a

performed in sincerity. Now, this is spirit that is finding great foothold among this people, especially among our young people. Let us examine this doctrine a moment. That it has grown out and is a perversion of the light of sweet and universal charity and love taught in the gospel of Jesus Christ revealed. to Joseph Smith anew, is not just now my intention to discuss. It is here, and let us see if it is a true and a safe doctrine. In the first place let me ask you if you think that the Episcopalian, the Presbyterian, the Catholic and the infidel are right, if only they be honest? Do you carry it still farther and aver that the Chinaman, the Bhuddist, the Mohammedan, the heathen, the cannibal are all justified in the sight of God, if they be only honest and sincere in their belief? What is the verdict of all law under the sun? That ignorance of the law is no excuse for the violation of the same. If there is a law in existence, it is the duty of all men living under the jurisdiction of that law to become acquainted with it, and obey its mandates. We know that this gospel is true, and that its laws eternal. Why should we excuse those who do not wish to obey its precepts simply on the ground that they are sincere in their wish not to believe it? Shall the murderer be excused because he was earnest in his belief that the dead man deserved death? Shall we excuse the thief because he thinks in

are

some vague way that society owes him a living, and that any man who has should be made to impart to him who has not, if not by fair means then by foul? Shall we excuse the doings of anarchists because they are sincere in their belief that all society should be dissolved and chaos prevail? What wild and altogether foolish doctrines this sort of reasoning would lead us into. The fact of the matter is that few men think they are doing wrong. This doing of right and wrong is in great part a thing of education. Do you suppose the ancient Spartans supposed themselves in the wrong when they taught their young boys to be adepts in the matter of Does stealing? a gypsy think himself in the wrong when he steals everything which he can make use of? Yet, both of these races have a very strict code of morals in other things, and in some points their honor is as great as our own. Can you persuade a Hawaiian that there is anything vitally. wrong in the breaking of the laws of virtue and chastity? The only wrong he sees in this is the sinning against the teachings of very recent years by our Own Elders. It is a Hawaiian's nature, so he says himself, and the European, no, rather, the Mormon, he thinks and says frankly, has a different nature. There is a vital principle in the "salvation by grace" taught by the sectarians. God has not given to all men alike to see and comprehend the nature

of crime and sin. But there should be no excuse in this that should absolve the intelligent man from seeking and obtaining the truth, no matter how distasteful that truth may appear to his preconceived notions. And I can conceive of no more dangerous doctrine for our young people to imbibe than to assume that anyone who is sincere and honest in his or her belief is necessarily accepted of God. The times are very different now to what they were in the rise of this Church, and the old Puritanical spirit is almost if not quite eliminated

from literary and social life. Its extreme is equally dangerous, and the wise man, the wise woman, will seek for light and truth and live by its rays. There is a great deal for our dear daughters to learn, and we who are mothers are very anxious that they shall have every opportunity to get the best and purest of inspiration. Therefore, my dear girl friends, do not say or think that a refusal to accept this gospel is excuseable simply because the person so doing is sincere in his wish not to believe it.

tion of the country at this point, and have them tell you about the climate and its advantages and disadvantages. Show them how the Lord can turn the healthful into the unhealthful, and vice versa, as He desires, and as was done in Jackson County. We all know what a sickly climate. that place had until the Saints settled it and the blessing of the Lord was poured out upon it. Draw their attention to the same fact, which is so much the case in Our Own Utah. And thus teach them to understand the power and plans of God. A little point to be made in this lesson is the danger of any of us seeking for a sign, simply as a means of gratifying curiosity. He who is converted by a sign will

need signs repeated daily in order to retain his faith. There are many vital and beautiful points in this lesson: that of faith, of the terrible power of the devil in the stirring up of hatred and mob. violence, and of the fact that even poisons can be overcome by the power and administration of the priesthood. The great lesson to be learned by us from the life and character of Brigham Young, who is thus first brought before the notice of the student, is that he was as brave as a lion, but as obedient to the wishes and counsel of his leader as it is possible for mortal man to be. That is the principal reason why he became so great and wise. The incident of the prophecy of the Civil War should be dwelt upon, and if you will ask some of the girls to hunt up the dates and a few of the facts connected with that war they will see what a peculiar revelation this was. Do not be afraid of a little study yourself before you come to your class or association, and prepare yourself as thoroughly as you can for your lesson. Be interested yourself, and thus you can interest others.

CHURCH ORGANIZATION.

LESSON 5 IN THE GUIDE.

