By perusing Zemira’s diary, one thing that is noticeable is the number and kinds of meetings he attended. A Conference was being held in the Tabernacle at St. George that year, the date being the 5th and 6th of April, 1874. Since President Young was spending that winter in St. George, this conference was probably General Conference. Other authorities were to be there also. Zemira knew about this— it surely would have been announced—and he left Panguitch for St. George on April 1.
His attendance at that Conference started a chain of events which changed his and his family’s future life and brought many added responsibilities. He recorded the content of some of the speeches which were given.
On Sunday, 5 April, he wrote: “Attended a meeting at St. George. Jos. A. Young preached on economy, oneness, and being masters, not slaves to our enemies in worldly matters. George A. Smith preached on Progress, Temple, Economy, Naturalization, United Order. PM Pres. Young exhibited a hat and said the material cost only 15 or 20 cents (United Order Hat). He explained how to become independent of our enemies. He had instructions read for the guidance of the people in temporal matters, as touching economy and self-sustenance.”
Zemira started home the next day after making arrangements for a copy of the By-laws of the United Order of St. George and rules and instruction for guidance of the people. Pres. Young and his party were preaching and organizing the people into United Orders as they passed along through different communities on their way home to Salt Lake. Instead of going on home immediately, Zemira attended the meeting at Kanarrah and at Parowan, and heard the same subjects. On the 10th he wrote: “Attended meeting forenoon, afternoon, and evening. Same subjects dwelt upon as before. A great deal of practical knowledge was imparted.” (He must have been deeply impressed.)
The next day, April 11, 1874, Zemira “was requested by Pres. Young to move to Springdale on the Virgin River and take charge of that place.” So he immediately started back to Panguitch, getting as far as the upper Bear Valley herd-house. He reached home the next day and began getting things ready, preparing to move to Springdale.
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