The Era and The Vision Endorsed

There is so little time left that we will not impose on anyone of our speakers by asking him to try to concentrate his thoughts and condense his remarks to occupy the few minutes that remain Perhaps ¶

I can overrun the time myself without creating much criticism, so I will take the time and a few minutes beyond. ¶

The "Era" and "the Vision" by Evan Stephens Endorsed

I hold in my hand the last issue of the Improvement Era. I read it, from cover to cover, before it was printed, when it was in proof sheet form. I am very grateful to the men and women who have written for this number, every article of which refers to the vision given to the Prophet Joseph. The words of the sacred historical cantata entitled "The Vision," written by Professor Evan Stephens, which will be sung here tomorrow night is also recorded in this number. I have requested tihe Deseret News to print ten thousand extra copies of this issue of the Era. I think that every person who believes in that wonderful vision ought to get this number of the Era. ¶

Statistical Announcements

Since our last General Conference the following changes have occurred in stakes, wards and missions. ¶

New Missions

Danish mission, Carl E. Peterson, president. Norwegian mission, Andrew S. Schow, president. Chihuahua mission, Joseph C. Bentley, president. ¶

New Wards

Lost River ward, Lost River stake; Colonia Chuichupa ward, Juarez stake; Rigby Second ward, Rigby stake; Lehi Fifth ward, Alpine stake; Starrh's Ferry ward, Burley stake; Jackson ward, Burley stake; Stockton ward, Tooele stake; Mountain Home branch, Woodruff stake; Thatcher West ward, St. Joseph stake; Clay's Springs branch, Snowflake stake; West Tintic branch, Tintic stake; Nibley ward, Hyrum stake. ¶

New Presidents of Stakes

Parowan stake, Henry W. Lunt, president; succeeded Wilford Day. Utah stake, Thomas N. Taylor, president; succeeded Joseph B. Keeler. Ensign stake, John M. Knight, president; succeeded Richard W. Young. ¶

New Stake Clerks

St. Johns stake, Dewey Farr; succeeded Levi S. Udall. Granite stake, Milton H. Ross; succeeded Wm. McEwan. ¶

Stake President Died

Ensign stake, Richard W. Young. ¶

Bishops Died

Timpanogos ward, Utah stake, Otto J. Poulson. ¶

Vineyard ward, Utah stake, William Varley. ¶

Sugarville ward, Deseret stake, Norman Stillwell Anderson. ¶

In Memory of Richard W. Young

As announced, Richard W. Young, President of the Ensign stake, and a Brigadier General in the United States army, has passed away, by death, since the last conference. He spoke at the overflow meeting ¶

in the Assembly Hall, on the afternoon of October 5, 1919, and I desire to read a few words from that address: ¶

I was just looking over that wonderful poem, "The Seer," written by President John Taylor, that remarkable, splendid father of President Frank Y. Taylor who is here today. I find written there, concerning the Prophet (oseph, that ¶

"He shared their joys, their sorrows too, He loved the Saints, he loved Nauvoo." ¶

I have been away from this people long enough to develop a strong love for the Saints of God; the good people, who make up the congregations of the Church are the dearest people in all the world to you and me. There is no experience that touches my heart more deeply than the sight of the face of a good old brother or sister whom I have known, and known to be faithful for many years. I share their joys and their sorrows too. I deeply love the Saints and their asscoiation, and am proud of being a member the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ¶

I was thinking during the noon hour how much reason we all have to be proud of the record of the Church. When you stop to think about it, you must conclude that this Church has been right throughout its whole history upon all of the important moral questions that have affected our welfare. In the nature of things there is not within the United States a people more patriotic than the Latter-day Saints. I know of no sect that assumes the position that the constitution of the United States was written as it were by the very finger of God. Surely that belief is an inspiration to the highest patriotism. You remember readng in the history of the Church that this people were accused in Missouri of being opposed to slavery. In that slave-holding state such an attitude became one of the reasons of our persecution and drivings. You remember that the first message that flashed across the completed telegraph line from here to the Atlantic ocean was a message of congratulation from Brigham Young to Abraham Lincoln that the Union was preserved or was in the way of preservation. ¶

President Grant spoke this morning of the attitude of the Navajo Indians toward the "Mormons." They had confidence in the "Mormon" people because the "Mormon" people had never abused their confidence. Books have been written, one book that I remember in particular, called "A Century of Dishonor," an indictment covering hundreds of pages against the American people for treatment of the American Indians. But no indictment had ever been framed, or would be formulated against the "Mormon' 'people for their attitude or treatment of the aborigines of this continent. We have always treated them fairly and squarely, as of course they should have been treated. ¶

We have stood square upon women's suffrage. We were among the very first -- the second, as I now recall it -- of the states to give what should have been given years before, the right.of equal suffrage to the women, now recognized not only in this country but throughout the world as a long delayed measure of justice. ¶

We have stood fairly and squarely upon the prohibition question throughout the Church. ¶

In Memory of Osborne J. P. Widtsoe

Since our last conference, one of our greatest educators has passed away, Osborne J. P. Widtsoe. One of the splendid articles in this April number of the Improvement Era was from the pen of our departed brother, and I will read the last paragraph or two: ¶

But while it is well it is not enough. Steadily to maintain the narrow way throughout the generations, there must needs be communion with the director of all. Where there is no revelation, the people perish; they wander from paths of rectitude; they deny even that which has given them life. This, then, is the sum of all: Not alone because the doctrines revealed through Joseph the Prophet spurs the energies of man to work, and to know, and to do; nor yet alone because it is based on the law of association, will it thrive and prosper; but because there is added hereto the still more basic principle of faith in God and his power to guide man by continued revelation-- as times and seasons and countries shall require -- will ultimate triumph be achieved. The far-reaching extent of the work of the Prophet Joseph Smith cannot be declared; the monument he has erected to his memory cannot be measured. But this much is certain: It is as natural as that the rising sun shall appear in the east to spread its glory gradually over the world, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should prosper and progress to come ultimately to inherit the earth. ¶

They Gave Their Lives for Service to the People

Richard W. Young offered his life twice, by volunteering in the service of his country, going once to the Philippine Islands, and once to France. Osborne Widtsoe gave his life to the service of the Church and for the uplift, educationally, of the people. The lives of these two noble men stand as a testimony to the divinity of this work. No more upright clean men ever drew the breath of life. We thank God for the record that they have left and pray God to bless and comfort their families and to assist them to walk in that straight and narrow path in which their fathers walked. May God's comforting influence be and abide with them and with all those who have been called upon to mourn, since we were last here, is my prayer and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