326 THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE. economical and good housewives, competent and efficient in the performance of the varied duties devolving upon a wife and a mother; and showed that in this way they can do a great amount of good. Much of the means that might be saved by knitting, weaving, hat making, and other things, now neglected by the bulk of the people, might go to assist the Perpetual Emigration Fund, or to support the families of the Elders who are on missions. He enjoined upon them to teach their daughters and sons not to use tea and coffee, and for all to be saving, neat, and active, making the articles worn by themselves and families; and in all things seeking to do good to themselves, to their families, their husbands, and their brethren and sisters in the kingdom of God. Elder George Teasdale sang "The Saints are marching on victorious.' President D. H. Wells pronounced the benediction. President D. H. Wells, in referring to those who desire to destroy us, said that if they wish to overcome "Mormonism," they would act more in the spirit of fairness, by trying to bring against it mightier truths than can be presented in its favor, instead of seeking to crush it out with brute force. The kingdom of God will endure forever; it is a temporal kingdom and an eternal one; and the principles which are taught in connection with its establishment have a bearing upon our every interest, whether called temporal or spiritual. He treated upon and urged obedience to the Word of Wisdom, and referred to wool raising and home manufactures, showing their great importance. To be successful in this as in everything else, unity of effort is the lever that moves the labor with ease and power; hence we should be united, obedient to the principles of truth, and grow with the growth of the kingdom of God. He read the revelation called the Word of Wisdom, exhorted the people to obey it, that they may enjoy the blessings resulting from so doing. Elders J. T. D. McAllister and George Goddard sang "All are talking of Utah." Elder John Taylor dwelt upon the objects of our assembling together in a Conference capacity. Everything that is conducive to the happiness or welfare of mankind, is a subject for our consideration; and when we meet together in Conference, such of those things as more closely relate to the present are talked over, dwelt upon, and such steps taken as are deemed best for our own welfare and the welfare of our fellow men. Our aims, our objects, our hopes, and our labors, are for salvation and exaltation, and that the blessings of our Father in heaven may be enjoyed by all who desire to do right. He spoke of the faith we have in the revelations of God, and the knowledge and testimony which the Lord has bestowed upon us, and contrasted our social and political condition with that of the world. Obedience to God has given us the happiness and prosperity which we now enjoy, and more perfect obedience will increase blessings upon us. He also advocated home manufactures, impressing their importance upon the congregation. Choir sang. Prayer by Elder Geo. A. Smith. Sunday, April 7th, 10 a.m. The Tabernacle presented a densely packed appearance long before the appointed hour of commencing the morning services, and hundreds were compelled to remain outside or go away. The choir sang. Elder Joseph W. Young prayed, followed by an anthem from the choir. Elder George A. Smith said that the crowded state of the Tabernacle, with the fact that a great many were so unfortunate as not to get inside, urged a vigorous prosecution of the new Tabernacle. He took for his text, If ye are not one, ye are not of me; showed that we are one in matters of faith and doctrine, though gathered from almost every nation on the earth with many prejudices, yet with much faith in the Gospel; but there is a greater unity of THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE. effort required to advance our internal development, and the producing and manufacturing such articles as we need. Cotton has been successfully grown, and, with the little machinery brought here, has been already a blessing of incalculable value. The importance of keeping sheep and caring for them, getting wool and mauufacturing it, feeding and properly caring for the animals we own, every family having a complete set of the works of the Church for family use, every meetinghouse and every family being supplied with sacred books, every home being made attractive, and the people sub scribing for and reading the Deseret News, Juvenile Instructor and Telegraph, with the money now wasted on tobacco, were strongly advocated, while the use of strong drink was reprehended in pungent and severe language, and the people were called upon to unite and put away such an evil from our midst. The value of the counsel given at various times to save our grain, was reviewed and urged in a forcible manner. Elder John D. T. McAllister sang "The Moral Conflict.' President B. Young called upon the Bishops and leading Elders to intelligently and understandingly observe the Word of Wisdom, that their example might be followed by the people. He instructed the congregation on those things which we have a right to do, and of those which we have not the right to do, and exhorted all the people of Israel to obey the word of the Lord, keep his commandments, abide his revelations, observe the Word of Wisdom, and increase in righteousness. Choir sang. Daniel Spencer. Prayer by President 827 stered by Bishop Hunter and his Counsellors. Elder W. Woodruff bore his testimony to the work of God, called "Mormonism," and urged upon the people to become of one heart