Thirty-Seventh Semi-Annual Conference.
The Thirty-seventh Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened according to adjournment at last April Conference, on Sunday morning, Oct. 6th, at 10 o’clock, in the New Tabernacle, which was ready for Conference to be held in it, the great exertions made for some time past by those having charge of its erection having been thus far successful. The Tabernacle is 250 feet in length by 150 in width, and is capable of seating a vast concourse of people; a detailed description of it will be more appropriate when it is finished, and dedicated. An hour before the appointed time for Conference commencing, the immense building was crowded in every part, great numbers being unable to obtain admission….
Monday, 7th, 10 a.m.
Singing by the Tabernacle choir; prayer by Elder John Taylor; singing by the S.S. and P. choirs.
Elder Orson Pratt referred to the thoughts and suggestions which were brought to his mind by the appearance of the building just erected, and in which he was speaking, as it looked to him when he issued from Parley’s Canyon on returning from his last mission. He saw it towering above the surrounding buildings like an artificial mountain, something like those mounds which are found in the Mississippi valley that were raised by the ancient inhabitants of the country; and he thought of the words of Isaiah and Micah, “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the tops of the mountains.” He quoted from the Book of Mormon and the Bible showing how the Lord had accepted the labors of His people at various times when they have raised buildings to His name; and accepted their services when they sought to sanctify themselves before Him. He had no doubt but the angels of God were in and around the Tabernacle, for the labors of the people in building it to worship God and were surely accepted by Him. When the Temple shall be raised to His name, His glory will there be made visibly manifest; and the blessings which we now enjoy and those which await us are preparatory to the still greater blessing of seeing the Lord face to face. He reasoned on the personality of God, quoting the popular opinion in the world that God is without body, parts and passions, and composed of three persons; yet one of those three persons traveled on the earth with a body, parts and passions, was crucified, buried, rose again, and ascended to heaven taking the body, parts and passions with him which he had here upon the earth. God is a personage of tabernacle and as distinct a being and personality as any that can exist; and the Son is the express image of the Father. The speaker reasoned at length on this subject, on the doctrine of pre-existence; and on the power of the redemption and atonement.
President B. Young expressed himself satisfied with the remarks of Elder Pratt on the subjects of the personality of God and the atonement; but said that he objected to anyone saying what the Latter-day Saints believed, for though he himself could tell what they should believe, many of them believe many things which they should not.
Singing by the Tabernacle choir. Prayer by Elder Charles C. Rich.
[Deseret News, Oct. 9, 1867]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Sept. 2006]