Report on the Emery Stake

"While sitting here I was reminded of what President J. Golden Kimball said at one of our conferences. He said: "You brethren around here want to look out; lightning is going to strike, and you can't tell just where." I feel like it had struck this morning. In standing before this vast congregation I feel very weak; but I trust I may be able to speak for a few minutes and report the Emery Stake, over which I have been called to preside. It pleases me very much to hear the brethren tell of their stakes. It is a testimony to me that we are being blessed in the Emery Stake of Zion; for a similar report to those given might be made of the Emery stake. It lies about southeast from here, and east of the Sanpete stake. It is comprised of two counties — Carbon and Emery — and is about 70 miles east and west and 90 miles north and south. We have 13 wards, and they are scattered over this large area of country. We have some disadvantages compared with other stakes. As a consequence, we are probably not making the progress that we should. But the people generally are trying to do their duty and to serve God, though there is considerable room for improvement. We have all the modern conveniences of civilized (?) society; we have saloons, and organizations of most every kind. I am, however, happy to say that very few of our people have joined the organizations outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The saloons, with perhaps two exceptions, are run by people not of our faith; and in a short time we hope to be able to say that no one runs a saloon in our stake who claims to be a member of the Church. If the Bishops will do their duty, there will be no saloons run by our people. ¶

There are great resources in our part of the country, and only about one corner of it has yet been touched. From the name of one of our counties — Carbon — you will see that we have coal there. The statistics of the state show that we have more coal in that region than there is in any other part of the west. We hope that this will be developed, and that the world may be supplied from the abundance of coal to be found there. There is coal all along the north boundary of our stake, and on the west also. It is full of coal, and we hope the day is not far distant when it will be produced and marketed. We have a fine agricultural district also. There is a movement now on foot whereby many thousands of acres will be brought under cultivation; and we invite the Saints who are looking for homes to cast their eyes on Emery stake. The people of Juab and Sanpete counties have had a movement on foot for some time to store water in the mountains and convey it into their counties; but they have seen a more feasible way to get rid of this water, and they have kindly consented to come into Carbon county. We ask you brethren and sisters who are looking for homes to join with us, and we will welcome you there. ¶

I feel well in the position to which I have been called. I desire to do my duty. My great desire is to press forward and assist the people and help build up the kingdom of God. I have been blessed with good companions. My counselors are sturdy, thrifty men — John H. Pace and Henry G. Mathis. We work together in unity. I know this work is true. It is the work of God. I have known this from my infancy. It seems as if I was born with a testimony of the Gospel. My parents were among the early settlers of this country, and went through all the hardships and privations; and it seems to have been implanted in my nature that this is the work of God. ¶

I pray that the blessings of the Lord may continue with us during this conference, that we may go home filled with the Spirit of the Lord and more determined to serve Him and keep His commandments; which I do in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