ber of elders, 139; tracts distributed, 399,376; books distributed, 24,690; saints' homes visited, 291,250; gospel conversations, 33,239; meetings held, 2,591; baptized, 151; children blessed, 46. To Sister Romania B. Penrose President Rasmussen writes: I take great pleasure at this time in submitting to you a report of the Relief Societies in this mission; as you, no doubt, know we have recently held our fall conference. I am very pleased to state that our conferences throughout were a perfect success. Many saints as well as strangers were in attendance at every session and the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us in great abundance, and everybody seemingly was made to rejoice. Each Tuesday evening following our conference a conference of the Relief Society was held at which great interest was manifested. I consider that, with the limited means our sisters have, they are doing a splendid work, this being particularly the case in large cities, such as Copenhagen and Christiania where a great deal is being done to help the poor and needy. The leading sisters are spending a great deal of time and means in meeting the demands made of them from time to time and the prospects for the growth and prosperity of this excellent organization is very encouraging in this mission. I submit the following report of the Relief Societies in the Scandinavian mission for one year, ending October, 31st, 1908: Associations, 18; officers and members, 451; meetings held, 532; cash on hand one year ago, $183.88; cash received during the year, $577.78; total, $761.61; cash distributed during the year, $547.43; cash on hand, $214.18; total, $761.61. Praying the Lord to bless you in your responsible calling, and with love and best wishes to yourself and President Penrose, I am, your brother in the gospel, SOREN RASMUSSEN. FROM THE MISSION FIELD. Releases and Departures.-The following missionaries were honorably released and returned home per s.s. Republic, November 14th, 1908: From Great Britain-Carl E. Erickson, Charles A. Sperry, Julian M. Thomas, Thomas Hancock, Joseph H. Ruff, John P. Orton, Charles R. Coombs, Parley H. Matthews, John W. Kissell, Edward S. Tew, William C. Brenchley. From Switzerland and Germany-Edward B. Hansen, David H. Beardshall, Rudolph Rickenback, Jr., Albert Hafen, Charles T. S. Parsons, Eugene L. Roberts, Otto Wolfensberger, Elias A. Smith, Jr. From the Netherlands-William T. Hicken. From Scandinavia-Alma P. Benson, Niels P. Peterson, Christen Anderson, J. Andrew Olsen, Lars J. Halling, Oliver A. Hansen, Haakon E. Aamodt, Hyrum J. Jensen. From Sweden-Nils P. Swenson, Joseph H. Anderson, Carl V. Erickson, Nils E. Benson, John Anderson. With the company were seventy-one emigrants, in charge of Elder Hyrum J. Jensen, Elders Carl V. Erickson and Carl E. Erickson being his assistants. Baptisms. Four more members were added to the Nelson branch (Liverpool conference), in the evening of the 12th inst. They were baptized in Burnley Baths, Elder L. Garrick officiating. On Friday evening last, the 13th inst., a baptism was performed at the public baths, Lancaster (Liverpool conference), when two converts were initiated into the fold of Christ. The ordinance was administered by Elder Kenneth R. Woolley. On the 12th inst., eleven converts received the ordinance of baptism at the hands of President W. S. Caldwell, Elders Harold R. Smoot and Walter Bird, in the Middlesbro Public Baths (Newcastle conference). Confirmations took place immediately after, at the saints' regular place of worship, where President Caldwell explained to many saints and friends the essentiality of the ordinance just performed. Elder E. H. Cornwall exhorted all the saints to remain faithful to the covenants they had made with the Lord. A baptismal service was held in the Glossop Road Baths, Sheffield, November 15th, 1908. Elder T. Edgar Beard and President J. A. Rockwood of the Leeds conference spoke upon the necessity of complying with the sacred ordinance. President Josiah H. Eardley then addressed those who were about to be baptized and take upon them the name of Christ, that they should expect to be persecuted for His name's sake, after which nine converts accepted baptism, Elder Thomas Kershaw officiating. Confirmations took place at the afternoon meeting. A baptismal service was held at Livingstone Street Baths, Birkenhead (Liverpool conference), on Monday evening last, the 16th inst., when two converts were baptized by Elder Bertrand T. Pond. On Saturday, November 7th, a baptismal service was held in the Public Baths, Leigh (Manchester conference). President J. C. Larsen gave a very convincing talk on the essentiality, mode and object of baptism, after which three converts were baptized by Elder Moroni Colvin, two from Southport and one from Leigh branch. Confirmations took place the same night at Occasional Room, Market Buildings. President Larsen delivered an excellent discourse to the saints and friends. On Sunday last, November 15th, a baptismal service was held at the headquarters of the London conference, South Tottenham, London. Five new members were added to the Church. The ordinance of baptism was administered by Elder Albert B Needham. The following day four more converts were baptized at the same place, Elder Walter P. Whitehead officiating. SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. LESSON XXXX.