Conference Weekend

http://WillardNeeley.org

I’m not sure what General Conference weekend was like for those that lived outside of Utah before radio, television, satellites, and the internet made live communications and broadcasts more ubiquitous.  Today, we can video chat with family and friends in California, Canada, China, or virtually any part of the world.  When Willard was in England, they didn’t directly participate in the proceedings of a General Conference, but they did have regular mission conferences, frequently attended by leaders of the Church.

Conferences at that time were opportunities for missionaries to be taught and to invite friends and interested people in the surrounding area to hear their message.  Below is Willard’s account of his first mission conference in the Newcastle Conference of the British Mission attended by Heber J. Grant, who while serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve was also serving as the President of the British Mission.  I’ve also attached a summary of the conference from the Millennial Star.

Saturday Nov. 19/04 5 Wesley Terrace Chester-le-St 

[attached a picture of this residence on this post].
Prepared this morning to go to Sunderland to attend conference.  Took the train to Newcastle, changing cars there for Sunderland arriving at 12 noon.  Went to the office.  Pres. Wilkins and Elder Taylor were leaving to meet Pres. [Heber J.] Grant at the station.  Elder Lincoln took Elder Cottrell and myself to dinner at Bro. Middleton’s.  After dinner we returned to the hall for Priesthood meeting.  Meeting there Pres. Grant and all the Elders, we had a fine meeting.  Many valuable instructions were given us.  After the Priesthood meeting, we all went out on the street to hold meeting.  There being about fifteen of us, people did not know what was coming.  As soon as we began to sing, people would flock around by herds.  The more experienced Elders would do the speaking while we younger Elders distributed conference notices.  We distributed about twelve thousand bills, [and] sold many books. After meeting we met at the Hall and were assigned a place to lodge.  Elder Hardy, Riches, and I went to Washington top stay with Sister Diston [sp?].  A distance of seven miles from Sunderland, went by train to Cox Green station, cross the river Wear by ferry. Walked two miles and arrived.  Had supper.  Afterward retired to rest.

Sunday Nov. 20/04 Sunderland.  Nice day. 

After breakfast, we walked to Coxgreen station.  Took the train for Sunderland.  Went to the Park Hall to attend morning service.  Meeting began at 10:30 A.M.  After the opening exercises, Pres. George E. Wilkins read the statistical report of the conference for the five preceding months.  Elder Horace T. Godfrey was first speaker—subject being obedience.  Pres. Grant occupied the remainder of the time, exhorting the Elders and Saints to so live that their lives would be a credit and power to the world.  Meeting concluded till two thirty.  Myself and other Elders went to Bro. Middleton’s for dinner, returning at 2:30.  Meeting commenced in usual way.  Elder William W. Hardy was first speak relating the religious confusion that existed throughout the world and that unity was necessary.  Elder Orson John Hyde when spoke on the mission of John the Baptish and our Savior.  Pres. Grant occupied the remainder of the time speaking on the Authority of the Bible.  A number of us Elders went to Bro. Hardy’s for tea. At 6:30 P.M. we returned at which time the evening meeting began.  Elder Alexander Adams offered opening prayer.  Elder Choules was first speaker.  After him Elder Cottrell spoke upon the Gospel.  Pres. Grant spoke last upon the divinity of the Bible and the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The Middlesboro [Middlesborough] Choir rendered beautiful music through the meetings.  Elders Riches, Lowe, Wooton, and I returned to Distons to stop over night.

Chester-le-St flat or residence where Willard Neeley lived while serving as a missionary

Summary from the Millennial Star, Vol. 66 - 1904

Willard's Journal Entry