Northwestern States Mission
Portland, Oregon
5 July 1908

Among all the conferences that have taken place in the different branches of the Northwestern States Mission, the one held in Portland, Ore., on July 5th, 1908, was one to be long remembered by all those who attended, both members and non-members, as on this most notable occasion President Joseph F. Smith and party, consisting of President John R. Winder, Patriarch John Smith. Elder George A. Smith of the Twelve, and Bishop Charles W. Nibley of the Church Authorities, and President Joseph E. Robinson of the California mission, were present.

The party arrived at Portland on July 1st, from La Grande, Ore., where they had attended the Union stake conference. The first day was spent in city sight-seeing. Thursday a launch was chartered and an outing was taken to Oregon City. Friday and Saturday were spent at the seaside.

Morning Session.

There were present of the First Presidency: Joseph F. Smith and John R. Winder; Elder George A. Smith of the Twelve; Presiding Patriarch John Smith; Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley; Elder Joseph E. Robinson, president of the California mission; Elder Nephi Pratt, president of the Northwestern States mission; Elder Cornelius Workman, president of the Portland conference: Elders James C. Westergard, George W. Crockwell and H. C. Simmons, comprising the, presidency of the Portland branch, and Elder Ezra J. Monson, president of the Hood River branch.

Meeting was called to order at 10:10 a. m. by President Nephi Pratt. The choir sang the hymn, “All Hail the Glorious Day.” The opening prayer was pronounced by Elder J. C. Westergard. The choir sang the anthem. “Resurrection.” The sacrament was administered by Elders J. D. Olsen and E. A. Hardy.

President Pratt then introduced President John R. Winder, who spoke for about fifteen minutes and expressed great delight in being able to meet with the Saints and friends of the Portland conference on such a beautiful Sabbath morning, and in having the privilege of partaking of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. He said it had been sixty years since he had first heard the gospel; that this was his first visit to the city of Portland, with all its beauties and flowers, and he was greatly enjoying his trip. He exhorted the Saints to be faithful to their testimonies and continue to keep the commandments of God.

Elder George A. Smith then expressed great pleasure in meeting with the Saints.

He told of the institution of the sacrament in the Church, and said that when it was partaken of it was a renewal of the covenants made by the Saints to keep God’s commandments. He said that “Mormonism” had made wonderful progress in the last fifty years, and, judging by the rapid strides it had taken in its infancy, we can all look forward to greater progression and completeness in the future, for truth could never be crushed by those who fought against it, because it is eternal.

Elders H. Stewart, J. E. Evans, H. H. Gates, W. H. Cassity and C. L. Dunford, composing the elders’ quintet, rendered a selection entitled “Sweet Sabbath Eve.”

President Joseph F. Smith then addressed the Saints and exhorted them to always obey God’s laws in their completeness, and to also obey the laws of the land, except when they conflict with God’s laws, because His are eternal and will last forever, while the man-made law will finally fall if it is in opposition to the laws of God. He further said that the gospel was to be preached to every person in every nation, and those who had not received it here in this life, to them it would be taught in the abode of their spirits. The beauties of celestial or everlasting marriage were then pictured, and the speaker said that by conforming to the ceremonies that God had laid down for us to follow, we would in the next life have those who are dear to us and claim them as we do in this life; for whatever is bound on earth by the servants of God will be bound in heaven; but in the hereafter there will be no marrying.

He then addressed the missionary elders who were present and instructed them to be faithful and diligent, to obey those who were placed over them in authority, and to set a good example to the world and its people, for “Example is better than precept.”

He showed by his remarks and instructions to the people that were present that he was the servant of the true and living God, and was placed here by Him to carry on the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The choir then sang the closing anthem, “Somewhere.” Benediction was pronounced by Counselor George W. Crockwell.

Afternoon Session.

Meeting was called to order at 2:10 p. m. by President Nephi Pratt, and the choir sang the hymn, “Praise to the Man.” Opening prayer was pronounced by Elder Thomas R. Greener. Choir then sang the anthem, “Oh! If I Had Wings.”

Presiding Bishop C. W. Nibley then spoke and said that he appreciated the privilege of addressing the Saints in conference; that the message the Latter-day Saints bring is one that should receive careful consideration by all good people: that all the principles and ordinances of the gospel should be carried out, and that bv baptism we take upon ourselves Christ’s name, and this must be performed by those who are in authority to so officiate, as it is just as necessary for God to have an authorized representative as it is for an earthly organization to have one.

President Joseph E. Robinson of the California mission expressed his great pleasure in being able to meet and shake the hands again of his old Portland friends. He told of the beauties of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how it had been restored to this earth by an angel, as had been predicted by the old Bible prophets, which prophecy was given to them by the living God. He held that God had a body, parts and passions, and spoke of His Son, Jesus Christ, the Mediator, and also of the Holy Ghost.

