This Saturday meeting was the first? one of the first? meetings to be held in the almost-completed Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
Quarterly Conference, Salt Lake Stake
3 January 1880
The Quarterly Conference of the Salt Lake Stake convened in the Salt Lake Assembly Hall at 10 o’clock. The building, which is quite an elegant structure, was well warmed. After the usual opening exercises the statistical report was read by Elder W.W. Taylor, clerk of the stake. Elder George Goddard in behalf of the building committee, also read a financial report form said committee as to the receipts and disbursements in the erection of the Assembly Hall. The remainder of the time in the forenoon was occupied by excellent discourses from President John Taylor, Elders Brigham Young and Joseph E. Taylor, and President A.M. Cannon.
2 p.m.
After the opening exercises President Cannon stated that Elder W.W. Taylor would now present the authorities; but that the High Council would not be presented owing to that quorum having to be revised; also stated that the presidency of the deacons’ quorums would not be presented at the conference as it was the duty of the bishops to present them for the acceptance of the people in their wards.
Elder Taylor then read and presented the authorities with but slight changes since last conference, which were unanimously sustained by the conference.
Elder Chas. W. Penrose was called upon to make a few remarks. His discourse was very interesting. he thought that some might infer from remarks that had been made, that the Latter-day Saints were not a very good people. While there were some to whom the rebuke administered was no doubt applicable, still the great bulk of the people were desirous of being faithful and of performing all the duties required of them by the inspired servants of God. It would not be expected that all who became numbered with the church members would be faithful; some were likely to fall away from the faith, and lose their reward through sin and neglect. He showed how the saint should be separate from the world in spirit, motives, sentiments and determinations, although on some occasions they might not always be separate from the wicked in person. But many were separated from the world through the gathering, and were privileged to dwell together as saints. No law was given to the church but what was for the benefit of those who received it and carried it out. He exhorted all to renewed diligence and faithfulness in the gospel, that the meetings of the saints might not be held in vain. Referred to the opposition that prevailed among the nations against the saints, and showed that the “Mormon” people would not prevail through their great strength, by their numbers, their wealth, nor by their deep learning, but through the power of God. Predicted the ultimate triumph of the latter-day work, through the blessing of God and the aid of the powers behind the veil.
Elder W.C. Staines then addressed the congregation. He felt thankful he was a Latter-day Saint, and that so many of the saints had been gathered from the nations of the earth; and bore his testimony to the truth of the work. He referred to some of the trials of the saints in their journey from Nauvoo. Little did the world think that the saints were coming out here to establish a people in these mountains. Surely God was with this people or they never could have survived the ordeal to which they had been subjected by the opponents of the gospel. He gave his views on living the religion of Jesus Christ. It would not do to live it “by sections.” Some thought that a regular attendance at meetings was sufficient to ensure their salvation; others thought that being ready to go at the beck and call of the priesthood was sufficient, but the speaker felt that it required a general observance of all the requirements of the gospel to ensure eternal life. He returned to evil-speaking and urged a reform in this respect among the people of God.
Elder Henry Grow, as one of the building committee, stated that the hall had been prepared temporarily for this conference, at the request of the authorities. Brother Goddard had stated that some means was still needed for material to finish the building and to finish paying for the boilers. He stated that they desired to complete the building for the spring stake conference. he thought it would be the most comfortable building the saints have had since he had been connected with the church. Bore his testimony to the truth of the work of God.
President Cannon reminded the saints that they had voted at the last conference to donate one day’s income towards this building, but from the showing of some wards their income was very light. He asked the congregation if they would sustain the committee in completing the building? The saints had done well and the subscription lists showed that they had been liberal. He eulogized the country wards, especially the smaller ones, for their promptness and energy in this regard. He urged the matter upon the attention of the bishops for presentation to their wards so that the building might be at once completed and the arrearages paid.
Adjourned till Sunday morning at 10 a.m.