Remarks

Apostle Francis M. Lyman, was the first speaker. Following is a brief outline of his discourse: ¶

This is one of the most important conferences that has ever been held. The people are more numerous than they have ever been before. Yesterday they were well instructed. Doubtless they are well prepared to make good use of the instructions they have received. The Saints have been in long training. They have been tried in a great variety of ways. Their determination and fidelity have been manifested up to the present time. The Gospel they have received commends itself to the honest, courageous and independent everywhere. It embraces all truth. It requires courage to believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and repent of sin. A coward will not repent. It needs force of character to live right, combat sin in himself and do the will of God. We seem to be inclined to love evil and gratify ourselves. The Gospel requires self-denial, taking up the cross and following Christ and being like him. We are apt to conclude that it is impossible to do right. But the Gospel requires that we should be honest, virtuous and charitable. The Lord has bestowed upon us His Priesthood, which cannot be too highly appreciated. Through it we obtain salvation, which cannot be achieved without honoring it. Are we honoring the Priesthood by discharging the duties it demands? Each should put this question to himself. When this is done, as a rule there will be some dissatisfaction among the brethren with themselves. Some imagine that the laws of the gospel are too exact for human nature to comply with them. When Christ commanded his disciples to be perfect even as our Father in Heaven is perfect, He meant exactly what He said. Is there one thing that is right that we cannot do? Can we not deal justly and honorably one with another? The Church is sixty-one years old and most of its members have been within its fold over twenty-one years. Should we not now be able to show the results of maturity, and exhibit an example to all people that would be the admiration of the whole world? Rectitude of conduct is admired by all people. We are clothed with authority to preach the Gospel to the world. Are we doing this at home by word and deed? What are the presiding Elders in the Stakes and wards doing? What are their labors today? The Lord requires that they be workers and teachers of righteousness, both at home and abroad. An exemplary man is one who sets good examples and no bad ones. Occasionally men who are in leading positions take a course to weaken the faith of the people who are under their guidance. Our children as well as the people look to us for examples, which is the strongest exhortation of teaching that can be given. It takes a good man to do good things. We will not be judged by our profession but by our works. We are not expected to make excuses when we are required to perform any duty, but to do what is required by the Priesthood. The Elders should be men who do not need to be exhorted to do right. They ought themselves to be comforters and exhorters, and their conduct should be harmonious with their teachings. The world is looking upon this people, and we are noticed as a community. Many visitors come here to see us. Do they see an improvement among the people in relation to temperance and observing the Sabbath? Do they see a growth of love among us in our families and in all our associations with each other? Families ought to be united. Wives and husbands should live in union and the children should not be alienated from their parents. There should be no harshness exhibited in our families, but every home should be permeated with the genius of affection. ¶

There is here, at home, an excellent field for missionary work, especially among the young. They are intelligences who have come from God to be tried and proved. Every son should seek to become a savior to the family of which he is a member. So ought every daughter. What are we doing in the families of the saints? How many sons are seeking to labor for the family to which he belongs, to bring salvation to each member? Duties belong to both sons and daughters in this direction. The duties of the Priest and Teacher are important. They are required to visit the Saints at their homes and see that no iniquity exists in the Church. I fear that our young men from twelve to twenty-one years of age are not being looked after. They are not labored with and taught in the functions of the Aaronic Priesthood to prepare them for that of Melchisedek. They should be taught to be expounders of the Gospel. When an officer of the higher Priesthood goes around in the exercise of the calling of Teacher a young man holding the lesser authority should be by his side, to receive training and experience. The young men ought to be taught to take part in family prayer. Fathers should not monopolize the performance of this important duty. It is unfair to send young men into the world without some experience. Those who are advanced should teach them their duties. If the young are brought into active service there will be discovered in them the power of God. The Presidents of Stakes and Bishops should give attention to this subject. ¶

Elder Lyman concluded by expressing the prayerful hope that the leaders of the people may always enjoy their freedom and be enabled to minister among the Saints, and that the blessing and power of God might be with them. ¶