Report on the San Luis Stake

I appreciate very much the instructions we have received so far during this Conference, and especially the spirit that has characterized the utterances of the brethren. ¶

Representing the San Luis Stake of Zion, I feel to say that we are a long way from the headquarters of the Church, a small stake located in the central southern part of Colorado, and bordering on to New Mexico, two or three branches of the Stake being in New Mexico. This Stake has been organized about twenty years. Prior to that time a colony had been planted there under the direction of the leaders of the Church, a few people being called to go there from Utah. Many people from the Southern States emigrated to that land, and we should by this time have quite a populous Stake had all remained who gathered there; but many who came from the Southern States found the climate too rigorous for them, and they scattered into other Stakes or returned to their former homes. We have now four wards and three branches in the Stake, and they are so scattered that it requires traveling six hundred miles in order to reach them all. We have been very kindly treated by the people of the state of Colorado. The lands upon which we have located have been almost entirely state lands, which we have purchased from the state. We have been encouraged in that land by the officials, and we have no complaints to make. In fact, when there were perilous times for the Saints in this State and in other localities, the nucleus formed in the San Luis valley was like a house of refuge to many who were being persecuted, and who for the time being found peace and rest there. Our people have not made very great progress financially. Our country is perhaps not so much favored as some other localities. We live in a high altitude, and it is rather cold; yet we produce grains that bear equally to almost any other place. It is a well watered country usually. Last season was an exception, we being affected by the general drouth that prevailed; but we have splendid prospects now for the raising of grain and stock. Many of the people who have gathered there have been like children in the Gospel, and it has required a great deal of patient labor to get them to understand and live up to their duties. Our people have made rapid advancement in obeying the law of tithing, considering their lack of understanding in the beginning. Those who bear the holy Priesthood are united, and are laboring for the advancement of the cause of God. We are united with one another, and with the counsels and instructions of the leaders of the Church. We find it difficult to disseminate the teachings of the Conference in that Stake. Very few representatives are able to come this long distance to Conference, on account of the comparative poverty of the people; but those who do come, when they return they try to spread the teachings and spirit of the Conference. At our next monthly gathering of the Priesthood there will be two meetings held, and the officers of every department in the Stake will be instructed by the representatives here. In this way we expect to disseminate the teachings of the Conference. ¶

I am grateful to be engaged in the work of God. I feel that it does not matter so much where we labor if we are willing to labor where God appoints us. He will see to it that we are provided for, and that we and our posterity are led in the ways of righteousness. Although we may not find such pleasant places as others in this life, we will obtain eternal life. I have an abiding faith and testimony in the work of God, and I feel in my heart to say, His name be praised that He has given you and me a knowledge that surpasseth understanding, a divine testimony that we are engaged in His work; and whatever may come to us, having this knowledge and this perfect assurance, we will indeed be happy. That God may bless the Saints everywhere, and bless us to accomplish the mission He has assigned unto us in preaching the Gospel and in building up the Stakes of Zion, and rearing our children in the fear of God, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