Bear Lake Stake Conference.
The Quarterly Conference of the Bear Lake Stake of Zion was held at Paris, May 11th and 12th, 1878.
7:30 p.m.
Elder Orson Pratt spoke of the glories and blessings of the future. That we are apt to let the things of this life absorb all of our interests, this is an extreme we should avoid as much as the other of neglecting every day duties in contemplation of the future. Referred to our natural sense of vision, as compared with that imparted by God’s spirit to the mind of man, the narrow limit of the one compared with the limitless extent of the other. Cited for instance of Moses having his vision opened to see all the wonderful works of God. Treated with great simplicity on the omniscience of God and the principle upon which man can hold converse with his Maker.
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Elder Orson Pratt spoke of the patriarchal blessing, the joy and consolation it brings, but through slackness and want of faith, doubt creeps into the mind and we question the inspiration by which it was given. The realization of these blessings depends upon our faithfulness. Spoke of the mercy and long suffering of the Lord extended to ancient Israel, as also to the Saints in this day.
[Deseret News, May 22, 1878]
**************
Local and Other Matters.
From Saturday’s Daily, May 18.
North.
Last evening Elder Orson Pratt, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Bishop E.F. Sheets returned from a trip to Bear Lake Valley. They left the city a week ago last Thursday, traveling by way of Evanston.
They attended Stake Conference at Paris, on the Saturday and Sunday following. The assemblages were very large, some being unable to gain admittance to the hall. The reports were all of a very encouraging character. A good spirit permeates the people, who are lively and doing a good work in aiding the building of the Temple in that district. The prospect for good crops never was better than now, and a larger breadth of grain has been sown than ever before.
After Conference Elder Pratt proceeded to Meadowville, and Bishop Sheets, accompanied by Elder C.C. Rich and Bishop Pugmire, visited Noannan Valley, near Soda Springs, and found the Church stock doing well.
On Thursday last the two brethren traveled to Logan, via Blacksmith’s Fork, being conveyed to the latter point by some of the Bear Lake brethren, and there they were met by conveyance forwarded by Prest. Moses Thatcher and Counselors. On the same night Elder Pratt preached at Logan, to a large congregation, on the power of the gospel and the future of the Saints. They visited the Temple, and found the work on that building progressing excellently.
In addition we learn that there is plenty of room in Bear Lake Valley, for industrious people to make for themselves comfortable homes.
[Deseret News, May 22, 1878]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]