I am glad, my brethren and sisters, of meeting with you again in
General Conference. Our Conferences form a peculiar feature in our
history, and the people in all parts of the Territory look forward to
these occasions with far more than ordinary interest, and make
calculations to participate therein.
The past six months have been a period of remarkable interest. There
has been a marked advancement in the progress of the work of the Lord
and a great increase and improvement in the knowledge, sentiments, and
feelings of the Saints since our last Conference, perhaps more so than
in the same space of time at any period in the history of the Church
since its organization. The Saints are becoming more united in their
business relations, and in all their associations for the purpose of
accomplishing the work that is before them, and if the old adage,
"Union is strength," be true, we are certainly growing stronger.
The teachings during this Conference will, as a matter of course, have
a tendency to increase this union, to enlarge the understandings and
judgments of the Saints, and to banish certain antiquated ideas which,
more or less, have been woven into our being, and have formed part of
our existence, enable us to free ourselves from the shackles of
tradition and ignorance and to move forward more effectually in the
discharge of those duties devolving upon us in connection with the
great and glorious work which God has entrusted to our charge. It will
also be necessary for us to take into consideration the different
points pertaining to the progress of that work.
It was a saying of Joseph Smith, that he taught the people correct
principles and they governed themselves. A feeling has been engendered
and sent abroad that the Latter-day Saints are subject to bondage; but
instead of this being so, they are controlled wholly on the principle
to which I have just referred, as having been enunciated by
Joseph—they are taught correct principles and then govern themselves.
When the elders of Israel have succeeded in informing the minds of the
Saints in relation to any topic pertaining to the work of God in the
last days, they have accomplished a great work, and that work is
followed by a feeling of willingness and obedience to carry out that
principle on the part of the great mass of the Saints.
Last year we made an effort to bring home the Saints from the Old
World, and a pretty strong emigration was the result. It will be
remembered that when the matter was first agitated, it seemed as if
there was but a small amount of means to be obtained. Many of the
brethren in the wards felt that they could do but little, but they
went to work and brought home some five thousand Saints. This
same work is still before us, and appeals to our sympathy, and we
still have occasion to call the attention of each other to the
importance of the work of bringing home to Zion our brethren and
sisters in foreign lands who are deprived of the privileges that we
enjoy because of their inability to gather. An appeal is to be made
from this Conference to the Saints generally throughout the Territory,
to contribute again of their substance to bring home the Saints from
foreign lands.
The facilities for gathering the Saints are far greater than they have
been heretofore. We wish to say to any of those who are already
gathered, who may be indebted to those who are left behind, that they
should remember and discharge their obligations. We also advise the
Saints to write to their friends abroad and inform them how things are
progressing here. I am aware that when the people land here there are
many inconveniences with which they have to contend, and they have to
struggle for a time before they can again make a start in the world;
but they should not, on that account, forget the brethren and sisters
they have left behind, and especially those who may have advanced
means to aid them in emigrating. One of our first great duties should
be to square our accounts and to stand honorably with our
fellow beings.
Although a great advance has been made within the last two years in
the observance of the "'Word of Wisdom," there is yet room to talk on
that subject. We find that the tobacco trade is still very
considerable in this Territory, and we cannot yet lose sight of the
fact that we are compelled to pay a tribute to the Emperor of China
for tea, and to the Emperor of Brazil for coffee; and there are still
men in Israel who do not seem to realize the importance of observing
the "Word of Wisdom." It is, therefore, necessary to preach, teach,
and exhort, and to enforce upon the Saints the importance of its
observance, for it is preparatory to great blessings which God has in
store for the faithful. The elders will instruct us in relation to
these matters as the Spirit of the Lord may dictate.
It has been my privilege this last month to visit most of the branches
in the southern part of the Territory. At a large portion of those
branches I have attended meetings, and have seen many of the brethren
and sisters, and I feel to testify that in all my travels in Zion, I
have not found a better spirit, a more united determination, or a
warmer feeling with regard to the work of the Lord, and to build up
His kingdom, than I found on this visit. I felt thankful to learn that
our brethren in the cotton country were filled with the spirit and
were zealous for the accomplishment of their work, and that they were
progressing very satisfactorily in the accomplishment of their
mission, or at any rate that portion of them who have taken hold of it
with the zeal which becomes men who are honored with the privilege of
laboring in any department for the building up of Zion. The testimony
of the work of the Lord in the hearts of the Saints is a living and
abiding testimony. While the work is progressing we must be alive to
the fact, and we must not get behind, we must be faithful, live humble
before the Lord, observe His counsels and laws, not even forgetting
the principles contained in the "Word of Wisdom." If we take this
course the blessings of life and peace will continue to abide with us,
which may God grant in the name of Jesus. Amen.
- George A. Smith