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President Woodruff

Stated that it had been customary for
some time past to read reports and
present the authorities of the Church
to the general assembly on the last
day of Conference. There would be a
departure from that rule this time so
as to reserve tomorrow exclusively
for preaching, and the presentations
would be made this afternoon.

President Wilford Woodruff

was the first speaker. Following is
a brief synopsis of his discourse: I
feel that every heart in this congre-
gation should be filled with grati-
tude and thanksgiving to our
Heavenly Father for the blessings
which we enjoy this morning, that
so many of us have the privilege of
meeting in this Tabernacle in peace
and quietude to worship Him.
Neither the President of this
Church, nor his Counselors, nor the
Twelve Apostles, nor any man who
dwells in the flesh has any power of
himself to instruct or edify the
Saints; he can only do so
by the power and blessing
of the Almighty. We are all
dependent upon the Lord. The
Prophet Joseph was a humble man;
he was chosen as one of the weak in-
struments in the hands of the Lord,
raised up in this last dispensation to
lay the foundation of this great
Church and kingdom of God upon
the earth. He was taught by the
administration of angels. He knew
full well that his strength lay in
God and not in himself; and that is
our condition at the present time.
Whenever the President of this
Church or any of those in authority
feel in their hearts that the Lord can-
not do without them in the carrying
on of His work they stand on slippery
ground. What did Joseph Smith
say when Oliver Cowdery told him
that he was the second apostle in
this Church and kingdom and that
if he left the Church it would fall?
His reply was, "Oliver, you try it."
Oliver Cowdery did try it, and he
fell, but the kingdom did not.
The Lord is not dependent upon
any one man or any set of men for
the carrying on of His work.

We have been called in this day a
generation to go forth and preach
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to the
Gentiles first and then to the house
of Israel. This has been my lot. It