Closing Remarks: Appeal for God's Blessings and Admonitions

I desire to express my thanks and gratitude to all the Latter-day Saints who have attended this conference, for the excellent and peaceful spirit that has pervaded our meetings and has given, I believe, to all who have been present a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. ¶

I have felt that, before closing the meeting, I would like to read a few words of the prayer that was indicted by the Prophet Joseph Smith at the time of the dedication of the Kirtland temple, as I think the prayer and principles set forth apply to us at this time as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The prayer reads, in part, as follows : ¶

"Remember all thy Church, O Lord, with all their families, and all their immediate connections, with all their sick and afflicted ones, with all the poor and meek of the earth, that the kingdom which thou hast set up without hands, may become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. ¶

"That thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. ¶

"And be adorned as a bride for that day when thou shalt unvail the heavens, and cause the mountains to flow down at thy presence, and the valleys to be exalted, the rough places made smooth ; that thy glory may fill the earth. "That when the trump shall sound for the dead we shall be caught up in the cloud to meet thee, that we may ever be with the Lord. ¶

"That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings. ¶

"O Lord God Almighty, hear us in these our petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy holy habitation, where thou sittest enthroned, with glory, honor, power, majesty, might, dominion, truth, justice, judgment, mercy, and an infinity of fullness, from everlasting to everlasting. ¶

"And also this church, to put upon it thy name; and help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise, singing, Hosanna to God and the Lamb. ¶

"And let these thine anointed ones be clothed with salvation, and thy saints shout aloud for joy. Amen." ¶

We have had a variety of teaching here during our conference. I want to say to the Latter-day Saints and to the Elders that have addressed us, that, personally, I have rejoiced exceedingly in every word that has been spoken, wherein the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been made. I believe that the Elders of Israel, and the officers of the Church, should devote themselves to the proclamation of the Gospel of life everlasting, and that they should not dwell or seek to dwell upon trivial and nonsensical things, or upon personal conduct or extraneous affairs. I think they should be dignified and sincere in their spirit and utterances. I think they should be moved by the spirit of truth and of the inspiration of the Gospel, and consider that it is their mission to bear record of Jesus Christ, of Joseph Smith, and of the divinity of the great latter-day work, the foundations of which Joseph Smith was instrumental in the hand of God in establishing in the latter day. I believe if our brethren will devote their thought, their minds and efforts in this direction, that they will please the Lord, they will satisfy the saints, and they will fulfill the object of their mission better than they can possibly do by criticising themselves or others, or dwelling on the faults and failings of men. There never, perhaps, was a time in the Church when there were not foolish ones amongst us. Some have been foolish through overzeal ; some have been still more foolish through lack of zeal, altogether, — some have been foolish in saying things they ought never to have said, and others have been guilty before the Lord in not saying that which they should have said. I presume that this condition will remain and continue amongst us so long as men are imperfect and do not see clearly, as the Lord sees, and are not susceptible to the inspiration and promptings of the Holy Spirit, to which they are entitled for their guidance every day of their lives, if they will but live for it. I think it is not wise or prudent for me to proclaim the short-comings of the Church if it has any, or the defects, faults, or failings of its members. I do not think it is my right or prerogative to point out the supposed defects of the Prophet Joseph Smith, or Brigham Young, or any other of the leaders of the Church. Let the Lord God Almighty judge them and speak for or against them as it may seem Him good — but not I ; it is not for me, my brethren, to do this. Our enemies may have taken advantage of us, in times gone by, because of unwise things that may have been said. Some of us, may now, give to the world the same opportunity to speak evil against us, because of that which we say which should not be spoken at all. ¶

I felt that it was my duty to say this much at the conclusion of this conference. When the Lord wants to reveal something new to us, He knows the channel through which to reveal it; He knows that He can do it, and He will do it in His own way and time, and through the proper channels of the Priesthood. Don't forget that! ¶

When this meeting concludes, our conference will be adjourned for six months, to meet, without further consideration, at this place. ¶

It was announced that John J. McClellan, and assistants, will continue to give recitals at 12 m. daily, on the great Tabernacle organ, to which the public will be admitted free, as heretofore. ¶

The choir and congregation sang the hymn : ¶

We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, To guide us in these latter days; We thank Thee for sending the Gospel To lighten our minds with its rays; We thank Thee for every blessing Bestowed by Thy bounteous hand; We feel it a pleasure to serve Thee, And love to obey Thy command. ¶

Benediction was pronounced by President John R. Winder. ¶

Prof. Evan Stephens conducted the singing of the choir and congregation at all the conference meetings in the Tabernacle, and Prof. John J. McClellan played the accompaniments, interludes, etc., on the great organ. ¶

The stenographic reports of the discourses were taken by Elders Franklin W. Otterstrom, Frederick E. Barker, and Fred G. Barker. Duncan M. McAllister, Clerk of Conference. HISTORYofthe CHURCH Volume Five Now Ready fflHave you secured Volumes I, II, III and IV? Procure them as they are issued. ¶

CfThe history of the Prophet Joseph, written by himself, with introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts. Low prices have been fixed by the First Presidency, that the work may secure the widest possible circulation. Every Association, Sunday School, Quorum and private library should have it. ¶