The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-07-31

people than Christ and His Apostles
did in their day !; that our movements
are unjust and contrary to the laws and .
commandments Of God, and that our
church is only q trap to swindle the
people out Of their property. This last
point ! will notice again 10 its place.
But what are those principles 10
brief, they are principles of equality,
both IN spiritual and temporal things.
The greatest complaints heard are in
regard to the latter. But we believe
it right and according to the will Of
God that His people should be one; or
in other words, equal in temporal
things that one man should not pos
sess that which is above another, ex.
cept as their different occupations may
require it. We believe the revelations
and word of God given through tho
Prophet Joseph Smith to be true, and
Of the. same vail idity as the word of God
through tho ancient Prophets. Thus
We resort to the laws and command
ments given through him for q portion
of our church government, rules and
regulations, all agreeing 10 principles
precisely with the doctrine of Christ
contained in the Testament scripture.
In the laws given to the church the
people are required to be one, or equal
in temporal things. Agents or Bishops
are to attend to this business under the
direction Of the Presidency or High
Council, and agreeably to tho laws and
commandments Of God. In view of
these facts and for the purpose Of
understanding more fully how to car.
~ these matters into effect it was
deemed advisable to investigate every
item in its place and make our arrange
ments accordingly, Whersupon the
High Council assembled, some twenty:
four in number, all having al opportun-
ity to give their views and vote in IA
vor Of or against what was proposed. Af-
ter due consideration, decisions were
made, and sanctioned by a unanimous
vote of both Council and Church, where
upon steps were taken to equalize the
people in temporal things. First, by ap.
praising oil property IN the hands Of the
church as near to its real value as posi-.
BILE (our lands not included), after which
distribution was made as every one had
need, setting of a steward ship fully
sufficient for the support Of each family
in all their different occupations and
supplying all their necessary waots.
All the surplus properties was cast into
the storehouse to become the common
property of the whole church, to be
held by the Trustees in trust, to be
used for building houses of worship,
supplying the wants of the needy, and
cancellng our debts, in or out side Of
the church, or for any necessary ex-
penditures:which might occur. But
no property should be taken, or apprais-
ed, or disposed Of without the consent
of the lawful owners thereof, all things
being done by common consent and
according to just and holy principles,
every man esteeming his brothers in.
terest as his own, and leaving no room
for deception, swindl1ng, or dishonesty
Of any kind to be practiced on an un-
| suspe citing people. Each man holds
his own homestead, but as some claims
are all timber and others prairie, all
are allowed to till as much land as
they can properly manage, either on
their own claim or on another mans,
providing it is first agreed upon by the
body or parties concerned. None are
required or compelled to 80 into this
arrangement uuwlllingly; ample time
being given for all to investigate every
point and compare with the law and
word of God. Further, we consider il
advisable in times of adversely to live
q little closer but in times of prosper
ity we enjoy more abundautly Of tenn
poral things. These rules are observed
in order to keep within the limits o.
our means, and have woerewith te
meet all our engagements outside o.
our society. Thus all, both minister
and members, share alike as the Gospe
rule requires. We are also required te
have all our garments made plainly and
by our own hands thus doing away
with pride in all its forms and the fol
lowing Of tho unnecessary fashions o
the world. We believe that pride il
an evil aud should be done away with
and We would adopt uniformity o.
dress, if our circumstances would permit
US SO to do, yet all can live at about
the same expense. Our interests art
all thrown together in this light, each
esteeming his brothers welfare as his
own, bearing one another's burdens, AZ
the Gospel requires yet every one act.
ing his own stewardship,and eating out
Of his own -four barrel and managing
his own concerns in view of the rules
before mentioned. Every individual,
has a right to let his wants be known,
go all can be properly supplied, if hin
wsnka ara i,,uk and fhoro oro sr,f3i n;ont