Elder H. H. Gates then rendered a solo entitled, “Come Unto Me, Ye Weary One.”

Patriarch John Smith then spoke a few moments and expressed his great pleasure in meeting with the Saints of Portland. He bore a strong testimony of the gospel, but said that as he was not used to addressing a congregation he would give place to others who were.

President John R. Winder said that as he was sitting and thinking and listening to the remarks that were being made, he was reminded of the first Latter-day Saint meeting he attended about fifty-five years ago, while he was a young man, and of the first impression he had received of the gospel of Christ at that time. He promised those who would obey the gospel call and keep steadfast to the faith such great blessings that they would be unable to contain them all. He invoked the blessings of the Lord upon all the people, that they may keep faithful to the gospel.

Elders J. E. Evans and H. H. Gates then rendered a duet, entitled, “Bygone Days.”

President Joseph F. Smith then said that he wished to read from the twenty-second chapter of St. Matthew, starting at the twenty-third verse. After reading he explained by saying that the people of the world did not know the laws of God, therefore they did not know which man’s wife the woman would be who had married the seven brethren, and continued by explaining celestial marriage.

At the request of President Pratt, the choir sang the hymn, “We Thank Thee, O God for a Prophet.” Benediction was pronounced by President Nephi Pratt.

Evening Session.

As President Smith and party had made arrangements to be in California on a certain day, they were compelled to leave Portland Sunday evening at 7:30 p. m. Therefore the evening session was held without their presence.

Meeting was called to order by President Nephi Pratt at 7:15 p. m., and opened by the choir singing the hymn, “Another Day Has Fled and Gone.” Prayer was pronounced by Elder Cornelius Workman. The choir sang the anthem, “Oh, How Lovely.”

President Nephi Pratt then presented the authorities of the Church as they were sustained in the general conference, held April, 1908, and also the mission, conference and branch authorities, as follows:

President of the Northwestern States mission, Nephi Pratt; president of the Portland conference, Cornelius Workman; Portland branch presidency, J. C. Westergard, H. C. Simmons and George W. Crockwell; branch clerk, L. C. Pratt; assistant branch clerk, Godfried Mehr; superintendent of Sunday school, H. C. Simmons; first assistant, J. D. Olsen; second assistant, E. A. Hardy; secretary, Louise Bauerle; assistant secretary, Martha Bauerle; treasurer, Zimenia Holling; president of the Relief Society, Emma Holling; first counselor, Sarah M. Pratt; second counselor, Arabella Jorgensen; secretary, Ida Day; president of the Mutual Improvement association, J. F. Jorgensen; first counselor, Louise Simmons; secretary and treasurer, Zinienia Holling; branch choir leader, Elder H. H. Gates; branch organist, Mary Westergard. They were all unanimously sustained.

Elder Charles L. Dunford, who has been taking charge of the work in the Eugene branch, was then called on to relate some of the elders’ experiences while in that field, and said that he and the brethren who were with him, Elders Burns Cox, T. R. Greener and C. A. Williams, went to Eugene about eight months ago and commenced tracting the town. They had very good success and made many friends as well as some enemies —the worst of whom were the ministers of the other churches. They had baptized, during the time they were there, nine persons, and this had caused great ill feeling among some of the people there. On June 18th an unknown person attempted to destroy the house of Sister E. E. Howell, where the elders were staying at the time, and blew the front porch off by the use of dynamite. There was still a great deal of work to be done in the city of Eugene and the surrounding country. He said that he had enjoyed his labors in the mission field, and had been greatly blessed in performing his duties.

Branch President James C. Westergard said that the people of today think that they are not their brother’s keeper, but each one of us is, more than we would think for, as it is each one’s duty to try to lead his brother aright; the elder of today is out on just such an errand.

President Nephi Pratt then addressed the Saints and related his experience while visiting the elders and Saints at Vancouver, B. C. Before he arrived the elders could not obtain permission to speak on the street in a street meeting, but he had made arrangements with the chief of police, and was given a street corner to proclaim their message. He and the elders went down the same evening and gathered a very large crowd, who were very anxious to ask questions on the different subjects that he had talked about, and detained him a great while answering them. He also spoke of the harmful use of tobacco and intoxicants, not only to the body, but it is also the cause of so many people living in poor circumstances today.

The conference was then closed by the choir singing the hymn, “If You Could Hie to Kolob.” Benediction was pronounced by Elder John E. Evans.

The elders present at the conference were: C. Workman, William H. Cassity. John E. Evans, Carlos L. Dunford, C. A. Williams, Burns Cox, Thomas R. Greener, H. H. Gates, Lawrence White, Melvin Mathews, J. W. Perkes and H. Stewart.

John E. Evans, Mission Secretary.