and of one mind in all things, temporal as well as spiritual. Unless we do so, we will fail to accomplish the work we have to do. The Word of Wisdom is a revelation from God, adapted to the weakest of all Saints; and every man and woman who will exercise faith in God can observe its injunctions. Singing, "O, ye mountains high.” Elder Ezra T. Benson exhorted to increased unity, and the observance of the Word of Wisdom, with industry, economy, and independence of false fashions. One great reason why the injurious luxuries forbidden in the Word of Wisdom, and expensive habits which are wasting the means of the people, are so prevalent, is, because when one person indulges in them another must; they cannot bear to be unfashionable. Every false appetite will pass away if we struggle against it and seek strength from the Lord. &c. Singing, "O Saints have you seen," Elder George Q. Cannon followed on the power and influence which we have already gained, and the great labors we have accomplished, by our unity of faith and action, and our obedience to the Priesthood; reasoning that an increase of unity and of obedience would add to our power, influence, and ability to accomplish good as a people, in a degree that is difficult to estimate. He quoted the promise which the Lord has made to those who will observe the Word of Wisdom, and exhorted the people to prove its verification. President B. Young said he wished to have influence with the Saints, so 2 p.m. that he could prevail upon every one The vast number of people who of them to work righteousness, and could not obtain admission to the sanctify the Lord God in their hearts, Tabernacle, induced President Young and do His will in all things. That is to hold the meeting in the Bowery, all that he desired influence for; and where an immense congregation were those who seek influence among mansoon assembled, sitting and standing. kind for other purposes, use whatever Choir sang, "Come all ye sons of they can obtain for evil and not for God." Bishop P. H. Young prayed. good. Every man and woman in the Choir sang, "We thank thee, O God, Church has a mission to do good, refor a Prophet." Sacrament admini-ceive the principles of truth in their hearts, live according to them, and increase the power of righteousness upon the earth. Choir sang "O my Father," &c. Prayer by Elder E. T. Benson. Monday, April 8th, 10 a.m. Conference again assembled in the Bowery. Choir sang "Come ye that love the Lord," &c. Bishop E. D. Woolly offered up prayer, after which "Glorious things of thee are spoken," &c., was sung by the choir. President H. C. Kimball spoke on several points of doctrine, and advocated a course of living consistent with the laws of nature, temperate in eating and drinking, and avoiding the use of everything injurious to the human system-which would be attended by increased health, longer life, and more vigorous and active faculties and abilities. He urged the importance of pushing forward the building of the Temple. President B. Young said he wished to see the Temple raised, and built strong enough to stand during the Millennium. We have to work unitedly and with full purpose of heart, and he wished this Temple to stand as a monu ment of the energy and faith of the people in their early labors. He extended the privilege to those who would accept it, that they might furnish teams for the purpose of hauling rock to be used in its construction. The completion of the canal will enable the rock to be brought much easier than it now can be; and if those who are to derive benefit by its waters, will pay the tax imposed for that purpose, but a short time will elapse before it will be ready for opening. Our duty is to help sustain the kingdom of God, and to cease following after the world, or going to them for purposes of trade; our only trust is in God, and while we keep his commandments, he will protect and sustain us. He called for men to work on the new Tabernacle, that it might be completed this summer. The doctrine of atonement was touched upon in words plain_and pointed, showing that the Lord Jesus died for all, but faith and repentance must precede enjoying the efficacy of his blood. Anthem by the choir. Elder John Van Cott. (Continued on page 330.) Prayer by THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR. SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1867. ITEMS FROM UTAH. FOR a long time past there has been a great dearth of news from our mountain home. King Winter has ruled the mail route, and has ruthlessly kept back the intelligence for which we have all been looking with longing eyes. But the approach of smiling spring has driven him to the mountain tops, and his power is melting fast away. In proof of this, we have just received the SALT LAKE DAILY TELEGRAPH from March 15th to April 7th. As usual, peace prevails in Zion, and the blessings of God rest upon the people of Utah in a rich degree. The spirit of improvement continues to be EDITORIAL. 