| 413 This was the first conference held by the Reorganization in the Temple; and the assembling in this building erected in an early day, the title of which a competent court had decided to be in the Reorganization, was considered an event of great importance. The following synopsis of the remarks of President Smith at the opening of this conference will be pertinent to the history:
President Joseph Smith, upon being presented to the audience, said that it was quite unnecessary for him to say that he took pleasure in the meeting of to-day; the circumstances surrounding the event were such that all who think-and all ought to think-could well discern the fact that events clearly spoken of in the past have their fulfillment in our gathering. Fifty years ago the speaker, he said, began his earth life in this place, and at a time when those who were working in this place, and with whom he was associated, were warring against difficulties to maintain and advance such principles as to them were of the highest truth. And it is not to be wondered at that under such trials the people who were thus laboring should partake in some manner of the spirit of the scenes. But to-day it is not in fact peculiar that we should be able to worship here; for that which is intended to be permanent pleases God, and so the original builders wrought, and that which is intended to be evanescent does not please him. And one of the great evidences of the truth of the principles which actuated the people then is, that so many are here to-day who inhabited here then and partook of that spirit and still rejoice in the truth. The fact exists that almost everywhere where our work has been taught, the prejudices of the people have given way, and everywhere the people in the past were driven from place to place who did not abide in the principles established here at the beginning-we are now permitted to enter and occupy without fear or alarm. The work means and is, the building up the waste places, and establishing the truth of the work, and many under the peaceful labor of teaching these principles have succeeded in calling out those who have been scattered, and they rejoice like Simeon of old, and are ready to say it is enough, "Let now thy servant depart in peace." The meeting to-day is looked upon with interest by the world, and if we respect ourselves and our work, they can not fail to respect us; but if we should fail to respect the work of which we have charge, and ourselves, it need not be wondered at if others fail to show us the courtesy we desire. The outlook is good, and to-day we have a standing, and most men are willing to hear; and when we have presented our faith to them, they are at liberty to judge for themselves, and our work is done. The gathering of this body or assembly is somewhat different to those past, in that it is a delegate one; how long it shall so continue, or what changes may take place, it is in the wisdom of the body to determine. But in all our deliberations and work, we should observe strictly the decorum of brethren
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