rd, 1905--the one hundredth
anniversary of the birth of the Prophet--this cottage and monument were
dedicated by President Joseph F. Smith, who, with a number of the leading
brethren of the Church and a few Saints, had gone to Vermont for that
purpose. The monument contains a written description of the Prophet's
testimony and stands as a silent witness of the great work he was called
upon by the Lord to perform.

[Illustration: JOSEPH SMITH MONUMENT AND MEMORIAL COTTAGE.]

For many years past, the Saints had been making settlements in Mexico, and
establishing themselves there in good homes. In the year 1912 the
disturbances in the country broke out into civil war, and because of the
dangers attendant on the fighting between various factions, most of the
Latter-day Saints had to leave the country and their possessions and come
to the United States.

Two new Temples are now being erected, one in Alberta, Canada, and another
at Laie, on the island of Oahu, Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands. Work on the
Canadian Temple was begun in 1913, and the one at Hawaii was commenced in
the summer of 1915. The building of these Temples indicate that the great
work for the dead is being energetically carried out by the Church.

In the summer of 1914, the great European war broke out, which has caused
the death and crippling of millions, and brought misery untold to the
nations engaged in it. Very likely this war is the greatest the world has
ever known. Nearly all our missionaries have had to be withdrawn from
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, and France, and very few
have been left in Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries. We
sympathize with all these nations, and can only hope that the Lord will
make it possible, after the war, that the missionaries will be better able
to reach the people with the gospel of peace and salvation.

At this writing (December, 1916) there are seventy-three stakes of Zion in
the Church, and over eight hundred wards. The quorums of the Priesthood
have been more thoroughly organized, and have regular courses of study in
their classes. The helping organizations of the Church, such as the Sunday
Schools, the Mutual Improvement Associations, and others are doing a
splendid work. The Church has recently completed a beautiful Church office
building in Salt Lake City. The first and second floors of this building
are occupied by the First Presidency and other Church officials. The third
floor i