​President Taylor ​then arose and said:

​I have been very much interested in the remarks which have been made on this subject—the subject of home industries. And I would ask this congregation if I may have the privilege of aiding them as Trustee in Trust. We have some iron works started in the south and I want to know if this congregation will authorize me to assist those iron works? If you do make it manifest by raising the right hand [a forest of hands went up]. I believe that you would feel just so, and I have already assisted them. (laughter.) There is another thing I want to ask associated with this affair. You have given me the privilege of assisting this industry, now I want to ask if you yourselves, will assist in this matter; and all who are in favor of doing so, hold up the right hand [all hands went up.] Now, we will say Yankee Doodle do it. There are a great many other things associated with our temporal interests—some of which have been referred to—which we must look after. There has been a good deal said in regard to the United Order. We have had this talked about a long time. We shall have a United Order by and by. As one of the brethren mentioned—I think it was Brother Young—there is a feeling of the kind growing among the people. But we have not yet had the order that we shall have. By and by people will not have to be asked to go into the United Order, for they will beg for the privilege of coming in. If we will only do right—which we are seeking to do—and keep the commandments of God—which I am very much pleased to hear, with all our infirmities and weaknesses, and we have a great many of them, we are trying to do. The time is not far distant when Zion, as the Scriptures say, will be the richest of all people. And when it comes to pass you will know it. Let me make a remark or two upon this subject. What do the Scriptures say upon it. They say: “For brass I will bring silver, for silver gold, and for stones iron.” Well, that is rather a singular exchange. What else? “I will make thine officers peace and thine exactors righteousness.” Justice, righteousness, truth and integrity, and not covetousness, deceitfulness and self-interest must be associated with the law of God, the work of God, the order of God, and the kingdom of God. When we can prepare ourselves to observe His laws and keep His commandments, God is prepared to cause the riches of the Gentiles to flow unto us, as the Scriptures say. But we have to learn to observe the law of God, and to keep the commandments of God. I feel sometimes a little unpleasant on one subject. I am appointed here as Trustee-in-Trust, and I have a great responsibility devolving upon me in regard to the financial affairs of the Church. I have associated with me my brethren of the Twelve and the Presiding Bishop to counsel in regard to those matters. It has been stated here that there is a great outside pressure, and a great desire to become acquainted with our affairs and our monetary matters. I have been applied to time and time again in this respect, and I cannot conceive of any other idea associated with it than that they would like to do with our finances as they would with our wives take them from us (laughter). Now, we have a financial report here. My idea would be to have it presented in all its details to this congregation. But it is thought not wise to do so. This is the thing that does not suit me exactly—that is, it does not suit me not to be able to put this report before the people so that everybody may hear and see and know and comprehend for themselves, for I think it is our right to understand these things, and what is done with our financial matters. But, as I have said, it is thought wisdom not to have the report presented to the general public—not to put them in possession of information in regard to our matters. Let them find them out. Some one suggests that the conduct of our enemies would be exhibited in the utterance of a prayer, “Let us arise and rob somebody in the name of the Lord”—or rather in the name of the law. (Laughter.) Well, we do not propose to put them in possession of this information. But we have got our record which tells what every man has done and what they have not done in relation to these matters. We have faithful records pertaining to all these things, and anybody that is interested and that has a right to enquire can come and obtain the information pertaining to their affairs individually or to Stakes or to Wards as the case may be; but it is none of the business of outsiders to know about our financial matters; it don’t belong to them; it didn’t come from them; we never received anything at their hands. It is simply our own, and they may as well ask to examine our letters as to make them acquainted with our financial affairs. All who favor this idea of not reading the report, signify it by holding up the right hand [Unanimous vote. On motion the financial report was referred to the auditing committee.]

President Taylor continued, I have yet been furnished with the report of the auditing committee on the last financial report submitted to them but as soon as received I will communicate it. I will state, however, for the satisfaction of the brethren and sisters—and I see them from all parts, from the far south, from the far north—that our financial affairs are in a very good position, that our tithing instead of being on the decrease, is on the increase, and that there is a general feeling to meet the requirements of the law of God pertaining to all these matters; and we think that all of us—or say the major part of us; we do not expect everybody to do exactly right—are striving to carry out the law of God and if we will continue to observe His requirements and keep His commandments, the blessing of the God of Israel will rest upon Israel. Men may plot and contrive, and calculate and try to manipulate the affairs of Israel: but our affairs are in the hands of God, and He will take care of us if we will obey His law: and our progress is onward and upward; God will stand by Israel if we only stand by Him. Amen.

​The choir sang an anthem: “With full voice choir resounding.”

Conference adjourned till to-morrow (Sunday) 10 a. m.

Benediction by President Horace S. Eldredge.