means and the obligations resting upon us, we are doing handsomely, I think, for our Church schools, of which we have a number and they are a credit to the people and to the cause of education. We have at last succeeded in completing the Deseret News building, the foundations of which were laid by President Lorenzo Snow. We have also completed the Deseret News annex. These buildings are truly a credit to our city, but they have been a source of great expense to the Church. They are both costly buildings, especially the main one, built solidly and in the most expensive way, and will stand as a monument to the city for many years to come. They are now paid for, and that obligation is off our hands. Now we have undertaken to assist--not to do it all--in the erection of a Latter-day Saints hospital in this city, where the sick and unfortunate of our people may be taken in an emergency. It will be conducted under the auspices of the Latter-day Saints, and we hope to be able to assist in completing that and still go on paying our debts. But if anybody possessing a surplus of means is generous enough to voluntarily contribute towards the erection of that hospital, we will be glad to receive it from him. Others do such things, but we have not many rich among us, and therefore we do not expect so much from our brethren; but where men have abundance of means and desire to put some of it where it will do good, if they will offer it freely to this hospital, we will accept it with our blessing, and with the blessing of the sick and unfortunate that may be taken there in time to come. The blessing of all will be upon the generous giver. Still we expect to be able to go on with the building until it is completed--that is, the main part. By and by, doubtless, it will have to be enlarged to meet our necessities. Then again, we want the good sisters who have contributed means in the past for the erection of a woman's building in this city, for which a piece of land was designated, to understand that their efforts in this direction are not in vain. Inasmuch as you have contributed your means and have it in safe keeping, it will come in very nicely when we begin to lay the foundations of a memorial building to the name and honor of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and in that building the Relief society, the various quorums of the Priesthood and the general Authorities of the Church will have official habitation and offices. We will erect a building, I hope, that will be creditable to the Church--not, however, until we pay our debts. We do not want to begin to incur new debts until the old ones are wiped out, nor then if we can avoid it. But when we get the means and are otherwise in a position to do it, we hope to put up a building on the old Deseret News corner that will afford headquarters to the presidency of the Church, the Twelve Apostles, the presiding Bishopric, the Seven Presidents of Seventies, and the general and auxiliary organizations of the Church. So we do not want you sisters to be discouraged because you do not see the work going on just at present. We have not used your money; in fact, you control it, and it is where you have put it. It will be there, and perhaps bring you in a little interest, until we get ready to use it. When that time shall come, we will then call upon you to help build yourselves and us a home. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.89 I feel happy in this work. I know it is good. I feel it in every fibre of my being. I am satisfied that the Lord's hand is over His people for good, and that He is lengthening the cords of Zion and strengthening her stakes. I have not been able to travel as much as I would like, but I have had the pleasure of visiting, this summer, our settlements in Canada, in Oregon, and in the Big Horn Basin; and wherever I have gone I have seen unmistakable evidences of God's blessing and approval upon the people. On all sides there are evidences of progress, of increase, of the development of the resources of the land, and of building up and strengthening the stakes of Zion. I feel in my heart that the Lord will continue to bless and prosper Zion. As an evidence that He is doing so, we see that the devil is not dead yet, and he won't die as long as the work of God is alive in the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.89 The Lord bless Zion. Peace be unto you, my brethren and my sisters, and in all your habitations. The peace and blessing of God be upon your families, upon your flocks and your herds, your substance, and all that He has made you stewards over, that these things may be sanctified unto the Lord and blessed of Him to your good and continued happiness in time and to your exaltation in eternity. God bless these faithful men who preside over the stakes of Zion, with their counselors and the members of the High Councils, and the Bishops and their counselors. God bless the presidents of Seventies, the Presiding Bishopric, the Twelve Apostles, and all those who are engaged in the labor of the ministry, until the Saints shall be brought to a knowledge of the truth unto the perfect stature of a man in Christ Jesus; that we may know as we are known, and not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine and by the cunning craftiness of men whereby they lie in wait to deceive. God deliver us from the snares of the adversary, and from the traps that are set for our feet and the pits that are dug for our destruction, and make us to prosper in the land now and forever, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.98 I think all have been delighted during this meeting with the remarks that have been made, the testimonies that have been borne, and the reports that have been given, and with the delightful music that has gratified our ears. I endorse all that has been said, and I commend it to all the Sunday School workers within the sound of my voice. I hope that we will struggle on and upward to attain the highest mark of excellence that it is possible for us to attain, by diligent effort, by study and preparation on the part of the teachers, that they may be able to assist their pupils in their labors and studies to attain a higher excellence. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.98 I desire to commend to this congregation the Juvenile Instructor, for I think I may do so without any egotism on my part, for it is not the little that is said in the Juvenile Instructor, over my own signature that I commend particularly, but the articles that are written by our correspondents, such as have been named here this evening, by those who are cultured and who are studious and experienced. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.98 I was startled a few days ago when a very prominent man in one of our stakes began to flatter me a little, over something that had been published in the Era, in relation to card playing. After he had given me a little taffy, I said to him. "But have you read my articles in the Juvenile?" "Oh, no, I quit taking the Juvenile." "Why so?" "Oh, it shoots over the mark." I began to wonder how long since he had been reading the "little letters" and the communications found in the Letter-box in the Juvenile. I came to the conclusion that my good brother had not been reading the Juvenile for some time past--for a long time past. I am afraid he quit reading it before he quit subscribing for it. Now I will say that the brethren associated with me who are more actively connected with the publication of the Juvenile, because the duties that otherwise devolve upon me, are doing their utmost, and are exerting themselves in great wisdom to publish matter that will be instructive, interesting and profitable to all who read. I desire to say at this time to this congregation that, I have felt very strongly of late a desire, a responsibility, I may say, resting upon me, to admonish the Latter-day Saints everywhere to cease loitering away their precious time, to cease from all idleness. It is said in the revelations that the idler in Zion shall not eat the bread of the laborer, and there is vastly too much, in some parts--not universally; but there is far too much precious time wasted by the youth of Zion, and perhaps by some that are older and more experienced and who ought to know better, in the foolish, vain and unprofitable practice of card-playing. We hear of card parties here and card parties there, and entertainments where the playing of cards is the principal amusement; and the whole evening is thus wasted. The whole precious time of those that are gathered together on occasions of this kind, aggregating many hours, absolutely wasted. If there was nothing else to be said against this practice, that alone should be sufficient to induce Latter-day Saints not to indulge in this foolish and unprofitable pastime. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.98 Read good books. Learn to sing and to recite, and to converse upon subjects that will be of interest to your associates, and at your social gatherings, instead of wasting the time in senseless practices that lead only to mischief and sometimes to serious evil and wrongdoing, instead of doing this, seek out of the best books knowledge and understanding. Read history. Read philosophy, if you wish. Read anything that is good, that will elevate the mind and will add to your stock of knowledge, that those who associate with you may feel an interest in your pursuit of knowledge and of wisdom. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.99 I endorse most heartily the remarks that were made here tonight by Brother Jackson. How can a man or a woman as a teacher in the Sunday school or as one occupied in any other ecclesiastical duty, who is in the habit of playing cards, say to the children, "You must not do it, because it is a waste of time and it may result in your ruin?" Who can give such advice who is in the habit of doing it himself? Who can say to the drunkard, the tippler, the frequenter of saloons, "You must not tipple; you must not frequent saloons you should not darken the doors of such places," if he is in the habit of doing those things himself? What good mother can say to her daughter, "You must keep the word of wisdom," when she does not do it herself? What good father can say to his son, "My son you must not gamble, you must not play games of chance, you must not venture upon unholy ground," when the father himself is guilty of the same practices? It cannot be done, or, if it is done, it will be without force and without effect, except, perhaps, to brand with hypocrisy any such parent who gives such advice to his children and it breeds contempt in the minds of the children when the parents undertake to teach them to be better than they are themselves, or not to do things which they themselves indulge in. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.99 One of the essentials to a good Sunday school is to have good, pure-minded, intelligent, noble, true, and faithful teachers. If you will have a child develop to what he should be, he that teaches the child should be developed to what he ought to be; and until he is developed in intelligence, in faith, in works of righteousness, in purity of heart and mind and spirit, he is not in a very good position to elevate others to it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.99 Take the Juvenile. Remember the Nickel fund. The Lord is blessing Zion. It is but little that is necessary or needed from each when all will do their duty. Now regarding tithing, which is only a just claim upon us. If all the Latter-day Saints will pay an honest tithing of that which the Lord gives to them year by year, the trustee-in-trust, the presiding bishopric and others who are entrusted with the care of the funds of the Church, will have ample means to meet every requirement that is made of them. We shall have plenty to pay all the debts that were incurred during the persecutions of the last few years, and we shall have means on hand, instead of being behind, and we shall have plenty, and the earth will teem with plenty, and the Lord will open the windows of heaven and bless His people. Let me tell you for your consolation, if it is any consolation to those that are reluctant in paying their tithing, that the sectarian preachers of the world are seeking to adopt, in their churches, the principle of tithe paying as the scriptural doctrine and as the most consistent and proper way of raising funds for the maintenance of their church work, instead of having to pass around the hat every time they have a meeting. Tithe paying is according to the law of God, and it will not be a great while, I will venture to say before almost all the sectarian churches that have any tendency towards progress will have adopted the principle of tithing. And I am happy to say that the Latter-day Saints, through the revelation of this principle to the Prophet Joseph Smith, set this example to the world. It is the proper thing to do. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.99 I hope to see the time when we shall not have to ask you for assistance, save it be to pay your fast offerings and your free will offerings, that which you offer for the benefit of the poor or for the accomplishment of some special work in the ministry; that beyond that we shall not have to ask you for anything but your tithing, and that day will come, if we will only do our duty. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1903, p.99 Now, my brethren and sisters, let us do our duty--I do not say, "Do your duty." I say, Let us do our duty, all the time, and God will bless us. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.1 Guiding care and mercy of the Almighty--His requirements of the Latter-day Saints--Condition of the unbelieving--Nature of the Holy Priesthood--The government of God means freedom--The Saints look forward to and long for its establishment. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.1 Feeling very greatly dependent upon the mercies of the Lord for the guiding influence of His Holy Spirit, I am delighted this morning to welcome this vast congregation of Latter-day Saints to the opening meeting of this seventy-fourth annual conference of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.2 We begin our conference on this beautiful morning, I firmly believe, under the divine approval, blessing and favor of Almighty God, who has guided the destiny of His people from the organization of the Church until the present, and whose overruling power has preserved us from the hands of our enemies and guided us in our footsteps and in our journeyings into the tops of these mountains. Here, by His blessing, we have had a measure of peace for lo these many years. We have been permitted to grow and increase in numbers, and, as I believe, in faith, intelligence and in a better and broader understanding of the principles of life and salvation which have been restored to the earth in the latter day, through the administration of divine messengers to man and through the divine calling, appointment and inspiration of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his colaborers in this work, whom the Lord prepared in the beginning and fitted, by the power and influence of His Spirit upon them, for the ministry which they were called to fill and perform in the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.2 It has not been by the wisdom of man that this people have been directed in their course until the present; it has been by the wisdom of Him who is above man and whose knowledge is greater than that of man, and whose power is above the power of man; for it is unto God, our Father, we are indebted for the mercies we have enjoyed and for the present prosperous condition of the people of God throughout this inter-mountain region and throughout the world. The hand of the Lord may not be visible to all. There may be many who can not discern the workings of God's will in the progress and development of this great latter-day work, but there are those who see in every hour and in every moment of the existence of the Church, from its beginning until now, the overruling, almighty hand of Him who sent His Only Begotten Son to the world to become a sacrifice for the sin of the world, that as He was lifted up so He, by reason of His righteousness and power and the sacrifice which He has made, might lift up unto God all the children of men who would hearken to His voice, receive His message and obey His law. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.2 My heart swells with gratitude to God, my Heavenly Father, for His loving kindness and mercy to His people and to the people of our nation and, indeed, to the people of the whole world. I can see the hand-dealing of the Lord not only with us, a little handful of people in the midst of these mountains, but also with the great nation of which we are a part--I was going to say an insignificant part, but I will not qualify this remark in that way. I think also that I can discern the hand of the Lord in His dealings with other nations of the earth, and I fully believe that He, and not the wisdom of men, is shaping the ends or destinies of the nations of the earth for the accomplishment of His purposes in the latter days. Not only are we the people of God, but all the inhabitants of the world are His children, and all men in every land and in every clime who will humble themselves before the Lord and acknowledge Him are entitled to a measure of His blessing, favor, mercy and protection. The Lord will look after them and will overrule circumstances for their good, as He has overruled, in a greater measure, circumstances for the good of His people who have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice, who have obeyed the voice of the Spirit unto them, and have yielded submission to the laws of the Gospel and become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by faith, repentance of sin, and the ordinances of the Gospel that have been instituted by which mankind may be initiated into the family of God and become His sons and His daughters, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.3 I desire to express to you, my brethren and sisters who are here today, my firm and fixed conviction that God, the Eternal Father, is constantly mindful of you. He is mindful of His people throughout all this land, and he will reward you according to your faithfulness in observing the laws of righteousness and of truth. No man need fear in his heart when he is conscious of having lived up to the principles of truth and righteousness as God has required it at his hands, according to his best knowledge and understanding. I do not suppose that you think or that anyone will think that we esteem ourselves as perfect, or as different and apart from other people of the world. We are, indeed, I am sorry to say, altogether too much like the rest of the world in many respects. We are people with like passions, like weaknesses, like imperfections--no, doubt, results of human nature--as the rest of mankind. But the difference lies here: We have made a covenant in our hearts with God, the Eternal Father, that we will forsake sin; that we will eschew the 3 very appearance of evil, as far as we possibly can; that we will overcome to the utmost our weakness and proneness to evil and wrong-doing, that we will seek light from all sources of light and intelligence; that we will seek knowledge that comes from above, and hold our ears open to listen to the words of truth, to the voice of understanding, and to the voice of inspiration that comes from the Lord, or that may come from man, inspiring men to do better, to improve, to advance in the scale of righteousness and of intelligence in the world; and that we will keep ourselves, as far as it is possible for us to do so, clean and pure and unspotted from the sins of the world. That is the difference. We have covenanted with God that we will do this, and we expect that God will require us to keep this covenant that we have made with Him, and that we will strive with all our might to live consistent lives before the Lord and keep His laws. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.3 It is hard, very hard indeed, to make the blind see or the deaf hear; and it is a truth laid down in the doctrines of the Gospel as taught to the ancient Nephites upon this continent, that there are none so blind as those who will not see, and there are none so deaf as those who will not hear. There are those who will not see and who will not hear, and it is vain to attempt to open their eyes, for they will to keep them shut. It is vain that we attempt to open their ears to hear, for they have closed their ears against the everlasting truth and they will not hear it. What are we to do under such circumstances as these? Are we to grieve about it? Shall we slacken our effort in the least because these conditions exist in the world? Shall we turn back from the plow to which we have put our hand because there are those in the world that will not see the truth and will not hear the voice of the Spirit of God calling them to repentance and to obey the commandments of the Lord? Verily no! He would be a weak and vacilating and an unprofitable servant who would turn away from righteousness because there are those who will not repent of their sins and turn unto righteousness. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.3 Our duty is to keep steadily on--on and upward in the direction that the Lord Almighty has marked out for us to pursue. Keep the faith; honor the name of God in your hearts; revere and love the name of Him whose blood was shed for the remission of sins for the world; honor and hold in the highest esteem him whom God raised up in his childhood to lay the foundations of this great latter-day work; honor that power and that authority which we call the Holy Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God, and which has been conferred upon man by God Himself. Honor that Priesthood. What is that Priesthood? It is nothing more and nothing less than divine authority committed unto man from God. That is the principle that we should honor. We hold the keys of that authority and Priesthood ourselves; it has been conferred upon the great masses of the Latter-day Saints. It has, indeed, I may say, been bestowed upon many that were not worthy to receive it and who have not magnified it and who have brought disgrace upon themselves and upon the Priesthood which was conferred upon them. The Priesthood of the Son of God cannot be exercised in any degree of unrighteousness; neither will its power, its virtue and authority abide with him who is corrupt, who is treacherous in his soul toward God and toward his fellow-men. It will not abide in force and power with him who does not honor it in his life by complying with the requirements of heaven. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.4 Some people think it is a dreadful sin for a people like the Latter-day Saints to claim that they believe with all their souls that the world would be better if only the laws of God could be enforced in the world. Some people think that if God's authority, if God's law, if God's righteousness were to be enforced among the children of men that it would deprive men of their liberties, it would bring them into bondage, and that it would debase and degrade them. We do not look at this in this way. We believe that God's will is to exalt men; that the liberty that comes through obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest measure of liberty that can come to man. There is no liberty that men enjoy or pretend to enjoy in the world that is not rounded in the will and in the law of God and that does not have truth for its underlying principle and foundation. It is error that makes bondsmen. It is untruth that degrades mankind. It is error and the lack or knowledge of God's laws and God's will that leaves men in the world on a par with the brute creation; for they have no higher instincts, no higher principle, no higher incentive, no higher aspiration than the brute world if they have not some inspiration that comes from a higher source than man himself. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.4 I believe in God's law. I believe that it is His right to rule in the world. I believe that no man has or should have any valid objection in his mind to the government of God, and the rule of Jesus Christ, in the earth. Let us suppose, for a moment, that Christ were here and that He was bearing rule in the world. Who would come under His condemnation? Who would be subject to His chastening word? Who would be in disharmony or unfellowship with God? Would the righteous man? Would the virtuous man? the pure and virtuous woman? the pure and the honest in heart? the upright? the straightforward? those who do the will of heaven? Would they be in rebellion to Christ's rule if He were to come here to rule? No. They would welcome the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in the earth. They would welcome His law and acknowledge His sovereignty, they would hasten to rally to His standard and to uphold the purpose and the perfection of His laws and of His righteousness. Who would then be recreant to the rule of Christ? The whoremonger, the adulterer, the liar, the sorcerer, he who bears false witness against his neighbor, he who seeks to take advantage of his brother and who would overcome and destroy him for his own worldly gain or profit: the murderer, the despiser of that which is good, the unbeliever in the eternities that lie before us, the atheist, perhaps, although I think that he would not be so far from Christ as some that profess to be teachers of His doctrines and advocates of His laws. It would be the rebellious, the wicked, those who would oppress their neighbors and enslave them if they could. Such as these would be the people who would not welcome the reign of Jesus Christ. Are there any who profess to be Latter-day Saints in this class, and would fear to have Christ reign and rule? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.4 Now, we do not claim that God rules in the sense that the world charge us with believing. We do not claim nor profess that Jesus reigns in the earth as the world charge us with believing. We say that we would welcome His reign. We say and we feel in our hearts that we would love to have Him come and reign and rule among men. We say and we believe in our hearts that so far as we overcome our weaknesses, our imperfections and our rebellious nature which is against the will of the Father, so far as we are able to subdue the carnal mind and the wickedness and the weaknesses of human nature with which we are beset, so far as we are able to rise above the groveling condition of fallen man and attain a higher plane, of virtue, honor, purity and righteousness, that so far, and no farther, does Christ, the Son of God, reign in our hearts. And we would to God that we were in such a condition that He would reign supreme over our souls and all that we possess. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.5 who shall gainsay this? Who shall say that it is wicked to obey Christ? that it is wrong to follow in His footsteps and obey his laws? We will not say that, and we will not, if we can help it, permit ourselves to be crowded into the corner, by which we will have to confess that we would rather that hell should reign on earth than that heaven should reign. We would rather that God would reign, that heaven would 5 smile, that righteousness should prevail, that truth should cover the earth as the waters cover the mighty deep. We would rather that every man and every woman on earth were a child of God and an heir indeed and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. We prefer that. We are working for that; we pray for it; we preach the Gospel for this purpose, and we hope, by the blessing of the Almighty upon our efforts and labors in the world, that before this work shall have completed its mission and the object of its existence in the world, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, to the honor and glory of God and to the redemption of the world. We are going to keep right on in that line as long as God will give us our liberty and permit us to live in the flesh; and when we shall have finished our mission here and go behind the veil, with the Priesthood that has been conferred upon us here and its keys, authority and power, we will continue to administer for the redemption of those that have died without a knowledge of the truth, in the world of spirits, until every son and daughter of God that has lived upon the earth shall have had the privilege of hearing the sound of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of embracing it, that their prison doors may be opened, and that liberty may be proclaimed unto them, the liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, wherewith we are made free. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.5 God bless you. May He pour out His Spirit upon His people and help them to be wise and prudent in their words and in their actions. We say to you keep the laws of God, and you should honor and keep the constitutional laws of men. That is what we say. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.5 We say to you, pay your debts and get out of debt. Pay your obligations and free yourselves from the bondage of obligation, if you can, and as soon as you can. We say to you, protect your own faith by Godly lives. We say to you do unto others as you would have them do unto you--in righteousness. We say to you, keep the faith delivered to the Saints in the latter-day. We say to you, honor God in your lives; honor and love Christ, the Son of God, in your hearts; uphold in honor and maintain respect for the name of Joseph Smith the Prophet of God who was instrumental in laying the foundation of this great latter-day work. Do not turn away at every wind of doctrine or be swayed by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Know the truth for yourselves. Walk in the light as Christ is in the light, and you will have fellowship with Him, and then the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from all sin. God bless you to this end is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.73 A profitable and enjoyable Conference--Privilege Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.73 of the people-- The Gospel includes temporal as well as spiritual salvation--Official statement sustained. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.74 I have been delighted throughout with the spirit of our Conference and with the instructions that have been given to us by those who have spoken. The Spirit of the Lord has been manifest through His servants who have addressed this Conference. I feel that we have had a precious time, and that the Lord has blessed us abundantly by the outpouring of His Spirit, by the beautiful weather we have had in the main, and by the glorious opportunity we have enjoyed of mingling together, of meeting many friends, of witnessing, by our presence here, our interest in the work of the Lord, and of taking part in the transaction of such business as may properly come before this Conference. It is well understood that we meet together in general Conference twice a year for the purpose of presenting the names of those who have been chosen as presiding officers in the Church, and it is understood that those who occupy these positions are dependent upon the voice of the people for the continuance of the authority, the rights and privileges they exercise. The female members of this Church have the same privilege of voting to sustain their Presiding officers as the male members of the Church, and the vote of a sister in good standing counts in every way equal with the vote of a brother. The presentation of the Church authorities is part of the duty that remains to be done before this Conference is brought to a close. Other business will also be presented to the Conference, which may be considered by some as of greater importance than the rest. We desire that the Latter-day Saints will exercise the liberty wherewith they have been made free by the Gospel of Jesus Christ; for they are entitled to know the right from the wrong, to see the truth and draw the line between it and error; and it is their privilege to judge for themselves and to act upon their own free agency with regard to their choice as to sustaining or otherwise those who should exercise the presiding functions among them. We desire the Latter-day Saints at this Conference to exercise their prerogative, which is, to vote as the Spirit of the Lord prompts them on the measures and the men that may be presented unto them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.74 It is not my purpose to prolong remarks. We are living in peculiar times. The situation in which we are placed calls for peculiar wisdom and understanding, and for the full exercise of our rights as Latter-day Saints, who should enjoy the spirit of discernment and inspiration that belong to those who are born of the water and the Spirit, and who, because of this birth, are in a position to see the kingdom of heaven. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.74 At this point President Smith gave out notice of an important meeting of cattle and sheep men to be held in the city, and then spoke as follows: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.74 We may be pardoned for giving out a notice of this kind upon this occasion, but it will not be amiss for me to say that the Latter-day Saints believe not only in the gospel of spiritual salvation, but also in the gospel of temporal salvation. We have to look after the cattle and the sheep and the horses, the gardens and the farms, the irrigation canals and ditches, and other necessary things for the maintenance of ourselves and our families in the earth. In this respect this Church is different from many other denominations. We do not feel that it is possible for men to be really good and faithful Christian people unless they can also be good, faithful, honest and industrious people. Therefore, we preach the gospel of industry, the gospel of economy, the gospel of sobriety. We preach that the idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer, and that the idler is not entitled to an inheritance in Zion. We preach that those who are industrious, those who work, those who through their integrity and industry are good citizens of the kingdom of God, are better citizens of the country in which they live than those who are not so diligent in this regard. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.74 Let me say to the brethren and sisters before we part: When you go home do not only be faithful in your prayers, in secret and in public; do not only be faithful as good church-goers; but be faithful to your families, be faithful to your flocks and to your herds, be faithful in the management of your farms, and in the promotion and conduct of every enterprise in which you are engaged. I would to the Lord that we had a thousand good engineers, mechanics, surveyors and other skilled workmen among us. We could find employment today for hundreds of our people where honesty and faithful devotion to labor are demanded, if we only had the men who were skilled in the work that is required; but we do not have them. When we are applied to for men as boiler makers, as engineers, as builders, as skilled workmen in other directions, and we send out inquiries for them, we cannot find them. The boys are learning something else instead of the arts of labor. I have heard it said that science is what we know, and art is what we know how to do. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.75 Brethren and sisters. Of course you cannot help but have noticed that some of our brethren have been absent from us. I regret very much the absence of a number of the Apostles. We are all sorry that circumstances have prevented them from meeting with us. Elder John Henry Smith has been suffering for some time from inflammatory rheumatism and is still confined to his room. Elder George Teasdale received permisison to retire from active duty over two months ago, and when he left us was in feeble health. Elder Marriner W. Merrill has been prostrated for some time in his home at Cache valley. These brethren have our sympathy and our prayers for their recovery. I regret also the absence from this conference of Elders John W. Taylor and Mathias F. Cowley. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.75 Now I am going to present a matter to you that is unusual and I do it because of a conviction which I feel that it is a proper thing for me to do. I have taken the liberty of having written down what I wish to present, in order that I may say to you the exact words which I would like to have conveyed to your ears, that I may not be misunderstood or misquoted. I present this to the conference for your action: OFFICIAL STATEMENT Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.75 "Inasmuch as there are numerous reports in circulation that plural marriages have been entered into contrary to the official declaration of President Woodruff, of September 26, 1890, commonly called the Manifesto, which was issued by President Woodruff and adopted by the Church at its general conference, October 6, 1890, which forbade any marriages violative of the law of the land; I, Joseph F. Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hereby affirm and declare that no such marriages have been solemnized with the sanction, consent or knowledge of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and "I hereby announce that all such marriages are prohibited, and if any officer or member of the Church shall assume to solemnize or enter into any such marriage he will be deemed in transgression against the Church and will be liable to be dealt with, according to the rules and regulations thereof, and excommunicated therefrom. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.75 "JOSEPH F. SMITH, " Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.75 President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.76 They charge us with being dishonest and untrue to our word. They charge the Church with having violated a "compact," and all this sort of nonsense. I want to see today whether the Latter-day Saints representing the Church in this solemn assembly will not seal these charges as false by their vote. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.76 President Francis M. Lyman presented the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION OF ENDORSEMENT Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.76 "Resolved that we, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in General Conference assembled, hereby approve and endorse the statement and declaration of President Joseph F. Smith, just made to this Conference concerning plural marriages, and will support the courts of the Church in the enforcement thereof." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.76 The resolution was seconded by a number of Presidents of Stakes and prominent Elders. Elder B. H. Roberts, in seconding the resolution, spoke as follows: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.76 "In seconding the resolution that has just been read--which I most heartily do--I desire to state at least one reason for doing it. As remarked by the president, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been accused of being covenant-breakers with this nation. Of course, there never was, and could not be, any compact between the Church and the general government of the United States. But there could be a compact between the State of Utah and the United States, and there was such a compact made in the Constitution of our state, by and through the Constitutional Convention. And now I am pleased with the opportunity of the Church saying in its official capacity that the Latter-day Saints not only now are, but have been, true to the compact between the State of Utah and the United States, and that they are true to the Constitution of the state, which, by express provision, forever prohibited plural or polygamous marriages, and made that irrevocable, without the consent of the United States. The adoption by the Church of this resolution should put to silence those who have accused us of being covenant-breakers." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.76 The resolution was then adopted, by unanimous vote of the Conference. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.81 Observing this choir of children, it would not appear that Zion is growing less, and it would seem to me, too, that so long as we can preserve with us Brother Stephens and a few others of his associates who are engaged in this glorious work of teaching music, both to the adults and to the children a desire and love for the musical will also increase in the midst of our people. I feel that the parents of these little children owe much to the effort of Brother Stephens in his labor of love, in teaching them how to sing and developing the talent for music which lies dormant within them and needs but the instruction, the teaching, the guiding hand and voice of Brother Stephens to develop the talent that they have. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.81 It delights my heart to see our little children learning to sing, and to see the people, our people everywhere, improving their talents as good singers. Everywhere we go among our people, we find sweet voices and talent for music. I believe that this is a manifestation to us of the purpose of the Lord in this direction toward our people, that they will excel in these things, as they should excel in every other good thing. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.81 I do not arise to make any special remarks. I feel gratified at seeing this vast concourse of people here this evening, interested in this Sunday School work, and I hope, my brethren and sisters, that you and all of us may continue to keep awake our interest in the Sunday School cause. It is a very important branch of our spiritual work, the training of our little ones, the training of our Sunday School children and all parents should take a deep interest in this work, and should not spare any pains in making ready and in giving encouragement to their children to attend the Sunday schools. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.81 God bless you as teachers and as Latter-day Saints, as fathers and as mothers of these precious little children who have been given to us to succeed us, eventually, in the great labor of building up Zion in the latter-day. Bring them up in the way that they should go that they will not depart from that way when they grow old; and if you will only see to it carefully that your children are taught in the ways of righteousness, that they are brought up in the paths of virtue and peace and honor." God will magnify you before the nations; of the world, and His work will be hastened in its time. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1904, p.81 God bless you and all who are associated in the work of the Sabbath schools, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.1 (Opening Address.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.1 General prosperity in settlements of the Latter-day Saints--Reference to their Spiritual condition--Organization of the Priesthood and their duties--Ruling objects of the Church the salvation of Mankind. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.1 I am happy in the privilege that I enjoy of being present at the opening of this, the seventy-fifth semi-annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I am pleased to see the number of brethren and sisters who are present. We realize the difficulty in the way of many of the people attending conference on a weekday like this, as they are compelled to labor; business is in full operation, not only in this city and county, but in every other part of the country, and many are busy attending to secular duties, which makes it difficult for them to leave their homes to attend conference on the week days. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.2 It is gratifying, however, to see the number who are here today at the opening meeting of our conference, and I congratulate you, my brethren and sisters, upon being present, and upon the blessings, both temporal and spiritual, that have been poured out upon the people since our last conference. Taken as a whole, the season has been a prosperous one throughout the land, though some localities have suffered more or less. The forepart of our season was seriously injured by drouth, and many people in the southern part of this state and in Arizona, New Mexico, and in old Mexico especially, as also in our colonies in Canada, have suffered seriously because of the protracted drouth that has been upon the land. But the prospect is that the long continued spell of drouth has been broken by copious rains that have descended upon the land, making the fields and the plains and the mountains luxuriant with the growth of herbs and grasses for the sustenance of the flocks and herds of the people, and also for the supply of abundant water for irrigation purposes on their farms. Taking a retrospect of the whole condition, throughout the length and breadth of the land, we feel that it is favorable and that the blessings of the Lord and His merciful hand over all the interests of the people have been visible, and we know that we are indebted greatly to His mercy and kindness for the favors and blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.2 I trust that the spiritual condition of the Latter-day Saints has continued to be as good as the temporal conditions have been, and that we are progressing and growing in the knowledge of the truth and in faithfulness before the Lord in keeping His commandments and His laws as much as He has prospered us temporally; for after all the great desideratum is the faithfulness of the people to the covenants that they have made with the Lord and with each other in righteousness. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.2 Reflecting over the condition of the Church at the present time, since I have been sitting here, I have jotted down a few little items that I wish to refer to briefly. I find that we have now in the United States, Canada and Mexico 55 organized stakes of Zion. As a matter of course, therefore, there are 55 presiding officers over these various stakes, and 110 counselors to the presidents of stakes. In each of these stakes, is an organized High Council, consisting of 12 High Priests, which aggregates 660 High Councilors in the Church today as it is organized, who possess the authority of the Holy Priesthood to minister for the salvation of the souls of men, and who sit as judges, with the presidents of stakes and their counselors, in all the affairs of the Church, and who are called upon and are expected to be exemplars before the people, setting before them examples that are worthy of imitation and of emulation --fathers indeed to the people and judges of righteousness in their midst. This, of course, constitutes quite an army of official workers-men who are expected to be instant in season and out of season; men upon whom rests great responsibility; wise counselors, assisting the presidencies of the various stakes to regulate the affairs of their churches and to set in order the houses of the Saints and the stake organizations throughout the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.2 In connection with the 55 organized stakes of Zion we have in the neighborhood of 20 different organized missions throughout the world, presided over by presidents and counselors, and these missions are supplied with Elders and Seventies that are sent out to preach the Gospel, numbering at the present time in the neighborhood of 1,500 Elders. Of course these Elders are not only traveling throughout the United States, but throughout Europe, in the islands of the sea and in New Zealand and Australia; also in the Holy Land, where we have an organized mission and Elders are there preaching the Gospel to those people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.3 I am informed also that we have 626 organized wards. Of course, these organizations vary from time to time; that is, they frequently increase, and occasionally a ward is disorganized, being joined with another ward, making two into one. Over these wards there are 626 Bishops presiding, and 1,252 Bishops' counselors, who are a mighty power in the midst of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The officers of these organizations are the officers of the Church who come in immediate contact with the people and who are in direct intercourse with them. It is expected that the Bishop of a ward with his counselors will understand the necessities of every member of his ward. Then they have as assistants and helpers a large corps of Elders, and Priests, Teachers and Deacons of the Lesser Priesthood, who render assistance to them in the temporal as well as the spiritual affairs of the Church. It devolves upon the Bishopric of the ward to look after the poor, to minister unto the sick and the afflicted and to see that there is no want nor suffering among the people in these organized divisions of the Church. It is also the duty of these presiding officers in the Church to look after the spiritual welfare of the people, to see that they are living moral, pure and upright lives, that they are faithful in the discharge of their duties as Latter-day Saints, that they are honest in their dealings with one another, and with all the world. It is their business to see that spiritual light exists in their hearts, and that the people under their presidency and direction are living the lives of Saints, as far as it is possible for men and women, in the mortal body, beset by the weaknesses and imperfections of mankind, can be Saints. Great responsibility rests upon these, and we have at work in the Church, in this relation, a vast corps of efficient men who are laboring diligently for the welfare of mankind. And all these labor without salaries. They are not paid officers. It is true that they receive assistance from time to time, as they may need, in a small way, but not one obtains what the world would esteem as a salary, nor can they be called paid officers of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.3 We have also in the Church today. I am informed, 146 quorums of Seventy. These constitute a body of Elders of somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 men, whose special duty it is to respond to the call of the Apostles to preach the Gospel, without purse or scrip, to all the nations of the earth. They are minute men. It is expected that they will be ready, whenever they are called, to go out in the world, or to go out to the various organizations of the Church to fulfill missions and to perform such duties as shall be required of them, in order that the work of the Lord and the work of the ministry may be upheld and sustained and carried on in the Church and throughout the world. These councils or quorums of Seventy are not always full, a full council being 70 Elders. But there are approximately 10,000 Elders who now hold that position in the Church. They are called to an apostolic calling. They are required to be special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is expected of this body of men that they will have burning in their souls the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy; that they will be full of light and of the knowledge of the truth; that they will be enthusiastic in their calling, and in the cause of Zion, and that they will be ready at any moment, when required, to go out into the world, or anywhere throughout the Church and bear testimony of the truth, preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and set examples before the world of purity, love, honesty, uprightness and integrity to the truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.4 In addition to these organizations we have in each stake of Zion an organization called the High Priests' quorum, to which all High Priests of the Church belong, including the presidency and high councilors of the stake, and also the Bishops and their counselors, all the Patriarchs and all others who have been ordained to the office of High Priest in the Church, which office is the office of presidency in the Melchisedek Priesthood, not that every man who holds the office of High Priest is a president. Only he who is called, appointed and set apart to preside among the High Priests holds the presiding authority and office. But it is the duty of these quorums of High Priests to act in their calling; not to sit idly down and be indifferent to the interests of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor indifferent to the saving of the souls of men. It is expected that this quorum of Priesthood in the various stakes of Zion will look after all the interests of the stake; that is, that they will look after the moral condition of the people; that they will teach righteousness; that they will see that those who are acting in presiding authority in the stakes of Zion, are upright, honest, pure and humble men, and fit for the positions in which they are called to act. Thus this council of the Priesthood constitutes a council of power and influence in the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.4 "Then we have the Elders' organizations. A council or quorum of Elders is composed of 96 Elders. There may be a number of councils or quorums of Elders in each stake. I am not prepared to state how many Elders we have in the Church; but they are very numerous. It is the duty of this body of men to be standing ministers at home; to be ready at the call of the presiding officers of the Church and the stakes, to labor in the ministry at home, and to officiate in any calling that may be required of them, whether it be to work in the temples, or to labor in the ministry at home, or whether it be to go out into the world, along with the Seventies, to preach the Gospel to the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.4 "We have a number of Patriarchs in the Church, whose duty it is to bestow blessings upon the heads of those who seek blessings at their hands. They are fathers. They hold the evangelical office in the Church. It is their business and right to bestow blessings upon the people, to make promises unto them in the name of the Lord, as it may be given them by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to comfort them in the hours of sorrow and trouble, to strengthen their faith by the promises that shall be made to them through the Spirit of God, and to be fathers indeed of the people, leading them into all truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.4 "Then we have the Lesser Priesthood, which attends to the different temporal matters of the Church, consisting of Priests, Teachers and Deacons, who labor under the direction of the Bishopric in the various wards in which they dwell, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, the unifying of the people and bringing them up to the standard of righteousness that they should reach in the flesh, according to the light they possess and the ability and talent which the Lord has given them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.5 "This, my brethren and sisters, is a very brief outline of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has been organized by the wisdom of the Almighty, and not by the wisdom of man. It has been organized to accomplish the purposes that the Lord has in view to be accomplished by it. The people are organized that they may be taught righteousness; that they may be faithful before the Lord in keeping the covenants that they have made with Him in righteousness. Among these covenants are that they will cease from sin and from all unrighteousness; that they will work righteousness in their lives; that they will abstain from the use of intoxicants, from the use of strong drinks of every description, from the use of tobacco, from every vile thing, and from extremes in every phase of life; that they will not take the name of God in vain; that they will not bear false witness against their neighbor; that they will seek to love their neighbors as themselves; to carry out the golden rule of the Lord, 'Do unto others as they would that others should do unto them.' These principles are involved in the covenants that the people have made in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it is expected that these officers and presiding authorities in the Church, whom I have curcorily named, shall see to it that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day' Saints will keep these covenants that they have made with the Lord, and that they will observe these principles and adapt them to their lives and carry them out, that they may be indeed the salt of the earth; not salt that has lost its savor and is good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men, but salt that has its savor and that is wholesome; that the people of God may be a light unto this generation and unto the world; that men may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven; and that notwithstanding enemies, who are filled with the spirit of persecution, and who say all manner of false things against the Latter-day Saints, those who have entered into the covenant of the Gospel will keep the commandments of the Lord, will obey the dictates of the Spirit of the Lord unto them, will work righteousness in the earth, and will go right on in the path that Almighty God has marked out for them to pursue, fulfilling and accomplishing His will and His purposes concerning them in the latter day. It does not make any difference to us what the world says about us, we know what our mission is, and we propose to fulfill that mission by the help of Almighty God, and that mission is to save men from the errors of the world, from darkness, from unbelief in the true and living God and in the redeeming sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, that men may not fall into infidelity, that they may not abandon the truth nor the paths of righteousness God has marked out for them to walk in. That is our mission. It is to save men from error, from wickedness and from apostatizing from truth and righteousness, and that men might believe in the true and living God, and in Jesus Christ whom he has sent into the world, whom to know is life eternal. Our mission is to save men from the powers of darkness and from the snares and pitfalls of Satan wherein they are tempted from paths of truth to commit sin, and bring degradation, sorrow and shame upon themselves by transgressing the laws of God and the laws of life. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.5 "We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which we have received; for we know that it is the power of God unto salvation unto all that believe and receive it in their hearts and live it according to the will and purpose of God. Now, my brethren and sisters, I rejoice in these principles. I praise God with all my soul that He has restored the Priesthood. And what is the Priesthood? It is nothing more nor less than the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, and act legitimately; not assuming that authority, not borrowing it from generations that are dead and gone, but authority that has been given in this day in which we live by ministering angels and spirits from above, direct from the presence of Almighty God, who have come to the earth in our day and restored the Priesthood to the children of men, by which they may baptize for the remission of sins and lay on hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and by which they can remit sin, with the sanction and blessing of Almighty God. It is the same power and Priesthood that was committed to the disciples of Christ while He was upon the earth; that whatsoever they should bind on earth should be bound in heaven, and whatsoever they should loose on earth should be loosed in heaven, and whomsoever they should bless should be blessed, and if they cursed, in the spirit of righteousness and meekness before God, God would confirm that curse. But men are not called upon to curse mankind; that is not our mission: it is our mission to preach righteousness to them. It is our business to love and to bless men, and to redeem them from the fall and from the wickedness of the world. This is our mission and our special calling. God will curse and will exercise His judgment in those matters. Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay. We are perfectly willing to leave vengeance in the hands of God and let Him judge between us and our enemies and let Him reward them according to His own wisdom and mercy. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.6 "Now, may the Lord bless us throughout this conference. I can feel that I am doing injury to my voice in continuing to speak. I have been suffering for the past two or three weeks with a very severe cold, which has greatly affected my voice, and I am only just recovering from it. But I am pleased that I have had the privilege of speaking a few words to you at the opening of this conference. I pray God to bless the people that shall come here, and pour out His spirit upon them, to make their hearts warm up and burn with affection toward Him for His abundant mercies unto them, and with love for one another and for all mankind; for it is our mission to save the world from sin and darkness and to lead all to a knowledge of God and His truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.6 May the Lord help us to consummate the mission He has given unto us, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.42 Preservation of Health of Missionaries. It may be proper for me to state at this time, for the information of the Elders, and also for the information of the local authorities of the Church, as well as the fathers and mothers and kindred of the Elders who are out in the world preaching the Gospel, that the Presidents of all the Missions are under strict instructions from the Presidency of the Church to guard carefully the health of the Elders that are laboring under their direction. These Presidents of Missions are also under instructions to send home any and all Elders whose health or whose other circumstances may make it necessary for them to return. We are frequently enquired of by parents relative to the health of Young men who are out preaching the Gospel, and we invariably inform them that the Presidents of Missions are carefully guarding the welfare of their sons, and if anything serious occurs to them, making it necessary for them to return home, it will be promptly attended to, and they need not worry about their boys on that account. And while I am on my feet, I would like to exhort the Elders who are upon missions, and those who shall go upon missions in the future, not to allow the thought to enter their hearts that they will be criticised or be made to suffer in their character or their standing in the Church because their health will not permit them to fill a two or three years' mission abroad. We would like them rather to feel in themselves a wholesome aversion to coming home without having filled an honorable mission, when their health and other conditions will permit them to do so; and if they have any reluctance about coming home at all, before completing their missions, it should be based upon this principle. These men that are appointed to preside over the missions are men of intelligence and of heart, men who are filled with affection for their fellow laborers, and they will see to it that none of the Elders are left in their fields of labor to suffer, if it can be avoided. So, brethren, and sisters, you need not worry at all in regard to these matters. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.75 It gives me pleasure to announce that, so far as my eye could detect, the voting has been unanimous in favor of sustaining the officers whose names have been presented before the conference. I now only need to express the hope that we will sustain by our faith and prayers, by our good works and words, and by our confidence and love, all these men and women who are called to officiate in these responsible positions in the Church, as we have sustained them this day by the lifting-up of our hands. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.76 May God help us to be united and strong for in union there is strength, and our strength will be made more and more manifest among men in proportion as we manifest our union and our love one for another, and for the children of men, and especially for the cause of Zion. God bless the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. God bless good and honest men everywhere. May the blessing of peace rest upon our great nation. May the favor of the Lord accompany our people throughout the length and breadth of our broad land, and upon the islands of the seas, where the benefits of our glorious government are being extended for the uplifting of the heathen and for the civilization of nations which have for ages dwelt in barbarism and ignorance. May God bless those who bless our nation and our people, and may the mercies of our Heavenly Father be extended unto our enemies and those who would overthrow us and wipe us out of existence if it were in their power. May they repent that He may forgive them, open their eyes and soften their hearts, that they may foresee the pits into which they are hastening, and that they may turn away from their sins in time to receive the clemency and mercy of our all-forgiving Father, and be saved at last in His Kingdom. These are my prayers and my earnest desires in behalf of the people of God and of all the peoples of the earth, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.87 I do not desire to occupy very much time. I am delighted always to have the privilege of meeting with that class of our people who are so deeply interested in teaching the children and in taking part in the work of the Sabbath Schools, and I sincerely hope that we shall succeed in impressing upon the minds of the rising generation a sincere regard, not only for themselves, to keep themselves pure and unspotted from the world, but a sincere regard for the rights and privileges of others. Our children should be taught to respect not only their fathers and their mothers, and their brothers and sisters, but they should be taught to respect all mankind, and especially should they be instructed and taught and brought up to honor the aged and the infirm, the unfortunate and the poor, the needy and those who need the sympathies of mankind. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.88 We too frequently see a disposition on the part of our children to make fun of the unfortunate. A poor cripple, Or a poor, weak-minded person comes along, and the boys will poke fun at him, and make unbecoming remarks about him. This is entirely wrong, and such a spirit as this should never be witnessed among the children of the Latter-day Saints. They ought to he taught better at home. They should be thoroughly taught better than this in our Sunday schools, and in all the schools, as far as that is concerned, that our children attend. Our children should be taught to venerate that which is holy, that which is sacred. They should venerate the name of God. They should hold in sacred veneration the name of the Son of God. They should not take Their holy names in vain; and they should also be taught to respect and venerate the temples of God, the places of worship of their fathers and mothers. Our children should be taught also that they have rights in the house of the Lord equal to their parents and equal to their neighbors or anybody else. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.88 It always pains me to see our little ones disturbed in this right. I witnessed a little circumstance in our meeting this afternoon. The house was crowded in every part. A person was standing in the aisle, and a little child was sitting by its mother on a seat. Somebody came along and took the little child off its seat, and took the seat himself, leaving the child to stand. I want to say to you, my brethren and sisters, that that act sent a pang to my heart. I would not, for anything in the shape of remuneration of a worldly character, grieve the heart of a little child in the house of God, lest an impression should be left upon its mind that would make the house of worship a distasteful place, and it would prefer not to come within its walls, than to come and be offended. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.88 I once witnessed a circumstance of the kind in one of our most popular meetinghouses, I may say. A little child had come in, in good season, and taken a seat. By and by a lady came in. The seats seemed to be all occupied. She took the child by the arm, jerked it off the seat, and sat down upon it herself, leaving the child to stand. I had all I could do to hold my tongue and my temper when I witnessed the circumstance. I had half a mind to get up, and ask that lady to get up off that seat and let that child sit there. It had more right to sit there than she had, for it came and had it first, and was in the house of the Lord. The child was made to feel that it had no right there. It was made to feel that that person that came in later had a better claim to the seat than the child itself. That is wrong. Our children have just as much right to come into the house of God as any person has and we should respect them in that right ourselves, and in turn the children will respect us. But when we cease to respect the rights of little children, it is a lesson to them which we inculcate in their minds, that they are not bound to respect us. But when we respect them, treat them as intelligent beings, treat them as our successors in life and entitled to responsibilities in life, they will grow up to respect us and hold us in reverence, and respect our rights just as we respect theirs. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.88 I desire that we will inculcate this principle of esteem in the hearts of our children for their parents, for their brothers and sisters, for their neighbors and their associates, and especially for those whom the Lord has called and clothed with authority to administer in the midst of the people. I think our children should be taught these principles, that they should be instilled into their hearts, and as we have been hearing tonight from Brother Morton, it should be a part of their nature to love one another and respect one another, to respect that which is sacred, that which has been consecrated to the worship of the Lord or to sacred purposes. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.89 Our children should be made and taught to respect these things in the Sunday schools. There is where you can teach them, and in our religion class work they can be taught these principles, more especially in these organizations; and also in the primary associations, better perhaps than they can be anywhere else, because they are taken in these associations at the ages when they are most impressionable, and when these things can be made permanent in their minds. The things that are impressed upon the minds of children take stronger hold than in after or later life. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.89 Well now, my brethren and sisters, let us respect one another. Let us respect that which is sacred. Let us honor the name of the Father and of the Son. Let us speak kindly of one another. Speak no ill of any man, no matter if such men are not what they should be; it does no good for us to promulgate and publish abroad and keep alive in our memories or tn the memories of others the imperfections, the sins and the wrong doings of others. We had better strive to amend and improve that which is not good. Always seek that which is better, and that which will purify the heart and ennoble the mind, and that will lead men to higher thoughts, higher aspirations and better and purer work in the world, that they may become more and more like the Son of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.89 May the Lord bless all those who work in the Sunday schools, and help them in the performance of their duties, and bless the children of Zion, that what has been said tonight, and what was said today, may indeed be true of them, that they are not ashamed of their parents, that they are not ashamed of their religion, that they are not ashamed of the work their parents have done in the land, but that they are proud of these things, and that they venerate their parents because of their fidelity, and because they have been firm and true and steadfast in the midst of persecutions and in the midst of hatred that has been manifest against them by the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1904, p.89 God bless you, and bless our children, and all Israel, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. (Opening address.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.1 Condition of General Contentment Among the Latter-day Saints.--What Tithing is Used For.--Unhealthy Excresences Must be Removed.--Zion is Established, and Will Remain.--The Church Not Led by Man.--The Lord Has Made the Nation Great. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.1 My Brethren and Sisters--It is certainly a great satisfaction and pleasure to me to see this large assembly of Latter-day Saints, gathered here on the opening day of our seventy-fifth annual conference. I am pleased to see you and meet with you; and with the blessings of the Lord and the guiding influence of His Holy Spirit I trust that I shall also be pleased in the opportunity afforded me at this moment of speaking to you for a short time. I feel exceedingly dependent upon the promptings of the Spirit to my mind. You may think it strange for me to say that I have had no moments to bestow upon any forethought with reference to what I shall say to you this morning. I stand before you without premeditation or forethought as to what I shall say. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.2 I believe that I can say to you with all confidence that so far as my knowledge extends, the Latter-day Saints throughout this intermountain region and the adjoining country, and so far as I know throughout the world, are in excellent spiritual condition. I believe that the Latter-day Saints enjoy as much today of the true spirit of their religion as they ever have enjoyed; I believe there is as much union among our people throughout the length and breadth of the land as has ever existed in the church. I think I can confidently say that there are as few local difficulties and troubles among the people, coming before the church courts, before the Bishops and before the High Councils, as I have ever known before within the scope of my remembrance and knowledge. We are perhaps never entirely free from little misunderstandings among neighbors and members of the church one place or another, and it is often the case that these little misunderstandings, arising among our brothers and sisters, are brought before the teachers and perhaps before the Bishops for adjudication and reconciliation, but I think I will be justified in saying, and that the truth will verify the same, that within my knowledge and according to my best understanding, there never was, since I can remember, any less of these little misunderstandings and difficulties than exist today. Indeed I may say that misunderstandings have been far more pronounced in years that have gone by than they appear to be now. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.2 I believe that there is a feeling of general contentment among the Latter-day Saints, and of satisfaction in their minds and hearts with reference to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and to the divinity of the great mission and atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In other words I believe that the Latter-day Saints are today as devoted, fervent and firm in their convictions of the truth and in their knowledge thereof, as they ever have been at any period of the church's history from its beginning down to the present time. I believe that these statements can be seconded and vouched for by the presiding authorities of the church throughout the length and breadth of the land. We have these brethren here before us,--presidents of stakes and their counselors, the Bishops and their counselors and the presidents of our various missions; and I am satisfied that they will, one and all, verify the statements that I have made with reference to the present condition of the church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.2 Not only is this so, but I believe that the time has never been when the financial, or the temporal condition, of the Latter-day Saints was better or more encouraging than at the present. I believe that our people are generally prosperous and I am satisfied that there is still greater prosperity in store for them through their continued faithfulness. I believe that the Lord will bless the earth for their sake, that He will temper the elements for their good, that He will prosper them in the labor of their hands and in the thoughts of their minds; that He will guide them by the power of His Spirit into all truth and into the possession of those temporal blessing that are so necessary to make a people happy, contented and blessed in the land. With reference to this matter I desire to say that we have I believe a very correct criterion by which to judge the spiritual and temporal condition of the church. The records of the church will show at the closing of the accounts for the past year that the tithing and the offerings of the Latter-day Saints have been a little above what would be called the average. We have had one or two more prosperous years in the past judging by this criterion, the tithings of the people, but last year was a little above the average, notwithstanding the fact that during the last few years our people in many parts of the country have been suffering from a protracted drouth, in which they have come short in their crops, and have suffered materially in their flocks and in their herds. In many places the drouth has been so severe that the people have been under the necessity of borrowing means with which to secure for themselves seed grain for the present year. I want to say to you, my brethren and sisters, and especially to those who preside over the church, that it is a matter of pride and of satisfaction to my mind that the church is in a condition to assist those that are in need of this kind of assistance, and we have done, so. If anyone should feel dissatisfied with the action of the Trustee-in-Trust and his counselors and associates, in extending aid to the Latter-day Saints in such matters of extremity as this, they know where to make their complaints, and I should be glad to meet them and consider these questions. We wish it distinctly understood that while the Lord preserves us in the positions to which we have been called, the positions which we did not seek, but which, by the providence of God, have been brought upon us, we will hold ourselves responsible before God and before His people to render material and financial aid to the Saints in every direction where we feel that it is necessary to do so. Our people in the south have been unfortunate to some extent in having their dams washed away by floods. For a long series of years they have had drouth, the earth became parched and dry, and when the late rains and floods came they washed away some of their dams, and the people sent up their cries to us for help, and we have helped them. We thank God that we are in a position to help them, and so far as I am concerned I would be pleased if I could know that every dollar of the tithing that I pay to the church is employed in some good work of this kind by which the Saints are strengthened in building up Zion, in establishing their settlements and in "holding the fort" if you please. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.3 In addition to this I am happy to say to this congregation and to all the world so far as my words may go, that we have taken the liberty, and we have taken pride, and still feel proud of the opportunity that has been afforded us, and of the ability that we have possessed to accomplish it--to render aid to many of our missions abroad in the Purchase and in the establishment of mission headquarters and the building of churches in which they can meet to worship God, and to which they will not be ashamed to invite the stranger to come and join with them. We have used some of the tithings of the people for this purpose, and we think that when the church desires to call us to an account for matters of this kind there is a way by which they can reach it which will not occasion any noise or confusion and I trust without any misunderstanding whatever. I believe we can come to a perfect understanding with reference to these matters. We have been able, too, to purchase quite a tract of land in Jackson county adjacent to the site that was chosen by the Prophet Joseph Smith for a temple, to be built some day; and some few of our people have generously contributed specially for the accomplishment of this purpose, but the most of the means that have been employed for the accomplishment of this object have necessarily been taken from the general tithing funds of the church. By this means also we have been able to secure elegant headquarters for our people in the Northern States mission; we have been able to assist the Southern States mission to obtain headquarters; and we have also been enabled to assist the British mission to obtain a comfortable home and headquarters, where the "Star" that has been published for so many years, can continue to be published for the advancement of the work the Latter-day Saints and of the Elders in the British mission. We have been able to assist largely in the erection of a commodious house of worship in Copenhagen, Denmark, also in Christiania, Norway, and also in Stockholm, Sweden; and we have assisted also in obtaining headquarters for our people who live upon many of the islands of the sea. We have secured a tract of land upon the Islands of Samoa for the purpose of gathering our Saints where they can receive the benefits of church organization, the benefits of Sunday schools, Mutual Improvement associations and Sabbath worship, and where they can be taught the arts of industry and self-support. We have assisted our people in Australia and New Zealand in a similar way. And withall we have met more than one-half of the bonded indebtedness of the church; and we are in a condition, when the time shall be ripe for it, provided the Saints continue to meet their obligations in their tithes and offerings, to pay off the remaining portion of the church indebtedness; when, I trust, by the blessings of the Almighty, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will see a day in which it will be absolutely free from debt and under obligation to no man; and it will not be long before this consummation is realized if we continue our work in the future as we have done it in the past. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.4 Now, my brethren and sisters, it is not my purpose to continue my remarks very long. I desired briefly to refer to these matters of which I have spoken, and it just occurs to my mind that in addition to the few things I have named--and I have not named them all--that it would be very proper for me to state that the church with a very small assistance from the estate of Dr. William H. Groves, has been able to erect a first-class, well appointed hospital in this city, fire proof in every way, and equal to the best that can probably be found in any part of the world. We have been found fault with for this, that is to say, we have been charged with (hesitating)--pardon me if I do not mention that it is too small a matter. However, we have cranks, you know, among the Latter-day Saints as well as among the people of the world; and every once in a while you come across an individual who is all one-sided, who can only see out of one eye and out of a very small corner of the one eye, too, who is not capable of comprehending more than one thing at a time, who selects a certain little hobby--a certain little idea, a single thought, and straddles that idea and that single thought and commences to ride it, and it is impossible to unhorse him from his hobby, because his mind is not capable of grasping more than that single little thought. We have such individuals as that, and it was from one of these individuals, one of these cranks, that we received not long ago solemn objection to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints putting any of its means or tithing into a hospital. It was wicked and wrong to build hospitals according to his idea. Well, we will let such people go for what they are worth; they are scarcely worth noticing, and I feel that I should not have noticed it at all; but we have such individuals among us more or less. We have a variety of curiously formed creatures, rising up amongst us occasionally, who are filled with the spirit of evil and hatred towards the truth and the people of God. It is only natural that this should be so. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.4 It has occurred to me somewhat in this way; that the body of the church is likened to the body of a man, and you know men do sometimes get their systems a little deranged--that is to say, sometimes they are flea-bitten. Fleas bite them and mosquitoes bite them and cause little swellings to rise on their faces and hands. Sometimes they have boils upon them, and carbuncles, sebaceous tumors and other excresences, that only need the application of the lance to let out the humor from them or to excise them from the body, or cut them off and let them go, so that the body may be cleansed from their poisonous effects. It is so with the church. From time to time there are characters who become a law unto themselves and they follow the bent of their own "sweet will" until they get themselves into a condition mentally and spiritually that they become a menace to the body ecclesiastic. In other words, they become like a boil, tumor or carbuncle on the body, and you have to call in the surgeon to apply the knife to cut them out, that the body may be cleansed from them; and this has been the case from the beginning. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.5 From time to time these conditions arise and we have them to meet, and they will continue to arise from time to time, and we shall have them to meet; but they will never amount to more than a pimple or a little sore on the surface of the body, and no one need to be alarmed at all for the consequences. Zion is established in the midst of the earth to remain. It is God Almighty's work, which He Himself, by His own wisdom, and not by the wisdom of man, has restored to the earth in the latter days, and He has established it upon principles of truth and righteousness, of purity of life and revelation from God, that it can no more be thrown down nor left to another people, so long as the majority of the church of Jesus' Christ of Latter-day Saints will abide in their covenants with the Lord and will keep themselves pure and unspotted from the world, as all members of the church should keep themselves. Then it will be as God has decreed, perpetual and eternal, until His will is accomplished and His purposes fulfilled among the children of men. No people can ever prosper and flourish very long unless they abide in God's truth. There is nothing, no individuality, no combined influence among men that can prevail over the truth. The truth is mighty and it will prevail. It may be slow in the consummation of its purpose, in the accomplishment of the work that it has to do, but it is and will be sure; for the truth cannot and will not fail, for the Lord Almighty is behind it. It is His Work, and He will see to it that it is accomplished. The kingdom is the Lord's, and the Lord is capable of taking care of it. He has always taken care of it. I want to say to you that there never was a time since the organization of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when a man led the church, not for one moment. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.5 It was not so in the days of Joseph; it was not so in the days of Brigham Young; it has not been so since; it never will be so. The direction of this work among the people of the world will never be left to men. It is God's work, let me tell you, and I hope you will put it down in your memoranda, and do not forget that it is the Almighty that is going to do this work and consummate it, and not man. No man shall have the honor of doing it nor has any man ever had the power to do it of himself. It is God's work. If it had been the work of man, we would have been like the rest of the world, and it would not have been true of us that God had chosen us out of the world, but we would be a part of it and "Hail fellow, well met" with it, but it is true that God has chosen us out of the world; therefore we are not of it; and therefore they hate us and they will fight us and say all manner of evil against us falsely, as they have ever done from the beginning. And they will continue to seek the destruction of the Latter-day Saints, and to feel toward us in the future as they have felt in the past. Now don't you forget it my brethren and sisters. When you go home, if you have not been in the habit of doing it or if you have neglected your duty, when you go home today or to your homes in distant settlements, carry this injunction with you: Go into your secret chambers--go into your prayer rooms and there by yourselves or with your families gathered around you, bow your knees before God Almighty in praise and in thanksgiving to Him for His merciful providence that has been over you and over all His people from the inception of this work down to the present. Remember that it is the gift of God to man, that it is His power and His guiding influence that has accomplished what we see has been accomplished. It has not been done by the wisdom of men. It is proper we should give honor to those who have been instrumental in bringing to pass much righteousness. They are instruments in God's hand, and we should not ignore that they are such instruments, and we should honor them as such; but when we undertake to give them the honor for accomplishing this work and take the honor from God, who qualified the men to do the work, we are doing an injustice to God. We are robbing Him of the honor that rightfully belongs to Him and giving it to men who are only instrumental in the hands of God in accomplishing His purposes. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.6 Now, may the Lord bless you, my brothers and sisters, and keep you in His holy keeping. But let me say, referring again to the last remarks, when you go home see to it that you observe this duty that devolves upon all members of the church, to go before the Lord in prayer. Then when you rise up in the morning, before you go out into the world to engage in your daily avocations, bow yourselves before Almighty God with a heart full of gratitude and with thankful spirits before Him and unto Him, for His mercy, which endureth forever, and for His loving kindness, not only to us as individuals but to the whole people and to the whole people of our great nation. The Lord has blessed the people of our nation. The Lord has given to them the choicest of all lands upon the earth, and He has made them a great and a free people. He has blessed them with wealth and with power, not only in our own land, but power among the nations of the world. The Lord Almighty has made this nation great and He will continue to preserve it in its greatness and He will magnify it before the world so long as the people of the nation will observe honest laws, virtue, purity of life and equal justice to be meted out unto all men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.6 I feel proud of the nation of which we are a part because I am convinced in my own mind that there is not another nation upon the face of the globe where the Lord Almighty could have established His church with so little difficulty and opposition as He has done here in these United States. This was a free country and religious toleration was the sentiment of the people of the land. It was an asylum for the oppressed. All the people of the world were invited here to make homes of freedom for themselves, and under these tolerant circumstances the Lord was able to establish His church, and has been able to maintain it and preserve it up to this time, that it has grown and spread, until it has become respectable--not only by its numbers, not only by the few years of age that it possesses, but respectable because of its intelligence, respectable because of its honesty, its purity, union and industry, and for all its virtues. It has become respectable before those who are intelligent enough to study it and who come to see and understand the truth for themselves. It is true there are those in the world who are so prejudiced shine upon them. They close their ears and will not hear, though the truth is spoken unto them, and they shut their eyes so they cannot see and close their hearts that they may not understand. Though you declare unto them the truth they will deny it and reject it. We cannot help this. God will deal with them in His own time and in His own way, and we only need to do our duty, keep the faith ourselves, to work righteousness in the world ourselves and leave the results in the hands of Him who overruleth all things for the good of those who love Him and keep His commandments. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.6 Now may peace be and abide in your hearts. May the union that has hitherto characterized our associations continue among us. May our people continue in their love for the truth and in their love for one another. May they continue in their honesty of purpose, in their uprightness, in their industry, in the spirit of non-complaint and in the spirit of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God for the blessings that we receive, the blessings of the earth, the blessings of the Spirit of the Lord that is given to us. And I hope that we will continue during the sessions of this conference to have a good attendance, and that we may have a peaceable spirit of love unfeigned in our hearts, one for another, joy inexpressible for the opportunity we have of meeting together in this house that has been built for this purpose and to attend to the duties that devolve upon us as members of the church, and that we may go hence at the close of this conference strengthened in the faith, encouraged in our good endeavors, and with a renewed determination that as for us and for ours we will serve God and let the world do its worst. May God bless you is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen." Prest. Jos. F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.46 Attendance Exceeding All Previous Conferences, an Evidence of Increasing Faith.--Blesses All Who Desire to Do Good and Establish Peace.--Strong Declaration of Loyalty to the Nation and to the Government. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.46 I would like to say to this vast congregation that I am delighted to see you here and to note the interest which is manifested by the Latter-day Saints in this conference. I sincerely hope that the same calm, peaceful spirit which has pervaded the meeting hitherto will continue to be with us until the close of this seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Church. Let every man and woman holding a membership in the Church exercise that faith which it is their right to exercise, and let them remember that the Lord hears and answers the prayers of those who petition Him in faith, nothing doubting, for the peaceable influence of His Holy Spirit, for the light thereof to shine upon their understanding, and for the strengthening of their good resolutions to serve God and keep His commandments. Thus far I do not think this conference has been surpassed for the number of those in attendance, and for the warmth of fellowship that has been manifested on the part of all that have assembled here. I pray God, my Heavenly Father, that this spirit of union, fellowship and love may continue to the end of the conference, and that this spirit may spread to the uttermost bounds of the Church, that the people may be renewed, strengthened, built up, and established in the truth of the Gospel of the Son of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.46 I feel from the depths of my heart to bless the Latter-day Saints, and I cry for blessings upon the heads of all people who have in their hearts a desire to do good and to establish peace and goodwill among the children of men. I pray not only for the prosperity of Zion, but for the prosperity of our nation. We must always bear in mind that we are not only citizens of the Kingdom of God, but we are citizens of the United States, and of the states in which we dwell. We have ever been loyal both to our State and Nation, as well as the the Church of God, and we are at the defiance of the world to prove to the contrary. We have been willing to fight our country's battles, to defend her honor, to uphold and sustain her good name, and we propose to continue in this loyalty to our nation and to our people unto the end. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.46 Now, I did not design to speak this morning. May God bless you. May peace dwell in your soul. May the love of God pervade your hearts and minds. May light and truth shine upon your understandings. May wisdom be given unto you. Be prudent in all your acts. May you be devoted to the cause of Zion and to the upbuilding of the Church and people of God throughout the length and breadth of the land. Let every officer of the Church be loyal to his calling, loyal to his people, and loyal to everything that is good, pure, noble and godlike. Let no man shrink from his duty for fear of consequences, nor from the responsibility that rests upon him by reason of the calling which he has received through the holy Priesthood. Let us remember that the Gospel has come to stay, and to be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. We have ourselves and mankind to save from the errors and sins of the world, and from those evils to which men are prone, that they may come o to the marvelous light of the Gospel of Christ and be made free from the law of sin and death, in the glorious liberty of the children of God. May He bless you, and may peace abide in your hearts, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus, Amen President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.83 I shall not attempt, particularly, to dwell upon any subject. I shall perhaps make but a few remarks. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.83 I desire to say a word or two in praise and commendation of the Ogden Tabernacle choir. In looking at the faces, especially of the brethren, I find that the choir is largely composed of young men, of youths; and this has made an impression upon my mind which is highly commendable to the people of Ogden and to the Ogden Tabernacle choir. I wish I could say as much for the Salt Lake Tabernacle choir, although we have a number of young men connected with the Tabernacle choir; yet we have a very heavy sprinkling of the good old fathers and stand-bys who have been associated with it almost from time immemorable. I am glad to see them there, but I would like to see a greater interest manifested in the art of singing by our young men, and I am glad to see the example that is set before us this evening in the choir from Ogden. I have not looked at the ladies so much. I am naturally a little timid about looking at the ladies, but I notice that there is a large number of them that are also quite young, and I am proud of it, and I am proud to say that I discover that I have a few kinswomen myself in the choir from Ogden. I recollect on one occasion attending a conference, and we had a nice choir, in fact, I think about one of the nicest choirs I ever did see, because they were all ladies except one. There was one middle-aged man connected with the choir, who was present during a portion of the conference, but he wasn't there all the time. And the choir was led by a lady, and the singing was all done by the sisters, and it was very beautiful, very delightful and enjoyable Indeed. But I happened to inquire why it was that we did not have some of the young men in the choir, and I was informed that the young men of the community thought it beneath their dignity to sing, and it reminded me of a saying of Dr. Talmage (not our Dr. Talmage, but the wonderful Dr. Talmage of New York)--a particular friend of the "Mormon" people, you know. (Laughter.) The gentleman who was going to herd all the "Mormon" people in to the Tabernacle and Temple and then open the guns of Fort Douglas and put an end to them. Nevertheless, he said one good thing while he was lecturing here in the Theater. He said something like this, that a man that could sing and wouldn't sing ought to go to Sing Sing, and I always remembered it. And I am greatly pleased to see our young people taking an interest in choir singing, and I congratulate Brother Ballantyne in having the beautiful voices that he has to assist him in his choir. Certainly not only the citizens of Ogden have occasion to be proud of the Ogden Tabernacle choir, but all the Latter-day Saints have; and I need not repeat here what I have said many times before, that all Israel have reason to be proud of the Salt Lake Tabernacle choir. And then there are a great many more choirs among the Latter-day Saints who deserve the praise and the pride of the Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.83 I am sorry to be under the necessity of expressing my deep regrets at the departure from among us, since the last meeting of this conference six months ago, of one of our most faithful, energetic and intelligent laborers in the Sunday school cause. We have been called upon to part with one of our best men, one of our truest men, a man in whom all men could place confidence and have no fear that they would ever be deceived or feel that they had misplaced their confidence. It is but recently that we have carried to his last resting place our beloved brother, Leonard John Nuttall, who was one of the most faithful workers in the Sabbath school. I sincerely hope that we shall not be called upon to part with any others that are still here among us until we shall have the pleasure of meeting again in this building six months hence. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.84 The attendance at this conference and the attendance at this meeting is phenomenal. I do not remember ever before seeing so many people together on an occasion like this. The body of the hall is almost filled, besides the great numbers in the gallery. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.84 I sincerely hope that the instructions that have been given us by Dr. Talmage and by Brother Joseph M. Tanner, will sink deep into our hearts, and that we may be able to draw the distinctions that have been so clearly defined by these able speakers, that we may understand the difference, the real difference, between true religion and undefiled before God, the Father, which is "to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" and the theology of the world; theology, speaking of it in words used by the learned divines of the present day, in which they profess their faith in that which they call energy, and call it God. Now, surprising as this may be to you, and surprising as it was to me to learn this fact, I had an opportunity of sitting In the tabernacle of Henry Ward Beecher in Brooklyn--since his death--and listening to the Revelation Lyman Abbott deliver one of the most eloquent discourses I ever listened to, eloquent in words, eloquent in figure, and very beautiful in expression; and the summing up of the whole discourse was, that the thing that he worshiped and the thing that he called God was nothing more and nothing less than energy. Now that may be theology, but it is not true religion. It is false religion, if you can call it religion at all. Then the difference between the practical religion of Jesus Christ, based upon the doctrine, "Whosoever heareth these words of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a man who built his house upon a rock, and when the storms descended and the winds blew and beat upon the house it fell not, for it was rounded upon a rock." This is true religion, and it is very different indeed from the religion of the people of the world, who worship the Lord only knows what, for they themselves do not know. The fact of the matter is, they have confessed it as a part of their religious belief, that to know God would be to destroy God. God, in order to be God, must be incomprehensible to man, and therefore the moment that a man could comprehend Deity, He would cease to be God. I read that many years ago as being the thought of some very learned theologians. And yet it is said in the scriptures, "To know Thee, the only true and living God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent, is life eternal." And if we can only attain life eternal by knowing and understanding the only true and living God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent into the world, we must not worship energy. Neither must we come to the conclusion to rest on the idea that God is something incomprehensible, not describable, something that fills the immensity of space, without form or fashion, and yet so Small that He can dance a Jig on the point of a cambric needle. Now that may be theology, but it is not religion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.84 Just a word or two in relation to our children and to their training at home, as also the training that they should receive carefully in the Sabbath schools. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.85 Parents, in the first-place, whether they do it or not, should love and respect each other, and treat each other with respectful decorum and kindly regard all the time. The husband should treat his wife with the utmost courtesy and respect. The husband should never insult her, he should never speak slightingly of her, but should always hold her in highest esteem in the home, in the presence of their children. We do not always do it, perhaps; some of us, perhaps, do not do it at all. But nevertheless it is true that we ought to do it. The wife, also should treat the husband with the greatest respect and courtesy. Her words to him should not be keen and cutting and sarcastic, She should not cast slurs or insinuations at him. She should not nag him. She Should not try to arouse his anger or to make things unpleasant about the home. The wife should be a Joy to her husband; and she should live and conduct herself at home so that the home will be the most joyous, the most blessed place on earth to her husband. This should be the condition of the husband and the wife, the father and the mother within the sacred precincts of that holy place, the home. Then it will be easy for the parents to instill into the hearts of their little children, not only love for their fathers and their mothers, not only respect and courtesy toward their parents, but love and courtesy and deference between the children at home. The little brothers will respect their little sisters. The little boys will respect one another. The little girls will respect each other, and the girls and boys will respect each other, and treat each other with that love, that deference and respect that should be observed in the home on the part of the little children. Then it will be easy for the Sunday School teacher to continue the training of the child under the hallowed influence of the Sabbath school; and the child will be tractable and easily led, because the foundation of a correct education has been laid in the heart and mind of the child at home. The teacher can then help the little children brought up under these Proper influences, to render respect and courtesy to all men and especially to the unfortunate, the aged and the infirm. If we could only bring up our children in this way at home, and this home influence be extended in the Sabbath schools as well as in the day schools, it would not be long before children would meet a cripple in the street with reverence and pity. They would express the very picture of sympathy in their faces, and their souls full of love and sympathy would go out for the unfortunate. How is it today? Too often it is the case that we see a poor half-demented Person, the poor cripple, the aged and infirm, perhaps the ill-clad and uncanny passing along and the boys in the street are abusing them, throwing snow balls at them, perchance throwing stones at them, and doing anything in their power to annoy and make their miserable lives still more miserable; and this because of the want of respect, of sympathy and love that they should feel for the unfortunate. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.85 We have too much of such conduct amongst us; there is too much of it in the world, and there is too little training of children toward respecting all men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.85 I believe in the example that was set by the illustrious father of our country. On one occasion, it is told of him, as he was passing along with some of his aides, dressed in his uniform as general of the armies of the United States, that he met a colored man. The colored man, most reverently and courteously took off his hat and made a low bow to the general. The general took off his hat and bowed as courteously to the colored man. His associate generals remonstrated with him. They said, "General, it is beneath Your dignity to bow to a negro." General Washington turned to them and said, "Gentlemen, I cannot afford to have a negro outdo me in courtesy," So it would be well for us as Latter-day Saints, and as the children of the Latter-day Saints, and as the teachers of the children of this people, to teach courtesy and respect toward all mankind, and implant kindness in the hearts of our children towards the unfortunate especially. There is too little of it. I go along the street here and I see little boys with cigarettes in their mouths; I actually see young men, just budding into manhood with nasty stinking old pipes in their mouths, or with cigars between their teeth, as they walk along the streets. I see boys walk with beautiful young ladies on the sidewalks, smoking their cigars. I think it is contemptible to see boys with cigarettes and pipes and cigars in their mouths, puffing their infamous smudge into the faces of beautiful women. It is abominable. And when I see a man, a boy especially, with a cigar or a pipe in his mouth--the pipe is the worse, it stinks worse and it is more poisonous, a great deal, than the cigar is, although I have never tried either of them very much; but when I meet a youth with these attachments, I feel that if I could be justified under any circumstances in passing anyone by with contempt, they are the fellows that I would pass with contempt. I never like to bow or take off my hat to a boy or a young man with a cigar or a cigarette in his mouth. I don't like to bow to a cigarette. I don't like to bow and pay deference to a nasty old stinking tobacco pipe. I think that is more condescending by far than to bow to a courteous gentlemanly man who is unfortunate enough to be colored with a black skin. I have seen many polished gentlemen in my life who have been unfortunate enough not to be white, that is in their skin; but in their hearts and in their manners, in their courtesy and conduct, they were far superior to many of their boasting white brothers. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.86 Teach your children not to smoke. Persuade them not to do it. Watch and look after them, and try to teach them better, and to be courteous and kind. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1905, p.86 May the Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters, in your most important duties as teachers in the Sabbath Schools of the youth of Zion. May the Lord guide you by His Spirit. Remember this, that the great difference between the theology that we have been hearing of and true religion is this, that the fruits of the Spirit of God--the fruits of the spirit of true religion--are peace and love, virtue and honesty, and integrity, and fidelity to every virtue known in the law of God, while the spirit of the World is vicious. Read the fifth chapter of Galatians, and there you will discover the difference between the fruits of the Spirit of God and the fruits of the spirit of the world. That is one of the great and chief differences between "Mormonism," so called, and the theology of the world. If "Mormonism" is anything at all more than other religions, it is that it is practical, that the results of obedience to it are practical, that it makes good and that it takes even bad makes good ones of them. That is "Mormonism" will do, if we will only permit it to do it, if we will bow to its mandates and adopt its precepts in our lives it will make us the sons and the daughters of God, worthy eventually, to dwell in the presence of the Almighty in the heavens. God bless us and help us to become so worthy, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. (Opening Address,) Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.1 Reasons for thanksgiving to God.--General condition of the Church highly satisfactory.--Injunction urgently repeated, "Get out of debt."--Many more missionaries needed.--"Zion is growing;" more and larger buildings needed for Church schools, etc.--The tithing accounts can be seen by tithe-payers.--Satan and his agents cannot stop the progress of God's work. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.2 I desire to say, welcome to all the Latter-day Saints, and to our friends and the stranger within our gates, at the opening of this seventy-sixth semiannual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am pleased to be with you, and am exceedingly grateful to the Lord for His kind mercies and preserving care that have been extended to us all during the past six months, in that we have been blessed with life, health and prosperity, and have been preserved to attend this conference in the enjoyment of so many precious gifts and blessings. I think we may consistently congratulate ourselves on the great goodness manifested toward us by Him from whom all blessings come, in preserving us in the truth, putting into our hearts and continuing within us that earnest desire which we all must feel for the upbuilding of Zion, the spread of truth, the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord, and for the establishment of righteousness in the carts of our children, our associates and of the people of the world; and that earnest desire also which we all should feel for those who are misled and are sitting in darkness and know not the truth, that we may become instrumental in the hands of the Lord of extending to all such, as far as it nay be possible, a knowledge of the Gospel which we have embraced, that they too may see the light, if they choose to do so; and if they choose not the light, but prefer to remain In darkness, that they may be left without excuse. I feel thankful every day of my life for that desire in my heart, and I would fear that the Lord was withdrawing His Spirit from me if I did not entertain that feeling, and did not have an earnest desire in my soul for good, and not for evil. I am thankful to the Lord that He gives me the desire to do good, and not evil; that He leads my thoughts in the channels of honor, virtue, uprightness, and integrity to those principles which I have espoused. And I believe that all Latter-day Saints possess that spirit and feeling in their hearts, and that they have reason to be grateful to the Lord every day of their lives that their ambitions, their hopes and their desires are for good, and not for evil. The Latter-day Saints possess the spirit of salvation, and not the spirit of destruction; the spirit of life, not the spirit of death; the spirit of peace, not of disunion; the spirit of love for their fellowbeings, not the spirit of hate. And for the enjoyment of this spirit by the saints of the Most High we all have great cause to render praise and thanksgiving to Him who has so ordered it, and who has given to us humility to receive and that measure of His Spirit which inclines our hearts to good and not to evil. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.2 Since our last general conference, the general authorities of the Church, I believe, have been performing their duty to the best of their ability, according to their strength and the gifts of God that they possess. They have been diligent. Not one of them has declined to respond to any call that has been made upon him. The Apostles and the Seventies have been faithful in attending to the various quarterly conferences of the Church: and from all the reports that we have heard of their labors, we are given to understand that the people have not only been satisfied with their ministrations, but the Apostles and Seventies, and the Elders who have accompanied them, have reported most satisfactorily of the condition generally of the Latter-day Saints where they have visited. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.2 The reports that we have received from the various missions are most encouraging, with this one exception: the demand from the missionary fields for Elders to preach the Gospel to the world seems more than we can fill. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.2 The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. It seems impossible for us to meet the requirements that are made of us for missionaries. In this connection it may be proper for me to say that in some instances --far too many--these who have been invited to go on missions have replied that while they felt honored with the call they regretted to say that their circumstances were such that they could not see their way clear to go as they were involved in debt. They had assumed pecuniary responsibilities that they could not discharge at that time, and they were obliged to ask for further time in order to liquidate their indebtedness and prepare themselves to go into the world to preach the Gospel. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.3 For three years and more my text and the text of my brethren, to the Latter-day Saints and to ourselves, has been, pay your debts; get out of debt, and then remain out of debt, by living economically by being prudent with means by saying up and gathering in our resources thus preparing ourselves to meet our necessities with ready means, instead of being inclined to go to the stores, to the implement shops, and to the various establishments, to purchase goods on credit--goods which it might be possible for us to do without, at least until we could pay down for them and get the cash price. Reports have come to us from various parts of the Church that many of our people are still being gulled by traveling agents, and persuaded to enter into obligations for wagons, for agricultural implements, for sewing machines, for stoves and heaters, and for almost every imaginable thing, giving therefor ironclad notes, at highest prices, with agreements compelling them to surrender the goods whenever they fail to pay interest and principal as specified, under which they are liable to have the goods taken from them and lose all they have paid thereon. Many of our people are unwise enough to deal with men in this way. If they would only save their means, and live so that they will have means on hand instead of being obligated to others, it would be far better for them, and there would be fewer excuses on the part of Elders who are invited to take missions in consequence of their being involved in debt. Besides it would not cost them so much to live. We do not mind when a young man is not able to take a mission because he is building a home for his wife and is under contract for it. That is all right. We will excuse him, he is at liberty to remain until he has accomplished his home work, and when he is ready he can report himself as prepared to take his mission. Now, I repeat to the people present at this conference: My injunction, and the injunction of my brethren of the Presidency and of the Twelve, is, Get out of debt; pay your honest obligations, free yourselves so that you will be at liberty to perform any duty that you desire or that may be asked of you for the upbuilding of Zion and the spread of truth. We do not care what the world says with reference to our preaching the Gospel, nor with reference to the necessity of young men being asked to go out into the world to preach the Gospel. In nine hundred and ninety-nine times out of a thousand the young men who are asked to take missions to the nations of the earth respond cheerfully and gladly, and rejoice that they are considered worthy to go out bearing the message of life and salvation to their fellowmen. It is a privilege, it is an honor to them to be accounted worthy to bear the name of God and the message of life and salvation to the world, and no amount of ridicule, no amount of false accusations and malicious charges, will ever change their thoughts and feelings with respect to this work. They know what they are doing. And there is no coercion used in matters of this kind. It is all free will, all free grace. Never was there a man required to go on a mission to the world, or sent on a mission, who had any objection to going or who declined to go. Those who have gone out to preach the Gospel have gone willingly, cheerfully, gladly, because they have felt it was to their own advantage and a great honor. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.3 Then I repeat, the only difficulty we have to meet now with reference to the preaching of the Gospel in the various missions in the earth is that we are unable to furnish the number and the character of the help required. We would like the young men to prepare themselves, financially and intellectually, and above all spiritually, having the testimony of the Gospel in their hearts, that when they shall be called to go upon missions they will be ready to go, so that we may be in a position to supply the Elders necessary to preach the Gospel to the world. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.3 A large amount of means has been expended in the erection of meeting-houses in the various wards and stakes of Zion, and the Trustee-in-Trust has been called upon to furnish large sums of money to assist; and also, in many instances, to assist the people in the erection of church schoolhouses and houses of amusement. We would like all the world to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aims not only to provide houses of worship for its members, but it also aims to provide houses of instruction and houses of amusement as well, that the people of the Church, old and young, may have places where they can assemble in the dance, in concerts, in musical festivals, and in intellectual feasts, that they may have scope for the enjoyment of every desire of their hearts in righteousness. I will say to you that the Church has been as liberal in these matters as it was possible to be in view of the obligations that still rest upon the Trustee-in-Trust. Our Church schools are increasing, and the demand is increasing continually for means with which to keep them going, and also for the purpose of erecting additional buildings to accommodate the children. When we tell you that almost every Church school throughout the land is filled to overflowing, you may perhaps discern the growth of the people of God and the progress and advancement of our educational institutions. No sooner is one building completed than it is discovered that it is too small, and that more room is required. From time to time, therefore, we have to assist ill enlarging and in providing accommodation for our children. I think that the Latter-day Saints will be able to discern in this fact a glorious truth. Zion is growing, and interest is being increased in the hearts of the people in proper education and training, to the end that our children may go to schools where the Bible is not excluded, where the Book of Mormon and the Book of D&C are admitted, and where true religion may be taught as well as letters and the sciences and arts. The Trustee-in-Trust has also assisted largely in procuring mission houses in Scandinavia, in Great Britain, in the islands of the, sea, and in our own land of America. We are now helping to build a place of worship and a dwelling-house at Papeete, Tahiti. We have done the same in Samoa. Assistance has also been rendered to the New Zealand mission for a similar purpose, and to Australia as well. In these island missions we are extending aid to our people in order to give them a better standing and wider influence, that they may gain the respect they merit; for, as a rule, the people of those islands are very poor. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.4 Since our last conference the Scandinavian mission has been divided in two, for the convenience of the people. Sweden has been organized into a mission of itself, with headquarters at Stockholm; and the Scandinavian mission now consists of Denmark and Norway. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.4 Casting one's thoughts over all the field, we cannot come to any other conclusion than that the work of the Lord is alive, healthy and vigorous, in every land where the Gospel of the son of God is preached by the Elders of the Church. It is spreading abroad, and the power and influence of the people is growing for good. The strangers who visit us see the contrast between the false and slanderous representations that are sent abroad with reference to the Latter-day Saints and the actual conditions existing here, and they go away agreeably disappointed, delighted with what they see and hear, and convinced that no people, perhaps, upon the earth are so much villified as are the Latter-day Saints. I sometimes feel that I can see the hand of Providence in the work that is going on in the world; for surely it only takes an eye, half open to discover the fraud and misrepresentation, the slanders and the lies that are circulated throughout the world with reference to the Latter-day Saints. If people will only come and see for themselves, if they will only take the pains to inform themselves of the truth, and compare conditions here with the false reports that are circulated, the very contrast will make the truth more forceful to their minds. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.4 Brother Horace S. Ensign, who has presided for a number of years in the, Japanese mission, has returned, and the presidency of that mission has been turned over to Brother Alma O. Taylor. A number of young men have recently been sent to that mission. The Elders that have been there have succeeded in learning the language, as Is the case In other foreign missions. Wherever the Elders of the Church go they are remarkable in acquiring speedily and thoroughly the language, of the people to whom they are sent. Everywhere the Spirit of the Lord whispers to the honest in heart who are faithful and gives to them the assurance, that His hand is stretched out continually over His people; that as, in the past, He has preserved them and delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, so in the future He will continue to preserve and deliver them, and he will make the wrath of the wicked to praise Him and to accomplish the more speedily His purposes. We have every evidence to convince Us that the work of the Lord is a reality, a living, active, progressive work in the earth. Let me say to you that the Latter-day Saints throughout the length and breadth of the land have faithfully and honestly, I believe, as ever they did in their lives, observed the law of tithing. I am happy to say to you that the tithes of the people have not diminished, but they have increased, notwithstanding the disasters that have occurred in some portions of the land. In some Darts hailstorms have destroyed portions of the crops; in other parts there have been more or less drouth, and Insects, which have cut short the crops in some, degree; but this has only been to a limited extent; the most of the Products of the land have been blessed and are abundant, and the majority of the People have reaped bounteous harvests, through the blessing of God upon their labors. I am happy to say this to you. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.5 I want to say further to the Saints, that your brethren to whom you have entrusted the care and management of the finances of the Church stand ready and willing, any moment, to answer to you--to Latter-day Saints, to tithe-payers, to those who are in the faith of the Gospel--for our stewardship. We can give you an account of our doings to the last senine; and I defy any man on earth to point his finger to a dollar that is willfully wasted, or stolen by the servants of God. The tithing books are kept as accurately and as perfectly as any books kept in any bank. Every man that pays a dollar tithing gets his credit on the books; and if he wants to see that his credit is there he can go and see for himself. But we do not Propose to open our books and show your accounts to every Tom, Dick and Harry in the land that never did pay any tithing. We do not propose to do that, if we can help it. But you Latter-day Saints who pay your tithes and your offerings, if you want to see for yourselves that you may be eye and ear witnesses, the books are open to you and you can come and examine your accounts any business day you want. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1905, p.5 Now, we are thankful to the Lord that we are counted worthy to be taken notice of by the devil. I would fear very much for our safety if we had fallen into a condition where the devil ceased to be concerned about us. So long as the Spirit of the Lord is enjoyed by You, so long as you are living your religion and keeping the commandments of the Lord, walking uprightly before Him, I assure you that the adversary of souls will not rest easy; he will be discontented with you will find fault with you, and he will arraign you before his bar; but that will not hurt you very much if you will only just keep on doing right. You do not need to worry in the least, the Lord will take care of you and bless you. He will also take care of His servants, and will bless them and help them to accomplish His Purposes; and all the powers of darkness combined in earth and in hell cannot prevent it. They may take men's lives; they may slay and destroy, if they will; but they cannot destroy the purposes of God, nor stop the progress of His work. He has stretched forth His hand to accomplish His purposes, and the arm of flesh cannot stay it. He will cut His work short in righteousness, and will hasten His purposes in His own time. It is only necessary for us to try with our might to keep pace with the onward Progress of the work of the Lord, then God will preserve and protect us, and will prepare the way before us, that we shall live and multiply and replenish the earth and always do His will; which may God grant is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. (Closing Address.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.93 Love, goodwill, and devotion manifest by the people.--Blessings pronounced upon all the faithful, Priesthood and Saints.--Words of blessing, commendation, and encouragement for the singers, their leader, the organist etc.--The Apostles, Patriarch, and veteran workers for Zion blessed.--Earnest prayer for mercy upon his slanderers and enemies of the Church--Appeal to the Saints to be living witnesses, that "Mormonism" is God's work. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.93 I desire, very briefly, as me time is already spent, on behalf of myself and my counselors, and also on behalf of the Quorum of the Apostles, the Presiding Patriarch, the Presiding Bishopric and others of the general authorities of the Church represented at this conference, to offer to you, ye men and women of Israel, our most sincere thanks and gratitude, both to you and to our Father an heaven, for your prompt, faithful and numerous attendance at this conference, for the splendid spirit you have manifested, for the union that has characterized all our assemblies, for the love and goodwill shown by all Who have met here in the name of the Lord; and I say, in the name of the Lord, be ye blessed, in your basket and in your store, in your outgoing and in your incoming in the labor of your hands and in the labor of your minds, and in your prayers and your devotion to the cause of Zion. May the Spirit and power and light of the living God shine upon you, and move you to acts of righteousness, of truth, of union, or strength and of power in the Priesthood or God which you hold, and which blessings have been pronounced upon you in sacred places by those who hold the keys and authority to bless on earth and you will be blessed in heaven, to bind on earth and it will be bound in heaven, and to loose on earth and it will be loosed in heaven. God bless you. These mighty men who sit before this stand, clothed with power from Almighty God, they are not self-called. They have not been chosen by man. They have not chosen themselves. But they have been called by the power of the Almighty to stand in high places in the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as Presidents, as fathers to the people, as counselors, as judges, and as leaders, walking in the way that the people of God should follow them Into all truth and into the possession of greater light, greater power and wisdom and understanding. God bless you, my brethren. And while you stand united, as you have stood in the past, and as you have manifested your union here during this conference, so God will magnify you before your flocks and in the midst of your people, and will Increase your power and your strength to do good and to accomplish His purposes, until you shall be satisfied with your labors and have exceeding great Joy therein; and your people will rise up and call you blessed, they writ pray for you and sustain you by their faith and good works. Let us go home strengthened, built up, encouraged, and more determined than ever before to serve God and Him obey. No matter what the world thinks or anybody says, let us do our duty; and in the language of Joshua let us say, "as for me and my house, we will serve God." Let this be the sentiment of every heart represented at this vast conference. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.94 In behalf of you who are assembled here, my brethren and sisters, I desire to extend thanks and gratitude to Evan Stephens--a man gifted of God, talented in music, in poetry and in song, and above and beyond all that, a man gifted with humility and with faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who is not only diligent in his labors here with this great choir, but who is faithful in his soul to the cause of Zion. He bears testimony to the truth in song and praise. I want to say, in behalf of this vast assembly, Brother Evan Stephens, God bless you and keep you long in the service In which you are engaged for the people of God and for the cause of Zion, and in behalf of this great choir. And then, in behalf of this congregation, too, I extend our appreciation and our gratitude to Brother John J. McClellan, and his assistants. We thank God that He has given us boys and girls, born and reared in our midst, that possess talent equal to that possessed by any men or women born in the world. We will not admit that they are second to any. I thank God also, in your behalf, for this choir, who have devoted hours, days, weeks and months, aye, and years, in the service or the people; who have won a name that is enviable, not only among the Latter-day Saints and the people of Utah, but a name that has extended beyond our borders to the uttermost parts of the earth. God bless you [speaking to the choir], you men and boys or Israel and you daughters of Zion. Peace be unto you. May your voices ever ring clear and true in the songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God for His mercies and kindnesses unto His people. The Lord preserve you. Be not discouraged easily. Attend to your duty, follow your file leaders, be united, and seek to make melody in the worship of Almighty God, who has given to you your precious voices and has put it into your hearts to labor in the capacity of a choir for the benefit of Zion. The Lord bless you, and He will bless you; and in the name of Israel's God, as a servant of the Lord. I bless you. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.95 Again, in my own behalf, and in behalf of my counselors, President Winder and President Lund. I want to thank these my fellow-servants in the Apostleship. They are true men. They are honest men. They are God's servants, and I know it. I am intimate with them, I live with them, I labor with them, and I know their hearts and their works. Their lives are open unto me, and unto the living God; they are true men, and I bless them. God bless these my brethren. They are true to the Father, and I know that so long as they are true to Him they will be true to all the interests or His people, and true to His servants, and no power can turn them from God's cause. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.95 God bless and preserve my brother, the Presiding Patriarch of the Church. May the Lord lend unto Him the enlightening, invigorating power of the Holy Ghost, that in his administrations as a Patriarch to the people he may speak the truth, and only the truth, and that his words may be words of soberness and knowledge, words of comfort and consolation to those on whom he lays his hands, that they may go away from his administration blessed in very deed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.95 I want to bless some of my veteran friends who are here. I say, God bless you, brethren. You and I have grown grey in the cause of Zion. You have ever been on the frontiers of danger, as protectors of the rights of the people and as protectors or the servants of the Lord from those who would injure and do them harm. I say, God bless you, and He will bless you, and I bless you in the name of Israel's God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.95 Let the Lord God have mercy upon those that seek to hurt the cause of Zion. O God, pity the misguided, the erring, the foolish, the unwise. Put Thy Spirit in their hearts, turn them from the error of their ways and from their follies, and bring them back into the way of righteousness and into Thy favor. I ask mercy for my enemies--those that lie about me and slander me, and that speak all manner of evil against me falsely. In return, I beseech God my Heavenly Father to nave mercy upon them; for those who do it not knowing what they are doing are only misguided, and those who are doing it with their eyes open certainly need, most of all, the mercy, compassion and pity of God. May God pity them. May He have mercy upon them. I would not harm a hair of their head, for all I am worth In the world. I would not throw a block in their way to prosperity. No; and I beseech my brethren that they keep hands off the enemies of our people and those who are paving their own road to destruction and will not repent, who are sinning with their eyes open, who know that they are transgressing the laws of God and villifying and lying against the servants of the Lord. Have mercy upon them. Do not touch them; for that is just what they would like. Let them alone. Let them go. Give them the liberty or speech they want. Let them tell their own story, and write their own doom. We can afford it. They do not hurt us, and if it affords them any amusement, I am sure they are welcome to it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.95 I feel like blessing the quorums of the Priesthood, every one of them, from the High Priests to the Deacons. I pray God, my Heavenly Father to remember them in their organizations, to help them, that they may magnify the Priesthood they hold and do the will of the Father; that the Seventies may be minute men, instant in season and out of season, ready and willing to respond to the calls that are made upon them to go and preach the Gospel to the world. Gather in from the Elders quorums those who have proven themselves worthy and who nave gained experience, and make Seventies of them, so that the quorum of the Seventies may be replenished; and the aged ones, whose physical condition will not permit them any longer to do missionary duty in the world, let them be ordained High priests and patriarchs, to bless the people and to minister at home. Gather in the strong, the vigorous, the young, the able-bodied, who have the spirit of the Gospel in their hearts, to fill up the ranks of the, Seventies, that we may have ministers to preach the Gospel to the world. They are needed. We cannot now meet the demand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.96 I feel like blessing the auxiliary organizations, which are so powerful in wielding influences for seed among the youth of Zion. May the Lord bless them, one and all, and make them to continue to be useful in their callings, that they may be able to magnify them in honor before God in all the world. Peace be unto those that preside In all these organizations, that they may be equal to the duties that devolve upon them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.96 God bless you all. May peace abound with you. Let this assembly of His people come up as a witness unto. God and unto the world that "Mormonism" is a living, moving entity; that it is not dead nor sleeping, but that it is alive and awake, growing and advancing in the land; and let the world know it. Amen. General Supeintendent President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.109 We have now been assembled here for about two hours, and I feel that it would be improper for us to prolong our meeting. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.109 I would like, however, to add my testimony to all the testimonies that have been borne this evening, but more particularly to endorse and emphasize the remarks made by Dr. Talmage in relation to the duty of presiding officers, Of course we should follow in our Mutual Improvement associations and In our quorum capacities, and in every way where we have organizations in the Church, auxiliary or otherwise, the pattern, as nearly as we can, that the Lord has given us. A Bishop is the presiding officer of his ward, and where the Bishop is in the ward, his counselors and those who axe members of his ward are subject to his presidency. He cannot yield it up. He cannot give it to another; or, if he does, he violates one of the sacred principles of the government of the priesthood. He may direct his counselors, the first or the second, to do his will, to carry out his wishes, to execute his desires, or his commands; but in so doing the counselor does not act as the Bishop, but he acts under the direction of the presiding authority. He does not act independently of the Bishop, but subordinate to the Bishop, and is subject entirely to the Bishop's direction. This principle prevails, or should prevail, in the Sunday school organization of the Church. We can commission and appoint; that is, those who preside, can call upon their aids for assistance, they can direct them to accomplish labors, but in every instance when they do, it is by and with and under the consent of the presiding authority, and by his advice, but not independently. Our missions have not always been organized strictly according to the pattern that the Lord has given. In a great many instances the presiding Elder has been the sole presiding officer of the mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.110 But in recent years, in many instances, it has been deemed wise, not only to have a presiding Elder in the mission, but also assistants to the president, or counselors, that they may render him such assistance and counsel as he may need. In all these things the presiding officer is the head, should be regarded in his place, and his place Should be held sacred in the minds of his associates. And no man possessing a correct understanding of the spirit of the Gospel and of the authority and law of the holy priesthood will attempt for a moment to run before his file leader or to do anything--assume to do anything that is not strictly In harmony with his wish and the authority that belongs to him. The moment a man in subordinate position begins to usurp the authority of his file leader, that moment he is out of his place, and proves by his conduct that he does not comprehend his duty, that he is not acting in the line of his calling, and is a dangerous character. He will set bad examples, he will mislead, he will lead others into error having fallen into error himself; indeed, he is in error the moment he acts contrary to and independent of the direction of his presiding officer; and if he continues in that course he will go astray entirely, and those who follow him will follow him astray. I endorse what Brother Talmage has said. We all understand that principle, I think, and I would like to see my brethren and sisters Who are connected with the Sunday school work observe it-strictly, but in the true Spirit; not with any kind of stiff for-reality or set ways, but in the true spirit of presidency, lovingly subject to divine authority, the authority that God has Instituted, that we may emulate, the example of the Son Himself, who came to earth, and while He possessed majestic power to heal the sick, to restore sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and bring the dead to life, and to accomplish wonderful things, walking upon the waves, stilling the storms, casting out devils, and multi-plying the loaves and fishes; by which he fed the multitudes of people, yet in accomplishing all this he declared, over and over again, this great principle, that He came, not to do His own will but the will of Him that sent Him, recognizing in every feature of His message and ministry in the world that God was at the head, and that He did nothing of Himself, but only that which the Father sent Him to do. Thus He was acting under the authority of His president or file leader--of Him who sent Him and commissioned Him to accomplish the work He was sent to do. Let us follow that spirit and example, and adopt that principle, in our lives, then we shall never have presiding Elders and officers in the Church at logger-heads with each other, contending with each other. and at cross purposes. They will always be one. They will see eye to eye, they will understand better the principles of divine government, the principles of the Gospel and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1905, p.110 When I came into the house this evening and saw the multitudes of people here, I felt in my heart what a testimony this is to the. Lord of the integrity of this people, of you, my brethren and sisters, who are connected with the Sunday school work, and of our fathers and mothers that are here with us tonight. What a witness, what evidence, what a testimony to the Lord of your integrity to and love for the Church. You have not come here out of mere curiosity. I believe you have come here in the line of duty, you are here because you are engaged in the work of the Lord, that you have a deep interest in it, and not because there is some curious attraction to draw you here. I congratulate you and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the manifestation of union, love and devotion to duty that is evinced here tonight by the presence of this vast multitude of people. I thank you for your presence, for the interest that you have taken in this work, and may God bless you and continue to preserve your lives, your faith and your love for the truth, from this time, henceforth and forever, which is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith (Opening address.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.1 Prosperity general among the Saints.--Harmony and faithfulness characterize the Quorums of Priesthood, and auxiliary organizations.--Duties defined, and efficiency to be increased.--Mechanical and Agricultural training in Church schools.--Striking example of the advantages of technical education in farming.--1905 the "banner year" for tithing contributions.--Books open for inspection of tithepayers.--Object and purpose of the Church organization.--Wickedness will not be tolerated. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.1 I feel very grateful for the privilege of again meeting with you at one of our general conferences, it being the seventy-sixth anniversary of the organization of the Church, and am pleased to see the number in attendance this morning. I sincerely hope that the Spirit of the Lord may dwell in our hearts throughout this conference, that at the conclusion we may feel that our coming together has not been in vain, but that much good has been accomplished and the requirements of the law of the Church fulfilled. We are grateful to the Lord for this beautiful morning, and I trust that we may be blessed with good weather, as well as with a rich outpouring of the Spirit of God, throughout the conference. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.2 It is six months since we last assembled in general conference, and many interesting things have transpired since then. Prosperity seems to have crowned the efforts of the Latter-day Saints throughout the land; and I do not say this bostingly at all, but in the very depths of humility and gratitude. I believe that the spirit of devotion to the cause of Zion has prevailed in the Church during the last six months as much as if not more than ever before in its history. I believe that, speaking in a general way, we have been as united as ever before; and were it not that some might think we were boasting, I would venture to say that in my judgment the Priesthood and the people as a whole have never been more united than we are today. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.2 I can assure you, my brethren and sisters, that, so far as my knowledge extends, the presidency of the Church are united, and the spirit of love and confidence possesses our souls. The Lord has blessed us abundantly with health and with a reasonable outpouring of His Spirit. We have endeavored to meet the obligations that have devolved upon us, to the best of our ability and to the utmost of the strength and wisdom the Lord has given us. We have not shrunk from any duty. We have sought to meet every requirement made of us as best we could, and we have reasonable assurance that so far the Lord has been pleased with our efforts and has accepted our labors. We desire to continue in the labor required at our hands, so long as the Lord shall desire it; and I believe my counselors feel just as I do when I say that whenever the Father is satisfied with our services, we shall bow humbly and gratefully to His will. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.2 With reference to the brethren of the Twelve, with whom we meet from week to week, and often from day to day, in council, I have to say that those of them who have been with us are united together and in full harmony with us. I believe that the brethren of the Twelve who have been at their posts, performing their duty, stand solid for the advancement of the kingdom of God, and are united in their views and labors for the upbuilding of Zion. There are circumstances connected with these matters which are not altogether pleasant, and which are fraught, in some respects, with very serious consequences. But I have no hesitancy in recommending to you, brethren of the priesthood and members of the Church, those members of the Council of the Apostles who have kept within the spirit of their calling, who have sought to magnify the same, and who have been instant in season and out of season in the performance of the duties that have devolved upon them. They are worthy of the confidence of the Latter-day Saints, are valiant in their testimony for the truth, are earnest and vigilant in their watchare over the interests of Zion submitted to them, and have labored diligently in the mission field, at home and abroad, as much as opportunity has afforded. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.2 With reference to the brethren of the presiding Council of Seventy, I desire to express my commendation of them. They have always been on hand, ready to respond to every call made upon them, so far as their health and other important duties would permit. It is understood generally that Brother B. H. Roberts, one of the presidents, is engaged on the History of the Church, and is connected in this labor with the Historian's office. A large proportion of his time is required in this duty. Nevertheless he has responded to the calls that have been made upon him, dropping his work and going out to visit the conferences whenever required. The same may be said with reference to the other members of the Council. Brother George Reynolds another member, is a man much encumbered with duties in connection with the missionary work, the calling of Elders for missions, the keeping of their records, and also the labor of the Sunday school, and other matters associated with the President's office. He is a man who labors from morning till night, early and late, and is most faithful and diligent in the performance of his duty. Moreover, he is most capable, being blessed of the Lord abundantly in the calling to which he is assigned. I mention these two brethren for the reason that they are occupied in clerical work to a great extent, and are therefore not at liberty so much as the others to visit the conferences and labor in the ministry. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.3 I am sorry to say that all the Presiding Bishopric of the Church are not in the enjoyment of perfect health, but they are united, diligent and faithful in the discharge of their duties, and their integrity is unquestioned. With the assistance they have in their office, which is most capable and efficient, the duties and responsibilities of their office are well and faithfully performed. I regret to say that Bishop Burton's health is very poor at present, but I understand he is improving, and I trust he will soon be himself again. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.3 I would like to say a few words in regard to the various quorums of the Priesthood in the Church--the High Priests, the Seventies, the Elders, and the lesser Priesthood. The aim of those in charge of these quorums has been to awaken within the hearts of those who compose them a livelier interest in their work; and I believe it may be said in all candor and consistency that there never has been a time when the various quorums of the Priesthood were more interested in their work, more alive to their duties, looking more directly to their legitimate calling, and paying more attention to the responsibilities that devolve upon them, than they are today. The Presidents of the Stakes are taking up the work of the quorums, especially of the lesser Priesthood, and they are endeavoring to arouse the members of the Priesthood to a realization of the great responsibilities that devolve upon them by reason of the Priesthood they hold and their connection with the quorums thereof. We expect to see the day, if we live long enough (and if some of us do not live long enough to see it, there are others who will), when every council of the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will understand its duty, will assume its own responsibility, will magnify its calling, and fill its place in the Church, to the uttermost, according to the intelligence and ability possessed by it. When that day shall come, there will not be so much necessity for work that is now being done by the auxiliary organizations, because it will be done by the regular quorums of the Priesthood. The Lord designed and comprehended it from the beginning, and He has made provision in the Church whereby every need may be met and satisfied through the regular organizations of the Priesthood. It has truly been said that the Church is perfectly organized. The only trouble is that these organizations are not fully alive to the obligations that rest upon them. When they become thoroughly awakened to the requirements made of them, they will fulfill their duties more faithfully, and the work of the Lord will be all the stronger and more powerful and influential in the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.3 A word or two in relation to the Relief society. This is an organization that was established by the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is, therefore, the oldest auxiliary organization of the Church and it is of the first importance. It has not only to deal with the necessities of the poor, the sick and the needy, but a part of its duty--and the larger part, too--is to look after the spiritual welfare and salvation of the mothers and daughters of Zion; to see that none is neglected, but that all are guarded against misfortune, calamity, the powers of darkness, and the evils that threaten them in the world. It is the duty of the Relief Societies to look after the spiritual welfare of themselves and of all the female members of the Church. It is their duty to collect means from those who have in abundance, and distribute it wisely unto those in need. It is a part of their duty to see that there are those capable of being nurses as well as teachers and exemplars in Zion and that they have an opportunity to become thoroughly prepared for this great labor and Responsibility. I have heard of a disposition on the part of Some of our sisters to become a law unto themselves in relation to these things. I would like to say that it is expected of the Relief Society, especially the general authorities of that great organization, that they will have a watchcare over all the organizations among the women of Zion. They stand at the head of all such; they ought to stand at the head, and they should magnify their calling, and see to it that error is not permitted to creep in, that cabals are not formed, that secret combinations may not get a foothold, to mislead the sisters. They should see to it that the other organizations of women in the Church correspond and are in harmony with their organization. Why should this be? In order that the women of Zion may be united, that their interests may be in common, and not conflicting or segregated, and that the purpose of this organization may be realized and the organization itself be effective for good in every part of the Church throughout the world, wherever the Gospel is preached. We realize that it is impossible for men or women possessing physical weaknesses on account of age or infirmities, to meet every requirement; but we expect that every man and woman entrusted with responsibility in the Church will do their duty to the utmost of their ability. That we look for; that we pray for; for that we labor to the best of the ability and strength we possess. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.4 When I arose this morning I did not design to occupy much time, but I would like to say something in relation to other organizations; and if I do not touch upon all of them, no one need feel slighted, for I feel that the eyes of the Lord and of His servants are over all these organizations. We are cognizant of their existence; we know somewhat of their labors and of the responsibilities that rest upon them; we are not blind to their efforts, nor to the good they are accomplishing. I want to say a few words concerning our Sunday school organization. I do not think any one will claim that at any previous time in the Church the Sunday school organization was any more perfect or efficient than it is today. Do you think so. Brother Reynolds? (addressing him). [Brother Reynolds: "No, sir; I do not."] I believe that those who are connected with this work and familiar with what is being accomplished by it will be unanimous in the claim I make that never before, since the Sunday schools were organized in the days of our early settlement here, has this organization been so perfect and efficient as it is today. The brethren of the Sunday School Union Board meet every week, and they are interested in their work. Some of the members live at a distance and cannot attend, but most of those who are within reach attend their council meetings every week, where matters connected with the Sunday schools are thoroughly considered and weighed, and conclusions are reached, after much careful deliberation and thought, in relation to the work that is sought to be accomplished in the Sunday schools. I feel thankful to my Father in heaven that we have so many efficient, capable workers in our Sunday schools, who are diligent in the performance of their duty, who wield such a wholesome influence over the minds of the pupils, and whose examples are such as to make them worthy of all commendation. I desire to commend to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the laborers in the Sunday schools, and I trust that the parents will sustain them in their callings, strengthen their hands, by encouraging their children to attend the schools on the Sabbath day and to show deference and respect for their teachers. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.4 Our Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations are in as good care and keeping as could be expected. This is an organization which only continues a portion of the year. During the busy season, when young men are required on the farms, these associations suspend for a time; but the work is carried on all through the winter season, from October to April, when the youth of Zion are able to attend to their duties in these organizations. I desire to say that our best missionaries are called from these Mutual Improvement Associations. The young men that make the most efficient missionaries are those who have been faithful in these organizations. It is true we have missionary classes in our Church schools, where the young men who have not paid much attention to religious matters and are not well read in the scriptures, may go for a short season and receive instruction. But this work is only temporary compared with the work of the Mutual Improvement Association. It is altogether too brief, and those who attend these classes are generally pushed for time, in a hurry to get home and go to work again, and can scarcely stay long enough to finish the course. Therefore, I repeat that our best and most effective workers in the mission field are those that have given most attention to the Mutual Improvement work at home. So that it is doing good. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.5 The Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations are also prosperous and doing a glorious work. Yet for both of these organizations the field is broad, and the laborers are indeed few. But they are doing the best they can under the circumstances, I believe, and I have only words of commendation for them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.5 Our Primary Associations are also efficient and doing much good among the little children, and I commend their labor and organization, and exhort them to diligence in the performance of their duty and economy in the use of the means that comes into their hands, as I do the Relief Society. I say to all these organizations that it is expected of them that in all their dealings they operate on business principles, strictly upon honor, so that it may never be necessary to cover a single track they make, but that every step they take may be above board and open to the scrutiny of all who may be interested. It is expected that they will make reports from time to time, as required, both of their financial and their ecclesiastical work. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.5 We have a number of Church schools established in Zion. I have not taken the pains to post myself as to the exact number, but I believe there are about 17. The Brigham Young University in Provo, the Latter-day Saints' University in this city, and the Brigham Young College in Logan, are institutions of which the whole Church has reason to be proud. The Trustee-in-Trust, by and with the advice of the First Presidency and the Council of Apostles, has given as liberally as possible, consistent with other obligations, for the maintenance of our Church schools. We have sought to encourage in our Church schools the establishment of departments of mechanic arts and manual training; and so far as I know, everything possible is being done, at least in the principal schools, for the training of our youth, not only in the regular mechanic arts, but also in the art of agriculture. An agricultural course has recently been started in the Brigham Young University, and one of our most proficient scientists has been called to take charge of the class. I am happy to say that some of our oldest farmers are delighted with the information they have obtained by attending this class. I heard a brother who had been farming for many years, say that he had always been under the impression that when a man could not do anything else, all he had to do was to turn his attention to the plow and cultivate the soil, for anybody could make a farmer, but he had found out since attending his class that it required intelligence and intelligent application to be a good farmer, as well as to be a good artisan. In connection with this I may state a circumstance that came under my own observation years ago. A certain brother had lived upon his farm for some fourteen or fifteen years. He had cultivated it every year the best he could, but it had become so impoverished that he could not make a living off it any longer, and he became so disgusted with the country, especially with his farm, that he concluded, if he could only trade the farm off for a team and wagon that would take him out of the country, he would be glad to go. By and by his man came along, and he sold his farm for a team and wagon, in which he put his wife and children and moved to some other country. The purchaser took possession of this worn-out farm, and within three years, by intelligent operation, he was able to gather from that farm forty bushels of wheat to the acre, and other products in proportion. The nutriment of the soil had been exhausted, and it needed resuscitation; so he went to work, gave it the nourishment it required, and reaped a bountiful harvest as a result of his wisdom. There are too many of our farmers who think it does not need any skill to be a farmer; but this good brother in Provo to whom I alluded found it did. So we are teaching agriculture in our schools, as well as the mechanic arts. The Brigham Young College is putting up a building now wherein are to be taught all sorts of industries; where our youth will be able to learn carpentry, black-smithing, domestic arts, and other things that will be useful to them. Yet we find it a drag to induce anybody that is possessed of means to contribute very largely to it. Some of our wealthiest men felt they were doing their utmost when they donated perhaps a hundred dollars towards a building that will cost eight or ten thousand dollars, if not more. I mention this for the reason that in my opinion the Church schools are laying the foundation for great usefulness among the people of God, and they should be sustained by the people and by the Church. The Church is sustaining them, and as we acquire more means and become more free from obligations which have been resting upon the Church for years, we will be more freehanded to administer to the needs of our Church schools, as well as other requirements of that nature. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.6 The Religion Class work is an adjunct to the Church schools. It is under the direction of President Anthon H. Lund and his associates, and itis a necessary and most interesting adjunct to our auxiliary organizations It was established to assist in the proper training and education of our children, and I commend it to the presiding authorities throughout the Church, and bespeak for it their kind attention, encouragement and assistance, so far as it lies in their power. Let us take care of these things, for they nurture and strengthen our children in the right direction, and there is nothing more important. It is extreme folly for any people to send thousands of missionaries out into the world to preach the Gospel to the nations, and neglect their own children at home. I think our very first interest should be to look after our children, and see that they have every advantage necessary to bring them up in the way they should go, that when they get old they may not depart from it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.6 I want to say to the Latter-day Saints that the year 1905 has been the banner year for the tithings of the people. You can put that down in your memorandum books, and remember it. Never in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the people contributed as much tithing as they did in 1905. And yet they have not done anything more than their duty; in fact, there are a great many Latter-day Saints that have not done their duty, as the books will show. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.6 In this connection I may say that a most thorough and searching auditation of the books of the Trustee-in-Trust, the books of the Presiding Bishopric, and the books of the Deseret News Company, has been made by the auditors that were appointed and sustained at our last conference. Before the conclusion of this conference we will read you their report, and I believe you will be perfectly satisfied with it. The man that complains about not knowing what is done with the tithing, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred is the man who has no credit on the books of the Church for paying tithing. We do not care to exhibit the books of the Church to such carpers and to that class of people. But there is not a tithepayer in the Church that cannot go to the Presiding Bishop's Office, or to the office of the Trustee-in-Trust, if he desires, and find his account, and see to it that every dollar he has given to the Lord for tithing is credited to him. Then, if he wants to be more searching as a tithepayer and find out what is done with the tithing, we will set before him the whole thing, and if he has any good counsel to give us we will take it from him. But we will not--because we do not have to, and it is not the business of the world to require it--open our books to the world, unless we wish to. We are not ashamed of them. We are not afraid for them to be inspected. They are honest and straight; and there is not a man in the world that will look at them, but will say so, if he is honest himself. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.7 I do not know but I have trespassed upon your time, but there are other things that pass through my mind. We are contributing means for the purchase and maintenance of mission houses in the world; and today we have more headquarters belonging to the Church in Great Britain, in Scandinavia, in the United States and in the islands of the sea, where our Elders may rendezvous and find a resting place in time of sickness or distress, and where they may meet for counsel, than ever before. When I say that I do not boast at all; I simply give it to you for information and as a statement of fact. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.7 So we may say that notwithstanding the opposition, the bitterness, the hatred, the falsehoods, the slanders and the misrepresentations with which the public press has been filled for years concerning the Latter-day Saints and the authorities of the Church, there never was a time when the Church prospered more than it is doing today; and I do not know but we ought to be thankful that the Lord lets our enemies expose themselves as they do. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.7 The Lord bless you. I see before me the leaders of the Church, the presiding spirits, in the capacity of Presidents of Stakes, Counselors to Presidents of Stakes, High Councillors, Bishops and their counselors, and those who are engaged in our educational institutions and in other responsible positions in the Church. I honor you all. I love you for your integrity to the cause of Zion. It is the kingdom of God or nothing, so far as I am concerned. I cut no figure personally in this work, and I am nothing except in the humble effort to do my duty as the Lord gives me the ability to do it. But it is the kingdom of God. What I mean by the kingdom of God is the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which Jesus Christ is the king and the head; not as an organization in any wise menacing or jeopardizing the liberties or rights of the people throughout the world, but as an organization calculated to lift up and ameliorate the condition of mankind; to make bad men good, if it is possible for them to repent of their sins, and to make good men better. That is the object and purpose of the Church, that is what it is accomplishing in the world. And it is very strict in regard to these matters. Drunkards, whore-mongers, liars, thieves, those that betray the confidence of their fellowmen, those who are unworthy of credence, unworthy of love and confidence--all such, when their character becomes known, are disfellowship from the Church, and are not permitted to have a standing in it, if we know it. It is true that there are none of us but have our imperfections and shortcomings. Perfection dwells not with mortal man. We all have our weaknesses. But when a man abandons the truth, virtue, his love for the Gospel and for the people of God, and becomes an open, avowed enemy, it becomes the duty of the Church, and the Church would be recreant to its duty if it did not sever him from communion, cut him off, and let him go where he pleases. We would do wrong if we hung on to and tried to nurture such evil creatures in our midst, no matter what the relationship may be that exists between us and them. Therefore, I say again, the Church of Jesus Christ stands for virtue, honor, truth, purity of life, and good will to all mankind. It stands for God the Eternal Father, and for Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent into the world and whom to know is life eternal. This is what the Church stands for, and it cannot tolerate abomination crime and wickedness on the part of those who may claim to have some connection with it. We must sever ourselves from them, and let them go. Not that we want to hurt them. We do not want to hurt anybody. We never have, and we do not intend to, hurt anybody. But we do not intend to be hurt by those who are seeking our destruction, if we can help it. It is our right to protect ourselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1906, p.8 Now, God bless you. May peace abide in your souls, and the love of truth abound in you, May virtue garnish all your ways. May you live uprightly and honestly before the Lord, keep the faith. and be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ; for he that is valiant will receive his reward. God bless you, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.2 The Saints increasing in faith and good works.--Futile efforts of enemies of the Church.--Interesting account of recent trip to European countries.--Historic places in U. S., and reminiscences concerning same.--Be true to the faith, and unite in defense and up-building of Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.2 I feel very grateful this morning for the privilege I have of beholding the faces of my brethren and sisters assembled here at the opening of our Seventy-seventh Semi-annual Conference, and as on all past occasions when we have met in our conferences I sincerely hope that the spirit of peace, the love of truth, and the desire for good may be paramount in all that may be said or done during this conference. It is gratifying also to see the number assembled at this first meeting. It shows an interest in our work and in the cause of Zion which speaks well for those who are present; and I sincerely believe that the faith of the Latter-day Saints is increasing, together with their knowledge and their love for the truth, and the people are becoming more and more established in their convictions of the truth of the Gospel which has been restored in these latter days. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.2 Everything seems to point to the continued advancement of the cause of Zion. The earth has been blessed to a very great extent by the favor of the Lord during the last season, and the most of our people have reaped bountiful harvests and have been prospered not only spiritually but also temporally. I think we possess the evidence that the good works of the Latter-day Saints are not diminishing, but that they are indeed increasing and we--with but very few exceptions--are as determined today as we ever were, or as ever any members of the Church were, to continue to fight the good fight and keep the faith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.2 I desire to express my feelings of welcome to the Latter-day Saints who are here today, and to those who shall attend this conference, and say to you, my brethren and sisters, that we love the truth and the work of the Lord today even more than ever before. We are not disheartened, we are not discouraged, we are not fainthearted. We believe in the Lord, and we know that He is mighty to save that He has guided the destinies of this people from the first moment until the present, and that it is not in consequence of the wisdom of men that we have escaped the plots, schemes and machinations of our enemies, and that we have been permitted to live and grow in the land, to become what we are, but it is through the wisdom, mercy and blessing of Him who rules the destinies not only of men but of nations. We owe all to God; we extend our thankfulness and gratitude to Him for the manifestations of His love and care and protection. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.2 I was going to say that we did not owe anything to our enemies: that was the first thought that sprang up in my mind, but I will bold that back. I think we owe something to our enemies too for the advancement of the cause of Zion; for up to date everything that has been done or attempted to be done to thwart the purposes of God and to frustrate His designs has been overruled for the good of Zion and for the spread of truth. And that will continue to he the case until the end, for they are fighting God's work, and not mine nor that of any man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.2 Very recently, with the approval of some of my brethren who were present when the thought occurred to me--and it did not occur to me until just a few hours before I came to the conclusion--I started with a friend to visit in the eastern countries a little. The thought first arose in my mind on Saturday evening, and was matured, so far as my determination to leave home for a little while was concerned, on the following day. I left home for a rest--not that I expected to obtain physical rest, but a change sometimes is rest to men who are constantly engaged in duties that are strenuous and at times very burdensome. As it may be interesting to some of my brethren and sisters I would like to briefly outline my visit. When we left here we first stopped at Omaha, and as I traveled the plains in the days of my childhood, again in the days of my youth, with ox teams, mule teams and so forth, I concluded it would be interesting to make a visit to the old camp ground of Israel at Winter Quarters on the bank of the Missouri river, which we did on the 24th of July, Pioneer day. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.3 We had the privilege of meeting with some of the Elders engaged in the mission work there, and the few saints who are living about Omaha and vicinity, and had a royal good celebration of Pioneer day. We met under the old historic tree said to have been planted by the hand of President Brigham Young, and which now is one of the largest trees in the vicinity, and there our friends spread their feast, which we partook of with them. We associated with them with great pleasure, answering inquiries made of us. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.3 We next made a little halt at Chicago and had a very pleasant visit with some of our children who are going to school there, although our stay was very brief. We were not long in New York, as we reached there only a few hours before the sailing of the vessel. Our voyage across the Atlantic was never so pleasant before--not a ripple on the ocean nor anything to make the voyage more unpleasant than sailing upon a lake--a placid, calm sea. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.3 We landed in Antwerp on the 7th day of August, and from there visited the city of Rotterdam, and the next day the city of Amsterdam, in Holland. In Amsterdam we attended a conference of Latter-day Saints, and found there a lively branch of the Church. We had the pleasure of meeting with the young men who have gone out from Zion to proclaim the Gospel to that people, and as some of their parents may be present here today, I desire to say to them that they have great reason to be proud of their boys. I do not think--speaking now of the meeting that we had with all the Elders in the missionary fields that we visited--I do not think there can be found in all the world a like number of equally noble, excellent-spirited young men, as are your boys who are at present out in the missionary field, and I think this can be said of them almost as a whole--extremely few exceptions at the most. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.3 From Amsterdam we returned to Rotterdam anti held another conference with the Latter-day Saints, and some strangers and friends who were invited in, and who availed themselves of the opportunity. We had a most excellent time with them there. Here we found another flourishing branch of the Church, and the Elders, (all of them young men, active, energetic, faithful, virtuous and noble,) are doing all in their power by example as well as by precept, to spread the word of truth among that people. From here we visited Germany, stopping a few days at the city of Berlin. Here again we met with the Latter-day Saints and With the Elders, as many as could get together in that mission, and we had another very enjoyable time. Here we found some excellent conditions existing, but some conditions that were not favorable, which I regretted to find. I will briefly say: Some of our young people who have gone to Berlin to study music or to follow other pursuits, by their negligence to perform their duties, by their neglect to go to the meetings of the Saints, by their holding themselves apart from the Latter-day Saints, they are not wielding a wholesome or good influence upon the people of that country. I want to tell you that, and I say it with regret. They make the excuse that they have to study and practice every day and when Sunday comes, if they do not have to continue their practice, they are so fatigued that they cannot go to meeting. Now if any of you have children in that condition I would advise you to stimulate them to do their whole duty and set a good example before the people of the world in this direction. I really think that the sending of our children to Berlin to study for years is considerably overdone, and I do not believe that as a rule very much good will ever accrue to our children who go there. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.4 From Berlin we went to Zurich in Switzerland and held a conference. From there we went to Lucerne, and from there to Berne, where we again met with the Saints in conference and had a most excellent and interesting visit, not only with our people in general, but with strangers who visited us. We also held meetings with the Elders, in some instances having as many as 50 or 75 present with us at one time. From there we returned to England, landing at Dover on the return, by way of Paris, France, where we remained a couple of days. In London we again met with our people in conference. We also met with many of the Elders of that mission, all of whom, so far as I could judge, seemed to be in excellent spirits and faith, willing, ready and active in the performance of their missionary labors. We bad a good conference in London, and we afterwards had a most excellent meeting with the Elders of the mission. From London we visited Scotland and attended conference in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where we also had an enjoyable time with the people and with the Elders of that portion of the British mission. Returning south from Scotland we called at Liverpool, and attended another conference of our people at Blackburn, in Lancashire, and also held a priesthood meeting there. Here we found the same conditions as far as our Elders were concerned--a noble lot of young men, bright, intelligent active, honorable, upright, clean, pure, and sweet as were ever found in any part of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.4 After a short visit at Liverpool we returned to London. We spent a few days visiting in that great city the places of interest. From there we returned to Dover and took steamer again for our native land. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.4 On reaching New York, the 18th of September, we made arrangements as hastily as possible and visited Vermont, the birthplace of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and spent a couple of days there. We found that great improvement had been made under the direction of Brother Junius F. Wells. The grounds have been laid off beautifully, the memorial cottage completed and made ready for occupancy, and everything is looking beautiful and attractive there. Quite a large number of our neighbors who attended the dedication services on the 23rd of December last, hearing that I was there, did me the honor to call upon me and shake hands. They made us a very pleasant little visit. The burden of their conversation was: "Don't take Mr. Wells away from us." They want Mr. Wells to remain with them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.5 From here we visited the historic Hill Cumorah, and the old homestead of the Patriarch Joseph Smith and his family. We also visited the grave where the first childhood prayer of the Prophet Joseph Smith was offered up, and where the first manifestations of the approval of Heaven were made to man in these latter days, with reference to the opening of the dispensation in which the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus should be restored to the world, and the authority of the Holy Priesthood again conferred upon man. To say that the visiting of such places as these does not inspire serious thought and peculiar feelings, at least in my breast, would not be true. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.5 There is something hallowed about those places, to me and to all, I think, who have accepted the divine mission of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and who are imbued with the spirit of the Gospel that he was instrumental, in the hands of the Lord, in restoring to the earth. To me it is pleasing and inspiring to visit the haunts of that great and good man, and his associates in the early days of the Church, and even before the Church was organized. We visited Palmyra, near the hill where the plates of the Book of Mormon were found and shown to the Prophet Joseph by the angel Moroni, and where they were given to Joseph by him; which is a truth that all Latter-day Saints will have to accept in order to acknowledge the divine authority of the man who has borne this testimony to the world, and who was instrumental in revealing the fulness of the Gospel to the children of men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.6 From Palmyra we visited Kirtland, Ohio, and looked again over the ground once occupied as a dwelling place of the Latter-day Saints. Where many years ago a prosperous, thrifty people dwelt in somewhat large numbers, today we find a little scattered village. The country is almost deserted. The population at present approximates about 400, or 500 people. The temple still stands as a monument of the sacrifice of this once poor but faithful people, who in that early day sacrificed not only their means and their time, but their comfort and the comfort of their families, for the purpose of building that house in obedience to the command of God. Those who possess it now comprehend little of the objects and purposes for which the temples of God are built. They little understand the maiu principle, main doctrine, or main reason and cause making it necessary to erect temples unto God. Those principles are rejected by those who are today in possession of the building. It is simply used by them as an ordinary meetinghouse and a place for Sunday school. So long as it is used for even this purpose, we have no reason to complain, and we do not complain. We have gone beyond it; we have outgrown that building. Today we have no use for it, as the Lord has shown us even a better and a greater way, and so far as I am concerned, those who possess it are perfectly welcome to it, although the manner in which they came in possession of it, to my mind, is exceedingly questionable. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.6 From Ohio we did not follow down the course of the Church into Missouri and from Missouri into the state of Illinois. We passed over that part of the migrations of the Saints, going direct to Carthage, the scene of the martyrdom. I had a desire to see that place, as I had never seen it before; and I felt that I would like to see the spot where the blood of those innocent men was shed for the testimony they bore to the world of the divine mission to which they were called--a command from God to restore the fulness of the Gospel and the way of life and salvation to the world. I will not attempt to express to you in the least degree how I felt on that ground. We did not remain there long, but came to Nauvoo, the last resting place of the Latter-day Saints in the eastern part of our land, at the time near the western frontier of the United States. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.6 It was a source of great delight and pleasure to visit the scenes of my childhood, and to go around the deserted city and see the various houses which I remembered from my childhood. We visited the place that was once called the "Mansion," the home of the Prophet Joseph Smith, so altered and changed today, internally at least, and so old and dilapidated outside, that one familiar with it in the early days could scarcely recognize it as the same place. The old homestead that was first built on the bank of the river, occupied by the Patriarch Joseph (the father of the Prophet Joseph) and his family in the early days, still stands, but in a most neglected condition, almost ready to crumble to the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.6 We visited the spot where the bodies of the Prophet Joseph and his brother were buried, after their martyrdom, and also their brothers, Don Carlos and Samuel. We recognized as nearly as might be the spot in which their sacred remains were deposited after their death, the bodies of the Prophet and the Patriarch having been removed two or three times in order to satisfy a fancy of somebody, in order to prevent their whereabouts being known --the history of which I am thankful to have, as I received it from an eye-witness. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.6 We also visited the Nauvoo House, the place where the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon was placed by the hand of the Prophet Joseph Smith, together with a bound copy of the Book of Mormon, the D&C and other Church publications extant at that time; and with petitions to the governors of the various states, on the part of the Latter-day Saints, for redress for the wrongs they had sustained at the hand of Missouri. These and other relics were deposited there and in after years exhumed and removed by Mr. Bidampon, who was then in possession of the property. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.6 We likewise visited the spot where once stood the house in which the revelation on plural marriage was first written by Wm. Clayton, by dictation of the Prophet Joseph Smith; and also where the Endowments were first revealed and given by him. We also visited the place where the revelation on plural marriage, given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, was first read to the high council of the stake of Zion, at Nauvoo, by Hyrum Smith, and recalled some of the historical facts that occurred within those walls. I pointed out to my friends the spot on the shore of the Mississippi river where the Prophet landed with his brother, from ask if, when they gave themselves up into the bands of the mob to go to their martyrdom at Carthage. We visited other places of interest, but it would be too much for me to attempt to express my feelings in visiting these ancient, now almost obliterated places of interest. Wefound in Nauvoo a very kindly feeling existing on the part of the people whom we met. They all seemed to be friendly to us, pleased to meet us, and we felt very much delighted with the spirit that we found in that once favored and flourishing place. After our visit there we returned by rail home. I want to say to my brethren and sisters that I have returned home physically very much improved over what I was when I went away. Now, I realize of course, this is a very trivial affair and of but very little interest to you. At the same time, it has been a voyage and a trip that has been fraught with very great interest to myself, and has been I think profitable to me, not only physically but spiritually. I return to you, to my home, to my duties and to my labors with the people of the Latter-day Saints, determined as ever I was to be true to the people of God, to my covenants and to all men; to honor the Holy Priesthood that has been conferred upon me; and I do not care for and don't want to pay any heed to the ridiculous nonsense, the foolish twaddle, and the impious slurs that are being cast at me and my people, by wicked hearts and perverted minds. Let God deal with them as seemeth Him good. Don't you allow yourselves to be troubled over these things in the least. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.7 Now, my brethren and sisters, I did not anticipate occupying so much time, when I arose, and I hope you will pardon me for trespassing so long upon your patience. I rejoice in the testimony that I have received and in the assurance I feel in my soul that God is pleased with the most of His people. There may be some who are foolish amongst us, shallow persons who look only to the surface, who do not go down into the truth--into the facts. There may be those who are swayed for a little while by the popular clamor, who may give way to some extent, to the things that seem to pervade certain quarters, but when they wake up to their condition and to the real truth, many of the few that are thus influenced and swayed against the truth and against reason and righteousness, will be willing to repent in sackcloth and ashes. It is not my purpose to stand here and try to make any apology or to offer any defense of my own course, of my own life and labors. I am willing to leave myself and my labors and my life in the hands of God, and to the judgment of my friends and the people of God. If I have wronged any man spiritually or temporarily, in any sense or in any form, I pray him to come to me and let me know wherein I have wronged him or done him any harm, and I will go more than half way--I will go the whole distance if necessary to make it right with him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.7 I am for the kingdom of God. My brethren and I, I trust, are united in this, and if need be I think we can put aside any difference that may exist between us, and unite in that which is good and right and proper for the defense of the people of Zion and for the continuance of the upbuilding thereof. I do not think that there is any serious breach or any serious difficulty existing among the Latter-day Saints anywhere. I think that all that is necessary is for us to see the light and we will walk in the light; to understand our duties and we will do them, no matter what our private feelings may be. The Lord bless you, peace be unto you. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.8 I want to say to these presidents of stakes who are present: you have my confidence; you have my love. I pray for you every day of my life, and I trust that you remember me and my brethren in your prayers. We understand the responsibilities that rest upon you in the discharge of your duties. You are fathers to the people; that great responsibility rests upon you; your labors are manifold and sometimes very difficult. We realize the burdens that you have to bear, the patience that you have to exercise and exhibit in the discharge of your duty, in order that you may avoid giving offense, and that you may reconcile the people, over whom you preside, to that which is right without using drastic measures. We understand this, and you have our sympathy, our fellowship, our love, and what strength you may derive from our faith and prayers, that you may preside in righteousness over your different stakes of Zion, and that your brethren associated with you may be united with you, and that you may pull together in that which is right and proper for the uobuilding of Zion and the defense of the people of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.8 I see before me a number of young men who have been entrusted with the presidency of missions abroad, and I want to say to you that so far as I have been acquainted with these men, they are men after my own heart, true men, faithful, diligent in the performance of their duties, acceptable and honorable in the sight of God and man. We love them and we admire their courage in absenting themselves from their homes for years at a time, making sacrifices of their personal interests and enjoyment, for the good of the people abroad in the world and for Zion. We admire them and say to them as to the presidents of stakes on whom so much depends, God bless you one and all and strengthen you in the performance of your duties. We look upon the counselors of these men in the same way and we would say to them, one and all, stand together with your presiding officers, be united in whatever will tend to build up Zion and defeat the purpose of her enemies, whatever that purpose may be. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.8 Above all things let me say to the counselors of the presidents of stakes and of missions and to the Bishops and their counselors,--let me say to you all, live exemplary lives, so that you can each say to the people: "Come and follow me; follow my example; obey my precepts; be in union with me, and follow me as I am appointed to lead, advise and counsel, as I follow Christ." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.8 Let every man live so that his character will bear the closest inspection, and that it may be seen as an open book, so that he will have nothing to shrink from or be ashamed of. Let all men who are elevated to positions of trust in the Church live so that no man can point to their faults, because they will have no faults; so that no man can justly accuse them of wrongdoing, because they do no wrong; that no man can point out their defects as "human" and as "weak mortals." because they are living up to the principles of the Gospel, and are not merely "weak human creatures" devoid of the Spirit of God and the power to live above sin. That is the way for all men to live in the kingdom of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.9 We should set an example; we should be true to the faith, as Brother Stephens sings to us; true to the faith! We should be true to our covenants, true to our God, and true to one another and to the interests of Zion; no matter what the consequences may be, no matter what may result. I can tell you that the man who is not true to Zion and to the interests of the people will be the man who will be found bye and bye, left out and in a pitiable spiritual condition. The man who stays with the kingdom of God, the man that is true to this people, the man that keeps himself pure and unspotted from the world, is the man that God will accept, that God will uphold, that He will sustain and that will prosper in the land, whether he be in the enjoyment of his liberty or be confined in prison cells; it makes no difference where he is, he will come out all right. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.9 May the Lord bless my brethren and my sisters who are engaged in the work of the ministry. Here are our sisters engaged in the Relief Society work, with whom I had the pleasure of meeting last evening. Here are sisters who are connected with the Mutual Improvement associations, and those also connected with the Primary work and our Sunday school interests, as well as the brethren associated with these organizations. They all have our blessings, because we have confidence in them. We believe that they know the truth themselves and do not have to borrow light from somebody else. We know that their integrity is unumpeachable; we know they love God and the truth and that they love the work more than their own personal interest. We know many of them and we know these are their feelings. We love them; they have our respect, our full confidence; the blessings of the Lord will attend them. He has done so in the past and He will continue to bless them so long as they continue to sustain the Priesthood of God that has been placed in the earth to guide the Church and to counsel in the affairs of the kingdom of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.9 What I mean by the Kingdom of God is the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, over which the Son of God presides, and not man. That is what I mean. I mean the Kingdom of which Christ is the King and not man. If any men object to Christ, the Son of God, being King of Israel, let them object and go to hell just as quick as they please. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.9 Let us sustain Christ, His people, and His cause of righteousness and redemption; let us sustain one another in the right, and kindly admonish one another in regard to wrong-doing, that we may be friends and saviors on Mount Zion, one for another, and that we may help the weak and strengthen them, encourage the doubtful and bring light to their right understandings as far as it is possible, that we may be instrumental in the hands of God of being saviors among men. Not that we have power to save men. We have not; but we have power to show them how they can obtain salvation through obedience to the laws of God. We can show them how to walk in order to be saved, for we have the right to do that, we have knowledge and understanding as to how to do, it, and it is our privilege to teach it and to enforce it by example as well as by precept among our associates wherever we are in the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.10 I want to say of my Counselors in the Presidency, there are no better men in the world today; and they are loyal to you; they are loyal to the people of God; they are loyal to their covenants and to the interests of Zion, and they are laboring faithfully for the accomplishment of all the good that it is possible to accomplish through their influence and through their agency and faithful labors. I can say the same of my brethren the Twelve, and others associated with us in the Holy Priesthood. The Lord bless them and sustain them in right doing and in upholding and sustaining God's work and the authority that He has revealed and restored to His children in the world. Now, may the Lord bless you, and may peace abound in your hearts and homes; may the blessing of prosperity attend you in your outgoings and incomings and all you put your hands to in righteousness, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 The reading of the hymn by Brother John Henry Smith brought to my mind another hymn, which is something of a sermon in itself; and although I fear I am not as good a reader of hymns as he is, I thought I would take the liberty of reading this one and commending it to the Latter-day Saints, that when they return home, if they are not familiar with it, they may turn to their hymn books and read it well. You will find it in the Latter-day Saints hymn book, on page 434. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Uphold the right, tho' fierce the fight, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 And pow'rful is the foe; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 As freedom's friend, her cause defend, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Nor fear nor favor show. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 No coward can be called a man-- Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 No friend will friends betray; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 "Who would be free" alert must be; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Indifference will not pay. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Note how they toil whose aim is spoil, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Who plundering plots devise; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Yet time will teach, that fools o'er reach Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 The mark and lose the prize. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Can justice deign to wrong maintain, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Whoever wills it so? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Can honor mate with treach'rous hate? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Can figs on thistles grow? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Dare to be true, and hopeful, too; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Be watchful, brave and shrewd; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Weigh every act; be wise, in fact, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 To serve the general good. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Nor basely yield, nor quit a field-- Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Important is the fray; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 Scorn to recede, there is no need Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.26 To give our rights away. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 Left-handed fraud let those applaud Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 Who would by fraud prevail; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 In freedom's name, contest their claim, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 Use no such word as fail; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 Honor we must each sacred trust, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 And rightful zeal display; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 Our part fulfil, then, come what will, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.27 High heaven will clear the way. President Joseph F. Smith. (CLOSING REMARKS.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.125 The time will not permit further delay; but I would like to say just a word. You have listened to the Presidency and to each member of the Council of the Apostles, and to nearly all of the Seven Presidents of Seventies; and we regret exceedingly that we do not have more time, that you might hear others. I need not ask you, after bearing those who have spoken during this conference, if you are satisfied that these men who have borne testimony and who have exhorted and admonished you, are in possession of the spirit of their calling. We leave this to your judgment and the inspiration you have received during the sessions of this seventy-seventh semi-annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been strongly impressed, in listening to all that my brethren have said, that the Lord, who chose them, made no mistake. They possess the spirit of their offices. The testimony of Jesus is in their hearts. They have borne record of that spirit to you, and they stand before you as approved ministers of the Gospel of the Sou of God, and as true witnesses of Him to all the world. From the depths of my heart I bless these my brethren who bear this Priesthood, and who enjoy to this extent the power and spirit of their high and glorious callings. The Lord accepts them, and He will bless them; and the spirit and power of their calling will continue with them so long as they live and maintain the integrity that they exhibit before the people this moment. The people of Zion may rejoice in their instructions and ministrations among them; for they will minister in righteousness, and the Lord will accept their labors, and the people who will not--it will be the worse for them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1906, p.126 The Lord bless Zion. May peace abide with you, my brethren and my sisters. God bless you in every capacity in which you are called to act in life, and be with you by the presence and power of His Spirit, guide you into all truth, put into your hearts the spirit of prayer and true devotion, and that faith which cannot be moved. God lives, and Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God--living, not dead; for his name will never perish. The angel that visited him and declared God's message unto him, told him that his name should be held for good and for evil throughout the world. This prediction was made in the days of his youth, before the Church was organized, and before there was any prospect of that which has since been accomplished. The declaration was made, notwithstanding it then seemed an absolute impossibility; but from the day it was spoken until this moment, and from now on until the winding-up scene, the name of Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the nineteenth century, has been, is being and will be heralded abroad to the nation, of the earth, and will be held in honor or contempt by the people of the world. But the honor in which it is now held by a few will by and by he so increased that his name shall be held in reverence and honor among the children of men as universally as the name of the Son of God is held today: for he did and is doing the work of the Master. He laid the foundations in this dispensation for the restoration of the principles that were taught by the Son of God, who for these principles lived, and taught, and died, and rose from the dead. Therefore I say, as the name of the Son of God shall be held in reverence and honor, and in the faith and love of men, so will the name of Joseph Smith eventually be held among the children of men, gaining prestige, increasing in honor, and commanding respect, and reverence until the world shall say that he was a servant and Prophet of God. The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Peace on earth, goodwill to man, is the proclamation that Joseph the Prophet made, and that is the same as his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, made to the world. That is the mission we are trying to fulfill, and the proclamation we are seeking to make to the world today. It is the mission that these young men have been chosen to proclaim, and be witnesses of to the nations of the earth. It is their duty to see to it that this proclamation and this Gospel of peace and goodwill shall be sent to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people under the whole heavens. God bless Israel, is my earnest prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. ( OPENING ADDRESS.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.1 Congratulations to Saints on abundant blessings.--Fidelity and diligence of the Priesthood and Saints generally. --Priesthood quorum meetings should be educational.--The work of the auxiliary organizations commended.--Faithfulness in paying tithing.--The Church free from debt.--The general authorities of the Church do not receive support from tithing. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.2 I am delighted to greet you at the opening meeting of our general conference. It is certainly assuring and extremely pleasant to see so many assembled at the first meeting. I think it indicates an interest in the occasion on the part, especially of the presiding authorities of the Church and the leading members. We are delighted to see you here, and we have only congratulations to offer to you and to all the Latter-day Saints for the abundance of the mercies and blessings of the Lord upon His people throughout the land. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.2 I do not desire to say anything this morning in a boastful spirit, nor with over-confidence in ourselves, but what I shall say I sincerely hope may be prompted by the Spirit of the Lord, which is the spirit of wisdom, that I may not say anything that the Lord would not approve and that would not be acceptable to you in the spirit of truth. I desire to briefly represent before this vast assembly, as the Spirit may give me utterance, the present condition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as I see it. I will speak first of the Presidency of the Church and their associates, the Council of the Apostles. I only wish to refer to them very briefly; for we are here before you, and it is probable that you will hear from us during this conference individually, and will be able to judge for yourselves of our spirit, our faith and our works. I am most happy in saying to you that the Presidency are as untied in their spirit, in their faith and in their works as they have ever been since the organization of this Presidency. We leave it to you to judge whether our spirit is right, and whether our faith is rounded in the truth or not. The Presidency and the Apostles are united in their feelings and in their love for one another. So far as I am able to discern, there is not a single thought in the mind of any member of the Presidency or the Twelve Apostles that would not meet with the signal blessing, approval and sanction, of our Great Father and Judge. In saying this much for the brethren who stand at the head, I believe I am only doing them justice and representing briefly but truly the real condition of these two leading councils of the holy priesthood. I am also happy to say that the same goodwill, union love and confidence exist between these two bodies and the presiding Seventies of the Church. The First Seven Presidents of the Seventies are united with us, and we with them. All these brethren are diligent in the performance of their duty. They are willing, ready, and always on hand to meet every call that is made of them. You know them yourselves, they having visited you and preached in your Stakes and Wards, so you can judge of their spirit, and that they are in the faith of the Gospel, to remain forever, if they will continue to enjoy and cultivate the spirit of the Gospel and the love of the truth which pervades their souls today. We expect that; we look for it; and we could not for one moment admit in our thoughts that anything other than that could ever occur with these three leading quorums of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 I am sorry to say that the health and vigor of some of the members of the Presiding Bishopric is not that which we could desire; but they are united, and they have efficient help in their office. They are men who have been tried for years in their bishopric. They are men of God, men of truth and soberness, men of wisdom and judgment, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and God has been with them, as the presiding quorum over the lesser priesthood of the Church. and they have been wonderfully blessed. They are true men, according to the light and intelligence with which they are endowed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 I need not say very much about our Presiding Patriarch. He is before the people. He has not been able to travel among the people anti counsel with the patriarchs in the different Stakes of Zion as much as we would like him to do, on account of family illness; but we hope that the Presiding Patriarch of the Church will find himself strengthened and relieved from embarrassments and obligations that tie him down, and be able to exert himself to visit the Saints and administer consolation and blessings to them, to strengthen their faith in bearing testimony of the truth to them, and in this way magnify and honor his holy and high calling; for it is his duty. Indeed it is expected of every man on whom responsibility is placed, and who is called by the voice of the Spirit and sustained by the vote of the people, that he will do his duty to the uttermost, according to his ability and the inspiration that he is entitled to enjoy in the discharge of the duties of his office and calling. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 I can speak heartily and warmly of the fidelity, intelligence and wisdom, strength and influence of those who today are acting as presidents of stakes. With exceedingly few exceptions--and I would hardly desire to admit that there is any exception, but if there are exceptions they are very, very few--the presidents of Stakes and their Counselors are men after God's own heart, true to their callings and their bishoprics, true to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, true to their office, faithful and united in the discharge of their duty, and diligently looking after the spiritual and temporal welfare of the Stakes of Zion over which they preside. They are men in whom we repose the most absolute confidence, men of integrity, of tried faith, of noble character, of pure lives, fathers to the people, whose mission it is to look after the welfare of Zion and the building up of that portion of the kingdom of God submitted to their care. I speak well of the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors. The members of the various High Councils we cannot speak so comprehensively of, because they are too numerous for us to be individually acquainted with them. But we know the Presidents of Stakes, and we are more or less familiar with their Counselors, and we believe that care is being taken in all the Stakes of Zion to have efficient High Councilors, men who are exemplary in their lives, men of good influence in the Stake in which they are called to be twelve counselors to the Presidency, and twelve judges also, to sit with the Presidency of the Stake and adjudicate and adjust difficulties and differences that may arise in the Stake, and to look after the proclamation of the Gospel, both by precept and by example. We believe that great care is being taken to select and to maintain efficient High Councils throughout Zion. Where there is weakness and any necessity for change, it is our counsel to the Presidencies of the Stakes of Zion to make such changes, to fill up the High Councils, and to be provided with alternates who will be efficient in the discharge of the duty that devolves upon them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 The same may be said almost universally of the Bishops of the Church and their counselors. Of course, Bishoprics are frequently changed. It is often the case that Bishops remove to other sections of the country, and it becomes necessary to reorganize the bishoprics. Then wards are frequently divided into two or more, and this calls for more Bishops and Counselors. Occasionally men become feeble from age, and after serving many years it becomes necessary to relieve them from the great responsibility of their calling, and to call younger and stronger men to fill their places. In this way our bishoprics are more frequently changed probably than any other council of the priesthood. But we do not know of any particular deficiency in this important part of the priesthood. I do not think there is any organization in the Church of greater importance than that of the Bishopric. They are indeed fathers to the people. It is their duty to look after the widow, the fatherless, the poor, the needy, the sick and the afflicted. They are expected to not only be temporal fathers of the people, but spiritual lathers also. A double duty rests upon them with mighty force. It is their business to look after the erring as well as the feeble, and to feel after those who are inclined to stray from the paths of virtue and honor. It is expected that the Bishoprics of Wards will be in constant touch with their people, and that the Bishop will know every member in his ward, through the agencies that are established in the Church by divine revelation, by means of which every member of the Church can be reached and his or her condition, spiritual and temporal, be known. This is a great responsibility resting upon our Bishops, and as a rule they are faithful men chosen by inspiration. The choice of our Bishops is not made by the body. Let me say just a word in regard to that principle. There is no officer in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chosen by the body. The Lord has given us His way to do these things. He has revealed to us that it is the duty of the presiding authorities to appoint and call; and then those whom they choose for any official position in the Church shall be presented to the body. If the body reject them, they are responsible for that rejection. They have the right to reject, if they will, or to receive them and sustain them by their faith and prayers. That is strictly in accordance with the rule laid down of the Lord. If any officer in the Church has my sympathy, it is the Bishop. If any officer in the Church deserves credit for patience, for longsuffering, kindness, charity, and for love unfeigned, it is the Bishop who does his duty. And we feel to sustain in our faith and love the Bishops and Counselors in Zion. We say to the Bishoprics of the various Wards, Be united; see eye to eye, even if you have to go down on your knees before the Lord and humble yourselves until your spirits will mingle and your hearts will be united one with the other. When you see the truth, you will see eye to eye and you will be united. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.5 The truth will never divide councils of the priesthood. It will never divide presidents from their Counselors, nor Counselors from their presidents, nor members of the Church from one another, nor from the Church. The truth will unite us and cement us together. It will make us strong, for it is a foundation that cannot be destroyed. Therefore, when Bishops and their Counselors do not see eye to eye, or when Presidents and their Counselors have any difference whatever in their sentiments or in their policy, it is their duty to get together, to go before the Lord together and humble themselves before Him until they get revelation from the Lord and see the truth alike, that they may go before their people unitedly. It is the duty of the Presidents of Stakes and High Councilors to meet often, to pray together, to counsel together, to learn each other's spirit, to understand each other, and unite together, that there may be no dissension nor division among them. The same with the Bishops and their Counselors. The same may be said of the councils of the priesthood from first to last. Let them get together and become united in their understanding of what is right, just and true, and then go as one man to the accomplishment of the purpose they have in view. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.5 There is an effort being made (it has come more particularly to our notice in the near Stakes of Zion) by the Presidents of Stakes and the presidents of the various quorums of the priesthood to induce the members of these councils to attend to their priestly duties. The High Priests' quorums should have their regular meetings. They should meet together as often as circumstances will permit or as necessity requires, and grow and unite together. They should establish their schools of instruction and enlightenment; for it is the duty of the High Priests' quorum to teach the principles of government, of union, of advancement and of growth in the kingdom of God. They are indeed the fathers of the people at large. In our High Priests' quorums are numbered the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Patriarchs, and all that have been ordained to the office of High Priest in the Melchisedek Priesthood. All such belong to the High Priests' quorum. They come under its supervision, and they should have a lively union with it, not a dead connection. They should be united with the quorum in such a way that they give it all the force that they can impart for good. They should give it their individual influence, their hearty support, their confidence, and the benefit of their advice and counsel. They should not pull apart nor be disinterested in these matters. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.6 The same may be said of the Seventies' quorums. I believe that the Seven Presidents of the Seventies have it in their hearts and minds to establish a better system of growth, advancement and instruction in those quorums. The Seventies are called to be assistants to the Twelve Apostles; indeed they are apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, subject to the direction of the Twelve, and it is their duty to respond to the call of the Twelve, under the direction of the First Presidency of the Church, to preach the Gospel to every creature, to every tongue and people under the heavens to whom they may be sent. Hence they should understand the Gospel, and they should not be wholly dependent upon our auxiliary organizations for instruction, neither should they be wholly dependent upon the missionary classes in our Church schools for their knowledge of the Gospel and for their qualifications to preach that Gospel to the world. They should take up the study of the Gospel, the study of the scriptures and the history of the dealings of God with the peoples of the earth, in their own quorums, and make those quorums schools of learning and instruction, wherein they may qualify themselves for every labor and duty that may be required at their hands. The Bishops should take especial charge of the lesser priesthood, and train them in the duties of their callings--the Priests, Teachers and Deacons. Our young men should be looked after. The boys, as soon as it is prudent, should be called to take hart in the lesser priesthood. If it were possible to grade them, from the Deacon to the Priest, and from the Priest upward through all the offices that will eventually devolve upon them, it would be one of the best things that could be done. All these things should be looked after by the presiding authorities of the Church, especially those who preside over the quorums. I will repeat what I said before, it is expected that every man on whom responsibility is placed will do his duty faithfully, and be diligent in the performance thereof. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.7 Our auxiliary organizations, I believe, are in excellent condition. I need only to mention to you that our Sunday Schools probably have never had a better organization than they have today. There never has been a time in the Church when more attention has been given to imparting instruction and to forming outlines for guidance of teachers, in our Sunday Schools than has been given of late; and there is a good, lively spirit and influence felt among the Sunday School workers. I will speak of the Relief Society as one great organization in the Church, organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, whose duty it is to look after the interests of the women of Zion and of all the women that may come under their supervision and care, irrespective of religion, color or condition. I expect to see the day when this organization will be one of the most perfect, most efficient and effective organizations for good in the Church; but that day will be when we shall have women who are not only imbued with the Spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and with the testimony of Christ in their hearts, but also with youth, vigor and intelligence to enable them to discharge the great duties and responsibilities that rest upon them. Today it is too much the case that our young, vigorous, intelligent women feel that only the aged should be connected with the Relief Society. This is a mistake. We want the young women, the intelligent women, women of faith, of courage and of purity, to be associated with the Relief Societies of the various Stakes and Wards of Zion. We want them to take hold of this work with vigor, with intelligence and unitedly, for the building up of Zion and the instruction of women in their duties--domestic duties, public duties, and every duty that may devolve upon them. Our Mutual Improvement Associations are in excellent condition, and doing a good work. I think Brother Heber J. Grant, just returned from the mission field, will bear me out in the statement that the young men who have had training in the Mutual Improvement Associations make the most effective and successful missionaries in the world. We want this work continued, not only among the young men, but among the young women also. The Primary Associations are doing a east amount of good, as are our Religion Class workers also. The Religion Class work has been hampered considerably, in consequence of the prejudice of some people and a disposition to hedge up the way of the Gospel; nevertheless it is accomplishing good. Whatever is most effective of good is most hated and opposed by the enemy of truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.7 I want to say to my brethren and sisters here this morning, that in my opinion there never was a time when the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were living better lives, were more faithful and more diligent, than they are today. We have various means of judging of this. One very accurate way of knowing is the fact that the law of tithing is being observed. There never has been a time in the history of the Church, I believe, when the law of tithing was observed more universally and more honestly than it has been observed by the Latter-day Saints of late. The tithes of the people during the year 1906, have surpassed the tithing of any other year. This is a good indication that the Latter-day Saints are doing their duty, that they have faith in the Gospel, that they are willing to keep the commandments of God, and that they are working up to the line more faithfully perhaps than ever before. I want to say another thing to you, and I do so by way of congratulation, and that is, that we have, by the blessing of the Lord and the faithfulness of the Saints in paying their tithing, been able to pay off our bonded indebtedness. Today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owes not a dollar that it cannot pay at once. At last we are in a Position that we can pay as we go. We do not have to borrow any more, and we wont have to if the Latter-day Saints continue to live their religion and observe this law of tithing. It is the law of revenue to the Church. Furthermore, I want to say to you, we may not be able to reach it right away, but we expect to see the day when we will not have to ask you for one dollar of donation for any purpose, except that which you volunteer to give of your own accord, because we will have tithes sufficient in the storehouse of the Lord to pay everything that is needful for the advancement of the kingdom of God. I want to live to see that day, if the Lord will spare my life. It does not make any difference, though, so far as that is concerned, whether I live or not. That is the true policy, the true Purpose of the Lord in the management of the affairs of His Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.8 Before I sit down I would like to make another statement. Our enemies have been publishing to the world that the Presidency of the Church and the leading officers are consuming the tithes of the people. Now, I am going to tell you a little secret, and it is this: there is not one of the general authorities in the Church that draws one dollar from the tithes of the people for his own use. Well; you may say, how do they live? I will give you the key: The Church helped to support in its infancy the sugar industry in this country, and it has some means invested in that enterprise. The Church helped to establish Z. C. M. I., and it has a little interest in that, and in some other institutions which pay dividends. In other words, tithing funds were invested in these institutions, which give employment to many, for which the Trustee-in-Trust holds stock certificates, which are worth more today than what was given for them; and the dividends from these investments more than pay for the support of the general authorities of the Church. So we do not use one dollar of your tithing. I thought I would like to tell you that much, so that when you hear men talking about Joseph F. Smith and his associates consuming the tithes of the people you can throw it back into their teeth chat they do not use a dollar of the tithing for their support. I would like our "friends," if I might be permitted to use a vulgar expression, to "put that in their pipe and smoke it." (Laughter.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.8 A word about our Church schools. Our Church schools were never more efficient than they are today. We have good men at their head, and good teachers, Latter-day Saints, who are teaching your children principles of righteousness, honor, virtue, truth and uprightness, as well as giving them the benefits of a secular education. Hitherto we have had sufficient means to take care of our schools, but there is nothing that I have anything to do with in the Church that has grown so fast in so short a time as our Church schools. I do not know but they will outgrow the Church by and by, if we do not put a little hedge about them. We will have to exercise some judgment and wisdom in their management, for they may grow so big that we will not be able to carry them at all. We may have to curtail them a little, and guage their growth and increase somewhat to correspond with the means available for their support. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.8 Many things come to my mind, but one thing more I will speak of. We have seventeen or more missions in the world, and they are mostly young men who are presiding over them. [There are 23 missions, all told.] My brethren and sisters, let me say to you that these young men are your sons, and they are men after God's own heart. We have absolute confidence in their integrity. We know they are true-born and true metal. We know they can be trusted with the great responsibilities that devolve upon them. They are noble young men, men of intelligence, virtue, honor and integrity, whose word is as good as any man's bond, I do not care how strong the bond may be. Therefore, I commend these young men, and say in my heart, God bless the Presidents of the Missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world. Elder Charles W. Penrose is presiding now over the European Mission, where he is using the ability the Lord has given him (which we know is of no mean order) in the proclamation of the Gospel, in writing editorials for the Millennial Star, and in exercising his influence and intelligence in the defense of the cause of Zion, and in the advocacy of the principles of the Gospel to the world; and he has a large number of most faithful, energetic and worthy young elders seconding his efforts in that Mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.9 I feel that I have really trespassed upon your time. I now wish to announce to you, that the Presidency and the Twelye have prepared a document containing our views, our faith and doctrines, and asserting the truth in connection with the up-building of Zion and the purposes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which document we propose to have read to you this morning by Elder Orson F. Whitney, and then we want to present it to you for your acceptance or rejection, as you desire, that it may go forth from this conference, if approved, as an authoritative statement of our faith, our purposes and our works, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.9 God bless you, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.25 I would like to say to the Presidents of Stakes and counselors, and to the Bishops and their counselors, who are present today, that we commend to their careful consideration the subjects that have been treated upon this afternoon by the brethren who have spoken--the observance of the divine law of health and life, the Word of Wisdom, abstinence from folly and from the wild, foolish pleasure resorts that are being so freely patronized by young people in these days. I think that the presiding priesthood everywhere should pay attention to these things, and carefully guard the youth of Zion, as well as the middle aged and aged, against these foolish excesses. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.39 Important interrogations.--Emphatic response. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.39 I want to give this congregation the opportunity of answering yes or no to the questions that have been read by Brother Heber J. Grant, namely: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.39 "First, Yes or no, do you believe in God, the Father; God a person, God a definite and tangible intelligence--not a congeries of laws floating like a fog through the universe; but God a person in whose image you were made? Don't argue; don't explain; but is your mind in a condition where you can answer yes or no? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.39 "Second, Yes or no, do you believe that Christ was the son of the living God, sent by Him to save the world? I am not asking whether you believe that He was inspired in the sense that the great moral teachers are inspired--nobody has any difficulty about that. But do you believe that Christ was God's very Son, with a divinely appointed and definite mission, dying on the cross and raised from the dead--yes or no? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.39 "Third, Do you believe that when you die you will live again as a conscious intelligence, knowing who you are and who other people are?" Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.39 Every man and woman in this congregation that can answer yes to these questions, say yes. (There was a universal response from all over the house.) And every one that bears the name of Latter-day Saint in this vast congregation that cannot say yes, let him say no. (Not a single response.) Brother Heber has told us the truth. There is no doubt in the minds of Latter-day Saints in relation to the existence and personage of the Lord God Almighty, who is the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in the minds of Latter-day Saints that Jesus is the Son of God, being begotten of the Father in the flesh. And there is no Latter-day Saint in all the world but knows as truly and as fully as God can impart that knowledge to the soul of man, that he shall live again after death, and that men and women shall be associated together as God has ordained and they have been united by His power, to dwell together forever and forever; and they shall know as they are known, they shall see as they are seen, and they shall understand as God understands; for they are His children. I wanted to say this much in confirmation of the faith of the Latter-day Saints with reference to the questions that have been asked here, and that cannot be answered by the sectarian world, because they have not the faith or the knowledge to answer them. Latter-day Saints can answer them, because God has revealed the knowledge to them in this day through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and by the testimony of the Spirit of God in the heart of every faithful Latter-day Saint. President Joseph F. Smith. (CLOSING REMARKS.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.118 I desire to say to you, my brethren and sisters. God bless you. I invoke the favor and protecting care, the mercy, forgiveness and loving kindness of the Father of light, in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning, upon all the Latter-day Saints, and upon all the honest in heart and upright in all the world. May the Lord God bless the people of this State and of the nation, as well as the rulers of the nation. May peace reign in the midst of all the people. May the strife, contention and discontent which exists more or less all over our land be settled amicably, that peace may dwell within our borders, and that our people may be prosperous and happy, and continue to grow in power, number and glory in the land. May the Lord God bless the President of the United States, and his Cabinet, and all the honorable men in public life in our nation, and in the other nations of the world, that peace may dwell on earth and good will towards man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.118 Our mission is to save, to preserve from evil, to exalt mankind, to bring light and truth into the world, to prevail upon the people of the earth to walk righteously before God, and to honor Him in their lives and with the firstfruits of all their substance and increase that their barns may be filled with plenty and, figuratively speaking, that "their presses may burst out with new wine." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.118 May God bless the Presidents of the Stakes of Zion and their counselors, and all the officers in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. May He help them to be pure, holy, honest, upright men, after God's own heart, free from the sins of the world, broadminded, full of the love of truth, charity, the spirit of forgiveness, mercy and kindness, that they may be as fathers indeed in the midst of the people, and not tyrants. You, my brethren, are not called to be masters; you are called to be servants. Let him that would be great among you be the servant of all. Let us follow in the footsteps Of our Mas ter, the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the perfect example for mankind. He is the only infallible rule and law, way and door into everlasting life. Let us follow the Son of God. Make Him our exemplar and our guide. Imitate Him. Do His works. Become like unto Him, as far as it lies within our power to become like Him that was perfect and without sin. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.118 God bless the mothers in Zion, and the sons and daughters of Israel, and keep our children from the ways of the world, from transgression and from temptation that will lead them astray. May the power of God be over all the household of faith. May Israel flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and assemble together unto the place which God has appointed, and there prosper, multiply and replenish the earth, and thence spread abroad throughout the land; for the time will come when we will find it necessary to fulfill the purposes of the Almighty by occupying the land of Zion in all parts of it. We are not destined to be confined to the valleys of the mountains. Zion is destined to grow, and the time will come when we will cry aloud, more than we do today, Give us room that we may dwell! Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.119 Now may the Lord God of Israel bless you, my brethren, my sisters and my friends. May the mercy of God be extended unto our enemies. We wish them good, not evil. They will bring sufficient evil upon themselves by the course they pursue, and we need not wish evil to come upon them for it will come soon enough if they do not repent. May God have mercy upon them. May He turn the erring from the error of their way, and be that wandereth into the paths of certainty and truth. This is my prayer, and I invoke these blessings upon this great congregation and upon all the people of the Lord throughout the land, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. AN ADDRESS: THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS TO THE WORLD Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.1 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH April, 1907. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.1 "Let facts be submitted to a candid world." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.1 THE ADDRESS Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.1 Which appears on the following pages constitutes part of the official proceedings of the Conference, and its connection therewith is set forth in full on page nine of this report. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 GREETING: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 In the hope of correcting misrepresentation, and of establishing a more perfect understanding respecting ourselves and our religion, we, the officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in General Conference assembled, issue this Declaration. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 Such an action seems imperative. Never were our principles or our purposes more widely misrepresented, more seriously misunderstood. Our doctrines are distorted, the sacred ordinances of our religion ridiculed, our Christianity questioned, our history falsified, our character traduced, and our course of conduct as a people reprobated and condemned. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 In answer to the charges made against us, for ourselves and for those who, under divine direction, rounded our religion and our Church: for our posterity, to whom we shall transmit the faith, and into whose keeping we shall give the Church of Christ; and before mankind, whose opinions we respect, we solemnly declare the truth to be: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 Our religion is rounded on the revelations of God. The Gospel we proclaim is the Gospel of Christ, restored to earth in this the dispensation of the fulness of times. The high claim of the Church is declared in its title--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Established by divine direction, its name was prescribed by Him whose Church it is--Jesus the Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.3 The religion of this people is pure Christianity. Its creed is expressive of the duties of practical life. Its theology is based on the doctrines of the Redeemer. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 If it be true Christianity to accept Jesus Christ in person and in mission as divine: to revere Him as the Son of God, the crucified and risen Lord, through whom alone can mankind attain salvation; to accept His teachings as a guide, to adopt as a standard and observe as a law the ethical code He promulgated: to comply with the requirements prescribed by Him as essential to membership in His Church, namely, faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost,--if this be Christianity, then are we Christians, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 The theology of our Church is the theology taught by Jesus Christ and His apostles, the theology of scripture and reason. It not only acknowledges the sacredness of ancient scripture, and the binding force of divinely-inspired acts and utterances in ages past; but also declares that God now speaks to man in this final Gospel dispensation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We believe in the Godhead, comprising the three individual personages, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We hold that man is verily the child of God, formed in His image, endowed with divine attributes, and possessing power to rise from the gross desires of earth to the ennobling aspirations of heaven. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We believe in the pre-existence of man as a spirit, and in a future state of individual existence, in which every soul shall find its place, as determined by justice and mercy, with opportunities of endless progression, in the varied conditions of eternity. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We believe in the free agency of man, and therefore in his individual responsibility. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We believe that salvation is for no select few, but that all men may he saved through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We affirm that to administer in the ordinances of the Gospel, authority must be given of God; and that this authority is the power of the Holy Priesthood. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We affirm that through the ministration of immortal personages, the Holy Priesthood has been conferred upon men in the present age, and that under this divine authority the Church of Christ has been organized. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.4 We proclaim the objects of this organization to be, the preaching of the Gospel in all the world, the gathering of scattered Israel, and the preparation of a people for the coming of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.5 "Mormonism" seeks its converts among all classes and conditions of society, and those who accept it are among the best men and women of the nations from which they come--honest. industrious, virtuous, and reverent. In their community life they are peaceable, law-abiding and exemplary. Their instincts, traditions and training are opposed to vice and crime. The religion they have embraced, the Church of which they are members, condemns every form of evil, and their lives, with few exceptions, are exponents of righteousness. Many of the early proselytes to our faith were descendants of the Pilgrims and Puritans. Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other leaders among the Latter-day Saints, traced their lineage to the founders and first defenders of the nation. Joseph Smith was a native of Vermont, and by vocation a farmer. All trades and professions were drawn upon for the membership of the Church. In England, its first foreign mission field, it was mainly the middle and working classes that responded to the Gospel message. All over the world it has been the same,--our converts have been men and women of character, intelligence, and integrity. There is nothing in "Mormonism" to attract the selfish or the vile. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.5 The effort to differentiate the "Mormon" priesthood and the "Mormon" people, by allowing that the latter are a good, honest, though misguided folk, while alleging that their leaders are the personification of all that is bad, is a most futile one. The great majority of the male members of the Church hold the priesthood, and though constituting the official body of the Church, they are a portion of the people. Priesthood and people are inseparable, and vindicated or condemned, stand together. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.6 The charge that the Church relies upon duplicity in the propagation of her doctrines, and shuns enlightened investigation, is contrary to reason and fact. Deceit and fraud in the perpetuation of any religion must end in failure. A system of religion, ethics, or philosophy, to attract and hold the attention of men, must be sincere in doctrine and honest in propaganda. That the Church employs deceptive methods; that she has one doctrine for the priesthood and another for the people; that she teaches one set of principles to her members in Zion, and another to the world, is not true. Enlightened investigation is the very means through which the Church hopes to promote belief in her principles and extend the beneficent influence of her institutions. From the beginning, enlightened investigation has been the one thing she has sought. To secure this, she has sent her missionaries into all parts of the world, especially to the centres of civilization and enlightenment, we her literature has been freely distributed: yet too frequently her claims have been disallowed without investigation, and judgment has been pronounced without a hearing. At the Columbian Exposition, which celebrated the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, the religions of the world were represented in a great parliament, for the purpose of showing "in the most impressive way, what and how many important truths the various religions hold and teach in common; . . . . to set forth by those most competent to speak, what are deemed the important distinctive truths held and taught by each religion; . . . . to inquire what light each religion has afforded or may afford to the other religions of the world." To this gathering the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though the most distinctively American church, was not invited; nevertheless she sought opportunity to place side by side with the creeds of all the great historic faiths, a presentation of her principles, and to voice to mankind the truths she deemed most important and most helpful. This opportunity was denied the Church, except upon such terms as were humiliating and subversive of the end sought--a wider publication and a more just consideration of her faith. After such an experience, and others of like kind, though of varying degree, we submit that it ill becomes our accusers to charge us with shunning enlightened investigation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.7 It has been charged that "Mormonism" is opposed to education. The history of the Church and the precepts of its leaders are a sufficient answer to that accusation. Joseph Smith, the first President of the Church, rounded schools, and attended them as a student, as did many of his followers under his advice and influence. Brigham Young, who succeeded Joseph Smith. emulated him as a founder and patron of schools: anti every subsequent President of the Church, his associates, and the people generally, have been equally zealous in that cause. In the course of their exodus from Illinois, our people built log school houses while halting on the Missouri river, then the frontier of the nation: and after they had traversed a thousand miles of wilderness, and planted their infant colony in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, school houses were among the first buildings they erected. Such has been the course pursued in every "Mormon" colony. The State of Utah, now dotted with the schools, academies, colleges, and universities, institutions which have given her marked educational prominence, furnishes indisputable evidence that her people-"Mormons"--are friends and promoters of education. To the Latter-day Saints, salvation itself, under the atonment of Christ, is a process of education. That knowledge is a means of eternal progress, was taught by Joseph Smith:-- It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.--A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge.--The glory of God is intelligence.--Whatever principles of intelligence we attain to in this life, will rise with us in the resurrection.--He who gains in this life more knowledge than another, will have so much the advantage in the world to come. These were aphorisms with the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.7 Neither is it true, as alleged, that "Mormonism" is destructive of the sanctity of the marriage relation: on the contrary it regards the lawful union of man and woman as the means through which they may realize their highest and holiest aspirations. To the Latter-day Saints, marriage is not designed by our heavenly Father to be merely an earthly union, but one that shall survive the vicissitudes of time, and endure for eternity, bestowing honor and joy in this world, glory and eternal lives in the worlds to come. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.7 The typical "Mormon" home is the temple of the family, in which the members of the household gather morning and evening, for prayer and praise to God, offered in the name of Jesus Christ, and often accompanied by the reading of scripture and the singing of spiritual songs. Here are taught and gently enforced, the moral precepts and religious truths, which, taken together, make up that righteousness which exalteth a nation, and ward off that sin which is a reproach to any people. If such conductions are not a sufficient answer to the charge that our homes are un-Christian, subversive of moral influence, and destructive of the state's stability, then we turn to the present generations. "Mormon" American citizens, products of our religion and our homes, for our vindication:--Here are our sons and daughters, submit them to any test of comparison you will: regard for truth, veneration for age, reverence for God, love of man, loyalty to country, respect for law, refinement of manners, and, lastly, in this issue between us and our accusers the crowning test of all, purity of mind and chastity of conduct. It is not inordinate self praise to say of the generations of our people, born and reared in "Mormon" homes, that they will compare favorably, in the Christian virtues, and in all that makes for good citizenship, with any community in this or any other country. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.8 The charge that the Church is a commercial rather than a religious institution; that its aims are temporal rather than spiritual; that it dictates its members in their industrial activities and relations, and aims at absolute domination in temporal affairs,--all this we emphatically deny. That the Church claims the right to counsel and advise her members in temporal as well as in spiritual affairs is admitted. Leading Church officials, men of practical experience in pioneer life, have aided the people in establishing settlements throughout the inter-mountain west, and have given them, gratuitously, the benefit of their broader knowledge of things, through counsel and direction, which the people have followed to their advantage; and both the wisdom of the leaders and the good sense of the people are vindicated in the results achieved. All this has been done without the exercise of arbitrary power. It has resulted from wise counsels, persuasively given and willingly followed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.8 It has also been the policy of the Church to foster home industries. Where there has been a lack of confidence in some of these enterprises, and private capital has been afraid to invest, the Church has furnished funds that the practicability of the undertaking might be demonstrated; and repeatedly the wisdom of this policy has been made manifest. Thereby the resources of various localities have been developed, community industries diversified, and the people, especially the poor, given increased opportunity of employment and a better chance to become self-sustaining. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.8 We deny the existence of arbitrary power in the Church: and this because its government is moral government purely, and its forces are applied through kindness, reason, and persuasion. Government by consent of the governed is the rule of the Church. Following is a summary of the word of the Lord, setting forth the principles on which the Church government is to be administered: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.9 The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon men, is true: but when they undertake to cover their sins, or gratify their pride, their vain ambition, or exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, amen to the priesthood, or the authority of that man. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.9 Nominations to Church office may be made by revelation; and the right of nomination is usually exercised by those holding high authority, but it is a law that no person is to be ordained to any office in the Church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the vote of its members. This law is operative as to all the officers of the Church, from the president down to the deacon. The ecclesiastical government itself exists by the will of the people; elections are frequent, and the members are at liberty to vote as they choose. True, the elective principle here operates by popular acceptance, rather than through popular selection, but it is none the less real. Where the foregoing facts exist as to any system, it is not and cannot be arbitrary. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.9 The Church officers, in the exercise of their functions, are answerable to the Church. No officer, however exalted his position, is exempt from this law. All decisions, rulings and conduct of officials are subject to investigation, correction, revision and final rejection by the general assembly of the priesthood of the Church, its final court of appeal. Even the President, its highest officer, is subject to these laws, and special provision is made for his trial, and, if necessary, his deposition. Where these facts exist in any administration of government, it cannot be justly classed as a tyranny, nor considered a menace to free institutions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.10 The tithing system of the Church, so often denounced as oppressive, and as imposing an arbitrary ecclesiastical tax, is in reality a system of free-will offerings. True, the members, by the law of the Church, are under moral obligation to pay one-tenth of their interest annually. But from the very nature of the principles on which churches exist, they being voluntary associations for the fostering of spiritual life, and the achievement of moral and charitable ends--in which associations membership cannot he compelled--there is no compulsory means of collecting this or any other church revenue. Tithing is a voluntary offering for religious and charitable purposes, and not a scheme of extortion for the enrichment of the higher officials. Service in the interest of the Church is given, for the most part, without monetary compensation; where compensation is allowed it is moderate; the high Church officials are not rich, but in the majority of cases are men of limited means, and where it is otherwise their wealth did not come from the tithes of the people;--these facts are a complete refutation of the slander that our tithing is a system of extortion practiced upon the people for the enrichment of the priesthood. Like the Church government throughout, the tithing system operates upon the principle of free will and the consent of those who hold the faith to be divine. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.10 Neither in mental attitude nor in conduct have we been disloyal to the government under whose guarantee of religious freedom our Church was rounded. The Book of Mormon proclaims America to be the land of Zion; a land dedicated to righteousness and liberty; a land of promise to certain branches of the house of Israel, and also to the Gentiles. It declares that God will fortify this land against all other nations; and "he that fighteth against Zion shall perish." By revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, the Lord declared that he had established the Constitution of the United States through "wise men raised up unto this very purpose." It is also our belief that God has blessed and prospered this nation, and given unto it power to enforce the divine decrees concerning the land of Zion, that free institutions might not perish from the earth. Cherishing such convictions, we have no place in our hearts for disloyal sentiments, nor is there likelihood of treason in our conduct. Were we evil-disposed toward American institutions, or disloyal to the United States, we would be recreant to those principles to which by interest and education we are attached, and would repudiate the revelations of God concerning this land. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.10 In reaffirming our belief in the high destiny of America, our attachment to American institution, and our loyalty to the United States, we declare that these sentiments, this loyalty, have outlived the memory of all the wrongs inflicted upon our fathers and ourselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.11 If patriotism and loyalty are qualities manifested in times of peace, by just, temperate, benevolent, industrious, and virtuous living; in times of trial, by patience, resistance only by lawful means to real or fancied wrongs, and by final submission to the laws of the land, though involving distress and sorrow; and in time of war, by willingness to fight the battles of the nation.--then, unquestionably, are the "Mormon" people patriotic and loyal. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.11 The only conduct seemingly inconsistent with our professions as loyal citizens, is that involved in our attitude during the controversies that have arisen respecting plural marriage. This principle was introduced by the Prophet Joseph Smith, at Nauvoo, Illinois. The practice was continued in Utah, and published to the world, as a doctrine of the Church, in 1852. In the face of these facts, Brigham Young, whose position in the matter was well known, was twice appointed, with the consent of the Senate, first by President Fillmore, and afterwards by President Pierce, to be the Governor of the Territory. It was not until 1862 that Congress enacted a law forbidding plural marriage. This law the Latter-day Saints conscientiously disregarded, in their observance of a principle sanctioned by their religion. Moreover they believed the enactment to be violative of the Constitution, which provides that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Notwithstanding this attitude and conduct on the part of our people, no decision of the Supreme Court upon this question was secured until 1878, more than thirty years afterthe settlement of Utah; nor were determined efforts made to enforce the law until a further period of five or six years had elapsed. Surely this toleration, under which the practice of plural marriage became firmly established, binds the United States and its people, if indeed they are not bound by considerations of mercy and wisdom, to the exercise of patience and charity in dealing with this question. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.12 If it be charged by those who find extenuation for offenses committed prior to the decision of 1878, that our subsequent duty as good citizens was clear and unmistakeable, we reply that the situation, as viewed by some of our members, developed a conflict between duty to God and duty to the government. Moreover, it was thought possible that the decision of the Supreme Court might be reversed, if what was regarded as a constitutional right were not too easily surrendered. What our people did in disregard of the law and of the decisions of the Supreme Court affecting plural marriages, was in the spirit of maintaining religious rights under constitutional guaranties, and not in any spirit of defiance or disloyalty to the government. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.12 The "Mormon" people have bowed in respectful submission to the laws enacted against plural marriage. While it is true that for many years they contested the constitutionality of the law of Congress, and during that time acted in harmony with their religious convictions in upholding by practice, as well as by spoken and written word, a principle committed to them from God, still, when every means of constitutional defense had been exhausted, the Church abandoned the controversy and announced its intention to be obedient to the laws of the land. Subsequently, when statehood for Utah became a possibility, on the condition that her constitution provide by ordinance, irrevocable without the consent of the United States, that plural marriages should be forever prohibited, the "Mormon" people accepted the condition by voting for the adoption of the constitution. From that time until now, the Church has been true to its pledge respecting the abandonment of the practice of plural marriage. If it be urged that there have been instances of the violation of the anti-polygamy laws, and that some persons within the Church have sought to evade the rule adopted by her, prohibiting plural marriages, the plain answer is that in every state and nation there are individuals who violate law in spite of all the vigilance that can be exercised; but it does not follow that the integrity of a community or a state is destroyed, because of such individual transgressions. All we ask is that the same common-sense judgment be exercised in relation to our community that is accorded to other communities. When all the circumstances are weighed, the wonder is, not that there have been sporadic cases of plural marriage, but that such cases have been so few. It should be remembered that a religious conviction existed among the people, holding this order of marriage to be divinely sanctioned. Little wonder then that there should appear, in a community as large as ours, and as sincere, a few over-zealous individuals who refused to submit even to the action of the Church in such a matter, or that these few should find others who sympathized with their views; the number, however, is small. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 Those who refer to "Mormon polygamy" as a menace to the American home, or as a serious factor in American problems, make themselves ridiculous. So far as plural marriage is concerned. the question is settled. The problem of polygamous living among our people is rapidly solving itself. It is a matter of record that in 1890, when the manifesto was issued, there were 2,451 plural families; in nine years this number had been reduced to 1,543. Four years later the number was 897; and many of these have since passed away. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 In answer to the charge of disloyalty, rounded upon alleged secret obligations against our government, we declare to all men that there is nothing treasonable or disloyal in any ordinance, ceremony, or ritual of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 The overthrow of earthly governments; the union of church and state: domination of the state by the church; ecclesiastical interference with the political freedom and rights of the citizen,--all such things are contrary to the principles and policy of the Church, and directly at variance with the oft repeated declarations of its chief presiding authorities and of the Church itself, speaking through its general conferences. The doctrine of the Church on the subject of government, stands as follows: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 Such is our acknowledgment of duty to civil governments. Again: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 "We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same, and that such as will administer law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people (if a republic), or the will of the sovereign." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 "We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 With reference to the laws of the Church, it is expressly said; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 "Be subject to the powers that be, until He reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under His feet. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.13 "Behold, the laws which ye have received from my hand are the laws of the Church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.14 That is to say, no law or rule enacted, or revelation received by the Church, has been promulgated for the State. Such laws and revelations as have been given are solely for the government of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.14 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds to the doctrine of the separation of church and state; the non-interference of church authority in political matters; and the absolute freedom and independence of the individual in the performance of his political duties. If, at any time, there has been conduct at variance with this doctrine, it has been in violation of the well settled principles and policy of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.14 We declare that from principle and policy, we favor: The absolute separation of church and state; No domination of the state by the church; INTO church interference with the functions of the state; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.14 No state interference with the functions of the church, or with the free exercise of religion; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.14 The absolute freedom of the individual from the domination of ecclesiastical authority in political affairs; The equality of all churches before the law. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.14 The reaffirmation of this doctrine and policy, however, is predicated upon the express understanding that politics in the states where our people reside, shall be conducted as in other parts of the Union; that there shall be no interference by the State with the Church, nor with the free exercise of religion. Should political parties make war upon the Church, or menace the civil, political, or religious rights of its members as such,--against a policy of that kind, by any political party or set of men whatsoever, we assert the inherent right of self-preservation for the Church, and her right and duty to call upon all her children, and upon all who love justice, and desire the perpetuation of religious liberty, to come to her aid, to stand with her until the danger shall have passed. And this, openly, submitting the justice of our cause to the enlightened judgment of our fellow men, should such an issue unhappily arise. We desire to live in peace and confidence with our fellow citizens of all political parties and of all religions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.15 It is sometimes urged that the permanent realization of such a desire is impossible, since the Latter-day Saints hold as a principle of their faith that God now reveals Himself to man, as in ancient times; that the priesthood of the Church constitute a body of men who have, each for himself, in the sphere in which he moves, special right to such revelation: that the President of the Church is recognized as the only person through whom divine communication will come as law and doctrine to the religious body; that such revelation may come at any time, upon any subject, spiritual or temporal, as God wills: and finally that, in the mind of every faithful Latter-day Saint, such revelation, in whatsoever it counsels, advises or commands, is paramount. Furthermore it is sometimes pointed out that the members of the Church are looking for the actual coming of a Kingdom of God on earth, that shall gather all the kingdoms of the world into one visible, divine empire, over which the risen Messiah shall reign. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.15 All this, it is held, renders it impossible for a "Mormon" to give true allegiance to his country, or to any earthly government. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.15 We refuse to be bound by the interpretations which others place upon our beliefs; or by what they allege must be the practical consequences of our doctrines. Men have no right to impute to us what they think may be the logical deduction from our beliefs, but which we ourselves do not accept. We are to be judged by our own interpretations, and by our actions, not by the logic of others, as to what is, or may be, the result of our faith. We deny that either our belief in divine revelation, or our anticipation of the coming kingdom of God, weakens in any degree the genuineness of our allegiance to our country. When the divine empire will be established, we may not know any more than other Christians who pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven;" but we do know that our allegiance and loyalty to country are strengthened by the fact that while awaiting the advent of the Messiah's kingdom, we are under a commandment from God to be subject to the powers that be, until He comes "whose right it is to reign." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.16 "Mormonism" is in the world for the world's good. Teaching truth inculcating morality, guarding the purity of the home, honoring authority and government, fostering education, and exalting man and woman our religion denounces crime, and is a foe to tyranny, in every form, "Mormonism" seeks to uplift, not to destroy society. She joins hands with the civilization of the age. Proclaiming herself a special harbinger of the Savior's second coming, she recognizes in all the great epochs and movements of the past, steps in the march of progress leading up to the looked for millennial reign. "Mormonism"lifts an ensign of peace to all people. The predestined fruits of her proposed system are the sanctification of the earth and the salvation of the human family. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.16 And now, to all the world: Having been commanded of God, as much as lieth in us, to live peaceably with all men--we, in order to be obedient to the heavenly commandment, send forth this Declaration, that our position upon the various questions agitating the public mind concerning us may be known. We desire peace, and will do all in our power on fair and honorable principles to promote it. Our religion is interwoven with our lives, it has formed our character, and the truth of its principles is impressed upon our souls. We submit to you, our fellow-men, that there is nothing in those principles that calls for execration, no matter how widely in some respects they may differ from your conceptions of religious truth. Certainly there is nothing in them that may not stand within the wide circle of modern toleration of religious thought and practice. To us these principles are crystalizations of truth. They are as dear to us as your religious conceptions are to you. In their application to human conduct, we see the world's hope of redemption from sin and strife, from ignorance and unbelief. Our motives are not selfish; our purposes not petty and earth-bound; we contemplate the human race, past, present and yet to come, as immortal beings, for whose salvation it is our mission to labor: and to this work, broad as eternity and deep as the love of God, we devote ourselves, now, and forever. Amen. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.16 JOSEPH F. SMITH, JOHN R. WINDER, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.16 ANTHON H. LUND, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.16 In behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, March 26, 1907. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.16 Adopted by vote of the Church, in General Conference, April 5, 1907. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1907, p.16 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. President Joseph F. Smith OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.2 Gratifying unity of the Priesthood and members of the Church.--The cause of the Lord should be paramount.--Individual effort and righteousness essential to salvation.--Assurance of eternal felicity imparted by the Gospel.--Admonition to faithfulness and purity of life.--Shun association with wicked enemies, but seek their salvation.--The dead, as well as the living, must repent. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.2 I feel very thankful to see so many of the Latter-day Saints assembled as are here this morning at the opening session of our Seventy-eighth Semi-Annual Conference. I desire to express the feelings of welcome we have to all of you who have come together for the purpose of participating in the business that may be transacted at this conference, and for the purpose of listening to such instructions as may be given to us through the servants of the Lord. It is a source of great satisfaction to me to witness the interest that is manifested in this conference by our people. We welcome you here this morning, and feel to invoke upon you the blessing of the Lord; that His Holy Spirit may rest upon all who are assembled here for the purpose of worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth, and who have come with a desire and purpose in their hearts to fulfill their duty to the Church and to the Lord, who has made it, by His word, necessary for us to assemble together, from thee to thee, to talk over and to consider His work, and the business that pertains to the upbuilding of Zion and the spread of the Gospel to the nations of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.2 I feel thankful that the Presidency are in the enjoyment of usual health and strength, and that we are united in our labors. I am also very thankful to say to you that the Apostles are also united, not only among themselves, but with the Presidency; and our interest in the work of the Lord is increasing, I believe, day by day. I may say with all truth, that the First Council of Seventies are united with us, and also united with each other; and, so far as I know, (and I think that we have very good opportunity to judge), there is a spirit of union and love existing throughout all the Church, pervading all the people of God. And this is undoubtedly a source of pleasure and of strength, a source of joy and satisfaction to every soul who has an interest in the work of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.3 Our duties in the Church should be, I think, paramount to every other interest in the world. It is true that we are under the necessity of looking after our worldly interests. It is, of course, necessary for us to labor with our hands, and our minds, in our various occupations for obtaining the necessaries of life. It is essential that the Latter-day Saints should be industrious and persevering in all the labors that devolve upon them, for it is written that "the inhabitants of Zion shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord." Again it is written: "Let every man be diligent in all things, and the idler shall not have place in the Church except he repents and mends his ways." Again: "Thou shalt not be idle; for be that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer." But in all our labors in life, in all the cares that beset us, and the temporal responsibilities that rest upon us, we should put uppermost in our thoughts, and highest in our appreciation and love the Cause of Zion, which is indeed the Cause of truth and righteousness. It is the plan of life that the Almighty has restored to man in the latter days for the salvation of the souls of men, not only in the world to come, but in our present life, for the Lord has instituted His work that His people may enjoy the blessings of this life to the utmost; that they should be saved in this present life as well as in the life to come, that they should lay the foundation here for immunity from sin and all its effects, and consequences, that they may obtain an inheritance in the kingdom of God beyond this vale of tears. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation, and it is absolutely necessary for every man and woman in the Church of Christ to work righteousness, to observe the laws of God, and keep the commandments that He has given, in order that they may avail themselves of the power of God unto salvation in this life. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.3 I do not believe in the ideas that we hear somethees advanced in the world, that it matters but little what men do in this thee, if they will but confess Christ at the end of their journey in life, that that is all-sufficient, and that by so doing they will receive their passport into heaven. I denounce this doctrine. It is unscriptural, it is unreasonable, it is untrue, and it will not avail any man, no matter by whom this idea may be advocated; it will prove an utter failure unto men. As reasonable beings, as men and women of intelligence, we cannot help but admire and honor the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which is the doctrine of God, and which requires of every man and woman righteousness in their lives, purity in their thoughts, uprightness in their daily walk and conversation, devotion to the Lord, love of truth, love of their fellow-man, and above all things in the world the love of God. These were the precepts that were inculcated by the Son of God when He walked among His brethren in the meridian of thee. He taught these precepts; He exemplified them in His life, and advocated continually the doing of the will of Him that sent Him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.3 He that sent His only-begotten Son into the world to accomplish the mission which He did, also sent every soul within the sound of my voice, and indeed every man and woman in the world to accomplish a mission, and that mission cannot be accomplished by neglect; nor by indifference; nor can it be accomplished in ignorance. We must learn our duty; learn the requirements that the Lord has made at our bands, and understand the responsibilities that He has placed upon us. We should learn the obligation that we are under to God, and to each other, and that we are under also to the cause of Zion, that has been restored to the earth in the latter days. These things are essential, and we cannot prosper in spiritual things, we cannot grow in knowledge and understanding; our minds cannot expand in the knowledge of God, nor in wisdom, nor in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, without we devote our thoughts and our efforts toward our own betterment, toward the increase of our own wisdom, and knowledge in the things of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.4 We labor day by day for the bread that perishes, and we devote but a few hours, comparatively, in seeking to obtain the bread off life. Our thoughts, in great measure, are placed upon worldly things, the things that perish, and therefore we are prone to neglect the higher duties that devolve upon us as the children of our father, and to forget, in some measure, the greater obligations that rest upon us. It is therefore proper, and indeed it becomes the duty of those who are placed upon the towers as watch-men in Zion to exhort the people to diligence, to prayerfulness, to humility, to a love of the truth that has been revealed to them, and to earnest devotion to the work of the Lord, which is intended for their individual salvation, and, so far as they have influence upon others, the salvation of those whom they may have power to influence to move in the right direction; not that I can save any man, nor that any one man can save any other man or fit him for exaltation in the kingdom of God. This is not given to me to do for others, nor is it given to any man to be a Savior in this sense, or in this way, to his fellow man; but man can set an example; man can urge the precepts of the Gospel. Man can proclaim the truth to others, and can point out the way to them in which to walk, and if they will harken to their counsel, listen to their admonitions and be led by them, they themselves will seek the path of life and they will walk in it, and obtain their exaltation for themselves. And thus the work required of us by the Lord is an individual work, it devolves upon each individual alike. No man can be saved in the kingdom of God in sin. No man will ever be forgiven of his sins by the just Judge, except he repents of his sins. No man will ever be freed from the power of death unless he is born again, as the Lord Almighty has decreed, and declared to the world by the mouth of His Son in the meridian of thee, and as He has declared it again in this dispensation through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Men can only be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God in righteousness, therefore we must repent of our sins, and walk in the light as Christ is in the light, that His blood may cleanse us from all sins, and that we may have fellowship with God and receive of His glory and exaltation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.4 Now, it is not my purpose to occupy very much thee this morning, but I desire, the Lord giving me His spirit, to declare my faith in the divine mission of the Son of God, who spoke as no man ever spoke; who announced principles and doctrine that no man ever enunciated, and who proclaimed in the clearest possible terms, the plan of life and salvation; and gave His own life and name to the world, as the only means and name under heaven by which man can be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.5 I declare to you in all candor, and in all earnestness of soul, that I believe with all my heart in the divine mission of Joseph Smith the Prophet, that I am convinced in every fiber of my being that God raised him up to restore to the earth the Gospel of Christ, which is indeed the power of God unto salvation. I testify to you that Joseph Smith was instrumental in the hand of the Lord in restoring God's truth to the world, and also the holy Priesthood, which is His authority delegated unto man. I know this is true, and I testify of it to you. To me it is all-in-all; it is my life, it is my light; it is my hope, and my joy; it gives me the only assurance that I have for exaltation, for my resurrection from death, with those whom I have loved and cherished in this life, and with those with whom my lot has been cast in this world--honorable men, pure, humble men, who were obedient unto God and His commands, who were not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, nor of their convictions or knowledge of the truth of the Gospel: men who were made of the stuff of which martyrs are made, and who were willing at any moment to lay down their lives for Christ's sake, and for the Gospel, if need be, which they had received with the testimony of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. I want to be re-united with these men when I shall have finished my course here. When my mission is done here I hope to go beyond into the spirit world where they dwell, and be re-united with them. It is this Gospel of the Son of God that gives me the hope that I have of this consummation, and of the realization of my desire in this direction. I have staked all on this Gospel, and I have not done it in vain. I know in whom I trust. I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand upon the earth in the latter day, and, as Job, has expressed it. "Though worms shall destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.5 It is these things that I desire to impress upon the minds of the Latter-day Saints. You have received the truth. No man can prove to the contrary. No man under the heavens knows to the contrary, But you do know that you have received the truth, for God has given to you His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, by whom the things of the Father are revealed unto the understanding of the children of light, and they know in whom they trust. You have received the Gospel of Christ. Live it. Be faithful to it. Honor the covenants that you have made with the Lord in the waters of baptism. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.5 Honor every obligation that you owe to God and to your fellow man. Live so that you can be indeed saviors upon Mount Zion in the sense that your lives will be above reproach, in the sense that no man can justly point to you as transgressors of the law of God, though they may malign you; though they may say all manner of evil against you falsely. Live so that they cannot justly and truly point out in you corruption, wickedness, or misconduct. Let your light so shine that honest men will see your good works and will be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven. Keep away from the haunts of sin. While you may entertain in your hearts a feeling of love, of charity; a merciful feeling toward sinners, those that transgress the laws of God you do not have to take them into your bosoms, nor condescend to their conduct and habits. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.6 I feel in my heart to forgive all men in the broad sense that God requires of me to forgive all men, and I desire to love my neighbor as myself: and to this extent I bear no malice toward any of the children of my Father. But there are enemies to the work of the Lord, as there were enemies to the Son of God. There are those who speak only evil of the Latter-day Saints. There are those--and they abound largely in our midst, who will shut their eyes to every virtue and to every good thing connected with this latter-day work, and will pour out floods of falsehood and misrepresentation against the people of God. I forgive them for this. I leave them in the hand of the just Judge. Let Him deal with them as seemeth Him good, but they are not and cannot become my bosom companions. I cannot condescend to that. While I would not harm a hair of their head, while I would not throw a straw in their path, to hinder them from turning from the error of their way to the light of truth; I would as soon think of taking a centipede or a scorpion or any poisonous reptile and putting it into my bosom, as I would think of becoming a companion or an associate of such a man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.6 These are my sentiments, and I believe that they are correct. If you can throw yourself in the way of the sinner to stop him in his downward course, and become an instrument in the hand of the Lord of turning him from the way of vice, iniquity, or crime, into the way of righteousness and uprightness, you are justified and that is demanded of you. You should do this. If you can save a sinner from his wickedness, turn the wicked from the course of death that he is pursuing, to the way of life and salvation, you will save a soul from death, and you will have been an instrument in the hand of the Lord of turning the sinner unto righteousness, for which you will receive your reward. Some of our good Latter-day Saints have become so exceedingly good(?) that they cannot tell the difference between a Saint of God, an honest man, and a son of Beelzebub, who has yielded himself absolutely to sin and wickedness. And they call that liberality, broadness of mind, exceeding love. I do not want to become so blinded with love for my enemies that I cannot discern between light and darkness, between truth and error, between good and evil; but I hope to live so that I shall have sufficient light in me to discern between error and truth, and to cast my lot on the side of truth and not on the side of error and darkness. The Lord bless the Latter-day Saints. If I am too narrow with reference to these matters I hope that the wisdom of my brethren and the Spirit of Light from the Lord may broaden my soul. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.7 We have a few people amongst us who are so wrapped up in and so devoted to some of their kindred who have been guilty of every species of abomination and wickedness in the world, that, the moment they are dead they will come and ask for permission to go into the house of God to perform the ordinances of the Gospel for their redemption. I do not blame them for their affection for their dead, nor do I blame them for the desire in their heart to do something for their salvation, but I do not admire their wisdom, nor can I agree with their conception of right and justice. You cannot take a murderer, a suicide, an adulterer, a liar, or one who was or is thoroughly abominable in his life here, and simply by the performance of an ordinance of the Gospel, cleanse him from sin and usher him into the presence of God. God has not instituted a plan of that kind, and it cannot be done. He has said you shall repent of your sins. The wicked will have to repent of their wickedness. Those who die without the knowledge of the Gospel will have to come to the knowledge of it, and those who sin against light will have to pay the uttermost farthing for their transgression and their departure from the Gospel, before they can ever get back to it. Do not forget that. Do not forget it, you Elders in Israel, nor you, mothers in Israel, either, and, when you seek to save either the living or the dead, bear it in mind that you can only do it on the principle of their repentance, and acceptation of the plan of life. That is the only way in which you can succeed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1907, p.7 The Lord bless you. Peace be unto the House of Israel. Never mind what the world says, nor what the world does against you. Let us serve God, do our duty, live our religion, keep the commandments of the Lord, and work out our salvation in thee and throughout eternity. This is my admonition to the Latter-day Saints, and I pray God that we may all be able to do it, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.1 God's protecting care, mercy, and blessings manifested.--Efforts of opponents over-ruled for good.--The Saints' business is salvation of the living and redemption of the dead.-Practical efforts in cause of Temperance.--Important educational movement among Priesthood.--Boys should be actively employed in their callings.--Contention a characteristic of apostates.--Interesting statistics.--Testimony of divinity of the Prophet Joseph Smith's mission. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.2 I esteem it a pleasant duty to attempt to make a few remarks at the opening of this our 78th Annual Conference. I am delighted with the vast number of brethren and sisters who are in attendance this morning. I am glad to look into your faces, to see you, and to realize, as I am made to do this morning by your presence, the interest that you feel in the cause of Zion, and in the work of the Lord in which we are engaged. It is also evidence of the interest you feel in the matters that may be presented to the conference for your approval; we desire and hope that we will be able to present only such matters to you, for your action and acceptation, as will be pleasing to you and acceptable to the Lord. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.3 I believe that we have every reason to feel grateful to our Heavenly Father, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, for His merciful providences and wonderful kindness that have been extended to His people during the past year, since the last general annual session of the Church in conference in this place. The hand of the Lord is over His people, and His eye is upon His work never was it more so than is visible at the present time. It is true that we owe to Him our deliverance from our enemies, from those who have sought our hurt and who are still seeking our hurt. We acknowledge the hand of Him who overrules all things, for we do not Claim to possess the wisdom, the knowledge, or the power, in and of ourselves, to accomplish that which has been accomplished, or to effect the deliverance that has been wrought out for the people of God since the incipiency of this work. We realize that it has been by the favor, and mercy, and protecting care of Almighty God that His people and the work of redemption, established in the latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith, have been preserved and brought to their present standing, power, and influence in the midst of the earth. We thank God for His mercies and blessings; and I do not know but what we owe in some small degree gratitude to those who have bitterly opposed the work of the Lord; for in all their opposings and bitter strife against our people the Lord has developed His power and wisdom, and has brought His people more fully into the knowledge and favor of the intelligent people of the earth. Through the very means used by those who have opposed the work of God, He has brought out good for Zion. Yet, it is written, and I believe it is true, that although it must needs be that offenses come, woe unto them by whom they come; but they are in the hands of the Lord as we are. We bring no railing accusation against them. We are willing to leave them in the hands of the Almighty to deal with them as seemeth Him good. Our business is to work righteousness in the earth, to seek for the development of a knowledge of God's will and of God's ways, and of His great and glorious truths which He has revealed through the instrumentality of Joseph the Prophet, not only for the salvation of the living but for the redemption and salvation of the dead. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.3 I rejoice as much today--and more, if I am capable of rejoicing more, in the work of the Lord than I ever did before. I feel today as confident and as sure in the continued providences of the Lord, in His continued mercy toward His people, and in the glorious fact that it is His work, that He is directing it and will continue to do so, as I ever felt in my life. Indeed there is not the shadow of a doubt in my mind in regard to these things. I feel confident of the truth of God's work, of the mission of the Prophet Joseph, of the truth and divinity of the precious ordinances of the Gospel that have been restored to man in the latter-day, and I believe that this Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. I feel sure of it. I am convinced of the truth of these things in every fiber of my being. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.3 I feel that it is a great privilege for us to be permitted to come together from time to time in the capacity in which we have met this morning. Here, during our conference, the elders of the Church will have opportunity to bear their testimony of the truth, to exhort and to admonish, to advise and counsel and instruct the people, as the Spirit of the Lord may move upon them and give them utterance. Here we have the opportunity of mingling together, of renewing acquaintances, and of partaking of the spirit of the work of the Lord which pervades assemblies of this kind. I rejoice to see you here and welcome you today. I pray that God's blessings may be extended to every soul present this morning, that life, and health, and peace may be our portion. I pray that the protecting care of the Lord may be upon you, individually and collectively, and upon all that you possess, all that the Lord has given unto you. I trust that we may have a time of rejoicing, and that at the conclusion of our conference we may return to our homes having renewed strength and determination in our souls to continue on and on in faithfulness to the covenants that we have made with the Father of Lights, with Whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. Let us strive to keep sacred the covenants we have made with Him in the waters of baptism, and in the ordinances of the Gospel, wherein we have promised to be His children in very deed. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.3 It may be proper for me to say that since our last semi-annual conference, quite a number of our beloved brethren and sisters have been called from this sphere of action Some of them were prominent in the ministry, and all have been beloved and honored for their integrity to the cause of Zion. They have gone to meet their Father, and to render that account of their ministry in the world, as described by Alma the Prophet, by which they shall receive that judgment which will assign them to the paradise of God, where they shall await their resurrection from the dead. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away," and we feel in our hearts to exclaim, like him of old, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.4 I will say to my brethren and sisters who are present that I believe, in all candor and in truth, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now organized in the midst of these eternal hills, was never in a better condition, spiritual or temporal, than today. The people never were more united than they are now. They never observed the laws of God more faithfully, or more truly and honestly than they are doing today, not only upon general principles, or in a general way, but, specifically they are becoming more careful in their observance of the words that the Lord has spoken for their good. I believe that we are coming nearer to the point where we shall be able to observe that great and glorious law of temperance which the Lord Almighty has given unto us, wherein He has said that strong drink is not good, that tobacco is not for the habitual use of man, not for the stomach, but for sick cattle. We are coming to the conclusion that the Lord knew best, when He delivered to the Church, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that "Word of Wisdom," contained in the book of relations from the Lord. Although we see a few, professing to be Latter-day Saints, who are still slaves to the debased appetite for tobacco, and perhaps some with an appetite for strong drink, yet the great majority of the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are coming nearer and nearer to a proper observance of the law which the Lord has given to us for our health, for the preservation of our lives; that we may be in harmony with His Spirit and His will, that we may be clean and undefiled, that we may be nearer like unto Him Who was without sin, Who was indeed pure and holy as God is pure and holy. When I see a man professing to be a Latter-day Saint, or even professing to be a member of the Church, though not making any great professions of being a Latter-day Saint, befouling his breath with intoxicating drink, with the fumes of tobacco, or unnecessarily indulging in stimulants, it grieves my spirit, my soul goes out for him in pity and in sorrowful regret, and I wonder why it is that we, individually, cannot realize our own folly, our own degradation in yielding to these pernicious habits that are neither useful or ornamental, nor in the least degree beneficial, but indeed are harmful. Why cannot we rise to that degree of intelligence that would enable us to say to the tempter, "Get behind me," and to turn our backs upon the practice of evil. How humiliating it must be to a thoughtful man to feel that he is a slave to his appetites, or to an over-weening and pernicious habit, desire, or passion. We believe in strict temperance. We believe in abstinence from all injurious practices and from the use of all hurtful things. Poison, in the judgment of the physician, may be beneficial, under some conditions in life, as a momentary relief; but poison, under any circumstance, should only be used as a temporary expedient, necessary, perhaps, in our best judgment, for the time being, for the instant--for sudden and certain desired relief,--but the continued use of that poison will fasten its fangs upon us, so to speak, in such a way that by and by we will find that we are over-powered by it, and we become slaves of the pernicious habit that becomes a tyranical master over us. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.5 There is a general movement throughout the land looking towards local option and temperance among the people of our state, and of the adjoining states. I sincerely hope that every Latter-day Saint will co-operate with this movement, in order that we may curtail the monstrous evils which exist, especially in our cities. I wish to say that I am in sympathy with this movement, and I know that my brethren are united with me and in harmony with the efforts that are being made to establish temperance throughout the land. We want nothing drastic, nothing that would be illiberal or oppressive, but we do think that the people ought to have their choice as to whether they will permit or have in their midst drunkenness, rioting, and murder--which is too often the result of drunkenness,--or whether they will insist on abstinence from these things, that the people might have peace insured among them, and that their children might not be subjected to the temptations into which they are thrown because of the presence of these evils. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.6 Several very important movements have been inaugurated of late among us for the advantage of the Saints, and especially for the benefit and advancement of those who are associated with the various quorums of the Priesthood. I desire to mention the effort that is being made by our Seventies in their organization of classes and schools for the instruction of the members of their quorums, that they might he qualified for the great work of the ministry to which they are dedicated. Efforts are also being made to organize and put to usefulness the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood. In my judgment, we are progressing rapidly in these directions. It is also understood that those of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the presidents of High Priests quorums, and the High Priests throughout the Church are instituting methods by which those who are members of these quorums may learn their duty and become familiar with the laws of the Church, which should govern their actions, that they may be, indeed, fathers among the people, exercising the functions that belong to their calling as High Priests in Zion or in the Church. They should be examples; they should be teachers. They should understand, above all other men, the principles of government and the order of the Church. They should move forward solidly in the exercise of their influence, individually and collectively, against all evil, against the spirit of indifference, the spirit of neglect and unbelief. Every man who holds the office of High Priest in the Church or has been ordained a High Priest, whether he is called to active position in the Church or not inasmuch as he has been ordained a High Priest, should feel that he is obliged,--that it is his bounden duty to set an example before the old and young worthy of emulation, and to place himself in a position to be a teacher of righteousness, not only by precept but more particularly by example--giving to the younger ones the benefit of experience of age, and thus becoming individually a power in the midst of the communities in which they dwell. Every man who has light should let that light shine that those who see it may glorify their Father which is in Heaven, and honor him who possesses the light and who causes it to shine forth for the benefit of others. In a local capacity, there is no body of Priesthood in the Church who should excel, or who are expected to excel, those who are called to bear the office of High Priest in the Church. From among those who hold this office are chosen the presidents of stakes and their counselors, and the High Councils of the fifty-six stakes of Zion which are now organized; and from this office are chosen the bishops, and the bishops' counselors, in every ward in Zion; and heretofore, of this office are those who have been called to take charge of our stake Mutual Improvement organizations. Those holding this office are, as a rule, men of advanced years, and varied experience, men who have filled missions abroad, who have preached the Gospel to the nations of the earth, and who have had experience not only abroad but at home. Their experience and wisdom is the ripened fruit of years of labor in the Church, and they should exercise that wisdom for the benefit of all with whom they are associated. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.6 The Seventies are laboring for the purpose of qualifying themselves for the work of the ministry abroad among the nations of the earth, which is their legitimate calling. I commend the efforts of our brethren of the Seven Presidents of Seventies in their endeavor to bring about the good results they have in view in this direction. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.6 The Elders' quorums should also be looked after, and those who preside in them should be active in season and out of season. They should be vigilant and faithful in looking after those intrusted to their care, and are subject to their direction and counsel. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 The Bishops and the Lesser Priesthood should be very active and energetic. We should look after our boys who have been ordained Deacons, Teachers, and Priests in the Church. We should find something for them to do in their callings. Let them be appointed to active labors in their several spheres. Put forward those who have not had experience to accompany those who have, and give them something to do. Let the Deacons not only assist to keep the meeting houses in repair and their grounds in proper condition, but let them be set to work to look after the welfare of the widows and fatherless, the aged and the poor. Many of our young men who are idle, languishing for the want of something to do, could be made most useful in helping the poor to clean up about their homes and make them comfortable, and helping them to live in such a way that life would be pleasant to them. There is no reason why the members of the Lesser Priesthood should not be engaged in missions and labors of this kind. Instead of calling upon the Trustee-in-trust for the tithing to pay for planting trees to ornament the grounds of the meeting houses, or to paint the woodwork, or to renovate and cleanse the houses of worship, to make them suitable for the worship of God,--call the Lesser Priesthood to the work. Give them something to do that will make them interested in the work of the Lord, and above all things direct their energies in such a way that they will be helpful to the needy, helpful to the poor, helpful to themselves and to the Church. It will benefit them not only as regards their standing in the Church, and their faith in the Priesthood which they bear, but it will help them to become better boys at home. They will be more dutiful to their parents, more respectful to their brothers and sisters and others. They will become more mindful of their duties at home and abroad. This is in the line of discipline, of instruction and of gaining practical experience. Instead of leaving these young people, who are full of energy, to roam the streets, to congregate upon the corners, or to idle away their time in folly, and in contracting, perhaps foolish habits and practices, give them something to do that will be uplifting, something that will be enlarging to their souls, and that will be an instruction to them that they will remember all their days. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 I want to say also, that so far as I know, and I think that we have the opportunity of knowing pretty well,--the condition of our auxiliary organizations is satisfactory. As a general thing they are in good condition. We may lack in some things, but as a whole our auxiliary organizations are active and energetic and are working constantly for individual and general good. I believe that there is a feeling of harmony existing between all these associations, one with another. There is no strife existing among them. There is no contention. Indeed the spirit of contention is a thing not known among the Latter-day Saints. You find the spirit of contention only among apostates and those who have denied the faith, those who have turned away from the truth and have become enemies to God and His work. There you will find the spirit of contention, the spirit of strife. There you will find them wanting to "argue the question," and to dispute with you all the time. Their food, their meat, and their drink is contention which is abominable in the sight of the Lord. We do not contend. We are not contentious, for if we were we would grieve the Spirit of the Lord from us. Just as apostates do and have always done. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 Perhaps I should not have occupied so much time. I have been suffering a little of late, like a great many others, with a cold, and I find that my talking is affecting my voice somewhat, but I have some data here that I thought I would mention in a general way. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 One item is the number of missionaries laboring in the world,--that is Elders sent out from Zion into the mission field: On the 31st of last December we had 1810 missionaries from Zion out in the various mission fields in the world. There were also forty-four sisters who have accompanied their husbands upon these missions. Besides these there are a number of local Elders working in the ministry. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 We sent out, during the year 1907, into the various missionary fields 927 Elders, who will spend from two to four years on their missions. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 There have returned from the various mission fields, during the year 1907, 707 Elders. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 In this connection I wish to mention the fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through their Trustee-in-Trust, have paid the returning fares of all these Elders. They go out into the world at their own expense. They maintain themselves in their missions, at their own expense or by the assistance of their parents or kindred at home, and the little assistance that they may receive from time to time from the people among whom they labor. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 I have another list, which is too long to be given here today, showing the number of Elders in the mission field from each stake of Zion. We can tell you, in a moment, just how many Elders each stake has in the mission field; but I feel that to continue longer would be to trespass upon your time. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.7 I pray God to bless you. I feel joyous and happy in the ministry, in the work of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.8 We will hear, during the conference, reports from other quarters. A very careful and exhaustive auditation of the accounts and books, the receipts and expenditures of the tithing, for the last year, has been made by the Auditing Committee of the Church. Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.8 It just comes to my mind that Elder Charles W. Nibley, having been called to the Presiding Bishopric, has been released from the Auditing Committee, and Brother Henry H. Rolapp, of Ogden, has been appointed to act in his stead. I would like to submit the name of Brother Henry H. Rolapp before this meeting for your approval and acceptance to act upon this committee. (Vote unanimous). Joseph F. Smith: Conference Report, April 1908, p.8 The general authorities of the Church will be presented possibly tomorrow, and if not then, the next day. We desire the brethren and sisters who come to the conference to come with their hearts full of the spirit of wisdom and of truth, and if you discern in us any lack of wisdom, or of judgment, any failure in the performance of our duty, we desire that those who have superior experience and knowledge, and greater intelligence, will do us the honor and favor of coming to us individually and letting us know wherein we come short. We will give a thousand errors, if we can find them or if they exist in us,--any moment for one truth; and we will swap off a hundred mistakes, aye thousands of mistakes if they can be found, for one accurate, consistent, and proper action. We are seeking for the truth. We love the truth, and we know when we learn the truth that it is the truth. We believe in the divine mission of Christ and in His great plan of redemption for the living and the dead. We believe in the divine mission of Joseph Smith the Prophet. We believe in every word that he spoke by the inspiration of Almighty God, and not one word that he ever uttered or gave as a God will fall to the ground as error, but it will stand upon its own merit as truth, God's truth, eternal truth,--"While life and thought and being last or immortality endures." This is our testimony to the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and to the divine revelations that the Lord made, through him, to the world. God help us to receive the truth and abide by it, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. (CLOSING REMARKS) Invokes Heaven's blessings upon the members of the Church, and the people of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.122 We have now approached the time for the closing of our Seventy-Eighth Annual Conference; and in conclusion, I desire to express my heartfelt gratitude to God for His signal blessings, during the sessions of our conference. The weather has been propitious, healthful, beautiful, and in every way suitable to our need. I presume there has been a larger attendance at cacti session than we have had at any former conference of the Church. I feel grateful to my brethren and sisters who have been in attendance, and I desire to express my heartfelt blessing upon every soul who has come to this conference with a desire to promote the well being and happiness of others, and who has desired to see righteousness and peace prevail. I thank you for your presence. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.122 I feel to bless my brethren who are acting in the important calling of presidents of the various stakes of Zion, on whom rest such great responsibilities, standing as they do at the head of these stake organizations of the Church as fathers and counselors to the people. May the Lord bless their counselors and the members of the various High Councils of the Church who are present. I invoke the special blessings of God our Father upon you, my brethren, that you may be filled, one and all, with the spirit of your callings; that you may have the gifts of wisdom and perfect discernment, that you may be just judges in Israel, and righteous counselors among the people, that all may see that you are indeed the servants of God and true representatives of His work in the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.123 I pray God to bless the Bishops and their counselors and all those who are acting in the Lesser Priesthood; may the spirit of their callings rest upon them. May our Bishops move forward in their great spiritual and temporal mission and in the future so far as possible, give employment to the youth of Zion. Find something for them to do that will give them an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in good works that will be beneficial to the cause of Zion and to themselves. I trust they will not forget this. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.123 I invoke the blessing of the Lord upon the various quorums of the Priesthood, the Seventies, the High Priests, the Elders, and upon the Patriarchs in the midst of Zion, that the spirit of their callings may rest upon them henceforth and forever. May they all be true men, true to their covenants, true to their God, true to themselves, true to the state and nation of which we are a part. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.123 I desire to invoke the blessings of the Lord also upon all the auxiliary organizations of the Church, that the spirit of their missions may rest abundantly and fruitfully upon them, that they will accomplish the greatest possible good in the spheres in which they act in the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.123 I pray God to bless all our friends throughout the land and in all the world. May He bless and have mercy upon our enemies. May He open their eyes and their understanding, that they may comprehend the nature of the course they are taking and what it will result in to themselves at last. May the Lord have pity upon and turn them from their folly and the error of their way, and lead them into paths of peace and righteousness. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.123 I want to express my appreciation of the labors of Brother Evan Stephens. Brother John J. McClellan and their assistants, also of the devotion of the members of the choir who have been able to attend during the conference, and others who have given us the benefit of their talent and skill. We thank them for their service. God bless our choir. May God bless Brother Evan Stephens, a man full of the love of truth, full of the spirit of song, devoted to the cause of Zion, a man who is wedded to his profession and his work, striving for the uplifting of the children of Zion. May the Lord bless him for it, and I hope by and by, when he gets old enough he will grow large enough to get wedded to a good wife as well as to music. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.123 I ask the Lord to bless all Zion--may He bless you as husbands and wives, as fathers and mothers, as parents and children. May the bless-rags of peace, life and health abound in all your abiding places. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1908, p.123 I ask these blessings, my brethren and sisters, upon you one and all, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.2 The Saints should manifest gratitude for the Lord's blessings.--Large expenditure by the Church for meeting houses, etc.--Futile efforts of the enemies of Truth.--Complete observance of the Word of Wisdom obligatory.--Suppression of saloons strongly advocated.--Evil doers must not be fellowshiped.--Saints should be consistent examples of righteousness. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.3 My brethren and sisters, it is indeed a cause for congratulation, joy and great satisfaction, to see the large number of members and officers of the Church who have assembled here, at the opening of our seventy-ninth semi-annual conference, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. It is remarkable, to say the least, to see so many here as are present this morning, and I feel grateful, in my heart, to the Lord for the feeling and interest manifested by those who are present, for your attendance here today is evidence of your interest in this work. I am glad to see you and to welcome you to this conference of the Church, and I sincerely hope and pray that the true spirit of the Gospel of the Son of God, may pervade all our meetings in this hall, and in other places where we shall be met together. I hope that, at the conclusion of our conference, every soul possessing a knowledge of the Gospel, and a love of truth, will feel amply repaid for attendance here; and to this end I invoke the blessing of the Lord upon every individual who has come here today, and who will attend the conference for the love of the truth and for his or her devotion to the cause of Zion. The Lord has blessed us in a remarkable degree, throughout the past season, with the exception of here and their a partial failure of late crops by frost; generally the season has been fruitful, and the people have been blessed, so far as we have been informed, throughout the length and breadth of the land. We desire that the Latter-day Saints will always, and especially at this time, remember the Lord for His goodness and mercy to them and for His blessings upon their labors; for we do acknowledge the hand of the Lord--or should do--in every thing that we possess and enjoy in the world. It is written that the Lord is displeased with those who will not acknowledge His hand in all things. All Latter-day Saints acknowledge in their hearts that every good and perfect gift comes from God, "from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning." We do not arrogate to ourselves the power to secure blessings, to multiply and increase our possessions and our wealth in the land without the assistance of Him from whom all blessings flow. We should keep in mind that law which makes it our duty to remember the Lord with the first fruits of all our increase, and that He is the giver of all good, not forgetting the duty we owe to Him and to His cause in the world, to provide our part of the means necessary for the carrying on of His work and for the building up of Zion in the latter days. Much has been done during the past season toward the building of houses of worship throughout the land--not only in this state but in Arizona, in Idaho, and throughout the missions of the Church. Much has been done by the Latter-day Saints, and much assistance has been rendered by the Trustee-in-Trust in the erection of houses of worship, schoolhouses, and in the purchase of places that were necessary to the welfare of the Saints. We are continually doing, as far as it is possible, what we may do consistently to assist God's work throughout all the land. It will not be necessary nor perhaps consistent for me to enter into details in relation to the labor that is being performed in these directions. We have the records of these things, and any of the Latter-day Saints who desire to be posted in relation to what is being done for the building up of the Church can come to the head and obtain all the information that they need. Since our last conference, however, we have succeeded in obtaining most excellent headquarters for the British mission, in the City of London. We rejoice exceedingly that, after the lapse of years, we have at last obtained a foothold in that great metropolis where so many have been gathered into the covenant of the Gospel. We have also obtained headquarters, elsewhere, but I will not enter into an account of these things. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.3 The Lord has been prospering Zion, and we rejoice exceedingly in the many and glorious manifestations of His kindness and mercy unto His people. We are grateful for deliverance from those who willfully and wickedly and without a cause seek our hurt. We are grateful in the belief, aye in the knowledge that notwithstanding the efforts they have made to injure this people and to thwart the purposes of the Almighty, they have but been the means, indirectly, of forwarding the work in the world. They have called attention of the world toward us, and that is just what we want, though they have done it with wicked intent. We want to be known as we are. We want to be seen in our true light. We want the world to become acquainted with us. We warn them to learn our doctrine, to understand our faith, our purposes, and the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We would like them to know something about the origin of this work, but we desire that they shall see this work in the true spirit of it, and the only way this can be brought about is by the inquiring, intelligent world coming in contact with us--those indeed who are disposed to love truth and righteousness and whose eyes are not so blinded that they can not see the truth when it is presented before them. There are those who having eyes see not, and having hearts do not and will not understand. There are none so blind as those who will not see, and none so deaf as those who will not hear; and there are none so heartless and so wicked as those who knowing the truth and seeing the light will close their eyes and their ears against it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.4 We are living in a momentous age. The Lord is hastening His work. He is at the helm, there is no mortal man at the helm of this work. It is true the Lord uses such instruments as will be obedient to His commandments and laws to assist in accomplishing His purposes in the earth. He has chosen those who, at least, have shown a willingness and a disposition to obey Him and keep His laws, and who seek to work righteousness and carry out the purposes of the Lord. It is for the Latter-day Saints to judge the standing of these men. They have no occasion to sound their own praise, to bear testimony of their own works; their lives are open books to all the Latter-day Saints and to all the world. You know these men; you understand them; you have seen their labors; you understand the desires of their hearts, for you are familiar with them. The Lord has sustained these brethren in the positions to which He has called them, and He will continue to sustain them in these positions so long as they continue to be faithful before Him. If one of them should cease to be faithful and turn away from the right path, the consequences of his own evil acts will fall upon him sooner or later, and the fruits of his works and the desires of his heart will be made manifest. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.4 When I arose to my feet, I had in mind the thought of presenting before this conference one of the revelations that has come to us through the prophet Joseph Smith, a revelation with which you are all familiar, which has been the text, perhaps many a time, of every officer in the Church. It is a revelation which has been sounded in the ears of all the people for the last seventy years, and yet it is a new theme, practically, for there is still great necessity for it to be held out to the Latter-day Saints and to all the world. We see great reasons for the principles contained in this chapter of the book of D&C being taught to the world, and especially to the Latter-day Saints. It is nothing more nor less than that simple Word of Wisdom that was given in 1833, for the benefit, the help, and the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, that they might purify and prepare themselves to go nearer into the presence of the Lord, that by reason of keeping this law they might fit themselves to enjoy the blessings that He is more than willing to bestow upon them, if they are worthy. I propose to read this revelation to you and, perhaps, make a few remarks upon it: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.4 Revelation given through Joseph, the Seer, at Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, February 27th, 1833; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.4 A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the Council of High Priests, assembled in Kirtland, and Church; and also the Saints in Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.4 To be sent greeting--not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.4 Here we are informed that it was not given, at that time, by way of commandment or restraint but by revelation, "a word of wisdom showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days." Subsequently, years afterwards, from this stand, it was proclaimed from the mouth of the Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young, that the time had now come when this word of wisdom--then given not by commandment or constraint--was now a commandment of the Lord to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Lord required them to observe this word of wisdom and counsel, which is the will of God unto the people for their temporal salvation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can. he called Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, in consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, hut is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 All grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, wether in the ground or above the ground. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel, and marrow to their bones. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.5-6 Now, it may seem altogether unnecessary and out of place, perhaps, to many, for me to occupy the time of this vast congregation in reading this revelation, inasmuch as it is presumable that every man and woman present has access to this book and is more or less familiar with all its contents. I am sorry to say that I do not believe there is another revelation contained in this book, or another commandment given of the Lord that is less observed or honored than this "Word of Wisdom," and that, too, by members and officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, male and female. Go where you will, you see a lack of appreciation of the counsel given in this revelation to the Latter-day Saints, by some of them. Some of our best men disregard in part this law; many do not fully observe it; some of our leading women do not keep the commandment of the Lord that is given here, and they excuse themselves in various ways, and for various reasons, for not observing the law of God. I simply want to say to you, my brethren and sisters, that there is no other way--no other course that we can take in the world, in relation to our temporal welfare and health, better than that which the Lord God has pointed out to us. Why can we not realize this? Why will we not come to a perfect understanding of it? Why will we not deny ourselves that which our craven appetites desire? Why can we not observe more closely the will of the Lord as made known to us in this revelation? If we would observe this law or commandment of the Lord,--first given not as a commandment nor by constraint, but afterwards declared by the mouthpiece of the Lord to be in force as a commandment thereafter to the Latter-day Saints--if, I say, the people would observe the principles of this revelation, there could not exist in their midst that most obnoxious institution known as a saloon; it can not exist where only Latter-day Saints dwell. If this commandment were observed by the whole people, the vast amount of money that now goes out to the world for strong drink and these other things forbidden in the word of wisdom, would be saved at home, and the health, prosperity and temporal salvation of the people would be correspondingly increased. No man can violate the laws of God with reference to health and temporal salvation, and enjoy those blessings in the same degree that he could do and would do if he would obey the commands of God. Don't you believe that? Can not Latter-day Saints accept that truth in their hearts? Can there be any room for argument in relation to that proposition? I say to you, my brethren and sisters, that God knows better than we do what is and will be for our best good, and when the Lord speaks to us, as He has spoken to us in this revelation which I have read to you, we should give it attention. We should accept it in our hearts; we should live closely to it; and then, we are promised, we should find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge even hidden treasures; we might run and not be weary, walk and not faint, and when the destroyer should come he would pass by us, as he passed by the children of Israel anciently. If we fail to observe this law of God, we are not entitled to these promises. Those individuals who do not live up to these principles, conveyed to them through this word of the Lord, will fail in rightfully claiming the fulfillment of the promise that is made to them that keep the law. The Lord has said, "If ye will do the things I require at your hands," if ye will do my will, "then am I bound; otherwise there is no promise," for every promise is made on condition that we will observe the law upon which that promise may be justly and righteously fulfilled. We go into the outer settlements of the Latter-day Saints where there are a few non-believers, a few apostates from the Church, probably, and a few who have never belonged to the Church at all, but the majority of the people are members of the Church; and we see planted, here and there, in the midst of these communities, saloons and other places of ill repute, and they are sustained by somebody. In some instances, at least, we know that the outside element, the non-Mormon element is not sufficiently large or wealthy, nor are they so numerous in their patronage of these institutions as to keep them alive or to sustain them. The conclusion, therefore, is that there are some who are members of the Church who are also frequenters of these places This is all wrong--all wrong. No member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can afford to do himself the dishonor or to bring upon himself the disgrace, of crossing the threshhold of a liquor saloon or a gambling hell, or of any house of ill-fame of whatever name or nature it may be. No Latter-day Saint, no member of the Church can afford it, for it is humiliating to him, it is disgraceful in him to do it, and God will judge him according to his works. The man or woman who truly believes in the doctrines of the Church or professing to have membership in the Church, who believes and practices the principles contained in this "Word of Wisdom," will never be numbered among those who will bring this disgrace upon them, upon their neighbors or upon the Church to which they belong; they will never do it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.7 Now there is a great movement on foot throughout the land; its waves have struck us here and are flowing over our state--a wave of temperance. Even the world is moved upon by an irresistible influence and spirit to advocate and to establish among communitites in states and counties and cities the principle of temperance. I am in favor of this movement, I endorse it with all my heart; I know that it is in the right direction, and I believe that the Lord Almighty is moving in that direction upon those who are willing to devote their labor and time to this portion of His good work in the world. The Lord does not delight in intemperance, in drunkenness, nor can He have pleasure in the poverty, in the degradation and ruin that such practices bring upon their votaries and upon those who are dependent upon them, the ruin of manhood, the ruin of family organizations and the degradation of those that are engaged in it and that bring poverty, destruction, and death upon themselves and upon their families. Every member of the Church, male and female, ought to set his or her face as flint against intemperance and against anything that is in violation of the laws of God, that they might never be overcome or yield to the temptation of evil. We ought to have purer communities, communities that are not ridden by vice, by pernicious habits and practices. One cannot walk up and down the sidewalks of our streets, but he will meet young men and boys with tobacco pipes in their mouths, or cigars or cigarettes, smoking in the streets. Perhaps those who are accustomed to these habits think this is a very trivial or very unimportant thing to talk about to a vast congregation like this, but I never see a boy or a man, young or old, addicted to this habit and practicing it openly but am forced to the conclusion to the conviction in my mind that he is either ignorant of God's will concerning man or he is defiant of God's will and does not care anything about the word of the Lord, and that alone is sufficient to bring sorrow to the heart of any man who has any regard or respect for the word or will of the Lord and would like to see it obeyed. We go occasionally to the theaters, and of late years we see it has become very fashionable, or very common, for the actors to puff away at their cigars, pipes and cigarettes on the stage; and they light cigarette after cigarette, and cigar after cigar, right on the stage before their audience. To me such a practice is an insult to the Latter-day Saints at least, and should be to all decent people; and if I had little boys growing up who would be susceptible to the influence of such practices I should not want them to go to our theaters at all, where they would see things in open practice as if it was something commendable. I think it is reprehensible, to say the least; and if I were managing a theater, and could do it, I would have it stipulated that there should be no smoking on the stage nor in the auditorium. Aside from the folly of smoking in a theater, lighted matches, cigars, and cigarettes are dangerous to property. There are other things however, in theatrical performances that are about as disgraceful as smoking on the stage. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.8 Now, my brethren and sisters, the subject that I had in view in reading these words is simply to emphasize, as far as it lies in my power, the Word of Wisdom, given to the Latter-day Saints to all that are or can be called saints to the weakest of the weak, for it is adapted to them, and the weaker they are, if they will observe this principle, they will become stronger by the observance of it. If we will observe this law, we will gain strength, we will have health m our bodies and marrow in our bones; we may run and not weary walk and not faint; and this is most desirable for those that are feeble, or weak, who need strength, and health; they should observe this principle in order that they might obtain the very thing they desire and need most and that they are destroying most by not following the word of the Lord but by practicing those things that are forbidden of Him. We pray God to heal us when we are sick, and then we turn round from our prayers and partake of the very things that He has told us are not good for us! How inconsistent it is for men to ask God to bless them, when they themselves are taking a course to injure and to bring evil upon themselves. No wonder we don't get our prayers answered more than we do, and no wonder our health is no better than it is, when we are addicted to practices that God has said are not good for us, and thereby entail evils upon our life and physical being; and then to turn to the Lord and ask Him to heal us from the consequence of our own folly, and pernicious practices; from the effects of the evil that we have brought upon ourselves and that we knew better than to do. How foolish it is! Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.9 The Lord bless you my brethren and sisters. We endorse any movement looking to temperance, looking to virtue tending to purity of life and to faith in God and obedience to His laws; and we are against evil of every description; and we are, in our faith and prayers against evil doers--not that we would pray for evil to come upon evil doers, but that evil doers might see the folly of their ways and the wickedness of their acts and repent of them and turn away from them. If they will not hearken and repent of their evil ways, then let them pursue their course of evil to the end, and let the judgment of God come upon them and they receive their reward according to their works. Let God judge all men. He will reward them for good or for evil according to their works. We are not here to execute judgment or to impose punishments upon our fellow men except the punishment of withdrawing from those who are unworthy our fellowship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We find it necessary, sometimes, to withhold fellowship from thosewho have turned away from the truth from the love of God and the cause of Zion--that they might not be regarded as having membership and standing with us. It is an injury to the cause of Zion for any community organization, ward, stake or branch of the Church to permit men or women to retain their membership in that ward or stake or branch, when it is known that their practices and habits are vicious and that their manner of life and unbelief are calculated to sow the seeds of apostasy corruption and evil in the midst of the people where they dwell. It is right and proper that the line of separation should be drawn distinctly between them and the Latter-day Saints. Withdraw fellowship from them cut them loose, let them go to the world, and let the people of the Church understand that they are not held in fellowship and that their conduct is not countenanced by the authorities of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.9 Now, the Lord bless you, and in the name of the Lord I bless you--this congregation, the covenant people of the Lord, just as truly as ancient Israel were the covenant people of God, for you have entered into the solemn covenant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that you will keep the commandments of God, that you will eschew evil and wickedness. You know what you have done; you know the nature of the covenants you have entered into before God and witnesses and before the angels of heaven; and, therefore, you have entered into the bond of the new and everlasting covenant and are indeed the covenant people of God in the latter days. Therefore, what manner of people ought we to be; what manner of individuals should we be? Should we not set an example worthy of our profession? Should we not live pure lives? Should we not be upright, virtuous, honest, God-fearing and God-loving in our souls every day of our lives and in every position in which we may be called to act; ought we not to set an example for good? Ought we not to be Christ-like, manly, true to every principle of the Gospel, and honorable out in the world and at home so that no man can justly point at us the finger of scorn or of condemnation? That is indeed the kind of people we ought to be. God help us to be such is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.96 Gratifying evidences of faith of the Saints.--Blessings invoked on those devoted to God's work. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.97 We feel to give to God praise and gratitude from our hearts for the manifest interest shown by you, the Latter-day Saints, the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in this semi-annual conference. During the inclement weather of yesterday this building was filled to overflowing, and overflow meetings were held in the Assembly Hall and in the Barratt Hall, and the Spirit of the Lord was enjoyed richly by all who heard. We thank you and the Lord will bless you, my brethren and sisters, for your devotion to His cause, for your love for His truth, for your union and fellowship toward those who are called to labor in your midst and to preside over you in the various organizations of the Church. I feel in my heart to say not only God bless you, but as I may exercise my own right as a witness of the Lord Jesus and as an apostle of Jesus Christ, I bless you with all my soul, because you love the truth, and you manifest it. There is nothing in God's world that draws men and women so near to my heart as that they love the truth and that they love God, that they love the cause of Zion and are devoted to the interests of the Church. This endears men and women to my heart; I love them when they love this work and when they show their interest in it. It lifts my soul to heaven and fills it with joy unspeakable. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.97 God bless you in your bodies, in your minds, in your labors, in your homes, in all your positions and, above all things, pour out upon you His Spirit that you may rejoice more and more abundantly in God's glorious work that He is inaugurating in the world in the latter day. Peace be to you and all that pertains to you and to the kingdom of. God, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 Deaths in the missions.--Blessing of Heaven invoked upon the Priesthood and Saints, and upon the Nation.--Thankfulness expressed that Utah is represented in Congress by good men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 For the benefit of the congregation, I will announce that the following elders have passed away in the various missions since Jan. 1, 1908: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 Leroy Hall, Southern States mission, typhoid fever. Burdette P. Burdette, Swiss and German mission, drowned. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 Everett Hall, Central States mission, typhoid fever. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 John A. Southwick, New Zealand, typhoid fever. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 Emil J. Huber, Turkish mission, typhoid fever. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 John Leroy Tripp, Netherlands, appendicitis. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 John Loosly, Swiss and German mission, heart failure. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 This is sad news. We are sorry indeed for the kindred and loved ones of these good and faithful elders who have met death while laboring in the missionary field. The Lord prolong their memories in Zion, for they died with the harness on--faithful to the covenants they had made and the commission with which they were sent forth to preach the gospel. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 There are now laboring in the mission fields a little over 2,000 elders. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 (After announcing the special Priesthood meeting, President Smith continued): Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.126 I desire to express briefly the sincere prayer of my heart for all this congregation and for all the faithful Latter-day Saints who have been in attendance here during this most interesting and profitable conference. I feel in my heart to invoke the blessings of the Lord more abundantly upon all the presiding general authorities of the Church and upon all the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the members of each high council, and upon all the bishops and their counselors throughout the length and breadth of Zion. I pray God to bless all our auxiliary organizations and prosper them in the labor that they have been called to perform. May the Lord give them joy and satisfaction in their labors. May they be interested, earnest, devoted, diligent and prayerful, that they may enjoy abundantly the spirit of their callings, and that their labors may be a blessing, a pleasure and a joy unto them, and exceedingly profitable to all the children of Zion for whom they labor. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.127 I pray God, my heavenly Father, to bless you as elders in Israel, as high priests, as seventies, and all the lesser priesthood. May peace abide and abound with you, and oh! may the Spirit of truth, may the enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit, may the power of the living God rest down upon those, one and all, who have been ordained to the holy Priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God, and the appendages that belong to it! May the Lord bless you in your homes; bless you as husbands; bless your wives; bless your children and your children's children to the latest generation! May God prosper Israel in all her abidings! May the Lord bless the earth for your sake and make it fruitful! May He prosper you and bless you! May He multiply your flocks and your herds and prosper you in the labor of your hands; and may you always feel inspired and inclined to honor the Lord with the first fruits of all your increase; so shall your barns be filled with plenty, and the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon you more abundantly! God bless Zion, and the Lord have mercy upon her enemies and those that seek her hurt! I have no fears in my heart, or mind, that that which is called "Mormonism"--which is indeed the gospel of Jesus Christ--will not bear the scrutiny of science and the researches of the learned and literate into all truth. The Gospel of Jesus is founded in truth. Every principle of it is susceptible of demonstration beyond any just reason for contradiction. The Lord is doing His work and will do it, and no power can stay it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.127 I desire that the blessings of the Lord may be upon our choir here, who have made music for us during the Sabbath day, for they were here then in full number. These days of labor, they are under the necessity of following their various occupations, and they are not able to be present. for they are bread-winners; they have to labor with their hands for their livelihood, but they give their Sabbath day and they give their time for practice for the benefit of the Church; and we ask God to bless them for it. May He unite them together, give them confidence in their leaders, and give their leaders power and influence over them for good. May the Lord bless Brother Stephens, Brother McClellan, and their assistants, and all the members of the choir. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.127 I ask God, my heavenly Father, to bless my counselors. May He bless President Winder, a noble spirit, an honest man, a man of truth, a man of God: and I pray God to bless Brother Lund, who is in all respects equal to Brother Winder in his integrity, in his love for the truth, and in his devotion to the cause of Zion! May the Lord bless us all and preserve us from our enemies until we shall complete our mission in the world; and while we live may He help us to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ, true to our covenants, true to our people, and true to God until we shall finish our work! This is my prayer for you all and for all Israel. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1908, p.127 I pray for the prosperity of our great nation, for the blessing of God to be upon the executive, the judicial and the legislative branches of our government. May the Lord bless our government and lead those that hold the power in their hands to do that which is righteous, pleasing and acceptable unto God, who established this great government by His own will and providence! I thank God, my heavenly Father, that this State of Utah is, and has been, represented in the halls of Congress by honest men, men after God's own heart, men who love their people and who are just and impartial and true to the interests of all the citizens of our state. I thank God that we are blessed with the privilege of representing ourselves rather than being misrepresented by our enemies, in the halls of Congress; and in the name of common sense I deplore the thought that any Latter-day Saint should regret that good and true men have been chosen--not by the Church, but by their own political parties--to represent the State of Utah in the halls of Congress. Thank God for it. That is my sentiment, and I hope that I shall not see the day soon when we will have the misfortune again of being either misrepresented or of failing to be properly represented in the halls of Congress. President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.2 Man's insignificant individuality compared with God' great work.--Nothing to lose, everything to gain by faithfulness.--True Saints can not be led by false shepherds.--Friends of righteousness are not enemies of Zion.--"Whatsoever the Lord requireth of me, that will I do."--Christ's Church will stand, and its power increase henceforth.--Integrity of early members of the Church a worthy example to the Saints now. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.2 It is with feelings of gratitude to the Lord that I stand before you this morning, at the opening of our 79th Annual General Conference. I thank the Lord for all His mercies and loving kindness toward all His people and, for that matter, for His continued mercy and kindness unto all men. I am very grateful that we have the privilege of meeting together this morning under so favorable circumstances, possessing as we seem to do many if not all of the blessings of life, health and strength, peace, and the desire in our hearts to honor the Lord by our presence, manifesting our faith by gathering here on this occasion. This is a witness of our devotion to the cause of Zion. My heart is full of gratitude to the Lord, and of love for the Latter-day Saints, and for the Church of Jesus Christ throughout all the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.2 To me there is nothing in life that can compare with the great work that the Lord is doing in the midst of the children of men, in these latter days. While it may be said, and it is in a measure true, that we are but a handful in comparison to our fellow men in the world, yet we may be compared with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, that will eventually leaven the whole world. We have ample assurance of the fulfillment of this thought in the growth and development of the cause from its incipiency until the present, for it has steadily and increasingly progressed and developed in the earth, from a mere half dozen of men 79 years ago, until today the members of the Church may be numbered by hundreds of thousands We have passed through the stages of infancy and of irresponsible childhood, and are indeed approaching the condition of manhood and womanhood in our experience in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in all the conditions incident to, and that are connceted with, the growth of the Church and the people of God, thus far in the cause of Zion, and also the necessity the people of God are under to uphold and sustain principles of righteousness and of truth against all prejudices of the world, as well as against their own prejudices, and individual likes, dislikes and preferences. We are learning the great truth that man is insignificant in his individuality in comparison with the mighty cause which involves the salvation of the children of men, living and dead, and those who will yet live in the earth. Men must set aside their own prejudices, their own personal desires, wishes and preferences, and pay deference to the great cause of truth that is spreading abroad in the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.3 To my mind there is nothing in all the world so great and so glorious as the work that the Lord Almighty is doing in these latter days. I feel grateful that I have been permitted as an individual to take part, in a humble way, in helping to promote the interests of Zion, and to spread its cause abroad in the world, from the days of my youth until now. I sincerely hope and pray that I may be able to endure faithful throughout the remaining portion of my life. I have lived too long to think of faltering in the least now. I have put my hand to the plow and it is too late to turn or to look back; and, for that matter, there has never appeared to me to be any reason at all why I should look back, or why I should slacken my efforts or my earnest desire to spread the cause of truth and help to build up Zion. Everything has pointed to the great good that has been and will be accomplished. Everything has pointed to the justness and righteousness of the cause and made my duty clear to me, assuring me of advancement and growth in knowledge and understanding by pursuing the cause that I have been pursuing, and that I still intend to pursue, by the help of God to the end. I see nothing to lose by following this course but I think I can see that everything is to be gained by it. I am determined, therefore, to go on and continue as faithful as I can he to my duty, to the trusts that are imposed in me. As far as it lies in my power. I want to he faithful to the work of the Lord, that at last I may he able to give an account of my life and stewardship that will at least be acceptable to the Great Judge of the quick and the dead. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.4 As it has been said many times in the past. "I am for the kingdom of God, or nothing." Zion, first and foremost. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, that all other things may he added in the due time of the Lord, and in accordance with His pleasure. These are principles that should pervade the minds and hearts of all the Latter-day Saints. We should have gained sufficient experience by this time to realize that no man, no individual, no clique, and no secret organization can combine with force and power sufficient to overturn the purposes of the Almighty, or to change the course of His work. Many and many an individual has arisen in times past, and these individuals have been falsely impressed with the idea that they were going to work a wonderful reformation in the Church; they anticipated that in a very short time the whole people would desert their standard, the standard of truth to which they had gathered and around which they had rallied from the beginning of the Church until then. These persons thought the people would follow the "new shepherds." but the people of God know the voice of the true shepherd, and the stranger's voice they will not heed, nor the counsels of him who assumes authority that does not belong to him. None such will they ever follow. The Latter-day Saints know the spirit of the Gospel: they understand the spirit of truth. They have learned their duty, and they will stand by the truth, no matter what may come. From the beginning until now, we have had to face the entire world; and the whole world, comparatively, is or has been arrayed against the work of the Lord, not all on account of hatred, not solely with the intent or desire in their hearts to do evil or to fight the truth, but because they were ignorant of the truth. and because they knew not what they were doing. Many are deceived by the voice of false shepherds, and are misled by false influences. They are deceived: they know not the truth; they understand not what they do and, therefore, they are arrayed, as it were, against the truth, against the work of the Lord; so it has been from the beginning. From the day that the Prophet Joseph Smith first declared his vision until now, the enemy of all righteousness, the enemy of truth, of virtue, of honor, uprightness, and purity of life; the enemy to the only true God, the enemy to direct revelation from God and to the inspirations that come from the heavens to man, has been arrayed against this work. You have never found the friend to righteousness, the friend to revelation, the friend to God, the friend to truth, the friend to righteous living and purity of life, or he who is devoted to righteousness and is broad enough to comprehend truth from error and light from darkness--I say you have never found such as these arrayed against the cause of Zion. To be arrayed against the cause of Zion is to be arrayed against God, against revelation from God, against that spirit that leads men into all truth that cometh from the source of light and intelligence, against that principle that brings men together anti causes them to forsake their sins, to seek righteousness, to love God with all their hearts. mind and strength, and to love their neighbors as themselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.4-6 The spirit of the Gospel leads men to righteousness: to love their fellow men and to labor for their salvation and exaltation; it inspires them to do good and not evil, to avoid even the appearance of sin, much more to avoid sin itself. This is indeed the spirit of the Gospel, which is the spirit of this latter-day work, and also the spirit that possesses those who have embraced it; and the aim and purpose of this work is the salvation, the exaltation, and the eternal happiness of man both in this life and in the life to come. Will any man, or any set of men who really love righteousness, love God, love purity of life, and who are seeking for the truth, I ask, will such men array themselves against the work whose very object is that which they themselves seek? Those who fight against Zion, or against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are fighting against God, against His truth, against light and knowledge, and revelation from the heavens to man, which we know man has received of God in the day in which we live. What shall we do? Our plain duty --so plain that none should misunderstand it, none can misunderstand it unless they allow their prejudices and human weaknesses to prevail over their better judgment; our plain duty is to live in the spirit of forgiveness, in the spirit of humility before the Lord, in the love of the truth more than the love of ourselves and our personal interests. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.6 The Lord told the young man who loved the world, that if he desired to be perfect, he should sell all that he had and give it to the poor, then said the Lord. "Come and follow me." This may be a very simple manner of expression, but there is a great deal of truth in it, there is an essential principle involved in it. It is the putting of that which is sacred and divine, that which is of God, that which makes for the peace and happiness of the souls of men, before our riches, before all our earthly honors and possessions. The Lord Almighty requires this of the Latter-day Saints; and every man and woman who has embraced the Gospel ought to feel in his and in her heart today, and in their souls always, that "whatsoever the Lord requireth of me, that will I do," or that will I give, no matter what it is. To a certain extent we have reached that point, to the extent at least that we can forego the pleasures of home, the opportunity of making means, of devoting our time to labors and industries that will bring great profit to us. We are willing to leave these things, and for years consecrate our time and our efforts to the preaching of the Gospel to the nations of the earth, and remain proclaiming the Gospel in the world until it shall be said to us "it is enough," and we receive an honorable release to return to our homes. This is, of course, a step in the right direction. Many of us can do this, and many are doing it from time to time. Occasionally we come across an individual who thinks he could not do it. He thinks he could not sacrifice his home interests, and the profits of his business, which need his personal attention. He thinks he could not leave these interests to go out into the world to preach rise Gospel, and he asks to be excused from being called to such labor as this. I fear that in such cases, if he were called upon to make a sacrifice of a portion of that which he possessed, of a worldly character. for the building up of Zion, or for the spread of truth, or for the defense of the people of God, that he would be found wanting in his willingness to comply with such requirements also. For my own part. I would like to so live that with open heart and mind, before God and all men, if I were required to go to the ends of the earth and remain there proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, that I would be willing to do it; or if were asked to give up what I possess in the world, for the building up of Zion, for some special necessary purpose, for advancing the cause of Zion in the world, that would be prepared and ready to say, Father, here is all that I have; I place it upon the altar freely and give it for the benefit of Thy kingdom upon the earth and for the advancement of They cause. I would like to live so that this would indeed he my determination and that I would be able, if the requirement were made, to carry it out not only without regrets but with pleasure. But this I earnestly desire--I want to live so that, no matter what any other man in the world may do or say, so far as I am concerned there is but this one thing for me to do, and that is to be true to the covenants I have shade with God and my brethren, to stand firm and steadfast for the advancement of Zion and for the building up of the kingdom of God in the earth. I want to so live that I can have in the the spirit and determination to forgive my brother his trespasses, as I would desire him to forgive my trespasses against him. We should all live that the spirit of reconciliation, the spirit of peace, the spirit of love and of union may rise above the passions and fellings of anger and resentment that may be aroused in the hearts of men, in consequence of circumstances which might arise from time to time. Our lives should be such that these worldly things may sink into insignificance, and that she love of God in the hearts of brethren might rise above all other things, no matter what condition or circumstance may be brought to bear upon us to provoke or wound our feelings. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.6 There is no salvation but in the way God has pointed out. There is no hope of everlasting life but through obedience to the law that has been affixed by the Father of Life, "with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning;" and there is no other way by which we may obtain that light and exaltation. These matters are beyond peradventure, beyond all doubt in my mind; I know them to be true. Therefore, I bear my testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, that He lives and that His Son lives, even He who died for the sins of the world, and that He rose from the dead; that He sits upon the right hand of the Father; that all power is given unto Him; that we are directed to call upon God in the name of Jesus Christ. We are told that we should remember Him in our homes, keep His holy name fresh in our minds, and revere Him in our hearts; we should call upon him from time to time, from day to day, and in fact, every moment of our lives we should live so that the desires of our hearts will be a prayer unto God for righteousness, for truth and for the salvation of the human family. Let us guard ourselves so that there may not come into our souls a single drop of bitterness, by which our whole being might be corroded and poisoned with anger, with hatred, envy or malice, or any sort of evil. We should be free from all these evil things, that we may be filled with the love of God, the love of truth the love of our fellow men, that we may seek to do good unto all men all the days of our lives, and above all things be true to our covenants in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.7 I know that this is Christ's Church. I know that the principles we have received are true, as far as I have been able to comprehend them. I need not enter into a lengthy talk or discourse in relation to these principles, for you are familiar with them; but I do know that every principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has been revealed through Joseph Smith, the prophet, in these last days is of God and is true, and will stand for ever--that is, on its merit, as to its truth; it can never be overthrown. I know this with all my being. God has made me doubly assured by the presence and influence of His Spirit, and by the inspiration awakened in my soul to love that which is good, and to desire to forsake that which is evil. I know, too, that the Lord Almighty will accomplish His purposes; no matter about me, no matter what individuals may do or scores of individuals, for that matter or hundreds of them, or perchance thousands of them that may turn away from the truth, or who may fall by the way, stumbling over their own weaknesses as a result of the little strifes and bitternesses that arise in their hearts, one against another. Hundreds or thousands may fall by the way, but the kingdom of God will never fall. The work of the Lord will never stop, nor cease, for God has decreed that it shall continue to progress in the earth until His purposes are accomplished. This being true, no power beneath the Celestial Kingdom can hinder its progress. It can't be done, for God has decreed it. I see in the progress of this latter-day work, from its inception, that mighty, irresistible power, that wonderful Divine providence that makes for righteousness and for truth and for the advancement of the cause of Zion; working in and under and all around this Church, until it has brought it to where it is. That same power will become stronger and stronger and will work with greater rapidity and greater impetus in the future than it has done in the past, in proportion to the growth and development of the faith, knowledge and fidelity of the people of God in the earth. The kingdom of God and the work of the Lord will spread more and more; it will progress more rapidly in the world in the future than it has done in the past. The Lord has said it, and the Spirit beareth record; and I bear my testimony to this, for I do know that it is true. We believe in righteousness. We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. We are willing to receive all truth, from whatever source it may come; for truth will stand, truth will endure. No man's faith, no man's religion, no religious organization in all the world can ever rise above the truth. The truth must be at the foundation of religion, or it is in vain and it will fail of its purpose. I say that the truth is at the foundation, at the bottom and top of--and it entirely permeates this great work of the Lord that was established through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith, the prophet. God is with it; it is His work, not that of man; and it will succeed no matter what the opposition may be. We look now at the opposition arrayed against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and smile, so to speak, with feelings of confidence doubly assured by the experience of the past in comparison to the feelings that possessed the souls of our fathers and mothers in the early days of the Church, when they were but a handful, with all the world arrayed against them; just a few poor, homeless people, driven from their possessions, cast out from the communities in which they sought to establish themselves and build their homes. When I think of our people, trust into the wilderness, wandering and seeking for a place where the soles of their feet might rest, and see, then, the world arrayed against them, and think of the little chance that appeared before them for success and the accomplishment of their purposes, I wonder that more of them did not tremble and falter than did; but some of them were true n the midst of it all, even unto death. If it had beer necessary for them to have been martyred for the truth, willingly would they have given their lives, a they gave all else that they possessed in the world, for the knowledge they had of the divinity of the work in which hey were engaged. Are we as faithful today? Are we as devout s our fathers were Oh, my God, help me to be as true as they were Help me to stand as hey stood, upon the pedestal of eternal truth, that no power on earth, or in hell, may remove me from that foundation. This is my prayer to the Lord for my own sake, and it is my prayer to Him for every Latter-day Saint throughout the length and breadth of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.8 God bless you, my brethren and sisters. May He continue to prosper us, and help us to increase in righteousness and faith, in union, and in love, one for another and for God our Father, and for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom we owe the hope and promise of redemption from death and from the power of endless banishment from the presence of God. This is my prayer for you, my brethren and sisters, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 CLOSING REMARKS Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 Faithful Elders who have died recently in mission fields.--The blessings of heaven invoked on the Saints.--Admonition to serve God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 It is with feelings of great sympathy, on the part of the brethren who preside, and the Saints everywhere, that I have to announce that since the October conference the following deaths have occurred in the mission field: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 Brothe Charles Mortenson, of Koosharem, Utah, died in Scandinavia, on January 12, 1909; cause appendicitis. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 Brother George Edwin Morris, of Mesa, Arizona, died December 12, 1908; in Samoa; cause sun-stroke. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 Brother Oliver Hansen, of Bear River City, Utah, died November 28, 1908, in Scandinavia; cause, leakage of the heart. This brother died at Chicago while en route home from his mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 We felt that it was our duty to mention the names of these our brethren who have fallen in the ministry, while devoting their time and the gifts the Lord bestowed upon them, in the mission field. They were faithful and true, and their memories should ever be held dear by their kindred and all the Latter-day Saints, in that they laid down their lives in the Master's service. We pray God to bless and comfort those who are bereaved more especially by their loss; and their hearts may not faint, but that they may be buoyed up in the hope of the glorious resurrection awaiting them when they and their loved ones shall be reunited in the life and light which will never perish or again grow dim. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1909, p.123 I desire to express my gratitude to the Latter-day Saints who have so faithfully attended this conference. I feel to give to you, my brethren and sisters, my blessing, and to ask humbly of the Lord to bestow greatly upon you all His favors, His blessings and protecting care, that you may be prospered in your temporal labors, and that you may also be prospered abundantly in your spiritual labors and efforts to build up the kingdom of God in the earth. I trust that we may all return to our daily duties rejoicing in the spirit that has been manifested during our conference and in the excellent instructions and counsels that have been given to us by those who have spoken. Let us bear these things in mind, and go home determined more than ever to serve God and to keep His laws; to work righteousness in the earth, that our light may indeed so shine that the world may see it, and that men may be led to glorify God. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.2 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.2 That God has spoken is an irrefutable truth.--Parents censurable for unwise indulgence of children.--Reverence for sacred things should be inculcated.--Men and women should marry those of their own faith.--Prosperity retarded by neglect to foster home manufactures.--Opportunities needed for manual training of boys and girls.--A knowledge of God and Truth gives rest to the soul. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.2 (After a few preliminary remarks, urging the brethren and sisters occupying seats to close up together and make room for as many as possible of those standing, the president continued): Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.2 It is always a source of regret to me to see our sisters--sometimes aged sisters--under the necessity of standing at our meetings. I do not think that I ever saw the time when it would not be far greater pleasure to me to occupy a "standing seat" if, by so doing, I could give to a sister, a mother perhaps, the chance to sit down. I suppose the time will not come--we do not look for it to come, at least--when we shall be able to build large enough to accommodate all the Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.2 The feeling that is in my heart, at this moment, is that of gratitude, of pleasure, and of hearty welcome to all the Latter-day Saints who have assembled here this morning to attend the opening session of our eightieth semi-annual conference. We welcome you, brethren and sisters, with all our hearts, and we sincerely pray and hope that the blessings of the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon those, individually and collectively, who have left their homes and gathered here for the purpose of attending this general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We thank you, and I know that the Lord will bless you, for the interest you manifest in coming together. We hope that our coming together in this capacity, throughout this conference, may be attended with rich blessings and with abundant outpourings of the Spirit of the Lord upon all the people; that our faith may be strengthened; that our earnest desire to keep the faith may be increased in our souls; and that an overpowering desire may prevail, over all other thoughts and all other desires, to serve God and keep His commandments, that, by His blessing and assistance, we may be able as parents, as fathers and mothers in Israel, to bring up our children in the way they should go; instilling into their minds a knowledge of the truth, a love of the truth and for the truth, and an earnest desire, also, in their hearts to serve God and keep His commandments. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.3 We wish our children not only to believe but to acquire the knowledge, which comes through obedience to the truth, that the Lord God Almighty has spoken from the heavens in the day in which we live and has revealed to man the true way of life everlasting. There is no mistake about it; this fact is not based upon the judgment or opinion of men; it is based upon the truth--truth that cannot be denied intelligently. Men may deny truth, through a wilful desire to do it, or through ignorance on their part, and they may reject the truth; but no man that lives can say of a truth that God has not spoken from the heavens to men in this latter day as He spoke to ancient prophets and inspired men, and revealed unto them anciently, and also in our present time, His mind and will, and His law. Men may say they do not believe it; but that does not make the truth of non-effect. Men may express their doubts about it; but the truth remains. Men may reject it; still the foundation of the truth is unshaken. Men may array themselves against it; they may fight it bitterly, as many have done from its incipiency; but still the truth remains unshaken and undisturbed--the truth that God did speak to His servant Joseph Smith, and did reveal Himself unto him; not only the Father, but the Son also. They did reveal themselves unto him, and they gave him commandments and their law, their Gospel and their plan of life eternal; salvation temporal and salvation spiritual, salvation for the present and salvation throughout the countless ages of eternity. This plan contemplated not only salvation from sin and from the effects of sin here and hereafter, but exaltation, glory, power and dominion, that will come to the children of God through their obedience to the laws and principles of the gospel, that the Lord has truly revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.4 I want to bear my testimony to this, and I would say to this vast congregation, that as I believe in my own existence, I believe in the divinity of this latter-day work; as I know, and as I have reason to know, that I am here and that I live, so I believe and I have reason to know that God, my Father, lives, that Jesus lives and that Joseph Smith was raised up of God to lay the foundations of this work. My whole hope of life, my all is staked upon this proposition, and I accept it, with all my soul. Having accepted it, I want, first of all--which is natural, and for entertaining which feeling I think you and all men will forgive me--first of all, I want those that are immediately associated with me, those who are bound to me by the ties of' kindred love, to know the truth as I know it; I want them to feel it as I feel it; to love it as I love it. And I want to take that course in my life that, at last, I can be counted free from the responsibility of any of those associated with me in life going astray, falling by the way, turning from the light into the darkness, denying the truth or falling into transgression, or wandering from the right path. I have a fervent prayer in my soul, an earnest desire, that when I shall be called to give my last account, to the Judge of the quick and the dead, I may not be chargeable for the misdeeds of my children, for their wandering away from the truth, or for the falling into transgression, if they should do so, of any of my family. I do not want to be charged with it; I want to be free from this possibility. Next to them, I want my associates in life, my friends, my fellow-members in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to so live that they may love God with all their hearts--for that is the greatest of all the commandments--and that they shall love their neighbor as they love themselves, as far as it is possible for men, with the help of God, to overcome their selfishness, and extend their love, their forgiveness, their interest and their charity to their fellowman. I want to see the people of God obedient to the Lord, obedient to the Gospel, true to the faith, true to their covenants, true to mankind, true to one another and to the gospel of life and salvation; and in order that they may be true to these things, that they will prove it, and show forth their faith, their devotion and love for the principles of the gospel, by the manner in which they will rear their children and bring them up in the faith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.4 The Lord has blest me wonderfully. Sometimes, indeed almost always, I feel that no man in all the world has been blest more than I have been. I cannot express the gratitude I feel to God my Father, the giver of every good and perfect gift, for the inestimable and boundless mercies and blessings He has vouchsafed to me, His humble servant. So far, through my journey of life, I have had the joy and satisfaction of knowing, as far as it is possible for me to know, that the Lord has put into the hearts of my children the love of God and the love of truth, as He has put it into my heart, and I thank the Lord for it with all my soul. I would to the Lord that every man, who is a father in Israel, could say as much for his children; and why can't they say so much? I want to tell you one reason why a few of them, at least, cannot do it, and tell the truth. It is because they love their children with a shallow and unreasonable love. They indulge them to the utmost limit, and they carry it to such an extent that, if a child of theirs should ask them, while it was incapable of protecting itself, for a razor or a deadly instrument, figuratively speaking, rather than disappoint the child or deny its request, they would put into its hand an instrument of destruction. That is what they do, and that is what they are doing when they weakly yield to their foolish whims, and you mark my word, my brethren and sisters. There may not be many, God forbid that there should be many of us so unwisely indulgent, so thoughtless and so shallow in our affection for our children that we dare not check them in a wayward course, in wrong-doing and in their foolish love for the things of the world more than for the things of righteousness, for fear of offending them. I want to say this: Some people have grown to possess such unlimited confidence in their children that they do not believe it possible for them to be led astray or to do wrong. They do not believe they could do wrong, because they have such confidence in them. The result is, they turn them loose, morning, noon, and night, to attend all kinds of entertainments and amusements, often in company with those whom they know not and do not understand. Some of our children are so innocent that they do not suspect evil, and therefore, they are off their guard and are trapped into evil. I do not like, and it isn't pleasant for me, to throw chips, so to speak; for I do not know what may come to me in the future, 1 do not know what sorrows may await me, in my children or in their children. I cannot tell what the future may bring forth; but I would feel, today as though my life had been, in part, a failure if, at this moment, any one of my children had thrown off their allegiance to their father or to their mother and taken the bits in their own teeth, so to speak, to do as they pleased in the world without regard to their parents. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.5 There are things, in connection with this subject, that would not, perhaps, be proper to speak of here, before a large and mixed congregation; but I want to sound a note of warning to the Latter-day Saints. The time has come for them to look after their children. Every device possible to the understanding and ingenuity of cunning men, is being used for the purpose of diverting our children from the faith of the gospel and from the love of the truth. Every species of organization is being formed, both in our midst and abroad, having for its object the express purpose of leading astray the children of the Latter-day Saints, because they can't reach their parents. This is their argument: "We cannot convert the adult Mormon people, but we may, perhaps, convert their children; we may lead away their children; we do not hope to lead away the old people." They can't do it, except it may be, now and then, a man or woman who never did know anything particularly about the gospel. These, only, are they who can be led away from the truth; and our children can be led away from their parents and from the faith of the Gospel, only when they are in a condition that they know not the truth for themselves, not having had a proper example before them to impress it upon their minds. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.5 Sometimes good hearted people are in the habit of joking a good deal about sacred things, and there is scarcely anything that is held, by them, too sacred to speak lightly of in some form. They do this in the presence of their children, and their children take advantage of it; and while they go but an inch, so to speak, their children go the full length. They see that their parents do not hold sacred things which are sacred; they joke about them and speak lightly of them in the presence of their children, at the very fireside of their own home. The children grow up to feel that even their parents, when under the influence of a jocular spirit, do not hold sacred those things that they call sacred. The parents joke about these things and speak lightly of them, and the children take advantage of it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.6 I may be pardoned, since it is pretty well known everywhere, I believe, that I speak my mind if I speak at all, if I say to you, Mormon, Jew, and Gentile, believer and unbeliever, present in this congregation, I would rather take one of my children to the grave than I would see him turn away from this gospel. I would rather follow their bodies to the cemetery, and see them buried in innocence, than I would see them corrupted by the ways of the world. I would rather go myself to the grave than to be associated with a wife outside of the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant. Now, I hold it just so sacred; but some members of the Church do not so regard the matter. Some people feel that it does not make very much difference whether a girl marries a man in the Church, full of the faith of the gospel, or an unbeliever. Some of our young people have married outside the Church; but very few of those who have done it have failed to come to grief. I would like to see Latter-day Saint women marry Latter-day Saint men, and Latter-day Saint men marry Latter-day Saint women; and let Methodists marry Methodists, Catholics marry Catholics, and Presbyterians marry Presbyterians, and so on to the limit. Let them keep within the pale of their own faith and church, and marry and intermarry there, and let the Latter-day Saints do the same thing in their Church; then we will see who comes out best in the end. This is the way I feel about it. There is nothing that I can think of, in a religious way, that would grieve me more intensely that to see one of my boys marry an unbelieving girl, or one of my girls marry an unbelieving man. While I live, and they will listen to my voice, you can depend upon it none of them will ever do it, and I would to God that every father in Israel saw it just as I do, and would carry it out just as I intend to do. Yet, we do not know what the future may bring forth. We know the past, and the Spirit of the Lord may manifest to men, and does manifest to us, to some extent, what the future will be. We can in part judge of things that will come to pass by the things we see and understand, for we can trace the effect or result from the cause. When we see that laxity prevails in the family circle, when men do not pray at home, when they do not ask their wives nor their children to pray with them, when they treat lightly sacred things, when they joke and laugh about that which is most sacred, holy and most important to the welfare and happiness of men, when they do this before their children we may foretell what will be the result of it, eventually, with those children. You may foretell it almost as surely as you can tell that which has passed. The same causes, if pursued on the same lines, will produce the same effects in the future as in the past. We know what the past has done, and we may judge from the past what the future will bring forth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.6 Some of our people living elsewhere are in the habit of letting their daughters come to this city unprotected, to get employment, and it would be pitiable indeed, to relate the consequences which sometimes result from that practice. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.6 I did not expect to occupy very much time when I rose before you. My voice is not in very good trim for speaking as I have been suffering for a short time with a cold; and I presume I am not doing myself any good, physically, by speaking as I am doing. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.7 The brethren who will follow, through the conference, will be led by the Spirit of the Lord, I trust, in advancing and speaking upon those principles that will be profitable to the people. We expect them to talk about morality, about obedience to the laws of God and to the laws of men. We expect them to speak about home industry, for if any people in the world should believe in the propriety and necessity of home industry, it is the Latter-day Saints. On the back of that, if there is a people anywhere in the intermountain region, or anywhere else, who have failed more completely in maintaining and supporting some kinds of home industry, than we have, I do not know them. However much we may believe in it, we have not patronized it as we should; we have neglected it and let it go to the wall. President Young started up industries, home manufactures, and urged this matter upon the brethren. Factories were started under the administration of President Young in this valley and to the north of us in Weber county, and in Provo, Springville, in Washington county--this side of St. George, and in Beaver. He was earnest about it; he saw the necessity for it, but nearly every one of those enterprises, which he inaugurated, even to the manufacture of nails, in that early day, has gone to the wall. What for? Of course, eliminating the manufacture of nails, (for a factory was established for that purpose) the industry of raising cotton, of spinning cotton, of manufacturing our wool products into cloth and into other things that are needful, every one of these institutions has gone by the board; because labor was a little higher here, and cloth could not be produced here quite as cheap, within a few cents per yard, as the shoddy that is produced in the east could be made and sent here. We preferred the shoddy to the real goods, and we bought the shoddy and wore it, and let home manufacture go to the wall, and yet we believe in home manufacture! I wish we could produce here everything that is essential to our well-being--both for food and raiment and everything else, and I hope that the spirit of it will come upon us. I do not want to boast, but I want to tell you that I have the honor of wearing part of the last piece of home-made goods produced in Utah. I look about as well as some of you in your shoddy. (Laughter). Of course, I may not be a judge of my own appearance. You can judge of my appearance, and I can judge of yours; but if I may judge of my own appearance and my apparel, I have the opinion that my coat and vest look just about as well as some that you wear, and mine are homemade. For the last 40 years I have worn home-made goods, and I have paid just a little more than I could get shoddy for, I would have been glad to have done this right along, year after year, rather than to see this home industry fall to the ground for want of patronage. Here is Brother Smoot, who has been engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods; he can speak from the figures, for he is more familiar with figures than I am. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.8 We want to make these valleys of the mountains teem with the products of our own labor, and skill, and intelligence. I believe it to be suicidal for us to patronize those who are at a distance from us, when we should and could go to work and organize our labor and produce everything at home; we might thereby give employment to everybody at home, develop the intelligence and the skill of our children, instead of letting them hunt after these fancy occupations that so many young people desire above manual labor. The schools of the Latter-day Saints and some of the state schools are beginning to introduce manual labor. Some of our boys are learning how to make tables, chairs, sofas, bookcases, bureaus and all that sort of thing--all good as far as it goes; but if we want a mason to lay brick, we have got to look mostly to some man that has come from England or Germany or somewhere else to lay our brick. Why? Because our boys do not like to lay brick. If we want a good blacksmith, we must hunt up some foreigner who has learned the trade in his mother country, and who has come here with a knowledge of blacksmithing; we must find such a man before we can get blacksmithing done, because boys do not like to be blacksmiths. They don't like even to be farmers; they would rather be lawyers or doctors than to be farmers. This is the case with too many of our boys, and it is a great mistake. I hope the time will come when the children of the Latter-day Saints will learn that all labor that is necessary for the happiness of themselves and of their neighbors, or of mankind in general, is honorable; and that no man is degrading himself because he can lay brick, or carry on carpentry or blacksmithing, or any kind of mechanism, no matter what it is, but that all these things are honorable, and are necessary for the welfare of man and for the building up of the commonwealth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.8 I feel that I should not trespass much longer upon your time. The Lord bless this vast congregation. May peace dwell in your hearts; may you, indeed, find the rest in the gospel of Jesus Christ that will relieve you from the necessity of hunting for or longing to obtain something more than that which you have. The ancient prophets speak of "entering into God's rest;" what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in His purposes and in His plans to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else; we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lay in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine, that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it; they are welcome to their opinions, to their ideas and to their vagaries. The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into "God's rest," and he need not fear the vagaries of men, nor their cunning and craftiness, by which they seek to deceive him and mislead him from the truth. I pray that we may all enter into God's rest--rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world; from the cry that is going forth, here and there--lo, here is Christ; lo, there is Christ; lo, He is in the desert, come ye out to meet Him. The man who has found God's rest will not be disturbed by these vagaries of men, for the Lord has told him, and does tell us: "Go not out to seek them. Go not out to hunt them: for when Christ shall come, He will come with the army of heaven with Him in the clouds of glory, and all eyes shall see Him." We do not need to be hunting for Christ here, or Christ there, or prophets here and prophets there. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.9 There never was a time, perhaps, when there were more false prophets than there are today, when there were more visionary men or more false Christs than there are today. We get letters from them, and commands and threats from them, and admonitions and warnings and revelations from them, nearly every day. Our table is frequented by revelations from false prophets, from cranks and from crazy men--some calling themselves Christ, some calling themselves "deliverers of Israel," some calling themselves "the one mighty and strong, who is to deliver Israel out of bondage." Some say, "I am Christ; come unto me." We have these letters--those that we have not destroyed--stacked up almost by the cord. Some of these false prophets, these men to "deliver Israel," and these foolish, unwise, unstable creatures, led about by every wind of doctrine have risen right in our own midst. There is no one that can get up some foolish idea, or start out proposing to organize a church of some kind, no matter what the inconsistency of his claims may be, but what he will find some one to follow him, somebody as foolish as he is, and who knows as little. To the faithful Latter-day Saint is given the right to know the truth, as God knows it; and no power beneath the celestial kingdom can lead him astray, darken his understanding, becloud his mind or dim his faith or his knowledge of the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It can't be done, for the light of God shines brighter than the illumination of falsehood and error, therefore, those who possess the light of Christ, the spirit of revelation and the knowledge of God, rise above all these vagaries in the world; they know of this doctrine, that it is of God and not of man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.9 The Lord bless you. Peace abide with you; and, oh, may the fathers in Israel live as they should live; treat their wives as they should treat them; make their homes as comfortable as they possibly can; lighten the burdens upon their companions as much as possible; set a proper example before their children; teach them to meet with them in prayer, morning, and night, and whenever they sit down to partake of food, to acknowledge the mercy of God in giving them the food that they eat and the raiment that they wear, and acknowledge the hand of God in all things. This is our duty, and if we do not do it the Lord will be displeased for He has said so. He is only pleased with those who acknowledge His hand in all things. Now, God bless you, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.21 I don't want Brother Lyman to think he has the last silk handkerchief; (laughter) I have a number of them at home, which I intend to keep as long as I can. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.21 There is a very modest lady in the congregation, who is clothed in home-made silk. The mulberry leaves were grown here, and the very worms that spun the silk into threads, were bred in Utah. I wish that more of the good sisters were clad in home-made silk. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.123 An appeal for God's blessings upon His Church and people.--Admonition to exercise wisdom in public speaking. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.123 I desire to express my thanks and gratitude to all the Latter-day Saints who have attended this conference, for the excellent and peaceful spirit that has pervaded our meetings and has given, I believe, to all who have been present a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.123 I have felt that, before closing the meeting, I would like to read a few words of the prayer that was indicted by the Prophet Joseph Smith at the time of the dedication of the Kirtland temple, as I think the prayer and principles set forth apply to us at this time as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The prayer reads, in part, as follows: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.123 "Remember all thy Church, O Lord, with all their families, and all their immediate connections, with all their sick and afflicted ones, with all the poor and meek of the earth, that the kingdom which thou hast set up without hands, may become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.123 "That thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.123 "And be adorned as a bride for that day when thou shall unvail the heavens, and cause the mountains to flow down at thy presence, and the valleys to be exalted, the rough places made smooth; that thy glory may fill the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.124 "That when the trump shall sound for the dead we shall be caught up in the cloud to meet thee, that we may ever be with the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.124 "That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.124 "O Lord God Almighty, hear us in these our petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy holy habitation, where thou sittest enthroned, with glory, honor, power, majesty, might, dominion, truth, justice, judgment, mercy, and an infinity of fullness, from everlasting to everlasting. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.124 "And also this church, to put upon it thy name; and help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise, singing, Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.124 "And let these thine anointed ones be clothed with salvation, and thy saints shout aloud for joy. Amen." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.125 We have had a variety of teaching here during our conference. I want to say to the Latter-day Saints and to the Elders that have addressed us, that, personally, I have rejoiced exceedingly in every word that has been spoken, wherein the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been made. I believe that the Elders of Israel, and the officers of the Church, should devote themselves to the proclamation of the Gospel of life everlasting, and that they should not dwell or seek to dwell upon trivial and nonsensical things, or upon personal conduct or extraneous affairs. I think they should be dignified and sincere in their spirit and utterances. I think they should be moved by the spirit of truth and of the inspiration of the Gospel, and consider that it is their mission to bear record of Jesus Christ, of Joseph Smith, and of the divinity of the great latter-day work, the foundations of which Joseph Smith was instrumental in the hand of God in establishing in the latter day. I believe if our brethren will devote their thought, their minds and efforts in this direction, that they will please the Lord, they will satisfy the saints, and they will fulfill the object of their mission better than they can possibly do by criticizing themselves or others, or dwelling on the faults and failings of men. There never, perhaps, was a time in the Church when there were not foolish ones amongst us. Some have been foolish through overzeal; some have been still more foolish through lack of zeal, altogether,--some have been foolish in saying things they ought never to have said, and others have been guilty before the Lord in not saying that which they should have said. I presume that this condition will remain and continue amongst us so long as men are imperfect and do not see clearly, as the Lord sees, and are not susceptible to the inspiration and promptings of the Holy Spirit, to which they are entitled for their guidance every day of their lives, if they will but live for it. I think it is not wise or prudent for me to proclaim the short-comings of the Church if it has any, or the defects, faults, or failings of its members. I do not think it is my right or prerogative to point out the supposed defects of the Prophet Joseph Smith, or Brigham Young, or any other of the leaders of the Church. Let the Lord God Almighty judge them and speak for or against them as it may seem Him good--but not I; it is not for me, my brethren, to do this. Our enemies may have taken advantage of us, in times gone by, because of unwise things that may have been said. Some of us, may now, give to the world the same opportunity to speak evil against us, because of that which we say which should not be spoken at all. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.125 I felt that it was my duty to say this much at the conclusion of this conference. When the Lord wants to reveal something new to us, He knows the channel through which to reveal it; He knows that He can do it, and He will do it in His own way and time, and through the proper channels of the Priesthood. Don't forget that! Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1909, p.125 When this meeting concludes, our conference will be adjourned for six months, to meet, without further consideration, at this place. President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.2 Large attendance gratifying.--Temporal salvation desirable, as well as the spiritual.--Members of Church should make homes in localities approved by presiding authorities.--Thoroughness in farming commended.--Home industries insufficiently supported. The principles of Mormonism incite to righteousness.--Use of tobacco tobacco and intoxicants denounced.--Wisdom exercised in expenditure of tithing. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.2 I must confess that I do not feel adequate to the task of speaking to you this morning, but I hope the good Spirit from the Lord may rest upon us, not only during the time I may occupy but throughout the entire meeting, and, indeed, throughout the sessions of this conference. I feel in my heart to say to this vast congregation, God bless you and pour out His Holy Spirit upon you. May He reward you, by its rich outpouring, for your presence here, which indicates your faith and your desire to be present at the general conference of the Church to take part in the services and exercises thereof, and show that unity, that interest, that love and devotion to the work of the Lord, which should characterize the lives and acts of every member of the Church. It is almost marvelous, considering the condition of the weather, to see such a vast congregation as is assembled here today at the opening session of our conference; and, again, from my heart, I thank you for your attendance, and for the interest you feel in the work of the Lord in which we are all engaged. I feel, in my soul, that those who have come, sparing the time and the means necessary to attend the conference here, will not go away at the conclusion of our meetings either barren or unfruitful, for I believe the Lord will bless you and pour out His Spirit upon you in abundance. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.2 I take it for granted that the vast majority of those assembled here today are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing, and I would that this might be said of every soul that is present; for it is my belief that there is no greater honor, nor can there be any greater blessing obtained by man in this world, or in the world to come, than to be members in the Church of Christ in good fellowship with Him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.2 There are one or two matters that have rested upon my mind of late. While there are many things that might be spoken of here today, or at least hinted at, or simply mentioned, they will be more fully spoken of, unquestionably, by those who shall occupy the stand during our conference. But one thing has seemed to impress itself very strongly upon my mind, and I desire to say a few words in relation to it. It may be considered a secular matter, but to me it is both spiritual and temporal. I do not think it would be possible for me to appreciate, very highly, that sort of salvation that is only spiritual. I desire to see, and to witness, and to embrace the religion that is both temporal and spiritual, and to participate in and enjoy the salvation that is both temporal and spiritual. The matter that I refer to is home-building and the providing of places to dwell for the children of the Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.3 We have witnessed a disposition, among some of our people, to want to draw off and go away, almost limitless distances away from the body of the Church--a disposition to scatter abroad, rather than to gather together, and a tendency of our children to go away from their homes, to seek homes for themselves somewhere else, in some other state, or territory, or country, away off from their parental homes. Now, it appears to me that there are almost limitless opportunities and advantages yet to be utilized, not only here in the state of Utah but in the near-by or adjoining states, where our young people may find lands and build homes for themselves without wandering away off into South America, or into Southern Mexico, or into any other foreign country. It is being demonstrated that there are within our reach; under our very eyes, large tracts of country thai only needed either co-operation of labor or capital to bring it under cultivation and to render it susceptible to building homes, and towns, and villages. It is, in my judgment, wise, prudent and proper for our young people to try to secure for themselves lands as near to their homes as possible, near the homes of their parents, and as closely associated as possible with the communities of the Church, that they may have the advantages of Sunday Schools, improvement associations, primary associations; in other words, that they may have the advantages of Church organizations for the benefit of their children, as well as for their own benefit. While they are thus reaping the benefits and blessings of these privileges at home, they are building up this country instead of leaving it to the stranger, to come here and build it up,--and, perhaps, a class of strangers that we could not affiliate with, or who could not affiliate with us. There are classes of people we know of in the world who are not, or at least have not proven themselves to be up-to-date, desirable neighbors and pleasant associates; but they, this class, are seeking dwelling places, seeking opportunities, both in our country and elsewhere, and it is just as well that our own people--our own boys and girls should build up among us as for the stranger to come from abroad, from distant countries to occupy the land instead of them. I want to say to this congregation that we have not approved, and we do not approve of this disposition that has manifested itself, to some extent, on the part of some of our brethren, to go away off into some distant country where neither life, nor liberty, nor property is safe. We would rather see our people operate together, and help to build up and develop this country so long as there is room for us to dwell. When the necessity comes, for us to colonize, we may do it in some organized way by which, in the doing of it, all concerned may obtain the best and greatest advantages and reap the greatest benefit to themselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.4 Now, I want it understood that I do not hold to the idea that one little state, perhaps, is going to be sufficiently large to accommodate all the Latter-day Saints, or that the Church of Jesus Christ will of necessity be confined within small limits. I do not view it in this way; but I wish it understood that when it becomes necessary for the Latter-day Saints to colonize in distant lands, or away from the body of the Church, that it is best to do it under the sanction, approval and counsel of the presiding authorities of the Church and of leading men who have experience and the welfare of the people at heart, who can direct their energies and their course, and help them to colonize, where it is necessary for them to colonize and build homes. Briefly stating it, in my opinion it is proper, it is wisdom, indeed, I think it is, a necessity for the Latter-day Saints to take every advantage they possibly can to secure homes for themselves in Utah, in Idaho, in Wyoming and Colorado, in the adjoining states here, and in our own country--in our blessed America--under our grand and glorious government, where life, property and the liberties of men may be protected and not jeopardized by mob-violence, by revolutions, or by any sort of disruption that so often occurs in some of our neighboring countries, of course I commend and approve of our colonies, formed by authority and guidance of the Church in Northern Mexico and in Canada, and recommend them to home-seekers who desire to go there. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.4 In connection with this matter, I think it is wisdom for us, as agriculturists, to study agriculture and to become able to produce out of an acre of ground as much as the "heathen Chinee" or as much as any other people can produce from the same ground. I do not see why we cannot learn to cultivate the soil as intelligently and as profitably as any other class of people in the world; and yet it is a well known fact that up to the present we have not devoted that attention, care, thoughtfulness, or that intelligence to agriculture in our country that we should have done and that we are now learning to do, by the aid of schools where men who desire to follow agriculture may learn the nature of the soil and all the other conditions necessary to produce the largest results for their labor. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.4 Now another thing. The thought has prevailed in olden time that it was proper, and an effort used to be made, to get our people, everywhere, to co-operate together, to; combine their energies and their little means in the establishment of home industries that will give employment to themselves and to their children, and will be productive not only of those things that are needful for us in our homes and country, but that will be a source of revenue to us by transportation. Today we have allowed this home industry spirit almost to perish from amongst us, and that spirit of loyalty which impels a man or Woman to sustain home industry by their patronage is almost a thing of the past. We do not witness that same loyalty among the people to patronize home industries and institutions that are established by ourselves or our communities, intended for the building up of the country and for the production of those things that are needful to society. We do not exhibit that spirit of loyalty towards these things that we should do. In my opinion, there are too many of us that would rather go to a "Cheap John" establishment and buy shoddy--because we could get it a few pence less per yard--than to go to a home producing establishment and buy cloth that is all wool and a yard wide, and that will wear and pay the price for it. It is a short-sighted idea and policy for us to patronize foreign capital, foreign labor, when we can produce the same articles, in a better condition and class, at home by our own labor, giving ourselves employment, and thereby build up our country, and preserve our money at home. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.5 These things will, no doubt, be referred to, more or less, by the brethren who shall speak during the conference, and they may dwell upon these matters at greater length. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.5 I desire to say that Mormonism, as it is called, is still, as always, nothing more and nothing less than the power of God unto salvation, unto every soul that will receive it honestly and will obey it. I say to you, my brethren, sisters, and friends, that all Latter-day Saints, wherever you find them, provided they are true to their name, to their calling and to their understanding of the Gospel, are people who stand for truth and for honor, for virtue and for purity of life, for honesty in business and in religion, people who stand for God and for His righteousness, for God's truth and His work in the earth, which aims for the salvation of the children of men, for their salvation from the evils of the world, from the pernicious habits of wicked men and from all those things that degrade, dishonor or destroy; or tend to lessen the vitality, and life, the honor, and godliness among the people of the earth. I love the Gospel today more than I ever did before in all my life. I believe more firmly--if such a thing can be possible in the divine mission of Christ and in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith than ever before. I feel in every fiber of my being, that they have been sent of God, that they have laid the foundations for life everlasting to the world. I believe that Christ is, indeed, the Redeemer from sin and death, and the only door that has ever been opened, to my understanding at least, whereby man may live again after he has died. I believe in these principles, I have received them, I have accepted of them in my soul, and I feel that they are Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.5 true. I know that they are good, for they incite men to deeds of honor, of virtue, of honesty, and of uprightness; they make men feel that it is their duty as well as their privilege--and it is a glorious privilege, too--to obey God and keep His commandments, commandments, that they might be worthy to meet Him and enjoy an inheritance in His kingdom, to partake of His glory and of His salvation. Let the people be united, and not divided one against another. In union we have strength, but in division and discord we become like water spilled upon the ground, that cannot be gathered up. Let the people be united in their worship of God, united in their faith, united in their love of all that is good, noble and godlike, united one with another in helping to establish the standard of peace and righteousness in the earth, that all men may come to it and partake of its blessings and glory. Let your light so shine that the world may see it and be constrained to glorify God therefor. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.6 I feel, again, in my heart to bless you, and I pray that we may have power given to us, one and all, to stand in the truth--firm and faithful, unbending and unyielding to any of the things to the contrary that come from the outside. Let us attend to our prayers. Do not forget that the Lord Almighty has said, "I will be inquired of by you," and, "he that seeketh me early shall find me." The Lord has made it obligatory upon us to seek after Him, to have prayerful hearts, and spirits, that we may supplicate the Lord, if for nothing more, than to acknowledge to Him that we feel we are His children, and believe in His word and in the promises that He has made to us. While He may have blest us with all the temporal blessings that are necessary for our happiness and well-being, and we need not ask Him for food, for clothing, nor for houses, or, where to lay our heads,--we can at the same time acknowledge to the Lord our gratitude that He has so overruled all things, so provided for us and opened our way, that we have been able to obtain all these things and surround ourselves with the temporal blessings of life, Surely the Lord has been very merciful and very providential to us, up to this time, with reference to all these things. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.7 Another requirement that I wish to mention is that the parents in Zion will be held responsible for the acts of their children, not only until they become eight years old but, perhaps, throughout all the lives of their children, provided they have neglected their duty to their children while they were under their care and guidance, and the parents were responsible for them. One thing I deplore, and that is the fact that I can scarcely go onto the street or side-walk but I see one to a dozen or more boys in their 'teens--with pipes of tobacco in their mouths, puffing away in the open. When I see them, I think, Oh!what a pity, oh! what a shame! How foolish, how imbecile, how useless, and how injurious is this practice to the youth of the people. I deplore the sight of it wherever I see it; I want to tell those present, who are in the habit of using these things, that when you meet me in the street with a pipe, cigarette, or a cigar in your mouths, please do not recognize me--go right by, and I will do the same. I never did like to bow to a nasty, old, stinking pipe, nor to take my hat off to it. (Laughter. ) I deplore the habit that many of the youth of this city, many of the youth of this state, aye and of everywhere--not only in this state but everywhere else--falling into this pernicious, useless, and injurious habit,--costly, too, and too, and no return; it is simply an outlay for injury. I think it would be quite as manly if they would take directly to the use of opium, and use it until they killed themselves quickly. It would be sooner over with to do that than to take the slower means of reaching death by sucking a pipe, cigarette, or something of that kind. Again, respecting intoxication, I want to say to you that we deplore the existence of this evil in any community, anywhere; and we deplore the fact that it may, possibly, be said--I do not say it is so, but I deplore the fact that it may be said that some of the members of the Church are patrons of saloons. I would to God it could not be said in truth, and I hope the time will come when no man in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will ever condescend or so humiliate himself as to enter into a saloon, or to even cross the threshold of those places of death. I hope the time will come when this can be said. I cannot see how it is possible for Latter-day Saints to claim to be members of the Church, in good standing, or expect to receive the blessings and advantages of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, while they themselves are violating some of these most precious principles of purity of life that the Lord has made manifest to us in this dispensation. Leave these poisonous and injurious things alone; live within your means; get out of debt, and keep out of debt; do not run faster than you can go safely; be careful and cautious in what you do; advise with those who have wisdom and experience, before you leap lest you leap into the dark; and so guard yourselves, from possible evil and disadvantage, that the Lord can pour out the blessings of heaven upon you, yes "open the windows of heaven" and pour out upon you blessings, that you shall scarcely have room to contain them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.8 Remember the commandment of the Lord concerning the law of revenue for the Church. We are doing the best we know how, by the advice and counsel of the wisest men we have and by the inspiration, as we trust, from the Lord, in the use and employment of the means that belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Up to date, I do not believe there is one of the brethren connected with the management of the financial affairs of the Church, who will be or can be in the least ashamed of the course that he has taken, or of the work that he has done or consented to the doing with reference to the expenditure of the Church means. Not a dollar has been expended, so far as I have any knowledge, contrary to the laws of the Church, or contrary to that which is deemed, by the wisest men we have, to be for the best good of our cause. It is true we are building meeting-houses all over the land that is, we are helping; we can't do it all; we are not in a position to do even half of it, but we are helping hundreds of our wards to build their meeting-houses, according to the means that we have. We expect to be able to continue to do this; but there are a great many people in the Church whose names are recorded in a book,--some of you would be surprised, I am sure, to see that book, called the record of the non-tithe-payers. I believe that if all these members, whose names are recorded in the book as non-tithe-payers, would pay anything like an honest one-tenth of their interest annually into the bishop's storehouse, we would have means to build all the meeting houses in Zion, that it is necessary to build. We could not build them all this year, or next year, but we could build some this year, as far as the means would go; a few next year, as far as the means would go, and so we would keep on until we would build meeting-houses and school-houses for all the Latter-day Saints in every part of the land. But we can't do it yet--there are too many non-tithe-payers. Now, whether these people do not believe in the law of tithing, or whether they are disgruntled for some other cause, or whether they are so poor they could not pay their tithing, or what may be the reason, they do not do it. I do not know the reason, but I believe that if they only knew what would be for their best good they would observe and keep that law, though they were only able to give their little mite toward it, and thus have their names at least recorded on the tithe-payers' list and record. It would be a good thing for them to do it, because of the blessing attached to the observance of the law. I repeat again that if all the Latter-day Saints would pay an honest tithing, we would have plenty of means to build all the meeting-houses that we need,--that is, gradually, as we would have the means to do it with. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.8 Again, the Lord God Almighty bless you. My heart is full of blessing for the Latter-day Saints. I love the man, with all my heart, who I know to be an honest, upright, true, faithful Latter-day Saint. A man of this description is one of the best citizens of any country; he is a good citizen of any city, of any county, of any state, or of any nation wherever he may be; and he is one of the very best. A real Latter-day Saint, is a good husband, he is a good father, he is a good neighbor, he is a good citizen, and a good man all round; and it takes a good Latter-day Saint to be a first class everything else. Again,--the Lord bless you, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.8 Loving tribute to the memory of the late President John R. Winder. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.8 I scarcely know what I could say with reference to the absence from this conference of one of the best men that it has ever been my lot to know. Of course, I cannot trust my feelings in speaking of him, but I felt that it might be thought, possibly, that I had too soon forgotten that good man who has stood by me and by others for the many long years of his life, as true and as faithful as it is possible for one man to stand with another. I have lost a father and a brother and a counselor, one in whose judgment I never failed to have implicit trust, one who was good and true in every position in which he was placed. If anything was wanted of. President John R. Winder, and he was asked to perform it, he did it, if it was in the power of man to do it. He never shrank from any duty, but was always valiant, and vigilant, and faithful in the performance of every labor that was required at his hands. He was a choice spirit, a noble soul, a wise and prudent man, just and honest both to God and to his fellow beings. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.8 My brethren and sisters, I felt that I might at least say these few words with reference to President Winder who but recently passed away after a long illness, as I desired to at least show my love and my regard for him, and the deep regret that I feel in my heart because of the deprivation that I have suffered by his death. The Lord bless his widow and his children and his children's children to the latest generation; and may there never come a time when President John R. Winder shall not have both sons and daughters to represent him before the altar of truth and righteousness in the House of God. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.45 Suggestion to those who desire answers to queries or problems. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.45 Circumstances are favorable to the remark I desire to make, that the Presidency and a number of the Apostles are beset, continually, with letters of inquiry, asking questions about almost numberless and nameless subjects. On one occasion, having been importuned by a young man who was almost a professional questioner, and having submitted to his queries, continuously, for a number of months, I came to the conclusion that I would make this proposition to him, and I think it a good one to make here, because it is not always the Bishops, or the Bishops' Counselors, or the Presidents of stakes who are asking questions of us, and who are submitting wonderful problems for us to solve; but many of the Latter-day Saints are doing the same thing, also a number who are not Latter-day Saints. My proposition was this, and I repeat it to the Bishops and Presidents and to the Latter-day Saints everywhere: If you have a question to ask, or some problem that you are not sure you are able to solve, I would suggest to you that you figure it out yourselves and reach the very best conclusion that you can of the matter; and then, if you are still not quite satisfied with it, and you cannot get sufficient of the Spirit of the Lord to reveal to you the absolute truth, as to whether you are right or wrong, just submit to us your conclusion, and we think we can answer that a good deal easier and quicker than we can solve your questions in the way they are generally put to us. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.115 Announcement of deaths of missionaries.--Baptisms in 1909.--Prayer in behalf of the the erring.--Heaven's choice blessings invoked upon the faithful. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.115 An item of sad information to the congregation is the fact that Brother John H. Cartwright, of Beaver, Utah, died October 22nd, 1909, of typhoid fever, while laboring in the Western States mission; Griffith E. Williams, of Thomas, Bingham county, Idaho, died September 25th, 1909, of appendicitis, in the British Mission; and William Funk, of Claresholm, Canada, died December 20, 1909, of typhoid fever, in the Northwestern States Mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.115 I know that the sympathy and love of this vast congregation, as well as of all the Latter-day Saints, go out to the kindred and loved ones of these dear brethren who have laid down their lives in the ministry, while making their best effort to proclaim the. Gospel of liberty and of life and salvation to the inhabitants of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.115 Another item of information that may be of interest is this: Duringthe year 1909, 9,143 persons were baptized in the stakes of Zion; and 5,391 persons were baptized in the missions of the Church during the same period; making a total of persons baptized, 14,534, Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.115 I do not intend to prolong the meeting. I wish merely to say that my heart is full of blessing for this people and for all people--for all mankind. I love the good, the upright, the manly, the honorable, the pure in heart everywhere in the world; and the foolish and unfortunate have my sympathy and my pity. I pray God the Eternal Father to help, the erring to forsake the error of their ways, that He will help those that are in darkness, to come to the knowledge of the truth and into the light, that they may walk Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.115 in the light as Christ is in the light, that they may have fellowship with Him and His people, and that He may cleanse them from all sin. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1910, p.116 May peace abide upon the people of, God everywhere, upon the people of our state and upon the people of our glorious country. May the blessing of the Lord attend the administration of our Government; may His power and Spirit pervade the halls of Congress and enlighten the men who enact laws for the government of our nation; and may they acknowledge God in all things and seek to please Him, and to enact just laws, which may be executed in such a way that the purposes of God may be subserved and His will be accomplished in the earth. This is my earnest desire; and, therefore, I say, again, God bless Israel in all your abidings, in your homes, in your fields and farms, in your flocks and your herds, and in all the labors of your minds and the labors of your hands; may peace dwell in your midst; may prosperity attend you on every hand--is my my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.2 Increased love for the Gospel a result of increased knowledge.--True to all pledges and assumed obligations to God. His Church and people, and to the world.--Professed members of the Church must stop traducing.--Admonition to the Saints to be faithful to covenants.--Study of Gospel principles adds to faith.--The Saints have nu merous testimonies, additional to other Christians, concerning the Messiah.--Strong personal testimony of the divinity of Joseph Smith's appointment to restore the Gospel and reveal doctrines of salvation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.2 I feel very grateful for the privilege of being present with you this morning, at the opening of our eighty-first anniversary of the semiannual conference of the Church. I am pleased to see so many present, and my heart is full of blessing for the Latter-day Saints and, indeed, for all the honest in heart throughout the world. I earnestly' desire that the Spirit of the Lord may visit us and abide with us throughout all the sessions of this conference, that those who administer and those who are administered unto may rejoice exceedingly in the presence of the Holy Spirit upon them and in their hearts, inspiring them to diligence and faithfulness in the great work of God in which we are engaged. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.2 I do not feel that I should occupy very much time this morning. I have just got out of my bed, where I have lain for more than a month, with very little exercise, and I feel the effects of the inertia, the inactivity to which I have been subjected--not willingly but unwillingly--for the last thirty days or more. Nevertheless, I feel in my heart to say to this congregation that I love the gospel, I love the truth that has been revealed anew to the children of men in these latter days, more, if possible, today than ever I did in my life. I believe in it just as truly and as firmly today as I ever did, and, if possible, more so: and I think it is possible, for the reason that I believe all true Latter-day Saints are growing. They are progressing, they are absorbing more light, more intelligence. stronger convictions of the truth, day by day; for we cannot help doing this, if we enjoy the spirit of the gospel as we should. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.3 I feel happy, this morning, in having the privilege to say to you that in the days of my childhood and early youth, I made a pledge with God and with His people that I would be true to them. In looking over the experiences of my life, I cannot now discern and do not remember a circumstance, since the beginning of my experience in the world, where I have felt, for a moment, to slacken or relax in the pledge and promise that I made to God and to the Latter-day Saints, or to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in my youth. And if there is a man, or a woman, in the world that can point out to me an instance, in all my life, where I have been untrue to my pledge, or promise, or covenant, I shall be glad to receive that information from that man or woman. As an elder in Israel I tried to be true to that calling; I tried to my utmost to honor and magnify that calling. When I became a seventy, I felt in my heart to be true to that calling, and I strove, with all the intelligence and fervor of my soul, to be true to it. I have no knowledge nor recollection of any act of mine, or any circumstance in my life where I proved untrue or unfaithful to these callings in the priesthood of the Son of God. Later in my life, when I was called to act as an apostle, and was ordained an apostle, and set apart to be one of the Twelve, I strove to honor that calling, to be true to it, and to my brethren, to the household of faith, and to the covenants and obligations involved in receiving this holy priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God. I am not aware that I ever violated one of my obligations or pledges in these callings to which I have been called. I have sought to be true and faithful to all these things. I have endeavored to be true to my family; and if, ever, I have violated one pledge or promise, or neglected one obligation that rests upon me in these relationships, I do not know it. And when I have made pledges to the people of God, or to the world, if ever I have violated those pledges I do not know it. Furthermore, I do not believe there is a man living that does know it, or that can truthfully testify that I ever did violate those pledges. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.3 I stand before you today, my brethren, sisters and friends, on the ground that I have tried to be true to God, to the utmost of my knowledge and ability; that I have tried to be true to my people, to the utmost of my knowledge and ability; and I have been true to the world in every pledge and promise that I have made to the world, notwithstanding there have been men who have shown a disposition to make it appear that I was a hypocrite, that I was two-faced: that I was one thing to the world and another thing in secret. I want it distinctly understood that those who have conveyed such an idea as this to mankind have been wilfully injuring me, wronging me, and falsifying me and my character before the people; and I want it distinctly understood those things must stop. They must stop at least among men that profess to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I can endure to be maligned and persecuted by my enemies, who are also enemies of the Kingdom of God, but I do not want to be maligned and belied by men who profess to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, neither intentionally or otherwise. Now, I trust that you understand clearly what I mean. I do not know how I can make it much plainer or clearer, with the knowledge that I have of language. Then, I repeat, as the Lord has helped me in the past to be true to my covenants, that I have entered into with Him and with you, with my brethren and with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so by His help and by His blessing I propose to be true throughout the future of my life, whether I am permitted to live long or short; it matters not to me. While I live, I hope to be a true man, an honest man, a man who can face all mankind and, at last, who can stand before God, the Judge of the quick and the dead, and not quail for what I have done in the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.4 May God bless you. May peace abide with you, my brethren and sisters. I pray you to be true to your covenants; be true to those covenants that you made in the waters of baptism, to those covenants you made in the house of the Lord, and true to every righteous obligation that devolves upon you. To be Latter-day Saints, men or women must be thinkers, and workers; they must be men and women who weigh matters in their minds, men and women who consider carefully their course of life and the principles that they have espoused. Men cannot be faithful Latter-day Saints unless they study and understand, to some extent at least, the principles of the gospel that they have received. When you hear of people, that profess to be Latter-day Saints, running off on tangents, on foolish notions and one-horse, cranky ideas, things that are obviously opposed to reason, and to good sense, opposed to principles of righteousness and to the word of the Lord, that has been revealed to men, you should know at once that they have not studied the principles of the gospel, and do not know very much about the gospel. When people understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will see them walking straightforward, according to the word of the Lord, and the law of God, strictly in accordance with that which is consistent, just, righteous, and in every sense acceptable to the Lord, who only accepts of that which is right and pleasing in His sight; for only that which is right is pleasing unto Him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.4 I have not time, neither have I strength, this morning, to enter into details or to undertake to preach a lengthy discourse. I do not feel able to do it, physically. The spirit is willing, but just now the flesh is not very strong; but I want to bear my testimony to you Latter-day Saints. I know that my Redeemer lives. We have all the testimony and all the evidence of this great and glorious truth, that the world has, that is, all that the so-called Christian world possesses; and, in addition to all that they have, we have the testimony of the inhabitants of this western continent, to whom the Savior appeared, and delivered His gospel, the same as He delivered it to the Jews. In addition to all this new testimony and the testimony of the holy scriptures from the Jews, we have the testimony of the modern Prophet, Joseph Smith, who saw the Father and the Son, and who has borne record of them to the world: whose testimony was sealed with his blood, and is in force upon the world today. We have the testimony of others who witnessed the presence of the Son of God, in the Kirtland temple, when He appeared to them there, and the testimony of Joseph and Sidney Rigdon, who declared that they were the last witnesses of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I say again, I know that my Redeemer lives; for in the mouths of these witnesses this truth has been established in my mind. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.4 Beside these testimonies, I have received the witness of the Spirit of God in my own heart, which exceeds all other evidences, for it bears record to me, to my very soul, of the existence of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives, and that in the last day He shall stand upon the earth, and that He shall come to the people who shall be prepared for Him, as a bride is prepared for the bridegroom, when He shall come. I believe in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and I have every evidence that I need--at least enough to convince me of the divinity of his mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.4 I am proud to say that I have accepted and have tried to keep and honor every word that has proceeded from the mouth of God through him. As--"It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." No one will dare to accuse me of side-tracking from, or of refusing to obey any doctrine taught by or revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.5 I bear my testimony to you and to the world, that Joseph Smith was raised up by the power of God to lay the foundations of this great Latter-day work, to reveal the fulness of the gospel to the world in this dispensation, to restore the priesthood of God to the world, by which men may act in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and it will be accepted of God: it will be by His authority. I bear my testimony to it: I know that it is true. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.5 I bear my testimony to the divine authority of those who have succeeded the Prophet Joseph Smith in the presidency of this Church. They were men of God. I knew them; I was intimately associated with them; and as one man may know another, through the intimate knowledge that he possesses of him, so I can bear testimony to the integrity, to the honor, to the purity of life, to the intelligence, and to the divinity of the mission and calling of Brigham, of John, of Wilford, and of Lorenzo. They were inspired of God to fill the mission to which they were called, and I know it. I thank God for that testimony and for the spirit that prompts me and impels me towards these men, toward their mission, toward this people, toward my God and my Redeemer. I thank the Lord for it, and I pray earnestly that it may never depart from me--worlds without end. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.5 God bless you, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.127 Testimony of Church members equal to that of their leaders.--There are not and can not be dupes or slaves in the Church.--Our doctrines are truth and righteousness, demonstrated by the Holy Scriptures.--Enemies of Mormonism set up and fight "men of straw."--Earnest invocation of blessings. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.127 I shall not attempt to address you at much length. The most that I could do, this afternoon. would be to emphasize and endorse. without recourse, every word and sentence and sentiment that has been spoken or expressed during the sessions of this conference, from the first to the last. I believe, with all my soul, in the testimonies that have been borne; and what pleases me most of all is the fact that there are present here today hundreds of men and, perhaps, thousands of them, and women too, in this vast congregation and others who have been in attendance at this conference, who can bear the same testimony that has been borne by the speakers who have addressed us during this conference. Some people in the world appear to have a great deal of sympathy for the poor, deluded, innocent, honest, deceived, down-trodden and misled Latter-day Saints, as they seem to regard them, and at the same time they have fierce 'judgment to pronounce upon their "wicked and designing leaders." I wish to say to our friends, here, that there is no man nor set of men on earth today that can mislead this people very far out of the path of rectitude, righteousness and faith in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It can't be done. Why? Because they know the principles of the gospel, as well as their leaders do. They have borne testimony of this truth to the world, almost to a man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.127 We send out to the nations of the earth two thousand elders every other year, practically, and they go abroad to the various nations full of faith and the spirit of this gospel, full of the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy. They go out with the spirit of the gospel in their souls, to bear testimony to the world, and they do bear that testimony to the world, and they come home ripened in the knowledge of the truth, confirmed in their convictions, established in a knowledge of the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and no power beneath the Celestial kingdom can turn them from it, except they transgress the laws of righteousness themselves. Other men cannot turn them aside; other men cannot con found them. They know the truth for themselves; they have learned it in the school of experience, as well as by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost upon them. They know the truth, and the truth has made them free. There are no slaves, there are no dupes in this Church; there are no men nor women worthy to claim an honorable standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are not free men and free women in the highest sense of the word. What will be the result? The result will be that we will teach the principles of the gospel that we have received, that we have learned to be true, to our children, and we will endeavor to have them taught to our children's children to the latest generation, that our children may grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, in the knowledge and in the love of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. We will teach our children to be pure in heart, to be honest and upright, to be virtuous and God-fearing. We will teach them to observe that greatest and most glorious moral law of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which if men obey it they cannot look upon adultery or upon any deadly sin with any degree of allowance, we will teach them that God rules, of right in the hearts of the children of men, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and overrules in the nation of which we are a part, and in the nations of the earth. They are all subject to His power, and will bow beneath His rod when He shall determine to scourge the wicked, to punish the ungodly, and to judge those that, hear the truth and will not receive it. God will judge the nations of the earth and the people of the world, and He will mete out justice and judgment and righteousness unto them; we do not have to do that. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.128 I thought it had long ago been determined that our enemies, those who are fighting against the gospel, against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had abandoned the thought that they could successfully contend with us on scriptural ground. With but very few exceptions, they have long ago abandoned that thought. The poor unfortunate gentleman who made his blunder, on this point as referred to by Brother Ivins, must have been raised somewhere in the backwoods, and had not yet awakened to the fact that his co-workers against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had long ago abandoned the hope that they could prevail against "Mormonism" on scriptural ground. They can't do it. They can and do contend against the Bible and the New Testament: they can and many do deny Christ; they can and many do deny His resurrection from the dead and the glorious redemption that He has wrought for the world through obedience to His word and law: they may do all that, but they cannot successfully meet us on scriptural ground. Why? Because we believe in the scripture; we are established upon the scriptures of divine truth; we are built upon the foundations of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. They cannot uproot us nor overturn us by the scriptures; it can't be done. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.128 Now, what means are they using and what means have they been using, for years, against the Church? Ridicule, contumely, falsehood, slander, misrepresentation! Men that fight against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints build up "men of straw" and slaughter them. They advance ideas that do not belong to us, that we have never held, that we do not advocate, that are no part of our doctrine or religion at all. They conjure up these propositions in their own minds, and then proceed, with all the eloquence and fervor of their souls, to tear in pieces and destroy the images of their own minds. They do not fight Mormonism--they can't, without they fight God and the truth! The moment that men attempt to fight this Church they fight God, they fight the principles of His gospel and His truth; they fight faith in God, faith in Jesus Christ, faith in righteousness, faith in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; faith in every principle that exalts and uplifts and ameliorates the condition of man in the world. If they undertake to fight us they fight (these principles, because we have espoused these principles. They are our principles, and they are not principles of error, of injustice, or unvirtue, or of ungodliness. We do not espouse any such doctrine as that, neither do we teach it, when we are in the faith and fellowship of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.129 I did not expect to talk so long. why are you here today, my brethren and sisters? Why have you sat here and stood here, many of you, throughout the sessions of this conference? Because you know that the words that have been spoken to you, by your fellow servants and associates in the priesthood, have been words of truth and soberness, that is why you are here. That is why you came to this conference and remained here and kept the good, quiet order and paid the attention that you have. Who willturn you away from the path of righteousness, from the testimony that you possess, from the knowledge that you have of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is, indeed, the power of God unto salvation? Who can do it? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.129 I endorse every word of blessing that has been pronounced by President Lyman, here, this afternoon. The Lord bless this people and all the people of the earth who desire righteousness and love truth. Especially, may the Lord bless these my brethren upon whom rests the responsibility of directing, guiding, and counseling the people over whom they are called to preside. May the spirit of presidency, of great wisdom, of fatherly kindness, of love unfeigned, and of charity brood over you, sink into your hearts, lead you to do good among the children of men, and to lift up your fellow servants and associates and the members of the Church among whom you labor, to the highest possible standard of virtue, honor, and righteousness. That is your mission, and you are qualified to do and fulfill the work required at your hands, if you will only seek the spirit of the gospel and abide in it and in the spirit of your calling. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1910, p.129 The Lord bless the fathers and the mothers in Israel, and their sons and daughters. May He keep our sons from error, from wicked ways and from temptations that beset them in the wicked world in which we live. May the Lord preserve the virtue, honor, and purity of our daughters, that they may be pure as the angels in the presence of God, and worthy to bear sons and daughters who shall abide in the truth, and who shall bear off, to the last, the kingdom of God, triumphantly, throughout the world. The Lord bless our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters. May He bless those who preside, those entrusted with responsibility in the Church, that they may magnify their calling, honor their Lord and Master, honor the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for, as it has been said, if this is indeed the Church of Jesus Christ, then to be a member in it is greater than to be an emperor or a king. For in membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have assurance of deliverance from sin here, and we have the promise of eternal life now and evermore, and if we are faithful to our covenants, there is no power beneath the Celestial kingdom that can take from us the crown of glory that awaits those who are faithful before the Lord. God bless you, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.1 Active interest in God's work enjoined.--Zion enjoying the favor of the Almighty.--Leading men and women in the Church commended.--Remarkable facts shown by Church statistics of births, deaths, etc.--Demoralizing amusements and vulgar exhibitions condemned.--Erroneous doctrines cannot deceive enlightened Saints.--Strong reaffirmation that plural marriages have ceased in the Church Legislation by Congress in regard to marriage and divorce approved. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.2 I do not feel at this moment that I shall occupy very much time. I am suffering, to some extent with a cold. Of course it is always a bad cold, however light it may be; we never have good ones. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.2 I am extremely thankful to my Father in heaven, on my own behalf, for the many blessings that have come to me personally since our meeting at the last conference, in October. Then I was suffering extremely with sciatic troubles, and felt that I had my portion of suffering at that time. I am thankful to say that I feel almost new again, so far as that affliction is concerned. But we never can tell how long we may be free from the ailments incident to human life; and while we mention the favors of the Lord and His blessings upon us, and rejoice exceedingly in the health, vigor and strength that we possess, we do not do so boastingly but always in remembrance of the fact that we are subject to the favor and mercy of God, every hour and every moment of our lives. For I feel that it is the duty of all Latter-day Saints, especially, and of course of all mankind, to acknowledge the hand of God in all things. Sometimes afflictions are permitted to come upon us for the purpose of a trial, perhaps, or for some other reason, in the wisdom of Providence, for our good. I believe that everything with which we have to do in the natural and proper affairs of life, will be overruled, by the providence of God, to the good of those who love Him, who strive to keep His commandments, and who exercise wisdom and judgment according to the intelligence that they possess, in the care and protection of their own lives, the preservation of their health, and strength, and the maintenance of pure, moral character and manner of life. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.2 I feel grateful for the beautiful morning which has dawned upon us at the opening of this eighty-first anniversary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel grateful, too, for the presence of so many of the Latter-day Saints as are assembled, which is an indication to me, at least, and should be I think to all, that we do take that interest which we should feel in these assemblies, or conferences of the Church. There is not one of us but what should feel a lively personal interest in the upbuilding of Zion, and in the welfare of all her people. No man or woman holding a membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should feel indifferent to the cause of Zion, but they should, one and all, feel a lively interest in the welfare of the work of the Lord, in which they are engaged. They should contribute whatever influence they can and whatever effort it is possible for them to contribute for the upbuilding of Zion and for the joy, peace, comfort, happiness, and well-being of all her inhabitants. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.2 I think I can truthfully, say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in a prosperous condition in the world. I believe I can justly say that Zion is enjoying the favor and the blessing of Almighty God. I feel confident that those who are entrusted with the watchcare of the people in various organizations of the Church are faithful to their trusts and are diligently exercising their influence and power for the good of the people over whom they are placed to preside. I can say this, so far as I have any personal knowledge, of every presidency of the stakes of Zion. I think I may, consistently and properly, say the same with reference to the bishops of the wards in Zion. These important officers of the Church, holding the keys of the priesthood, of authority and of presidency over the people in their various organizations are men of truth, men of soberness, men who are honest, faithful, prayerful, upright, and men who enjoy the Spirit of the Lord God, in their hearts and who are disposed to do right, and shun even the appearance of sin. I think I may say this in all sincerity and honesty before the Lord and before all the Latter-day Saints. If there are any who are negligent or unfaithful in the performance of their duties,--I mean of those who are occupying these prominent positions in the household of faith, it has not been brought to our attention, and we do not know of any, of whom it may not be said, they are good, faithful men, who are faithfully discharging their duty for the welfare of the people over whom they preside. This I believe may be said consistently with reference to all the regularly organized stakes and wards of Zion; and the same may be said truthfully, too, so far as we have any knowledge--and we think we are pretty well posted with reference to these things--in regard to our various missions. The men who have been appointed to preside over them are men of integrity, men of honor, men who are faithful in the discharge of their duties, men who have the love of God in their hearts and the love of the people in their souls, men who are willing to sacrifice their time, their associations, dear to them, and many precious ties, that they may devote their time and energy and the gifts of the Lord, which are bestowed upon them, for the salvation of the children of men who are sitting in darkness and know not the truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.3 I need not give out any expression with reference to the presidency of the Church. They are before the people. Their lives are an open book to all the Church, and their integrity and labors are known to those who are associated with them in the business and in the spiritual affairs of the Church. They are accessible to all who call upon them, with business pertaining to the building up of the Church or who desire aid with reference to spiritual matters, or the discharge of other duties that devolve upon them, they all know us, and we leave it to them to say, or to judge whether the presidency are in good standing before God, and in the Church, or not. We haven't anything more to say about it. I will bear my testimony, however, with reference to the Twelve Apostles. They are faithful men, willing to do whatever is required at their hands to the utmost of their strength and ability. This may also be said of all the general authorities of the Church. In their hearts we believe them all to be true and faithful to their covenants, true and faithful to the people and to the Lord who has commissioned them to labor for the salvation of the souls of men and for the building up of Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.3 I have had prepared just a few little statements which will indicate to you, I think, better perhaps than I could tell you from memory, although they are familiar to me, the condition of the Church and of the labors and accomplishments thereof during the year that has only recently closed. I have an item here that there have been two new stakes organized in 1910, namely the Duchesne and the Carbon stakes of Zion. There have been organized fifteen new wards during the same period. There are now 62 organized stakes of Zion, and 696 wards, and 21 missions. All of these require the constant supervision and attention not only of the bishops and the presidents of stakes, and the high councils of these various organizations, but of the presidency of the Church, by whom communications are constantly received from all these presidents, or the most of them, and frequently many of them, and frequently from almost all these wards. The number of persons that have been baptized in the stakes of Zion and in the missions, during the year 1910, was 15,902. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 The birth-rate of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the year 1910, was 38 per thousand, the highest birthrate in the world, as far as available statistics show. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 The death-rate of the Church, for the year 1910, was 9 per thousand, the lowest death-rate in the world, as far as we have been able to ascertain from published statistics. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 There were 1,360 couples married in the temples in 1910, and there were 1,100 couples married, of Church members, by civil ceremony during the same year. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 There was one divorce to each 5,000 Church members. The average divorce rate in the United States is one to each 1,100 souls. This shows that our divorce rate is only about one-fifth of the average rate in our nation Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 There were 2,028 missionaries laboring in the various missions on December 31st, 1910. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 There was expended by the Church, in maintaining missions and for fares of returning missionaries, during the year 1910, the sum of $215,000.00. This amount does not include the very large sum, in the aggregate, furnished by the people to assist their sons and daughters, Or husbands and fathers, while in the mission field. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 Upwards of $300,000.00 was paid by the Church during 1910 for maintaining our Church schools; and over $200,000.00 was paid out in the Church to assist the poor, during the year 1910. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 All expenses incurred on account of the general authorities of the Church, of operating expenses of the president's office, the historian's office, and the presiding bishop's office, were paid out of revenues derived from investments made by the trustee-in-trust, within past few years. This leaves the tithes of the Church to be used for the building of ward meeting houses and stake tabernacles, for maintenance of Church schools and temples, for missions abroad, and for the support of the poor. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 On December 31st, 1910, it was reported that there were 444 high priests, 632 seventies. 2,200 elders who are not enrolled in any organized quorums of the priesthood. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.4 We will not say anything about a long list of non-tithepayers, that we have recorded in the archives of the Church, of those holding membership in the Church. I do not care to make enumerations of this character, but I would like to say to the Latter-day Saints who are tithe payers, who honor this law, and who provide out of their means, voluntarily, the revenues necessary to carry on the work of the Church--in the maintenance of temples, in the missionary cause, in the conduct and maintenance of our schools, in assisting to build our meeting-houses and other adjuncts to our schools, such as gymnasiums, which have become, apparently, a very urgent necessity of late, and also places of amusement. For we must not only provide places of worship for the youth of Zion, as well as for their fathers and mothers, but we must also provide and find places for rational amusement for our children, in order that they may be kept tinder proper influences and away from the contaminating, degrading, and debasing practices too common in the world, with reference to and in connection with the amusements of the people. There is one thing that I desire to say--not that it will amount to anything, I suppose: but it will be a satisfaction to myself, at least, to speak what I feel to be the truth, and it is this: I regret most deeply the sentiments that are expressed by the people generally with reference to their choice of amusements. We have some interest in the old Salt Lake Theatre here, built by President Brigham Young, to afford a high class of amusement that would be intelligible and entertaining, interesting and instructive to those who desire such entertainment. It has been conducted along these lines for many years in as high class character of performances as it was possible, but when we get really high class performances in that theatre the benches are practically empty, while vaudeville theatres, where are exhibitions of nakedness, of obscenity, of vulgarity, and everything else that does not tend to elevate the thought and mind of man, will be packed from the pit to the dome. When you have performances of a high class, that are intellectual people do not largely patronize them: but when you bring in a class of performance that appeals to the vulgar, the sensual and evil propensities of men, the seats are full. I do not speak of this as existing merely here in Utah; I speak of it as a common thing throughout all the length and breadth of the land. It shows a degradation of sentiment, a lowering of the standards of intellectuality, of purity of thought, of nobility of desire for proper association, of the people generally. I regret this; I am sorry for it; and I wish to say to the Latter-day Saints that I hope they will distinguish themselves by avoiding the necessity of being classed with people who prefer the vulgar to the chaste, the obscene to the pure, the evil to the good, and the sensual to the intellectual. I hope that we will stand by our principles, abide by that which is good, elevating and ennobling in character, rather than fall in with the habits of the world, and patronize that which is beneath the dignity of pure-minded and intelligent people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.5 Again I wish to refer to those who voluntarily provide revenues for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for its legitimate purposes, as we have enumerated--for the maintenance of the poor, and of the temples, and of the schools, and missions, and of all other things necessary to the building up of Zion in the latter day. God bless you for your faithfulness to this law of the Lord, for it is a law of the Lord, and yet, like all the other laws of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is obeyed voluntarily by those who obey it, and those who do not obey it voluntarily choose to disobey it, and the consequences will rest with us all in accordance with our works and our faithfulness. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.6 Today we are under the necessity of cutting down, within the limit to the various wards and stakes of Zion in building their meetinghouses. We cannot give them all the help they ask for because we haven't got it; but we have given and we are giving to the extent of the means within our control, to help build ward houses. As you have heard here of the many new wards that have been established, all of which have to build meetinghouses for the convenience of the people; and besides these there are hundreds of wards that have no suitable meetinghouses as yet. They are contemplating building them, and some of them are in the course of erection, and we are contributing what we can, as we have done heretofore, to help them complete their work. But the heft of the burden still rests upon the people of these wards and stakes, because we have not the means to help them as we would like. If these multitudes of non-payers of tithing would only honor the law of the Lord, and live up to their privileges. I believe we would soon have ample means to meet every necessity of the Church. If they would but do it! but will they or will they not? If they will not of course the consequences will rest with themselves. We are dealing with our faith and consciences, you are dealing, not with me, not with the presidency of the Church, but with the Lord. I am not dealing with men respecting my tithing, my dealings are with the Lord; that is, with reference to my own conduct in the Church as a tithepayer, and with reference to my observance of the other laws and rules of the Church, if I fail to observe the laws of the Church, I am responsible to my God, and will have to answer to Him, by and by, for my neglect of duty, and I may have to answer to the Church for my fellowship. If I do my duty, according to my understanding of the requirements that the Lord has made of me, then I ought to have a conscience void of offense; I ought to have satisfaction in my soul, in the consciousness that I have simply done my duty as I understood it, and I will risk the consequences. With me it is a matter between me and the Lord; so it is with every one of us. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.6 I am sorry I have to announce that Brother John Henry Smith was taken suddenly with an attack of lung trouble, which has laid him up, and which was, for a few moments, considered very serious; but he is improving and is better this morning. That accounts for his absence from the stand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.6 Now, the Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters. We have spoken of the general and of the local authorities of the Church, that are provided for in the revelations of the Lord to us, which have been organized in accordance with the pattern the Lord has given for the organization of His Church. It is my duty also to refer to the auxiliary organizations that have been devised for the benefit of the youth of Zion as well as for the benefit of all concerned. I believe that the officers of our Mutual Improvement associations, both the young men and the young women, are doing their duty as faithfully as they know how. I believe that the officers and the board of directors of the Sunday School Union are doing their duty; and I can speak of them knowingly, for the reason that we meet with them, week by week, and they are punctual in attendance on their duties, always present, always willing to take upon them the parts or responsibilities that are assigned to them, to go and to come as they may be sent to minister to the youth of Zion, or assist with the Sunday School work throughout the stakes. I can say the same of our Primary Association. I believe that much good is resulting from the labors in that direction. I can say the same with reference to our Religion Class work; and I can say the same with reference to the first and most important auxiliary organization of the Church, that of the Relief Society. They have been doing the best they could; but now we have suggested a complete organization of that society, that is, the general authorities of that organization; and we trust that from this time forth, they will be able to begin with renewed energy, judgment and wisdom, the performance of the duties that devolve upon them, even those who are called to take the oversight of this great work in Zion, the Relief Society organization. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.7 Now, if I have omitted to mention any organization that I should have mentioned, you may take it for granted that I believe, as far as I have any knowledge of them, that they are all doing their duty, according to the best understanding, and wisdom, and strength which they possess. So I will repeat. Zion is prospering. The Lord is blessing Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.7 His people. I believe that most of the Latter-day Saints are increasing in their faith. I believe, too, that the most of the Latter-day Saints are wise enough, that they have sufficient intelligence and a sufficient portion of the Spirit of the living God in their hearts, to decide between truth and error, between right and wrong, and between light and darkness; and I will say I believe they have sense enough to abide by the simple, pure, truthful principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in preference to all the vagaries of philosophers, or of scientists, or of anybody else. There is no science, nor philosophy that can supersede God Almighty's truth. The Lord has said, "My word is truth," and indeed it is and I believe that the Latter-day Saints know enough about the word of God to know it is His word when they see it and shun whatever is not; and that they will abide by the word of God, for it is truth. As the Savior said, "If ye will abide in my word, then are ye my disciples, indeed; ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." I believe that the Latter-day Saints, and especially the leading men in Israel, have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the principles of the gospel that they know the truth, and they are made free by its possession--free from sin, free from error, free from darkness, from the traditions of men, from vain philosophy, and from the untried, unproven theories of scientists, that need demonstration beyond the possibility of a doubt. We have had science and philosophy through all the ages, and they have undergone change after change. Scarcely a century has passed but they have introduced new theories of science and of philosophy that supersede the old traditions and the old faith and the old doctrines entertained by philosophers and scientists. These things may undergo continuous changes, but the word of God is always true, is always right. I want to say to you that the principles of the gospel are always true--the principle of faith in God, of repentance from sin, of baptism for the remission of sins by authority of God, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost: these principles are always true and are always absolutely necessary for the salvation of the children of men, no matter who they are or where they are. These principles are always true, and you cannot get away from them. No other name, under heaven, is given, but that of Jesus Christ, by which you can be saved or exalted in the Kingdom of God. No man can enter into the kingdom of heaven except he be born again of the water and of the Spirit. These principles are indispensable, for God has declared them. Not only has He declared them, not only has Christ declared them by His own voice, but His disciples from generation to generation, in the olden time, but in these latter days, they have taken up the same testimony and declared these things to the world. They are true today as they were true then, and we must obey these things. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.8 Another thing, we must obey the rules of the Church with reference to marriage, at least we ought to do so. We do not all do it. You will see by what I have stated that during the last year eleven hundred marriages of our people have been contracted or solemnized in a manner not provided for in the law of the Church, I refer to civil marriages, so that we do not all do our duty yet with reference to that. And another thing, as we have announced in previous conferences--as it was announced by President Woodruff, as it was announced by President Snow, and as it was reannounced by me and my brethren, and confirmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plural marriages have ceased in the Church. There isn't a man today in this Church, or anywhere else, outside of it who has authority to solemnize a plural marriage--not one! There is no man or woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is authorized to contract a plural marriage. It is not permitted, and we have been endeavoring to the utmost of our ability to prevent men from being led by some designing person into an unfortunate condition that is forbidden by the conferences, and by the voice of the Church, a condition that has to some extent at least, brought reproach upon the people. I want to say that we have been doing all in our power to prevent it, or to stop it; and in order that we might do this, we have been seeking, to our utmost, to find the men who have been the agents and the cause of leading people into it. We find it very difficult to trace them up, but when we do find them, and can prove it upon them, we will deal with them as we have dealt with others that we have been able to find. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.8 Now with reference to the threat that is made about us, from time to time, that in order to estop plural marriages among the Latter-day Saints, it is recommended to amend the Constitution of the United States, giving to the parental government the exclusive right to deal with polygamy and prevent it. So far as I am concerned, I am just as ready, this moment, as any other man in the world to consent to Congress taking the measures necessary to bring about the amendment to the Constitution, and pass laws to regulate plural marriage. We want them, while they are at it, to regulate marriage and divorce as well. We will turn it all over to them, and we are just as ready for it today as any people on God's earth, no matter where you go. Now, in reference to this, I want to make this distinction, for it is a distinction with a difference, and that is this; I don't mean to interfere with men who had their wives before the Manifesto was issued by President Woodruff, men who entered into this covenant when it was the law of the Church, or who took wives under the authority of the presiding officers of the Church. We do not mean to interfere with them. To them I would say: take care of your wives. If you do not, you are not genuine men at all. Take care of your families; take care of your children, educate them, feed them, clothe them, house them, and do everything in your power to make of them men and women who will be an honor to our nation, to our state and to our Church. I mean future plural marriages must stop; that is what I have reference to, the marrying of more than one wife in the future in plural marriage. That is what we have undertaken to stop in conformity with the laws of the land; and we are doing our best. Now let the United States, authorize Congress to pass an amendment to the Constitution regulating marriage and divorce, throughout all the nation. I think it will be a great blessing to our country. When we read of the vast number of divorces, and of the heartaches, and the sorrows that are occasioned by them, and by vanity, profligacy, lust, and corruption, throughout the world, we feel as if it would be a Godsend to the people to have some strong hand take hold of the matter and regulate it, so that there will not be so much of this evil as exists today. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.9 Now, the Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters. I love this work, I know it is right. I love the gospel with all my heart; and I propose to continue, while I live, in the discharge of my duty to the best of my ability. Whatever that duty may be, I propose to do it as well as I can, and leave the result in the hands of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.9 God bless the presidents of the stakes of Zion, and their counselors, and the high-councils in the stakes of Zion; the Lord bless all our bishops, who are fathers to the people, and their counselors, the common judges in Israel. The Lord bless them and give them wisdom, fatherly spirit, and kindness, that they may deal mercifully with the erring, and that they may seek earnestly and diligently to reclaim the erring from the error of their ways, and to keep those that are in the paths of righteousness and truth steadfast and firm in those righteous paths, as fathers would do with their own children. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.9 May the Lord continue to bless the presidents of our missions throughout the land. Oh, how we feel to appreciate them, and how satisfying is the feeling that comes to us when we realize that we have men presiding over missions who are as true, according to the light and knowledge that they possess, as the Son of God Himself true to their covenants, true to their people, true to their mission. They are faithful, bright, intelligent, and active in the performance of their duties. The Lord bless you, brethren, in the discharge of your duties. And those who labor in the temples, the Lord bless them. I do not intend to slight the officers and faculties of our Church schools, May the Lord bless them abundantly. I believe they are faithful and reliable men and are doing their duty to the very best of their ability. I do not think that there will be or can be any discount on the character of our Church schools, under the direction of those who are at present in charge of them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.10 The Lord bless all Israel, and especially,--I need not ask especially for blessing upon those who do their duty, for I know that they will be blessed; but I do pray that the Lord will bless those who are lukewarm, who are indifferent, and uninterested in the work of the Lord, that they may awaken to their duty and learn to earn the reward of the faithful, that they may not be ignored When God shall choose His own and set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left, and shall say to the latter "depart from me" (Matthew 25:31-41). Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.10 May the Lord bless us all, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. STATEMENT BY THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. Conference Report, April 1911, p.126 Elder Grant also read the following, self-explanatory statement by the First Presidency of the Church: Conference Report, April 1911, p.126 To the officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in general conference assembled: Dear Brethren and Sisters: Conference Report, April 1911, p.126 Ever since its organization, April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been bitterly assailed, the chief darts of slander being aimed at its leaders. Its first president, Joseph Smith, was the target for the shafts of abuse even before that date, as he was attacked by professing Christian ministers when he first announced, in 1820, that he had received a heavenly manifestation of vital importance. Misrepresentations followed him until the day of his martyrdom, in 1844, when he was cruelly and lawlessly slain at Carthage, Illinois. His successor, the great pioneer and colonizer and patriot, Brigham Young, came in for his full share of calumny and abuse, during all the years of his successful career as the founder of a splendid commonwealth in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. Each head of the Church, in his turn, has been libelled, lampooned, caricatured and vilified, and, until they closed their eves in death, their names were associated with everything that is evil, although they were men of the highest type of honor, integrity and sincerity. Conference Report, April 1911, p.127 It is not strange, therefore that the present incumbent of the office they held so worthily, should be subject to similar treatment. And yet, in view of the fact that the various falsehoods uttered against the Church and its presiding officers have been repeatedly refuted and exploded, it is somewhat surprising that the old, stale and shattered fabrications are raked up and used anew in the opening years of the enlightened twentieth century. But they have been for some time newly exploited through respectable magazines (mostly from pens that cannot be regarded as worthy of such recognition), with the same purpose as that which animated anti-"Mormon" writers and speakers from the beginning. Conference Report, April 1911, p.127 It is a question whether silence should be maintained, as a sign of that contempt that is felt for those attacks and their authors by the objects of their spleen, but there are so many requests for replies, or at least explanations, for the benefit of inquiring minds, that perhaps it is proper that something should be officially stated for the good of the reading public. Conference Report, April 1911, p.127 The investigation by the committee on privileges and elections of the United States senate on the right of the senator from Utah, Reed Smoot, to the seat to which he was duly elected, that was prolonged for nearly four years, disposed of most of the old stories now revamped and patched up for current use. But several large volumes have to be waded through to obtain that definite information, while the mingled nonsense and venom poured forth from month to month is in present view and in popular form. Yet, after all, there is so much of frothy verbiage and proofless assertion that it is difficult to grasp anything definite enough, in the adroitly framed sentences, to hold up to view and expose its fallacy. However, there are some charges that are more or less direct, which it may be well enough to briefly answer. Conference Report, April 1911, p.127 The Church is accused of violating certain pledges to the national government. It is also asserted that the president of the Church receives several millions of dollars annually by enforced levies upon the members, this revenue being in his absolute control, unaccounted for and at his personal service. It is further alleged that he, with a few other ecclesiasts, dictates the political affairs of the state, sending sen ators and representatives to Congress, and ruling the community with an iron hand, to the subversion of individual liberty and the destruction of American citizenship. In support of these charges there is nothing presented except vituperation and the repetition of fictitious narratives, really grotesque in their palpable absurdity. We hereby denounce them as utterly false and without foundation. Conference Report, April 1911, p.128 First, as to pledges or compacts by the Church to the United States government: This charge, on its face, is ridiculous no matter how often or forcibly it is repeated. The compacts or agreements between Utah and the government on which statehood was achieved were not made, and indeed could not be made, by the Church or its authorities. They were required by the enabling act framed by Congress and were fully compiled with by the state in its constitution, and this was officially announced in the president's proclamation. The only pledge made by the authorities of the Church that could be construed as a compact, was that contained in a petition for amnesty for certain persons who were in legal jeopardy, or imprisonment, upon charges growing out of the anti-polygamy laws of Congress. This was framed in December, 1891, and signed by the then presidency and apostles of the Church, and the promise made was in these words: Conference Report, April 1911, p.128 "As shepherds of a patient and suffering people we ask amnesty for them, and pledge our faith and honor for their future." Conference Report, April 1911, p.128 This may be coupled with the so-called manifesto of President Wilford Woodruff, adopted by the Church in conference assembled, Oct. 6, 1890, in which he announced his intention to live according to the laws of the United States, and declared: "My advice to the Latter-day Saints is that they contract no marriage contrary to the laws of the land." Since that time the Church has not performed any plural marriages or authorized any violation of the law thus forbidden. But there were some persons who construed the language of that manifesto to signify plural marriages within the boundaries of the United States, that being "the land" wherein the laws spoken of extended. They therefore went or removed to Mexico and thus acted on that which they believed to be right without violating the manifesto. They looked on plural marriage within the United States as malum prohibitum and not malum in se. Conference Report, April 1911, p.128 When this condition was discovered a further declaration was made by President Lorenzo Snow, who succeeded President Woodruff, in which he announced that the manifesto extended to every place, and that "the Church has positively abandoned the practice of polygamy or the solemnization of plural marriages in this and every other state and that no member or officer thereof has any authority whatever to perform a plural marriage or enter into such a relation." This was published in the Deseret News at Salt Lake City, Jan. 8, 1900. Conference Report, April 1911, p.128 Rumors of surreptitious unions contrary to these official announcements being circulated, the present president of the Church, on April 6, 1904, reiterated the universality of the inhibition, and proclaimed that any person entering into or performing a plural marriage would be liable to be dealt with according to the rules of the Church and excommunicated therefrom. Conference Report, April 1911, p.129 Such violation of these positive declarations as have been reported, wherever proven by sufficient evidence, have been dealt with by Church tribunals, and the offenders have been disciplined or excommunicated. This course will be maintained, with due regard to the rights of individuals and the laws of the Church, common rumor or gossip without evidence being insufficient in a trial either civil or ecclesiastical. We protest against the charge that the Church or its leading officers encourage the resumption of plural marriages, and hereby declare the same to be absolutely false. Conference Report, April 1911, p.129 As to the insinuation that the Church has broken a compact not to dominate again in political matters, we challenge the production of any such pledge. There is no such agreement to be found. The authorities of the Church never assumed to dictate to members politically. The Church never attempted to dominate the State, and has not done so since the Constitution was framed. There are political aspirants who have attempted to dominate the Church, and who, failing in their endeavors, have become so rancorous in their disappointment that they waste time, money and reputation in fighting the Church and those officers thereof who have refused to employ the influence thus desired. In Utah every citizen is perfectly free to vote as he or she elects by an absolutely secret ballot. Primaries, conventions and the political machinery used by the several political parties are in vogue, and senators are chosen by the legislature, and representatives by popular vote as elsewhere. One striking fact for the consideration of fair minds is, that with all the stories of Church dictation not a solitary instance can be cited in which any Church member has been disciplined for voting for or against any candidate or proposition. Advocates of each party take the platform and freely ventilate their views and feelings as to their opponents, and if there is anything really objectionable, it is the excess of that liberty in the indulging in personalities and other extremes of partisanship which are greatly to be regretted and ought to be condemned. But the Church does not interfere with or attempt to curtail the freedom of its members. The principal accusers of the Church as dominating in politics are persons who have sought for that influence in their own behalf and are enraged because they could not obtain it. There are politicians who exercise their personal influence to effect their own ends, and yet deny to a Churchman the right to express an opinion even when asked for it. We claim for Church officers as well as Church members all the rights and privileges of American citizens, no less and no more; and do not claim, or exercise, power to compel, or coerce, or infringe upon the liberties of any person, and all assertions to the contrary are infamously untrue. Conference Report, April 1911, p.129 Charges of disloyalty, treason, and kindred absurdities that appear from time to time, to disturb the public mind, are sufficiently answered by the responses which have been made invariably when our country has called for aid in times of war or seasons of peace. There is no instance referred to by our detractors of anything we have done or attempted, to give color to their monstrous untruths. But history affords striking incidents of the fur nishing of men on the plains to protect the mails from Indian depredations, of service during the Civil War, and of devoted warriors in the Spanish war, and in the Philippines, who were scions of leading "Mormon" families. Conference Report, April 1911, p.130 The subject of Church revenues may be touched upon perhaps with profit. The Latter-day Saints believe in tithing. It is a principle of their faith. It is an ancient observance reaching back to patriarchal times, as related in the Bible. It was established in the Church in the year 1838. The manner of its payment and disbursement is revealed by Divine authority and has appeared in the Church books ever since that date. It is complied with religiously by the Church authorities themselves. It is not the property of the president. He does not claim it or collect it. Tithing is received and receipted for by the local bishops in the respective wards, who are under the supervision of the local presidents of stakes. The whole income is accounted for to the presiding bishopric of the Church and is under their direction. Their office contains complete records of all the tithings paid during each year. Each tithepayer will find in that office his record. The entire receipts and disbursements are there accounted for in the most complete detail. An auditing committee composed of men well known in the community for their independence of character and business integrity, not of the leading authorities of the Church, chosen by the general conference, thoroughly inspect and report annually upon them. The funds thus received are not the property of the president of the Church or his associates, nor of the Presiding Bishopric, nor of the local bishops. They belong to the Church and are used for Church purposes, including the building and maintenance of temples, meeting-houses, schools, colleges, universities and other structures, the aid of the poor and afflicted, the extension of missions abroad and the help of new colonies at home, and sundry other objects, and but a small amount is used for the support of persons devoting their whole time to the service of the Church, and that not out of the tithing, but from the proceeds of investments made with profit. This includes the presidency and other Church leaders. All the monstrous tales told of the wealth at the command of the heads of the Church are distorted emanations from disordered brains, or wilful untruths manufactured in order to deceive the public. Conference Report, April 1911, p.130 It is impossible to take up all the misrepresentations given to the World by anti-"Mormon" preachers and writers. They have one merit. They stir up interest in what is called the "Mormon" question. People are led thus to investigate and many of them find out the truth, and unite with the people who are so greatly maligned. Our doctrines are open to the world. They are not secret or clothed in mystery. We proclaim the pure gospel of Christ as revealed from heaven in these last days through the great prophet of the nineteenth century, Joseph Smith. We invite all mankind to look into our teachings and promise all who obey them a witness of their truth by the power of the Holy Ghost which makes men free indeed. Conference Report, April 1911, p.130 We love our country, and pray for the perpetuity of its government, we support its institutions, we venerate the Constitution. We are proud of our state, and no one on the face of God's footstool need fear the growth and spread of "Mormonism," for it is the truth revealed anew from heaven, and it promotes freedom, peace, industry, temperance, faith, hope and charity, and stands for human rights, the salvation of mankind, and the glory of the most high God. Conference Report, April 1911, p.131 JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHON H. LUND. JOHN HENRY SMITH, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Conference Report, April 1911, p.131 On motion, the document submitted by the First Presidency was received, and the statements therein contained were heartily endorsed, by unanimous vote of the congregation. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.132 I regret that we haven't a little more time, but we will try to make the best we can of the little remaining. