Discourse 1891-10-04 [D-31]

THE DESERET WEEKLY.

GENERAL CONFERENCE.

The conference was addressed by President Wilford Woodruff, as follows: I want to say to my friends this morning that I am a very happy man. My heart is filled with gratitude to God my Heavenly Father for the blessings I enjoy. It is over seven years since the Presidency of this Church and as many of the Twelve Apostles have occupied this stand until today, and I feel that we have all reason to thank God and rejoice in His name for the blessings and privileges that we enjoy this glorious morning. Turning to Apostle Snow the speaker asked: Is there any law against a man telling what is in his heart if he has no evil in it?

Apostle Snow replied that he knew of none.

President Woodruff—Brother Snow says that he does not know of any such law, and therefore I say God bless President Harrison for exercising his official clemency in liberating President Joseph F. Smith, and I am thankful that Brother Smith is with us today. I say also God bless every other man, whether he be Jew or Gentile, Catholic or Protestant, judge or juryman, who has lent his name to this and not only liberated President Smith but many of our brethren who have the privilege of sitting here with us on this occasion. I hope there is no harm in that thought or feeling; for that is the way I do feel at this time. My heart is full of gratitude and blessing to my fellowmen for all the good they have done. Everything that leads to good and to do good is of God; and everything that leads to evil and to do evil is said to be of the wicked one. I feel that all of us have reason to rejoice before the Lord for the deliverance and blessings which He has wrought among us. I rejoice in the union which exists among us as a Presidency of this Church and the twelve apostles. These are bodies of men who of all men under heaven should be united in the work of the Lord in which we are engaged. I do not believe there ever has been a body of men in any age of the world who, as a general thing, are more united and happy than are these today; and while we are here assembled together I hope and trust that we may have the inspiration of Almighty God with us in our teachings, in our instructions, in our counsels. We shall call upon our brothers to address us, and I say in the name of the Lord, let us all have peace.