Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-03-02


officers " the wards are annually
placed before the people and they are
In nearly every Instance sustained,
unanimously. There are only very
few who are dissatisfied and whom
these state the reasons for their dlssaiis.
facti0n,it IL seldom that any real ground
IA found 10 exist. Il IL better, however,
10 speak out frankly when fault is found
than to hartor III feeling OF spread
discomfort In private. The bishops are
alive AMI dlllgent, spending great
deal OF their time among tho people:
They are expected 10 be on hand on All
public occasions, and their labos are
very oncfouf.
The visiting Priests aud Teachers
have been stirred up lately and there y
much Improvement manifested nmong
them, although there + room Tor
more. Much instruction now
given from the pnlple should,
In my Judgment, be given In private
when any member OF the Church be-
gins TO go astfay or become negligent.
the Waiting tiiicers should seek AFTER
him In private. ,,,
The home missionaries are very diil-
gent IN their work. They VISIT inc
wards regularly and have u monthly
meeting for their own edification and
instruction and for the presentation OF
the condition OF the people. Their
visits TO the wards are much appfeci-
ated.
The Priesthood meetings, which are
held once mouth, are better attended,
than formerly. Tue Assembly Hall was
we'll filled Mt the last meeting. Every
onc In the Stake who holds the PRIEST
hood should endcavor 10 10 present at
these meetings.
The High Council meets whenever
called together. II used TO meet once,
and sometimes twice, a week, but lately
difficulties have been settled among
the people or before the Blshope' c0utts.
This Council consists Of good men, who
are capable Of forming their own opln.
Ions, who speak their minds freely
and who have the welfare OF the people
ut heart.
Tho chief difficulties among the
people are those relating 10 temporal
matters. hope the time will come
when the Saints will not disagree up
ON such triiica. In the cases which
have come before the Council, the lie.
cisions Of the bishops have, rs a rule,
been sustained.
The High Council Of this Stake, M
Of all the Stakes, IA composed Of twelve
High Priests, sustained 10y the body In
conference. The president OF the
Stake pfesidos, or, In his absence,
his councillors or either OF
them. In addition 10 these twelve, we
have aliernates who are called upon 10
take the place Of tho-. who may be alb
sent. These men lit together aud,
when n case comes up on appeal they
decide whether II shall DO taken up rs
n new case OF be acted upon from the
evidence already given before the
Bishops court.
Each Of the parties has right 10 he
heard. Generally two members Of the
Council speak for the accuser aud two
for the accused. But half ia.
council watch the ease for the accuser
and half for the accused. When the
witnesses have given their testimony,
the speakers appointed present the caso
ou,i h side. The accused and the ar
cuscr emu then speak. The president
OF the Council gives the do
clslon and II tho majority
ooncurs with him, II Is
the decision Of the Council. The
decision, OF the President have always
been sustained since | have been as-
ISOLATED with him In the High COun-
ell.
Tho power Of the High Council Is
not used 10 iniiict amy penalty except
tho cutting of from the Church n
member who Will not repent Of his
sins aud comply with tho decision In
his cast. Mercy IN always extended
compatible with the claims OF Justice.
This Council "a not a court In secular
sense Of the term and does not attempt
TO Interfere with any judicial body Of
the country, M some have enormously
supposed. IL has no power whatever,
except In nm ecclesiastical capacity. II
II u Church court with jurisdiction only
In Church matters. Ii Il tho teaching
Of the Church that brother shall not 10
10 law with brother,as this II often both
expensive and unsatisfactory and con.
trary 10 the spirit Of the Gospel. Yet,
members have their liberty, but, ms [
said, tho Church counssls them 10
avoid all quarrels aud 10 rather suffer
wrong than 10 do wrong. This Coun-
ell IL therefore not civil judicial
hAhih W. lhN41 ai '1'Ae7ta7ei'h VI
ganization.
The saints In this Stake as whole
nrc trying 10 do their duty aud nre
good, faithful people. Some arc ra-
Their indifferent, and this IL probably
the greatest fault among the people.
They have had the privilege Of re-
ceivlng many OF the ordinances Of the
Gospel, and they feel satisfied, think
Ink their calling and election sure, and
they become Inactive. Now, We should
remember that We have many duties 10
perform, and that all blessings arc con.
,ltloned ON obedience 10 the word and
will OF God. Ordinance and ccremo-
niles are but means 10 an end, which Il
the building up OF character. When
weighed In tho balances We shall ap.
pear and he valued for what We are,
not what we seem TO be.
The President Of the Stake Is anlmat-
oil by a sincere desire 10 do good 10 the
people. He labors diligently 10 this
end, and he IN sustained by his coun.
selors. May God bless this Stake OF
Zion and enable Us nil 10 do our duty
that we may gain the great reward.
The meeting closed by the choir
singing the anthemi
Praise 20 the Father
Prayer was offered by Bishop +.
keslcr.
Adjourned TIL pm.
an.snnau gaaslA..