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Show Strengthening of the Saints At the November 1883 meeting of the priesthood, President Smith addressed the brethren, and in response to President Taylor's plea at general conference to "purge and elevate" the priesthood, he reminded them to be conquerors instead of conquered. The following resolution was drawn up, and President Smith called for a vote on it: "Be it resolved that we, as the presiding and working priesthood of the Morgan Stake of Zion, in priesthood meeting assembled, will make an honest, earnest, and continued effort to keep the Word ofWisdom as taught by the Church to live chaste and upright lives before God, and teach the same as servants of God to the members of the Church."53 The resolution was passed with a unanimous vote, and the meeting was adjourned until Monday, 5 November, at the stake house. The minutes do not record whether this meeting was for general membership of the Church or just the priesthood. At the meeting each member of the stake presidency addressed the congregation. President Smith again spoke on President Taylor's desire to "purge and elevate" the priesthood, saying that the word of the Lord was that he was going to have his priesthood keep the Word ofWisdom; if anyofficer of the priesthood cannot comply with the requirements, he should hand in his resignation. Then the resolution read to the brethren on Saturday was read, presented and sustained by a unanimous vote. The bishops were instructed to present the resolution to their wards and were told that no ordinations were to be performed nor recommends to the House of the Lord given unless the Word ofWisdom was kept. The resolution was presented to the wards, and, in subsequent priesthood meetings, the bishops reported the membership of the stake was supporting the resolution.54 Stake members were further encouraged and strengthened in the subsequent conference on 18 November when Elder Albert Carrington, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, gave a "powerful sermon on the duties and privileges of the Latterday Saints." The theme of his address was, "None are Free but those who love and Serve God."55 At stake conference on 31 July 1884, John W. Taylor, a member of the Quorum of Twelve, gave an excellent sermon, which was summarized in these words; "Truth was always opposed and always will be. Truth and error were always antagonistic. Almost all the Apostles were slain, and the same spirit prevails today, but all that is done to retard the work of God will tend to advance it."5^ Memorial Service On 10 August 1884, members of the Church met at the home of James Condor at Cane Creek, Tennessee, for religious services. Here mobs attacked the Saints, killing two missionaries, William S. Berry and John Henry Gibbs. Two members of the Condor family were also killed as they attempted to defend the missionaries. 30 |