THERE is very much that can be made interesting in this lesson. The aim should be to get every one of the girls at work by giving them some grade of office of the Priesthood to hunt up, when it

was revealed, to quote the chapter and verse in the Doctrine and Covenants, and then to tell what that particular office involves in the way of duties and obligation. For instance, let one of your girls, one of the small ones, for it is an easy question, tell what is the presiding officer of the Church, and when there was one first appointed in the Church. The duties pertaining to his office may also be named and described, and then the next girl can take up the office of his counselors, the number of them, them, their duties, and when the first ones were appointed, and so on; or you can begin with the Deacon and go up to the President if you prefer to do that way. If I were to do as

I wished, I should. take the Aaronic Priesthood, and after explaining it myself, I should ask one girl to bring me the history of the first Deacon and the revelation concerning that office from the Doctrine and Covenants. This is the way Joseph Smith received the revelations. First the Aaronic Priesthood was given, and not for some time after this was the Melchisedek Priesthood revealed, and it was even some time after that before the Church was regularly organized. It is well for the girls to hunt these things up themselves, which they can easily do if they have the Doctrine and Covenants, or the history of the Prophet Joseph. class or association be large and you wish to do heavier work, set

Then if your

them to hunting up the dates of the organization of the Stake and of the various first quorums, and then, or at any rate, let them carefully ascertain when and where the first woman's organization in this Church, or in the world, for that matter, was perfected, and give as many details of that event as you can obtain. Next search out the organization of the Sunday school, then that of our own Y. L. M. I. A., and then the Y. M. M. I. A., and last the Primary Association. Give as many dates and facts connected with these events as you can, and you will find at the close of your lesson that you are in possession of a store of facts which will be of infinite service to you in many ways. Let some of the older ones find out who are the general authorities of the Church, and who are the local authorities.

Then let them tell you how and where the local authorities are like the general ones, and how this wheel within a wheel adds power and strength. Also the subject of your own organization should be brought plainly within the scope and understanding of each one, and the various officers and their duties should be fully and plainly described. If you wish, a few general instructions as to parliamentary rules may be given, together with some interesting facts as to the organization and management of clubs, and the various civil organizations. Do not stint your own time and study on these points, and if one or two evenings is not enough to spend in this way take more. Remember it is not how much or how many pages of the Guide you read, or study or use; it is how many you clearly understand.

Y. L. M. I. A. CONFERENCE. THE quarterly conference of the Y. L. M. I. A. was held at Mancos, Colo., November 20th, 1892, President M. M. Halls presiding. Singing, "The glorious day is rolling on." Prayer by President

F. A. Hammond. Singing, "Great God attend." Minutes of previous conference read and approved, after which President Halls expressed her pleasure at

seeing so many present. Desired to perform the duties pertaining to her office in an acceptable manner. She then gave a report of the several associations in the Stake. Said as the program was short she would call on some of the young ladies to speak. Counselor Anna Halls said she was pleased to see so many of the brethren present. Thought the success of the meetings

Said

depended a great deal on the nature of the programs. the girls should store their minds with knowledge, so that when called on to speak they might be able to speak intelligently.

Did not think the Lord would assist us when we failed to do our part. Sister Evelyn Adams felt it quite a task to arise and speak, but thought all should be united in making the meetings interesting. Bore her testimony to the truth of the gospel. Misses Ada Slade and Agnes Burnham then sang, after which Sister Abbie Young said she had enjoyed herself very much. Felt thankful for having been born in a gospel dispensation,

and of faithful

parents, who had taught her the principles of the gospel. Knew that the Lord was no respecter of persons in hearing and answering prayer. Related a circumstance of her little son being healed in answer to prayer. Spoke of the necessity of having a testimony of the truth. Hoped all would feel repaid for attending conference.

Sister Mary Jones felt her weakness in rising, but thought we should not shirk our duties. Should improve our minds as there is a great work for us to do. Hoped we would put in practice the instructions given. Sister Josephine Mathews then recited "The Little Hero." Sister Jane S. Richards, Counselor to President Zina D. Young, then addressed the meeting. Said she was a comparative stranger in our

midst, but was much pleased to meet with us. Thought the Y.

L. M. I. A. one of the best organizations in the Church. Was pleased with the testimonies of the young ladies. Liked to hear them speak. Said all were entitled to the Holy Ghost. Remember your prayers. All blessings come from the Lord. This is a preparatory mission. Take time to read good books. Spoke on

the duties of parents to children. Said children should be taught correct principles. Prayed God. to bless all.

Apostle Franklin D. Richards. then said he was delighted to see the interest manifested by the young ladies. Advised them to respond to every call. Said the time would come when it would be siad, "Such a one was born in Zion," and it would be considered a great honor. Said if we were anxious to know anything, and would pray for the speaker, wewill receive what we wish. Said our numbers would be increased.

President F. A. Hammond rejoiced in the remarks made and in all the organizations in the Church. Said we should form resolutions to read one chapter a day from some good book. Advised the Bishops to visit these organizations. The general and local officers were sustained. Conference adjourned for three months, to meet at Bluff, Utah. Singing, "Lord dismiss us." Benediction by President F. A. Hammond.

Louie M. White, Sec.