Report on the Teton Stake

My brethren and sisters, I am proud to stand before you this afternoon to represent the youngest stake of Zion that has been organized, being the fiftieth, I believe. We are located in the eastern part of Idaho, joining the great national park, our boundaries taking in the Jackson Hole country as well as the Teton valley. It has been about 15 years since our people first began to settle in that country. I was one of the first. The scene that greeted our eyes at that time was very fascinating indeed, in looking into the Teton valley. It was then uninhabited, with the exception of a few trappers and frontiersmen, I think about 30 in number. To look upon that beautiful valley and see the miles and miles of fine land threaded by silvery streams of water, one was led to exclaim, "How in the world has a country like this lain so long unoccupied?" But as we view it now and see it occupied largely by our people, we cannot help but think that it was reserved as a gathering-place for the Saints. In fact, the Apostles who visited us in those early days told us that it would be a home for many thousands of the Saints of God, that the land would be fruitful, that the elements would be tempered, and that we would be able to produce all that was necessary for our sustenance. These promises have been truly verified, for we are not only producing that which is necessary to sustain us, but we are exporting a great deal in the way of grain, potatoes, timothy seed, etc. Of course we do not raise everything, but we are able to produce that which is necessary to sustain us. Our stake was organized about one and one-half years ago, by President Joseph F. Smith. We rejoice very much that we have this organization and to receive the blessings that we derive from our various organizations in the stake. They bring into active labor a large number of people, and we see the benefits and are enjoying the blessings that come to us in this respect. ¶

Some of the brethren here have mentioned something about the products of the soil. I might mention the fact that in the Jackson's Hole country we have, I presume, the greatest game country in the United States. Most of the elks from the national park are wintering there. I suppose that about 20,000 elks have wintered in the Jackson's Hole country during the past winter. I was going to say that many thousands of them had died of starvation, but I believe it would be more correct to say many hundreds. There has been a great loss among these animals on account of the early thaw that came in the winter resulting in the crusting of the snow, which prevented the animals from getting their feed. The loss was mainly among the calves. The settlers have encroached upon the winter feeding grounds of the elks. The elks have resented this by breaking into the haystacks, and they have become a menace to the people in that region, especially during the past winter. ¶

I rejoice in the instructions that we have received during this conference. I have been particularly pleased in listening to the reports of the presidents of stakes. I am glad to be able to take advantage of their experience, having learned what they are doing and how they are working in their stakes. I hope to profit by their experience, and also by the counsel and advice that has been given to us by the brethren. I do not feel that it would be proper for me to occupy more of your time. I want to remember the advice given in the manual of the Y. M. M. I. A. To practice stopping at the right time and in the right place. I pray that the Lord will bless us, and bless Zion, that we may all rejoice in the Gospel and the blessings that are vouchsafed to us, through obedience to the commandments of God, which is my prayer. Amen. ¶