Official Declaration Sustained

This statement which has just been read in your hearing was made for the Church. Rumors have been afloat that plural marriages have taken place, and some are said to have commenced to doubt the truth of the declaration made by our President at Washington. Now it has been laid before you, and the Church, by its vote in solemn assembly, has ratified this resolution, and the Saints know just where the Church stands on this question. If any come to you with such rumors, you know that the Church is true to that which it accepted thirteen years and six months ago, and which it has again ratified here in this Conference. It is not a new manifesto. It simply shows where we stand as a Church. The Lord has instituted in this Church the principle of free agency. Everything must be done by common consent, and therefore we lay these things before the conferences, that the people may have an opportunity to vote thereupon. This is an important matter, and should be known by the world that the Latter-day Saints have the right and privilege to vote upon everything that shall be accepted as Church doctrine or in regard to church government. ¶

I feel pleased with our conference, with the spirit thereof, and with the instructions that have been given. Let us take what we have heard home with us; let us take the spirit of the conference with us, and try to carry out in our daily lives the good counsel which has been given us. May the Lord bless you, brethren and sisters, and bless His Church upon the earth, as well as all good people and all who love the truth, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