Elder Philip H. Hurst.

(Of Juarez Stake.)

My beloved brethren and sisters, I can say that it is indeed a surprise unto me to be called to this position, to address the Latter-day Saints in the general conference of the Church. I feel my unworthiness, my inability to say anything unto you that would be edifying or instructive, unless the Lord will be with me and assist me upon this occasion.

I want to say, in beginning, that I do know that this is the work of the Lord; that I have a testimony in regard to the truth of the Gospel we have received. I have been endeavoring to bear this testimony to all those I have come in contact with, and especially during the last three or four years, since my lot has been cast in the city of El Paso, among people who are not of our faith. I have endeavored to proclaim the Gospel unto them. A number of years ago our brethren endeavored to do missionary, work in that city, but at that time were unable to accomplish anything, on account of the prejudices of the people, but since our people have come out from Mexico, many from our colonies have resided in the city. We have become acquainted with many of the people of El Paso, and have been enabled to remove a great deal of prejudice from their minds and hearts. At the present time we have some elders preaching upon the streets, and holding meetings, and the results of their labors have been very satisfactory.

While I have not been in the colonies for some months, I have been upon the border, and probably we have had more excitement immediately along the border than what our brethren have had in the colonies. The missionary work has been hindered to a certain extent during those trying times. I want to say, in regard to the preservation of our people, that men who are unbelievers, who do not have the faith that the Latter-day Saints have, admit that our people have been miraculously preserved. We all admit that. We believe that the Lord is handling the nations of the earth, and we believe that He has raised up friends who have come to the assistance of our people in their time of need. All of you know, or have heard of, that great general and soldier, Hugh L. Scott, who was in command of the border patrol for a number of years. I have met this great man and talked with him, on a number of occasions, and he always wanted to talk about the Latter-day Saints; he wanted to know something about the Book of Mormon, the history of the American Indians. I made the General a present of a copy of the Book of Mormon, and he said he would read it, and he took it with him when he went to Washington. He has said to me, repeatedly, "Mr. Hurst, I am a soldier, my orders at the present time are for me to stay on this side of the border, but if the time ever comes when we are ordered to go to the other side, let me know what I can do for your people and we will do it." In the present emergency, we feel, as I said before, that the Lord preserved our people in the colonies: the danger that they would be destroyed seemed threatening, but it passed them before the United States forces arrived there. We do believe that, had they not have arrived those bandit marauders, would have returned, and massacred our people. It seemed a great contrast to me to what the conditions were many years ago. I remarked to our people in meeting, the other Sunday in El Paso, that it looked to me like a great change has come over the American people, in this great land of ours. You know that once there was an army hastening to these valleys of the mountains with the avowed purpose of destroying the Latter-day-Saints: but we recently had an example of American cavalry riding on forced marches across the plains and deserts of Mexico to preserve some of the Latter-day Saints. We feel that a great change has come over the people of this great nation in their feelings towards us. I want to say that, during our sojourn in El Paso, we have been able to make friends among the best men in that city, men of influence, representatives of the President of the United States and of the State Department. These men have worked unceasingly and untiringly for the safety and salvation of the Latter-day Saints in the colonies of Mexico. A few have criticized and said. "We owe them nothing; they have paid no attention to the request of the United States Government, when they were asked to withdraw from Mexico." But many other men, greater than these, have said. "They are our own people, our own flesh and blood, and we must continue to work for their safety and preservation."

None of us know what the end of this trouble will be in Mexico. You all know the revolutionary condition has continued now for over five years. At times it has seemed as though a stable government would be established among that people, but just as soon as that appeared about to be accomplished, we find them dividing again, turning against each other and starting new revolutions. It seems, to us who have been observers of this situation, that those people are unable to control the situation, and establish a government among themselves. The spirit of confidence in each other does not exist. It seems to us that the time must come, if it has not already come, when some power other than that which they possess will have to be exercised for the establishment of a stable government in that land, under which the people's lives will be protected, and their property and rights will not be molested.

In looking over the situation of our people we find that, although our lives have been preserved, we have been robbed, plundered, and peeled by all factions, none of them have passed us by. I have wondered whether we would be able to hold on until peace is established. As far as this world's goods are concerned, it has been a losing proposition with us from the commencement of this trouble until the present time. Our horses and wagons have been taken, our fences have been destroyed, and a number of our houses have been burned. The implements that our people had new and in good condition, five years ago, are now worn out, and they have not got the money with which to replace these implements. In talking with merchants in El Paso last Monday, some of our brethren asked for credit some who need wagons, mowing machines and other implements to harvest this year's crop, and the question arises, who is going to stand good for these things? Of course, those of our people who have anything left, that they can sell, can dispose of it for real money, for American coin, but our people have but little left. while some of the bandit leaders have offered to pay in the past for the produce that they have taken. they have paid in money that was worth, perhaps, two cents on the dollar, practically nothing. At the present time, we feel that our people are safe in the colonies, as long as the United States forces are there we feel that they are amply protected. We do not know what the condition may be if those forces are withdrawn.

My brethren and sisters. I do not wish to take up more time this afternoon. There are others who can edify you better than I can; but I want to say again, as I said in the beginning of my remarks, that I do know that the Gospel is true, that the band of the Lord is over this great latter-day work and over His people, we know that He is able to protect us, and provide for us. May we live so that we will be worthy of His blessings from day to day, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.