Wayne Stake Report

My brethren and sisters, I appreciate the privilege of attending this conference and of listening to the good instructions we have received. If I shall be blessed with a portion of the Spirit that has been poured out upon other speakers, I will endeavor to represent the Wayne stake of Zion. ¶

The Wayne stake of Zion, geographically speaking, is situated in the southeastern portion of this state, with the Sevier stake upon the west (from which it was detached), the Panguitch stake upon the south, the San Juan stake on the east, and the Emery stake on the north. It is located partially upon what we would call the rim of the basin. The western portion is high, and it is somewhat difficult to mature crops there; while in the eastern portion we have a semi-tropical climate similar to that of southern Utah, where the people can raise almost anything they are inclined to plant and cultivate. So that we have a variety of products in the Wayne stake of Zion. We are isolated from the railroads, and we have no corporate properties to aid us in taxation, but are compelled to rely upon our own resources in this respect. Generally speaking, the people own their own homes. While the subject of mortgages has been discussed here, I have been reflecting on the condition of the people in our stake, and I believe that a conservative estimate would show that there are not a score of mortgaged homes in the Wayne stake of Zion. I am very well conversant with the situation, as I live near the recorder's office, and know pretty well what homes are mortgaged, and I am thankful for this condition. The people in our stake are not wealthy. While they own their own homes, they are upon the frontiers. They have been struggling to maintain their foothold, and have succeeded in making themselves somewhat comfortable; yet the outflow of emigration to the north, during the past two or three years, has been of such a nature that we are barely holding our own, so far as numbers are concerned. I can speak of the people of Wayne stake as a good people. We have eight organized wards, and five branches. The country is so situated that branches are almost as numerous as wards. From one end of the stake to the other it is about 80 miles in almost a direct line, and it includes all of Wayne county and a small portion of Garfield county. I believe that all our wards are fully organized, excepting one ward, which is lacking a Bishop's counselor. The people are trying to live their religion. Our High Councilors are good men, our home missionaries are active, and the people, as a rule, are feeling as well in the principles of the Gospel as I have known them to be for many years. In fact, I think we are trying to keep pace with Zion. In looking abroad in other stakes of Zion, where I occasionally am called on business or otherwise, and making inquiries in relation to existing conditions, I have come to the conclusion that the Latter-day Saints are about equal in point of religious devotion. There may be instances where they are more mixed up with an outside element than we are in the Wayne stake, and this, of course, must be taken into consideration. We have been fortunate in this regard, and we have only one saloon in our stake, and that has such a lonesome appearance that I am inclined to think it will soon die a natural death. We teach the people not to sustain it, and let it go its own way—and I was going to say, then we pray for its early demise. ¶

We have many opportunities there that are yet undeveloped. We have a well watered county, and the people are engaged in taking out canals and making reservoirs, and we hope in the near future that we may be able to present at the State Fair some of our products which, we feel, are equal in merit to many that are on exhibition at the fair. ¶

I feel well in this work. I am pleased to say that the presidency of the stake stand as they did when it was organized, and I trust so long as I may be permitted to remain in that presidency this condition of affairs may continue. There has never yet been a time when we have had to say that the majority rules in the presidency. We have reached unanimous conclusion on every occasion before taking action upon anything. We are in harmony with our High Council, and with the various wards and organizations. ¶

I can testify to you of the truthfulness of this great work. If our friends in the world should come here and see the devotion that is manifested by this people, they would be forced to the conclusion that there is something more in "Mormonism" than they have given it credit for. I ask the blessings of the Lord upon our efforts to serve Him and keep His commandments, that we may be in harmony with one another and with our Father in heaven; that what we hear during this conference may not fall idly upon our ears, but that we may take it to our homes and put it into practise, so that when we come to another conference we may be able to say that good has resulted from our teachings, and thus keep pace with the onward progress of this great work. That the Lord may grant these blessings, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