Report on the Manti Temple

My brethren and sisters, I can say that I truly rejoice in having an opportunity of meeting with , you again in conference. It is like unto a fountain of living water, which the Saints come and partake of freely twice a year, and I believe we will go to our homes greatly strengthened and blessed, and with a renewed determination to press on in the work of God. I have been greatly instructed and built up in what has been said by the servants of God during the conference, and in standing before you for a few moments I trust that I may be actuated by the same spirit that they have been in possession of, and that I may report the condition of the South Sanpete Stake of Zion in truthfulness. ¶

It is only a few months since I was appointed president of the stake, succeeding our beloved president, the late lamented Canute Peterson, who had for so many years ably presided in the midst of the people of Sanpete county, now North and South Sanpete stakes. May his memory be green in the hearts of the people, and I am sure it will be, for the great good he has done; and his name will live in the hearts of the people among whom he so diligently labored day and night. Also his counselors, President Beal and President Maiben, who have stood with him shoulder to shoulder in the great work that was given unto him. We shall remember them with gratitude unto our Heavenly Father. ¶

South Sanpete stake is located nearly due south from this city, about 120 miles to its northern boundary. It has nine wards, and a population of upwards of 6,000. The quorums of the Priesthood are all properly organized, the auxiliary associations are in good running order, and a great work has been done by them the past season, for which I am very thankful. The presidency of the stake are united in their labor. That love which characterizes the most of such quorums exists with us. The same may be said of the High Council. The presidency of the stake meet once a week, the High Council once a month, and all matters that are for the work of the ministry in that stake of Zion are thoroughly canvassed and passed upon by them before any action is taken. We are erecting in South Sanpete stake, together with the North Sanpete stake, a stake academy, upon which $20,000 has already been expended. The walls are up, and ready for the roof. It will be a magnificent building. The Saints of the two stakes are doing all they can in contributing towards its erection. Our stake the past year has paid $20,000 in tithing. This is not quite so large a tithing as has been paid in previous years; but it is a good one in view of our circumstances. For the last three years we have suffered considerably from drouth and grasshoppers, notwithstanding which the tithing has fallen off but little; in fact, I believe there has been a proportionate increase. We have a splendid prospect for an abundant harvest the present season The mountains are filled with snow; God has sent moisture upon the parched ground, and I believe, if the Saints will do their duty and heed the counsels of the servants of the Lord, they will be greatly blessed in their basket and in their store, according to the promises that God has given. Thousands of dollars have been expended the past two years in fighting the grasshopper pest. There has been a united effort on the part of the people to exterminate it. The civil authorities have lent their aid. and I believe that good results will come from the labor performed in this direction. We have a good people residing in that stake of Zion, and I am assured that they are desirous of serving the Lord and keeping his commandments. ¶

The keynote given us by President Smith at the opening of the conference, I feel is the word of the Lord unto this people; for I cannot conceive of anything so harmful and damaging to the Latter-day Saints as debt. I have noticed that it not only brings trouble and affliction upon those who practise this, but upon others as well. It is written that the little foxes spoil the vine. Some of our people having gone into debt, and not having been strictly honest with their neighbor, have caused hard feelings, and some have become weak in the faith by reason of their brother not paying his just dues to them according to promise. I believe that if the Latter-day Saints will listen to this counsel they will be happier in their lives. They will be freed from slavery, which debt brings upon every man. They will enjoy a greater degree of the Spirit of God when they are free. A number of eastern gentlemen once made a statement in my hearing that the "Mormons" were practically free from debt; that they were an honest people, and they paid their debts. I hope this is true; it ought to be. I remember well a conversation I had with some gentlemen in the city of Boston during our trying times of a few years ago. They were talking about the conditions that existed in "Mormondom," and they said that the "Mormon" people were the most independent of any that lived In the United States. Because they had hearkened to the counsel of their leader, President Brigham Young, in early days, they had their own farms, and they placed no mortgage upon them. Of course, statistics show that there is only a small proportion of the homes of the Saints mortgaged; but there are too many. It would bring greater happiness if there were none. ¶

I pray that God will bless us in our coming together, that we may hearken unto the counsels we have heard, and put them into practise, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