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.132 I have a resolution, forwarded to me by the Ogden tabernacle choir, which I desire to read, because I think it shows a very excellent spirit: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1911, p.132 "At the regular rehearsal of the Ogden tabernacle choir, Thursday evening, last, the following motion was made and carried unanimously: 'That we extend to the director and members of the Salt Lake tabernacle choir the sincere hope that they may be truly successful in holding up high ideals while on their trip to New York. They will represent the entire state of Utah, and as such representatives we desire to uphold and sustain them in every way possible. Bon voyage to the Salt Lake tabernacle choir.'" President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.2 Vilification of the Saints and their leaders a strange phenomenon.--The world not injured by our belief.--Only Gospel truths taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith.--The doctrines divine, the hatred unjustifiable.--Personal denial of wrong doing.--Eternal relationship of parents and children.--Distant colonization objectionable.--Peace, goodwill, and industry enjoined.--Satan's rage increased, and his power diminished, when Saints are faithful. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.2 I desire to express our feeling of welcome and good cheer to all the Latter-day Saints who have assembled here this morning for the opening session of our Conference. We are glad to see you, and we thank you for your presence here, for we feel that your presence is an evidence of the interest that you feel in our Conference, and in the great work of human redemption, in which you and we all are and should be earnestly engaged. It is a matter of congratulation, I think, to the Latter-day Saints that they are led by a spirit that inclines their thoughts, their minds and hearts towards the performance and accomplishment of the duties and responsibilities that rest upon them, and I take it as an evidence of your good faith, and of your fervent belief and feeling in the cause in which we are engaged, that you are present here today. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.2 I hope and pray that the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and of eternal truth may pervade all the sessions of this Conference, including the meetings or gatherings of the various organizations which will hold their conventions during the time of the Conference. I hope that those who shall address the people may be led by the Spirit of God in their remarks, that they may speak words of comfort, of instruction, of wisdom and testimony to the Latter-day Saints regarding the great work of God that has been established in the latter days in the earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.3 Whatever may be the feeling' of those opposed to the work of the Lord, whatever may be the feeling of the unbelieving and scornful, and those that are contemptuous toward the work of the Lord, let the spirit of wisdom, of good judgment, of intelligence govern and direct all the acts and labors, and all the thoughts and desires of the Latter-day Saints. It matters but very little to me what men may think of me, or what they may say about me. so long as I can maintain a consciousness of having righteousness in view, of having an earnest desire to do good and not evil, and so long as I am conscious that I am, to the best of my knowledge and understanding, following the dictates of my conscience, and the promptings of the Spirit of the Lord to me in the line of my duty. Yet we often wonder why people are led by such a spirit of bitterness, of animosity and opposition to any people or to any individual whose record in life has been, barring the common weaknesses of common mortality, absolutely above reproach. It is surprising how men can become so vile as to publish and declare slanderous thing's, falsehoods and misrepresentations with regard to men and people who have never in their lives done any man or woman, or any community of people in the world, any harm; who have never injured a soul, and whose whole life and mission, hopes, labors, and earnest desires have been to benefit the world, and to bless and ameliorate the condition of mankind. It is surprising that such is the case. Such has been the case from the beginning of this work until now, and such will continue to be the case so long as we abide in the truth, and are guided by the spirit of revelation, and have an earnest desire to do good to the children of men, and there are men who are full of wickedness and sin. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.3 It was said away back in the early days in the State of Missouri, by the leaders of the persecution against the Saints there, that all they desired was that the Mormons, or the Latter-day Saints should discard their idea of revelation from God in this dispensation: that they should renounce their faith in Prophets and their claim to the Apostleship, and to the restoration of the Holy Priesthood; that they should scatter abroad, cease to organize, and to maintain their organization, and become "like the rest of us." That was all that they demanded in that early day, and it is a very true and correct index to the feeling of our enemies that has existed ever since, to the present time. Men are moved by some influence, some spirits judge ye what the nature of that spirit or influence is--to try with all their power to demoralize, debase, and sow the seeds of unbelief, the seeds of corruption, lack of faith, and desire to do good: to sow the seeds of disruption in the hearts of the people called Latter-day Saints, in order that their desire might be accomplished, that they should become "like the rest of them," like the rest of the world, and what is the difference? The difference is simply this: We believe just as the best Christians, or so-called believers in Christ in the world believe, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God; that He is the Savior of the world; that He is the Redeemer of men from sin and from death unto life; and there is no people, whatever their profession may be, that believe in Christ more firmly, more perfectly, more confidingly, than do the Latter-day Saints--but where is the difference The difference, so far as that belief is concerned, is this: that the world say all that is necessary is to believe and you will be saved, but the Latter-day Saints declare that it is simply a mockery for men to say they believe in Christ, and refuse to do the works that He did; it is simply folly; it is un-Christian; it is inconsistent for men to say that all that is necessary for men is to believe in Christ and they shall be saved, when Christ Himself declared that He required all men to do the works that He did, and to keep the commandments that He gave unto them. This is the difference. We believe that it is necessary to do the work that He did. We believe it is necessary to implicitly obey His commands and to follow in His footsteps, to emulate His example to the best of our ability, that we may become more and more like unto Him. Now, so far as that is concerned, wherein is man injured? Who is hurt? Who in any sense in the world sustains any wrong at the hands of a people who believe in doing the works that were commanded of the Lord, and in following in His footsteps? Who is wronged by it? But the trouble is just as the Savior said: "If the light had not come, then would ye have been without condemnation." But this is the condemnation of the world, the light has come into the world, and the world loves darkness more than it does the light. That is the condemnation, and there is where the shoe pinches. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.4 And what is the difference? We believe in the Prophet Joseph Smith; we believe that the Lord God Almighty raised up that boy and made him a Prophet; a Seer and a Revelator, and that through him, or that instrumentality, the Lord Almighty has restored. to men the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is indeed the power of God unto salvation. The world don't believe it. They are welcome to their belief, whether it be belief or unbelief. We are not here as censors upon the judgment or belief of the children of men. We are not here to bring any railing accusations against men for their belief. Let them believe and worship how, where and what they may. That is their prerogative. But we object to their bringing railing accusations against our belief and our faith. We think that we should have the same privilege and liberty to believe as we please, that the world has, and that we accede to the world; and because we believe in Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God, the world is in no wise injured by it, but on the contrary, it is vastly benefited by that belief, at least to the extent that that belief takes hold upon honest men, and brings them to a knowledge of that great truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.5 What did Joseph reveal? He revealed, or has been the instrument in the hands of God of revealing to the world Jesus, the Son of God, in His own person. He has been the instrument in the hands of the Lord of bringing the light to the inhabitants of the world that God lives, that Christ lives, whom to know is life eternal, and whom the world have ignorantly worshiped as a myth, as something that fills the immensity of space, but is indescribable; a something that is almighty and all-powerful and all-present, but without personal existence. Joseph has revealed to the world that Jesus Christ who was crucified and rose again from the dead, is a personal Being, in whose likeness and image man is made, or is begotten in the world, and that the Father is a person in exact similitude to the Son. We have the history of the Son, given us by His disciples who sojourned with Him while He was in the mortal flesh: that He was born of His mother, Mary; that He was called the carpenter's son; that He grew to manhood; that He taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and illustrated the example of righteousness, that is the true type for all mankind to imitate and follow; that He possessed power over death, and though they put Him to death, He rose again, and that while His body lay in the tomb, He proclaimed the same Gospel that He preached to the living to those that were confined in darkness, and banishment from the presence of the Lord, in outer darkness, because of their wickedness while they were in the flesh; and quickened by the Spirit He went and preached the Gospel to them as He had preached it to the living; and that when He rose and identified Himself beyond the possibility of any doubt to the minds of those who witnessed and saw Him. and knew Him, and afterwards testified of Him to the world, that He was the same that was crucified, bearing the marks of the nails and of the spear in His body; that He was not a spirit; that He was flesh and bone as tangible as man, and that a spirit had not this flesh and bone as He had. He declared this to the world: This same physical, tangible entity called Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary and the Son of God, in His resurrected body, came to Joseph Smith, revealed Himself to Joseph Smith, the same God, the same Christ, the same Redeemed of the world that was crucified on Calvary; and, that God, the Father, is like His Son; that it would be inconsistent and impossible for a spirit to beget a man like Christ, and therefore the Father and the Son are the exact resemblance of each other. Joseph revealed this to the world. Who is hurt by it? Who is injured by this fact and by this revelation to the children of men? In what respect is the world worse off for having received this knowledge? I tell you that the world would be better off, a thousand times better off, if they would but consider this truth and receive it in their hearts, and then be guided by the doctrine that Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of God in revealing anew to the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.5 This, then, is the difference, but wherein are you injuring anybody by it? What wrong are you doing? None whatever. Why should men be embittered against you because of this, because of your belief in Joseph Smith? Why should they become your enemies because you declare your faith in a new revelation from the Father and from the Son to mankind for their guidance? Why should they? Let me tell you why: for the very same reason precisely that the embittered and unbelieving Pharisees and hypocrites of the Savior's time persecuted the Redeemer of earth, for the very reason that they later put to death the disciples of Jesus Christ, whom He ordained as Apostles and as special witnesses of Himself, who bore testimony of Him and of the Gospel to all the nations of the earth. They put them to death one by one, some of them in the most cruel manner, simply because they preached Jesus Christ, and Him crucified and risen from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and sitting with all glory and power and majesty and might at the right hand of His Father, God. The world felt injured by it, why? Because it laid the axe at the root of the tree of error, of superstition and of tradition, of lack of faith, and unbelief. It laid the axe at the root of the tree of wickedness, in the world, and of ignorance of God and His principles, and the plan of life and salvation, and the world hated the disciples because of it, and they hated the Son of God because of it, and they crucified Him. They hated the disciples because of it, and they put them to death. That is why they hate you, for the same reason, that is those that do hate you, those that have exercised their power, their will and their thoughts or minds sufficiently to be imbued with the spirit of persecution and hatred against the light and the truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.6 What else did Joseph reveal, or did the Lord, rather, reveal through him? He revealed the identical Gospel, precept for precept, principle for principle, doctrine for doctrine, ordinance for ordinance, the exact Gospel of Jesus Christ that He taught Himself, and in no way did Joseph Smith vary in the least degree from the doctrines taught by the Son of God, even to the doctrine in which the Lord Himself declared that if the Jews who were finding fault with him were the seed of Abraham, they would do the works of Abraham. So that I stand here without any fear of rational or reasonable or justifiable contradiction, to say that the Prophet Joseph Smith revealed no principle to man, that was not taught, believed in, accepted and approved by the Son of God when He was on the earth, not one thing, and we can prove it--prove it by Scriptures, and from history. But we need not enter into that. What did he reveal? He revealed the Father and Son, and the Holy Ghost, which is a personage of spirit, and not a personage of flesh and bone as God is, and as Jesus is, He revealed the doctrine that you must believe in God, that you must believe in Jesus Christ and in His power of redemption: that you must believe, and believing, you must repent of your sins. Now that is a terrible crime in the eyes of some people to he required to repent of their sins. If some men in the world, that have taken up arms against the Latter-day Saints, were to repent of their sins. God knows there would be nothing left of them. ( Laughter. ) Consequently it is an awful crime to ask men to repent of their sins, but that is what the Lord taught through Joseph Smith: repentance of sin, then baptism by immersion with Christ, being buried with Him the in the water, in the liquid grave, and coming forth again out of the liquid grave in likeness of His resurrection from death to life, baptism by immersion, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands; these are necessary for the salvation of the children of men. Joseph taught this. Who else taught it? Jesus taught it. Paul taught it. Peter taught it. James taught it. John taught it. Matthew and Luke and all the Apostles anciently taught this same doctrine, and left their testimony on record, and it has been handed down to all subsequent generations to the present and we have it to look at today. But some people think it is a crime for Latter-day Saints to hold to such doctrines as these now, in these latter days. They say it is presumption, and assumption for man to say he possesses authority to baptize for the remission of sins, and to confer the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. It was not an assumption in the days of Christ, nor was it a presumption on their part. Authority was given them, and they were sent out in the world to preach these doctrines, and baptize those who would believe: and those who should believe and should be baptized should be saved, as the Apostles have said. And yet Christ Himself has said. "And they that believe not shall he damned." That was His word: that was His decree and His law, and who will question the right of the Redeemer of men to say the way in which they shall be saved, and the way in which they cannot be saved? Who shall question His right to say that? Joseph repeated it. We believe it. We have accepted it, and in this respect we differ from the generality of mankind, and they are wroth about it, angry about it. Then what; was that all? No: the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that having been washed clean, having been cleansed from sin by baptism for the remission of sin, by one having authority from God to to it, that thereafter they were to five pure, chaste, holy, upright lives, and sin no more, if they could live without sin, or at least to do as nearly that as it is possible for human creatures to do, who are possessed of the weaknesses that beset human nature. That was the doctrine of Joseph Smith, to live righteous lives: inasmuch as you have been purified, inasmuch as you have been cleansed from sin, inasmuch as God has remitted your sins through obedience to the ordinances of the Gospel, that you shall thereafter keep yourself pure and unspotted from the world. Anything wrong in that? Is the world injured by that? Any man injured by that procedure, or by that counsel and requirement? No. Well then, what? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.7 Then the Lord revealed the great principle of organization, by which His Church is to he governed, which the Lord Himself established in the Church, the authority of the Holy Priesthood, that of the High Priesthood, the Apostleship, the Seventies, and the Elders, and then the organizations of the Lesser Priesthood--the Bishops, the Priests, the Teachers and the Deacons--God established these organizations in the Church for the government of the people. What for? To oppress them? No. To injure them? No, a thousand times, no. What for? That they and their children might have the benefits of these organizations for instruction, for admonition, for guidance, for revelation, and for inspiration to do that which the Lord requires at their hands, that they may become perfect in their lives, and that they may perfect the organization to which they belong in the Church, as the Lord God has revealed those things to us; that thereby we may become stronger, more intelligent, possessed of greater faith, of broader understanding of the truth, and of a higher conception of God's principles and purposes, for the existence of the children of men in the earth, and for a broader and more perfect comprehension of the ultimate result of obedience to the laws of God. Is there anything wrong about it? Has anybody been injured? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.8 Some people think that we are wonderfully injured, terribly wronged in consequence of these organizations. I am accused of being tyrannical and unjust. I am accused of robbing and wronging the Latter-day Saints. Well, you know about that. If there is a Latter-day Saint, or a Latter-day sinner beneath the sun, anywhere on earth, in hell, or anywhere else that can point the finger to an act of mine, wherein they have sustained injury and wrong, God knows I will go farther than they could ask me to go, to make it right. I have never wronged any man, woman or child to my knowledge: and I defy, wicked men or good men, or women, or anybody else, to point to an act of mine wherein I have violated God's law of chastity. Well, why do you say it? Because no man on earth knows it better than I do myself, and yet my companions, my associates, those who have dwelt with me in secret and in public, those who know me can hear testimony to the same thing. I never used a dollar belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that I did not have a legitimate right to use, and that, too, by the consent and approval of my brethren, who have the right to say how the funds of the Church shall he expended. I pay my tithing and offerings precisely the same as you do, who are as faithful about it as I am. We do not all do our full duty with reference to this. Many of us shirk our responsibilities in regard to that, to some extent. That is, we feel a lack of faith in the principle and in the promise of the Lord, and we do not always come up to the full standard of the law. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.8 Now, the Prophet Joseph Smith has also revealed to the world a principle that has been practically kept hid front the foundation of the world. What is it? The union of husband and wife for time and for all eternity. Who knew anything about it? Who comprehended the principle? Who understood the responsibility that dwells with the union of husband and wife, till Joseph Smith revealed it in the simplicity and plainness with which he has revealed it to the world? The world hates that principle, that is, some do, not all of them, because a great many now are beginning to be leavened with the leaven that Joseph Smith has put into the lump of meal, and now you will hear both ministers and laity say, "Oh, we hope to have the privilege of seeing and knowing and embracing our wives and our children in the world to come." But the Lord revealed that principle to Joseph Smith, and he taught it to the world, and I thank God for that principle. It has opened my eyes. If anything' in the world could have made me a better man, or a better husband, if such a thing is possible for me to be a good husband at all, it is that principle that the Lord has revealed, which shows me the obligations that I am under to the mothers of my children. He has taught to us the principle and the ordinance of the everlasting covenant, the union of parents and children for time and all eternity. What did the world know about it? Nothing. And yet the world is mad about these things, that is, the majority. I modify it, because I believe that there are thousands and tens of thousands of men in the world that are not identified with the Latter-day Saints, who actually believe those principles, and would accept them if their financial and social conditions in the world and their good name or reputation would only permit them to become members of the Church in good standing, and not lose their favor with the world--they would be glad to do it. They, believe the doctrine. And not only that, but the Lord revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith the necessity of the children turning their hearts towards their fathers, and revealed to the world the fact that the hearts of the fathers were already turned towards their children in the dispensation of the fulness of times, and that there was a work most sacred and most important that the children must perform, if they have the opportunity to do it, for the redemption of their dead, that have died without the knowledge of the Gospel. God has revealed these things through the Prophet Joseph Smith to the world, and the world don't like these things. Why? Because they are in advance of anything that they are willing to accept. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.9 These things go beyond the mere belief that a man will be saved and exalted into the highest glory of God simply by saying on the gallows that he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is a fallacy. Every man will be judged according to his works, whether they be good or whether they be evil, and that is a doctrine that was advanced and taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith in plainness that cannot be ignored; every man will be judged according to his works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. Anything short of that would not and could not be of God, if God is just, if God is righteous, if God is impartial; then this principle of justice is a righteous principle, and it certainly has emanated from God, and not from Joseph Smith, nor from man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.9 It would be unfair for me to occupy much more of your time this morning. I thank my God for what is called "Mormonism." I thank the Lord that He has permitted me to come into the world in this dispensation. I am full of gratitude to my heavenly Father that He. has honored me with the Holy Priesthood; that He has called me to be a witness of Him, and a witness of His Son Jesus Christ to the children of men. I thank God my heavenly Father that He has honored me in the midst of my brethren, that He has given to me their confidence and their love, and that I am sustained and upheld by them in my ministry. I feel grateful and thankful for all these things; for these are better to me by far than any favors, praise or horrors the world could bestow, and I have no fear of the evil that is said of me by wicked and corrupt men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.10 I believe in the Gospel in its fullness. I believe in the Holy Priesthood, in its power, in its rightfulness to administer in the temples and in the waters of baptism, and in the laying on of bands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and for healing of the sick, and for ordinations, and for all other purposes for which the Priesthood is rightfully used. I believe in the gathering of Israel, and I believe that the day will come when the valleys of the mountains will become too straight for the people of God. I believe that the time will come when we shall have to colonize abroad, when we shall have to spread abroad in the earth, for I believe that the Lord designs that eventually the people that will name His name in righteousness, and that will believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, together with His works, will spread over the earth, and especially spread over this land of Joseph, which the Lord has preserved in which to establish His kingdom and His Church in the latter days. I believe that as much as can be, but I do not believe that the time has yet come when our people can scatter abroad here and there, singly or by twos or threes or by little companies, away off into Central America, away off into Southern Mexico, away off into the northern limits, and away down to the western sea, or over onto the Atlantic seaboard. I do not believe the time has come that we can diffuse our strength and scatter ourselves abroad in the world, or colonize to such an extent and carry out the purposes of the Lord. I don't think that tithe has come. When it comes the Lord will make it manifest, and we will be able to do it too when that time comes. I believe that an overruling providence compelled us to establish settlements in Canada when they were established there, and I believe that the same providence overruled and compelled us to establish settlements in northern Mexico at the time that they were established there. I believe that President Young was moved by a correct principle, and by prophecy and inspiration when he determined that we should settle in Arizona and New Mexico in the south. I think that he was moved by the spirit of wisdom when he determined that we should settle at and in the vicinity of St. George, and we should build a temple and establish a colony there. I believe this. Why? Because he directed those movements by the inspiration of the Almighty, and therefore it was right, and when the Spirit of the Lord moves upon His servants who preside over the Church to build colonies in distant lands, it will be time enough for you to go and we will call you to go, some of you; but not till then. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.10 Now, my brethren and sisters, in conclusion I want to say this: you may think perhaps that I have devoted too much time in criticising, making illustrations between the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the doctrines of the world. You may think I have been too generous in my use of reference, at least, to those who despitefully use you, and who persecute you, and who say all manner of evil against you falsely. You may think so, but I have done it merely with a view to showing the contrast between the spirit of the evil one, and the Spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our spirit is a spirit of peace, of good will to all mankind. We are seeking to build up and to establish righteousness in the hearts of the people, and I want to see you, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, male and female, so industrious, so active in the discharge of your duties as Latter-day Saints, so humble, so submissive to the will of the Lord that you will not have time to spend in magnifying the weaknesses, the follies and the faults of your neighbors and of your fellow members of the Church. The Lord knows there is evil enough said in the world thoughtlessly; and without any particular intent to do wrong, but merely through the weakness of men to talk, talk, talk and say nothing--let us work and not talk. Let us at least try to say no evil of our fellow members in the Church. Let us cease to magnify the follies and the weaknesses of members in the Church. Let us cease to find fault with those that preside over us, the Bishop and his counselors, the Presidency of the Stake, and the members of the High Council. Let us cease to find fault with industries which are instituted in our midst for the purpose of giving to the people prosperity and advancement, a means wherewith to build themselves up, and with which to build up or help to build up Zion. Let us not find fault with these things. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.11 I have a letter in my pocket today from a member, at least a former member of the Church, who is now ready to leave the Church, and wants his name taken from the records, because the sugar factories run on Sunday, and I am the President of the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. My friends who are largely interested in this industry have honored me by making me the president of that organization. This man writes to me and demands that I shall stop the making of sugar on Sunday, and if I do not he wants his name taken from the rolls of the Church. Well, now, you can't reason with a man of that kind. You can argue with him, it is true, but you can't reason with him, for a man of that description has no reason, he is not capable of reason. The fact is that our sugar factories have brought more prosperity, more wealth into our country than any other single industry that has ever been established among us, and for nine months, at least nine months in the year, those sugar factories not only keep every Sabbath day holy, and do no work in it, but they keep every other day in the year, or in those months, sacred, too, for they do not do anything: they just lay idle for nine months in the year; but when they start, the juice from those beets has to run through miles and miles of piping of tubes that are heated at a certain temperature, that is necessary to evaporate the water from the juice, condense the juice into a condition to make sugar out of it; and if you stop that one day, you ruin the whole run for at least twenty-four hours, and perhaps a great deal more. And what else? Why, every stockholder and every man who raises beets in the country would be ruined, for the beet factories would have to shut up: they could not succeed if they did not, when they opened, run night and day, Sundays included, through to the end. It is the fool that saith in his heart, "No one has wisdom but me." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.11 Now, my brethren and sisters, we are doing the best we know how. Our lives, our labors, our efforts, our intentions, are like an open book to all who may read clearly, and they may run while they read. I want my brethren and sisters to do as I am trying to do, and I don't want to say it boastfully, for I do riot feel that way. I want you to pay your tithing as honestly as I do. That is all I will ask of you to do in that regard And if you will pay your fast donations for the poor, and if you will help to maintain your ward organizations as you should, as members of the Church, in which promise of blessing is involved in every instance. I can tell you that the world will have less and less power, and less and less reason to say--I was going to say evil things--but they will find less reason and less occasion to say flattering things of us, because we will be that ranch better, and the better we are, the more the devil will rage, and the more bitter be will be. But as President Young said at one time and as repeated later by President Woodruff, the more righteous and upright, pure and undefiled, the Latter-day Saints become, the less power will Satan have over them, for in proportion to your unity and uprightness, honesty, and, fidelity to the cause in which you are engaged, in such proportion will the power of the adversary be weakened, and those who are seeking to entice your sons and daughters into haunts of shame, and dens of wickedness, that they might be defiled, corrupted, wicked and "like the rest of" them will have less power over you, if you will watch your children better, and live better lives yourselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.11 God bless you, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.16 President Taft's address heartily endorsed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.16 I do not know how many of the Latter-day Saints present at this meeting were not here yesterday, when we had the the pleasure and profit of listening to the President of the United States, addressing the people from this stand on the great subject of Universal Peace. I hope the discourse that the President delivered here yesterday may be published in all the newspapers that every man and woman who reads the papers in the state may have the privilege of reading the sentiments expressed by our nation's Executive. I would like to say to you, that I sat her and listened with deep interest to his words, and I endorse without reserve every sentiment that he so ably and so eloquently expressed with reference to the great principle and glorious hope of "peace on earth and good will to man." President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.46 Reverence due to Teachers.--Teachers visit all as members of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.46 There is just a few words that I desire to say in relation to the subject on which some of the brethren have dwelt this morning, which I have no doubt they perfectly understand, but which, so far as I have heard, they omitted to say, and that is this: that the teachers who visit our homes do not come to visit us as Elders, or Seventies, or High Priests, or Apostles or Presidents. The teachers have jurisdiction over the membership of the Church, or the members of the Church, and when they come to visit us in our homes they, in their calling as teachers, visit us as members of the Church, and not as officers or members of the Priesthood. Consequently it is the duty of all members of the Church, no matter who they are or what Priesthood they hold, nor what office they hold in the Church,--it is their duty to disrobe themselves, if you please, of all authority except the right of membership, or to be members in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for it is the duty and prerogative of the teacher to inquire into the standing of members of the Church. Now, if we will only bear that in mind we will have no difficulty at all with reference to our "high and mighty" positions in the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.46 When the teachers visit us we will remember that we are simply members of the Church, and it is the duty of the teachers to visit the members and to teach the members and to instruct the members of the Church, and to see that the members of the Church have no hard feelings, one against another; that the members of the Church are united in their family capacities, and that they are in fellowship with the people of God, with their neighbors and with all mankind, and especially that they are in fellowship with God. That is the duty of the teacher, and when we keep that in mind everything respecting the duties and authority of the teachers will be plain and clear to us. I want to say this too, that if somebody should happen to mount upon the "high horse" of his authority in the Church, it will be very becoming in the teacher to gently take him off his "high horse" and bring him down to the level of his membership, and let him understand that he (the teacher) is there to teach him as a member of the Church, and not as an officer of it. The teacher has a right to inquire into the performance of the duties of all members and learn whether they are doing their duty as members in all things, or not. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.128 Saints advised to live in unity, and keep out of debt.--Statement concerning expenditure of tithing--Reasons for the Church assisting in building Hotel Utah.--Voluntary obligation assumed by members to sustain Church authorities.--Blessings invoked upon Priesthood and People, and the Nation.--Mobocratic spirit a national menace. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.128 If there are any two individuals in this congregation, or who may have attended this conference, who have any ill-feeling in their hearts toward each other, or toward any one else, I hope they will go home, and that any or all others to whom the thought applies, will go home from here and be reconciled to each other, and become good neighbors and abide in good fellowship in the Church. If there is any one here who is in debt I would advise that when he goes home, and when I go home, too, that we will begin with a determination that we will pay our debts and meet all of our obligations just as quickly as the Lord will enable us to do it. If there is any one here intending to go into debt for speculation, and especially if he is intending to borrow money to buy mining stock and other scaley or uncertain things, I would advise him to hesitate, pray over it, and carefully consider it before he obligates himself by borrowing money and going into debt. In other words, keep out of debt if you can. Pay your debts as soon as you can. That means me as well as any one else. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.129 If there is any one in the congregation who has been negligent in observing the law of tithing, I hope he will go home from this conference with a new awakening in his soul to keep this obligation that rests upon us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that there may be plenty in the storehouse of the Lord to meet all the necessities of the Church in a financial way. We feed the poor, and we maintain our temples, we assist our missionaries to return from their missions, we sustain our Church schools, which are numerous, and expensive, and we are doing every other thing that we feel is wise and proper for us to do, with the means we have for the building up of Zion. We have succeeded in purchasing, as far as we could, the property that was offered for sale surrounding this temple block, with the express intent to keep it from going into the hands of persons who would make an improper use of it. It has cost us a great deal, for generally when people realize that the Church wants or needs to get anything they have for sale they want to get all out of it they possibly can. I am sorry to say that, but I suppose it is human nature for some people to do so. We have been under the necessity of improving some of this vacant land which we have purchased, and that has cost money, but now, instead of it being unoccupied, unimproved, a source of expense to the Church, we have built upon it and now it pays for itself, or meets its own obligations and helps the Church just a little. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.129 We have helped to build one of the most magnificent hotels that exists on the continent of America, or in the old continent either. I am told that it is equal to any in the world in its facilities for convenience and comfort for its guests, for sanitation, for its situation, and architectural beauty, and in many other ways. Well, some of our people have thought that we were extravagant. I would like you to turn to the book of D&C and read the commandment of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the city of Nauvoo. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.129 "This house shall be a healthy habitation," etc., etc., and again: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1911, p.129 "And let the name of that house be called Nauvoo House, and let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting place for the weary traveler," etc. (v. 60) And like the corner stone of Zion "Which shall be polished with that refinement which is after the similitude of a palace." (verse 2, sec. 124).* The people were requested to contribute of their means to take stock in this building, and they and their children after them, from generation to generation, should have an inheritance in that building; for it was intended for the beauty of the city, for the glory of that stake of Zion, and to accommodate the stranger from afar who came to contemplate the doctrines of the Church and the work of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.130 We are not responsible for the character of men who come here and are entertained in the hotel. We did not make or form their character, neither are we responsible for their conduct. Men who come here to this city from the world are generally men of the world, men accustomed to the habits of the world. Now, I hoped, and I prayed, and I voted and did all I could in the hope that the good people of this city would vote it "dry," so that we would not be compelled to allow a saloon or bar to be operated in the Hotel Utah. If you had voted it "dry," we would not have had any bar there. It would not have been necessary, because the people that come here would have to put up with the law, and with the conditions in the city, but it "went wet," and therefore the people that visit us want something to "wet up" with once in a while, and unless it is provided for them they will go somewhere else, and instead of beholding and viewing the beauties of Zion they will go where they will see everything that is not beautiful, and be associated with that which is not good, instead of being where they can see the best side of everything. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.130 The building itself has been built by a company called the Utah Hotel Company. Not one of them is a hotel keeper. They know nothing about the science of hostelries, or of keeping a hostelry or managing a hotel, so they rented it. They have rented it to another company called the "Hotel Operating Company." an operating company which has been formed with a capital of some $300,000.00, I believe, and they have rented the building and are responsible for the running of the hotel. They are paying those who built it, that is the "Utah Hotel Company" the interest on their money as it falls due, and also interest on the bonds that have been issued for the purpose of obtaining the money necessary to put it in commission. Now, we do not want the Latter-day Saints to go off and condemn Joseph F. Smith or Anthon H. Lund or John Henry Smith, or anybody else, because there is a bar in the Hotel Utah. We are not responsible for it. We do not go and drink there. We invite you to keep out of the bar and not go there to drink; you don't have to; therefore we advise you on general principles to observe and keep the Word of Wisdom, both in the "Hotel Utah" and in your own homes, and wherever you travel. Keep the Word of wisdom, which is the word of the Lord to His people. I could say more perhaps, but I think I have said all I need to on that score. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.131 Now, my brethren and sisters, I want to thank you on behalf of myself and counselors, the Council of the Apostles, the Seventies, the Patriarch, and the Presiding Bishopric, who are the general authorities, for the unanimity that has been manifested here by the uplifted hands of this vast congregation, with reference to the matters that have been presented to you. I understand this as an evidence of good will, of faith and of fellowship on the part of this vast congregation to all the authorities, both general and local, or auxiliary, that have been presented before you, and that you will all abide the pledge you have given to the Lord and to one another by the uplifted hand, that you all mean to uphold and sustain these officers in all these various organizations, from first to last, that you will not backbite them, that you will not find fault with them without a cause, that you will not try to injure their influence or hinder their progress, or interfere with their legitimate work but that on the contrary you will do everything you can to help them, to benefit them, bless them, and encourage them in the good work in which they are engaged. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.131 Now, may the Lord God Almighty bless and preserve His servants from evil works, from all error and mistakes. Oh, that the Lord God will guide His people and not leave them to the guidance of man. I testify to you that no man has ever led the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the sense that by his own wisdom and intelligence, and by his personal power and influence he did it. I maintain and testify to you that it has been the power of God that has guided this people, from the Prophet Joseph down to the present moment. No man of himself is responsible for it. Therefore I pray that the Lord may bless His servants; that they may do nothing contrary to His will; that they may do nothing injurious to His work; that they may not lay any block or obstacle in the way of the progress of the kingdom of God; that they may do nothing to grieve or hurt the feelings of the faithful children of the Father throughout all the Church. And I pray God to bless every organization of the Holy Priesthood that was revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, from the deacon to the apostle, each in its place, and each man in his place, and that the Lord may help each one to perform his duty, whether that duty may be great or small. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.131 I pray God to bless the teachers, the men that are called by the bishops and sent out among the Latter-day Saints to teach them the principles of right living, principles of the Gospel, the principles of unity, of harmony, of righteousness and of equality and justice, the principle of love and kindness between husband and wife, between parents and children, between neighbors, and in every way to teach the people righteousness, faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit which proceeds from the Father and the Son, and bears witness of them to the children of men; faith in the Prophet Joseph Smith and in the divinity of his mission, faith in the intent and purpose and power of God to carry out His purposes and designs among the children of men, and faith in the destiny of God's work, in the destiny of His people, that we may not wander away nor be misled into error and doubt by those who are cunning and crafty, and who lay in wait to deceive and mislead the people of God, from their righteous ways. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.132 I pray God to bless all our auxiliary organizations, from the first to the last, that they may do their duty, that they may not sit idly down and neglect to work. The idler is not in favor before the Lord, and he that is idle is in danger of temptation, and of falling into the power of the adversary. We are only safe when we are doing, when we are at work, when we are in earnest, when we are engaged in the discharge of our duty, and when this condition exists with us we are safe, for then we are in the hands of God and not in the hand of the adversary. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.132 O God, bless the Holy Priesthood, the noble men, pure men, just men, men of honor, men of integrity, men who have gathered out, many of them, from the nations of the earth for the love of the gospel; and many of them have been born under the covenant of the Holy Priesthood, and I pray God to bless you, my brethren, with an abundance of His goodness, of His mercy and loving kindness, that you may prosper in the land, that you may be indeed truly His servants. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.132 I pray you and I pray God to help you, fathers and mothers, to teach your children the principles and precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they will grow up without sin unto salvation. I pray that God will help you to rear your children in the love of truth, in the love of virtue, free from the contaminating vices of the world, free from defilement. from drunkenness, from the use of tobacco, from strong drinks and narcotics, and vices of every description; that you will teach them to be pure in their lives--in their habits, that they may be holy temples in which the Spirit of the living God, nay dwell and find congenial habitation. It is your duty to do it, and it is my duty; it is the duty of every man living to teach his family these things, and bring them up in the way they should go. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.132 May the Lord bless our Presiding Bishopric, on whom rests so much responsibility of gathering and assisting in keeping the records, receiving and disbursing the tithes of the people for every purpose for which it is appropriated towards the building up of Zion, the building of temples and schoolhouses, the compensation of teachers in our schools, the care of the poor, and the paying of other expenses. O, may the Lord bless our Bishopric that they may be fathers and not masters, that they may be tender in their hearts towards God's poor, and wise and prudent with reference to the "poor devils" who would impose upon them and upon the Church if they could. May the Lord bless them with wisdom, knowledge and understanding, that they may not be deceived, that they, nay not yield to any kind of evil temptation, but that they may be true and faithful before God, that they will be able to give a faithful account of their stewardship before all the people of the Church, and when necessary before the people of the world, but more especially before the great Judge of the quick and the dead, for it is to Him that we will eventually have to answer for every work and every word that we have done and said in this life; for every man will be rewarded according to his works, whether they be good or evil. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.132 The Lord God bless Israel, not only all Israel but the honest in heart in all the world. The Lord bless the executive of this great nation, the man that stands at the head, together with his cabinet, that they also may be men of wisdom and of sound judgment, that they may be able to devise ways of peace and good will on earth, that there may be peace everywhere, that war may cease, that strife, contention and oppression of every description may be checked and subdued by the wisdom of the great statesmen and capable and honest judges of and country. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.133 One of the greatest menaces to our country is that of the combination of men into irresponsible, reckless mobs, wild with prejudice, hatred and fanaticism, led by men of ambition, or passion, or hatred. There is no other thing in the world that I can conceive of so absolutely obnoxious to God and good men as a combination of men and women filled with the spirit of mobocracy. When men combine together to stop or shut off the food supply from the mouth of the honest laborer, to starve the man that is willing to work, and the wife and the children who are dependent upon him, because he is not willing to join a mob, is one of the most infamous perils and menaces to the people of our country today. I do not care who they are, or what name they go by. They are a menace to the peace of the world, and I hope and pray that President Williana H. Taft, and his cabinet, and the Congress of the United States, will be able to devise means and measures by which the constitutional laws of this government will be executed for the protection of the lives, the liberty and happiness of all its people, against mobocracy of every kind or description, whether it be in the form of soulless corporations, monopolies or other combinations, it matters not to me. Let the strong hand of the government put a stop to anything that is tyrannical and unjust, to anarchy and all else calculated to sow the seeds of destruction, poverty and ruin upon our land. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, p.133 Now I must quit so you can catch the train. The Lord bless all Israel. The Lord bless our government and make it great, and help those who are at the helm to increase its greatness, that it may be sustained on the principles of eternal justice, righteousness and truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, Oct. 1911, p.133 I pray God to bless our choir, not only this choir, but all the other good choirs of the Latter-day Saints, and especially this on this occasion when it is about to start from here to visit New York and to sing for the world. I pray that the Lord will give them success, help them to win honor and laurels for the people of Utah, for the singers of Zion, and especially for the great Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir. The Lord bless Brother Stephens at their head, and Brother McClellan and those assisting them, that they may be true to their trust, honorable and faithful, and carry with them the virtues and honor that men cannot bestow, and can only exist in the souls of the righteous. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.2 Joy derived laboring in cause of Truth--Enemies arrayed against Church on false premises--Temporal and spiritual condition of Church members highly satisfactory--Each faithful Saint entitled to personal revelation--Charge of "Commercialism" repudiated--Tithing disbursement supervised by eighteen honest men--Consistency in prayer--Development throughout eternity. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.2 I feel very grateful for the privilege I enjoy of meeting with you here at the opening session of this, the eighty-second anniversary of the annual Conference of the Church. I esteem it a great privilege to be permitted to live and be associated with my brethren and sisters in the great cause in which we are engaged. Personally, I have nothing but this cause to live for, for the rest of my life. It has been very much, almost entirely the object of life with me, ever since my childhood: and I am very thankful that I have had the privilege of being connected with the missionary work of the Church, and I hope and trust that I may be able to continue in this ministry the remainder of my days. I feel in my heart that there is nothing greater for me, or for any other man living, than to be identified with the cause of truth, and I verily believe that we are engaged in the cause of truth, and not error. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.3 It is a source of gratitude also, and pleasure, to Latter-day Saints, to know that their enemies are not and have not been opposed, openly and avowedly, to the principles which we have espoused. As a rule, the opposition arrayed against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been arrayed against us from false premises, and instead of our religion and the principles of the Gospel, which we have embraced, being attacked by our enemies, as a general thing, they have been attacking those things which they have falsely laid to our charge and of which we are not guilty. Our enemies would not appear to be very consistent to oppose the principle of revelation from God to man. They would not appear very consistent to oppose the Latter-day Saints for believing in the fact that the Lord Almighty is quite as capable of revealing Himself to the children of men in this dispensation as He ever was; and, therefore, when our enemies oppose us, or our faith in these principles, it is on the false premises that we only profess to but do not believe in them. They cannot, surely, array themselves against the principle of faith in God and in His ability to reveal Himself in our age of the world as He has ever been able to reveal Himself to the children of men; but they claim that we pretend to believe in these things when there is no such thing. Well, they are responsible for saying there isn't any such thing as revelation now; we are not responsible for that. On the contrary, we are responsible for declaring to the world that God has revealed Himself to man in this dispensation; and that He has done so to be consistent with Himself and with His eternal purposes, that He might make Himself known to His children in this age as well as in any other age of the world. And so we might go seriatim, throughout every doctrine and principle of the Church which has excited opposition in the world, and we will find that it is not always the truth that they are fighting, but it is their construction of our views from their points of view. They charge us with errors of which we are not guilty. They charge us with acts that we have never performed, and with conduct that is entirely at variance and inconsistent with our lives and history. They have framed, in their minds, acts and beliefs and practices that the Church of Christ, never in any sense, has been guilty of or connected with; and yet they charge us with doing these things. To be more plain in the matter, to illustrate what I desire to convey to you: They charge us with being corrupt, with having practiced corrupt principles. They charge us with having been seclusive and opposed to the world, opposed to our national government, opposed to good, true, and wholesome laws, and to works of righteousness. Really, they charge us with being murderers, adulterers, and all manner of evil-doers. Much the same as was charged against the Son of God and the ancient Saints. They distort what we do believe into something that is entirely contrary to our belief, and then proceed to array themselves against us. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.3 Now, let me say to you, if our enemies desire to oppose the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because we believe, with all our souls, in the divinity of Christ and the precepts and principles which He taught; if they are opposed to us because we believe that these principles have been restored again to the earth in this dispensation, and we have espoused them and are tying to live them the best we can, we have no fault to rind with them. Let them find fault with our faith as much as they will. We shall not complain of them, although we would regret exceedingly that they do not comprehend the truth as we comprehend it. I cannot find fault with my enemy for charging me with earnest and honest belief in the divinity of the mission of Jesus Christ. I cannot find fault with Him for charging me with believing in the divine mission of Joseph Smith. I cannot find fault with him for charging me with having faith in God, in Christ, and in the Holy Spirit, and for believing in repentance of sin and departing from it, and in the principle of baptism by immersion, for the remission of sins, and in the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. If they will charge me with these things, I shall not complain of them; but if they should charge me with falsely believing in them, or merely pretending to believe in them, they would be placing me in a false light, and would be charging me with that which is not true. It is in this light that I have spoken of this matter as I have. The world do not oppose us for what we do, but they oppose us for what they charge us with doing, which we do not do. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.4 Our mission has been to save men. We have been laboring all these eighty odd years of the Church to bring men to a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to bring them to repentance, to obedience to the requirements of God's law. We have been striving to save men from error, to persuade them to turn away from evil and to learn to do good. Now, if our enemies will only charge us with doing this, all right; and if they wish to oppose us for doing this, that is their business; but when they charge us with doing that which we have not done, believing that which we do not believe, practicing that which we have never practiced, then I pity them. I pity them because they are doing it in ignorance, or because they are willfully disposed to misrepresent the truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.4 I desire to say that, in my judgment, the Church of jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was never in a better condition spiritually or temporally than it is today. I believe that our priesthood quorums are in as good condition today as they ever were in the Church. I think, if possible, they are more effectually and efficiently organized, and in better working condition than ever they were before. I believe that the faith of the Latter-day Saints in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith is as good and as great today as it ever was, if it is not better. I believe that there is as much union and fellowship in the Church as ever did exist in it. I don't intend or mean to say that we have not occasionally, discontented people, fault-finders. I presume that we will always have a few of them; but I do not believe that there were ever fewer of them proportionately than there are now. I do not believe that ever before, the Latter-day Saints generally understood the principles of their religion better than they understand them today. I do not believe that they were ever firmer in the faith, and I believe with all my soul that the Church is growing today quite as fast as in any period of its existence. I am quite satisfied in my own mind that the presiding authorities of the Church were never more united than they are and never stood firmer together than they do now. I believe that the presidents of the stakes of Zion, at any other period of the Church's history, were never more faithful or more diligent in the performance of their duties than they now are. This is my judgment, from my point of view; and I think that, from my point of view, we are as capable of judging of these conditions as any men can be, we have no reason to complain, no reason to be in doubt. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.5 Let me say, too, that I believe that the spirituality of the people of God, the people of this Church, is as great as it ever was. It has been charged, by public speakers abroad, and by men who we might suppose occupied positions in the community enabling them to know better, that the "Mormon" Church is losing its spirituality, that the spiritual things of the Church are warning among them. This is as false as can be. Let me say for their instruction, if such individuals will receive instruction from me, that there is not a man, or woman, or child, who is in fellowship or in good standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that has not received, by the laying on of hands, of those who have power and authority to confer blessings from the Lord to the children of men, the gift of the Holy Ghost--every man, every woman, and every child that has been baptized into the Church. Where will you go, outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to find a church or a religious community, no matter what its name or character may be, that has received an equal advantage with this? where will you go to find a people, in the world, on whom has been conferred the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands? So far, then, from the truth is this statement that the Church is losing its spirituality, it is receiving additional gifts of the Spirit of God in every member of the Church added to it. And the spirit of inspiration, the gift of revelation does not belong to one man solely; it is not a gift that pertains to the Presidency of the Church and the Twelve Apostles alone. It is not confined to the presiding authorities of the Church, it belongs to every individual member of the Church; and it is the right and privilege of every man, every woman, and every child who has reached the years of accountability to enjoy the spirit of revelation, and to be possessed of the spirit of inspiration in the discharge of their duties as members of the Church. It is the privilege of every individual member of the Church to have revelation for his own guidance, for the direction of his life and conduct; and therefore I aver--and I believe I may do so without any reasonable chance for it being gainsaid or opposed--that there is not another church in the world, or an organization of religious people, who are so universally spiritual in their lives, and who are so universally entitled to the gifts of the Spirit of God as are the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are all entitled to revelation. It is your privilege to have it revealed to you whether I am a servant of God or a servant of men; whether I am in the discharge of my duty or not; whether I, as a presiding officer in the Church, am acting in the discharge of my duty acceptably to you and the Lord. It is your privilege to have revelation in regard to this, and to know the truth yourselves. And it is my privilege to have revelation from God, as an individual, for my own temporal guidance, as well as for my spiritual guidance; and I repeat again that there never was a time in the earth, since the Church was organized, when the spirituality of the people of God was greater than it is today. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.6 The Church is charged with commercialism. There is not the least semblance of it, in truth. The Church is neither buying nor selling goods or chattels. It is not engaged m merchandising of any description, and never has been; and there could not well be a more false and groundless statement made against the Church than to charge it with commercialism. It is true that, unlike other churches or religious organizations, the people of this Church observe the law of tithing, which is the law of revenue of the Church. We do not pass around the bat to you, or the collection box, for means to defray the expenses incident to the carrying on of the work of the Church. You give it voluntarily. This reminds me of another falsehood that is spread abroad by our enemies, namely: That the "Mormon" people are compelled to pay tithing, that the authorities of the Church demand it of them, that it is made obligatory upon them, and is tyrannically exacted from them all the time, which is an infamous falsehood, a slander, for there is not a word or syllable of truth in it. The observance of the law of tithing is voluntary. I can pay my tithing or not, as I choose. It is a matter of choice with me, whether I will do it or not do it; but feeling, as I do, loyal to the Church, loyal to its interests, believing that it is right and just to observe the law of tithing I do observe it--on the same principle that I think it is right for me to observe the law of repentance, and of baptism for the remission of sins. It is my pleasure to do my duty with reference to the observance of these principles, and to pay my tithing. The Lord has revealed how this means shall be cared for, and managed: namely, by the Presidency of the Church and the High Council of the Church; (that is, the Twelve Apostles), and the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. I think there is wisdom in this. It is not left for one man to dispose of it, or to handle it alone, not by any means. It devolves upon at least eighteen men, men of wisdom, of faith, of ability, as these eighteen men are. I say it devolves upon them to dispose of the tithes of the people and to use them for whatever purpose in their judgment and wisdom will accomplish the most good for the Church; and because this fund of tithing is disposed of by these men whom the Lord has designated as having authority to do it, for the necessities and benefit of the Church, they call it "Commercialism." What absurdity! You may just as well call their practices in passing around their contribution boxes, for collecting means with which to build their church, with which to pay their ministers, and with which to carry on the monetary affairs of their churches, "commercialism," as for them to charge us with "commercialism," because we handle the tithing of the Church, and appropriate and use it for the benefit of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.6 Before we get through with the Conference, we expect to hear some reports from the Presiding Bishopric, who are the temporal custodians of the means of the Church and whose duty it is to account for the receipt and disbursement of these funds; and you will be surprised, perhaps, to learn how generally and universally, in the Church, the means gathered from the tithes of the people are disposed of for the benefit of all the people--and not for a few. Then, I repeat, it is not that which we do, but that which they charge us with doing, that they are finding fault with. Well, let them find fault. It only proves their ignorance or their ill-feeling and lack of judgment in making complaints against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.7 Again, I repeat, that there are no more spiritually minded people on earth than the Latter-day Saints. There is no more prayerful people on earth than the Latter-day Saints. There is not another people who are nearer to God their Father than are the Latter-day Saints; for they have the right to go to Him in their secret chamber, at the altar of prayer in their own homes; they can bow down and get very near unto the Lord, nearer, I think, than any other people. I do not say it boastfully either; I say it as I believe it to be a simple truth. Does it not stand to reason that a man who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands a man that has been born again of the water and of the Spirit, in accordance with the plan that God has instituted by which he may come into His fold, can get nearer to God than those that have not been born again, or those who have not been endowed with the Spirit of the Lord? Of course, it stands to reason, and it is consistent to claim that much for the Latter-day Saints. Our mothers, and the mothers of our children, whose hearts are filled with solicitude for the welfare of their children, having had conferred upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands, can go to their secret chambers and bow down before God and commune with Him as no other mothers on earth can do, if they will only observe the principles they have embraced and will live up to their privileges. By the influence that they will thus gain over the hearts of their children they will lead them in the path of righteousness and truth, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, in the love of truth, in obedience to His commands, in such away as others cannot do who are destitute of these privileges, blessings and endowments, so freely conferred upon the mothers in Israel. I am aware that there are those who will say: "That is boasting; that is like the Pharisees." They will liken this talk of mine to that of the egotistical Pharisee, illustrated in the parable of the Savior: "Oh, Lord. I thank Thee that I am not as other men." But it is not true. That would be another false charge. On the contrary, it is in the same spirit that the sinner appealed unto the Lord: "Oh God, be merciful to me, a sinner." The man who possesses the spirit of revelation can realize whether he is a sinner, whether he is prone to evil, whether he is magnifying his standing before the Lord, or not, better than a man that has not the Spirit of the Lord in him, can he not? Is the man that is ignorant of the principles of the Gospel, and of the way in which he should reach the Father and commune with Him, more likely to be acceptable to God in his prayers than one who knows how to approach the Lord, who has received the truth in his heart, who will pray to God in the spirit of prayer and true devotion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.8 The Latter-day Saints possess that spirit; they know how to approach the Lord; they do not call upon Him to be heard for "much speaking." When we pray, we pray to the Lord for that which we need, that which we feel is or will be good for us, or necessary for our well-being and happiness; and when the Lord has blest us in our labors, crowned our efforts with success, and we have laid up, in store, In abundance of bread, we are not so inconsistent as to repeat the Lord's prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread." We do not have to do it, but we thank Him daily for the bread we have. We thank Him for the blessings that we enjoy, and we acknowledge His goodness and mercy in bestowing upon us the blessings that we possess. But we do not have to repeat the Lord's prayer, every day, which was given to His ministry, the apostles in ancient times when they were sent out like lambs in the midst of wolves, and He taught them that they were not to take thought of what they should eat or what they should drink, or wherewithal they should be clothed; that the Lord would feed them; that the Lord would open the hearts of those they ministered unto, to provide for their necessities. Go, and when you pray, pray for what you need. What did they need? Bread, bread for this day. "Give us this day our daily bread; leave us not in temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the power, and the kingdom, and the glory, forever and ever." Our ministers pray this prayer when they are out in the world depending upon the Lord for His goodness, and guidance; but when they are at home with their houses supplied with all that is needful, and their granaries full, and all else that they need, then, instead of saying, "Oh Lord give us this day our daily bread" we say, "Oh Lord, we thank Thee for what Thou hast given us; bless it to our good, and help us to make a wise and proper rise of it." That is the way the Latter-day Saints pray. You pray with intelligence; you pray with understanding; you approach the Lord with a knowledge of what you should do and how you should approach Him, and how you have a right to ask Him for the blessings you need, even to the laying on of hands upon the sick, praying for them, and rebuking disease, that they may be healed under the blessing of the Lord; and that the world does not possess. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.8 Now I think I have made clear, what I said in the beginning that some people in the world are charging us with things we are not guilty of. They are arraigning us before the bar of public opinion for things we are strangers to, things we do not believe, things we have never done, things we have no connection with whatever, only in the imagination of our enemies. When they charge the Church with commercialism, they charge it with that which is false. When they charge the Church with losing the spirituality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they charge it falsely; it is not true. The Latter-day Saints do pray, and they are more faithful than most of the people of the world. Now, I may say, consistently, that there are good people in the world, people who are just as faithful to what they know, as we are faithful to what we know.; and I judge in some instances you will find examples of people out in the world who do not know as much as you do of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who have not the testimony of the Spirit in their hearts as you have, of the divinity of Christ and of Joseph Smith, who are just as devout, just as humble, just as contrite in spirit, and as devoted to what they, know, as some of us are, and they will be rewarded according to their works, every one of them, and will receive a reward far surpassing anything that they dream of. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.8 Some people dream, you know, and think, and teach that all the glory they ever expect to have in the world to come is to sit in the light and glory of the Son of God, and sing praises and songs of joy and gratitude all their immortal lives. We do not believe in any such thing. We believe that every man will have his work to do in the other world, just as surely as he had it to do here, and a greater work than he can do here. We believe that we are on the road of advancement, of development in knowledge, in understanding, and in every good thing, and that we will continue to grow, advance and develop throughout the eternities that are before us. That is what we believe. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.9 I believe in the Latter-day Saints. I believe they are a people who will do their duty, as a general thing. That there are delinquents, that there are those who are slothful, that there are those who are indifferent, and that there are those who have not the faith they should have, we know; we understand that; and that there are some, occasionally, who go wrong entirely, do wrong entirely; we know and understand that. But the vast majority of the Latter-day Saints are good and faithful members of the Church. God blesses them: they are in fellowship with Him and with each other. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.10 Now, the Lord bless you. I did not expect to talk so long when I got up, for I did not feel at all in the humor of talking. I have been suffering, for a short time, with a severe cold, as many others are at this time of the year; and I presume I will feel the effects of this exertion a little. But, I bear my testimony to you, I know the truth, so far as I have gone. I do not know it all, but what I do know, what I have learned, I know. Not only do I know, the truth, so far as I have learned it, but I go a notch higher, I know positively that I do know the truth of some of these principles we have received. I know that the principle of faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of the Lord, and the Holy Ghost, is a correct principle. I know that the principle of repentance is a true principle, and I know that I know it, too. I know that baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, by one having authority, is a true principle, because Christ taught it; Christ obeyed it, and would not fail, for anything, to fulfil it--not that He was sinful and needed to be baptized for the remission of sins, but He only needed to do it to fulfill all righteousness, that is, to fulfil the law. I know that that is a true principle. I know that it is a true and righteous principle to keep one's self pure and unspotted from the world, and I know, that I know it, too. I know that it is just and true that men should not steal, nor lie, nor commit adultery, nor bear false witness against their neighbor, nor do anything like unto it. I know that these are true principles, and I thank God, that I do know it, and that it is in my heart to observe and keep these things. I know, too, that it is a proper thing for us to accept and honor the Holy Priesthood that has been restored to the earth in this dispensation, through Joseph the Prophet. I know that is good, because it is calculated to uphold the truth, and sustain the Church, and develop men in knowledge, in good works, in fidelity to the purposes of the Lord, and it is essential to the proper government of the people of God in the earth, and for our own individual government, the government of our families, the government of our temporal and spiritual affairs, individually as well as collectively. I believe that every individual in the Church has just as much right to enjoy the spirit of revelation and the understanding from God which that spirit of revelation gives him, for his own good, as the Bishop has to enable him to preside over his ward. Every man has the privilege to exercise these gifts and these privileges in the conduct of his own affairs, in bringing up his children in the way they should go, and in the management of his farm, his flocks, his herds, and in the management of his business, if he has business of other kinds to do; it is his right to enjoy the spirit of revelation and of inspiration to do the right thing, to be wise and prudent, just, and good in everything that he does. I know that this is a true principle, and I know that I know it, too; and that is the thing that I would like the Latter-day Saints to know. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.10 And I know this, that God has organized His Church in the earth; and I know that when He designs or purposes to make any change in the manner or matter of governing or controlling or presiding over the affairs of His Church, that He will make the change, and He will make it in such a way that the whole people of the Church, who are doing right, will understand and accept it. I know that the Lord will not raise up "Tom, Dick, or Harry," here, there and everywhere claiming to be Christ, or "one mighty and strong," claiming to be inspired and called to do some wonderful thing. The Lord will not deal with men in that way; that while organization of the Church exists, while quorums and councils of the Priesthood are intact in the Church, the Lord will reveal His purposes through them and not through "Tom, Dick, or Harry." Put that in your little "note books" now, and remember it; it is true. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.10 Now, the Lord bless you. God bless this people. My heart is filled with love and gratitude to God, and with love and blessings for the Latter-day Saints, from every part of the land, and everywhere. I pray that God's blessing may rest down mightily upon you, and that you may prosper in all your efforts for good, and in every lawful business in which you are concerned, as individuals and as communities, that you may live in harmony, in peace and good-will, that you may be generous toward the erring. Try to save men and not destroy them. Set an example before the world, that they cannot gainsay, and so that they cannot condemn you for your conduct or acts; and if they condemn you at all, that they will have to conjure up something that is not true and then fight it, as the prejudiced world is doing in relation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.10 There are our Elders over in Great Britain meeting with bitter opposition; and here in our own land are falsehoods being circulated of the most infamous character, and by the most keen subtle and cunning processes that ever were known to man, intended to destroy the influence of this people, but error, and falsehood will fail. And "truth is mighty and will prevail," therefore, we can afford to wait. Let the evil one exhaust his efforts, and do his worst; and the Lord will overrule it, in the end for the good of His cause, and for the discomfiture of His enemies ;which may God grant, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.45 I would just like to bear my testimony to you that the testimonies of my brethren, which have been so impressively spoken here today, and at other times, with reference to the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and of the gospel of Christ, and of the Son of God are true--for I know they are true. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.58 I realize that it is a little late; but as this is the sixth day of the month, the anniversary of the organization of the Church, I would like to have presented the authorities of the church, for the action of this conference, at this meeting, before we adjourn. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.73 In order to extend greater privileges to our young men who may be called to go on missions, to prepare themselves to some extent by the study of the first principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a school of correspondence has been established, and Bishop Edwin S. Sheets has been appointed as the principal of this school, whose office is at the Bishop's Building, 40 North Main Street in this city. We would like the presidents of stakes and the bishops of wards to encourage their young men, and such of the young sisters who may be called upon hereafter to take missions abroad, to open a correspondence with Brother Sheets, that they may in that manner prepare themselves to some extent for missionary labor in the fields abroad. This, of course, applies to those who are not able to spend the time needed to go to the church schools and there take a regular course in missionary work. This correspondence course is for those who cannot spare the time, to go to school and who may use this privilege and opportunity to gain information by means of correspondence. In this way many of our brethren will find themselves much better prepared to go on missions than they would be if they were called without this preliminary investigation and preparation. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.134 Later generations in the Church as faithful as the first--Jesus Christ the type and evidence of the resurrection--Obscure passage of Scripture explained--Individual identity retained throughout eternity--God's blessings invoked upon Priesthood and people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.134 I say, in all candor, that I am sorry we can not have another day or two in which to continue our Conference, but it would not be wisdom to do so, under all the circumstances. There are many of our brethren whom you would delight to hear, and who are indeed a tower of strength in testimony and knowledge of the principles of the Gospel, who would be delighted to address you, if opportunity would permit. Our brethren of the presiding Seventy, will be deprived of the opportunity during this Conference of speaking to you, which I regret quite as much as you or they do, and I am sure you all regret not to have the privilege of hearing them; but I cannot see how the time could have been more wisely, or earnestly, more intelligently, or profitably, spent than it has been. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.135 We have had testimonies here from those who mark the third generation of Latter-day Saints, and I am satisfied that there is no one other, perhaps, than the Prophet Joseph Smith himself who could have borne more powerful testimonies of the truth or could have told the truth more clearly, plainly and forcibly than it has been told by these young men who are of the third or fourth generation of Latter-day Saints. I want to say to you that there are thousands of young men in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of the third and fourth generation of members of the Church who can bear to you, as firmly and as strongly, their testimony of the divinity of this work, the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and of the mission of the Son of God, as any of their fathers or fore-fathers could have done. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.135 When men predict evil concerning the children of Zion, they become false witnesses before God. It may be true that many of the children of the Latter-day Saints will lack understanding, will fail to improve their minds and their opportunities. It is not at all unlikely that many of the children, whose parents have neglected to teach them in their childhood, will grow up in a measure indifferent to the work of God, but those who are taught the truth will receive it and will abide in it; and there will be sufficient numbers of these to carry on the work of God, to leaven the whole lump; that the leaven of the Gospel shall be carried, as it is being carried today, to the uttermost bounds of the earth, and every nation, kindred, tongue and people, will yet have the privilege of hearing the Gospel from the mouths and from the inspired testimonies of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth generations, of the children of this people. It is the duty of Latter-day Saints to teach their children the truth, to bring them up in the way they should go, to teach them the first principles of the Gospel, the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins, and for membership in the Church of Christ, teaching them the necessity of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, which will lead them into all truth, and which will reveal to them things that have passed and things which are to come, and show to them more clearly those things which are present with them, that they may comprehend the truth, and that they may walk in the light as Christ is, in the light; that they may have fellowship with Him, and that His blood may cleanse them from all sin. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.136 Speaking of the resurrection, the subject on which so much has been said during this Conference, and appropriately said, too--we distinctly believe that Jesus Christ Himself is the true, and only true type of the resurrection of men from death unto life. We believe there is no other form of resurrection from death to life; that as He rose, and as He preserved His identity, even to the scars of the wounds in His hands and feet and side, that He could prove Himself to those that were skeptical of the possibility of rising from the dead, that He was indeed Himself, the Lord crucified, buried in the tomb, and raised again from death to life. So it will be with you and with every son and daughter of Adam, born into the world. You will not lose your identity any more than Christ did. You will be brought forth from death to life again, just as sure as Christ was brought forth from death to life again, just as surely as those who ministered to the Prophet Joseph Smith had been raised from death to life--therefore, in the same manner in which Christ has been raised, so will life, and the resurrection from death to life again, come upon all who have descended from our first parents. The death that came into the world by Adam's transgression has been conquered, and its terror vanquished by the power and righteousness of the Son of God. He came to redeem man from the temporal death, and also to save him from spiritual death if he will repent of his sins, and will believe on the name of Christ, follow His example, and obey His laws. You may read it in the greatest plainness in the Book of Mormon, in the Book of D&C, as well as in the New Testament, and in the predictions of the ancient prophets concerning the coming of the Son of God and His resurrection from death to life. Paul used the argument that has been recited here a number of times: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.136 Why did Jesus teach the doctrine that there was no marrying, nor giving in marriage in the other world? Why did He teach the doctrine that marriage was instituted by the Father and designed to be accomplished in this life? Why did He rebuke those who sought to entrap Him when they brought to Him the example of the fulfillment of the law of Moses, for Moses wrote the law that God gave him, that if a man married in Israel and died without issue, it was the duty of his brother to take his widows and raise up seed unto his brother; and when seven of these brothers--(which is doubtless a problem that these men put to the Savior in order to entrap Him if they could)--had taken her, to whom should she belong in the resurrection, since they all had her? Jesus declared to them, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." They did not understand the principle of sealing for time and for all eternity; that what God hath joined together neither man nor death can put asunder." ( Matthew 19:6); they had wandered from that principle. It had fallen into disuse among them; they had ceased to understand it; and consequently they did not comprehend the truth; but Christ did. She could only be the wife in eternity of the man to whom she was united by the power of God for eternity, as well as for time; and Christ understood the principle but He did not cast His pearls before the swine that tempted Him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.137 Why has the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, in this dispensation, that great and glorious principle of baptism for the dead, the principle of turning the hearts of the children to the fathers, and of the hearts of the fathers to the children; that the fathers could not be made perfect without the children; that the children could not obtain a fulness of happiness and joy, nor become perfect, without the fathers? Why did He teach us the principle of eternal union of man and wife? Because God knew that we were His children here, to remain His children forever and ever, and that we were just as truly individuals, and that our individuality was as identical as that of the Son of God, and would therefore continue so worlds without end. So that the man receiving his wife by the power of God, for time and for all eternity, would have the right to claim her and she to claim her husband, in the world to come. Neither would be changed, except from mortality to immortality, neither would be other than himself or herself; but they will have their identity in the world to come, precisely as they exercise their individuality and enjoy their identity here. God has revealed this principle, and it has its bearing upon the evidence that we possess of the actual, literal resurrection of the body, just as it is and as the prophets have declared it in the Book of Mormon. Now, that is the faith of the Latter-day Saints, and that is the doctrine of this Church, as taught in the Book of Mormon, D&C, the Bible and the Pearl of Great Price; and we are willing to stand by it; and our children, and our children's children after us to the latest generation, will abide in this truth, for it is founded on revelation from God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.137 Now, this is my testimony, and I know, just as my brethren know and have said, not any better than they do--for some of my brethren who have spoken here have told my own faith and my own testimony, and my own conviction, better than I could do it myself; for they have had the language and power of expression, to convey the truth better than I ever could have done it myself, and I believe their testimony--I know they have told the truth. The Spirit of God bears record of it in my heart. And when I hear my brethren teach these things, when I hear them bear testimony of the truth, it melts my soul, and I glorify my Father in heaven for the truth he has put into the hearts of my fellow-servants and co-laborers, in this great and glorious cause of human redemption in which we are so earnestly engaged. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.137 Let me conclude by saying to you what I have said many times, and what I hope I will ever stand by. I would a thousand times rather go to my grave as I am, with the convictions that I possess, than to falter for one instant in that which God has revealed to me. It is more than mortal life to me. My standing in the Church is worth to me more than this life--ten thousand thousand times. For in this I have life everlasting. In this I have the glorious promise of the associations of my loved ones throughout all eternity. In obedience to this work, in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I shall gather around me my family, my children, my children's children until they become as numerous as the seed of Abraham, or as countless as the sands upon the sea shore. For this is my right and privilege, and the right and privilege of every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who holds the Priesthood and will magnify it in the sight of God. Without it there is death and desolation--disintegration and disinheritance; without it there may be a chance to become a ministering spirit, a servant unto servants throughout the endless ages; but in this Gospel there is a chance to become a Son of God, in the image and likeness of the Father and of His only Begotten Son in the flesh. I would rather take my boys and my girls to the grave, while they are innocent, than to see them entrapped in the wickedness, the unbelief, and the spirit of apostasy so prevalent in the world, and be led away from the Gospel of salvation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.138 I have lived here some seventy odd years, and I have had a purpose in life, and I have been steadily plodding on toward the accomplishment of that purpose. I have not been able to do any great thing. I do not feel capable of doing any great thing. Whenever, if ever, I say a word that is acceptable to God, whenever I speak His truth, it is by the presence and influence of His Spirit, and it is to His honor and to His glory that I do it. I never have taken any honor unto myself. I want no honor; I claim none except that of being a member of the Church of Christ, the honor of having a standing unsullied, undefiled, unshaken, and immovable, in the kingdom of my God and His Christ. That is all I want; and I mean to have it, by the help of God. I have gone too far on this road to turn back. I have held the plow too long to look backward in the furrow. I am going on and up, by the help of the Lord, and to the best of my ability, until I fill my mission and accomplish my work, whatever that may be. I thank the Lord for the Gospel; I thank Him for the testimony of it that I possess, and for the testimony that my brethren possess. That, to me, is worth more than gold, or silver, or precious stones. It is worth to me more than all the honors of the world to know that my brethren have the testimony of this Gospel in their hearts and that they know the truth, as they have said it here. There may be those who know it much better than I do, if only they have larger conception and comprehension of the truth, and greater capacity to receive and comprehend it. They may go much farther than I can, perhaps, in this world; but I hope to live long enough in eternity to catch up with them, if I can. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1912, p.138 May the Lord bless this people; and in the name of the Lord, and by virtue of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which holds the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church, I bless the Latter-day Saints and our friends gathered here, and also the Latter-day Saints and the people of God everywhere, throughout the intermountain states and throughout all the world. God bless His people--make them rich in the knowledge of the truth, in humility, in meekness, and willingness to obey the word of the Lord and keep His commandments, and help them to keep pure and unspotted from the world, and at His own pleasure and time those afar off may be permitted to gather to the house of the Lord where they may enter and administer not only for their own temporal and eternal union and exaltation, but where they may enter and administer for the salvation and exaltation of their kindred who have died without the knowledge of the Gospel. This is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.2 Constant need for God's help.--Many people learning truth about "Mormonism."--Sad plight of Saints who colonized in Mexico.--Wisdom and generosity of national authorities eulogized.--Saints should patiently acknowledge over-ruling providence in adversity.--Glorious mission of peace indicated for United States.--The Ten Commandments, and the Gospel, eternal.--Duty of Saints to sustain United States Constitution. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.2 I feel very dependent this morning upon the presence of the Good Spirit. I do not feel either physically or mentally able to perform the duties which are required of me without the assistance of the Spirit of the Lord. I do not know that any man is able to carry on the work of the Lord which may be required at his hand, independently of the Lord, or without the promptings and inspiration of the Spirit which comes from the Father of Light, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. I think it is the duty of all men. especially those connected with the Church of Jesus Christ, to live humbly before God. and to be prayerful and submissive to the law of the Lord. If we succeed in standing faithful before Him, however strong we may feel within ourselves, or capable to bear the burdens and responsibilities that may rest upon us, the time will come, however much we may have been disinclined to acknowledge it before, when we will be compelled to acknowledge the hand of God in our success. We will not be able to accomplish it alone. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.2 I feel very grateful this morning for the privilege that I enjoy of being present at this opening' session of the eighty-third semi-annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which comparatively only a few years ago was organized under the laws of the state of New York by six individuals, and but very few besides them had become acquainted with the new revelation and embraced it. And from that small beginning we look today out upon this manifestation of the mercy and blessing of the Lord, and the work that was begun by those six first members of the Church, under the inspiration given to that boy whom the world holds in derision and in unbelief, to a very large extent, but whose mission and the results of whose labors are becoming more widely and better known, and more clearly understood by the intelligent men and women of the world to whom this message has been sent. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.3 I am often impressed, while attempting to speak to the Latter-day Saints, with the impotency of man and his utter dependence upon the Lord in the accomplishment of that which has been done in the interest of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter day. I look out over the world today and I comprehend that there are tens and hundreds of thousands of the best men and women in the world, the most intelligent, thoughtful, independent of character, from almost all lands, who have come to a knowledge of the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith, and acknowledged it, and many in their hearts, while openly they dare not come out against the prejudices of the world to acknowledge their conviction. And hundreds of thousands of men and women who are sufficiently independent in their character, and who are sufficiently intelligent as to give a reason for the hope that is within them, have come forth and have identified themselves, with all that they possess in the world, with the great latter-day work, the foundations of which were laid by God Almighty through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. And today our country is beginning to see or to obtain a slight glimmer of the true character of the work that Joseph Smith was instrumental in establishing upon the earth, and many of the great and good and intelligent people of the world are beginning to acknowledge that there is some good that can "come out of Nazareth," so to speak. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.3 I feel thankful for the prosperity that has attended the labors of the people of these intermountain valleys during the present season, that the Lord has given us an abundant harvest, the season has been a fruitful one--so fruitful indeed that there is considerable waste of the rich products of the vines and of the trees, there being so much that many people seem to be unable to take care of the fruits of their orchards and their fields. I hope sincerely in the midst of this prosperity, the people of the Church will not forget the Lord in the first fruits of all their increase that their barns may continue to be filled with plenty and, figuratively speaking, that their "presses may burst out with new wine." I hope that we will not forget the Lord in the day of prosperity, that we will not be unmindful of the gifts and blessings bestowed by the hand of the liberal and bounteous giver of every good and perfect gift, for while the earth is fruitful, while the elements are healthful and propitious and all things are favorable and contribute to our prosperity and happiness, we should always be mindful of the fact that it is in consequence of the overruling, merciful providence of the Father of us all. It is essential that Latter-day Saints should be willing to acknowledge cheerfully the hand of the Lord in all things. I realize that there are many things in which it is difficult for us to see or discern the hand of the Lord--when we are afflicted, when we are troubled, when we may be molested and disturbed in our pursuits, we may feel sometimes,--many of us do,--I presume, that it is extremely hard to discern and to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.3 We have had some very sad experiences of late,--a large number of our colonists in Mexico have had serious cause for the exercise of faith, patience, forbearance, hope and charity this year; and many of them, I have no doubt, have found it difficult under circumstances which prevail around them to see how the hand of the Lord could ever be made manifest for their good. They have been robbed, plundered and driven from their homes, their rights have been denied them, their property taken away from them, the safety of their wives and daughters jeopardized and their lives threatened, and at last they found it necessary to abandon their homes and possessions, and come away from that land of riot and murder, brigandage and robbery in order that they might escape at least with their lives; and quite a few have not been fortunate enough to get away with their lives, but have fallen by the hands of marauders and assassins. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.4 The Latter-day Saints who colonized in Chihuahua went to Mexico not by chance. I have said it many times before, and I repeat it again. They went there with the consent and approval of the presiding authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, under conditions that made it proper, advantageous and beneficial to them to go there. They have suffered a great deal at the hands of degraded, unprincipled men. Many of the race unquestionably have good hearts and will manifest their goodness when under the influence of good men and of favorable surroundings, but too often only when it may appear to them to be to their interest to do so, but they are by no means an elevated race of people; and I think we have sufficient evidence to prove the fact that the Almighty, who is the Father of all men and who overrules the destinies of all the nations of the earth, has for some time been ready to permit a scourge and perhaps devastation and ruin to come upon that people until the remnant of them shall be taught a lesson that may help to elevate them a little in the scale of human and national intelligence. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.4 Many of us, perhaps, have not worried much about the condition of our people in Mexico, but it has been a constant source of anxiety to me and to my brethren of the Presidency and the Twelve. We have felt deeply the troubles that have come upon our people there, and we have regretted exceedingly the necessity they have seen to move away from their homes (many of which are equal to some of the best homes that we possess in this land) and from their lands, their fields, their orchards, their flocks and herds, to escape the indignities that were heaped upon them by brigands, renegades, marauders and plunderers. Some of our people and many others have stood ready to condemn the authorities of our nation for not interfering with the treatment they have received and that other American citizens have received at the hands of the Mexican people. But I feel thankful a higher wisdom has dictated the course of the executive authorities of our nation, by which they have kept their hands cleanfrom the shedding of blood, and our sons, our brothers and perhaps our fathers from being drawn into a protracted war with Mexico, which might last for years, and cost untold blood and treasure, even if the whole power of the United States should be brought to bear to quell the disturbances there and to bring peace to the land. It is a mountainous country, and much of it a desert land, brigands and marauders might infest those mountains for years, in spite of all that armies could do to ferret them out, and while that condition should exist, neither life nor property of decent people would be safe in the land. I am glad that the authorities of our government have seen it wise to let them slay themselves, if they are determined to slay and destroy. I think it is fortunate that our people have escaped from the land with their families and we wish it to be understood that their mission there is, at least for the time being, at an end, and that they may feel themselves at liberty, not only to abandon the country if they choose to do so, but to go elsewhere, where conditions will favor their endeavors to make new homes and establish themselves in a civilized land, where life is protected and where the possession of property is safe, and where they can dwell in peace and be happy. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.5 I cannot refrain from expressing my sincere gratitude to our national authorities for the generous kindness they have shown to American citizens who have suffered so much on account of the deplorable conditions existing in Northern Mexico; by appropriating large sums of money for their relief. Every good citizen will hail with pleasure this act of kindness on the part of our government. And none more so than the citizens of Utah and adjoining states, where so many of the kindred and fellow citizens of the Mexican exiles reside. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.5 It is of course necessary for our people who have been driven away from there to secure every right that they possibly can for the recovery of their properties which they may have been or may be deprived of. Whether the time will come in the near or distant future that our people may go back to the land that they have bought and paid for, to the homes that they have built and beautified, to the fields that they have subdued and cultivated, and to their orchards and rightful possessions,--whether the time will come or not within the near future or even the distant future, I am not prepared to say. But I would guess that the time will come when that land will be over-spread by more intelligent people than inhabit it now, and when there will be a stable government established there, which will be able to guarantee the protection of the rights of the citizens of the land. I believe that time will come whether it may be attained by friendly intervention or otherwise. I believe that the government of the United States will eventually, if need be, take a hand in bringing to pass peace and reconciliation and good government in that land, not by means of war and bloodshed, but by more conciliatory measures, that of being a peacemaker and powerful advisor for good to that poor, degraded people. I do not anticipate peace to be restored there for years to come unless peace can be brought to pass by the intervention of some friendly hired' and greater wisdom than the people themselves possess. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.5 Now in relation to these matters I want to say that our hearts have been touched, our sympathies have been drawn out towards our people of Mexico. We have prayed for them, we have thought of them day and night, and now we feel to say to them that they are at liberty to make homes wherever they can find' suitable locations among their own people and in their own nation, where they have or will have at least an assurance of protection and of civil liberty. Yet we would like them not to lose or to neglect any chance or opportunity to avail themselves of all the rights that belong to them, to be realized hereafter when the time of proper adjustment and righteous judgment shall come to them. I could not advise our people to go back to Mexico under existing circumstances. Indeed, I would advise them not to go back, if I should give advice at all to them, but we wish our brethren to feel at liberty to do just what they feel in their 'hearts will be for their best good. It is the privilege of every individual in this Church to enjoy the spirit of revelation from God Almighty sufficient to guide him in the performance of his duty, and in the doing of that which will be overruled for his best good, and we hope that our brethren will continue to live in possession of this spirit, by which they may be directed in the right path to do the right thing for themselves, the families and their interest, and now be drawn into doing anything that would result in their injury, or the injury of their cause. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.6 Recurring again to the condition of our people of whom I have been speaking, it is hard for them to see why Providence will permit or has permitted conditions to arise that have placed them in the position that they are in. On somewhat parallel lines our people might go back in memory to Ohio and to Missouri and to Illinois, and recall incidents and conditions that existed in those early days by which our people were harassed, mobbed, persecuted, hated and driven away from their possessions both in Ohio, Missouri and in Illinois. It was bard for our people in those times, and under the conditions that then existed, to see where God in His providence designed good for His people in permitting these conditions to exist. But who today will dispute the fact that, although we were compelled to leave Ohio, Missouri and Illinois against our will, our wishes, our interests temporally, as was supposed,--it was for our ultimate good? Which of us will now contend that the overruling providence which brought us to this place was a mistake? None of us! When we look back to it we see clearly, beyond any possible doubt, that the hand of God was in it. And while it was necessary for us to be moved from our footholds on the soil that our fathers had obtained from the government of the United States, and from old settlers, and while we were compelled to do it against our supposed interests--we now see it has resulted in the greatest blessing possible to us and the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.6 What would we have done in Ohio? What room was there for growth and development for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Caldwell County or in Jackson County or in Clay County, Missouri? Where was the chance for this Church to spread abroad, grow and obtain a foothold in the earth, as we possess it today, in the state of Illinois? A populous state, her lands occupied by older inhabitants who were uncongenial and unfriendly. They had no faith in our good intentions, nor in the divinity of our cause. They feared us because the Saints were progressive. The spirit of growth, development and of advancement characterized the life and labors and existence of communities of Latter-day Saints, as it has with our people in Mexico. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.6 In Mexico within a few miles, at the most, of some of the most progressive and beautiful settlements and towns that can be found in our land, which have grown up in a few years by the industry and perseverance of the Latter-day Saints, are old Spanish towns that have existed for hundreds of years that would be unfit for civilized people to dwell in. And these contrasts have been brought to the attention of those degraded people; it has been pointed out to them: "See how these Americans prosper in your land! See how they build mansions!How they build colleges!How they have improved! How they have prospered! And look at your little hovels that you and your fathers have lived in for ages! We want to get rid of these Americans." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.7 That was the spirit of the exhortation given by one of their commanding officers to the rebels, which inspired them to hatred and to plunder. I will venture the prediction that if our good people from Mexico will only maintain the spirit of the Gospel, and will seek to see and observe, in the midst of the clouds that overshadow them today, and acknowledge the hand of God in that which has occurred, by and by if not now, they will see it. They will see that the Lord Almighty has delivered them perhaps from death, and perhaps from something that would be worse than death, if they had been permitted to remain. I do not know. Do not be discouraged. You have friends here, and friends everywhere. You have proven your worth, your intelligence, that you are men and women of high standing among men. You have been patient and forbearing; and when you have had to suffer indignities, you have taken it patiently; when you have been smitten you have not smitten again; when your brethren have been shot down in cold blood you have restrained your passion, you have withheld your wrath, and you have exercised your patience and have been willing to leave these things in the hands of God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.7 Who could do this but men of the highest type in the world? Who could do it except he was inspired by the spirit of the meek and lowly Son of God, who said to the world: "If a man smite you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also," and "return good for evil." Exercise patience, forbearance, long-suffering, forgiveness, for they who would wrong you "know not what they do," any more than those who cried, "Crucify Him and let His blood be upon us and our children." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.7 These miserable people are moved by greed and jealousy, and the spirit of their leaders who are apparently steeped with hatred and envy toward a people that can prosper in a land that will doubtless lie dead and unimproved for centuries to come, as it has in the past, if no one goes there to improve it and to develop it other than the wretched people who inhabit it today. We are not here to shed blood. God has not required of us to take up arms against mankind to defend ourselves by the bayonet or the cannon or the sword. He has given us a chance to get up like gentlemen and come away from the scene of strife, and hypocrisy to where we can find peace and freedom. That is far better than to have the stain of blood upon our hands. We do not want their blood on our hands, nor do we want our blood shed by them. We are not obliged to stay among them, and I hope that wisdom and the spirit of "peace on earth good will to men" will pervade the councils of our nation; that by and by, perchance, an opportunity may open up by which intervention, not by arms, not by war, but by overtures of peace and good will to those people, that they may be brought to a realization of the dreadful conditions they are bringing upon themselves and upon their country. We do not want war, we do not want to see our nation go to war. We would like to see it the arbiter of peace for all nations. We would like to see the government of the United States true to the Constitution, an instrument inspired by the spirit of wisdom from God. We want to see the benignity, the honor, the glory and the good name and the mighty influence for peace of this nation extended abroad, not only over Hawaii and the Philippines, but over the islands of the sea east and west of us. We want to see the power, the influence for good, for elevating mankind, and for the establishment of righteous principles spread out over these poor helpless peoples of the world, establishing peace, good will and intelligence among them, that they may grow to be equal, if possible, to the enlightened nations of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.8 I always thought it was a mistake when one of our administrations turned down the overtures of Hawaii to be annexed to and become a part of the United States. And I admired the wisdom of another administration which admitted them to territorial rights and privileges under the protection of our government. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.8 I think it is our duty to cultivate peace, and to ameliorate the condition of the Filipinos, Hawaiians, Haytians and Cubans, and elsewhere in the world. I believe the time will come when the arm of peace of this nation will be extended to the distracted little southern republics, where a rebellion arises almost every year against their constituted authorities. I hope to see the day when the counsels of peace and good will from this powerful nation will be so recognized by the people of this continent all the way to the south of us, and by the inhabitants of the islands that border upon our coasts, both east and west, that peace and good will and elevation may be brought to pass and established among them through the instrumentality of an enlightened people. And I hope with all my soul that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be loyal in their very hearts and souls, to the principles of the Constitution of our country. From them we have derived the liberty that we enjoy. They have been the means of guaranteeing to the foreigner that has come within our gates, and to the native born, and to all the citizens of this country, the freedom and liberty that we possess. We cannot go back upon such principles as these, we may go back upon those who fail to execute the law as they should. We may be dissatisfied with the decision of judges, and may desire to have them removed out of their places. But the law provides ways and means for all these things to be done under the Constitution of our country, and it is better for us to abide the evils that we have than to fly to greater evils that we know not what the results will be. All we have to do if an officer is not executing the duties of his office righteously is to impeach him or wait till his term of office is out, and then shelve him in the lawful way. The people have the power to leave him out and put a better man in his place, and that is strictly in accordance with the commandments of God contained in the book of D&C. "Wherefore honest men, and wise men should be sought for diligently and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold," in positions of honor and of trust, that they may execute righteousness and prove themselves worthy of the confidence and patronage of the people who elevate them to positions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.8 I believe with all my soul in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in the law of God, and I do not think any honest and intelligent man or woman could help but believe in the justice, the righteousness and the purity of the laws that God wrote upon the tablets of stone. These principles that I propose to read to you are the foundation and basic principles of the Constitution of our country, and are eternal, enduring forevermore, and cannot be changed or ignored with impunity: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 "And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 That is what it means now, and what it meant to the Latter-day Saints and what the Latter-day Saints understood it to mean when they embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." He is the Father of our spirits, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is our God; and we shall not have any other before Him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them, for I, the Lord thy God am a jealous God; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and showing mercy unto them that love me and keep my commandments." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 Infidels will say to you: "How unjust, how unmerciful, how un-Godlike it is to visit the iniquities of the parents upon the children to the third and fourth generations of them that hate God." How do you see it? This way; and it is strictly in accordance with God's law. The infidel will impart infidelity to his children if he can. The whore-monger will not raise a pure, righteous posterity. He will impart seeds of disease and misery, if not of death and destruction, upon his offspring, which will continue upon his children and descend to his children's children to the third and fourth generation. It is perfectly natural that the children should inherit from their fathers, and if they sow the seeds of corruption, crime Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 and loathsome disease, their children will reap the fruits thereof. Not in accordance with God's wishes for His wish is that men will not sin and therefore will not transmit the consequences of their sin to their children, but that they will keep His commandments, and be free from sin and from entailing the effects of sin upon their offspring; but inasmuch as men will not hearken unto the Lord, but will become a law unto themselves, and will commit sin they will justly reap the consequences of their own iniquity, and will naturally impart its fruits to their children to the third and fourth generation. The laws of nature are the laws of God, who is just; it is not God that inflicts these penalties, they are the effects of disobedience to His law. The results of men's own acts follow them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 This is an eternal principle; it is not one that we may obey today and disobey tomorrow, or that we may espouse today as a part of our faith, and abandon tomorrow with impunity. It is a principle that is inherent in the plan of life and salvation, for the regeneration of mankind. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.9 "Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, and in it thou shall not do any work, thou nor thy son nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle," etc. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 That is: "Thou shalt honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy." Do we do it? Is it necessary to do it? It is absolutely necessary to do so in order that we may be in harmony with God's law and commandments; and whenever we transgress that law or that commandment we are guilty of transgressing the law of God. And what will be the result, if we continue? Our children will follow in our footsteps; they will dishonor the command of God to keep one day holy in seven; and will lose the spirit of obedience to the laws of God and His requirements, just as the father will lose it if he continues to violate the commandments. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 When will we ever outgrow that command? When can we set it aside? When shall we reach the time that we can dishonor our father and mother? Never! It is an eternal principle, and I am sorry to say--not sorry for the Japs and for the Chinese, these heathen nations, as we have been in the habit of calling them--I am not sorry for them but for the comparison with them. Those heathen nations set the civilized Christian world an example in the honor they bestow upon their parents, and yet this Christian people and nation and all the Christian nations of the earth, who have the word of the Lord, and the counsels of the Son of God for their guidance, are not leading out in setting an example of obedience, as they should, to this great commandment of the Lord. "Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 Again, "Thou shalt not kill." That is a command of God. It is irrevocable unless He revokes it; you and I can't revoke it; we mustnot transgress it; it is binding upon us. We should not take away the life we cannot restore or give back. It is an eternal, unchangeable law. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Just as unchangeable, just as eternal, for the adulterer hath no place in the kingdom of God, nor can he attain to an exaltation there. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 "Thou shall not steal." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 "Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor anything that is thy neighbor's." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.10 "Thou shalt not covet." We may say we are thankful that the Lord has blessed our neighbor above that which He has blessed us. We may be thankful that the Lord has given to our neighbor greater wisdom and ability to honestly gather to himself. But we should not covet it. We should not be envious, because we are commanded not to be. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.11 Now, these are the commandments of God, the principles contained in these commandments of the great Eternal are the principles that underly the Constitution of our country and all just laws. Joseph Smith, the prophet, was inspired to affirm and ratify this truth, and he further predicted that the time would come, when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints above all other people in the world would come to the rescue of that great and glorious palladium of our liberty. We cannot brook the thought of it being torn into shreds, or destroyed, or trampled under foot and ignored by men. We cannot tolerate the sentiment, at one time expressed by a man, high in authority in the nation. He said: "The Constitution be damned; the popular sentiment of the people is the constitution!" That is the sentiment of anarchism that has spread to a certain extent, and is spreading over "the land of liberty and home of the brave." We do not tolerate it. Latter-day Saints cannot tolerate such a spirit as this. It is anarchy. It means destruction. It is the spirit of mobocracy, and the Lord knows we have suffered enough from mobocracy, and we do not want any more of it. Our people from Mexico are suffering from the effects of that same spirit. We do not want any more of it, and we cannot afford to yield to that spirit or contribute to it in the least degree. We should stand with a front like flint against every spirit or species of contempt or disrespect for the Constitution of our country and the constitutional laws of our land. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.11 Faith in God is an irrevocable principle, just as much as "thou shalt not kill:" "thou shall not steal:" "thou shall not commit adultery." Repentance of sin is an eternal principle and is as essential in its place and is as much an integrant part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as is: "Thou shall not kill," or "Thou shall have no other gods before Me." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.11 Baptism for the remission of sin by one having authority is an eternal principle, for God devised it, and commanded it, and Christ Himself was not above obeying it: He had to obey it in order to fulfil the law of righteousness. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.11 And then the rites of the Priesthood of the Church as the Lord has revealed them, and the principles that underly the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ are irrevocable, unchanging and unchangeable. We talk of the "Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ," which "is the power of God unto salvation," and these principles in and of themselves are eternal principles and will last while life or thought or being lasts or immortality endures. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.11 My brethren and sisters, let us obey the Gospel: let us keep the commandments of God. If we will obey the Truth the Truth will make us free. How free? Free from sin, free from the results of transgressing the law, which is sin, for sin is transgression of the law of God: free from transmitting loathsome diseases: free from every immoral act, and the consequences therefor. Free from bloodshed, and from deceit and hypocrisy. It will make us honest, and devoted to that which is good, to that which we believe and know to he right. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.11 I am for the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and I am willing to leave all other things to the mercy and kindness of the Father to be supplied as He may feel disposed. God bless you is my prayer. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.41 Divine guidance needed in all human affairs. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.41 If my brethren and sisters will indulge me just a moment I have this to say with reference to the discourses we have heard this morning: I believe in all that has been said, and I also believe a little farther than that which has been said. I would like just for a moment to try to express briefly and, very likely, very imperfectly the thought that has occurred to me in relation to one point especially that has been referred to. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.42 I think that in the realms of liberty, and the exercise of human judgment, all men should exercise extreme caution, that they do not change or abolish those things which God has willed and has inspired to he done. It has been in this realm of freedom, and the exercise of human judgment, that most of the evils that have occurred in the world have been done--the martyrdom of saints, the crucifixion of the Son of God Himself, and much of the apostasy and departure from the work of righteousness, and from the laws of God, have occurred in this realm of freedom and the exercise of human judgment. God in His boundless wisdom and gracious mercy has provided means, and has shown the way to the children of men whereby, even in the realms of freedom and the exercise of their own judgment, they may individually go unto God in faith and prayer, and find out what should guide and direct their human judgment and wisdom; and I do not want the Latter-day Saints to forget that this is their privilege. I would rather that they should seek God for a counselor and guide, than to follow the wild harangues of political leaders, or leaders of any other cult. I felt like I ought to say that much: and I know that I am right. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.131 Counsel to men and women holding responsible positions.--Indecent fashions in dress denounced.--Leaders should be examples of righteousness.--Missionaries who have died during last nine months.--Caution against being over-zealous.--Blessings invoked upon all good people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 I desire to thank the good brethren and sisters who have attended this conference, and if the time would permit, without interfering too much with your desire to return to your homes, I would like to make a simple suggestion or two to our Relief Societies, to our Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations, Primary Associations, and our Sunday School, and Religion Class teachers, the presidents of stakes and their counselors, and the high counselors throughout Zion, and the bishops and counselors, and ward teachers throughout the Church, that they set their faces like flint against every spirit of apostasy, every kind of evil, intemperance, the violation of the Sabbath day; and hold in reverence that which is sacred in the eyes of the Lord, and should be held sacred by all Latter-day Saints; to hold sacred also all and every divine and human right; to do unto all men as we would that they should do unto us, and set an example, as members of the Church that will be worthy of emulation by all men and women in the world. I want to say to our Relief Societies, our Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations and our Primary Associations that I desire and sincerely hope they will set their faces like flint against every immoral thing, including the prevailing habit of card-playing, of unbecoming fashions in dressing, of indecent exposure of the human form divine to the lecherous gaze of men; that they clothe themselves in decency, both in public and in private, and that they keep sacred those things which have been conferred upon them in holy places. I ask this, and I would suggest to our Relief Societies, Young Ladies' Improvement Associations, and Primary Associations, that when you find members of your boards indulging in things which are not right, call them to order, admonish them; be gentle and kind, of course, and forbearing and patient; but unless they will conform to the rules of these associations to give out a moral and wholesome influence, to the young people of Israel, let them be dropped and others who will be more exemplary chosen and put in their places. I expect that my sisters will listen to this counsel, for it is not mine; it is the counsel of the spirit and letter of the word of God as we have it in the divine records; it is God's will, and those who are entrusted with these important duties in the Church should be vigilant in guarding the welfare, the happiness, and good name and character of the daughters of Zion. I want presidents of stakes and their counselors to so live their religion that they can say, consistently, to the people of their stakes. "Come and follow me." I desire that the bishops in all the wards will set an example before their people that they will feel proud to emulate; and that when a man having authority in the Church stands up to teach his people that the people will know, "He practises what he preaches; and, therefore, his example and precepts are in force." we would like this: and we hope that you will honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy, that you will reverence the authority of the Priesthood, and magnify it by good works; that you will observe the covenants _you have entered into in sacred places and keep them inviolate; that you will be Latter-day Saints in very deed: that you may he indeed the light of tire world, that is not and cannot be hidden under a bushel, nor in some dark corner, and the salt of the earth. We are coming out in full sight of the world. The eye of God, and the eye of man, is upon this people. We cannot hide ourselves from them. It behooves us to speak right, to think right, to do right, and to work righteousness in every capacity in which we are called to act, in private and in public, that it may be said of us, "They are worthy of their standing and name, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the highest honor that can be given to man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 We regret exceedingly that our beloved brother, George F. Richards, is prostrate on a bed of sickness, and has not, therefore, been able to attend this conference. We invoke the faith and prayers of the Saints in his behalf, that he may speedily recover and resume his duties as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 I will try not to take any more of your time than I can not help. I would like to mention the names, here, of some of our missionaries who have fallen in the mission field within the last six months, or since January 1, 1912: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 Elder Mons P. Larson, of Spring City, died in the New Zealand mission, April 26, 1912, of typhoid fever; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 John Leonard Hill, of Mapleton, Utah, killed by a train, at Dickson, West Virginia, January 8, 1912; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 Nephi Robert Olsen, of Lovell, Wyoming, died in the Swedish mission, February 13, 1912; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 George O. Blake, of the twenty-second ward, this city, died at Hamburg, Germany, April 18, 1912, of typhoid fever; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 Joseph W. Maynes, of Waterloo ward, this city, died in the British mission, June 16, 1912, of heart failure; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 Thomas J. Cove, of Thatcher, Arizona, drowned in Buchannan, Georgia, Southern States Mission, July 4th, this year; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.133 Royal P. Oldham, of Paradise, Utah, drowned, at Charleston, West Virginia, October 2d, this month. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.134 I am sorry to say it, but if these two boys, recently drowned, had kept away from those rivers, where they had no special duty, or calling, they would not have been drowned as they were. I would like it to be understood by the presidents of missions, and by the elders, that are out in the world, that it is not a good thing, neither is it at all wise for our elders to go out on excursions, on dangerous lakes, or streams, or bodies of water, just for fun. They had better keep away. The Lord will protect them in the discharge of their duty: and if they are more careful of their health, there will not be so many of them become a prey to disease. We know of some of the incidents that were the cause of the death of some of our brethren who have passed away in the mission field. They lacked caution. They did not exercise the best wisdom and judgment. They went too far for their strength, and were not as careful of themselves as they ought to have been. I do not speak this to blaine these brethren. I have not the least doubt but they have done according to the best wisdom they possessed; but there is such a thing as overdoing. A man may fast and pray till he kills himself; and there isn't any necessity for it; nor wisdom in it. I say to my brethren, when they are fasting, and praying for the sick, and for those that need faith and prayer, do not go beyond what is wise and prudent in fasting and prayer. The Lord can hear a simple prayer, offered in faith, in half a dozen words, and he will recognize fasting that may not continue more than twenty-four hours, just as readily and as effectually as He will answer a prayer of a thousand words and fasting for a month. Now, remember it. I have in mind elders now on missions, anxious to excel their associates, each wants to get the most "red marks" of credit, and so he will exert himself beyond his strength; and it is unwise to do it. The Lord will accept that which is enough, with a good deal more pleasure and satisfaction than that which is too much and unnecessary. It is good to be earnest, good to be diligent, to persevere, and to be faithful all the time, but we may go to extremes in these things; when we do not need to. The Word of Wisdom dictates that when we become weary we should stop and rest. When we are threatened with exhaustion, through over-exertion, wisdom would caution us to wait, to stop; not to take a stimulant to urge us on to greater extremes, go where we can retire and rest and recuperate according to the laws of nature. That is the best way to do. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.134 Now, I do not blame my dear brethren who have met with death abroad; yet, I wish that they could and would escape it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.134 (Notice respecting German meeting read by the President, after which he spoke as follows:) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.134 I sincerely hope and pray that my German brethren and sisters will maintain the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in humility, and faith, that it will help them to keep in good standing before the Lord, despite the efforts of some of their brethren to mislead them from the truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p.134 I thank God for our conference, for the good words that have been spoken, and for the honor that has been shown the cause of truth and the presiding authorities of the Church, on the part of the people who have attended; the good spirit that has pervaded our meetings, the joy that we have felt in looking upon your faces, and the pleasure that I trust you have also felt in being present during the conference. God bless this people and all the good of the earth, and overrule all the acts of men to praise Him and to ultimately bring to pass glorious results and His righteous will, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.2 Presence, and vigor, of so many faithful Church workers a cause for thankfulness.--Responsibilities and duties of Church officers and members defined and enumerated.--Church rule is that transgressors be tried by local authorities.--Brotherly kindness to by manifest in dealing with wrong-doers.--Church organization perfect, because divinely established.--Auxiliary organizations subject to the Priesthood.--Discountenance watching for evil, encourage the good. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.3 It is with a degree of weakness, of timidity and a sense of dependence upon the Lord that I stand before you this morning at the opening of the Eighty-third anniversary of the April Conference of the Church. I feel entirely dependent, and without forethought, upon the promptings of the Spirit of the Lord for what I may be led to say to you. I cannot pass without expressing my gratitude to the Lord for the preservation of our lives and for the many temporal as well as spiritual blessings that we all enjoy this morning on assembling here, in this tabernacle on this very interesting and important occasion. I feel very grateful, myself, for the blessings that I enjoy personally, for the measure of health and strength I possess, and for the spiritual life that I feel in the work in which we are engaged. I feel grateful, too, that our beloved brother Anthon H. Lund, who has been unwell for a season, is so far recovered as to he able to attend with us here this morning enjoying an increased measure of health. It is also a source of great pleasure and gratitude to me that we have with us, in the vigor of youth, our beloved brother, Charles W. Penrose, now past his eighty-first year, and yet looking very much younger than many of us younger men, that is, younger in years, not younger mentally nor physically, but merely in years. It is also a source of congratulation and of thankfulness that we have with us the brethren of the twelve, with the exception of Elder Smoot, (who is engaged in a good cause and is doing much in the way of the moral uplift of mankind as well as in the service of the people of his state, for his influence, his personal habits, his manner of life, his spirit are sermons for good among all his associates, and his example is always praiseworthy; and Rudger Clawson, who is presiding over the European Mission, and is in the discharge of his duty as faithfully as it is possible for any man to be, and is doing a good work in his mission field. The brethren of the Seventies are with us, all of them I believe, in possession of vigor and health and the spirit of their calling, and mission; and we have also with us the Presiding Bishopric, enjoying the same blessings, together with the Presiding Patriarch a youth who is developing commendably in the performance of his duties, and bids fair of being a light that shall shine in his pathway, to those who are seeking after the truth. Then it is a source of gratitude to me that I can look upon so many of the presidents of the stakes of Zion as are assembled here this morning at this opening session of our Conference. We have now, organized, sixty-four stakes of Zion, and a very large proportion of the presidencies of those stakes are present with us this morning, many of whom are becoming, like some of the rest of us, aged in the service in which they have been engaged for many years, and it is gratifying to me to have the privilege of meeting with them and of offering a greeting of welcome into this house of the Lord this morning; and I sincerely invoke the blessings of our heavenly Father upon these men, upon whom rests so great responsibility in exercising the rights of presidency over the stakes over which they preside. Then I look out over this great congregation and see a large number of the bishops of the Church, assembled here to represent the people of their wards, many of whom, of course, have not the privilege of attending this conference on account of the distance from their homes. I congratulate you presidents of stakes and your counselors, members of the high councils of the various stakes of Zion, on your presence here, and I trust that in your participations in the conference you may be filled with joy and satisfaction, and that it may be a time of refreshing to you as well as to all the saints. In connection with these also we have with us the various organizations in the priesthood from the high priests down to the elders in the Church representing the high priests and the seventies and the elders and the patriarchs, many of whom I suppose are here today to add to the number of those who have come to attend the conference and to take part in the duties thereof, together with the bishoprics and the lesser priesthood, many of whom are here. The strength of Israel I apprehend is here today, representing the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not only in the organized stakes of Zion, but in many of the missions in the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.4 I need not say to my brethren engaged in the ministry that it is expected of them that one and all will attend to the labors and be true to the responsibilities that rest upon them in the discharge of their duties as officers in the Church. We expect that the presidencies of the stakes of Zion will be exemplars to the people. We expect them of a truth to be fathers unto those over whom they preside, men of wisdom, of sound judgment, impartial and just, men who will indeed qualify themselves, or who are indeed qualified by their natural endowments and by the inspiration from God which it is their privilege to enjoy, to preside in righteousness and to sit in righteous judgment over all matters brought to their attention or that may legitimately belong to their office and calling. We anticipate the same fidelity, the same faithfulness, the same intelligent administration of their duties from the bishops and their counselors, and indeed upon these rests perhaps the greatest possible responsibility, for the reason that they are expected by their presidencies to attend to the various interests and needs of their people. It is expected of a bishop to know all the people that reside in his ward, not only those that are faithful members of the Church, diligent in the performance of their duties and prominent by their good acts, but to know those who are cold and indifferent, those who are lukewarm, those who are inclined to err and to make mistakes, and not only these, but it is expected that the bishops through their aides in their wards, will become acquainted, not only with their members, male and female, but that they will know also the stranger that is within their gates and be prepared to minister solace, comfort, good counsel, wisdom and every other aid possible to be rendered to those that are in need, whether they are of the household of faith or are strangers to the truth. So that there is a great deal expected of the bishops and their counselors and the elders and lesser priesthood in their wards whom they call to their aid in administering to the people both spiritually and temporally, and I want to remark in this connection that it is the duty of these bishops and of the presidencies of the stakes of Zion, together with their high councils, to administer justice and right judgment to every member of their wards and of their stakes. Included in this are the high priests and the seventies and the elders and the apostles and the patriarchs and the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No man who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or who has a standing in the Church as a member, is exempt from his responsibilities as a member and his allegiance to the bishop of the ward in which he dwells. I am as much bound to acknowledge my bishop as a member of the ward in which I dwell, as the humblest and latest member of the Church. No man who claims to be a member of the Church in good standing, can ride above or become independent of the authority that the Lord Almighty has established in His Church. This watch-care of the people, of their right living, of their fidelity to their covenants and to the gospel of Jesus Christ, belongs to the presidents of stakes and their counselors and the high councils, or members of the high council, to the bishop and his counselors and the teachers of his ward. Then we have the organizations of the holy priesthood. We have the council of the first presidency consisting of three presiding high priests who are called of God and appointed to preside over the Church and over the priesthood of God, and I want to say here that it does not follow and never has followed that the members of the first presidency of the Church are necessarily to be ordained apostles. They hold by virtue of their rights as presidents of the Church all the keys and all the authority that pertains to the Melchisedek priesthood, which comprehends and comprises all of the appendages to that priesthood, the lesser priesthood and all the offices in the priesthood from first to last and from least to greatest; and I would to the Lord that some of our would-be wise men would learn this truth and establish the same in their minds that they might not everlastingly be at sea in regard to it and always asking questions of the most nonsensical kind with reference to the rights of the priesthood. All you have to do is to read the revelations through the Prophet Joseph Smith, giving to the Church the authorities of the priesthood that God has restored in the latter day. It is as perfect, as plain as the A. B. C's of our language and only needs to be read with the spirit of understanding to be perfectly comprehended. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.7 The duty of the twelve apostles of the Church is to preach the gospel to the world, to send it to the inhabitants of the earth and to bear testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as living witnesses of His divine mission. That is their special calling and they are always under the direction of the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when that presidency is intact, and there is never at the same time two equal heads in the Church--never. The Lord never ordained any such thing, nor designed it. There is always a head in the Church, and if the presidency of the Church are removed by death or other cause, then the next head of the Church is the twelve apostles until a presidency is again organized of three presiding high priests who have the right to hold the office of first presidency over the Church and, according to the doctrine laid down by President Wilford Woodruff, who saw the necessity for it, and that of President Lorenzo Snow, if the president should die, his counselors are then released from that presidency, and it is the duty of the twelve apostles to proceed at once, in the manner that has been pointed out, to see that the First presidency is reorganized, so that there may be no deficiency in the working and order of the priesthood in the Church. Now again, the bishoprics, and the presidents of stakes, have exclusive jurisdiction over the membership or the standing of men and women in their wards and in their stakes. I want to state that pretty plain--that is to say, it is not my duty, it is not the duty of the seven presidents of seventies, nor of the council of the twelve apostles, to go into a stake of Zion and try for membership or for standing in the Church, any member of a stake or ward. We have no business to do it; it belongs to the local authorities and they have ample authority to deal with the membership in their Wards and in their stakes. The bishops may try an elder for misconduct, for un-Christianlike conduct, for apostasy, or for wickedness of any kind that would disqualify him for membership in the Church, and they may pass upon him their judgment that he is unworthy of fellowship in the Church, and they may withdraw from him their fellowship. Then they may refer his case to the Presidency and High Council, and it will be the duty of the Presidency and High Council of the stake to deal with him, even to the extent of excommunication from the Church; and there is no remedy for this, only the right of appeal to the Presidency of the Church. If there may be perchance any injustice, and partiality, lack of information or understanding on the part of the bishopric, which may not be corrected and therefore might be perpetuated by the decision of the High Council, and the party aggrieved does not feel that he has had justice dealt out to him, he then has a right, under the laws of the Church, to appeal to the Presidency of the Church, but not otherwise. We want it distinctly understood that we cannot hear the complaints of members of the Church against their bishops, nor against their presidents, nor against their fellow members in the Church. If we were to yield to a thing of this kind we would usurp and do away with the authority of the Bishops and with the Presidencies of the stakes, and we would have the responsibility of trying any or all the members of the Church, who might have troubles to adjust, and that would be a practical impossibility; we could not do it; and then, it would not be right to do it, because God has designed it the other way. The Lord has given us a more perfect organization than that. Therefore, we want the cranks and the crazy folks, the insane, if there are any, who wish to step over their Bishops and their Presidents to the Presidency of the Church, or to the Twelve, to distinctly understand that if they do so, we will refer their case to their local authorities to be dealt with on the ground, where the evidence can be had pro and con and where justice can be meted out to them. We have enough to do, goodness knows, without listening to the complaints and cries, mournings and bickerings of individuals everywhere, however few, comparatively. The limits of the Church are now spread out and extended to the islands of the sea and to distant continents and countries, for the gospel is being preached to the nations of the world, and we cannot hear all the complaints of individuals. The Lord has organized these councils in the Church, such as the bishops' councils and the high councils, with the presidencies in the Church, to take care of the people to see that no injustice is done by one to another in the Church, to see that no unrighteousness exists that can be averted or that can be corrected and to see that justice and judgment and righteousness shall reign in the organizations of the Church and no wickedness or vileness be permitted to linger and corrode the body of the Church by neglect of being dealt with in the proper way. Not that we should injure, or hurt, or oppress--the furtherest thought in the world from my heart is oppression. No man should be oppressed. No authority of the Priesthood can he administered or exerted in any degree of unrighteousness, without offending God. Therefore, when we deal with men we should not deal with them in anger. We should not deal with them with prejudice in our minds against them. We should dismiss prejudice, dispel anger from our hearts, and when we try our brethren for membership or fellowship in the Church we should do it dispassionately, charitably, lovingly, kindly, with a view to save and not to destroy. That is our business; our business is to save the World, to save mankind, to bring them into harmony with the laws of God and with principles of righteousness and of justice and truth, that they maybe saved in the kingdom of our God and become, eventually, through obedience to the ordinances of the gospel, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. That is our mission. Now then we have our high-priests' quorums or councils, and we have our Seventies' Councils and our elders, and then we have the councils of the priests, teachers and deacons in the Lesser Priesthood. These councils each and all in their organized capacity have jurisdiction over the fellowship of the members of these councils--if the member is an elder, or if a man has a standing in the Seventies' quorum, or is a member of the High Council, or the High Priests' quorum, and he is misbehaving himself, shows a lack of faith, a lack of reverence for the position he holds in his Council, or quorum, his fellowship in that quorum to which he belongs, or his standing should be looked after or enquired into, for he is amenable to his quorum for his good standing and fellowship in it. So that we have the check that the Lord has placed upon members of the Church, and when I say members of the Church I mean me, I mean the apostles, I mean the high priests, and the seventies, and elders. I mean everybody that is a member of the Church; and I say that when these members of the Church are in error or doing wrong we have the check on them in the first place in the wards, bishops look after them, then their quorums to which they belong have jurisdiction and they are required to look after them too, and then after the quorums look after them the Presidencies of the stakes look after them and see that they are helped, that they are strengthened, that they are admonished, that they are warned and that they are applauded when they do their duties and keep the commandments of the Lord. So the Lord has placed a great many checks upon the members of the Church with a view to teaching them right principles, to help them to do right, to live right and to be pure, and clean from the sins of the world, that the body of the Church may be perfected, that it may be free from disease, from all contagious evils, just as the body of the man Christ Jesus is free from all taint, evil, and sin. So God has placed these safeguards in the Church from the deacons to the apostles, and to the Presidency of the Church, with a view of persuading men and women to keep themselves pure and unspotted from the world and to help them to be faithful to their covenants entered into with one another and with their God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.7 What a wonderful organization it is! Whoever has thought of it except he whom the Lord revealed it to? When did it ever exist in its perfection before as it exists today? And to whom are we indebted for the intelligence, wisdom and knowledge that has perfected this organization and established it for the government and the upbuilding of Zion and for purification of man-kind--to whom are we indebted? To the Lord God Almighty, to the Son of God who spoke to Joseph, the prophet, by Iris own voice and by the voice of messengers sent to him, by whom Joseph was instructed and enlightened and empowered to effect an organization such as the world never knew before, unless it was in the days of Enoch. Even the principles that were taught to Enoch have been revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith; but the people are not prepared for them and so they are postponed, delayed, or shelved for the time being, and we are trying to work ourselves up to the standard before God, or to the point in which we will be worthy to engage in the order of Enoch, in which we may become more perfect than we can possibly be under the present system that we are governed by. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.7 Now, much more might be said. I have in mind our auxiliary organizations, what are they? Helps to the standard organizations of the Church. They are not independent. I want to say to the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, and to the Relief Society, and to the Primaries, and to the Sunday Schools, and Religion Classes, and all the rest of the organizations in the Church, that not one of them is independent of the Priesthood of the Son of God, not one of them can exist a moment in the acceptance of the Lord when they withdraw from the voice and from the counsel of those who hold the Priesthood and preside over them. They are subject to the powers and authority of the Church, and they are not independent of them: nor can they exercise any rights in their organizations independently of the Priesthood and of the Church: and I want you to take it home to you now--every one of you. You may hear something stronger than that from me if you don't. I have had a good deal of patience about some things, but there is a point at which patience ceases to be a virtue, and then it will become necessary to act, or advise at least. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.8 Now let every man do his duty: let every president of a stake, and every counselor to him, and every bishop and his counselors and every member of the high council; let every presidency of the high priests and seventies, and elders and all the general authorities of the Church do their duty, be faithful, humble and diligent in the performance of the labor that is required of them, be watchmen indeed upon the towers of Zion, watching for virtues, watching for uprightness, watching for justice, watching for truth. Change the focus of your view, and of your eyes, from watching for evil to watching for that which is good, that which is pure, and leading and prompting those who err into that path which has no error in it, and that will not admit of mistakes. Look for good in men, and where they fail to possess it try, to build it up in them; try to increase the good in them; look for the good; build up the good; sustain the good; and speak as little about the evil as you possibly can. It does not do any good to magnify evil, to publish evil or to promulgate it by tongue or pen. There is no good to be obtained by it. It is better to bury the evil and magnify the good, and prompt all men to forsake evil and learn to do good; and let our mission be to save mankind and to teach in and guide to the paths of righteousness, and not to sit as judges and pass judgment upon evil doers, but rather be saviors of men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.8 I did not expect to talk long to you this morning, when I got up. I only expected to say a few words and sit down: but I feel it in my heart; my soul is in it, and I know the truth, and I want to live it. If there are any of my friends who can show me where I fail, oh come to, me like a brother, not fault-finding, but come to me as a savior upon Mount Zion and show me my errorand give me a chance by the aid of your counsel and advice to me to overcome the evil you see in me, whether you see it literally or whether you simply imagine it. Let me learn to do right by your help. Don't crush me down. Don't discard me. Don't throw me over into the scrap pile because you think I am not as perfect as I ought to be. Rather be patient with my imperfections, and try to help me to overcome them and to live nearer unto the Lord than ever before. That is the part of a savior upon Mount Zion. I am talking to the priesthood and to the Latter-day Saints, and to those that preside in the Church, and to those that exercise authority in the midst of the people. Go and do the will of the Father, that you may know the truth and that the truth may make you free, and also that you may walk in the light as Christ is in the light, that you may have fellowship with each other and that you may also have fellowship with God and Christ, and that the blood of the Son of God may cleanse you from all sin. This is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.27 I do not think that President Rich will take any exception to a remark that I would like to make in connection with John's reference to the Lord, or to God being a spirit. I think the fact is that even a man and, a very ordinary man, is a spirit: and if you want any evidence of it, just remove his spirit and look at what remains. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.65 There is no necessity for me to bear my testimony to every word and sentiment that has been expressed this morning by President Charles W. Penrose, for the simple reason that every Latter-day Saint in this audience knows, by the testimony of the Spirit of God, that he has taught us the Truth as the Lord has revealed it, and the standard doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from which there can be no variation in righteousness. And I simply wanted to give expression to this fact, for it is true. I thank the Lord for such men as President Penrose and others we have, who have made a life study of the principles and ordinances of the gospel, the order of the priesthood, the rights of the members of the Church, and the order of government therein, and who are enabled by the blessings of the Lord, to express themselves freely and to convey these principles in such unmistakable clearness to the understanding of the people. I feel very grateful this morning for all that we have heard, and again, although there is no necessity for it, I bear my testimony without reserve to the truths that have been uttered here today. Not only so, but I also endorse and bear testimony to the sincerity and earnestness of those who have spoken, and to the most excellent spirit that has been manifested during our entire conference; by the presidents of the missions, and by a few of the presidents of the stakes of Zion who have spoken to us. I would be glad if we had time to listen to those of the sixty-four presidents of the stakes of Zion, who are present in this conference. I would be delighted to have all the people hear the testimony of these men, to whom is entrusted by the Church and by the inspiration of the Almighty, the responsibility of presiding in the household of faith. They are men of truth, of honor, of virtue, and of uprightness; men who enjoy inspiration from God, men who exercise the privileges that belong to their office and calling, and can speak, as the Lord inspires them to speak, the truth to the people, and we pray that the people will give heed to their teachings and uphold and sustain them in their callings. The Lord bless the presiding officers of the Church throughout all the organized stakes of Zion, and throughout all the missions of the world, is my humble prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.119 If it may not be considered intrusion, I would like to supplement, in a few words, the remarks that have just been made. The house of the Lord is a house of order and not a house of confusion; and that means, that the man is not without the woman in the Lord, neither is the woman without the man in the Lord; and that no man can be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God without the woman, and no woman can reach perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God, alone. That is What it means. God instituted marriage in the beginning. He made man in His own image and likeness, male and female, and in their creation it was designed that they should be united together in sacred bonds of marriage, and one is not perfect without the other. Furthermore, it means that there is no union for time and eternity that can be consummated outside of the law of God and the order of His house. Men may desire it, they may go through the form of it in this life, but it will be of non effect except it be done and sanctioned by divine authority, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. It is my pleasure to read to the congregation a message that I have received today from Washington, D.C.: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.119 April 5th, 1913. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.119 "President Joseph F. Smith: "I have been thinking all day of home and our general conference. I am with you all in spirit, if not in person. May the spirit of unity, of prayer, of charity, of toleration and loyalty prevail. I ask God's blessings upon our nation, upon our state, and our Church, upon you and the brethren, and upon every honest man. "REED SMOOT." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.119 This is from New York. April 5th, also: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.119 "President Joseph F. Smith, Salt Lake, Utah: Please accept my most friendly greetings, loyal regards, and faith and prayers for yourself, the brethren, and all the Saints. "JOHN W. YOUNG." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.119 This is his semi-annual message; and I am glad to receive that much from John W. Young, for he is a son of President Brigham Young; I wish he had the humility, and wisdom, and disposition to come home and live with the Saints. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1913, p.125 There is only time for one thing more, and that is an expression from this vast congregation as to their feeling relative to our conference. I move that it be the sense of this vast assembly that this has been one of the best conferences that we have ever had in the Church. (Motion seconded.) All in favor will signify it. Contrary by the same sign. I see no contrary vote, it is unanimous. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.1 The Gospel unchanged from beginning of creation--Much time wasted on trivial things--Users of tobacco and intoxicants scathingly reprimanded--God's words, "not good for man," should suffice--Vigorous protest against infamous fashions in dress--Glorious magnitude of Christ's mission--Truths revealed in greater fulness to this generation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.2 I sincerely hope that the true Spirit of our Lord may dwell bounteously with us during this session of our eighty-fourth semi-annual conference. I feel very grateful for the privilege I enjoy of being present with you this morning, in possession of a reasonable degree of health and vigor of body and mind. For every blessing bestowed upon me, for every privilege I enjoy, I feel deeply indebted to the Great Giver of every good and perfect gift. I hope that while I stand before you, the Spirit of the Lord may prompt me to give expression to such thoughts as shall be suited to the occasion. I feel this morning as I have felt almost all my life, but I feel it stronger this morning, perhaps, than ever before, that there is nothing under the heavens of so much importance to me or to the children of men as the great plan of life and salvation, which was devised in the heavens in the beginning, and which has been handed down from period to period through the inspiration of holy men called of God until the day of the coming of the Son of man, for this Gospel and this plan of salvation was revealed to our first parents. The angel of God carried to them the plan of redemption, and of salvation from death and sin that has been revealed from time to time by divine authority to the children of men, and it has undergone no change. There was nothing in it, in the beginning, that was superfluous or unnecessary: nothing in it that could be dispensed with; it was a complete plan devised in the beginning by the wisdom of the Father and the holy ones for the redemption of the human race and for their salvation and exaltation in the presence of God. It was taught more fully, and exemplified more perfectly in the being, life and mission, instruction and doctrine, given by the Son of God, than ever before, unless there may be an exception in the days of Enoch: but through all the generations of time, the same Gospel, the same plan of life and salvation, the same ordinances, burial with Christ, remembrance of the great sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the world and for man's redemption, has been handed down from time to time from the time of the creation. This is not simply my opinion, I am but tittering the truths contained in the revelations of God to inspired men in the various ages in which he has spoken to the world. And in this dispensation, of the latter days, this same Gospel, this same plan of life and salvation has been renewed, or revealed anew, unto men, and fully restored with all its gifts, powers and graces, rights and privileges, necessary for the preparation of mankind to live as God requires them to live in this world, and to prepare themselves for an inheritance of glory, exaltation, dominion and power in the world to come. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.3 My earnest desire is, and has been from my youth up, and it is growing stronger and stronger as the years accumulate to me, to hear my testimony, and to declare to men, as far as it lies in my power, that God has given to us the truth. His truth, for His word is truth; Jesus Himself so declared it. He said: "My word is truth," and wherever we can find the word of God, or reach out and comprehend His law which is His word, for His word is His law, and His law is the word of God to all men,--wherever we can find it, and can comprehend and embrace it, we comprehend and embrace the truth. The trouble seems to lie with mankind as to their ability to grasp the truth, and as to the earnestness of their souls to desire the truth and to seek after it with all their hearts, that they may put the seeking of it before the seeking after those things which perish. Think of it, how many hours, how many days and months we spend, as the children of God, in the pursuit of the temporalities of life, in devoting our thoughts to those things which pertain to the present temporal life or existence, not the spiritual existence, or that portion or particular part of the temporal existence which pertains to, and is a part of, the spiritual existence of man. Men and women talk, they use their tongues and their lips very much in conversation and in the expressions of their views and thoughts which pertain only to worldly things, to trivial matters, of no value, to the groveling things, so to speak, of the world, and devote very few moments to useful and uplifting thought and very few words Comparatively, are spoken by them which pertain to the eternal, everlasting growth, development and happiness of mankind. We think of the world, of the present, we think more about the farm, the bank, the merchandizing, about our flocks and our herds, more in regard, to the temporalities of life, than we think about the principles of eternal truth that make for the salvation, happiness and well-being, temporally and spiritually, of our souls. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.3 My feeling, my earnest desire for good, is stronger than ever. It grows with age. I see more clearly today than ever before, the end of my mission in the world, that my time is growing shorter. I reflect upon the past, and often wonder how much of the valuable time the Lord has allotted to me in this life, have I wasted in folly and useless things: and how much of it have I employed in that which was essential to my salvation, to my growth and development in the knowledge of God and in the understanding of His truth? I assure you that while it is true that, for the most part of my life, I have been engaged in this ministry, in the work of the Lord, to the best of my understanding, and the ability that the Lord has given me, when I look back upon my life I can see milch wasted time, many unimproved moments, numerous things that I have engaged in that were comparatively, at least, unnecessary and hurtful rather than beneficial, and yet nothing that was seriously wrong. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.3 There are many things today indulged in by mankind, and by too many of those who have professed belief in the divine mission of The Christ and of His servant Joseph Smith, that are not only contrary to the word of the Lord, and in opposition to the Spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but are both in opposition to the Spirit of the Lord and in opposition to the life and health and purity of the souls of men. Some of these evils seem to be growing amongst us. Go where I will or where I do--and I am going from week to week and from month, to month, here and there, in the discharge of my duty--I see evidences of great disrespect to the requirements of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I not only see it among the adult citizens of the kingdom, and members of the Church, but I see the bad effects of the example that these adult members of the Church are having upon the youth of Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.4 It is neither my wish nor purpose to advertise the weaknesses and imperfections of those who should be Latter-day Saints, and whose lives should be absolutely above reproach; it is not my wish nor desire to magnify the weaknesses and the imperfections of men; but I see things, day after day, which I think should be corrected, as far as it is possible for them to be corrected. Let me, without doing it in the spirit of accusation, without charging evil upon the people, speak of some of the things I see, to some extent. I thank the Lord that the evil is no more extensive than it is; I am very grateful that it is confined within the limits to which it is confined. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.4 There is a revelation in the D&C of the Church, a simple statement of the will of the Lord; it is called the Word of Wisdom. We haven't preached about it very much of late, it has been left to itself, so far as I have heard. We have been preaching faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins; we have been preaching the necessity of looking up the genealogy of the people called Latter-day Saints, looking after their ancestors, gathering the names of their progenitors and of their kindred, and the associates and friends of their kindred, in order that they might administer in the ordinances of the house of God in their behalf, according to the scriptures of divine truth, that they may have the privilege of living according to God in the spirit and be judged according to men in the flesh. We have been preaching honor, uprightness, virtue and devotion to right, but we have not specifically named this simple law of God given to us, for the purity of our own lives, that we might be free from the contaminations that the partaking of those things "which are not good for man" will entail upon us. I see those in our midst, I don't know that they are Latter-day Saints, I don't know that they are the children of Latter-day Saints, but I see in our midst those who indulge in the foolish, injurious, uncleanly practice, of smoking tobacco, smoking cigarettes, or cigars, or the old pipe, so strong and unsavory, that they become noxious to the nostrils of men not addicted to the use of it. I see it apparently increasing amongst us. I see a young man with a cigar in his mouth--a habit that has become so common that today you can't go into a hotel dining room, and sit down to partake of a meal, even in a first-class hotel, or in any hotel, dining room or restaurant among the people of our times, without being nauseated while eating your meal with the vile perfume of tobacco. Many men have adopted the habit of using these things at their meals until it has become common. The fact seems to be that the man who does not do it is the exception. Now this does not apply to Latter-day Saints at all, and to those called "Mormons," only to avery limited extent, for I hold that Latter-day Saints have more regard for themselves and have more respect for the wishes of others, and especially more respect for womankind than to go into a dining room and there befoul the air to be breathed by the gentler sex by the nauseous use of tobacco, and by the fetid breath of those who are in the habit of using it. I would rather smell iodo-form than the breath of a man that smokes tobacco, and I think iodo-form is one of the worst things that I ever did smell. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.5 President George Q. Cannon. often said to me and to others that he would rather be shut up with a skunk than be shut up in a smoking car with smokers. What right has a man to befoul with his nauseous breath the air that I breathe ? What right have I to make noxious the air that you breathe? I have no right to do it, and you have a right to protest against my doing it, and to show those who are in the habit of doing these things your contempt for their practices, if you have any respect for them. You should show at least your contempt for that which they do foolishly, for their practice is wrong, pernicious and they are unmindful of the rights of others. I have thought seriously that a boy or man who has become addicted to the use of tobacco in any form, to the extent that be is unable to resist his appetite for it, or who has practiced it until he is unable to resist or overcome it, is a man who is so mentally weakened, so morally degraded that be is not competent to perform, and would not be worthy to be entrnsted with any responsible duty. Why? because a man who has become so weak-minded and irresolute that he cannot overcome the temptation to do wrong or resist the power of an acquired, vicious appetite for poison, how can he be trusted ? It is a weakness, a degradation that sinks far below the ordinary weaknesses of mankind, and therefore, the person who is so enslaved to vitiated appetites for poisonous, hurtful things that he cannot overcome them, being a slave to a pernicious habit, a degrading practice--that he cannot rise above it, how dare you trust him? How can you entrust to one whose mind has become so weakened, so vitiated and so degraded, that he is not his own master, but an irresolute slave to unholy passion, any trust that requires honor, strength of manhood, determination, and will-power to resist evil and temptation to do wrong ? You can't do it. You can't trust a man who has not the power of will to say "no" to temptation, to do evil or to that which entices to evil; he is only worthy of condemnation, and you cannot safely trust him, and you ought not to trust him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.5 The same can truly be said of the man who is in the habit of using intoxicating liquors; the same principle and argument apply perhaps more thoroughly to one who is given to drunkenness than to one who is only given to the use of tobacco, and yet, in perhaps ninety-nine cases out of the hundred, the man who is in the habit of using tobacco will also be found using intoxicating drinks, thus adding to his weakness, his instability, proof upon proof of his unworthiness to be entrusted with anything of importance. Oh, my brethren and sisters, will you, if possible prevent to it, permit your sons to indulge in these infamous practices which the Lord says are not good for them ? Which He says are injurious to them. Tobacco was not intended for such use; it is intended for bruises and sick cattle, but not for the stomach, not for the appetite of man, and we ought not to use it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 Then you may go from these practices to lesser evils, perhaps, and yet not always very much less because some people have become so addicted to the use of coffee that they do not have the power to resist its temptation. If it were set before them they could not say, "No thank you, I don't want it." But if they were asked, "Will you take coffee, or will you have tea?" they will say: "Well, yes, please." Why ? Because they are in the habit of it, and they can't say "No." I have noticed this in the society of so-called "good Latter-day Saints." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 Not long ago, in the line of duty, we visited more than one good family, and when we sat down to their generous tables they said: "Now, what will you have to drink ?" Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 "Why, I take water to drink." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 "Well, won't you have anything else to drink?" Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 "No, I thank you, water is my beverage, I drink water." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 "Well, but the water is not very good, there has been rain and it is riley, will you have a little something else to drink ?" Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 "No, water will do." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 "Well, we haven't got so far along that we can do on water, we still have to have our coffee." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 And so they drank their coffee, while we took water and enjoyed if; and while the water did not altogether agree with my taste. I believe I stood it as well as some who drank their coffee. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 I hope my good brethren are here to hear me, for I would like them to know just how I feel and think about it. I would like to say it broadly enough so that everybody can bear it: the Lord says these things are not good, the law of God says they are not necessary, that they are harmful. The law of nature tells you they are not good because they are poisonous--mild poison perhaps, but poisonous. I remember very distinctly, on one occasion, a good brother who took too much morphine as medicine. The doctor was sent for, he said, "have you some coffee?" "Yes." "Go and make some coffee, asstrong as you can." And they began to administer strong coffee to the man under the influence of morphine. What for? Why they say that "like cures like" and it took another kind of poison to counteract the poison that was in his system. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 I deplore the evidence that I see, wherever I see it, of disrespect or indifference to the things that the Lord has said are not good for man. I would that all Latter-day Saints especially, and that all mankind in general, would be willing to learn what God has said is good for man, and then, having learned it, would be obedient to the word of the Lord and keep His law--I wish we could. It is my duty to teach this principle, to advocate this doctrine, to implore the brethren and sisters to obey the law of God, and thereby receive His blessing, and the fulfilment of the promise that He has made to the children of men, namely: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.6 "That all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel, and marrow in their bones, and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint; and I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." (Doc. and Cov. 89:18-21.) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.7 Another thing, how could an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ go where there are afflicted ones to anoint them with holy oil, to lay hands upon them and pray for them that "the prayer of faith might save the sick and the Lord raise them up," when lie knows that lie is contaminated with the use of things that God has said are not good for him? When he knows that he is not in harmony with the will of the Lord, nor with His law ? It is the fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth and is effectual, not the prayer of the impure and unrighteous: he could not do it, as Christ did it, for He was without sin, and in harmony with God's purposes always. When He spoke it was as one pure as God Himself. Why should He not have power to give hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind ? Why should He not have power to cleanse the leper and to raise the dead? since there was no sin in Him and He was in perfect harmony and unison with God, with the laws of life and health and godliness ? Why should He not have power? But you say, "He was the Son of God?" So are you the sons of God, and the daughters of God. Why should we not emulate the example and life of Him who was sinless, and in perfect accord with His Father? He declared throughout His mission: "I came, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me." Why should we not feel that way? We did not come here to do our own will, but as He did, to do the will of Him that sent us here, that we might learn of His ways and walk in His paths and lie indeed His children. We have been buried with Him in the waters of baptism and we have been born of the Spirit of God. Therefore, we should be able to see the truth to discern between right and wrong, between good and evil, and between light and darkness: it is our privilege to know and love that which is good as against that which is evil, by the gifts of the Spirit bestowed upon us. Then why should we not keep the commandments of the Lord. If we do not, is it not because we think only once in a while of God and of godliness, and all the rest of the time we think of the world and of worldliness ? We give our hopes, our time, our talent, our thoughts, our words, our actions, to the temporalities of life, and, once in a while, we think of God. We come before Him in that pitiful form of unworthiness to crave His blessings and His favors. Do you wonder that we are often denied that which we ask for, and fail to receive that which we desire ? It is because we do not ask aright. When we approach God in this way, we are not in a condition to ask aright, nor are we in a condition to receive that which we ask for, for God is not likely to bestow upon his children gifts and blessings of which they are not worthy. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.8 I do not want to be burdensome to this vast congregation by talking too long but I have another thought that weighs upon my mind, and this is not in relation to the men, but it is with respect to the women, and more particularly with regard to the manner in which they dress. Never, perhaps, at least within the period of my life--and I have lived in the world nearly seventy-five years--never, I say, within the period of my life and experience have I seen such obscene, uncleanly, impure, and suggestive fashions of women's dress as I see today. Some of them are abominable. I lift my voice against these audacious practices and these infamous fashions, and I pray that you who have daughters in Zion will save them, if you can, from following these obscene fashions, that if followed, will destroy the last vestige of true womanly modesty, and reduce them to the level of the courtesans on the streets of Paris, from whence these debasing fashions come. They are the lowest and most degraded specimens of womankind, who have yielded their bodies to crime and their souls to death, if not to perdition, and are devoid of modesty and the sense of shame. We cannot afford to let our women follow such as these or to adopt the cursed fashions they set. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.8 I need not dwell on this matter, but will say that while crossing the street the other day, I saw a woman dressed to the height of this ridiculous fashion, and she was trotting along with little, short steps, she couldn't go any other way, hurrying across the street to catch the car. She got hold of the rail of the car and tried to lift herself up, but her foot would not go up to the step. By this time there was a crowd of men looking on. All of a sudden she stooped down, caught the bottom of her dress and raised it high enough to climb up. What an exhibition that was to the public eye! Would you like your daughters to expose themselves in such a manner ? To do so they must of necessity part with their sense of womanly modesty, if not with all other womanly virtues. God have mercy on our girls, and help them to dress decently! Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.8 I suppose I shall incur the censure and displeasure of many in saying these things, but I do not care what the world has to say, what men say, nor what women say, in relation to these things. In my sight the present day fashions are abominable, suggestive of evil, calculated to arouse base passion and lust, and to engender lasciviousness, in the hearts of those who follow the fashions, and of those who tolerate them. Why? Because women are imitating the very customs of a class of women who have resorted to that means to aid them to sell their souls. It is infamous, and I hope the daughters of Zion will not descend to these pernicious ways, customs and fashions, for they are demoralizing and damnable in their effect. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.9 Now, the Lord bless you, I could say a good deal more, perhaps, if it were prudent or wise. I do not know but what I have said too much already, but I believe what I say. I am converted to the Gospel of Christ; I believe in Jesus with all my soul. I cannot doubt the evidences of more than sixty years of my experience in the Church in preaching the Gospel. Everything has contributed to the confirmation of my faith in the divine mission of the prophet Joseph Smith, and in the glorious plan of life and salvation taught by the Son of God, both for the living and for the dead. I cannot disbelieve such things as these, they appeal to my judgment; they take my poor, helpless soul, my helpless mortal being, destined to pass through the grave, out of this mortal life, and above and beyond it, and there is no other hope or assurance on earth, that I have ever found, for a future reward or happiness or the enjoyment of the fulness of the hopes and aspirations of my soul, except those which are held out to me in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who came into the world with power to lay down His life and take it up again, the only Being sent from God to earth who possessed the power to lay down His life and take it up again. To no other soul under heaven has this power been given, and He demonstrated the resurrection from death to life by His own example, and has freely offered the same deliverance to all the sons and daughters of God that ever lived on earth or that will ever live from henceforth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.9 Christ has opened up to the world, through faith and obedience, this hope of everlasting life and exaltation in His glorious kingdom, who else has taught such doctrines as this? Who else has exemplified this power and has done the deed? or given this object lesson before the world? Not one! Shall we deny it? Then look at the testimony of His disciples; they say they heard with their ears, they witnessed what they have declared to the world, and their testimony stands unimpeached to this day, and, in addition to this, we have the testimony of Joseph the Prophet. I say in addition to the testimony of Jesus Himself that He came from the Father, that He was his Father's Son, begotten of His Father, born of His mother Mary, thus partaking of the elements of eternal life and power over death, inheriting this power from His Father; and possessing the power to lay down His life through the mortality inherited from His mother. He says, "No man taketh it from me. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it up again." Joseph the Prophet comes to us in this dispensation and declares that the heavens were opened to him and to his associates, and he saw and heard, and he declares as the last witness, who has seen and heard and knows, that Jesus is the Christ and the Redeemer of the world, even He who was born of Mary, crucified and rose again from the dead, and visited the inhabitants of this continent, as well as the inhabitants of the old continent as we call it, who also bear witness of Him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.9 I believe in these things, I believe in Joseph Smith the Prophet, I believe in the doctrine contained in the Book of Mormon, as I do that contained in the New Testament. I believe in the revelations that have cone to the Prophet Joseph Smith; and I say to my brethren that the book of D&C contains some of the most glorious principles ever revealed to the world, some that have keen revealed in greater fulness than they were ever revealed before to the world: and this, in fulfilment of the promises of the ancient prophets that in the latter times, the Lord would reveal things to the world that had been kept hid from the foundation thereof: and the Lord has revealed them through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.10 This great work for the redemption of our dead, the uniting together of the living and the dead, the sealing power that takes the living children and unites them in the bond of the new and everlasting covenant with their fathers and mothers who have gone before them; the great principle that binds on earth and it is bound in heaven, that takes the woman, chosen by the man, and seals her to the husband of her choice with an everlasting, unbreakable covenant, or a covenant that can only be broken by sin or by the transgression of the laws of God: a covenant that can never be broken by death, by time, or distance, because God has confirmed it, it is sealed by His power for time and for all eternity: the work of baptism and other saving ordinances for the dead: the endowments, and all the ordinances that have been revealed to be performed in the sacred edifices called temples, which we are under commandment from God always to build unto His holy name,--( Doc. and Cov. p.434, verse 39) these things have been revealed to us in this dispensation in greater fulness and in greater plainness than ever before in the history of the world so far as we know. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.10 Thank God, for the truth ! May we abide in it. May the Lord help us to he humble, prayerful and honest with our own souls, as well as honest with our Father and God, and make us capable of resisting evil and of rejecting wickedness capable of discerning the darkness and of turning away from it, that we may walk in the light as God is in the light, that we may have fellowship with Him, and that the blood of His son Jesus Christ may cleanse us from all sin, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.14 If I may be indulged just a moment. The reason undoubtedly why the Word of Wisdom was given--as not by "commandment or restraint" was that at that time, at least, if it had been given as a commandment it would have brought every man, addicted to the use of these noxious things, under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome, before He brought them under the law. Later on, it was announced from this stand, by President Brigham Young, that the Word of Wisdom was a revelation and a command of the Lord. I desired to mention that fact, because I do not want you to feel that we are under no restraint. We do not want to come under condemnation. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.138 Gratitude expressed to all who assisted in Conference proceedings--Blessing invoked upon all engaged in the ministry, and all seekers after truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.138 Just a moment or two more of patience. I desire to express my gratitude to my brethren and sisters who are present for the attention they have given to this conference, and to the meetings of this day. I want to thank my brethren who have spoken from the beginning to the end, for the most excellent spirit they have manifested, and for the most excellent words they have spoken. I desire to thank our choir for their presence here on the Sabbath, and for the other members of the choir that have been able to attend during Saturday and today; and also to our beloved brother and fellow-worker, one worthy of honor and credit for his service to the Church. Brother Evan Stephens, for his music, for the poetry of his soul, and for those songs that have been written by him, which we often hear sung and which we sing ourselves with great satisfaction: and to our beloved brother, John J. McClellan, and his assistants at the great organ: and all others of our brothers and sisters who have taken part in the exercises of our conference. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.139 I think we have had one of the best conferences that we have held within my own recollection, and I can go back in my recollection to the early days, the days of Nauvoo at least. And the Lord bless you, my brethren of the holy priesthood, the presidents of stakes and their counselors, and high councils, the bishops and their counselors, and all taking part in the labor of the ministry whether in the regular quorums and councils of the priesthood or in the auxiliary organizations. We feel to express our gratitude for your presence and your heartfelt interest in the work of the Lord. We beseech you to continue to be faithful and more faithful than ever before. Let us all try to be a little better than we have been in the past, and let us try to treasure up the most excellent instructions that have been given to us during our conference. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.139 I know that the Lord is pleased with the proceedings of our conference, and that His blessing has been with us, and His spirit has been made powerfully manifest in all that has been said and done. The Lord bless the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and all honest, earnest seekers after the truth, everywhere, throughout the world. May the Lord bless those who, though ignorant of the revelations that the Lord has given to the world in these latter days, are stilt seeking to serve Him according to the light they possess, and the knowledge that they have. May God's blessing rest upon them, that they or their children after them may come to the knowledge of the truth at last and be exalted in the kingdom of God through the ordinances of the Gospel and obedience to all the requirement s thereof. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1913, p.139 Sixty-six of our brethren have taken part vocally during our conference. I expect we will have quite as many take part during the next conference, who did not have the privilege of being beard at this conference. We have a list of you all and we expect to give all a chance as far as we can, and we would like you to come prepared. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.1 Saints manifest admirable qualities, but can improve.--Church officers and members increasing in unity and good works.--Certainty of triumph of God's purposes.--Falacious idea that there is a limit to God's power.--Interesting statistics concerning the Church. Young people should marry at proper age, and in the Temple.--Men holding Priesthood cannot graduate from duty of teaching. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.2 I am very happy to greet you, my brethren and sisters, in our gathering on this beautiful morning, to commence our eighty-fourth annual conference of the Church. I do not know how long I may address you this morning, but I sincerely hope I may not weary you too long. I am very grateful to say that I am in the enjoyment of my usual health and strength, notwithstanding for sometime, like a great many of my brethren, I have been "enjoying" a bad cold the best I could. It has had its effect upon my organs of speech, for, notwithstanding the cold, I have endeavored to perform my duty, and have very frequently used my voice to the utmost in addressing the quarterly conferences of our people, and also many ward gatherings as well. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.3 I am very thankful, indeed, that the Lord has preserved us all to meet together here this morning in His service, from whom we receive all good, and in commemoration, also, of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. I feel, sure that during the sessions of this conference there is in store for us the usual outpouring of the good Spirit by which we may be strengthened in our faith, encouraged in our determination to continue faithful before the Lord, and aided in the performance of our duties as members and officers of the Church, and as men and women bearing responsibilities therein. All these blessings that we may resolve again, as we no doubt have resolved many times, to be more faithful, if possible, in the future than we have been in the past. It is a fact that however good we may be, however careful in the observance of the precepts of the Gospel, and in the preservation of our lives and virtues, there is a certain degree of weakness which we often call "human weakness" pervading our being. Hence, there is always opportunity for improvement over the best that we do. I feel that is the case with me, and I believe I am not an exception to the general rule. None of us, I presume, have reached such degree of perfection in all things that we can say of a truth that we have not neglected any duty required of us in the Church, and that we have done all that we possibly could do for our own good and for the advancement of the kingdom of God. The fact is, whoever will labor for his own welfare, for his own salvation and upbuilding in the knowledge of those principles which draw men nearer to God and make them more like unto Him, fitting them better for the performance of the duties required at their hands, is in like manner building up the Church. None of us, I suppose, can do as well as would be expected of us by those who are perfect in the observance of the laws of God. I presume that there are very few of us today who would be justified in claiming that we actually observe and are capable of living up to the precepts that were taught by the Son of God. However, good, honest and faithful we may be, I doubt very much that there are any of us who are capable of rightfully asserting that we are living up to all the precepts of the Son of God. There are some glorious principles advocated by Him that I fear it would be impossible for me, in my present condition and state of mind, to observe or comply with. To illustrate what I desire to express, I fear that if a man should smite me on the right cheek that I would not feel very willing to turn the other cheek also; or, if a man should sue me at the law, unjustly, and take away my cloak, that I would willingly give him my coat also. I fear that I cannot pray for my enemies in the same spirit of love, kindness, devotion and earnest desire for the forgiveness and exemption of the consequences of their transgressions, that I can for my friends, or those who love me, and are true and faithful to me as I would be true and faithful to them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.3 And so there are many great things, which are almost incomprehensible to mankind as taught by the Savior of the world, which lie before us, which should be the standard of perfection, for which we should aim, that we have not yet been able to master and to apply in ourselves. Yet, I believe that there are no better people in the world than the Latter-day Saints. I do not believe that there are any people in all the world, who more patiently endures insults, calumnies, and misrepresentation than the Latter-day Saints do. I do not believe that there are a people anywhere who would endure the presence of the most vicious, wicked falsifiers on earth, and allow them to peacefully remain unquestioned in their midst, as the Latter-day Saints do and are doing right along. And yet I am firm in the belief that this evil is diminishing, and that the time will come when those who falsify, who wilfully or ignorantly lie and misrepresent the people of God, will be ashamed to wag their vile tongues, at least in public. The time will come when they will be ashamed of it, and this evil will eventually cease. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.4 Now, my brethren and sisters, I want to say to you, as I have said before on occasions like this, (and I believe I can say it again as truly as ever before) that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was never in a better condition than it is today; never was more alive to the interests of Zion; never was more united, and I believe that there never were less of fault to find with the people of God than there is today. I believe we are learning, and while we may be slow in coming to the knowledge of the truth, and to the acceptance of it all, we are progressing, we are growing in the right direction; we are learning wisdom, learning patience, getting understanding; we are increasing in our faith and in unity, and m good works; I believe this with all my soul. I believe that your servants, the Presidency of the Church; your servants, the Twelve Apostles, the Seven Presidents of Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, never were more faithful to you, to your interests and to the interest of the kingdom of God, than they are today. I don't believe that the time ever was when they were more united than they are now. I believe that the councils of the priesthood are united, and that they are laboring together more effectively for their advancement and unity, and for the increase of their knowledge of the principles of the Gospel, than ever before. I can say the same, I think, of all auxiliary organizations of the Church. I believe that our Relief Society is doing a magnificent work among the people. I believe that the General Board of the Relief Society are more united than they have been, and they are doing better work than they have done before; that is; so far as I can remember, and I can remember a long way back in relation to some of the work that has been done by our Relief Societies. They are an essential organization for the good of Israel, for the welfare of the sisters, and mothers, and the daughters in Zion. They are doing a good work, and I believe are united more than ever before. I think I can say the same of all the other organizations that have been devised as helps to the priesthood for the advancement of the cause of Zion. And so I think that the kingdom is growing, that the Lord is with us, that His power is behind and before and above and beneath this work, and that it is the power of God that sustains it, that causes it to grow and to advance in the earth, and that is giving it power and influence for good among the children of men. I believe, too, that the power of God will be exerted in greater measure at home and abroad, in proportion as the faith of the Latter-day Saints and their good work increase; and as the power of the priesthood and of the people of God shall increase in the land, so the power of evil and of opposition will decrease, until the victory will come to the people of God in righteousness. I do not expect any victory, any triumph, anything to boast of, to come to the Latter-day Saints, except upon the principles of righteousness and of truth. Truth and righteousness will prevail, and endure. If we will only continue to build upon the principles of righteousness, of truth, of justice and of honor, I say to you there is no power beneath the celestial kingdom that can stay the progress of this work. And as this work shall progress, and shall gain power and influence among men, so the powers of the adversary and of darkness will diminish before the advancement and growth of this kingdom, until the kingdom of God, and not of men will triumph. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.4 This is my testimony to you. I hardly need to say that I never in my life saw the time when I felt more sure of the truth that we are engaged in that I do today. Never in my life did I feel more satisfied, or greater assurance in my soul of the advancement of the cause of Zion, and of the divinity of the work that we are engaged in. I know that God lives, and I know that He is upholding this work, not you, nor I, no individual is doing it, no community is doing it for themselves. We may co-operate, we may be united with the power of God, and help Him to hasten it on to its consummation, but the honor of the accomplishment of it, of its triumph and victory over sin, over doubt, over the ignorance of the world, will be due to Almighty God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the founder of the Church and of His own kingdom. It will be due to Him, and the people of God will acknowledge it, and will give to Him the honor and the glory thereof. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 It is true that we have, now and then, here and there, occasionally, persons who would, if they possibly could, limit the power, the knowledge, the wisdom of God Almighty, to the capacity of men. We have a few of them among us, and some of them have been, and may be, school teachers. They will tell you that the scriptural testimony of the miraculous deeds performed by the Son of God while He tabernacled in the flesh is mere babyism, mere symbols, nothing real, only parable, that is all. They would make you believe that; they would make you and me believe, if they could, that the Lord God never did deal with men except by and through man's own individual agency and wisdom, and that to the extent only of his own finite knowledge. They would make you believe that the winds and the waves are subject to men. They would, if they could, make you believe that the Son of God, who possessed all power, power to raise the dead, power to lay down His own life and take it up again, power to remit sin, power to unstop the ears of the deaf, to open the eyes of the blind, to cleanse the leper, to cast out evil spirits, and do all things, they would make you believe that all these are simply myths, and that God Almighty, who has all power, did not do such things. He "could not" turn water into wine, all nonsense, ridiculous, they say; "could not walk on the water ;" no, all nonsense; that the Almighty "could not do such things" any more than men could do them. I say again that there are just a few ignoramuses, "learned fools," if you please, who would make you believe, if they could, that Almighty God is limited in His power to the capacity of man. Don't you believe it, not for one moment. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 They would make you believe, if they could, that the Father and Son did not come and reveal themselves to Joseph Smith, in person; that it was but the imagination of Joseph Smith. We know better. The truth is overwhelming to the contrary. The testimony of the Spirit of the living God bears record to the contrary, and it teaches men that these things are true, and that those who deny them are simply going outside of the truth into the fallacies and follies of the philosophies of men. They are not willing to abide in the solid, simple truth which God has revealed for the salvation of the souls of men. Beware of men who come to you with heresies of this kind, who would make you to think or feel that the Lord Almighty, who made heaven and earth and created all things, is limited in His dominion over earthly things to the capacities of mortal men. They try to make you believe that God is too busy and too great to trouble about earthly things. I am glad that there are comparatively few such characters in the world, and I hope that they will become more and more scarce until they are extinct. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 Now, I feel that I must not detain you too long. The Presiding Bishop's office has kindly provided a few interesting statements in writing, which I will read to you with, perhaps, some comment as I proceed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 During the year 1913, there was an increase in membership in practically all of the stakes of Zion. The following items culled from the statistical records of the Church are at once interesting and instructive. The figures refer to the organized stakes only, exclusive of the missions: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 "Birth rate among the Latter-day Saints, in the stakes, is 37 to the thousand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 "The death rate is 9.3 to the thousand. The average age of death among the Latter-day Saints, is 38 years. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 "There are 8 widowers and 24 widows to the thousand." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 And these, especially the latter class, are members of the Church who need the care that the widow and the fatherless usually require from those who are abundantly supplied with the necessaries of life, for, as a rule, the widow and the fatherless are left practically destitute of this world's goods. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.5 "Persons over twenty-one years of age, and unmarried, are fifty-one to the thousand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 "The marriages were 15 to the thousand; of these marriages 8 to the thousand were solemnized in the temples, and 7 to the thousand were performed through civil ceremony outside the temples." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 This condition, among the Latter-day Saints, so far as the latter statement is concerned, should be remedied as soon as possible. I presume the cause of it is that some of our young people are not properly trained, not properly instructed in their duties in the Church, and when they arrive at a marriageable age, some of them, at least, are not prepared to receive the endorsement of their presiding officers to go into the temples. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 While the rate of marriage among the members of the Church is perhaps as high as that prevailing in any other civilized community, it should, nevertheless, be higher. Our young people should be encouraged to marry at the proper age. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 This should be a text for every bishop, for every stake president. It is not good for man to be alone, and it is necessary that our young men and women should be properly taught the importance, the sacredness and the duty of marriage. Great evils occur among young people through neglect in teaching them these principles, and from failure to encourage them to the performance of their duties, in this respect. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 "During the year, 427 members of the Church entered into marriages with non-members of the Church; and of these 427, it is noted that 398 were women." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 So that, it appears distinctly that it is the young women who are most inclined to follow the outsider, and to become associated in marriage with non-believers, which is a pity. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 "The number of members of the Church divorced during the year is 163; of this number 59 had been married in the temples, and 104 by civil ceremony." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 I think that here is a point worthy of observation by the Latter-day Saints. Men and women who become united in the holy bonds of wedlock, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, enter into the solemn relationship with better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of marriage than others do, because they are taught more fully the facts in the case. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 "There were excommunicated from the Church, in the stake's of Zion, 55 persons." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 Mostly, I suppose, for being carried away by every wind of doctrine. We have some foolish people who take up with any chimera, or foolish notion that anybody may advance to them. They are to be pitied. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.6 "Baptisms into the Church, of children and adults, within the stakes, numbered 35 to the thousand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.7 "During the year there has been a greater proportion of baptisms of adults than for several years previous; this gratifying result is probably due to the more systematic missionary service within the stakes, in which excellent labor the Seventies have been prominent Organized and well directed labor on the part of the Seventies has been conducted whereby the message of the Gospel has been carried to many of our non-'Mormon' friends who are fellow-members of the communities in which our people dwell. It is as surely our duty to preach the Gospel to non-members of the Church with whom we dwell as it is to carry the message of truth to the nations of the earth. Responsibility for this home missionary labor rests upon the local authorites--the presidents and bishops--under whose direction the Seventies residing in the several stakes and wards may be effectively engaged. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.7 "It is gratifying to know, as the records show, that through the benefits of our local option laws, the saloon has been eliminated in communities wherein the Latter-day Saints predominate Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.7 "A marked increase in the labors of the ward teachers is shown; and one of the direct results of this important activity is the increase in the attendance of the Latter-day Saints at their Sacrament meetings, and also a marked increase of enrollment in all the auxiliary organizations of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.7 "In the Ogden Stake of Zion 93% of all the families in the wards were visited by the teachers, each month, during the year 1913. It is but fair to state that this is the best record in the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.7 "Great good has been accomplished by the regular visits of the ward bishoprics to the homes of the Saints. This has given the bishops a personal insight into the family organization and home life of the people of their wards; and it is pleasing to note that in all except the largest wards, the respective bishoprics have visited at least once during the year every family in their wards. In the larger wards, the bishoprics have very properly called to their aid experienced and influential brethren to assist in this annual visitation by going to the homes of the members, two or three together, as representatives of the bishopric. Approximately 60.000 families were thus visited, either by the bishoprics in person or by their specially appointed representatives, during the closing months of the year 1913." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.8 I would like to interject here, just a remark. We have had called to our attention, recently, the fact that some men who are of long standing in the Church--indeed, some of them born and reared in the Church, and who are occupying prominent positions in some of the quorums of the priesthood--when their presidents or their bishops of the wards in which they live call upon them to visit the Saints, teach the principles of the Gospel and perform the duties of teachers, they coolly inform their bishops that they have graduated from that calling, and refuse to act as teachers. Brother Charles W. Penrose is eighty-two years of age. I am going on seventy-six, and I believe that I am older than several of these good men who have graduated from the duties of the Lesser Priesthood, and I went to tell them and you that we are not too old to act as teachers, if you will call us to do it--not one of us. There is never a time, there never will come a time to those who hold the priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when men can say of themselves that they have done enough. So long as life lasts, and so long as we possess ability to do good, to labor for the upbuilding of Zion and for the benefit of the human family, we ought, with willingness, to yield with alacrity to the requirements made of us to do our duty, little or great. I hope that my friends of the Seventies and of the High Priests, who have graduated from the duties of the Lesser Priesthood, will take to heart what I say to them, and learn better, and be more valiant in their duties. For it may just come to the point that we will have to deal with men who cease to do their duties, who have paid all the tithing they are going to pay, who have paid their tithing so many years that they have become old and opulent, having plenty of means, and can ride in their automobiles, etc. They can't afford to pay their tithing because they have graduated from it. I say, we may have to deal with some of these lofty, high-minded brethren, by and by, for their fellowship as members in the Church. We do not want to do it, because it is all free will anyhow; but when men cease to have the free will to do their duty as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they ought not to be hoisted into responsible positions where, by their influence, they will destroy the faith of others, and we must see that this is not done. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.8 "As already indicated, the vital statistics of the Church in the established stakes show a generally good condition among the people. As compared with the nation as a whole, our communities show a higher birth rate, a lower death rate, and greater average duration of life. It is strongly urged that strict attention be given to all sanitary requirements and rules of right living. In some of the sparsely settled districts, the people still depend upon wells or open streams for their drinking water. Stake and ward officers should put forth all proper effort to secure for their communities a properly safe-guarded water supply. Strict sanitary observance should characterize all communities. Among the greatest foes to human health are impure drinking water, poor sanitary conditions, and the common house fly;" Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.8 Now, think of it! Cleanliness, it is said, is a part of godliness. No unclean thing--and I think that means cleanliness of person, cleanliness of body, as well as cleanliness of heart, and cleanliness of spirit--no unclean thing can enter into the presence of God. All of us should do our utmost to supply our homes with pure water for the use of the home. We should provide for our families, as far as possible, every convenience of a sanitary character, to preserve life, and health, and to avoid exposures to colds, to weakness and sickness, incident to frontier life, in our country homes. The idea of going into a home where there are children, and where the housewife, together with the children, many of them, have to dwell, and where not even the most common necessaries of the home are supplied for the comfort of the family, and day or night, heat or cold they must take to the field or back yard, rods away, to meet the exigencies of nature--pardon the expression. I deplore the existence of such conditions. They are not found very commonly, but where they do exist it is deplorable, and men should think and care for the welfare, comfort, safety and health of their wives and children, than to permit them to go on year after year in this comfortless way. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.8 "The Bureau of Information, located on the Temple Block, has continued its splendid service, in affording entertainment and imparting information to the many tourists and transients who come among us. It reports that upwards of 200,000 visitors were received at the Bureau of Information daring the year. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.8 "And probably during the present year this number will he practically doubled, if not more than doubled, from now on until the termination of the great Panama Fair at San Francisco. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.8 "The missionary work of the Church outside the stakes has been carried on with unabated zeal. The number of missionaries laboring in the several mission fields during the year approximated an average of 2000: of this number, over 800 went from home to the various mission fields during the year. Among the missionaries are over 100 women, located principally in cities and towns where their services can be most properly applied. The presidents of stakes should feel it their duty to have in the mission field not less than six to the thousand of their stake population, so that the labor and the blessing attendant upon this great latter-day work may be fairly distributed throughout the stakes." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 I hope you will remember that. "The following elders bare been honorably released from their positions as mission presidents, and have returned from the field since the last October conference: Charles H. Hyde, from the Australian mission; Roscoe W. Eardly, from the Netherlands mission; Orson D. Romney, from the New Zealand mission; C. Christian Jenson, from the Samoan mission; Franklin J. Hewlett, from the South African mission; A. Theodore Johnson, from the Swedish mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 The positions thus vacated by the brethren named have been filled by new appointments. The mission presidents now in office are as follows: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 European mission, Elder Hyrum M. Smith, of the Council of the Twelve; Australian mission, Elder William W. Taylor; French mission, Elder Edgar B. Brossard; Hawaiian mission, Elder Samuel E. Wolley; Japanese mission, Elder H. Grant Ivins; Mexican mission, Elder Rey L. Pratt; Netherlands mission, Elder LeGrand Richards: New Zealand mission. Elder William Gardner: Samoan mission. Elder John A. Nelson. Jr.: Scandinavian mission, Elder Martin Christopherson: South African mission, Elder Nicholas G. Smith; Swedish mission, Elder Theodore Tobiason; Swiss and German mission, Elder Hyrum W. Valentine; Tahitian mission, Elder Franklin J. Fullmer. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 And within the United States: California mission, Elder Joseph E. Robinson; Central States mission, Elder Samuel O. Bennion; Eastern States mission, Elder Walter P. Monson; Northern States mission, Elder German E. Ellsworth; North-western States mission, Elder Melvin J. Ballard; Southern States mission, Elder Charles A. Callis; Western States mission, Elder John L. Herrick; Josepa Colony, Elder T. A. Waddoups. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 "There are now 724 organized wards, and in addition 27 branches, within the stakes of Zion. There are 65 stakes of Zion, and 21 missions, aside from the Iosepa Colony. Of the 724 wards, 607 own meeting houses, most of which are of modern construction and have cost from $5,000 to $35,00 each." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 And some of them a great deal more than that. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 "There are 117 wards not yet provided with permanent meeting houses." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 And we want some of you good brethren of the wards, who are engaged in building meeting houses today, to bear in mind these 117 wards yet unsupplied with meeting houses, and that they will be calling upon us for help, by and by. Make your burdens as light upon us as you can, unless you decide to increase the tithing. If you will get all the non-tithe payers in your wards, who claim to be members of the Church, to pay a full tithing, and everybody else will do likewise, we will not ask you to call upon the people to build your meeting houses. The Trustee-in-Trust will do it for you. But we cannot do it until more of the people will do their duty. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 "During the year 1913, one new stake of Zion (Boise stake,) and 26 now, wards were organized: four new stake presidents were appointed and installed, also 115 bishops, and 155 ward clerks." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 So we keep changing all the while. Some die, some move away, and this creates a necessity for a new supply of men to fill these positions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.9 "The Church has not failed in its duty to the worthy Door. The hearts of the bishops are always open to provide for the needs of those who otherwise would be left in want. Our splendid Relief Society organization did more in aiding the poor and ministering to the needy, during the year 1913, than in any previous year since its organization." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.10 I think this is a well deserved word of credit to the Relief Societies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and possibly if our General Board had been a little more active in their efforts among the Latter-day Saints, going out and setting the proper example before them, even a greater work than this might have been accomplished. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.10 "A very considerable item among the many expenditures of the Church for benevolent purposes is the aid extended to our Mexican refugees. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.10 "The Church has sought to provide, as far as possible, mission headquarters and places of worship in the different missions as the need for such appears. At the present time the missions hold, as the property of the Church used strictly for missionary services and places of worship, houses as follows: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.10 British mission 9 California mission 5 Central States mission 10 Eastern States mission 4 Hawaiian mission 9 Iosepa Colony 1 Japanese mission 1 Netherlands mission 2 New Zealand mission 3 Northern States mission 6 Northwestern States mission 6 Samoan mission 8 Scandinavian mission 6 Swedish mission 1 Southern States mission 46 Tahitian mission 2 Western States mission 3 Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.10 All 46 places in the Southern States mission, with the exception of the headquarters in Chattanooga, have been provided for by the mission itself. The president of the Southern States mission has made his mission self-sustaining, and is able to send a portion of the tithings of the people there to the Presiding Bishop's office, besides. I think it is a worthy example for some of the rest of our brethren. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.10 To me these are very interesting facts, and I think they are facts that everybody in the Church should know. I would like to say that the books in the Bishop's office are open to Latter-day Saints. There isn't a Latter-day Saint anywhere who may not obtain information with reference to these matters and others of interest to himself, at any time when he desires to obtain them for his own information and benefit, and for the work of the ministry in which he may be engaged. It is open to him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.10 Now, the Lord bless you. I hope you will pardon me for occupying so much of your time. God bless Zion. My heart is with this work, and this people. I love God. I know that He is, and I know that my Redeemer lives. May the Lord help us to abide in the truth and be faithful and vigilant and valiant unto the winding up of our labor in life, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.125 CLOSING REMARKS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1914, p.126 I feel quite certain that the spirit and feeling and earnest desires which have been made manifest during the meetings of this conference, are all pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. I am satisfied that He has approved the words that have been spoken, the counsels that have been given, and the admonitions that have been offered to the people of the Lord. In conclusion, I desire simply to say: God bless all Israel, and may the Lord especially bless those on whom rests the responsibility of presiding in the various organizations of the Church, and especially those on whom rests the very great responsibility of presiding over the stakes of Zion, the presidents and their counselors, and the members of the various high councils of the sixty-five stakes of Zion; all the Bishops and their counselors, in the seven hundred and twenty-four wards organized in the Church, as well as those who are presiding over the various branches of the Church and over all the missions in the world. The Lord bless them; give them wisdom, judgment, discernment, purity of heart, and power of government and of counsel, that they may be potent in the guiding of the affairs of the Church in all the departments of the Church in which they are concerned and over Which they are called to preside. The Lord bless our auxiliary organizations, and those who stand as presidents and directors in them, that they may also accomplish very much in the direction of their labors for the good of the youth of Zion and of the children of the Saints. God bless you, my brethren and sisters. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.1 Precautions taken for safety of missionaries in Europe--General conditions of Church affairs reported--Missionary service needed at home--Active employment of all the Priesthood advised--Reminder of duty to pray, and give thanks always--Christendom would not war if true Christianity prevailed--God not responsible for war--Peace should be in hearts of Saints that they may disseminate it to the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.2 I suppose it is somewhat expected of me to make a few remarks at the opening of this, the first session of the Eighty-fifth semi-annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and, while I feel entirely inadequate to the task, I will try with the help of the Lord to say a few words as they may be given to me by the good Spirit. I feel truly grateful that my life has been spared to meet with you this morning under so favorable circumstances as those under which we have met. I am also grateful that my counselors have also been spared to be present with us, and also that the number of the Apostles has been unbroken since our last conference. And I am very grateful indeed to behold so many of the Latter-day Saints as are assembled here this morning, apparently in the enjoyment of the many blessings and privileges of life which have been vouchsafed to the people of God and the Church up to the present. I sincerely hope during the sessions of this conference we may be fed with the bread of life, that the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon His servants who may address the conference from time to time, and that the same Spirit may rest abundantly upon all who assemble from day to day to listen to that which may be said. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.3 It may be proper for me to say a few words relative to our foreign missions. I need not spend much time upon that subject as about everything that we have learned of the conditions in Europe, with refence to our elders and the work of the ministry there, has been published from time to time in the Deseret News and in other papers. But I think it will be safe for me to say that every precaution has been taken that could be taken for the protection of our elders in those foreign missions where war exists. In Germany, France, Austria, and portions of other countries so dreadfully involved in war, our elders have all been invited to withdraw, to come away from those parts of the country, and so far as we know our German missionaries have largely and almost entirely withdrawn from that country, and also from France. Some of them are located temporarily in Holland and in Scandinavia, and a few of them, quite a number indeed, have come across the Atlantic and have been distributed to the various missions in the United States, while those who had practically completed their missions in Europe have been honorably released to return home. Reports that we receive from England, notwithstanding the conditions of war that exist there, are that our elders are in safety at present, and that the field is opening before them with somewhat better prospects than heretofore. A great many people are beginning to feel the necessity of praying for deliverance and safety, and as the spirit of prayer rests upon their minds, they begin to feel after their spiritual as well as their temporal welfare. Reports which we have received from Holland are very encouraging, indeed, and while the Presidency of that mission and of the Scandinavian missions have been instructed to be very careful about the welfare of the Elders, and if necessity arises to see that they are promptly released to escape any difficulty that might come upon them, the reports from these missions are very encouraging. They do not apprehend, for the present, any difficulty; and those who are laboring there seem to be contented and are doing good work. Nevertheless, they are all under instructions that when the necessity arises, our Elders who are laboring there now, apparently successfully, will be promptly released and guarded against any danger or evil, so far as it is possible. The poor Saints who are practically left without guidance of the Elders are feeling sadly the want of their presence and regret very much that they have been under the necessity of withdrawing from among them. The best experienced men that could be obtained have been advised to take charge as far as possible of the local interests of the missions abroad, and possibly a few of our Elders will remain among them until the end of the war, provided they can do so without jeopardy to their lives. Now, I don't know that I need to say anything further in regard to these matters. Others who follow me, and who have more clearly in their minds other instances, can express themselves as they feel led. I believe that the best that could possibly be done has been done, and the wisest course that could have been pursued has been pursued with reference to our missions upon the European continent respecting their release and their deliverance from trouble. I feel to thank God for all His mercies and loving kindness to His people. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.3 I have before me a few memoranda to which I will briefly refer. I am reminded that the winter season is coming and that it is advisable that all the Bishops should exercise fatherly and kind consideration to the needs of the worthy poor in their midst whether Latter-day Saints or not. The purpose of the Relief Societies is to assist the Bishops in relieving the necessities of the worthy poor; it is part of their first duty. We should endeavor to take care, as far as possible, of the refugees who have been driven from their homes in Mexico, many of whom have established themselves in various parts of the country, and in various stakes of Zion. Some few have returned to their homes in Mexico, not without more or less risk of further trouble, and at present Bishop Bentley is in charge of the colonies, or of the people who have returned to Mexico. How long they will be suffered to remain there in peace we cannot tell, but we sincerely hope and pray for peace throughout all the land, and in this hope we desire that the people will exercise all the faith they can in behalf of our associates our fellow members of the Church, in their endeavor to recover their homes and property from which they have been driven and very largely despoiled. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.3 In connection with the Presiding Bishop and one of his counselors I had the privilege of visiting, in August last, our settlements in Canada, and of holding conferences there in the two stakes. The walls of the temple, which is being erected at Cardston, are in process of building. We have decided to build them of granite, and have already expended a little over fifty thousand dollars toward the erection of that building. Had it not been for the great drought that has prevailed in that country for the last two or three years, and especially during this season, the temple, without doubt, would have been farther in progress than it is today. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.4 I am happy to announce, also, to the conference that we have completed a magnificent new wing to the Latter-day Saints hospital. It has seventy-three private bedrooms, splendid suites of operating rooms on the sixth floor, and an open-air ward, on the roof, with a capacity of about thirty beds. It has ample kitchens and storage plants, and sub-basements, etc. It is one of the most beautiful hospital buildings in the United States, and the Latter-day Saints should remember that we have a hospital of our own. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.4 We are also erecting what is called the General Church Office Building. It is progressing slowly but satisfactorily. It will provide offices for the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, the Presiding Patriarch, the Historian's office the Genealogical Society, and other Church organizations. I might add possibly without inconsistency that the progress of this building might have been a little more rapid if we had seen clearly our way to supply the means necessary to force it along a little faster. But we can only provide means for the improvements that are being made, not only for this building, the very costly addition to the hospital, and that required for the building of the temple in Canada, but means also required for schools and the assistance of the various wards and stakes of Zion to build numerous meeting-houses, amusement halls, and other places that are necessary for the use of the people throughout the Church. We have been pretty closely run for means and can only supply the money for these improvements and necessities as we obtain it from the Church. As the people pay their tithings, we are able to direct the application of it toward the improvements necessary to be made, as well as toward the meeting of all the current and reasonable expenses of the Church, the accounts of which are correctly kept to the very cent in the Presiding Bishop's Office, and also in the office of the Trustee-in-Trust. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.4 Efforts to secure employment for immigrants, and for missionaries upon their return from their missions, have been put forth to the best of our ability; and it is requested of the bishops everywhere throughout the Church to look after those who come to them from foreign countries, who immigrate to Zion, that they may be assisted as far as possible, and put in position to acquire a livelihood, to build homes for themselves, and to feel at home amongst us. They come here strangers, meeting new conditions and depending ranch upon the fellowship of their brethren for their success in obtaining new homes. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.4 It is also a good thing for the bishops in all the wards to look after their returned missionaries. It is a pity that after so many of our boys who go abroad and fill good missions return home, they should be apparently dropped or ignored by the presiding authorities of the Church, and be permitted to drift away again into carelessness and indifference, and eventually, perhaps, to wander entirely away from their Church duties. They should be kept in the harness, they should be made active in the work of the ministry, in some way that they may the better keep the spirit of the Gospel in their minds and in their hearts and be useful at home as well as abroad. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.5 There is no question as to the fact that missionary service is required and is as necessary in Zion, or here at home, as it is abroad. Many people seem to be careless with reference to the proper training of their children. We see too many boys that are falling into very careless, if not into pernicious, ways and habits. Every missionary boy who returns from his mission full of faith and good desire should take it upon himself to become a savior as far as possible of his young and less experienced associates at home. When a returned missionary sees a boy falling into bad ways and is becoming accustomed to bad habits, he should feel that it is his duty to take hold of him, in connection with the presiding authorities of the stake or of the ward in which he lives, and exercise all the power and influence he can for the salvation of that erring young man who has not the experience that our Elders abroad have had, and thus become a means of saving many and of establishing them more firmly in the truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.5 Efforts have been, made by the Presiding Bishopric and others to locate the Saints, who gather from other lands, where they can get a livelihood. All are employed as far as the records show. Many bishops have taken fatherly interest in the Saints who have immigrated to Zion. Homes have been provided, employment secured as far as possible, and through the united efforts of the Saints, supplies and furniture have been obtained and given them to help them to get started again in life. This should be the policy of all the organizations of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.5 Since the last April conference the Shelley stake of Zion has been organized from a part of the Black-foot stake. Nine new wards, and seven new branches, have been organized. Thirty-four bishops have been ordained to replace those who have been released. The presidencies of the Jordan, Juab, Union and North Sanpete stakes have been reorganized. Three bishops have passed away since our last conference. There are now sixty-six stakes of Zion, and seven hundred and thirty-five bishops' wards. There have been entered on the records of the Church, by baptism, in the stakes and missions, six thousand one hundred and ninety-eight souls during the six months of the year. The presiding bishopric have issued quarterly bulletins which have kept presidencies of stakes in closer touch with the general conditions in all the stakes of Zion, than in the past. Ward teaching is being rapidly developed in many of the stakes of Zion. Some stakes are still indifferent to this important movement. There is a splendid opportunity in this work to use every ordained priest and teacher and man holding the priesthood, and it would seem rather strange that there should be any of the presidencies of the stakes, or any of the presiding officers in the Church, who would be indifferent to the subject of keeping in contact and in harmony with the progress of all the other stakes. It is good to be in possession of the knowledge of things as they are and as they are going along. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.5 We have inaugurated a movement to encourage the monthly payment of tithing. The stake and ward officers are complying with this request as far as they can. Really, the only practical method and proper way to pay our tithes is when we receive that which we earn into our hands. It is quite proper to remember what we owe to the Lord before we expend our means otherwise. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.6 There are two companies each day passing through this Temple to perform the ordinances of the House of the Lord for the living and for the dead, and our genealogical work is bearing fruit as we see in the attendance upon the temples for the performance of these ordinances, and we hope that this good work will go on. The work of the bishopric is both temporal and spiritual. The average bishop gives all his time and efforts for the betterment of the people over whom he presides. The bishop should not try to do all the work that is necessary to be done in his ward. His counselors are there to help him, and a due portion of the responsibility of the bishop of the ward should be placed upon his counselors. Neither is it wise that the bishopric of the ward should feel they are compelled to do all that is necessary to be done in their wards. They should exercise their right to call upon the priesthood to visit the people as teachers and preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that they may give to all as far as possible an opportunity to exercise their talents and to do good in their wards. It is sometimes advisable to give to each counselor special duties, and assign each of the counselors his proportion of the responsibilities which belong to the bishopric, each one doing some special work for which he is adapted, so that all may be active. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.6 Now, these are a few things I think worthy of note, and there are very many more. But I desire to call attention to one thing; it is this: I fear the Latter-day Saints, in the midst of the prosperity with which they are blessed, sometimes fail to observe that great commandment given of the Master, always to remember the Lord, to pray in the morning, and in the evening, and always remember to thank Him for the blessings that they receive day by day. I fear that there is more neglect than there should be among the Latter-day Saints in regard to following out this rule of the Church. It is the commandment of the Lord that we shall remember God morning and evening, and, as the Book of Mormon tells us, "at all times." We should carry with us the spirit of prayer throughout every duty that we have to perform in life. Why should we? One of the simple reasons that appeals to my mind with great force is that man is so utterly dependent upon God! How helpless we are without Him: how little can we do without His merciful providence in our behalf! I have often been led to make the remark, that not one of us, not a human being in all the world can make even a single spear of grass grow without the help of God. We have to use His earth, we must avail ourselves of the benefit of His soil. His air and this sunshine, and the moisture that God provides and gives to the earth, to enable us to produce even a single blade of grass; and the same applies to everything that ministers to our existence in the world. You can't raise an ear of corn or wheat without God's help. You cannot produce a single thing essential to the existence of man or beast without the help of God. Then, why should we not feel dependent upon the Lord? Why should we not call upon His name? why should we not remember Him in our prayers? Why should we not love Him with all our heart and mind and strength, since He has given us life, since He has formed us in His own likeness and image, since He has placed us here that we may become like unto His only begotten Son and to inherit the glory, exaltation and reward provided for God's own children. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.7 My brethren and sisters, let us remember and call upon God and implore His blessings and His favor upon us. Let us do it nevertheless in wisdom and in righteousness, and when we pray we should call upon Him in a consistent and reasonable way. We should not ask the Lord for, that which is unnecessary or which would not be beneficial to us. We should ask for that which we need, and we should ask in faith, "nothing wavering, "for he that wavereth," as the Apostle said, "is like the wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." But when we ask of God for blessings let us ask in the faith of the Gospel, in that faith that He has promised to give to them who believe in Him and obey His commandments. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.7 We want peace in the world. We want love and good-will to exist throughout the earth, and among all the peoples of the world; but there never can come to the world that spirit of peace and love that should exist until mankind will receive God's truth and God's message unto them and acknowledge His power and authority which is divine, and never found in the wisdom only of men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.8 The condition of the world today presents a spectacle that is deplorable, so far as it relates to the religious convictions, faith and power of the inhabitants of the earth. Here we have nations arrayed against nations, and yet in every one of these nations are so-called Christian peoples professing to worship the same God, professing to possess belief in the same divine Redeemer, many of them professing to be teachers of God's word, and ministers of life and salvation to the children of men, and yet these nations are dividedone against the other, and each is praying to his God for wrath upon and victory over his enemies and for his own preservation. Would it be possible, could it be possible, for this conditions to exist if the people of the world possessed really the true knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And if they really possessed the Spirit of the living God--could this condition exist? No; it could not exist, but war would cease, and contention and strife would be at an end. And not only the spirit of war would not exist, but the spirit of contention and strife that now exists among the nations of the earth, which is the primal element of war, would cease to be. We know that the spirit of strife and contention exists to an alarming extent among all the people of the world. Why does it exist? Because they are not one with God, nor with Christ. They have not entered into the true fold, and the result is they do not possess the spirit of the true Shepherd sufficiently to govern and control their acts in the ways of peace and righteousness. Thus they contend and strive one against another, and at last nation rises up against nation in fulfilment of the predictions of the prophets of God that war should be poured out upon all nations. I don't want you to think I believe that God has designed or wilted that war should come among the people of the world, that the nations of the world should be divided against each other in war, and engaged in the destruction of each other! God did not design or cause this. It is deplorable to the heavens that such a condition should exist among men, but the conditions do exist, and men precipitate war and destruction upon themselves because of their wickedness, and that because they will not abide in God's truth, walk in His love, and seek to establish and maintain peace instead of strife and contention in the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.8 Now, we wish this morning to remember the admonition of the President of the United States, to offer prayer for peace to come upon the distracted nations of the world, for peace to abide upon those who are at peace, and to abound more abundantly. I pray God that this spirit may especially enter into the hearts of this people, that they may strive for peace among themselves, that peace may dwell in their own hearts and houses, that peace may exist between neighbors, that peace, goodwill, love and union may characterize the associations of members of the Church with their fellow members, and that there may be no contention among them, nor strife, nor bitterness, nor back-sliding, nor back-biting, nor complaint of any description, but that peace on earth and good will to men may pervade the hearts and minds of all the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and that from them this spirit of peace and love for God and for our fellow man may go out into the world, as far as we have power to send it forth through the elders of the Church and otherwise, that men may hear the good tidings and receive them in their hearts, obey the truth, and join the ranks of the peaceful, of the peace-loving, of the peace-makers, of the God-fearing, and of the God-loving people that all Latter-day Saints should be, in every part of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.8 God bless you, my brethren and sisters, I humbly pray; and now we will call upon President Charles W. Penrose to offer to the Lord a prayer in behalf of this assembly and in behalf of all the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that God will move upon the hearts of the people of the world to accept the spirit of peace in their souls, that peace may come to the distracted world, and that life and union may prevail instead of bloodshed, death and destruction. When Brother Penrose shall pray, he will pray unto the Father of our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ, in whose image and likeness we are made, or were born into the world, and in whose likeness and image we are, for we are God's children and therefore must resemble His Son in person, and also spiritually, so far as we will obey the principles of the gospel of eternal truth. For we were fore-ordained and predestined to become conformed to His likeness through the wise and proper use of our free agency. So that we may enjoy the blessings of the kingdom of God where He dwells, and inherit His glory and the salvation, the reward, and dominion that has been promised unto the faithful of His children, which may God grant is my prayer. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.128 CLOSING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.128 Conquer sin in self, and assist others in war against evil--Truth and Justice the foundation of Peace--Blessings of Peace invoked upon the Saints--Sisters admonished to be exemplary in dresss, etc. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.128 I feel very grateful for the excellent peace and spirit which has pervaded all our meetings. It is true, we are all engaged in a warfare, and all of us should be valiant warriors in the cause in which we are engaged. Our first enemy we will find within ourselves. It is a good thing to overcome that enemy first, and bring ourselves into subjection to the will of the Father, and into strict obedience to the principles of life and salvation which He has given to the world for the salvation of men. When we shall have conquered ourselves, it will be well for us to wage our war without, against false teachings, false doctrines, false customs, habits and ways, against error, unbelief, the follies of the world that are so prevalent, and against infidelity, and false science under the name of science, and every other thing that strikes at the foundations of the principles set fourth in the doctrine of Christ for the redemption of men and the salvation of their souls. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.129 We should war against covetousness, against pride, vanity, haughtiness of spirit, against self-sufficiency, and imagined or supposed almighty power that some people think they possess. God is the greatest man of war of all, and His Son is next unto Him, and their warfare is for the salvation of the souls of men. It would not be necessary for them to use violence or force, nor to permit their children to use violence nor force in order to conquer if they would but humble themselves, and obey the truth. For, after all, nothing will conquer nothing will win but the truth; and so far as the wars that are going on in the world are concerned, we not only want to see peace established among the children of men, but also justice, but above all things, truth, that justice, peace and righteousness may be built upon this foundation and not depend upon the covetousness, pride, vanity, evil desire, and lust for power in men. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.129 That is what we want; and I pray that the spirit of truth may be poured out upon all men, as well as the spirit of peace. In fact, we will never have peace until we have truth. We will never be able to establish peace on earth and good will until we have drunk at the fountains of righteousness and eternal truth, as God has revealed it to man. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.129 This is my testimony to you, and I desire to emphasize these simple thoughts, and say to all my brethren and sisters: Let us conquer ourselves, and then go to and conquer all the evil that we see around us, as far as we possibly can. And we will do it without using violence; we will do it without interfering with the agency of men or of women. We will do it by persuasion, by long-suffering, by patience, and by forgiveness and love unfeigned, by which we will win the hearts, the affections and the souls of the children of men to the truth, as God has revealed it to us. We will never have peace, nor justice, nor truth, until we look to the only true fountain for it, and receive from the fountain-head. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.129 God bless you, my brethren and sisters; I thank you for your attendance, for it has been a strength to us, and it has given us consolation and comfort to see you here and to know that you are here because you love the truth, just as we love it; and many of you love it even more than some of us know how to love it. For I know of people in the world who are true Latter-day Saints from the very core; they do not have many things to contend against in themselves, either. It is easy for them to be Latter-day Saints, and truly the children of God, because they love the truth and they live pure lives, many of them. I am satisfied of it. Many there be, however, who have a good deal to fight against within themselves, and some of us are not any better than we ought to be. Such will doubtless gain a great reward if they conquer. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.130 Now, in conclusion, let us go home, those of us who are relieved to go home, carrying with us the spirit of the Gospel, rejoicing that we have the liberty that we enjoy, the liberty to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and according to the promptings of the testimony and of the Spirit of God within us; and let us abide in the truth. My blessing I give to you. May peace dwell in your hearts. May it abide and abound in your homes. May you be blessed in your outgoings and incomings, when you lie down and rise up, in your basket and in your store, in your business and in all your lawful and worthy transactions of life, and in your ministrations for the salvation of mankind; the Lord bless you in it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.130 One word more. I wish to say to my sisters, and especially to those who are called to be teachers among their sex: Please set the example before your sisters that God would have them follow. When we teach people to observe the laws of God and to honor the gifts that are bestowed upon them in the covenants of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we don't want you teachers to go out and set an example before your sisters that will destroy their faith in our teachings. I hope you will take that to heart, for it has a meaning to it. I am talking to the teachers among the sisters. We hear it reported, from time to time, that some of the teachers that are sent out among our sisters not only do not set the example that they ought to set, but they set the example that they should not set for our sisters, they teach them by example to break the word of wisdom, rather than to keep it. They teach them to mutilate their garments, rather than to keep them holy and undefiled, by setting the example before them, and we can tell you the names if you want to know. I am not scolding; I don't want it to be understood that I am finding fault, I am only telling a solemn truth, and I am sorry that I have it to say, but I want it to be distinctly understood. We see some of our good sisters coming here to the Temple occasionally decorated in the latest and most ridiculous fashions that ever disgraced the human form divine. They do not seem to realize that they are coming to the house of God, and we have to forbid them entrance, or find fault with them, and they go away grieved and say sometimes, we don't want to go there any more." Why? Because they come unprepared, like the man who was found at the feast without the wedding garment, who also had to be turned out (Matthew 22:1-14). We have to turn them out occasionally, because they will not hearken to the counsel that has been given to them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1914, p.130 May the Lord have mercy upon us, and bless and help us to do our duty in all things. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.1 Condition of peace and spiritual progress in the Church.--Our message of peace and salvation to mankind.--Saints should learn the truth, and teach it to their children.--Church organization and authority essential.--Strife and war deplored, peace prayed for.--Men urged to love and care for wives and children.--Presiding Bishopric's report of report of tithing expended. etc.--Comments on details of the report. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.2 I have no doubt that many of the good people gathered here this morning, not having heard, will wonder what has become of the great Tabernacle organ. It may be proper for me to say to you that the organ is undergoing thorough repairs, and is in a condition that it can not be used at present. Perhaps it will not be prepared for use for several weeks to come. Since the last conference held in this tabernacle, the tabernacle itself has undergone somewhat extensive repairs. A new floor has been laid, the seats have all been renovated, repainted, revarnished, and the building put in very excellent condition. During the process of painting and renovating the interior of the building, it was necessary to keep up a high degree of heat to dry the paint, etc., to have the building ready for this conference. It was found that this prolonged heating injuriously affected some parts of the organ, putting it really out of order for the present. I thought just a word of explanation with reference to this matter might be appropriate at this time. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.2 This is the opening session of the eighty-fifth annual general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel very thankful indeed that I have been permitted, with the rest of you, to be present at the opening of this conference, and I hope that we will enjoy a blessed time together, during the three days that many, if not all of us, will have the privilege of assembling here, morning and afternoon, to be instructed and to give instruction and to hear exhortation and, if necessary, be reproved as the Spirit of the Lord may direct those who shall address us from time to time. I am very happy, indeed, under the impressions that weigh upon my mind with reference to the prosperity of the work of the Lord throughout these valleys of the mountains, and in the various missions of the Church throughout the world. Everything seems to point to the fact, which we hold in our faith and in our anticipation, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is still pursuing its course peacefully onward and upward, extending and increasing on the right hand and on the left, and all along the front. It is really unnecessary, perhaps, for me to repeat, in some measure, at least, that which has been frequently said at the opening of conferences of the Church, that there never has been a time, at least within my remembrance, when the Church was in a better condition spiritually and temporally, than it is today. I do not believe that there has ever been a time when the organizations of the various quorums of the Priesthood were more nearly perfect or more diligent than they are at present, or when the stakes of Zion were more properly guarded and their interests watched by those who are presiding over them than they are today. I believe that our general and auxiliary organizations of the Church, also the standard organizations of the Priesthood, are performing their duty quite as well now, and I think somewhat better, than at any previous period of the Church's history. Why should it not be so? We are not "ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth." On the contrary, we are ever learning and are ever drawing nearer to a proper comprehension of the truth, the duty and the responsibility that devolve upon members of the Church who are called to responsible positions in it. Not only does this apply to those members which are called to act in responsible positions, but it applies to those who may be termed "lay members," if we may use such a term with reference to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.3 Who is there, under the circumstances that exist around us, that is not growing? Who is there of us that is not learning something day by day? Who is there of us that is not gaining experience as we pass along, and are attending to the duties of membership in the Church, and to the duties of citizens of our state, and citizens of our great and glorious nation? It seems to me that it would be a very sad comment upon the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and her people to suppose for a moment that we are at a standstill, that we have ceased to grow, ceased to improve and to advance in the scale of intelligence, and in the faithful performance of duty in every condition in which we are placed as a people and as members of the Church of Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.3 I am most happy, my brethren and sisters, to say to you that which you all know, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is at peace with itself, and it is at peace with all the world. We have no spirit of war in our hearts. We have been taught and we have learned that it is a part of our duty, and a very important part, to abandon the spirit of strife, contention, and warfare, either among ourselves or against any portion of the children of men. We send out our elders to the nations of the earth, not to make war upon the religious organizations that exist, not to contend with them and to create strife, confusion and contention among the inhabitants of the world. The message that we have to bear to men is the message of life, peace, salvation, and redemption from sin. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.3 Our elders are instructed here, and they are taught from their childhood up, that they are not to go out and make war upon the religious organizations of the world when they are called to go out to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but to go and bear with them the message which has been given to us through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph, in this latter dispensation, whereby men may learn the truth, if they will. They are sent out to offer the olive branch of peace to the world, to offer the knowledge that God has spoken from the heavens once more to his children upon the earth; that God has in his mercy restored again to the world the fulness of the Gospel of His Only Begotten Son; in the flesh, that God has revealed and restored to mankind the divine power and authority from Himself, whereby they are enabled and authorized to perform the ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ necessary for their salvation, and their performance of these ordinances must of necessity be acceptable unto God who has given to them the authority to perform them in His name. Our elders are sent out to preach repentance of sin, to preach righteousness, to preach to the world the gospel of love, of fellowship and of friendship among mankind, to teach men and women to do that which is right in the sight of God and in the presence of all men, to teach them the fact that God has organized His Church, a Church of which He, Himself, is the author and the founder--not Joseph Smith, not President Brigham Young, not the Twelve Apostles, that have been chosen in this dispensation--to them does not belong the honor of establishing the Church, God is its author, God is its founder and we are sent out and we scud out our elders to make this proclamation to the world, and leave it to their own judgment and discretion as to whether they will investigate it, learn the truth for themselves, and accept it, or whether they will reject it. We do not make war upon them; if they do not receive it, we do not contend with them if they fail to benefit themselves by receiving the message that we give to them for their own good, we only pity. Our sympathy goes out to those who will not receive the truth and who will not walk in the light when the light shines before them; not hatred, not enmity, not the spirit of condemnation; it is our duty to leave condemnation in the hands of Almighty God. He is the only real true righteous, impartial judge, and we leave judgment in His hands. It is not our business to proclaim calamities, judgments, destruction and the wrath of God upon men, if they will not receive the truth. Let them read the word of God, as recorded in the New and the Old Testaments, and, if they will receive it let them read the word that has been restored through the gift and power of God to Joseph the Prophet, as contained in the D&C and in the Book of Mormon. Let them read these things, and they will learn there, themselves, the promises that God has made to those who will not hearken when they hear the truth, but will close their ears and their eves against the light. We need not repeat these things and try to impose upon the feelings and judgments of men by threatening them or by warning them against the dangers and evils that may come upon the ungodly, the disobedient, the unthankful, and those who will not yield to the truth. They will learn it soon enough, if we do not mention it to them at all. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.4 It is not a part of our business to dwell upon these things: our duty is to tell the truth, preach the truth, the peaceable things of the Kingdom of God, the way of life and salvation, the way of repentance, the way of righteousness, the way of love and of dealing one with another, the golden rule to do unto others as we would that they should do unto us, as taught by the Son of God. The great object and duty that devolves upon the Latter-day Saints is to learn, each man and each women for himself and for herself, their individual duty as members of the Church. Just as soon as a man or woman learns his and her duty to God and to those who are members with them in the household of faith, peace is established, love and good will are assured, no back-bitting, no fault-finding, no bearing false witness against neighbors, no strife, no contention. For the moment that a Latter-day Saint learns his duty, he will learn that it is his business to make peace, to establish good will, to work righteousness, to be filled with the spirit of kindness, love, charity, and forgiveness: and, so far as he is concerned, there can be no war, no strife, no contention, no quarreling, no disunion: no factions can arise among the people who know their duty as Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.4 Another great and important duty devolving upon this people is to teach their children, from their cradle until they became men and women, every principle of the Gospel, and endeavor, as far as it lies in the power of the parents, to instil into their hearts a love for God, the truth, virtue, honesty, honor and integrity to every thing that is good. That is important for all men and women who stand at the head of a family in the household of faith. Teach your children the love of God. Teach them to love the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Teach them to love their fellowmen, and especially to love their fellow members in the Church, that they may he true to their fellowship with the people of God. Teach them to honor the priesthood, to honor the authority that God has bestowed upon His Church for the proper government of His Church. The house of God is a house of order, and not a house of confusion; and it could not be thus, if there were not those who had authority to preside, to direct, to counsel, to lead in the affairs of the Church. No house would be a house of order if it were not properly organized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized. Take away the organization of the Church, and its power would cease. Every part of its organization is necessary, and essential to its perfect existence. Disregard, ignore, or omit any part and you start imperfection in the Church: and if we should continue in that way we would find ourselves like those of old, being led by error, superstition, ignorance, and by the cunning and craftiness of men. We would soon leave out here a little and there a little, here a line and there a precept, until we would become like the rest of the world. divided, disorganized, confused, and without knowledge, without revelation or inspiration, and without Divine authority or power. Of course, it is very necessary that those who preside in the Church should learn thoroughly their duties. There is not a man holding any position of authority in the Church who can perform his duty as he should in any other spirit than in the spirit of fatherhood and brotherhood toward those over whom he presides. Those who have authority should not be rulers, nor dictators, they should not be arbitrary, they should gain the hearts, the confidence and the love of those over whom they preside, by kindness and love unfeigned, by gentleness of spirit, by persuasion, by an example that is above reproach and above the reach of unjust criticism. In this way, in the kindness of their hearts, in their love for their people, they lead them in the path of righteousness, and teach them the way of salvation, by saying to them both by precept and example: Follow me, as I follow our head, the Redeemer of the world. This is the duty of those who preside. The duty of the high councils of the Church, when they are called to act upon questions involving the membership or standing of members of the Church, is to find out the truth, the facts, and then judge according to the truth and the facts that are brought to their understanding, always tempered with mercy, love, and kindness, and with the spirit in their souls to save and not to destroy and Cast out. Our mission is to save, not destroy: our aim should be to build up, and not to tear down. Our calling is to convey the spirit of love, truth, peace and good will to mankind throughout the world: that war may cease: that strife may come to an end, and that peace may prevail. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.5 I thank God, my Heavenly Father, as you do, every one of you present here today, and as do all the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that our land is at peace as much as it is. I am sorry that there should be any internal disruptions, division, or contention existing at all among the various organizations of the people of our land. I am sorry that there should be strife. If they had the true spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ they would not have strife; they would cease to harbor feelings of contention and strife; if troubles came they would meet together and deliberate in the spirit of wisdom, meekness and humility, invoking the blessing and spirit of Almighty God upon their deliberations and counsels, and calmly decide together upon that which would be for the common good, and then go as one man to do that which is necessary to build up the nation and the country in which we dwell. I am glad that we have kept out of war so far, and I hope and pray that we may not be under the necessity of sending our sons to war, or experience as a nation the distress, the anguish and sorrow that come from a condition such as exists upon the old continent. Oh God, have mercy upon thy poor children in Europe, and throughout the world, who are brought under the awful conditions that exist there because of the ambition and pride of men who claim the right and power to dictate, even to life or death, the conduct of the people over whom they rule. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.6 My brethren and sisters, God is with you: the Lord is with this people: and if we will be His children in very deed as He is in very deed our Father, I tell you that God will temper the elements for your good; He will bless you with health; He will bless you with abundance: He will bless the earth and make it fruitful. Those who reap their harvest by the toil and sweat of their brow, from mother earth, will have bounteous harvests if they will only serve God in their hearts and in their outward life. I feel just as sure of this as I do that I am standing before you here. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.6 I do not feel that it would be to my advantage, nor to yours, for me to continue my remarks very much longer. I have no need of course to refer to my personal feelings and condition; but I have recently passed through my share of sorrow. Nevertheless the Lord has been so merciful to me, He has blessed me in so many ways, and multiplied His favors and mercies upon me to such an extent that it would be shameful for me to complain, even under the most severe afflictions and adverse conditions and circumstances in life. I love truth wherever I see or find it. I love men and women who are virtuous and honorable. I would love a man, no matter who he is, if I knew that he was honest before God. He might differ with me in religious views, and in many other ways; but, is he honest with his fellow man and with his God? If he is, I honor him, and I love him for his honesty. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.6 When I think of our mothers, the mothers of our children, and realize that under the inspiration of the Gospel they live virtuous, pure, honorable lives, true to their husbands, true to their children, true to their convictions of the Gospel, oh, how my soul goes out in pure love for them: how noble and how God-given, how choice, how desirable and how indispensable they are to the accomplishment of God's purposes and the fulfilment of His decrees. My brethren, can you mistreat your wives, the mothers of your children? Can you help treating them with love and kindness? Can you help trying to make their lives as comfortable and happy as possible, lightening their burdens to the utmost of your ability, making life pleasant for them and for their children in their homes? How can you help it? How can any one help feeling an intense interest in the mother of his children, and also in his children? If we possess the Spirit of God, we can not do otherwise. It is only when men depart from the right spirit, when they digress from their duty, that they will neglect or dishonor any soul that is committed to their care. They are bound to honor their wives and children. Intelligent men, men of business, men of affairs, men who are involved constantly in the labors of life, and have to devote their energies and thought to their labors and duties, may not enjoy as many comforts with their families as they would like, but if they have the Spirit of the Lord with them in the performance of their temporal duties, they will never neglect the mothers of their children, nor their children. They will not fail to teach them the principles of life and set before them a proper example. Don't do anything yourselves that you would have to say to your boy, "Don't do it." Live so that you can say. "My son, do as I do, follow me, emulate my example." That is the way fathers should live, every one of us; and it is a shame, a weakening, shameful thing for any member of the Church to pursue a course that he knows is not right and that he would rather his children should not follow. What a shameful thing it is for a man to place upon himself an embargo, a handicap against doing his full duty to those that love him and whom he should love above his own life, by yielding to appetites that are wrong and to passions that are base, and doing things that he ought not to do, and that he would feign keep his children from doing. Do your duty, my brethren, and the Lord will do His for you. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.7 We want Zion to grow and become strong in righteousness. We desire the people of Zion to develop in understanding and grow in knowledge and become strong in wisdom. We want you to cultivate the spirit of mercy, of charity and forgiveness. We want you to be generous to the poor; we desire that you will guard the helpless, the aged, and provide for them. God has made provision in His Church, in the complete organization of it, so that every faithful soul in it may be looked after and nurtured and cared for in the hour of need. The trouble with us at present is that there are so many men who are holding membership in the Church, who neglect their duty in so many ways, that we have not the means to provide as amply as we would like for the necessities of the poor. When you look upon a tithing record, a book of large dimensions, containing the names of members of the Church who do not pay their tithing, you do not need to wonder why the Church has not more means to provide for the poor. We are doing the best we can with the means we have. I am going to read you just a few little things that we are doing with the means you consecrate to the Lord for the upbuilding of Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.7 The general Church Auditing Committee has examined the receipts and disbursements of the tithes of the stakes of Zion and missions, also the accounts of the Presiding Bishop's Office, and the accounts in the office of the Trustee-in-Trust. Their report will be rendered before the close of the conference, I suppose. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.8 The following report will show how the tithing of the Church, for the year 1914, has been disbursed. Now I am taking a liberty that has not been indulged in very much; but there have been so many false charges made against me and against my brethren by ignorant and evilly disposed people, that I propose to make a true statement which will, I believe, at least have a tendency to convince you that we are trying to do our duty the best we know how: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.8 April 4, 1915. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.8 The following report will show how the tithing of the Church for the year 1914 has been disbursed: For the erection and maintenance of stake tabernacles, ward meeting houses, amusement halls and other stake and ward expenses 730,960.00 For the maintenance of Church schools 330,984.00 For the maintenance of our Temples 64,508.00 For the erection of mission houses and general mission activities, and return fares of missionaries . . . . . . . . . . . 227,900.00 For the maintenance of Church buildings and Church institutions, including the Temple block and the Presiding Bishop's office 19,293.00 For the completion and maintenance of the Latter-day Saints Hospital 136,727.00 For the erection of the Cardston Temple 52,647.00 For the erection of the new Church office building 128,663.00 Paid to the worthy poor out of the tithing funds 116,238.00 [Total] 1,887,920.00 Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.8 This is the entire tithing of the Church in all the world for the year 1914. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.8 The expenses of the General Authorities and the maintenance of the office of the First Presidency are paid out of revenues derived from investments, and not out of the tithes of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.8 In addition to the amount paid out of the tithes to the poor $116,238.00 there has been collected and paid to the poor by the Relief Society 74,290.00 And there has been paid to the poor by the Bishops from the fast offerings and other ward charity funds. . . . . . . . 76,000.00 Making a total paid to the poor for 1914 $266,528.00 There has been collected for the war sufferers, which is being expended under the direction of President Hyrum M. Smith, of the European Mission $33,000.00 Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.8 Our records show that 73% of all the Latter-day Saint families residing in all the stakes of Zion own their own homes. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 The birth rate of the Church for the year 1914 is 39.5 to the thousand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 The death rate for the year 1914 is 8.3 to the thousand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 Marriage rate for the year 1914 is 17 to the thousand. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 During the year there were 14,717 children blessed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 There are 1,316 Elders and 115 women laboring in the missions as missionaries. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 Of the membership of the Church residing in the stakes of Zion, 319,000 were born in the United States. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 There has been a net increase in the membership of the Church in the stakes of Zion from the year 1901 to 1914 of 129,493 souls. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 There are now 739 wards and 33 independent branches. There are 68 stakes of Zion and 21 missions. During the year 1914, 21 new wards have been organized and 2 stakes of Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 There have been performed in the Temples during the past year, 166,909 baptisms for the living and dead, and 72,952 endowments for the living and dead. Altogether 326,264 ordinances have been performed in the four temples. This is a very considerable increase over any previous year. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 Ward teaching has been given considerable attention by the stake and ward officers, with the results that in some of the stakes of Zion the work has been so well developed that 96% of all the families are visited by the ward teachers each month. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 Now some people have reported that the tithes of the Church amount to millions every year, and Joseph F. Smith has the absolute control of all these millions, and never gives any account of them to the world, nor to anybody else. Now we are not giving this to the world; we are giving it to the Latter-day Saints. These amounts which I have read, I think it may be proper to state here, cover the entire tithing of the Church in all the world, for the year 1914. Now when you come to talk about the millions and millions of dollars of tithing paid by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is simmered down to $1,887,920, for the year 1914, and that was an average year. I may be pardoned, perhaps, if I say here, for the benefit of any who do not know the facts, that the law of tithing is a voluntary law; that is, it imposes only a voluntary duty upon the people. No persons standing as a member of the Church, is jeopardized because he doesn't pay his tithing. There are a good many of us who don't observe all the laws, and it is a good thing that the Lord does not execute justice and judgment upon a great many of us because of it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.9 The expenses of the general authorities and the maintenance of the First Presidency are paid out of the revenues derived from investments, and not out of the tithes of the Church. These investments, as a rule, consist of contributions of stocks of various kinds to the Church on tithing, which have been held by the church; and the dividends that we derive from these stocks and investments are for the benefit of the people in every instance, for the Church has never made an investment that bad not for its object the benefiting of the whole people, as far as possible, fostering industries and the colonization of our country. It has been done for aiding the settlers of our country, our state and our adjoining states, as far as possible, by assisting them with means, to help them lay the foundation of prosperity for themselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.10 It just occurs to me that we are talking to you on the Sabbath day, and some people, perhaps, may feel that it is somewhat out of place for us to talk about money and temporalities, about tithing, or the expenditure of means and the uses made of it, on the Sabbath day, but the Sabbath was made for man. and not man for the Sabbath. God made or designated the Sabbath day for a day of rest, a day of worship, a day for goodly deeds, and for humility and, penitence, and the worship of the Almighty in spirit and in truth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.10 There has been collected for the war sufferers, which is being expended under the direction of President Hyrum M. Smith of the European Mission, $33,000. This was done on one day, practically, a day set apart for general contributions for the benefit of the sufferers, in consequence of the war. I have a list of the names of all the stakes of Zion and the wards which contributed these means, and it was all contributed and handled and sent to the sufferers to be distributed equally and impartially,--to Latter-day Saints, mind you, first. I want to tell you that, we will be honest with you; we feel that it is the first duty of Latter-day Saints to take care of themselves, and of their poor; and then, if we can extend it to others, and as wide and as far as we can extend charity and assistance to others that are not members of the Church, we feel that it is our duty to do it. But first look after the members of our own household. The man who will not provide for his own house, as one of old has said, is worse than an infidel. So we make no apologies for saying that we have collected these means for the suffering Latter-day Saints that are afflicted because of the war, in Germany, in Austria, in Italy, in Switzerland, Holland and in England and anywhere else where they are suffering in consequence of it. It cost the fund not one penny, not even a postage stamp for collection. May be you would like to know that: there were no paid agencies, no paid collectors. No one received a nickel from the funds contributed for the assistance of the afflicted and the suffering. It was done through the channels of the holy priesthood, through the organization of the Church, in the regular way, and it has cost nobody anything. The First Presidency received the other day the following cable message from the President of the Swiss and German Mission: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.10 "Two thousand dollar relief fund thankfully received. Express gratitude to God's people. Conditions satisfactory.--VALENTINE, President Swiss and German Mission." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.10 We have received also a number of returns from President Hyrum M. Smith, but in volume, and these returns have not been condensed, so that they can be presented here. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.10 Now, we have a few more statements that I desire to read: Our records show that 73% of all the Latter-day Saint families, residing in all the stakes of Zion, own their own homes. I am sorry that this figure is not as large as it has been in the past, but we have become more numerous than we were when 95% of the people of the Church owned their own little homes and owed nothing to anybody for them. Let me inject here, once more, my standing admonition to the Latter-day Saints: My brethren, see to it that you do not put a mortgage upon the roof that covers the heads of your wives and your children. Don't do it. Don't plaster your farms with mortgages, because it is from your farms that you reap your food, and the means to provide your raiment and your other necessaries of life. Keep your possessions free from debt. Get out of debt as fast as you can, and keep out of debt, for that is the way in which the promise of God will be fulfilled to the people of His Church, that they will become the richest of all people in the world. But this will not happen while you mortgage your homes and your farms, or run into debt beyond your ability to meet your obligations; and thus, perhaps, your name and credit be dishonored because you over-reached yourselves. "Never reach farther than you can gather," is a good motto. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.11 From each of the newly organized wards we have received calls to assist to help build new meeting-houses; and so the work goes on. I have read the figures of the hundreds of thousands that we are appropriating for the assistance in the erection of meetinghouses, tabernacles, and amusement places for the youth of Zion, to keep them tinder proper restraint and control. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.11 The work in the temples has been the largest on record. There have been performed in the temples, during the past year, 166,909 baptisms for the living and dead,--an indication that we are increasing the membership of the Church very, very much faster in the spirit-world than we are on earth. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.11 Now, my brethren and sisters, we do not want to weary you with statistics. Our duty is not to deal particularly in statistics and in financial matters. Our paramount duty is the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the inculcation of the principles of that Gospel in the hearts and souls of all our children. This is our duty. God bless you. I am glad to see you here. I surely welcome you with all my soul, and I feel in my soul that God will bless you for your presence here. Why are you here? Because you are members of the Church of Jesus Christ. You are here because this is the annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are here because you are members of that Church and because you are members of the priesthood and of the auxiliary organizations of the Church and are all interested in the well-being, advancement, and development, spiritually, intellectually, physically and financially, and every other way, of the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. God bless you, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. CLOSING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 Knowledge of Gospel principles most essential for missionary service--Other missionary requisites, are, love and humility--First Presidency annoyed by unnecessary questions--Indignant repudiation of false statement concerning attitude on prohibition--Saints advised to endeavor to perfect their lives--Importance of teachers' duties--The The Saints enjoined to pray. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 I want to read a passage of the scripture which will apply not only to the Seventies but to all the Saints: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 "Wherefore, honest men, and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men, ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 "And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that' ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 "For He will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 "And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for My name's sake, shall find it again, even life eternal; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 "Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in My heart, sayeth the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in My covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy; Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 "For if ye will not abide in My covenant, ye are not worthy of Me." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.137 I think that this passage of scripture opens to us a vast field and subject for thought and reflection, for research, and careful attention. I believe in all the words that have been spoken by the Holy Prophets concerning the dispensation of the fulness of times and the establishment of the kingdom of God in the earth. I believe it is good to seek knowledge out of the best books, to learn the histories of nations, to be able to comprehend the purposes of God with reference to the nations of the earth; and I believe that one of the most important things and perhaps more important to us than studying the history of the world, is that we study and become thoroughly acquainted with the principles of the Gospel, that they may be established in our hearts and souls, above all other things, to qualify us to go out into the world to preach and teach them. We may know all about the philosophy of the ages and the history of the nations of the earth: we may study the wisdom and knowledge of man and get all the information that we can acquire in a lifetime of research and study, but all of it put together will never qualify any one to become a minister of the Gospel unless he has the knowledge and spirit of the first principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.138 Another thing--one of the indispensible qualifications of the Elders who go out into the world to preach is humility, meekness and love unfeigned, for the well-being and the salvation of the human family, and the desire to establish peace and righteousness in the earth among men. We can not preach the gospel of Christ without this spirit of humility, meekness, faith in God and reliance upon His promises and word to us. You may learn all the wisdom of men, but that will not qualify you to do these things like the humble, guiding influence of the Spirit of God will. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.138 It is necessary for the Elders who go out into the world to preach to study the spirit of the gospel, which is the spirit of humility, the spirit of meekness and of true devotion to whatever purpose you set your hand or your mind to do. If it is to preach the gospel, we should devote ourselves to the duties of that ministry, and we ought to strive with the utmost of our ability to qualify ourselves to perform that specific labor, and the way to do it is to live so that the Spirit of God will have communion and be present with us to direct us in every moment and hour of our ministry, night and day. It is surprising to hear the multitude of questions that are continuously sent to the Presidency of the Church, and to others of my brethren who are in leading positions, for information upon some of the most simple things that pertain to the Gospel. Hundreds of questions, communications, and letters are sent to us from time to time asking information and instruction on matters that are so plainly written in the revelations of God--contained in the Book of Mormon, the D&C, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Bible--it seems that any one who can read should understand. Why Elders and Bishops and missionaries should be under the necessity of writing to inquire about many of these things is mysterious to me. They have the books and other sources of information within their reach; they should have every facility to acquire the knowledge that is necessary to fit them for their duties, if they will only pay attention to them; but they don't always do it. Some people seem to like to ask questions. I have been so bored at times with questioners that I have said to them: "Answer your own questions yourselves and submit them to me, and I will tell you whether you are right or wrong, as near as I can. But if we were to devote ourselves to answering questions that the Bishop should answer for the people, and attend to duties that should be attended to by the Teachers in the wards, we would have very little time for doing anything else. When the brethren and sisters want to know anything about temple work, about the ordinances, about the precepts and principles of the Gospel or the obligations of members in the Church, let them go to their Bishops and find out; and, if the Bishops can't inform them, let them go to the presidents of their stakes, and let the president of the stake and his counselors and the Bishop and his counselors get together, if necessary, and answer the question. Then if they are not satisfied about it let them appeal to the Presidency of the Church or to the Twelve, or the Seventy or Presiding Bishopric as the case may require, and possibly we may help you out. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.139 There is a disposition--I feel almost indignant to refer to it at all, but I am led to believe that there is a feeling and disposition on the part of some of our brethren to misconstrue my position, my feeling and my desire with reference to the temperance question. I thought I expressed myself here last night as plainly as a man could do it, and yet the very remarks that I made here last evening, before the priest-hood meeting, have been, I am told, so misinterpreted and misconstrued that I am beset to know what I meant, and as Brother Golden said: "I am going to tell you something." I started out in this ministry in 1854, a boy of fifteen years of age. From that hour until now I have never relented nor relaxed, one moment, in my advocacy of abstinence from strong drink, and my advocacy of temperance and prohibition, wherever prohibition can be effected; I believe in it. I believe that the time will come and that it is close by, when the people of this state will have to join in the procession of other states and adopt a law of state-wide prohibition; I believe the time will come when they will be forced to do it, to keep in line with the other states in the Union. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.139 I am delighted with the effort that is being put forth in Great Britain--the motherland and the fatherland of many of the Latter-day Saints, and one of the most fruitful nurseries of the Church, where people have been let loose to indulge in drunkenness, to wallow in the debasing evils of the "public house," the "beer shop" and to indulge in every species of licentiousness which leads to degradation and poverty. Many of the mayors of the great boroughs and cities are principal owners of the ale houses, and dispensaries of intoxicating drinks. Now the authorities of that great nation, the leaders of the people are waking up to these monstrous evils and are setting to work with a will and a determination to establish temperance in that land. It will be the salvation of our mother country, if they will only do it as Russia has done it. I propose to continue to preach abstinence and to advocate the cause of temperance; I not only believe in and will advocate this, but I will also advocate and strive to the best of my ability to use every opportunity or power within my reach for prohibition, in wisdom, and not in unwisdom. If I go to any extreme at all, in any matter, I hope it will be in the cause of justice, truth, temperance, righteousness and honesty of life and purpose. I may get extreme in matters of that kind, but I may not be so extreme as some people are in questions of policy. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.140 I have enjoyed the spirit of our conference. I feel that we have been blessed in our assemblies; that much has been said of a very important and precious character to us, and I sincerely hope that the spirit of the conference will abide with us, will go With us to our homes, and that we will be able to continue to build on the foundations of the Gospel of the Son of God until we become perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect, according to the sphere and intelligence that we act in and possess. I do not expect that any of us will ever become in mortality quite so perfect as God is perfect; but in the spheres in which we are called to act, and according to the capacity and breadth of intelligence that we possess, in our sphere and in the exercise of the talent, the ability and intelligence that God has given to us, we may become as perfect in our sphere as God is perfect in His higher and more exalted sphere. I believe that. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.140 Now may the Lord bless Israel. May He bless our presiding Patriarch, who will give us a parting blessing in the adjournment of this conference. May the Lord bless the presidents of the stakes of Zion and their counselors, and the high councils of the stakes, and the Bishops and their counselors, and all who are called to act in the very important callings as teachers among the people. I don't know of any duty that is more sacred, or more necessary, if it is carried out as it should be, than the duties of the teachers who visit the homes of the people, who pray with them, who admonish them to virtue and honor, to unity, to love, and to faith in and fidelity to the cause of Zion; who strive to settle uncertainties in the minds of the people and bring them to the standard of the knowledge that they should possess in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May all the people open their doors, call in the members of their families and respect the visits of the teachers to their homes, and join with them in striving to bring about a better condition, if possible, in the home than ordinarily exists. If you can advance, try to aid the teachers to help you make that advancement. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1915, p.140 May God bless Israel in all her abidings. Remember our Elders who are laboring throughout the nations of the earth, in your prayers; and remember your prayers, for the Lord has enjoined it upon us that we shall pray, morning and evening. And the prophets of the Book of Mormon have enjoined upon us that we should carry with us always the spirit of prayer in our hearts, morning, noon and night, and that we should pray for the blessings of the Lord upon our families, our farms, our flocks, our herds, our business, and everything that we possess in the world. Do not forget to pray. Don't suppose for a moment that you are as safe and secure in the favor of the Lord when you feel independent of Him as you will be if you feel your dependence upon Him all the day long. God bless you. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.1 Former Church leaders, now in spirit world, still deeply interested in our welfare.--Their presence and influence, and that of other heavenly beings, felt here.--God an individual, not personally omnipresent--His power and knowledge embraces all creation--Obedience to the Gospel imparts a knowledge of God, which insures eternal life--The necessary Divine authority restored in this age--Special ministry of the Twelve Apostles--The Saints should be exponents and exemplars of righteousness--Fourteen years summary of Church finances. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.2 I shall need the assistance of the Good Spirit and the good feeling and faith and sympathy of my brethren and sisters this morning in an endeavor to speak to you for a short time. I hope it will be a short time, too, for at present I do not feel nor design to occupy very much of the time. I could not express my gratitude with language in my possession, which I feel this morning in being permitted, under the mercies of the Father of us all, to be present with you and behold the sight that I see in the assembled multitudes gathered here in the opening session of this conference, on the Eighty-sixth anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel sure that the Prophet Joseph Smith and his associates, who, under the guidance and inspiration of the Almighty, and by His power, began this latter-day work, would rejoice and do rejoice.--I was going to say if they were permitted to look down upon the scene that I behold in this tabernacle, but I believe they do have the privilege of looking down upon us just as the all-seeing eye of God beholds every part of His handiwork. For I believe that those who have been chosen in this dispensation and in former dispensations, to lay the foundation of God's work in the midst of the children of men, for their salvation and exaltation, will not be deprived in the spirit world from looking down upon the results of their own labors, efforts and mission assigned them by the wisdom and purpose of God, to help to redeem and to reclaim the children of the Father from their sins. So I feel quite confident that the eye of Joseph, the Prophet, and of the martyrs of this dispensation, and of Brigham and John and Wilford, and those faithful men who were associated with them in their ministry upon the earth, are carefully guarding the interests of the Kingdom of God in which they labored and for which they strove during their mortal lives. I believe they are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with greater capacity, with far more interest behind the veil, than they were in the flesh. I believe they know more; I believe their minds have expanded beyond their comprehension in mortal life, and their interests are enlarged and expanded in the work of the Lord to which they gave their lives and their best service. Although some may feel and think that it is a little extreme to take this view, yet I believe that it is true; and I have a feeling in my heart that I stand in the presence not only of the Father and of the Son, but in the presence of those whom God commissioned, raised up and inspired to lay the foundations of the work in which we are engaged. Accompanying that sense or feeling, I am impressed with the thought that I would not this moment say or do one thing that would be taken as unwise or imprudent, or that would give offense to any of my former associates and co-laborers in the work of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.3 I would not like to say one thing, or express a thought that would grieve the heart of Joseph, or of Brigham, or of John, or of Wilford, or Lorenzo, or any of their faithful associates in the ministry. Sometimes the Lord expands our vision from this point of view and this side of the veil, that we feel and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which separates us from that other sphere. If we can see by the enlightening influence of the Spirit of God and through the words that have been spoken by the holy prophets of God, beyond the veil that separates us from the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond, can see more clearly through the veil back here to us than it is possible for us to see to them from our sphere of action. I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. We begin to realize more and more fully, as we become acquainted with the principles of the Gospel, as they have been revealed anew in this dispensation, that we are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors, to our friends and associates and co-laborers who have preceded us into the spirit world. We cannot forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we can not break, that we can not dissolve or free ourselves from. If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, shortsightedness, lack of inspiration and wisdom from time to time, how much more certain it is and reasonable and consistent to believe that those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond and are still engaged in the work for the salvation of the souls of men, the opening of the prison doors to them that are bound and proclaiming liberty to the captives who can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know them. They have advanced; we are advancing; we are growing as they have grown; we are reaching the goal that they have attained unto; and therefore, I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend better than ever before, the weaknesses that are liable to mislead us into dark and forbidden paths. They see the temptations and the evils that beset us in life and the proneness of mortal beings to yield to temptation and to wrong doing; hence their solicitude for us and their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves. I thank God for the feeling that I possess and enjoy and for the realization that I have, that I stand, not only in the presence of Almighty God, my Maker and Father, but in the presence of His Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Savior of the world; and I stand in the presence of Peter and James, (and perhaps the eyes of John are also upon us and we know it not); and that I stand also in the presence of Joseph and Hyrum and Brigham and John, and those who have been valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ and faithful to their mission in the world, who have gone before. When I go I want to have the privilege of meeting them with the consciousness that I have followed their example, that I have carried out the mission in which they were engaged as they would have it carried out; that I have been as faithful in the discharge of duty committed to me and required at my hand as they were faithful in their time, and that when I meet them I shall meet them as I met them here, in love, in harmony, in unison and in perfect confidence that I have done my duty as they have done theirs. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.3 I hope you will forgive me for my emotion. You would have peculiar emotions, would you not, if you felt that you stood in the presence of your Father, in the very presence of Almighty God, in the very presence of the Son of God and of holy angels? You would feel rather emotional, rather sensitive. I feel it to the very depths of my soul this moment. So I hope you will forgive me, if I exhibit some of my real feelings. I am only a child, I am only learning, and I hope I shall not be ever learning and never come to the knowledge of the truth. I sincerely hope that as I learn little by little, line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, day by day, and month by month, and year by year, that there will come a time when I shall have learned indeed the truth and shall know it as God knows it and be saved and exalted in His presence. Now, my mission, my duty, from the days of my childhood, has been to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the power of God unto salvation, Unto all who will receive and obey it. It is my duty to proclaim to my brethren, to the household of faith, as well as to the world, when opportunity presents, that I believe in the living God, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who begot His Son, his only begotten in the flesh, and that Son grew from His birth unto His manhood and developed into the very image and likeness of His Father, insomuch that He declared on one occasion that "he that hath seen me, hath seen the Father." I do not believe in the doctrines held by some that God is only a spirit and that He is of such a nature that He fills the immensity of space, and is everywhere present in person or without person, for I can not conceive it possible that God could be a person if He filled the immensity of space and was everywhere present at the same time. It is a physical, a theological, an unreasonable, inconsistency to imagine that even God the Eternal Father would be in two places, as an individual, at the same moment. It is impossible. But His power extends throughout the immensity of space, His power extends to all His creations, and His knowledge comprehends them all, and He governs them all and He knows all. It is a scriptural truth, that this is life eternal to know the only true and living God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I believe that the Latter-day Saints, through the teachings of the scriptures and through the revelations that have come to them by the voice of the Prophet Joseph Smith, are able to learn the true and living God and know Him and also His Son whom He has sent into the world, whom to know is life eternal. Not simply the knowledge of it but having that knowledge we are inclined and determined to observe His precepts, obey His laws, be submissive to His requirements in every particular and accept every ordinance of the house of God and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has been devised by the will of the Father for the qualification of His children in the earth to return into His presence. And he that knoweth God and Jesus Christ, whom to know is life eternal, will verify that knowledge by ample and continuous and faithful obedience to every requirement that God makes of His children, and therein consists the salvation and the gift of eternal life. The devil knows the Father much better than we. Lucifer, the son of the morning, knows Jesus Christ, the Son of God, much better than we, but in him it is not and will not redound to eternal life; for knowing, he yet rebels; knowing he yet is disobedient; he will not receive the truth; he will not abide in the truth; hence he is Perdition, and there is no salvation for him. The same doctrine applies to me and to you and to all the sons and daughters of God who have judgment and knowledge and are able to reason between cause and effect, and determine the right from the wrong and the good from the evil and who are capable of seeing the light and distinguishing it from the darkness. Then this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to know the only true and living God and His Son whom He has sent into the world, which knowledge comes through obedience to all His commandments, faith, repentance of sin, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by divine authority, and not by the will of man. This then is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is the power of God unto salvation; obedience to the truth, submission to the order that God has established in His house, for the house of God is a house of order and not a house of confusion. God has set in His Church apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastors and teachers whose duty is to administer to the people, to teach, instruct, expound, exhort, admonish and lead in the path of righteousness. The people who are associated in this organization, must harken to the voice of him who has divine authority to guide and direct and counsel in the midst of Israel. All these are necessary in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and many things, too many for me to mention here, are necessary, including the ordinances of the house of God, revealed in greater plainness in this dispensation than perhaps in any former dispensation since the world was formed. All these ordinances are essential, in their place and in their time, and none of us are big enough or good enough or possess sufficient independence in our-selves to ignore these things that God has revealed and required of us. No man is too big, too great or knows so much, that he is independent of God. We are here on His earth, we breathe His air, we behold His sunlight, we eat His food and we wear His clothing; He has provided all the elements by which we are clothed and fed and live and move and have our being in the world. We are not independent of God, not for one moment. Not only do we believe in the Father and in the Son and in their words and counsel and divine authority which they brought and gave to men in the flesh, but we believe also in the divinity of the mission of Joseph the Prophet. We accept him as the one authorized, empowered, clothed with wisdom and knowledge in our day and time, to lay the foundations of the Church of Jesus Christ and to restore the fullness of the Gospel of salvation to the world; to revive and renew in the hearts of the children of men the doctrines of Christ, the ordinances of His Gospel which He taught, which He administered and which He authorized His disciples to administer to all that would, calling upon all men to repent and believe in the name of the Father and of the Son. We believe that God has restored the divine priesthood, which holds the keys of ministration of the ordinances of life, to the children of men. Without that divine priesthood no man could receive or would receive a remission of sins by being buried in the water. It has to be by divine authority and without that divine authority our works would not be acceptable to the Lord, for He will not accept at the hands of the children of men that which He has not authorized them to do, which He has not qualified them to do, and called and appointed them to do; but when God calls men and ordains, and appoints, and gives them authority to administer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, what they do can not fail to be sanctioned and approved by the author and giver of the authority. When we receive the priesthood of God, and we do according to His word, then is He bound, and otherwise there is no promise. Now I can't tell you all that I would like to. Time will not permit, and there are others to speak and all these, your brethren, that are called to the apostleship and to minister in the midst of the house of Israel are endowed, or ought to be endowed, richly with the spirit of their calling. For instance these twelve disciples of Christ are supposed to be eye and ear witnesses of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. It is not permissible for them to say, I believe, simply; I have accepted it simply because I believe it. Read the revelation, the Lord informs us they must know, they must get the knowledge for themselves, it must be with them as though they had seen with their eyes and heard with their ears and they know the truth. That is their mission, to testify of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen from the dead and clothed now with almighty power at the right hand of God, the Savior of the world. That is their mission, and their duty, and that is the doctrine and the truth that it is their duty to preach to the world and see that it is preached to the world. Where they can not go themselves they are to have the help of others called to their assistance, the Seventies first, also the elders and the high priests. Those who hold the Melchizedek priesthood who are not otherwise appointed are under their direction to preach the Gospel to the world and to declare the truth--that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph is a prophet of God and was authorized and qualified to lay the foundation of the Kingdom of God. And when I say Kingdom of God I mean what I say. Christ is the King--not man. No man is king of the Kingdom of God; God is the King of it and we acknowledge Him and Him only as Sovereign of His Kingdom. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.7 Now we all need patience, forbearance, forgiveness, humility, charity, love unfeigned, devotion to the truth, abhorrence of sin and wickedness, rebellion and disobedience to the requirements of the Gospel. These are the qualifications requisite to Latter-day Saints and to becoming Latter-day Saints and members in good standing in the Church of Jesus Christ and heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. No member in good standing in the Church will be drunken or riotous or profane or will take advantage of his brother or his neighbor or will violate the principles of virtue and honor and righteousness. No member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing will ever be chargeable with such offenses as these because they will avoid these evils and they will live above them. Then we have a mission in the world, each man, each woman, each child, who has grown to understanding or to the years of accountability, ought to be examples to the world, ought, not only to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth, but they ought to live so that the very life they live, the very words they speak, their every action m life, will be a sermon to the unwary and to the ignorant, teaching them goodness, purity, uprightness, faith in God and love for the human family. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.7 Now I have a few figures that I want to read to you. They are only a few. They cover a space of about fourteen years. I do not wish in doing this to appear to be in any way distinguished from any of my brethren, I do not wish to claim any honor more than my brethren, but I do think that we have a record that we need not be ashamed of for the last fourteen or fifteen years or more. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.7 The report which follows will inform you concerning some of the Church expenditures and activities from the year 1901 to December 31, 1915: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.7 At the close of the year 1906 the One Million Dollar bonded indebtedness and interest had been paid, making a total of . . . . $1,200,000.00 There has been paid on account of Church Schools . . . . 3,714,455.00 For repairs, improvements, operation, maintenance and building of temples . . . . 1,169,499.00 For building stake and ward meeting houses and amusement halls . . . . 2,007,733.00 For real estate and buildings, for mission house and meeting house purposes in Europe . . . . 266,236.00 For real estate and buildings, for mission house and meeting house purposes in the United States . . . . 292,795.00 For Agricultural Colleges and for meeting houses in New Zealand and Samoa . . . . 78,000.00 Expended in the missions for all purposes less amount expended for real estate and buildings . . . . 2,625,328.00 For the Joseph Smith Memorial Farm and monument, and for the Joseph Smith Farm at Palmyra: for real estate covering Adam-Ondi-Ahman; for Carthage Jail, and for real estate at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri . . . . 61,000.00 For real estate and buildings surrounding the Temple Block at Salt Lake City, and for new buildings that have been erected thereon . . . . 1,555,000.00 For buildings and equipment for the Dr. W. H. Groves' Latter-day Saints Hospital . . . . 600,000.00 There has been paid to the poor through all Church channels . . . . 3,279,000.00 Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.8 There has been a net increase in the Church membership of 187,733 souls; and there has been organized 22 stakes of Zion, 202 wards and 6 missions. There are now 72 stakes of Zion, 797 wards and 22 missions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.8 There have been erected and remodeled 465 meeting houses in the stakes of Zion, besides branch and mission meeting houses in the various missions of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.8 There have been 1,468,437 baptisms performed for the dead in the temples. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.8 The Relief Society membership has increased 34%; the Sunday School 40%,: the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association 23%; the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association 27%; the Primary Association 39%; and the Religion Class 85%. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.8 I scarcely need to add one remark to this report; but I want to tell you this, that the tithes and means of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have not stuck to my hands nor to the hands of any of my associates. They have gone to their legitimate purposes. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.8 Now we are building a temple in Canada. We are building another in Hawaii, and we are building an office building for the Church, a library, and a record depository that will be safe for the records of the Church, which for many years have been exposed to danger of destruction by fire or by other means; and we hope soon to have a place that will be practically fire-proof and that will be capacious enough to hold the records of the Church for many years to come. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.8 How has it been done? How can we continue to do such things as these? Simply by the Latter-day Saints observing the laws of God and the rules of His Church; and while you do your duty I will guarantee to you, so long as my brethren are in charge, with whom I am associated, you will never have cause to suspect that your means will be misused or misappropriated. God bless you and all the household of faith, and help us to be true and faithful to the end, realizing that the battle is not to the strong, nor the race to the swift, but to him that endures to the end. Amen. Prest. Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.37 After the announcement here, last conference, that we intended to build a temple upon one of the Hawaiian Islands, Sister Ruth May Fox was inspired to write a hymn which was sent over to the Islands, and one of our elders there, Brother Orson Clark, composed music to it, and on the recent visit of Bishop Nibley and myself, we found them singing this beautiful song. We brought a copy of the words and music home with us, and Brother Stephens has prepared it to be sung today. If you will indulge with me for a moment, I will read you the words: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1916, p.37 "Sound forth your strains of gladness, ye islands of the sea, And lift your hearts in praises, O Saints of Hawaii; The Lord hath heard your pleadings, your long sought day is here When to the great Jehovah a temple you shall rear. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.2 Blessings Enjoyed by the Saints--Growth of the Church--Church Schools and and Education--Care of the Worthy Poor--Teaching in the Home--Personal Duty and Power of Presidency--Why a Temple was Built in Canada--A New Temple Authorized to be Built in Hawaii. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.2 I am delighted and most thankful for the privilege I enjoy of being with you to attend our 86th semiannual general conference of the Church. I am thankful, also, to see the very large number of our brethren and sisters who are assembled here this morning, and I sincerely hope that throughout our conference sessions the Spirit of the. Lord may pervade our meetings and influence those who shall speak to us; and bless everything that may be done for the upbuilding of Zion and for the continuance of the work of the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.2 I feel today, as I have always felt at the opening of our conferences, that the Church Was never in a better condition spiritually or temporally, since its organization, than it is today. I believe that the people have never been more united nor come nearer seeing eye to eye on doctrine and policy and principle than they now do. I cannot recall the time when the Church, or the members of the Church, were more prosperous temporally than they are now. The earth has been blessed of the Lord. It has been made fruitful to those who have toiled upon it and tilled it; the people have reaped a bounteous harvest this season, the elements have been propitious, and all things seem to have conduced to the well-being; happiness and prosperity of the people throughout the length and breadth of the land. There is no great reason for wonderment that under these circumstances the adversary is active on the other side, and that his satanic majesty is still alive; he is not dead, nor is he conquered, but to a very large extent his power is curtailed. He cannot now inflict upon us the trouble and injury that he once did; neither can the agencies do so whom he employs in the work of opposition to the truth. I believe that from year to year this increase in the power of truth, and decrease in the power of evil, will grow in greater proportion, both as to the prosperity and happiness of the people of God, and also as to the curtailment of the power of their enemies, until the power of God shall prevail throughout the land; and the power of the adversary will wane, and truth will triumph and righteousness will reign. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.2 I feel very thankful for the general good health that prevails throughout the land, among all the people. It is true the great reaper, Death, has gathered some of the aged, the weak and infirm from among us, but our number has continued to increase from month to month and from year to year. I pray that the blessings of the Lord may abundantly rest upon His people, and upon all the people of our land. We live in the midst of our great country, and our interests continue unabated in the welfare and prosperity of all the people of our land, from ocean to ocean, and from the north to the south; not only toward our own people but our desire and our prayers are that all the people of the earth may be blessed of God, that they may so conform to His will and so unite themselves together in good works and upright purposes that they may be worthy of His favor and blessing. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.3 We earnestly plead and hope and pray that the spirit of peace may come upon the warring nations of the earth, that they may cease their strife one against another and learn the peaceable things of the kingdom of God. We would that it were possible for our elders and messengers of truth to penetrate every land and nation upon the earth, and carry to them the olive branch of peace, the principles of life, and the opening of the door of salvation to all the inhabitants of the world. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.3 I have a few items to be mentioned at this meeting and I will read them: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.3 Since our last conference we have organized four new stakes. Curlew, North Davis, Portneuf and Raft River, are the names which have been given to these four newly organized stakes of Zion. Of course, these new organizations are offshoots of older organized stakes. The people are increasing, spreading out, and settling upon the land. Therefore, it becomes necessary, to insure the proper teaching and organization of our young as well as the old, that new stakes should be organized to give opportunity for the people to enjoy the benefits and privileges of Church organization. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.3 There have been organized twelve new wards, and five branches not connected with any wards. We have a number of branch organizations which are a part of wards, and are looked after and presided over by the bishops of the wards, a presiding elder being appointed over the branch; but in this mention they are independent branches, and are rapidly growing into sufficient numbers and strength soon to be organized into wards. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.3 There are now seventy-two organized stakes of Zion with 764 wards and thirty-eight branches, which are not connected with any ward, making a total of 803 wards and branches. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.3 During the past six months there have been changes made in the presidency of the Tahitian Mission, Ernest C. Rossiter succeeding Frank J. Fullmer; and in the Japan Mission, Joseph H. Stimpson succeeding Heber Grant Ivins. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.3 During the current year eighty wards have been assisted in erecting ward meetinghouses, amusement halls, or to pay for indebtedness incurred on such buildings already erected; and we are continually receiving applications for assistance in the erection of new meetinghouses in the newly organized wards. We are continually contributing, out of the funds of the tithing so far as we have it at our command, to fill the promises that we have made to the various wards of the Church who are erecting their houses. We give to them from month to month, or from time to time, as they demand, and as they raise their proportion, that which we have promised to them. We have a large amount on our records which has been promised, and which is gradually being drawn upon. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.4 I am happy to say, so far as the records show, that the tithing funds of the Church have been a little over the average of 1914. So far throughout this year (1915), the tithing funds have been a little in advance of those of the previous year. This is certainly very necessary, as the work is growing, the demands upon the Church are increasing, our schools are enlarging, and needing more and more assistance; we have already appropriated a very large sum of the yearly tithing to maintain our various Church schools. These schools need no praise from me on this occasion. Those who are associated with them or live within the stakes where they are conducted have come to realize what a great benefit they are to the youth of Zion, and we hope that they will continue to be conducted in the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The object, I may say almost the only purpose, for the maintenance of Church schools is that true religion and undefiled before God the Father, may be inculcated in the minds and hearts of our children while they are getting an education, to enable the heart, the soul and the spirit of our children to develop with proper teaching, in connection with the secular training that they receive in schools. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.4 I hope that I may be pardoned for giving expression to my real conviction with reference to the question of education in the State of Utah. The government of the State has provided for the common schools up to the eighth grade, and meets the general expenses of these schools. The treasury of this state has provided for one of the best universities that can be found in any state in the Union; thoroughly equipped for the highest education in the land. The State Legislature has also provided out of the State treasury, for an agricultural college, a most worthy and efficient institution of instruction and training for the youth of the people of the state. In addition to these, we are having forced upon the people high schools throughout every part of the land. I believe that we are running education mad. I believe that we are taxing the people more for education than they should be taxed. This is my sentiment. And especially is it my sentiment when the fact is known that all these burdens are placed upon the tax payers of the state to teach the learning or education of this world. God is not in it. Religion is excluded from it. The Bible is excluded from it. And those who desire to have their children receive the advantages of moral and religious education are excluded from all these state organizations, and if we will have our children properly taught in principles of righteousness, morality and religion, we have to establish Church schools or institutions of education of our own, and thus the burdens of taxation are increased upon the people. We have to do it in order that our children may have the advantages of moral training in their youth. I know that I shall be criticized by professional "lovers of education," for expressing my idea in relation to this matter. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.5 We are striving to the best of our ability to provide for the poor; that is, for God's poor. You know there are several kinds of poor, and we want to provide out of the funds of the tithing and of the offerings of the Saints as far as we possibly can, for the honest and the worthy poor, and not for the drunken poor or for those who bring poverty, and distress upon themselves by "riotous living," extravagance, folly and sin. They should be put to work by some means or power, and kept at work until they learn to abstain from that which is vicious, and they will observe and do that which is essential to life and to the well-being of mankind. I am not prepared to give you exact figures with reference to our fast offering fund, but it would be safe to say in view of past references to this matter, that if the Latter-day Saints would carefully, (I will not say honestly, because I do not believe they intend to be dishonest about it,) and thoughtfully observe the rule or law of fasting one day in each month, and give for the benefit of the poor just what it would cost them to maintain themselves and their families with food on that one day, we would have sufficient funds in the Church to feed all our poor without taking a dollar of tithing to do it. When it comes to the fact that the fast offering represents perhaps about three or four cents per head per year, it does not figure out to be a very unexhaustive fund, and does not, of course, meet the necessities of the really worthy poor. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.6 I am glad to say that the policy to do ward teaching that has been urged upon the bishops and upon the bishops' counselors, and teachers is being carried out to a greater extent than heretofore. It is advised that the bishops and their counselors themselves, by the aid of the teachers called to their assistance in their wards, shall visit every family within their ward, advise with them, and look after their temporal and their spiritual well-being. Not long ago I happened to be at the home of one of my children when the teachers came in. We called the family together and submitted ourselves to the duties of the teachers. The head teacher began by saying that he had been sent there by the bishop of the ward to inquire into the condition of the members of the family. He was instructed to inquire of them if they held family prayer, morning and evening, if they asked the blessing upon their food, at each meal. He was required by the bishop to inquire as to whether they kept the word of wisdom, as to whether they attended to their Sabbath meetings and honored the Sabbath day, as to whether those who were of age to attend the various other organizations of the Church, such as the Relief Society, the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, the Sunday Schools, the Primary Associations, and the Religion Class, did so, and if they sustained in their hearts their bishop and his counselors and were united in feeling and sentiment with them, and if they were in harmony in their feelings and sentiment with the presidency of their stake. And as to whether they sustained, by their faith and prayers, the presiding authorities of the Church, the Presidency of the Church and the Twelve Apostles, the Patriarch, the Presidents of Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric. If they could pray for them in faith and in good feeling, and were in harmony with them. If they believed and observed the law of tithing, and were at peace with their neighbors, etc. Then he asked that the head of the family should arise and open his heart to the teachers and tell them just what he had to say in relation to all these inquiries and requirements that were made of the teacher by the bishop. I admired it. I thought it was just the right thing to do, and I approved of it, and so pronounced my approval of the thoroughness. the simplicity. and the honesty of the teacher to inquire into all these things. I was very happy indeed. to see and hear the young man of the house get up and say that the family were endeavoring, to the best of their ability and knowledge, to comply with every requirement that was made of them as members of the Church in that ward, as required by the bishop. Then I took the liberty to say to the teachers that I was pleased with their mission and with the performance of their duty, and to assure them that from the training and instruction that my children had had from their birth up. I felt quite sure that they would be found, wherever they were, complying with all the requirements that were there made. Namely: the keeping of the word of wisdom, eschewing the use of intoxicating drinks, the use of tobacco, of strong and hot drinks, etc. The word of wisdom comprises all these things. Do you have your prayers? Do you remember God, the Giver of all the good you get and have in the world? Do you acknowledge His hand in all things, and do you render the gratitude and thankfulness of your souls to the Giver of every good and perfect gift? These are the questions that we should put to the inhabitants and the home-makers in Zion, to the family organizations in the Church. Is the husband and the father conducting himself in such a way as to be worthy of the affection and confidence of his whole family? Is his conduct and his dealings with them such as will secure to him their unstinted love and approval? Are the father and the mother living peacefully together, without strife or contention? Do the children live harmoniously and peacefully together in their homes, and are they taught to be peaceful and gentle with their neighbors' children? All these things should be taught by the teachers in the various wards, and by the bishops, visiting every house as far as possible, confirming the labors of the teachers in this work of love for the benefit of the inhabitants of Zion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.6 My brethren and sisters, these are some of the little things, perhaps. Some people would consider them trivial and of no importance, but I say there isn't anything that I know of in a man's life that is more essential to his happiness, and to the happiness of those with whom he is associated, than these little amenities by which he shows his love and respect for others and he is respected and loved, and his presence is cherished, by those with whom he associates. The father comes home, and the children are glad to see him; the mother welcomes him with all the affection of the true wife and mother, for he is good and true, he does all in his power to provide a home for them, to make them comfortable and to add to their happiness and well being, also to provide for their education and their proper training and instruction. The whole family is united, and the children grow up to honor their parents and say: "My father and mother were honest. They set me the example of their lives. They taught me what was good, and they practiced it. They set the example to me, as well as taught me the precept of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I love them for it. I will always love them for it." When they shall go beyond, the children will carry with them forever a blessing for their parents. But the man who is rough, harsh, unkind and thoughtless, the man who spends his time away from his home and his children, when he should be with them, or who is absent for pleasures of his own, or for associations that are not congenial to the family, what influence for good can he have with his children? Will they not follow in his footsteps? Will they not emulate his example? Will they not grow up to be even less observant of that which is required by the Lord of his children than the parents were, because of the example set before them? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.7 Now, my brethren and sisters, my business, my duty, is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen from the dead and sitting enthroned in power, glory and majesty on the right hand of his Father, our God. That is my business and my duty, and I love to do that more than anything else in the world. I would deplore and dread the thought that I am neglecting my duty towards those whom I love more than my own life. I can't afford it. I must do the best I can, the best I know how, for those whom God has entrusted to my care. I must also do my duty toward the people of God to whom He has willed that I should be a humble minister and teacher of the Gospel. It is my duty to set an example, to plead with the people to live their religion. I ought to pay my fast offering regularly, right along, as I pay my tithing; when the end of the month comes I go and pay my tithing. Why? So that I won't neglect it nor forget it, and that is one of the things that the good teacher taught us the other evening at our home--the payment of tithing. Are we honest with the Lord? Do we remember him with the first fruits of our increase? If I were as punctual in observing my fast, and as careful to do all I should do for it, and a little more than would be really required of me, as I try to be in paying my tithing, I believe I would feel better over it, but sometimes I am a hundred, or a thousand miles away from my ward on the fast day, and then I can't quite do it; but the family at home can attend to their part of the duty when I am away. It is my duty as the head of my family to set the example before all the members of my household. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.7 I have the right to bless. I hold the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the office and power of patriarch. It is my right to bless; for all the keys and authority and power pertaining to the government of the Church and to the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood are centered in the presiding officers of the Church. There is no business, nor office, within the Church that the President of the Church may not fill, and may not do, if it is necessary, or if it is required of him to do it. He holds the office of patriarch: he holds the office of high priest and of apostle, of seventy, of elder, of bishop, and of priest, teacher and deacon in the Church; all these belong to the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they can officiate in any and in all of these callings when occasion requires. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.7 God bless you. May peace abide and abound in Israel, from the north to the south, and from the east to the west; and may the favor and mercy of God be extended unto all the nations of the world to their restoration to peace and unity and good will, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.8 I am reminded of one or two other items that I intended to mention. As you all know, we have been authorized and have undertaken, to build a temple in Alberta, Canada, and we have already expended very large sums of money upon that building. It is in course of erection and is progressing rapidly. The corner stone was laid only a week or so ago. The walls are being put up and it is nearing or will be nearing, soon, its completion, and readiness for the ordinances of the house of God. We took it there--why? Perhaps just one instance that was brought to our minds yesterday, or the day before, may illustrate. A young man, who has filled a good mission and returned home, living away off in the northern part of British Columbia, still clinging to the faith and wearing the harness of his ministry, doing all that he can for the benefit of mankind, desires to get married and to be married right. He lives hundreds and hundreds of miles away from a temple; he has been on a mission for years and has exhausted all his means, he returns home almost penniless, and has found some good girl who is willing to enter life with him on the ground floor, and he says to us: "What can I do? I want to begin a home for myself, it is according to the law of nature and of God, but I haven't the means to go to the temple. Will it be right for me to be married here, and then when I get the means sufficient to go to a temple, go and be sealed for time and for all eternity?" Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.8 Well, what can you do under circumstances of that kind? All we could do was to say to him: "Go to the nearest bishop or elder of the Church that you can find, and with our permission and approval ask him to unite you in marriage for time, and as soon as you are able to reach a temple, where you can go to the altar and be united by the power of God, and not of man, for time and for all eternity, go and get your union sealed by the power of God that will unite you for eternity as well as for time, and will bring your children unto you under the bond of the new and everlasting covenant, as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ." What else could we say to him? Nothing else, so we said it; but by and by we will have a temple up there, and those who are in these circumstances will not be compelled to waste all their substance in travelto come to a temple here. We were in hopes, not many years ago of being able to build another temple near the borders of the United States, in Mexico; but that nation's unfortunate people, oppressed by rulers ambitious for power at the cost of the lives of their fellowmen, have driven out or expelled practically our people from their land. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.8 Now, away off in the Pacific Ocean are various groups of islands, from the Sandwich Islands down to Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, and New Zealand. On them are thousands of good people, dark-skinned but of the blood of Israel. When you carry the Gospel to them they receive it with open hearts. They need the same privileges that we do, and that we enjoy, but these are out of their power. They are poor, and they can't gather means to come up here to be endowed, and sealed for time and eternity, for their living and their dead, and to be baptized for their dead. What shall we do with them? Heretofore, we have suffered the conditions that exist there, and have adopted the best measures that we knew how, always looking to the better and fuller requirements of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.9 Now, I say to my brethren and sisters this morning that we have come to the conclusion that it would be a good thing to build a temple that shall be dedicated to the ordinances of the house of God, down upon one of the Sandwich Islands, so that the good people of those islands may reach the blessing of the House of God within their own borders, and that the people from New Zealand, if they do not become strong enough to require a house to be built there also, by and by, can come to Laie, where they can get their blessings and return home and live in peace, having fulfilled all the requirements of the Gospel the same as we have the privilege of doing here. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.9 It is moved that we build a temple at Laie, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. All who are in favor of it will please manifest it by raising the right hand [all hands raised]; contrary minded by the same sign. I do not see a contrary vote. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.9 I want you to understand that the Hawaiian mission, and the good Latter-day Saints of that mission, with what help the Church can give, will be able to build their temple. They are a tithe-paying people, and the plantation is in a condition to help us. We have a gathering place there where we bring the people together, and teach them the best we can, in schools and under the various auxiliary organizations of the Church. I tell you that we (Brother Smoot, Bishop Nibley and I) witnessed there some of the most perfect and thorough Sunday School work on the part of the children of the Latter-day Saints that we had ever seen. God bless you. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Commending faithful services and worth of Stake Presidents. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.102 We have had the honor of listening to a few of the good and great men from among the seventy-two, who stand at the head of that many stakes of Zion. Surely the sheep in the folds over which these good shepherds preside cannot take any hurt if they will listen to the counsel and, drink freely of the spirit, manifested here by the men who preside over them, as we have heard and witnessed by their fervent spirit and powerful testimonies borne to us during this conference. For my own part I cannot but express the sincerest gratitude of my soul for such men; and from the depths of my heart I bless them and invoke the blessing of Almighty God upon them. We will not be able to hear from all of these good men, but we propose to hear from as many of them as the time will permit, and we would like our brethren of the presidencies of the stakes, to make up their minds to be called upon. They do not know where the call will hit, nor who will come next; but we would like them to be in possession of the spirit of their calling and ministry so that when they come up here to address the conference, they can express themselves as those have done who have already spoken to us. God bless the people who dwell under the watch-care of these good men and help them to humble themselves before them and be submissive to the counsel and direction of their leaders. President Joseph F. Smith said: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.131 In this tabernacle, and in the assembly hall, and in our opening meetings during this conference, 39 presidents of stakes and 10 presidents of missions have spoken and borne testimony, and I regret that we did not occupy all day yesterday, as well as the Sabbath and Monday and today, in hearing the testimonies of our brethren who stand at the head of the various stakes and missions of the Church. I think we have heard very much to convince us that the Lord has made wise choice in the selection of those men, who have spoken to us, to occupy the important positions they are called unto. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.131 It will be necessary on account of the shortness of time to change our course a little. Brother Smoot will be leaving us to attend to his duties at Washington, we would like to have him express himself and bear his testimony before he goes. The other brethren of the Twelve and of the Seventies will be with us and will visit you from time to time, and you will hear from them again. We will now give a few moments of the time to Brother Smoot. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1915, p.136 I need only to say at the conclusion of this conference, that the Lord has truly blessed us with a glorious outpouring of His Spirit, and by virtue of my calling and the priesthood that I hold, I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.2 Our religion a terrible reality and the most important thing to us in this world--The Latter-day Saints are most devout believers in Jesus Christ and his mission--Our indebtedness also to Joseph Smith for the ordinances of the gospel of Christ--Presidents of missions and of stakes, and bishops of wards faithful men of God--The duties of bishops and presidents of stakes and some causes of regrets relating thereto--Resignations deplored--Work for the dead--The nature of God the Eternal Father to whom we pray--Let us live up to what God has revealed before we ask for knowledge yet unrevealed--A patriarchal blessing upon the Saints given with authority--Injunction of the people to live their religion in peace and settle their own troubles--General condition of the Church and changes in the presidencies of stakes and missions. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.2 It is with a grateful heart that I greet you, my brethren and sisters, at the opening session of this conference, the 87th semi-annual general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is worthy of note that this building is so well filled with our people this morning. To me it is a good omen and I feel very grateful indeed to meet you here, to see you, to look into your faces, and to feel that I am in the presence of a vast audience of men and women who have come here today because of their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and because of their love, devotion and integrity to the work of the Lord. I feel to thank you for your presence and for the influence for good that will be felt, not only today, but hereafter, because of the presence of so many members of the Church this morning. I feel thankful that I am permitted to be with you, and that the Lord has preserved my life and given me the goodly measure of vigor, health and strength that I possess. Above all things, I thank God that I am still in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that I still love the work of the Lord, that I believe in it with all my soul. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.2 My only regret is that I am not capable of doing more for its advancement, its development, and the increased faith and devotion of its members throughout all the world. I regret that I have not greater power to labor for the spread of the light, wisdom and intelligence that are to be obtained by all who will receive the gospel. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.3 It is a joy to me always to have the privilege of meeting with men and women who have embraced the truth and who are true to it in their daily life, for after all, we establish the standard of our integrity and our fidelity to the truth by our daily works. The tree is known by its fruits, and we do not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of thistles. When you see a number of individuals, a community, or an entire people, who have embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, consistent with their professions, true to their covenants, true in every respect to their faith, you will see men and women who are bearing good fruit and worthy in all respects. The religion which we have espoused is not a Sunday religion; it is not a mere profession; it is a most--I was going to say--a most terrible reality--and I believe I would be justified in using that expression, because it savors of life unto life or of death unto death. If it is, and pardon me for using that expression, if it is what we profess it to be, what we have embraced it for, what we believe it to be as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is the most important thing in the world to us, and the results to us in this world and in the world to come will depend upon our integrity to the truth and our consistency, in observing its precepts, in abiding by its principles and its requirements. We believe in the divinity of the mission of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. the one and only son begotten of God, and who possessed in himself the power of life, the power over death, and yet who yielded that power to become a sacrifice for a broken law and for the redemption of the children of men from temporal death. As it was brought upon them without any act of theirs, so they are removed from the results and consequences of it through the righteousness of the Son of God, and the power which was given to him. I hold, therefore, that there is no people professing to be believers in the divine mission of Jesus Christ who are more devoutly, sincerely and consistently, believers in Christ, than are the Latter-day Saints, and that there is not a people in all the World better entitled to the name of "Christians" than are the Latter-day Saints. Our faith in him lies at the foundation of our religion, the foundation of our hope for remission of sins and for exaltation after death and for the resurrection from death to everlasting life. Our faith in the doctrines that have been restored through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith confirms and strengthens us and establishes beyond a question or doubt, our faith and belief in the divine mission of the Son of God. Joseph Smith was the instrument chosen of God and endowed with His authority to restore the holy priesthood, the power of God to bind on earth and in heaven, to loose on earth and in heaven,--the power of the priesthood by which men may perform ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. Through Joseph Smith the gospel of repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, the baptism of the Holy Ghost and by fire have been restored, and the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is made manifest through the spirit of truth. We are obligated to this humble servant that the Lord chose to lay the foundation of this work for the ordinances of the gospel of the Son of God, then and still unknown to the world, by which we may become united together as families, as kindreds, under the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant, for time and for all eternity. We are obligated to the Prophet Joseph Smith, as an instrument in the hand of the Lord, for the knowledge that we possess of the work which is necessary to be done in the house of God, for the salvation of the living and the redemption of the dead, and for the eternal union of souls who are united in this life by the power of God under the bond of the everlasting covenant. We are indebted, or obligated at least, to the Prophet Joseph Smith as the instrument in the hands of God, for the knowledge we now possess that a man cannot be exalted into the presence of God and the full enjoyment of his glory, alone. It was not designed for the man to be alone, for the man is not without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.4 I might devote my time this morning speaking to you of the conditions as I understand them of the Church throughout the world. I feel that it is scarcely necessary for me to devote much time, however, to that subject. Most of you are well acquainted with the conditions of the work of the Lord that we are engaged in throughout the world. I believe that the cause of Zion is sacred in the sight of the Lord, that his eye is upon his people and that his power is working in their midst and in the midst of the earth for the accomplishment of his purpose, for be it known, or let me say it, although it is known, that it is not the work of man, but it is the work of God, and He it is that is doing it, not man. We give to the Lord the credit this morning for the presence of this vast multitude of men holding the priesthood after the order of the Son of God. We are grateful for the instrument that the Lord has chosen to bring to pass these results, to help, at' least, to bring them to pass, but we are more grateful to the Lord himself for the power that he is wielding and the work that he is doing by his Spirit shedding light and truth abroad in the hearts of his people and hovering over the hearts and minds of the people of the world, waiting to enter when they are ready to receive the truth and hearken to his word. I rejoice in these things. I am happy to say that we have confidence, I would say unlimited confidence, in our fellow-workers in the cause of Zion. I look at our boys that are presiding over the various missions in various parts of the world, and so far as we know, and we have good reason to be well acquainted with them, they are young men after God's own heart, true as steel, pure as angels in their lives, upright, virtuous, strong in the truth and equal to their tasks by the help of the Lord, desiring only to perform the duties that are enjoined upon them in the fields of labor to which they have been appointed and where they are devoting their energies and their knowledge. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.4 We reflect upon those who have been called to preside over the various stakes of Zion, and I may say the same of them, with very little exception--I would scarcely perhaps be justified in saying that there was any exception, but there is not the same perfection in the knowledge of duty and in the execution of that duty in the performance of the labor required at their hands in some of the presidents of the stakes of Zion, that we find in others. In other words, we have some young and inexperienced men engaged in that work. They have much to learn yet to become equal in all respects to those who have had years of experience in the performance of the same duties. But we have confidence in them; we believe they will improve where improvement is needed; we believe they will learn their duties where they fail to understand it as they should, and they have our confidence and our support and our prayers that they may succeed and not fail. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.5 We have great respect for our bishops, the bishops of the wards of the Church, very numerous now, but we have one cause for regret with reference to the disposition we see exhibited too often among the bishoprics. It is a common saying that once a bishop, always a bishop, When a man is ordained a bishop and is set apart to the office of bishop, as president of a ward, he is entrusted with very responsible duties, he becomes a father to the people, he is their guardian, their watchman upon their tower. It is his duty to be acquainted with every member of the Church in his ward. It is his duty to minister to every member and every unit of the membership of his ward, not only to the heads of families but to each of the children of the families as well, who dwell in his ward. It is his duty to look after the poor, the needy, the sick and the afflicted, not that he himself is expected to do everything that is to be done in his ward, not at all; but through the agencies that he may call to his support to perform the duties that are requisite to be performed in the ward, he is thoroughly, or ought to be thoroughly provided with means to visit every family and to know the status and standing of every member in his ward; to know whether his people are living their religion or not; whether they are doing their duty; whether they are liable to wander away from their duty or from their faithfulness in the Church. In too many instances, we find that our bishops are not instant in season and out of season, in the performance of their duties in this regard. We call for elders to go abroad to preach the gospel. We send out instructions to the bishops informing them as to the character of the men we require for missionary service, men who are sober, who are intelligent, who are well and hearty, not diseased, not crippled, who have faith in their hearts and the love of truth in their souls, and keep the word of wisdom, attend to their Sabbath duties as well as to all their other duties that belong to membership in the Church. And yet too often, we receive reports from our bishops informing us that such and such a youth or man had been selected for a mission and so far as they know, he is all right, and when we further inquire into it, we discover that he does not keep the word of wisdom; we discover that he is financially unable to fill a mission or that he is not physically able to go. We discover sometimes that a youth is the head in his family, in other words, his father is dead, his mother is a widow and it requires all his energy to provide for his mother and the younger children, and yet he is recommended to go on a mission by the bishop without inquiring into it. That is why I say we have some regrets with reference to the faithfulness, competency and diligence of some of our bishops in looking into the affairs of the people of their wards. Another source of regret is that we have too many of our bishops who want to quit the bishopric. They want to resign, to give the duty of the bishopric over to somebody else. They get tired of it. Of course it is a labor, it is a great responsibility, and when a man becomes incapable of performing the duties of a bishop and the president of the stake is attending to his duty, he will consult with him and recommend that he be honorably released. Let him be honorably released, without the necessity of resigning; and so the presidents of stakes should do their duty in their stakes, as well as the bishops should do their duty in their wards. It is a common saying and perhaps a vulgar one, that the Lord hates a quitter, and I must say to you, that it does not strike me as the right thing for a man to quit doing his duty as long as he is able and it is expected of him to do it. He should do it until he is disqualified by illness or age or other incapacity and then the presiding officers of the stake should know his condition and should recommend his honorable release and the appointment of some one capable to succeed him. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.6 Now, I did not intend to enter into this subject. I thought when I come in this morning that if I could stand up here and bear my testimony to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and express my gratitude for the love of God upon all his people, that it would be sufficient for me, and let the younger men, such as Brother Penrose, do the heft of the teaching and preaching and exhortation, correction and admonition to the Saints and the officers of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.6 I hope the Lord will give me sufficient strength, mental and physical, and sufficient influence of his Holy Spirit that I shall be able at least to set an example of rightfulness and of righteousness before my associates in life, and thus by example, preach the truth as long as I draw breath. I do not want to quit the service of God, nor the service of his people, nor do I want to quit observance of the ordinances and precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, nor do I want to become indifferent or thoughtless and careless with respect to these sacred duties and the principles of the gospel. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.6 The work for our dead, which the Prophet Joseph laid upon us with more than ordinary injunction, instructing us that we should look after those of our kinsfolk, and our ancestors who have died without the knowledge of the gospel, should not be neglected. We should avail ourselves of those sacred and potent ordinances of the gospel which have been revealed as essential to the happiness, salvation and redemption of those who have lived in this world when they could not learn the gospel and have died without the knowledge of it, and are now waiting for us, their children, who are living in an age when these ordinances can be performed, to do the work necessary for their release from the prison-house. Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their children here, and will rejoice with you in your performance of these duties. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.7 Again, and without desire to multiply words, I bear my testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, that God lives, that his Son lives, and I say to you in connection with this thought and this testimony that I accept without recourse, without any hesitancy or doubt upon my mind, the statement that was made by the Prophet Joseph Smith with reference to God and to his only begotten Son, that "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; The Son also: but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit," and man is made in their image. We also accept without any question the doctrines we have been taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith and by the Son of God himself, that we pray to God, the Eternal Father, in the name of his only begotten Son, to whom also our father Adam and his posterity have prayed from the beginning. If Latter-day Saints will take these simple statements of fact, given to us in the doctrine of Christ and restored and renewed to us in the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, it would settle many a question that is being foolishly asked today. There are many things yet to be revealed. There are things to be revealed which God will make known in his own due time which we do not now understand. For my own part, there is as much already revealed as it seems possible for me to understand. If I could only grasp all that God has revealed, and comprehend it as I should and apply it in righteousness in my life, I think I should then be prepared for some thing more, if I was still worthy of it. Why, bless your souls, there are people among us that are worrying and fretting over things that have never been revealed to the children of men, and these very people do not even keep the word of wisdom, do not even pay their tithing, and as a rule, the man that does not pay his tithing and that does not keep the word of wisdom is the man that is everlastingly quizzing and asking questions about things he does not understand. If men would pay their tithing, if they would keep the word of wisdom, if they would say their prayers, if they would devote their lives to works of righteousness in the earth and study the gospel for themselves and obey it, they would have less necessity for asking questions, and don't forget the fact that they would know things better than they do. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.8 The Lord bless you. From the depths of my soul, I bless you; I hold the right, the keys and the authority of the patriarchal Priesthood in the Church. I have a right to pronounce patriarchal blessings, because I hold the keys and authority to do it. It is given to me and my associates to ordain patriarchs and set them apart to give blessings to the people to comfort them by promises made in wisdom and the inspiration of the Spirit of God, of the favor and mercies of the Lord that they may be stronger in good works, that their hopes may be realized and their faith increased. And I bless you, my brethren and sisters in the cause of Zion, with all my soul and by the authority of the priesthood that I hold. I hold the priesthood of the apostleship, I hold the high priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God, which is at the foundation of all priesthood and is the greatest of all priesthoods because the apostle and the high priest and the seventy derive their authority and their privileges from the priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God. All authority comes out of that high priesthood. I prophesy that the blessing of the Lord will be upon his people throughout the extent of our glorious land, and upon the people of this nation, if they will do right. The blessings of the Lord will be more particularly poured out upon the Latter-day Saints if they will live their religion as they should. The idea of a Latter-day Saint quarreling with his neighbor, haling him before his bishop for trial. Why, bless your souls, what is the use of it? I never had to do a thing of that kind. I have, I think, suffered some things that might have justified me complaining to my bishop and asking the bishop to see if he could make my neighbor do his duty, but I haven't had occasion sufficient to do it and t have never done it. I have never been under the necessity of going before the high council with my troubles. My religion teaches me a better way than that. I would rather yield to injustice than try to exact every pound of flesh, so to speak. And I do not think it is necessary for Latter-day Saints to get so far apart in their judgment, in their likes and dislikes, in their desire to claim something they think is theirs, as to go to law for the court to set him right. Give and take. Be reconciled with each other. Do not go to the courts of the Church nor to the courts of the land for litigation. Settle your own troubles, and difficulties; and as Bishop Hunter used to say, which is an axiom, that cannot be disputed, there is only one way in which a difficulty existing between man and man can be truly settled, and that is when they get together and settle it between them. The courts cannot settle troubles between me and my brother. If they decide against him, and in my favor, of course I receive it with gladness, and praise the judge because he has favored me, but my brother rejects the decision, and while I may feel it is settled, my brother is not satisfied at all, and condemns the decision, and is embittered against me. So the only way to settle a trouble between brethren is for them to get together and settle it between themselves and let it be settled fully and forever. If we have the spirit of the gospel in our hearts, if we have the love of truth abiding in our souls, if we half love our neighbors as we love ourselves; and especially if we love God with all our hearts and mind and strength, we can easily give and take until we can settle troubles existing between neighbors and brothers without anybody else coming in to help us do it. I have often been called upon to help others settle their troubles, but I have never had to ask anybody else to come and help me settle mine. I think we ought to live our religion. We should keep the commandments of God. We should possess and enjoy the spirit of the gospel in our hearts and bear the fruits of the spirit in our lives; faith, hope and charity, love, humility and forgiveness in our souls one for another, and avoid, as far as possible, the spirit of accusation, of contention, that leads to strife, to confusion and division among men, and the spirit of hatred. Oh, banish hatred fromyou. Hatred harbored in our hearts, or envy or jealousy, will injure those who permit them to abide in their souls and rancor in their thoughts a thousand-fold more than it will injure others. So let us banish those things from our hearts, and from our thoughts. Let us live righteous lives, let the husband love his wife and be true and kind to her, and the wife be true and kind to her husband, and they be true and loving and solicitous for the welfare of their children; let them be united as a family unit in the Church and as that condition extends abroad to the borders of Zion, we will have the millennial reign among us, and there will be peace on earth and good will to men everywhere. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.8 The Lord bless you, and I hope you will pardon me for occupying so much of your time. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.8 I have a few little items that I have jotted down which I will take the pains to read for the information of the conference: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.8 In the British Mission, Elder Hyrum M. Smith has been honorably released and is succeeded by Elder George F. Richards. His son, George F., Jr., also accompanying him on his mission to Great Britain. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.8 In the Netherlands Mission, Elder LeGrande Richards has also been honorably released and succeeded by Elder John A. Butterworth, who was laboring as a missionary in the mission when Brother Richards was released. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 In the New Zealand Mission, Elder William Gardner has been honorably released and is succeeded by Elder James N. Lambert, a young man born and reared in our city here. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 In the Samoan Mission, Elder John A. Nelson, Jr., has been honorably released and is succeeded by Elder Ernest Wright. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 In the Swedish Mission, Elder Theodore Tobiason has been honorably released and is succeeded by Elder Andrew P. Anderson. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 In the Swiss and German Mission, we are endeavoring to release Elder Hyrum W. Valentine, and have already sent Brother Angus J. Cannon, a son of President George Q. Cannon, to succeed him. He has met with an obstruction on his way to Switzerland, and therefore the release of Brother Valentine is delayed, but we hope Brother Cannon will get through before long and that Brother Valentine and his wife will be safely headed toward home. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 The Tonga Mission has been organized with Elder Willard L. Smith as president. This mission has been associated with the Samoan Mission from the beginning, but it is so far away from the headquarters of the Samoan Mission, that we have concluded it best to make a separate mission of it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 The presidencies of the following stakes have been reorganized: Beaver Stake, Bannock Stake, Big Horn Stake, Panguitch Stake and Parowan Stake. Forty-six bishops and sixty-eight ward clerks have been appointed since last April. This is one of the things I had in my mind, it is too many changes, if we could "avoid it. I might suggest in connection with this thought that if the presidents of the stakes would he a little more cautious and pay a little better regard to the suitableness of the man chosen to act as a bishop, to his qualifications in every way, and especially to his status as a resident in the ward, so he will not be under the necessity of pulling up, after he has been bishop a few months, and moving off somewhere, necessitating a change in the bishopric, I think that we would perhaps be able to save some of these numerous changes in the bishoprics of our wards. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 There have been twenty new wards organized since last April conference, and all these new wards need houses of worship, and of course, the first thing they think of is to build a meetinghouse, and they look to the Trustee-in-trust to help them very materially in the building of them. So we have applications from all quarters, not only among the well established stakes and wards who have had meetinghouses in the past, but from these new stakes, and quite a number of our older wards, well established, who have had meetinghouses for many years, have come to the conclusion that the old houses are not quite good enough and they must have new ones, and so we are called upon to contribute to them as well as to the building up of the new wards. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 There are now seventy-two organized stakes of Zion, with eight hundred and sixteen wards and independent branches, and there are twenty-two missions in the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.9 The Lord bless you, is my prayer, and I humbly ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.154 A short sermon--Glorious destiny of the United States--An Opinion on the Mexican situation. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.154 I have just one little short sermon: Get out of debt, keep out of debt; never mortgage your homes nor your farms. Put down intemperance, and be a wise and sober people. Do not make war on, but love your neighbors. Keep the word of wisdom. Be wise and moderate in your amusements, and let your amusements be innocent and your enjoyment pure. Cardplaying is an evil; pool playing is an evil, gambling is an evil; avoid every evil, and the waste of your time. Honor the Sabbath day and divine authority. Keep yourself pure and unspotted from the world. Let everybody, who can, raise his own bread and meat. Patronize home productions, and sustain home industry. Be not scoffers, but show kindness and sympathy to all, and especially to the unfortunate. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1916, p.154 I have a feeling in my heart that the United States has a glorious destiny to fulfil, and that part of that glorious destiny is to extend liberty to the oppressed, as far as it is possible to all nations, to all people. After hearing the remarks of President Rey L. Pratt, with reference to the condition of our people, and to the masses of down-trodden and oppressed people in Mexico, thirteen millions of whom are held under serfdom and slavery, by the descendants of their conquerors--who could not devoutly wish that some mighty and just power, equal to the task, would extend the hand of freedom to those oppressed people, even if it cost the lives of their oppressors. I do not want war; but the Lord has said it shall be poured out upon all nations, and if we escape, it will be "by the skin of our teeth." I would rather the oppressors should be killed, or destroyed, than to allow the oppressors to kill the innocent. President Joseph F. Smith INTRODUCTION. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.2 I am very happy in the privilege that I enjoy of meeting with you in the opening session of the 87th Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I can assure you we feel highly honored, as every one present associated with the Church must feel, in witnessing the great multitude who have assembled here this morning in honor of the opening of this conference. I fear that it will be somewhat difficult for me, to get my voice in trim sufficient to make myself heard and understood. It is no small task to attempt to address an audience like this, depending, as I do, upon the promptings of the spirit that may pervade our conference in regard to what I shall say. I have certainly obeyed in this respect, the injunction of the Savior, as recorded in the scriptures (Matthew 10:19, 20): "Take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." The Spirit will give the impressions that are needed as far as the time will permit and as far as we are susceptible to the impressions of the Spirit of God, I sincerely do hope that the Spirit of the Lord will pervade this assembly and have place in our minds and hearts, that we may rejoice in the privilege that we have of meeting together under so favorable circumstances, witnessing, as we do in our assembling here, the many blessings and privileges the Lord has vouch-safed unto us. EXERCISE PRUDENCE, ECONOMY AND EXTREME INDUSTRY. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.3 We are living in critical times. Conditions are such as practically defy either description or complete understanding, for we can see today only what is visible to us, but no one unless inspired can foretell today what may occur tomorrow. But we need not be concerned anxiously about this, for the duty of members of the Church, as such, and their duty as men and women in the communities in which they live, and as citizens of our country, are of the greatest importance to us for present consideration. Our duty is to seek for peace and happiness and the well being of the whole human family, as far as it lies in our power to exert an influence to this end; and if we do our duty today, as members of the Church and as citizens of our state and of the adjoining states in which we live, we need not greatly fear what tomorrow may bring forth. One of the things that impresses me as a matter of importance to be considered by the people of our state and of this intermountain region is a careful course of prudence, economy, and extreme industry and carefulness with reference to the production and conservation of the necessaries of life. We have had a long winter which has extended down far into the lap of spring. It is possible that we may have a short season for growth of grain and cereals of all kinds, together with vegetables and fruits, that are needful to sustain life. We should realize that we are dependent upon the soil and upon tilling it, the labor of the husbandman and the blessing of Almighty God upon our labors and upon the soil, for the necessaries of life. We cannot subsist without these things. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.3 I think that the united faith and prayer of the people who believe in the possibility of the answer to the prayers of those who are devout and who have faith in God, should be lifted to the Giver of all Good, that peace may continue to prevail over all our land, and that prosperity might attend the people of our great country; that peace may also be restored to all the nations of the earth, when it shall be the purpose and the will of God that it should be. I think it is our duty to ask the blessing of the Lord upon the labor of the husbandman. That the blessings of the season's fruitfulness may be bestowed upon those who till the soil and who earn the bread and food necessary to sustain life. In years gone by, even before our state was a territory, the earliest settlers of this country were, by the merciful providences of the Lord, and the wise counsel of the leaders of the people, in a position to help their neighbors with the necessaries of life while many of them in the south, the north, and in the western part of our country, were searching for gold and precious metals, things that would not in themselves sustain life, we were cultivating the soil, producing that which was needful for them, and they poured their gold into our laps for the food that we gave them in return, to sustain their lives and to enable them to prosecute their labors. I hope the people of this state, especially the Latter-day Saints, will prove themselves to be veritable Joseph in Egypt, that when necessity stalks abroad through the land, the needy may apply to us for that which is necessary for their happiness and for their subsistence. I understand that the authorities at Washington have requested those in charge of our Agricultural College, in the north, to exercise all the influence they can to prevail upon the people of this state to economize and to produce, save, and store up, to the best of their ability, those things that will supply, if need be, even the sinews of war, if war should come. THE SPIRIT WHICH LATTER-DAY SAINTS SHOULD MANIFEST IN WAR. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.4 Speaking of the possibility of conflict, of war, I exhort my friends, the people of our country, especially in this intermountain region, to maintain above all other things the spirit of humanity, of love, and of peace-making, that even though they may be called into action they will not demolish, override and destroy the principles which we believe in, which we have tried to inculcate, and which we are exhorted to maintain; peace and good will toward all mankind, though we may be brought into action with the enemy. I want to say to the Latter-day Saints who may enlist, and whose services the country may require, that when they become soldiers of the State and of the Nation that they will not forget that they are also soldiers of the Cross, that they are minister of life and not of death; and when they go forth, they may go forth in the spirit of defending the liberties of mankind rather than for the purpose of destroying the enemy. If we could convert them to peaceful ways and to the love of peace without destroying them, we would become saviors of men. And it is abominable that men who engage in the great and grand and necessary duty of protecting and guarding our Nation from the encroachments of wicked enemies, cruel and destructive foes, should not maintain among themselves lives of honor, virtue, purity and of immunity from sin and crime of every kind. It is a disgraceful thought that a man to become a soldier should become a rake and abandon himself to crime and wickedness. Let the soldiers that go out from Utah be and remain men of honor. And when they are called obey the call, and manfully meet the duty, the dangers, or the labor, that may be required of them, or that they may be set to do; but do it with an eye single to the accomplishment of the good that is aimed to be accomplished, and not with the blood-thirsty desire to kill and to destroy. OUR MISSION IS TO HELP THE OPPRESSED AND NEEDY. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.4 Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it. And I say to our friends present that we have an organization in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is perfect in its operation, by which we may call today to almost the whole Church, for aid, and tomorrow we will receive returns with the generous contributions that are freely given for a good cause, and it will cost nobody a cent. Every dime contributed for the benefit of the poor goes to the poor, and is not consumed by charitable organizations, who collect and handle means intended for the poor, and are paid for their services, thus absorbing a large percentage of the means contributed for the benefit of the poor, by those who are not poor. I wish to announce that to our friends. The Latter-day Saints know this, they understand it. They have recollection of recent events in which, within twenty-four hours or thereabouts, the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributed somewhere near $35,000, and it was sent to the afflicted people of the east that were suffering in consequence of war, and it was put into hands who would distribute it wisely to those who needed, without cost to anybody; and a portion of that fund, which was not distributed, remains to be dealt out to those who are really in need as their circumstances require. A SPIRIT OF LOVE AND TOLERATION ENJOINED. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.5 I should not occupy too much of your time, but I have another thought or two that I wish to announce, merely as a matter of reference or as a text, perhaps, for those who may follow, if the Spirit so leads, to amplify. We admonish, we beseech our brothers and sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not only to honor themselves by a proper course of living, but also to honor and love and be charitable to your neighbors, every one of you. We admonish you not only to keep the greatest of all the commandments that has ever been given of God to man, to love the Lord your God, with all your heart and mind and strength, but we exhort you also to observe that second law, next unto it, to love your neighbors as yourselves; return good for evil, do not revile others because you are or may be reviled. We have no need to tear down the houses of other people (using this expression as a symbol). We are perfectly willing that they should live in the homes they have erected for themselves, and we will try to show them a better way. While we will not condemn that which they love and cherish above all other things in the world, we will endeavor to show them a better way and build them a better house and then invite them kindly, in the spirit of Christ, of true Christianity, to enter the better dwelling. That is the principle, and I wish to impress it, upon you this morning. I desire to impress, if I can, upon the minds of the parents the necessity of properly instructing and teaching their children with reference to this glorious principle, charity and love, that love for our neighbor that will enable us to cherish his rights as sacredly as we cherish our own, to defend the rights and the liberties of our neighbor, as we would defend our own rights and liberties, put up the fallen bars in the fences of our neighbors that are carelessly left down, just as we would put our own bars up surrounding our own fields, in order to protect our crops from the ravages of stray animals. That is a simple thing to say, but there is a meaning in it, and it is a very important thing for us to observe. Many of us are farmers. I have heard of some people who were so far from a love for this principle of kindness that they would prefer to tear down the fence and let down the bars of their neighbors in order that they might receive damage, rather than to put up the bars and try to protect them as they would wish to be protected themselves. PARENTS SHOULD TEACH THEIR CHILDREN BELIEF IN CHRIST, AND LOYALTY TO LAW AND COUNTRY. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.6 Fathers and mothers in Israel, will you try to teach your children that there is no other name given under heaven by which we have such a glorious hope of the resurrection from death to life, or assurance in the principle and promise of eternal exaltation In the Kingdom of God than that of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We are a Christian people, we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we feel that it is our duty to acknowledge him as our Savior and Redeemer. Teach it to your children. Teach them that the Prophet Joseph Smith restored again to the earth the priesthood that was held by Peter and James and John, who were ordained under the hands of the Savior himself. Teach them that Joseph Smith, the prophet, when only a boy, was chosen and called of God to lay the foundations of the Church of Christ in the world, to restore the holy priesthood, and the ordinances of the gospel which are necessary to qualify men to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Teach your children to respect their neighbors. Teach your children to respect their bishops and the teachers that come to their homes to teach them. Teach your children to respect old age, gray hairs, and feeble frames. Teach them to venerate and to hold in honorable remembrance their parents and help all those who are helpless and needy. Teach your children, as you have been taught yourselves, to honor the priesthood which you hold, the priesthood which we hold as elders in Israel. Teach your children to honor themselves, teach your children to honor the principle of presidency by which organizations are held intact and by which strength and power for the well being and happiness and upbuilding of the people is preserved. Teach your children that when they go to school they should honor their teachers in that which is true and honest, in that which is manly and womanly and is worth while; and also teach them to avoid the bad examples of their teachers out of school and the bad principles of men and women who are sometimes teachers in schools. Teach your children to honor the law of God and the law of the state and the law of our country. Teach them to respect and hold in honor those who are chosen by the people to stand at their head and execute justice and administer the law. Teach them to be loyal to their country, loyal to righteousness and uprightness and honor, and thereby they will grow up to be men and women choice above all the men and women of the world. REMEMBER THE BLESSINGS OF TEMPLE ORDINANCES. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.6 And as Latter-day Saints, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ do not forget those ordinances of the gospel which require proper recognition in order that we may be placed unexceptionably before the Lord. The Lord has revealed to us a principle by which, by the proper and righteous exercise of divine authority, we may be joined together for time and all eternity. Teach your children that principle, that they may live worthy to go and receive the benefits and blessings of these ordinances. Teach your children and let yourselves be taught the fact that it is necessary for you to become saviors upon Mount Zion for those who have died without the knowledge of the gospel, and that the temples of God in these mountains, and that are being reared in other lands, have been built and are designed expressly for the performance of these sacred ordinances which are necessary for those who have passed away without them. Do not forget these things. Keep them in mind for they are necessary for us. A TESTIMONY TO THE PURITY, HONOR, AND INTEGRITY OF LEADERS OF THE CHURCH. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.7 There are many things that might be said, but I do not want to weary you. I want to bear my testimony. I have served from my youth up along with such men as Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, Jedediah M. Grant, Daniel H. Wells, John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, and Wilford Woodruff and his associates, and Lorenzo Snow and his associates, the members of the twelve apostles, the seventies and the high priests in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for more than sixty years; and, that my word may be heard by every stranger within the sound of my voice, I want to testify to you that better men than these have never lived within the range of my acquaintance. I can so testify because I was familiar with these men, grew up from babyhood with them, associated with them in council, in prayer and supplication, and in travel from settlement to settlement through our country here, and in crossing the plains. I have heard them in private and in public, and I bear my testimony to you that they were men of God, true men, pure men, God's noble men. Virtuous men, who never were either tempted to do evil or tempted others to do wrong, men whose examples and whose lives were above reproach, except in what corrupt, wicked or ignorant men supposed they saw and presumed to denounce as wrong in them. It was a crime in the eyes of lecherous scoundrels that President Young should have more wives than one. But they were his wives, and he honored them, and their children, and fed, clothed and educated them. He did not desert, nor abuse, nor abandon them; and because of this, extremely pious people and others have condemned him. Some of the rest of us have come under similar condemnation. I know that this was a true principle with them and that they did not sin because they did not do violence to anybody; neither did they wrong anybody; but that is a thing of the past. Others have complained and do complain, because certain men, who were fortunate enough to have families when the people of the state capitulated with the government of the United States, and President Woodruff announced the discontinuance of plural marriages, have taken care of their wives and their children that were left with them. I want to tell you just once more, and would tell it before all the world if I could, that I believe with all my heart, that if any man ought to be damned in this world, it is the man that will abandon the mother of his children. We do not do it, we will not do it, the Lord Almighty helping us not to do it. Now, pardon me for digressing so far from the thought that was first in my mind. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.7 I bear my testimony to these men, that they were good men, pure men, honest men, leaders, builders, teachers of righteousness by precept and by example. They live in my memory as sacred as my life. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.7 I bear my testimony to you that no man has ever yet been able, so far as it is recorded in history, to bring to pass an organization like that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it was organized by Joseph Smith, the boy prophet. I testify that Joseph Smith revealed anew, and so to speak, re-enacted the gospel of Jesus Christ, and nothing else, even including the injunction of the Master, "if ye were Abraham's seed, ye would do the works of Abraham." GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST HIS SON. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.8 I accept Jesus of Nazareth as the only begotten Son of God in the flesh. This is a great principle, though it seems hard for some people to understand it--those who believe in the foolish notion that God is a "vapor," if you please, ether, electricity, "energy" or anything else you might call him or it, and that he fills the immensity of space, is everywhere present at the same time, etc., etc. It is difficult indeed for those who believe this foolish doctrine to believe that Christ could be the Son of God: that God, being only spirit, or "energy," as defined by a certain learned preacher could beget a son in "his own likeness," and "image," and the Son also be in the likeness and image of mortal man. The apostles of Jesus Christ, his witnesses, declared it, and he himself has declared it by his own voice in the day in which we live, but it is hard to get people to understand how that nondescript creation of man's ignorance called "God" by the sectarian world, which fills the immensity of space and is everywhere present at the same time, can beget a Son in the form of himself and at the same time in the form of man. But when they hear the truth, as it was revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, by Christ himself, and as it is revealed in the testimony of the ancient scriptures, that God "created man in his own likeness, in his own image, male and female created he them," it is hard to get men to understand that Almighty God, who possesses all knowledge, all wisdom, and all power, can extend his power, his Spirit, his majesty and glory and dominion over all his creations, while be himself sits upon his throne--it is hard to make them understand it and yet that is the truth. We want to teach those principles to our children, and inculcate the teaching of the same things to our children's children to the latest generation, that they may grow up in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent unto the world, whom to know is life eternal. THE NEW CHURCH OFFICE BUILDING. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.8 I will give way to my brethren to speak as the Spirit may impress them; but, before I conclude. I have had jotted down a few statements of facts which I presume will be interesting, at least to those present at this conference. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 As you know, for the last sixty odd years, the Church has had its headquarters in the little old buildings, which were erected by President Brigham Young, away back in the early 50's, and which at the time served the purpose very well, and have continued to do so until now. Still, they have become worn with age and not quite in keeping with the progress of other things. A couple of years ago we determined to construct a building which would afford office room for our various organizations. Previously, however, a very creditable building had been erected for the Presiding Bishopric, and for the Relief Societies and other organizations of the Church. But we concluded that we would build a house that would furnish suitable accommodations for the Presidency and others, and at the same time would be a monument of the real character of the work in which we are engaged. I am happy to say that we have practically completed it, although we have been delayed on account of the lack of facility on the part of some of those who have contracted to furnish material with which to complete the adornment of the walls. We are waiting for marble. I am pleased to say that we have used, in the adornment of the interior walls of our building, as far as it was possible, home materials--marble and onyx and precious stones that exist in great abundance in Utah, and it is therefore practically a home-made building. There has been expended for the erection and equipment of the new Church Office Building, $864,562. TEMPLES AND OTHER CHURCH BUILDINGS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 There has been expended, up to date, on the erection of the new temple at Cardston, Alberta, Canada, $209,668, and it is still in process of erection. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 There has been expended in the erection of the temple in the Hawaiian Islands, and which will be completed during the current year, $50,520. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 There has been paid out of the tithes during the year 1916 for the support of the missions, $213,610. In addition to this, property has been purchased in Brooklyn, New York, and a mission house erected thereon, which has cost the Church $51,802. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 The Church has purchased mission property in the South African Mission during the year which has cost $9,333. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 The Church has purchased, also, additional real estate adjoining our mission property at Independence, Missouri, at a cost of $5,000. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 We have paid for a new chapel in St. Louis, Missouri, $6,400. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 In the year 1915, the Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital, of Ogden, was transferred to the Church, and since that time there as been expended for its maintenance and erection of a beautiful nurses' home, $33,587. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 During the year 1916 the Church has contributed toward the erection of ward and stake meeting houses $177,736. OTHER EXPENDITURES. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 We have not been unmindful of the poor, not only in the stakes of Zion, but in the missions. There has been expended for charity through the different Church activities, for the year 1916, $308,951. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 We have continued to maintain the Church schools, and there has been paid out for this purpose, during 1916, $365,832. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 No doubt the Church Auditing Committee will give you other items, and more in detail, of the expenditures which have all been made for the benefit of the Church. MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 There has been the usual increase in the membership of the Church. Information concerning the increase in the missions is incomplete, this year, in consequence of the Great War. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.9 At the close of the year 1916 there were 819 wards and 73 organized stakes of Zion and there were 21 missions There were in the mission field, one patriarch, 61 high priests, 209 seventies, 876 elders, and 188 lady missionaries, making a total of 1,335 missionaries in the field. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 There has been a very marked improvement in ward teaching, both in the quality of the teaching and in the regularity of the visits to the homes of the Latter-day Saints by the teachers. Some of the stakes of Zion have had every family visited every month of the year, and in two or three stakes of Zion, every family has been visited every month for several years past. This regular work of the ward teachers is having its effect in improved attendance at sacrament meetings, priesthood meetings, and other ward and stake activities. As you know, my brethren and sisters, the main object of this work, the visiting of the teachers to the homes and the families of the Church, is to ascertain whether there is any need there, whether any are sick or poor or faithless, or in any way in need of succor and assistance, that that which is needful might be rendered unto them. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 A considerable increase is shown in the labors of our people in the temples. During the year 1916, 419,257 ordinances were performed in our temples. Of that number, 66,035 were performed in the Manti temple; 131,805 in the Logan temple; 28,003 in the St. George temple, and 193,414 in the Salt Lake temple. In 1916, the ordinances performed were 88,000 in excess of the previous year, and is the largest in the history of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 The Latter-day Saints Hospital has reached its full capacity in the accommodation of patients. The Dee Hospital has also been running at its full capacity. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 Since our last conference, the Idaho stake of Zion has been organized, being part of the Bannock stake, with Nelson J. Hogan, president; and the following wards have been organized: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 Ogden 13th, Ogden stake; Richmond South, Benson stake; Highland Park, Granite stake; Montpelier 3rd, Bear Lake stake; Meadowville, Idaho stake; Crystal, Pocatello stake; Marysvale, Sevier stake; Farmington North, South Davis stake. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 Elder Sylvester Q. Cannon has been appointed president of the Pioneer stake, and Elder S. Norman Lee, president of the Box Elder stake. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 President Wm. Gardner, of the New Zealand mission, who returned in 1916, was succeeded by Elder Jas. Lambert as mission president. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 Elder Hyrum W. Valentine, president of the Swiss and German Mission, has succeeded in getting home safely, and Elder Angus J. Cannon has taken his place as president of the Swiss-German Mission. By the way, we have been warned that it was not prudent to use the word "German" mission; in connection with the appointment of our elders, as our dear English neighbors were a little jealous of that name. We therefore dropped the word "German," and it now is the Swiss Mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 Since our last conference, President Francis M. Lyman of the Council of the Twelve, has passed away, and Elder Heber J. Grant has been appointed President of the Twelve. Elder Stephen L. Richards has been appointed a member of the Council of the Twelve. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 Elder Joseph S. Wells, of the General Church Auditing Committee, has also passed away. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.10 Of the presidents of the stakes of Zion, we have lost by the hand of death since our last conference, President Oleen N. Stohl of the Box Elder stake, President William McLachlan of the Pioneer stake, and President George E. Stoddard of the Union stake. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.11 The following brethren and a sister laboring in the mission field have passed away: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.11 Horace S. Brown, of Kanab, Utah, died in South Carolina, Southern States Mission, April 6, 1916, typhoid fever. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.11 Wilford I. Freckleton of Eureka, Utah, died in Hull, British Mission, February 27, 1917, of spinal meningitis. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.11 Herald Eugene Smith, of Provo, Utah, died at Honolulu, Hawaiian Mission, September 11, 1916, of kidney trouble. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.11 Leonard J. Wayment, of Warren, Utah, died July 21, 1916, upon reaching home from the British Mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.11 Sister Adella Haynie, of Manassa, Colorado, died at Saint Louis, Missouri, Feb. 7, 1916. NO NATIONALITIES AMONG THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.11 In speaking of nationalities we all understand or should that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there is neither Greek, nor Jew, nor Gentile; in other words, there is neither Scandinavian, nor Swiss, nor German, nor Russian, nor British, nor any other nationality. We have become brothers in the household of faith, and we should treat the people from these nations that are at war with each other, with due kindness and consideration. It is nothing but natural that people who are born in a land, though they may have emigrated from it, who have left their kindred there, many of them, that they will naturally have a tender feeling toward their Fatherland. But the Latter-day Saints who have come from England and from France and from Germany and Scandinavia and Holland, into this country, no matter what their country may be involved in, it is not our business to distinguish them in any way by criticism or by complaint toward them, or by condemnation, because of the place where they were born. They could not help where they were born, and they have come here to be Latter-day Saints, not to be Germans, nor to be Scandinavians, nor to be English or French, nor to belong to any other country in the world. They have come here to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and good and true citizens of the United States, and of the several states in which they live, and other places throughout the world, where Latter-day Saints are building homes for themselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.12 I have heard the story that a poor girl was actually denied employment, in an American household, because she happened to be born in a foreign land, and because there is such a great prejudice wrought in the minds of some of the people against that country--not against the people; the people are innocent, the people are blameless. You must not condemn the people, however much you may judge and condemn their leaders, who place their people in jeopardy, and demand their life blood for their maintenance in position of prominence and power. Their leaders are to blame, not the people. The people that embrace the gospel are innocent of these things, and they ought to be respected by Latter-day Saints everywhere. Treat our neighbors, our brethren and sisters that have come to Zion for the purpose of worshiping God according to the dictates of their conscience, like Latter-day Saints, not as English, or French, or Scandinavians, or Germans. They are Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.12 They are our brethren and our sisters, our neighbors, and they are helping to build up this great country of ours, and we must respect them and uphold them in the purest kindness, love and compassion, and with sorrow that their native countries are in the terrible plight that they are, for which they are not responsible. THE TRUTH HAS MADE US FREE. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.12 May God bless you. Forgive me for trespassing so long upon your valued time. I feel in my heart the truth, I believe I am right with the help, of God. I claim nothing for myself--I am nothing of myself, but the truth has made me free, and I thank God for it. I can face my brother and my sister anywhere in the world, in life or death with the consciousness that I have never wronged one of my fellow beings that I know of, and I think I know. I therefore feel that I am right; and if so--it is due to the gospel, and to my association with men of God, all the way down from my childhood, and I am thankful for it. I feel proud and grateful and most happy that I am associated with you. I look upon the faces of this multitude of men before me and I recognize in them, as every honest man must, the features and faces of noble, honest men; men who have lived pure lives; and the women are the best that ever lived. There are no wives better than our wives. There are no mothers better than our mothers, no sisters better than our sisters, nor any quite so good, as we believe. They are the best in all the world. That is my testimony. God bless you, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1917, p.45 I hope you will pardon me for expressing a single thought. It is well understood that there are in the world two great principles or powers, and these two are opposed to each other. One is the principle or power of truth; the other is that of error and ignorance, which is evil. That is, God's truth and its adversary. It is too true often that the adversary of truth has been compelled to adopt or mix a little of God's truth with his errors and heresies, in order to better prevail over the whole truth, and more effectively to defeat it. These apparent improvements on the part of error are no great evidences of concurrence in the purposes of God; and we should not forget it! President Joseph F. Smith. GREETING Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.2 I feel extremely grateful for the privilege of once more standing before such an audience as this assembled here at the opening session of our eighty-eighth semi-annual conference of the Church. I hope that I may have the Spirit of the Lord to assist me for a few moments to express my feelings and hopes, and my gratitude to the Lord for the inestimable privileges that we enjoy today. It is almost marvelous to me to look upon the vast sea of intelligent faces, beaming with joy and happiness, and with the consciousness of right, as I have the privilege of doing this morning in looking upon this vast congregation. I am sure that the Lord is well pleased with your presence here in honor of this semi-annual meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I certainly feel very grateful for your presence, for it is an indication of the union of feeling and of heart pervading the Latter-day Saints, and the honor in which you hold the work in which we are engaged. It is an evidence that the Spirit of the Lord is with you, that the love of truth is in your hearts, that your faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ is not abated, and that you are here to honor your membership in the Church, and the positions which many of you hold as presiding officers over the various organizations of the Church. In this vast attendance at the opening session of this conference you have indicated your loyalty to the cause of Zion and your love for the work of the Lord, and your confidence in your brethren whom you have sustained, from time to time, as presiding officers in the Church, and I welcome you, one and all, in your presence here this morning, and I sincerely pray that the Spirit of God may descend upon us during this session, and throughout the succeeding sessions of the conference, until we shall finish the work we have in hand to do. OUR HOPE OF SALVATION FOUNDED ON THE TRUTH Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.3 I desire to say to my brethren and sisters what I have often said, and which is still true, that the work of the Lord is progressing on the earth, and there is no power beneath the Celestial kingdom that can prevent its progress; for so the Almighty has decreed. I bear this testimony to you. I feel in every fiber of my soul that it is true; and, indeed, if it were not true--notwithstanding the hopes we have, notwithstanding the faith with which the Lord has blessed us, notwithstanding the prosperity that has attended us here in our labors in the valleys of these mountains, in harmony with the purposes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--if it were not true that the Almighty is at the helm and has been at the helm from the beginning, and will continue to the end, our hopes and our anticipations for present and for future life would be in vain. This work is the power of God unto salvation, and nothing else will do, nothing else can compare with it. Even error, as it has been said by one, may become venerable with age, and may become popular by the number of its notaries; but neither error nor the popularity of numbers will avail for the salvation and redemption and exaltation of the children of Almighty God. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.3 Our hope of salvation must be founded upon the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, for we cannot build upon error and ascend into the courts of eternal truth and enjoy the glory and exaltation of the kingdom of our God. That cannot be done. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.3 Then I bear testimony again to you, my brethren and sisters, that the foundation of the cause in which we are engaged is the gospel truth, and it is a glorious thing to know that so many--and yet so few in comparison to the vast aggregation of humanity--have learned the truth, learned the fact that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation, and that it must of necessity be the truth, for God has never devised error for the redemption of his children, nor for their blessing and exaltation. He has never given to the children of men falsehood and error to lead them back into his presence. The Almighty, in the beginning, never devised a plan for the redemption of his children that was not true, that was not efficacious, that would not be effectual in the accomplishment of his purpose to bring to pass the final exaltation into the kingdom and the enjoyment of his presence, of all his children who would obey his laws and keep his commandments. THE INTEGRITY OF THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.3 I testify to you, as I know and feel that I live and move and have my being, that the Lord raised up the boy prophet, Joseph Smith, and endowed him with divine authority, and taught him those things which were necessary for him to know that he might have power to lay the foundation of God's Church and kingdom in the earth. Joseph Smith was true to the covenants that he made with the Lord, true to his mission, and the Lord enabled him to accomplish his work, even to the sealing of his testimony with his shed blood. His testimony is now, and has been in force among the children of men as verily as the blood of Jesus Christ is in force and a binding testimony upon all the world and it has been from the day it was shed until now, and will continue until the winding up scene. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.4 I bear my testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, of the divinity of the mission and work that was accomplished by President Brigham Young and his associates in fleeing from the wrath that threatened in Illinois and Missouri and other places, into these peaceful vales, which was done by the will of heaven and by the guiding power of the Holy Spirit. President Young and the pioneers were enabled to lay the foundation of a commonwealth, the equal of which is scarcely to be found within the borders of our glorious land, and it was done, not by the wisdom of Brother Brigham, nor of Brother Heber C. Kimball nor of any of their associates grand men as they were true servants of the living God as they were faithful and true to their callings, grand as was their integrity to the cause of Zion--but back of them, behind them, above them and below, and all around them, was the power of God, leading and directing them, and thus consummating his purposes through their instrumentality. We give the honor to our Father in heaven, and we also honor and bless the names of those great and good men whom the Lord chose to accomplish his purpose, and through whom he did accomplish his purpose without failure. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.4 I bear my testimony to the integrity of John Taylor as one of the purest men I ever knew in my life, a man clean from head to foot, clean in body and clean in spirit, free from every vulgar thing, so common among the children of men. I know whereof I speak, for I was with him day and night, month after month, and year after year, and I bear my testimony of his integrity. He was a martyr with the Prophet Joseph Smith. He suffered more than death with Joseph and Hyrum, and the Lord preserved him and honored him by calling him to take charge of his work for a season in the earth, thus exalting him to that most glorious and most responsible position that any man could be called to occupy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.4 I bear my testimony to the faithfulness of Wilford Woodruff, a man in whom there was no guile, a man honest to the core, a man susceptible to the impressions of the Spirit of the Lord, a man guided by inspiration in the performance of his duty, far more than by any gift of wisdom or of judgment that he himself possessed. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.4 I bear my testimony to the work that was accomplished by President Lorenzo Snow, although it was brief, yet some of the things which were left for him to do were absolutely necessary in order to relieve his successor and others that may arise in time to come from mistakes and errors that had crept in before. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.4 As to the present administration of the gospel and of the work of the Lord I have nothing to say. Let the work speak for itself, let the people and the voice of the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say what is being done by the Lord, let it not be said by me, nor by my counselors and my associates. The Lord forbid that I should ever imagine for one moment that we are of any great importance in this great work of the Lord. Others may be raised up and the Lord can shape their minds, he can qualify them and can humble them, if need be, to fit them for the duties and responsibilities that may be required at their hands. I believe that Zion is prospering, and that so far as our spiritual life, our spiritual growth, and our faith are concerned, as well as our temporal condition, we are prosperous, and all is well in Zion today. BENEFITS OF VISITS BY THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.6 We made a short visit not long ago to some of our southern settlements. It is something that we should do oftener. I am conscious of it now more so than I have been in times past. I am satisfied that the authorities of the Church should visit the people. It is not enough that the teachers in the wards should visit the Saints, and the stranger within our gates, and undertake the work or at least carry on the work of teaching the people the way of righteousness and of truth, and union, and love. That is not sufficient. It is not sufficient that the bishops should visit the people of their wards and keep in touch with them and become acquainted with the people, and let the people know who is the father of the ward,--this is not enough. It is not quite sufficient that the presidencies of the stakes of Zion should visit the people, and should understand the necessities of those who dwell in their stakes, and be known of them. For it is also necessary that the Presidency of the Church, the Twelve Apostles, the Patriarchs, the Seven Presidents of Seventies, the Presiding Bishopric, in fact all the general authorities of the Church, should visit as far as possible, and see the people, and be seen of them. We want to keep in touch with and know one another. So far as I feel at present, I know of nothing that I would not like you to know concerning me. I want you to know what I am, what I am like, whether I am a man or not, whether I am trying to magnify my calling or not. I want you to look at me and know something of what I am doing; I want you to know me and I would like to know you. And so I can speak for my brethren. We have nothing that is not in common with the Latter-day Saints. We know nothing, and we will preach nothing to the people except that which the Lord God has revealed, and we advise and counsel those who are in authority, and whose duty and business it is to teach and preach the principles of the gospel to the world and to the Latter-day Saints, to confine their teachings and their instructions to the word of God that has been revealed. There is a great deal that has been revealed that has not yet been lived up to, I assure you. There is a great deal yet remaining to be learned. There is a great deal that is yet to be taught in the spirit of instruction, and there is a great deal that has been revealed through the Prophet Joseph and his associates that the people have not yet received in their hearts, and have not yet become converted to as they should. When we obey and are capable of observing the precepts of the gospel and the laws of God and the requirements of heaven which have already been revealed, we will be far better off and nearer the goal of perfection in wisdom knowledge and power than we are today. When that time comes, then there are other things still greater yet to be revealed to the people of God. Until we do our duty, however, in that which we have received, until we are faithful over the things that are now committed into our hands, until we will live our religion as we have it now as the Lord has given it to us, to add commandments, to add light and intelligence to us over that which we have already received, which we have not yet fully obeyed, would be to add condemnation upon our heads. It is enough for us to live in the light of present inspiration and present revelation and for each individual member of the Church to keep the commandments of the Lord and labor in the Church as the Spirit may give him and her guidance in the performance of duty. Every soul of us is entitled to inspiration from God, to know what is our duty, and how we are to do it. We have not learned it yet, not all of us, but we are in a fair way to learn. The Lord is still patient; he is long-suffering: he is full of love and graciousness towards all, and we are doing a little better all the time. I believe we are a little more faithful in the performance of our duties than we have been in the past; yet there is great room for improvement. IMPORTANT COMMANDMENTS TO BE KEPT Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.6 One of the important commandments of God is to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Many of our people neglect that commandment; they don't do it, and many of us permit our children to go loose on the Sabbath day, instead of curtailing, teaching, and curbing them within the boundary of the gospel requirements. The law of God is that we shall love one another. If we could learn to do that, then amen to bishops' trials and bishops' courts, or, to the necessity of them. If we only loved one another so that we would do good to others as we would have them do unto us, there would be no bickering, contention, quarreling, strife, bitterness, or evil in the hearts of neighbor against neighbor, and all would be peace and happiness. If we loved God with all our hearts more than we love the world, our houses, our lands, our flocks, our herds, and our gold in the banks, I say, if we loved God with all our hearts and minds and strength, there would be no necessity for prisons, no necessity for courts of justice in the land. There would be no necessity for the occupation of lawyers and pettifoggers to dispute and contend over differences and disagreements among the people. All these things would be as things of the past, relegated to uselessness. Men would then know the truth, they would love it and would walk in its light which shines from the presence of the glorious Father, because then we would show that we love him and are willing to keep his commandments. We have much to learn, too, in relation to these things. SIMPLE BUT VITAL TEACHINGS TO BE OBSERVED Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.6 The Lord has given us a little simple word, so simple that the weakest of all that are or could be called Saints should be able to observe and obey it, and yet some of the very strongest of us do not do it, but neglect to keep it. We have much to learn yet in that simple little Word of Wisdom that the Lord has given to his Saints for their health, vitality and strength, but not all of us observe it. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.6 The Lord has given to us the law of tithing, by which we are to furnish, by our tithes and our offerings the revenue necessary to carry the gospel to the world, to gather the Saints and to gather the elders after their missions are completed from their mission field, and build temples and conduct the work that is necessary to be performed in the temples for the living and for the dead. Not all of us observe that law, and yet, I am happy to say to you, that this year shows a very material increase in the fidelity of the Latter-day Saints in their observance of that law. Our tithes this year so far have been better than at any other time previously. That is a good indication and yet it may be improved very materially. A YOUNG MAN IN AN OLD BODY Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 Now, there are many other things, but I cannot tell them all to you I begin to feel that I am getting to he an old man, or rather a young man in an old body. I think I am just about as young as I ever was in my life in spirit. I love the truth today more than I ever did before in the world. I believe in it more firmly now than I ever did before, because I see it more clearly, I understand it better from day to day by the promptings and inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord that is vouchsafed to me; but my body gets tired, and I want to tell you sometimes my poor old heart quivers considerably. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 I feel admonished now to bless you, and I bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. SOME HISTORICAL ITEMS Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 I have just a few little items that I would like to announce: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 Since our last conference, the Tintic stake of Zion has been organized, being a part taken from the Nebo stake, with E. Frank Birch, president. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 The following wards have been organized, an indication of what I have said to you that Zion is growing, increasing, progressing: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 Wards Stakes Davisville Idaho West Warren branch North Weber Hunt St. Johns Lovell West Big Horn Logan Ninth Cache Logan Tenth Cache Aberdeen branch Blackfoot Gooding branch Boise Vernon St. Johns Owendale branch Shelley Hazelton branch Boise Acequia Boise Beaver branch Bingham Springfield branch Blackfoot Upalco Duchesne Arcadia Duchesne Jordan Salt Lake Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 The following bishops have passed away: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 John I. Gledhill, Vermillion ward, Sevier stake; Benjamin Argyle, Spanish Fork, Second ward, Nebo stake; John Stevenson, Diamondville ward, Woodruff stake; Robert Heber Beesley, Sunset ward, North Davis stake: Franklin L. Gunnell, Weltsville ward, Hyrum stake. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 The following brethren laboring in the mission field have passed away: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 Elder Peter Okelberry of Hazel, Idaho, died in the California mission, at Santa Anna, on May 22, 1917, of hemorrhage of the brain; Elder Enoch Coleman Hunsaker, of Honeyville, Box Elder county, Utah, died September 27, in the Eastern States mission. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.7 There are now existing 797 wards of the Church and 38 independent branches, 74 stakes and 21 missions. RELIEF SOCIETY PENNY FUND Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.8 In addition to these little items, I desire to mention the fact that some little time ago a number of the Sisters of the General Relief Society Board inaugurated the idea of asking for a penny subscription per week or per month, as the case might be--I don't know exactly, but I think it was a penny a week---from the sisters of the Relief Society throughout the Church, a contribution to be used to assist in the erection of the two temples now under construction, one in Canada and one in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. In an almost incredibly short time this penny fund has accumulated a sum equal to twelve thousand seventy-four dollars and some cents. It has not been missed by any of the sisters, and it will just add about a little over $6,000 apiece to the two temples, to help pay for the workmen. This principle of the penny fund was inaugurated first in the City of Nauvoo, at the time the temple at Nauvoo was under construction. The suggestion came from Mary Smith, the wife of Hyrum Smith, and was seconded by her sister, Mercy Rachel Thompson. Through the sanction and permission of Hyrum Smith and the Prophet and others, they inaugurated this penny fund. The invitation to contribute was extended to all the branches of the Church then known in the United States and in Great Britain, and I only need to add that all the cash that was necessary to pay for all the nails and the glass used in the temple at Nauvoo was furnished by this penny fund. IMPORTANCE OF THE GREAT LATTER-DAY WORK Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.8 Now, the Lord bless you, and may the work of the Lord continue to grow in your hearts and in your love. There is not anything in the world, nor beneath the Celestial kingdom of God today that is of equal importance to this latter-day work that you are engaged in. Receive that from me as my testimony. It is not mine only: it is the testimony of the Lord, and his word that cannot and must not be broken, and will not fail, and, therefore, I repeat it unto you and admonish you, my brethren and sisters, in the name of Jesus Christ, to keep the commandments and observe the laws of God, for they are the greatest things on earth to us. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. A FEARLESS DEFENDER OF THE FAITH Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 Brother Watts was an older man than I was when we were on our mission together. I always found him to be a very staunch and fearless defender of the faith, and I was only too pleased to grant his desire to say few words at this conference. He is a good, true man. A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR SMOOT Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 I have received the following telegram: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 "Washington, D.C., Oct. 6, 1917. President Joseph F. Smith, etc.: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 "Nothing but national duty would prevent me from attending the conference. Am over-worked but otherwise feeling well. Extend my best wishes and love to the people. May God's choicest blessings attend them and may his Holy Spirit direct his people in the future as in the past.--Reed Smoot." A CAUTION TO VISITORS Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 I have in my hand a notice, a little paper, which reads as follows: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 "Would it not be a proper thing to caution our country folks not to allow their daughters to visit indiscriminately about the city and at the Fort, without proper escort? The officers say many of them are doing so." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 I hope that our country visitors will pay attention to that caution, it is a very proper caution, in my opinion. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 I thank the Lord for the most excellent spirit and the very fitting subjects that have been dwelt upon by our brethren today in this conference. I am gratified with the careful attention and interest that has been manifested by the Latter-day Saints to those who have addressed them, and I do sincerely hope that the sentiments that have been expressed, instructions that have been given and the admonition, the counsel and the advice of the brethren and the doctrines which have been promulgated by them will sink deeply into the hearts of the Latter-day Saints; and if such a thing be possible, that the same may touch the hearts, the calloused hearts, the thoughtless hearts and minds of those who are indifferent to the duties of men toward their fellow men, and especially those who are indifferent as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the duties that devolve upon them, or should devolve upon them as members of the Church. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.62 God bless you; peace and prosperity abide with you in your outgoing and in your incoming, in your business and in the performance of your religious duty and in every vocation and avocation of life in which you are engaged, that you may prosper therein, and in all things give thanks to God and glorify the name of the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith PRIMARY EXHIBIT Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.76 I am reminded that the Presidency and the Twelve were invited, yesterday, by the Presidency of the Primary Association, to visit the exhibit of the handiwork of the little children for the benefit of afflicted soldiers. The exhibit is placed in the upper, large room of the Bishop's building, and I am sure Sister Felt and her associates will be pleased to have any of the brethren and sisters who desire to see what is being done by the children, in the Primary work, to call and visit them. President Joseph F. Smith. SHALL THE CHURCH PURCHASE LIBERTY BONDS? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.149 I have a matter that l desire to present to the conference, as the Trustee-in-Trust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when the subject of Liberty Bonds was broached and presented to the people, a number of my brethren submitted to me their views and their desires that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as such, should contribute some means in aid of our Government, in the purchase of these bonds with the tithes of the people. As Trustee-in-Trust, not a dollar of the tithings of the people has ever been diverted out of the regular channels of the Church, by myself; and the funds have been expended by the common Consent of my Counselors and of the Twelve, and as a general thing also that of the Presiding Bishopric. I did not feel that I had the authority or the right to divert the general funds of the Church from the usual channels in which all have agreed, and all have consented for it to be used, without submitting it to the general conference of the Church. Therefore, the question that I wish to present to the conference is: Will this Conference, this General Conference, authorize the Trustee-in-Trust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to use a certain amount of the funds of the Church for the purchase of Liberty Bonds? And in order that the matter may he brought a little more clearly and extensively to the attention of the conference, I will ask President Lund to express himself on the subject. President Joseph F. Smith. UNANIMOUS VOTE TO PURCHASE LIBERTY BONDS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.149 Brethren and sisters: You have heard the motion which has been seconded. Are you ready for the question. (Voices: "Question.") I hope that every Latter-day Saint will feel his own right and freedom to vote as he feels would be right before the Lord. All in favor of the motion will signify it by raising the right hand. (Apparently unanimous response.) The contrary-minded, by the same sign. (No response.) The vote seems to be unanimous, as I have not perceived a single hand raised in opposition. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1917, p.149 Under the circumstances, and with the sanction and approval of this vast body of the Priesthood, and of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we, your brethren, entrusted with the care of the funds of the Church, will use them as economically and wisely as we know how, by the help of the Lord. President Joseph F. Smith. ADJOURNMENT. Joseph F. Smith. Conference Report, October 1917, p.152 I desire to thank you, my brethren and sisters, one and all, for your continued presence and goodly attention which you have given to that which has been said and done. I also desire to express my appreciation and gratitude to the Choir and to those who have made music for us during the conference. I wish to extend my hearty good will and best wishes to all the Latter-day Saints, throughout the world, and to all people; for our mission is to save the world from the errors of men, from the darkness of superstition and ignorance, and to bring them to the light of Truth; that they may walk in the light as God is in the light; that they may have fellowship with him, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse them from all sin. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.2 I feel very thankful, beyond my words for expression, to have the privilege that I have of meeting with you this morning, and I am delighted to see the number who are assembled here at the opening session of this Eighty-eighth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel to thank you for your presence here this morning, for to me it is an evidence of your interest in the great cause in which we are engaged. I feel that the spirit of the gospel, which is the Spirit of the Lord, will accompany us through the sessions of this conference as an evidence of the faith, good desire and faithfulness of those who have assembled this morning and who will continue to meet with us through its sessions. PHYSICALLY AILING BUT SPIRITUALLY STEADFAST. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.2 It is an unusual thing for me to attempt to make any apology for myself, but I am in a condition of health just at this time which may prevent me from taking so active a part at this session of our conference as I have usually taken. I hope there is nothing very serious the matter with me, more especially regarding my faith in the of the Lord and my love for God's truth. I may have physical ailments, but it appears to me that my spiritual status not only remains steadfast as in times past, but is developing, growing, becoming more thoroughly established in the faith of the gospel, in the love of truth, and in a desire to devote all the energy, time, wisdom and ability the Lord may give to me to advance his cause in the earth and to help all I can to build up Zion in these latter days. HOME INDUSTRY. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.3 I have many things on my mind that I would like to refer to, but I feel that it would be wisdom for me to leave the heft of the speaking to my brethren, this morning. However, I wish to mention some things which I think should be brought to the attention of our people throughout the length and breadth of the land; and I will simply refer to a few things for a moment is two in order that they may serve as a text, perhaps, for some others who may succeed me in speaking to you. In the good old days of President Young, the doctrine of self-sustenance, of home manufactories, of local providence in all things necessary to sustain the people of God and the inhabitants of this intermountain region, were subjects that were dwelt upon very much, and although a little old are still new and deserving the attention of the Latter-day Saints especially, and not only Latter-day Saints but all the people of this intermountain country. In early days we sought to be content and to be happy by using those things which we could as far as possible produce at home. The conditions of those days made it necessary for us to be economical and for us to make an effort on our part to provide everything as far as possible by our own energy and skill, that we needed. But we have advanced in wealth; money has become easier to get and more plentiful; transportation across the deserts and from distant parts of our country has become easy, and it has become so simple and so easy, to buy the shoddy which is a few cents less per yard, or piece, which is manufactured in great manufactories in the East or in Europe, by labor which is compensated for at the least possible wages, and shipped easily to this country, that we prefer to patronize the laborers that are afar off to patronizing those who are in our own midst and who would be depending upon the patronage of the people of this intermountain region to support them in their labors. We have sought to manufacture clothing in our Provo Woolen Mills and in other of our manufactories that have been from time to time established in the early days, but the goods that have been manufactured in Provo, which surpassed very far in real value the imported articles of a similar kind, because they were made of whole wool, had to seek a market in New York and in San Francisco, and in Europe, because the people at home would not patronize home made goods. Why? Because they could not be made quite as cheap as imported shoddy! These are facts, for I have been associated with this factory somewhat in years past, and I know whereof I speak. It is an easy matter now to get a great many things from the East, and from the West, and pay our money out for them, which we ought to produce at home; and there are a great many things brought into our country that we purchase with our money that we do not need at all, and which ought never to be imported for the use of Latter-day Saints. SOME SURPRISING FACTS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.3 No Latter-day Saint has any use for tobacco in any form, and yet many thousands of dollars are paid out annually for this noxious weed which is grown in the south, manufactured in the south and shipped here, of course, for the money it takes away, and otherwise merely to do you harm, and absolutely no good. It was surprising to me to learn that we actually ship eggs by the ton from various distant states, into Utah. It appears to me that it is really a shame and a disgrace to our credit and good name, that the people of this intermountain region, the farmers, the ranchers, the home-makers, and home-dwellers, cannot raise poultry enough to supply themselves and the market at home with eggs and chickens, instead of having to import them from abroad. Why cannot we make our own butter and our own cheese, at home? Why would not these industries pay our own people as well as they would pay or profit others? Surely they would, if our people would be as loyal in supporting them in their labors and in their manufactories as we are loyal to those that are far away. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.4 The matter has been called to our attention of late that we are importing a great deal more into Utah and into the principal cities of Utah than we are exporting abroad. We are allowing our fruit year after year to rot on the ground by the ton, if not by the hundreds of tons, when a few years ago we were sufficiently interested in home preservation and home production that we would dry some of our peaches and some of our apples that are now going to waste, for winter use and for transportation abroad. We have quit it. Scarcely any one will dry a peach now! I have been trying, year after year, to get a few dried peaches to help eke out my provender during the winter season for my family; and there is nowhere that I can get good dried peaches in Utah, and yet they are wasting by the hundreds of tons, by the tens of thousands of dollars worth, because they are not taken care of properly. This is wrong. We should adopt the rule to live within our own means, and attempt, at least, again to save the products of the soil, the products of our herds, and of our flocks, import as little as possible, and supply as much as we possibly can for our own support, and for transportation. A STRANGE KIND OF ECONOMY. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.4 We have been having the doctrine of economy thrust down our throats for all it is worth recently, to such an extend that we scarcely know sometimes where we are at. A poor man will go to the store to get twenty-five or fifty pounds of flour, and the storekeepers will compel him to buy at least twenty-five or fifty pounds of some other material that he doesn't want or need, or know what to do with, if lie had it, and he is compelled to buy it or go without the flour. That is a strange kind of economy for the poor people. A poor man goes to the store and he says, "I want twenty-five pounds of flour." "All right, you have got to buy twenty-five pounds of bran or of something else" which he does not need, and pay a good deal more for it, before he can get his flour. What? The poor man under the necessity, when he must have a little flour for bread--(and he can't afford to go to the bakers to get it, because they have raised so high on their prices that he can't afford to go there to buy bread,) and he must get the flour and let his wife bake it, but he is told that he can't have flour unless he will buy at least one and one-fourth more material of one kind or another of greater cost to him than the flour will be. THE REMEDY. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.4 It would be a mighty good thing if every farmer, gardener, owner of an orchard or a hennery, or a flock of sheep or any other means of subsistence in the land, would provide for themselves everything that they need at home, and not go to the stores at all unless the store keepers would treat them fairly. I have no fault to find with stores nor with the keepers of them. They are necessary in their sphere of business. But I would not go to a store to get what I did not need nor what I could produce for myself; there are many things people can do without with profit to themselves. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.5 Who am I finding fault with? I don't want to find fault with anybody, nor with anybody's methods of economy. I am not doing this in the spirit of fault-finding. I am saying what I am, in the spirit that we should provide for ourselves so that we will not be dependent upon imported goods, more especially dependent for flour imported from abroad instead of producing flour at home and to transport abroad. Utah, by its irrigation system, can almost beat the world in raising more bushels of wheat to the acre than can be raised anywhere else. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.5 Now, I wanted at least to say this much to you, that we ought not to spend our means in importing into our country things we can raise at home; and surely not those things that are injurious, nauseating and hurtful to life. We ought to let them alone. I don't believe that it is really necessary for the Latter-day Saints to import tea and coffee into Utah. I believe they could makeshift with something more simple, something less injurious, perhaps, than these things that are more or less stimulating and not nourishing, the effects of which are more injurious than beneficial. LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.5 I wish to say this, there isn't a feeling in my soul nor in any fibre of my being that is disloyal to the Government of the United States or to the desire that we have in our souls to maintain the principles of individual and National liberty, justice and freedom that have been established in the Constitution of our country. I believe in the Constitution of the United States. I believe in the principles which that instrument promulgates--the freedom of mankind to do right, to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience, freedom to pursue their way in peace and to observe and maintain their rights, their freedom, their liberties, and justly recognize and equally preserve and defend the rights, freedom and liberty of their neighbors and of their fellow beings--and of all of God's creatures. I believe that the Constitution of the United States was and still is an inspired instrument. The Lord God Almighty inspired the minds that framed it, and I believe it ought to be most sacredly preserved. It is worthy of the defense and should be upheld by all the people of our land. I cannot say that I indorse always some of the acts of leading men. Now, the Lord bless you. FINANCIAL, SOCIAL AND STATISTICAL FACTS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 I had prepared a few items that I wanted to name. I am going to depart from my intended rule this morning, and finish while I am on my feet. It may be a source of information to the Latter-day Saints, at least, and will be gratifying to them to know in some measure what has become of their tithes and of their offerings which have been handled by the bishops of the Church, and which have come into the office of the Presiding Bishopric, where the strictest possible accounts have been kept of them. I have had the Bishop's office jot down for me a few items that I will take the liberty, since I am on my feet, and am stronger than I thought I would be, to read to you: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 There have been expended in the stakes and wards for local purposes, of the tithes, in 1917, divided among all the local organizations of the Church $751,978.00 Expended for the maintenance and up-keep of temples, including repairs on the St. George and the Logan temples, which latter suffered some considerable loss by fire during the same year 111,036.00 Expended on the construction of the Cardston and Hawaiian temples, during 1917 126,745.00 Expended for the maintenance and operation of the Church schools, 1917 368,028.00 Expended for charitable purposes, including hospitals 320,963.00 Expended for mission purposes, including the erection of mission houses and chapels 335,861.00 Expended for the completion of the new Church Office Building, 1917 154,878.00 Tithe payers that we have on record number 87,663 People who paid fast offerings during 1917 number 47,820 Wards and independent branches number 839 Number of stakes 75 Number of missions 22 Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 The birth rate among the Latter-day Saints is 37 to each 1,000 Church members. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 The marriage rate is 17 to each 1,000 Church members. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 The death rate is 8.1 to each 1,000 Church members. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 There are 33 widows to each 1,000 Church members, and there are 7 widowers to each 1,000 Church members. If they are not too old they ought to get married again. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 The divorced after Temple marriage are 80 persons. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 The divorced after Civil marriage, 101 persons. That will prove to you, I judge, that a Church marriage is very much stronger and more binding than a civil marriage. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 Families among the Latter-day Saints who own their own homes, 80 per cent. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 Since our last conference, the following changes have taken place among the Presidents of Stakes, Presidents of Missions, etc.: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 Bear River stake, Peter M. Hansen, appointed to succeed Milton H. Welling. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 Montpelier stake, formerly a part of Bear Lake stake, Edward C. Rich appointed president. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 Bear Lake stake, William L. Rich, appointed to succeed Joseph R. Shepherd. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.6 Nebo stake, Joseph Reece succeeded the late Jonathan S. Page, Jr., who recently passed away. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.7 Samoan Mission, Ernest Wright has been released and Willard A. Keith appointed to succeed him as president. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.7 The following bishops have passed away: Lars P. Nielson of the Ovid ward, Bear Lake stake; Charles L. M. Milne, Union ward, Jordan stake, and Robert McQuarrie of the Ogden Second ward, Weber stake. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.7 The following brethren laboring in the mission field have passed away: Arnold Joseph Kunzler, Rosetta, Utah, died in the Central States Mission, at Springfield, Mo. October 8, 1917, of typhoid fever. Joseph F. Seeley, Mount Pleasant, Utah, died in the Central States Mission, March 29, 1918, of heart failure. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.7 Now, I shall most happily turn over the remaining part of the services of this meeting, perhaps through the conference, to my brethren. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.50 Before the adjournment of this meeting I would like to present to the Conference one or two items which I desire to get an expression upon from them prior to the presentation of the officers of the Church, this afternoon. JOSEPH F. SMITH, Jr., SUSTAINED AS MEMBER CHURCH BOARD OF EDUCATION. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.51 I need not announce here that a vacancy was caused in the General Board of Education of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by the death of President Francis M. Lyman, Joseph F. Smith, Jr., has been suggested to fill the vacancy in that Board, caused by the death of President Lyman. I would like an expression of the Saints present at this conference as to whether they approve of the choice or not. All who are in favor will please signify it by the uplifted hand. If there are any opposed they may signify it by the same sign, I see no opposition. ELDER RICHARD R. LYMAN CHOSEN TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE COUNCIL OF TWELVE. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.51 It has been brought again to our remembrance that there is a vacancy in the Council of the Twelve Apostles, which should be filled at this conference. We have to offer to you the name of Richard R. Lyman, a son of President Francis M. Lyman, to fill the vacancy in the Council of the Twelve. All who are in favor of this choice as indicated by the Spirit of the Lord to his servants, will manifest it by raising their right hand. If there be any opposed they may manifest it by the same sign [The vote was unanimous.] THE TITHING USED FOR ALL LEGITIMATE CAUSES PERTAINING TO THE BUILDING UP OF ZION. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.51 We feel, as the Trustee-in-Trust and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as the Presiding Council over all the Church the First Presidency, in connection with the Council of the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Bishopric, at liberty to use the tithings of the Latter-day Saints in all legitimate causes pertaining to the building up of Zion. You are aware that our special duty and obligation is to build up Zion in the latter days. This includes the building and maintenance of temples, in which the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are performed and administered for the living and for the dead. It is our duty to assist the poor and the needy. It is our duty to build places of worship for the Latter-day Saints, using such portion of the tithings of the people that come into our hands as we can use agreeable to the amount we have to use for the accomplishment of these purposes. We may use the tithing of the people for the building up of settlements--to assist our people when they attempt to make new settlements, to reclaim the desert and to procure water for irrigation purposes, and in this matter the Church has been somewhat liberal. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.52 It is our duty also to maintain schools and seminaries throughout the length and breadth of Zion, where our children who are in the district schools where no religion is permitted to be taught, may have the privilege of being instructed in connect:on with the secular learning that is given to them, those principles which are necessary for their faith and for their establishment in the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our duty to use the means that are committed into our hands for the assistance of the missions that are appointed and established throughout the nations of the world, and in many other ways legitimately for the building up of Zion and for the spread of the truth, the proclamation of the gospel, the maintenance of the authorities of the priesthood, whose time and talent are devoted exclusively to the ministry, that they may be fed, not luxuriantly, not superabundantly but in sufficient measure that they may not suffer for the necessaries of life. Part of our means is distributed to assist the bishops in the arduous duties that they have to perform, for services that are necessary in keeping the records of the Church, of the tithing and of other records necessary to be kept. All these things we esteem as legitimate and proper within the sphere of our authority and we do not, under such circumstances, publicly ask for approval of the Church at large for sanction in the discharge of our duties in this regard. SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF LIBERTY BONDS. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.52 But when we go apparently outside of these well known and beaten paths to use the means of the people of the Church, we feel that it is our duty to present the cause to them and obtain their sanction and approval for the use of the means that we may think wise to put it to. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.52 You are well aware that at our late conference, by the voice of the conference and their approval we used $250,000 of the Church tithings for the purchase of Liberty bonds, thus placing that amount of means in the hands of our Government for the defense of liberty and of freedom that we enjoy to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.52 Now, I have a similar proposal to make to this conference this morning, that we offer again, or at least appropriate the same amount for the purchase of more of the bonds of the United States. I submit it to you and I ask that those who are in favor may signify it by the unlifted hand, and if there is anybody opposed to this, who has a right to have a voice in the use of the means that lie contributes to the Church, let him manifest it by the same sign, [Out of the 10,000 persons present there was not a single negative vote.] I believe that the vote is unanimous. AN AUTHORATATIVE DECLARATION. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.52 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no partisan Church. It is not a sect. It is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the only one today existing in the world that can and does legitimately bear the name of Jesus Christ and his divine authority. I make this declaration in all simplicity and honesty before you and before all the world, bitter as the truth may seem to those who are opposed and who have no reason for that opposition. It is nevertheless true and will remain true until He who has a right to rule among the nations of the earth and among the individual children of God throughout the world shall come and take the reins of government and receive the bride that shall be prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.53 Many of our great writers have recently been querying and wondering where the divine authority exists today to command in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, so that it will be in effect and acceptable at the throne of the Eternal Father. I will announce here and now, presumptuous as it may seem to be to those who know not the truth, that the divine authority of Almighty God, to speak in the name of the Father and of the Son, is here in the midst of these everlasting hills, in the midst of this intermountain region, and it will abide and will continue, for God is its source and God is the power by which it has been maintained against all opposition in the world up to the present, and by which it will continue to progress and grow and increase on the earth until it shall cover the earth from sea to sea. This is my testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, and I have a fulness of joy and of satisfaction in being able to declare this without regard to or fear of all the adversaries of the truth. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 I am forcibly reminded of the saying of the Savior about the rich man, who concluded that he had so much in the world that he could well rest content, and take his ease. The Savior said: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 I cannot refrain from mentioning the truth that was enunciated thousands of years ago: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God," and therefore no hereafter. "They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.88 I trust we are beyond and above this dreadful condition, and that we do know that our Redeemer lives, and that we have put on Christ, and have adopted his glorious plan of redemption and salvation and exaltation beyond the grave. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.168 I do not purpose to detain you long, but my mind has been particularly awakened on one or two subjects which I would like to call to the attention of this vast assembly of Latter-day Saints. THE CRIME OF ADULTERY AND UNCHASTITY Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.169 I wish to announce to you and call to your attention the fact that the next to the greatest sin and crime that can be committed, and for which the penalty in the law of God is just the same, is the crime of adultery and unchastity. Sometimes we hear rumors and reports from various parts of our country that are heart-rending and awful if they are true, and that is in regard to the lightness in which the principles of chastity are held by some of our young people, and in some respects are lightly passed over by those who ought to be teachers in regard to these principles, and who ought to instil into the hearts of the youth the principles of virtue and of chastity. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.169 The Lord Almighty affixed in the law of Moses the penalty of death for the crime of murder or the shedding of blood, and the Lord Almighty affixed the same penalty of death upon the crime of adultery and unchastity. I hope that the Latter-day Saints will hold in mind the fact that there is no greater crime that men and women can commit, except the crime of murder itself, than that of adultery and unchastity; and let this be a precept to be taught and instilled into the minds of our children, and to our children's children henceforth, with all earnestness and fidelity on the part of those who are called to be watchmen upon the towers of Zion. WHAT IS LIBERTY? Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.169 We have been talking, and we do talk very much, about this wonderful, this glorious, this most choice principle of liberty, for which we are willing to sacrifice all that we possess in a worldly sense, and that we are also willing to add in that sacrifice our own lives to defend it. What is it? What is this liberty for which we are willing to fight, for which we are willing to sacrifice life and all that we possess in the world? Let me tell you. It is simply the liberty of all mankind to worship God in righteousness; that is what it is; for all mankind to have the liberty to do right, the liberty to do good, the liberty to pursue happiness, in honor, in virtue and in uprightness. But it cannot for one moment descend in any degree to license or to infringement upon the rights of others. No man has any liberty to impose upon his brother, to rob or to steal, to lie or to bear false witness, or to injure or wrong his fellowmen. When we are talking of this great and glorious principle of liberty it is that we may be free to worship God and to love him with all our hearts and minds and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to protect the principles of virtue and honor throughout all the world. That is the liberty that we are looking for and that we are willing to fight for. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.169 We are not trying to defend the liberty of mankind to be drunken, to be debauchees, to advocate crime, to interfere with the rights of others. This is not liberty. The law of nations, as well as the law of God, prohibits it, and it cannot exist except it exist contrary to the laws of righteousness and contrary to the principles of liberty that we are willing to fight for and that we are striving for. GOD NEITHER DESIGNS NOR IS THE CAUSE OF WICKEDNESS AND CRIME Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.170 I do not want this congregation, or any of the congregations of the Latter-day Saints, to conceive the idea, or to entertain it for one moment, that the true and living God--the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ--who so loved the world that he sent his Only Begotten Son into the world, to bleed, to die, and to be sacrificed for the sin of the world, the Father of our spirits, he who loves his children, is in any degree responsible for the carnage, the bloodshed, the crime and the infamy that is today being perpetrated because of war, or any other cause, throughout the world. God is not responsible for it. I want you to let this sink into your hearts and remember it. God does not design wickedness or crime in the midst of his children, neither is he the cause of it. One of the apostles said: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." The Lord God Almighty has no pleasure whatever in the nations of the earth contending one with another and destroying themselves. All this is contrary to the will of God, contrary to his purposes, and contrary to his love, and to the very nature of the true and the living God. He loveth his children; he desires them to have life everlasting and not death. I pity the expressions that I have heard so many times in the public print from ignorant preachers and some poor mothers whose sons have been sacrificed at the front: "Why does God permit it? Why has God permitted my son to be slain? Why does God permit the war that is existing today in all the nations of the earth?" The answer is: Because the nations of the earth, together with their leaders, exercise their freedom, the freedom of their agency, to pursue their wicked course, which results in war and in the death and destruction that is being perpetrated today throughout the nations of the earth. The Lord has no pleasure in it, and I do not want the Latter-day Saints to conceive the idea that God is responsible, or to charge him with the crime of desiring the destruction of his children. It is not true! GOD LOVES AND IS THE AUTHOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.170 I just wanted to say those few words to the Latter-day Saints. The Lord loveth peace. The doctrine of the Savior of men was "Peace on earth, good will to men," love, love unfeigned. The greatest of all the commandments that was ever given to the children of men is: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." If in the central nations of the earth this spirit Of love had existed, this principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ; if this glorious admonition had been taken to heart by the rulers of those nations, there never would have been any war, there never would have been any bloodshed, there never would have been the devastation and ruin and evil conditions that exist today. It is because the people of the world have not the gospel. It is because they do not obey the truth. It is because they have not Christ, and therefore they are left to themselves, and the results that we see are the consequences of their own misbehavior and of their own wicked deeds. CLOSING ADMONITIONS Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.171 I thank you, my brethren and sisters, for your attendance at this conference. You have shown your integrity, your love for the work in which you are engaged, your respect for this great occasion of meeting together on the 6th of April, in commemoration of the day on which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. We want you to continue to entertain this faith, this confidence, this love, this deep interest in the work in which you are engaged, that at every recurrence of this occasion, and of the semi-annual conference of the Church, you may be punctual in attendance at the conferences and show your willingness to uphold and to sustain the work throughout all the country where you dwell. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.171 I feel to extend my gratitude and my thanks to my brethren who have spoken the words of truth and of righteousness, and who have given exhortation that an angel from the presence of God could not have given more clearly, more intently and fervently from the heart, than our brethren have given it to you during our conference. Let us prize their words, their admonitions; let us hearken to their cautions, to their warnings, and to their exhortations to us to observe the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and live like Latter-day Saints--more especially like Latter-day Saints than like some "Mormons" live. I want to say to my dear Brother Richard, when he speaks of that mother of his and calls her a "Mormon" mother, he means well, but really she was a Latter-day Saint. I knew her. ( Laughter. ) Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, p.171 I also desire to express my pleasure and gratitude and thanks to those who have made music for us, our soloists, our singers of duets, the choir, and the leaders of our music. We thank them for their efforts, and we rejoice and enjoy exceedingly their harmony, for it is a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the true spirit of worship. We will now sing, "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning," and this semi-annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be adjourned for six months. President Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.2 As most of you, I suppose, are aware, I have been undergoing a siege of very serious illness for the last five months. It would be impossible for me, on this occasion, to occupy sufficient time to express the desires of my heart and my feelings, as I would desire to express them to you, but I felt that it was my duty, if possible, to be present and take some little part this morning in the opening session of this eighty-ninth Semi-annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. CLEAR OF MIND THOUGH WEAK IN BODY Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.2 For more than seventy years I have been a worker in this cause with you and your fathers and progenitors, pioneers who broke the way into these valleys of the mountains; and my heart is just as firmly set with you today as it ever has been. Although somewhat weakened in body, my mind is clear with reference to my duty, and with reference to the duties and responsibilities that rest upon the Latter-day Saints; and I am ever anxious for the progress of the work of the Lord, for the prosperity of the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world. I am as anxious as I ever have been, and as earnest in my desires that Zion shall prosper, and that the Lord shall favor his people and magnify them in his sight, and in the knowledge and understanding of the intelligent people of all the world. CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.2 I will not, I dare not, attempt to enter upon many things that are resting upon my mind this morning, and I shall postpone until some future time, the Lord being willing, my attempt to tell you some of the things that are in my mind, and that dwell in my heart. I have not lived alone these five months. I have dwelt in the spirit of prayer, of supplication, of faith and of determination; and I have had my communication with the Spirit of the Lord continuously; and I am glad to say to you, my brethren and sisters, that it is a happy meeting this morning for me to have the privilege of joining with you in the opening of this eighty-ninth Semi-annual Conference of the Church. Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.2 God Almighty bless you and those who shall address you, and President Lund, who will continue in charge of the services, in my absence, at least; and all who take part in the services of this conference, that you may have a time of rejoicing and of great reward. SOME CURRENT HISTORY. Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.2 I have drawn a few items, by request, from the current events of the Church and its history, that I think will be interesting to be read by our people in the Deseret News, this evening, and for this reason I will submit these items to the clerk to be handed over to the Deseret News for publication. Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 Hoping that you will pardon my effort to say anything under so unfavorable circumstances to myself, I bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and invoke his favor and blessing and protection upon you now and forever. Amen. Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 At the close of President Smith's remarks the organist struck a chord of "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet." The congregation arose in unison, and without announcement, and under strong emotion, sang that sacred song so dear to the Saints. Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 The following are the items of current history referred to in President Smith's remarks: TITHING Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 We have been blessed with a most abundant harvest in all the stakes and wards of the Church. The Lord has greatly blessed the people, and it is gratifying to note that our tithing records show an increase in tithing paid for the first nine months of this year over the corresponding months of 1917. PRIESTHOOD ACTIVITIES Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 In consequence of so many of our young men being drafted into the war, the activities of our quorums of the priesthood, especially of the Elders, Priests and Teachers quorums, are very much impaired. In some wards nearly every priest and teacher of draft age is in the war. The quorums have been seriously depleted, and a corresponding effect has also been felt in the Sunday School and Y. M. M. I. A. MISSIONARY WORK Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 The extension of the draft age has also affected our missionary work, and we are not now sending missionaries out who are within the draft age. RELIEF SOCIETY WHEAT Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 Our Relief Societies were called on, just prior to harvest time of this year, to supply the government with all the wheat they had stored up for years. Of course, they promptly and loyally complied with the request, and the wheat has been taken over by the government and used to help meet the demand made upon this country by our allies. The money received for this wheat is a trust fund, and should be kept in the banks, and when the proper time arrives, used to purchase wheat to be saved up against another time of need. The policy inaugurated by the leaders of the Church years ago with reference to this matter is a sound policy and should be continued. TEMPLES Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.3 The Hawaiian temple is now nearing completion. Substantial progress is being made with the Cardston temple. The building is enclosed, and the finishing work now in process. MILITARY SERVICE Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.4 We believe that our brethren who have answered the call of their Country and entered the war should have their names on record in the Church, and Bishops should enter every member of their ward who is in the military service of the United States or its allies on the tithing record, as this record is a roll of honor. Further details will be given by the Presiding Bishopric. REORGANIZATION OF THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.4 Bishop Orrin P. Miller, first counselor to Presiding Bishop C. W. Nibley, passed away on July 7, 1918, after a long and severe illness. On July 18, Bishop David A. Smith was set apart as first counselor, and Elder John Wells ordained a Bishop and set apart as second counselor to Presiding Bishop C. W. Nibley. DEATHS Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.4 Since our last conference Bishop William Fairbourn, of Crescent Ward, Jordan stake, has passed away; and Marion A. Woolley, of Kanab stake, and George E. Giles, of Provo, Utah, laboring in the Australian and Samoan mission fields respectively, also passed away. NEW WARDS ORGANIZED Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.4 The following new wards have been organized since our last conference: Joseph F. Smith Conference Report, October 1918, p.4 Redcliffe, Utah, Strawberry and Alterra wards, in Duchesne stake; Veyo and Central, in St. George stake; Wandamere, in Granite stake; Lark, in Jordan stake; Topaz, in Portneuf stake, and Pegram Branch in Montpelier stake. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1918, p.21 I feel it imperative upon myself to endorse and affirm without reservation the statements that have been made by President Penrose in relation to the subject upon which he last treated. I want to say to this congregation, and to the world, that never at any time since my presidency in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have I authorized any man to perform plural marriage, and never since my presidency of the Church has any plural marriage been performed with my sanction or knowledge, or with the consent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and therefore such unions as have been formed unlawfully, contrary to the order of the Church, are null and void in the sight of God, and are not marriages. I hope you will put this down in your note-book of remembrance, and bear it in mind henceforth. President Joseph F. Smith. SPURIOUS REVELATION. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1918, p.57 Again I feel that it is an opportunity for me to say a few words. This wonderful, mysterious revelation that I have been said to have received a great many years ago, was given in French, and I never knew but two or three words in French in my life; consequently, I could not have been the originator of that revelation. I want you to understand that. I have denied it, I suppose, a hundred times, when I have been inquired of about it. It was gotten up by some mysterious person who undertook to create a sensation and lay the responsibility upon me. I am not guilty. When the Lord reveals something to me, I will consider the matter with my brethren, and when it becomes proper, I will let it be known to the people, and not otherwise. HOW THE "BLACK," "RED," AND "WHITE HORSE" REVELATION WAS STARTED. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1918, p.58 The ridiculous story about the "red horse," and "the black horse," and "the white horse," and a lot of trash that has been circulated about and printed and sent around as a great revelation given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, is a matter that was gotten up, I understand, some ten years after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, by two of our brethren who put together some broken sentences from the Prophet that they may have-heard him utter from time to time, and formulated this so called revelation out of it, and it was never spoken by the prophet in the manner in which they have out it forth. It is simply false: that is all there is to it. HOW THE STRANG REVELATION WAS CONCOCTED. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1918, p.58 In 1858, I had the priviledge of traveling through California with Charles Wesley Wandell, a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and at that time also a member of the Church. He told me himself, in the presence of witnesses, that he wrote the document himself on which the organization of J. J. Strang was founded, and he was never so surprised as when he found that J. J. Strang accepted his vagaries for a revelation from God, and he had only laughed at it and repented of it ever since. HOW MEN MAY KNOW THE TRUTH. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1918, p.58 Now, these stories of revelations that are being circulated around are of no consequence except for rumor and silly talk by persons that have no authority. The fact of the matter is simply here and this. No man can enter into God's rest unless he will absorb the truth in so far that all error, all falsehood, all misunderstandings and mis-statements he will be able to sift thoroughly and disolve, and know that it is error and not truth. When you know God's truth, when you enter into God's rest, you will not be hunting after revelations from Tom, Dick and Harry all over the world. You will not be following the will of the wisps of the vagaries of men and women who advance nonsense and their own ideas. When you know the truth you will abide in the truth, and the truth will make you free, and it is only the truth that will free you from the errors of men, and from the falsehood and misrepresentations of the evil one who lays in wait to deceive and to mislead the people of God from the paths of righteousness and truth. God bless you. Amen. President Joseph F. Smith. VOTE ON THE PURCHASE OF LIBERTY BONDS. Conference Report, October 1918, p.79 The Latter-day Saints are well aware of the fact that the Church has appropriated, on account of liberty bonds, a sum aggregating more than half a million of dollars. I feel to propose that we again appropriate the sum of $250,000 for the purchase of bonds of the Fourth Liberty Loan. The motion is seconded. I sincerely regret that the financial condition of the Church--on account of the great demands upon it for funds for the support of our educational institutions, and for the accomplishment of our building operations that are in hand--is such that we cannot offer more at this time. This is a matter that is beyond the immediate reach of the council of the Church, appointed by the authority of God, by revelation, to use the funds of the Church, and therefore I submit it to this great conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All who are in favor of this move will please signify it by raising the right band. (Unanimous response.) Contrary minded, if there are any, by the same sign. (No response.) I see no contrary votes. President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1918, p.151 I have only one regret, and that is that this day could not be lengthened out some six or eight or twelve hours longer, so that we could hear from the rest of the brethren who are full of the spirit of their missions and of the Lord, and that you, one and all of you, would be delighted to hear. But the time will not permit.