First Day-Morning Session

The Eighty-fifth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a. m., Sunday, April 4, 1915, President Joseph F. Smith presiding.

Authorities Present.

There were present of the First Presidency, Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose; of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, Francis M. Lyman, Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, George Albert Smith, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay, Anthony W. Ivins, Joseph F. Smith, Jr., and James E. Talmage; of the First Council of Seventy, Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, J. Golden Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin, Charles H. Hart, and Levi Edgar Young; Presiding Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith; of the Presiding Bishopric, Charles W. Nibley, Orrin P. Miller, and David A. Smith; Assistant Historians Andrew Jenson, and A. Wm. Lund. There were also a large number of Presidents of Stakes with their Counselors, Presidents of Missions. Bishops of Wards, Patriarchs, and numerous other prominent men and women representing various quorums and organizations of the Church.

President Joseph F. Smith called the assembly to order, and announced that, in consequence of the over-crowded condition in the Tabernacle, another meeting will how convene in the adjoining Assembly Hall, under direction of Elder Rudger Clawson.

The conference services were commenced by the choir singing the hymn:

Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell,
By faith and love, in every breast;
Then shall we know, and taste, and feel
The joys that cannot be expressed.

The opening prayer was offered by Elder Joseph W. McMurrin.

The Choir sang the anthem,

"The Palms."