329 manifest throughout the Territory, and the Latter-day Saints are carrying out that part of their creed which says, "Mind your own business." At the date of our latest advices, spring work had not commenced, with the exception of a little gardening on the dry bench land. The earth was full of water, and high floods were anticipated; to provide against which, the banks of the Jordan were being leveed, to keep its waters, if possible, within proper bounds. In the low lands, deep ditches were being cut and strong embankments made. About $3000 were being expended on the road between the lower part of the city and 5th Ward bridge, across which it was expected the county road would be laid running westward. Unsurveyed lands within the city limits were being surveyed and distributed among the citizens who desired to locate upon them, and a great deal of land was being taken up on the bench east of the city for farming purposes, it being anticipated that the mountain streams can be made use of for those lands, when the water is brought through the great canal to irrigate the lands lying west of it. A considerable effort was being made for the introduction of machinery during the present year for manufacturing purposes. A number of superior grist mills were being erected in various parts of the Territory. As rock and other building materials were being collected at Camp Douglas, it was supposed that Government intended to erect some storehouses that would not burn down so easily as those of "bacon and log chain" notoriety. At Draperville, in the south part of Salt Lake county, a new town site was being staked out, about half a mile from the old fort on the county road, and it was expected that with the water facilities which would be afforded by the new canal, a thriving settlement would soon be built there, and that rich and productive farms would soon take the place of wild sage and greasewood, springing from sand-clay. The Dixie Oil Company were expecting to furnish castor and sweet oil, by next August, at the rate of 2,000 gallons per annum, and which would be warranted as good as any imported from the Eastern markets. Trouble was anticipated with the Indians at Sanpete, but the people were making diligent preparations to defend themselves, by building forts, &c. The weather had been severely cold at. Logan, the thermometer, during the month of March, being as low as from 15 to 20 degrees below zero nights and mornings. Notwithstanding this, the people were enjoying themselves exceedingly well. On the 12th of March, a grand vocal and instrumental concert was given, which was a decided success, and evinced the possession of considerable musical talent by the people of Cache county. On the 20th of March, Elder E. L. Sloan delivered a lecture in the 13th Ward Assembly Rooms, upon the Science of Phonography, which was well attended. Brother Sloan intended starting a phonographic school, and as the importance of that useful art is forcing itself upon the attention of the people, it was expected that he would have a considerable number of pupils. On the 29th of March, George Davis, aged 27, from Wilton, in Wiltshire, England, was loading his wagon at the sand bank above the arsenal, Great Salt Lake City, and while getting the sand from a hole dug in the bank, the soil above fell on him and buried him. A youth, who was assisting to load 330 THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE. the wagon, obtained help from a neighbor, but they were ten minutes before they could reach him, when life was extinct. On the following Sunday, Elders Wilford Woodruff and E. D. Woolley performed the funeral ceremony, which was attended by a great number of the citizens. Mr. A. W. Street, a gentleman favorably known to the people, has been appointed and confirmed Post Master of Great Salt Lake City. For further news from home, we must refer our readers to the DESERET NEWS and SALT LAKE TELEGRAPH. The minutes of the spring Conference will be found in another part of our columns. After reading the newspapers published among the so-called Christian nations, which are continually reviling the peaceable people of Utah, it is quite refreshing to peruse our home newspapers, containing no horrible accounts of murder, seduction, robbery, wife beating, nor other numerous crimes which form the staple news daily published in these civilized countries. Our valley papers are a truthful record of honest industry and intellectual progress, and we pray that the day may never come that their pages shall be defiled with accounts of such atrocities as in the world are of daily occurrence. DEPARTURES.-Elders Joseph Weiler, George W. Gee, and Edwin Frost, embarked on board the steamer Pennsylvania, on the 8th inst., for New York. Elder Weiler has been laboring for the last two years and a half in the Holland Mission, over which he presided, and has been unwearied in his efforts to do good. He has had to battle with the disadvantages of ill health and the difficulties of a strange language, but has overcome manfully and accomplished a good work. He was accompanied by ten of the Holland Saints. Elder Gee has labored both in England and Scandinavia, and has gained the approbation of his brethren in both countries. Elder Frost has labored in the British Mission, and has been faithful in the discharge of his duties in the ministry. All these brethren return home with the confidence and blessing of those who preside over them in this land. THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 2 p.m. Singing, "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath." Elder J. D. T. McAllister prayed. Anthem by the choir. Elder C. C. Rich reasoned on the nature of the heaven which we hope to enjoy, and the work we have to do in making that heaven, by adopting and practicing in our lives the principles of righteousness. We can thus gain power with God, and knowledge to gather around us everything that is worth knowing, possessing, or enjoying. He was pleased to see the desire manifested among the congregation, to obey the instructions given at this Conference. An increase of unity, and power to accomplish the purposes of God, will be the result of their so doing. Elder George Q. Cannon then presented the following Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained in their positions by vote of the Conference : |