--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Smith, Joseph F. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 8 number: 7 published: 1905-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Joseph F. Smith, "Live in Peace," *Improvement Era* 8, no. 7 (May 1905): 539–544.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0807unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0807unse start_page: 539 end_page: 544 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1905-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0807unse publication_year: 1905 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1905, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Live in Peace EDITOR'S TABLE. LIVE IN PEACE. Among the requirements made of the former-day Saints was this: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." The Latter-day Saints as a people have diligently sought to conform thereto; and yet, they have often been troubled and compelled to bear the heavy burden of disturbance and contention. But after all, one should not expect constant peace and quiet nor do I believe the Apostle Paul meant, in his injunction to the Roman Saints, that resistance,resentment and just retaliation are wrong when occasion offers, for it will be noticed that his counsel to live in peace is not absolute, but rather conditional: "If it be possible," he says, showing that there are times when it is not possible to live in peace, and when, really, it would be cowardly to do so. Viewing the life of the Savior, we find that even he stirred up trouble at times, notwithstanding his coming was announced by the angels as bringing 'peace on earth and good will to men." He ' disturbed the money changers, the priests, and the Pharisees, and was even compelled to flee from the mobs whose peaceful religious inertia he invaded with the gospel of truth and salvation; while he finally declared that he came not to send peace, but a sword. He made many enemies, and stirred up trouble wherever he went, for he did not hesitate to condemn evil wherever it appeared, whether or not such condemnation resulted in peace or contention. His mission was to reveal truth, and he was true to his mission, come what might. And his apostles were similarly situated. They were even charged with turning the world upside down! I recall the incident of Paul and Silas preaching Christ in the synagogue of the Jews, in Thessalonica. It appears that many- believed and consorted with them, "even of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." "But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decree of Csesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city when they heard these things." The apostles tried to live in peace, if possible, but they did not cease preaching Jesus, for that duty and mission was a peacedisturber which they could not and would not control. So, we conclude that, notwithstanding the desire of good men for peace, and that the benison of God is pronounced upon the peacemaker, contentions will arise. As they arose in the days of Jesus and his apostles, so do they arise today. Like the ancient Saints, the Latter-day Saints are commissioned to perform a mission, which is to preach the gospel, to administer in its ordinances, to gather the righteous, and to build up the Church of Christ; and, as with the ancients so now, the unbelievers, moved with envy, often take unto themselves certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, who gather a company and set cities and towns in an uproar. Yet, regardless of the injunction to live at peace with all men, we must prove true to our gospel mission, and go about our work with love in our hearts for all men, fearing none, doing our full duty, living lives of righteousness void of offense toward God and all men. It were cowardly to do otherwise; to shirk duty because of fear! Peace, therefore, is sometimes possible, sometimes impossible. But there is, nevertheless, great need for the Saints to con- EDITOR'S TABLE. 541 trol that in them which is cause for contention and strife; and at the same time learn what it is that they cannot control, that is cause for great disturbance. While it is their true vocation to live peaceably with all men, there is also a duty of excitement. Every impulse of our lower natures, which is a disturbing element, should be controlled in th<* interest of peace. The tongue should be governed, haughtiness should be subdued; pride, selfishness and a disposition to sacrifice others' interests; envy in business, jealousy, teasing, irony, jests and sarcasm,boasting and provoking a quarrel, all must be eliminated, in the interest of peace and for our own welfare. The vocation of the talebearer, the scandal-monger, the whisperer of evil, should have no followers among the Latter-day Saints. The traitor to friendship, the assassin of character, must have no place in our hearts. Inasmuch as these things disturb the peace of our fellows, or rise up and provoke men, they must be avoided and ruled out of our lives. In their place we are to carry in our hearts a feeling and desire for peace, and be governed wholly by good will toward men, studying those better things which make for their higher and nobler happiness and pleasure. On the other hand, there are times when peace must be broken. It is when the nobler impulses of our higher natures rebel against evil which is so imbedded in the practice of men that opposition to brings about a clash. Then it is that, to keep any it peace with our own consciences, we must contend and stand for the right. Wickedness must be resisted with might and main; virtue must stand in the way of pleasure; duty must be done; unwelcome truths must be told, no matter what disturbance may result. It was these feelings in the hearts and bosoms of Christ and apparent peace-breakers; it is such his apostles that made them conditions that have largely surrounded the Latter-day Saints since by the angel of God that the firstthe Prophet Joseph was told contending sects of Christendom had departed from God and were godliness but denying the power all wrong, having a form of of God in these days, as has always been thereof. The servants found it impossible to the case in every age of the world, have for truth and right, avoid conflict; and, because of waging battle testimonies and careers. confusions have often arisen out of their Their motives have been misinterpreted; wicked men have charged them,because they have resisted their wickedness, with all the mischief, trouble and disturbance that ensues. But shall we therefore not do our duty? One can easily see that under certain circumstances a good man may be a disturber in a community, and yet a benefactor in it. So, also, then, may a just and upright community be in the nation. Often the truth cannot be told fully without offending men. Jesus could not do it; neither could his apostles. Being followers of Jesus and his apostles, it cannot be expected that the Latter-day Saints can do it. But let us remember in this connection that the truth need not be rashly told. Because it disturbs the peace, and because at times it is necessarily offensive, we should all the more seek to make it as little offensive as possible, without stealing away "its power, its edge and effectiveness." We should still learn to obey the injunction: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Joseph F. Smith. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. There may have been some anxiety about the outcome of the annual conference this year. Certain it is that a few people were nervous, fearing disorder and disunion on account of the fierce attacks lately made against the authorities and the Church. But all these fears were dispelled, and contentment and satisfaction took their place, by the actions of the people at the 75th annual conference held in Salt Lake Citv, on April 6, 7, and 9. This conference was one of the best-spirited gatherings ever held. It was also the largest, and certainly one of the most enthusiastic, in the history of the Church. ThatZion is growing was freely admitted on all sides; and that this is the case,in spirit,zeal, good works,character,and nobility with the average individual, was just as evident as that the people are EDITOR'S TABLE. 543 increasing in numbers. That the people are united, zealous in good deeds, full of faith in the work of the Lord, anxious to uphold the authorities, was manifest as well in their expressions as in their beaming countenances. The authorities were practically unanimously sustained on the anniversary day of the Church. There were only two dissenting votes.It must have been an inspiring sight to the authorities to observe the mighty wave of hands arise enthusiastically into air, seemiDgly forced there with a significant meaning of good will, as the several names were presented. The authorities were sustained with a spirit of zeal and confidence never surpassed, causing joy in the hearts of the Saints, and creating consternation to those who have endeavored so hard to engender strife and division among the Latter-day Saints. It was evident to all who attended the services that the Saints are united, and firmly established in the faith and in the great work of the Lord; and further, that they have confidence in President Joseph F. Smith, and his associates as men of God, able, under his direction, to solve the problems of Church government to the people's best interest and to the building up of the Church of Christ, and the redemption of Zion. the mornIn his opening address, President Joseph F. Smith, on the Church. ing of the 6th of April, reported the general condition of prosperity of the Saints, to He referred to the increasing temporal spiritual condition; their unity, and the remarkably their favorable among them. few local and other difficulties or differences existing continue to He said that the Lord had blessed the people, and will to him. Reverting to bless them if they shall continue faithful of property for misfinancial affairs, he mentioned the purchase churches in various mission sion headquarters, and the building of fields, notably in England, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, various islands of the sea; the purparts of the United States, and on the to the temple site; the chase of land in Jackson county adjacent hospital, and various other imbuilding of the Latter-day Saints the promulgation of provements for the benefit of the Saints and to his remarks with rapt the gospel. The great assembly listened All who spoke or took attention, and with enthusiastic approval. similarly received. part in the conference services, were presidents of stakes The reports which were given by the were encouraging, and indicate a steady spiritual growth, as well as a satisfactory temporal development of the people. Although in some stakes the people have met with difficulties, and have been unfortunate because of drouth which has destroyed their crops, or floods which have spoiled their lands, they have, nevertheless, rejoiced in the gospel work, with no word of complaint. . In such cases necessary help was extended from the Church funds,, and the assisted Saints have again taken up vigorously their temporal and spiritual labors. The reports from the different missions were very encouraging, showing steady increase in the number of converts, in most of them. That the Church, in the recent past, has secured and built comfortable meetinghouses, also suitable mission headquarters for the various missions, has added great interest in this branch of the gospel work. At each session of the conference the great tabernacle was crowded to its utmost, and many were unable to gain admission. On the afternoon of Sunday the tabernacle was filled until it could hold no more. So also with the assembly hall, while several thousands were gathered near the Bureau of Information, where a. special out-door meeting was held. The singing of the Salt Lake tabernacle choir and the.Ogden tabernacle choir was a pleasant feature of the conference. A number of special musical numbers, solos and quartets, were rendered. A notable incident was the testimony of Brother John W. Rigdon, son of Sidney Rigdon who for years in the early rise of the Church was a member of the First Presidency.Brother Rigdon spoke of his father's testimony regarding the establishment of the latter day work, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. He said he is now one with the Latter-day Saints. On Friday evening, a general priesthood meeting was held in the tabernacle, where reports and instruction pertaining to the priesthood were given; while a special priesthood meeting was held on Saturday for the presiding authorities of the Church. If any one truth was demonstrated more than another, at this great gathering, it was that unjust criticism binds friends in closer ties. The conference also established, beyond a doubt, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a live and vigor-