-MARRIAGE. Text: And again I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man. -Doc. and Cov. 49: 15. I. Marriage a State Ordained and Established of God. 1. Marriage dates from the beginning of human history-"The Lord God said it is not good that the man should be alone" (Genesis 2: 18, 24; P. of G. P., Moses 3: 18, 24). 2. Marriage sustained by scripture of later date. (a) Neither man nor woman alone capable of attaining perfection (I. Cor. 11:11). (b) Marriage is honorable (Heb. 13: 4; see also Ephesians 5: 22-33). (c) Lehi commanded to provide wives for his sons (B. of M., I. Nephi 7: 1, 2; see also 16: 7,8). Note the recognition of family organization among the Nephites (Mosiah 2: 1, 5). (d) Marriage sanctioned in the present dispensation (see text cited at beginning of this lesson-Doc. and Cov. 49: 15-17; also 75: 28; 83: 2). II. The Marriage Covenant. 1. A civil contract, provided for and regulated under the laws of established governments. Society is thus afforded protection against the ill effects of marital association not within the jurisdiction of law. The law defines the authority necessary to solemnize a marriage, by delegating the power to certain officers of the law, and by recognizing the priestly authority of churches. 2. In addition, marriage is recognized as a spiritual contract by most professed Christians, by some of the so-called non-Christian sects, and by all who believe in the whole of the revealed law of God. To solemnize a marriage as a religious ceremony embodying a spiritual contract between the parties, the requisite priestly authority must officiate. III. Marriage as Prescribed and Regulated Under the Laws of the Church To-day. 1. Marriage for time, in which the covenants of the parties are for the term of mortal life only; this is a lesser or temporal order of matrimony. 2. Marriage for time and for eternity, requiring the authority of the holy priesthood for its validation and involving covenants extending beyond the term of mortal life. (Study with care Doc. and Cov. 132: 15-17). This order of marriage is based on the "New and Everlasting Covenant," which will be studied in the lesson following. (See "Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel," p.p. 118 124, subject: "Marriage-a divine institution and designed to be eternal." IV. Blessings and Responsibilities of Marriage. 1. The blessing of posterity (Note that many references already cited apply here; see especially Genesis 1:27, 28; P. of G. P., Moses 2: 28; see also 5: 2; compare Genesis 9: 1, 7; Lev. 26:9; see especially Doc. and Cov. 49: 15-17). 2. The blessings of companionship between husband and wife, for mutual advancement. Observe the significance of the Lord God's gift to Adam-"an helpmeet" (Genesis 2: 18; compare 3: 12; see also P. of G. P., Moses 3: 18; compare 4: 18; especially noting Adam's expression, "The woman thou gavest me and commanded that she should remain with me"; see also Ephesians 5: 22-33). 3. The responsibilities of providing for needs of the family, not alone as to material needs-food, clothing, shelter, etc., but also as to education and spiritual development (Ephesians 6: 4; Col. 3: 21; Doc. and Cov. 75: 28; 83:2; see especially 68: 25-27). V. Unlawful Association of the Sexes. 1. Bible scriptures condemning same (Exodus 20: 14; Deut. 5: 2. Book of Mormon scriptures (see especially Alma 39: 5). 22-26). General reference: "The Articles of Faith," Lecture XXIV, pp. 455-459. DIED. WENTWORTH.-At the Dudley Guest Hospital, Dudley, October 20th, 1908, of lockjaw, Sister Esther Jane, the beloved wife of Thomas H. Wentworth, aged 38 years. PILBROW.-At Hull, October 26th, 1908, Sister Caroline Pilbrow, aged 64 years. EDITED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY CHARLES W. PENROSE, 295 EDGE LANE, LIVERPOOL: FOR SALE IN ALL THE CONFERENCES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN GREAT BRITAIN. THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS MILLENNIAL STAR. [ESTABLISHED 1840.] "Life is too short to dwell on failures-push on to a new success."-LAVATER. No. 47, Vol. LXX. Thursday, November 26, 1908. Price One Penny. OPENING ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH AT THE SEVENTY-NINTH SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH, OCTOBER 4TH, 1908. MY BRETHREN AND SISTERS:-It is indeed a cause for congratulation, joy and great satisfaction to see the large number of members and officers of the Church who have assembled here at the opening of our seventy-ninth semi-annual conference, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. It is remarkable, to say the least, to see so many here as are present this morning, and I feel grateful, in my heart, to the Lord for the feeling and interest manifested by those who are present, for your attendance here to-day is evidence of your interest in this work. I am glad to see you and to welcome you to this conference of the Church, and I sincerely hope and pray that the true Spirit of the gospel of the Son of God may pervade all our meetings in this hall and in other places where we shall be met together. I hope that at the conclusion of our conference every soul possessing a knowledge of the gospel and a love of truth will feel amply repaid for attendance here; and to this end I invoke the blessing of the Lord upon every individual who has come here to-day and who will attend the conference for the love of the truth and for his or her devotion to the cause of Zion. The Lord has blessed us in a remarkable degree throughout the past season, with the exception of here and there a partial failure |