Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-12-17

OF Jesus Christ Oi L1ttcr.uay saints
CONCERNING which there nre debates,
discussions, quibbllugs and question
among the Latter-day Saints. Upon
these points we cannot afford 10 be
DIVIDED, to be Ia opposition ono TO nn'
other; ;or the Lord, in establishing
this perfect plan Of salvation OF
which lie has msle US the recipients,
instituted way In His Churc' by
Which we eau receive from Him nj any
time the counsel OF His will, and upon
any matter concerning which There Is
dispute. lie has Instituted an author
lily In His Church for the settlement
OF such disputes. In regard TO the
cardinal principles Of the Gospel there
IL no question. We understand faith
10 bs the first principle VI revealed re-
ligion. We understand repentance to
be necessary for the salvation OF the
children OF men. We know that bap-
tism ~ essen thai TO salvation. We know
that the laying on OF hands IL ono OF
tho cardinal doctrines OF the Church.
We also know that union 10 rs ncces.
sary to the Litler.day Saints In Its
place rs faith, repentance, baptism and
the laying on OF hands are essential Ia
their places. But there are frequently
other things arising In our experience
concerning which the word OF tho
Lord Is not sufficiently clear u ease
our minds and TO place them at rest In
considering these matters. How shall
we receive light upon them? II these
principles concern ourselves individu-
ally, or our families, II we stand ut this
head OF families We can appeal % God
Tor guidance; we can nsk for His Spirit
to cnlighten our minds and give US
the revelation OF His Will concerning
that point on which there are doubts In
our minds. And II wo seek Him In
the proper manner, He will give 10 US
the revelations OF His will upon that
matter. II II were not so, how would
IL be with our Elders who 20 abroad TO
tho nations OF tho earth and among
people opposed 10 them, and who desire
frequently their destruction? II they
were left without this spirit OF revela.
ton which God gives TO HIS children
who seek Him In the proper manner,
how would II he with them under such
circumstance? Sal indeed would be
their condition. We might then with
fearful hearts send our Elders out TO the
nations OF the earth 10 preach this
Gospel. But knowing that our Father
In all.poweriul, that Ho Ia omnipolent
and omuipresent, we can send out these
young men, inexperieuced though they
may be, TO any part OF the earth, know.
Ing that when they are in trouble they
can seek God, ami that He VIII be near
to hear aud answer their prayers. Our
experience Ia the past sixty years has
fully verified the promise that lie made
unto His children hundreds OF years
ago, that those who sought Him should
receive wisdom ut His hands.
But how Is It with regard TO the
affairs OF a ward? For instance, II
there IL a division among the PRIEST
hood OF ward, who Is TO receive
the counsel necessary to produces har-
mony aud 10 establish peace among
the members OF shat ward? Who, but
the Bishop, who stands Mt the head OF
that ward? Who but the father OF
that ward? Who but tho man upon
whom God has beatowed the Priest
hood, not only Of Aaron, but OF
Melchlsedec? Who but this man can
interpose between factions OF the
Saints, and by the word OF God which
he speaks TO the people re.cstablish
harmony and union among them. The
Bishop has this right. IL he does not
exercise 1t, he IL not living up to
MS CAiuub' ~ wv ~ Eckhth W
tho affairs OF Stake. Suppose
there are differences existing between
wards In the Stake, or bstweon organi.
cations which belong TO the Stake, the
President OF the Stake as the authority
and the right to seek for the Spirit OF
God-ihe spirit OF revelatlon--to guide
him in tho course which he should
take. OF course these Presidents OF
Stakes and Bishops have access TO the
higher authorities OF the Church, and
they can seek counsel from lem. But
this should not suffice; they should
also have the testimony OF the
Spirltoi God, 10 tell them that
the counsel which they receive
from time TO time Is the very counsel
which God Himself would give were
He here in person. Some presidents
~ stakes are no far distant from tho
headquarters OF the Church that they
do no have access at all times 10 the
Presidency, and perhaps time would
not permit them to write for the coun.
sol which they desire; then they have
the privilege TO 20 TO the Lord and
receive direct revelation from Him,
through the Spirit OF God, rs TO what
course they shall take. SO with every
quorum and organization In the
Church. The Twelve Apostles have
q quorum superior to them, TO whom
they eau appeal for counsel
anu for guidance when they
are In "a quandary ~ TO which course
they shall take or which path they
shall follow. The Presidency OF the
Church IL that quorum. At the head
OF that quorum Is the man who repre-.
sents the Lord upon the earth, and
who is lila mouthpiece. And beyond
him, we can appeal to our Father aud
God, and II we seek Him In the proper
way HIS Spirit will bs poured out pom
US TO direct US Ms to what we shall do
anu say.
Brethren and sisters, you know that
this 10 the order. You know that this
In the way to settle disputes
concerning doctrine and all mat.
ters OF spiritual nature. And
you must not permit, II you desire
to retain the Spirit OF Christ, temporal
affairs TO Intervene between you and
your brethren aud sisters. Ii you have
differences OF opinion In regard TO the
management OF any affairs connected
with your daily lives, you must not
allow them to divide you In spirit, TO
array you one againat another, to
cause you to find fault with your
neighbor, and to condemn him be-
cause perchance his ideas are not the
same AS yours. You must allow the Lord
70 Judge between you in all your at.
lairs, whether they DO spiritual or tenn.
pofal. We must seek 20 know the will
OF oou, anu then earnestly carry 1t