Report on the Nebo Stake

My brethren and sisters, for a good many years I have been in the habit of attending the annual and semi-annual conferences of the Church, but have sat in the congregation and looked from there in this direction, and I must confess that I had grown to feel much more at home than I do standing here facing you. At the same time it is an inspiring spectacle to see this large number from among the hosts of Israel, gathered together in the name of the Lord. It gives one some impression of the strength of the work that the Lord is accomplishing upon the earth, and we take strength from one another in thus assembling. In standing before you for a short time to represent the affairs in the Nebo Stake of Zion, I do so in humility and with a desire to have utterance given me of the Lord for this purpose. The Priesthood of that Stake are engaged in preaching the Gospel as recorded in the scriptures, which were written by holy men of God as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. They are endeavoring to realize the efficacy of the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, to understand our relationship to Him, and our dependence upon His atonement and labor. We are endeavoring also to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith as an instrument of God, who was called to establish Zion in the last days, and through whom the Gospel was restored, with the authority to administer its ordinances; to also honor those who have succeeded him in the Presidency, and to realize that their words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit are the words of God unto His people. In addition to this, we are trying to have every man who holds a portion of the Priesthood honor the office and station in which he is called to labor and magnify the Priesthood that has been placed upon him. In doing this we have taken pains that not one young man of sufficient years should be overlooked, but that all should have the opportunity to labor according to their capacity and desire, that they may not rise up in later days and say that the doorway to progress and advancement had been closed in their face by those whose duty it was to open it. The Priesthood are also trying to inculcate the principles of faith, humility, obedience, and a seeking after the things of God, in order that they may have the Spirit of God to be a companion and guide, that we may all realize that light has come into the world, and that we may walk according to that light, and continue to be in companionship with the Holy Ghost. I believe I can say with truth that the very great majority of the Priesthood are striving to labor for the establishment of Zion upon the earth, and to be enabled to give a good report of the work that is placed in their hands to accomplish. This can be said, too, of those who preside over and labor in the auxiliary societies of the Church. As a rule, they are zealous and earnest. The interest of the religion class work particularly comes to my mind at this time. It is something that we have not given as much attention to as some other branches of the work; but with its development in our midst we begin to appreciate the blessing of the Lord in having this established among us, and we look for great good to come therefrom. It is coming to be loved by the people. The Priesthood of the stake are working together in harmony from first to last, so far as I am acquainted, with a desire to be humble, to be led by the Holy Spirit, and to labor according to the counsels of the Prophet of God and to sustain those who preside over us. That we may be able to continue to do so, and that the blessings of God may be upon all the Church in every part of the earth, is my prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. ¶