The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-11

church. Its survival through the many
universities and complexities to which
II has been exposed and subjected from
It's inception sixty-six years ago, has
been due to the universal and unvary-
ing recognition, by the members of the
church, of this elementary doctrine.
NO system or religion can stand or
maintain itself without it's enforcement.
NO secular association of individuals,
corporation, or other institution that
assumes the appointment and distribu-
ton of the various powers and func-
tons of its creation can live and per-
petuate itself without exacting submis-
sion 10 its rules. Membership in a
corporation is voluntary A commu-
nifty who would avail itself of the ad-
Nantages of municipal franchise must
pay lakes: and so it is in all associa-
tons of individuals, regardless of their
character, who combine for the enjoy
ment of certain privileges and distinc-
lions, or the attainment of designated
ends, answering obedience is indis-
pensible to it's continued life and the
preservation Of its identity.
1t may be stated that the Mormon
church claims an individuality pecu-
liarly and diStinctively it's own, diff
1erlng vitality from contemporary creeds
! IN All the more important and essential
characteristics of it's organization, pos
sessing bur very few features in COM
mon with any; thus exhibiting a pro-
nounced contrast comparatively TO
them as between themselves In other
words the church contends that the
only avenue of admission to the eter-
nal presence of the father is through
its own portals. 1t is further contend
ed that there was a universal defec-
ton, or total disappearance of the
church established by Christ and his
emissaries; that for a period of eigh-
teen hundred years the priesthood of
the Almighty was not among men;
that in his wise and beneficial dispen-
Sations God has saw fit to restore the
divine plan of salvation, clothed in
all the majesty of its ancient habila-
ments, to his faftering children; and
that Joseph Smith was the recipient of
TINS divine message; that this ancient
power OF the holy priesthood was spe-
claily conferred upon him by new reve-
lation; that he was commissioned as
the prophet, seer and revelator of God
TO humanity; that twelve apostles were
ordained to the ministry, and consti-
tuted the chief authority of the church,
together with the first presidency. The
flrst presidency, however. is invested
with primacy; it is the supreme head
Oh the church; it is through it's instru-
mentality that the will of the Almighty
Is communicated to his subjects
This postulate necessarily presup-
poses the AVAILABILITY of such authority
when speaking or acting in their Off
clal capacity, as in the PRONUNCIATION of
rule to be universally operative upon
the members of the church. involving
their spiritual and temporal welfare.
To supDose for one moment the con-
trary would undermine and ultimately
destroy the whole fabric of the church.
Tor no one could be appraised whether
such authority was spurious or genuine,
emanating from the divine source.
This, then, being the theory upon
which the church structure is predi-
Gated (sccording tc the writer's views
members thereof must comply with
its ordinances and DEGREES, or other
wise account themselves not members
of the congregation of the faithful
Malcontents and refractory officials
who feel they cannot submit to the
mandates Of the authorities have log
lcaliy but one alternative-to step
down and out, or file their resigna-
items. Obedience is universally imper-
ative.
From a broad and liberal point Of
view it cannot be considered that the
recent action of the authorities in
enunciating points of discipline is
curtailment Of the liberties of the in
dividuai- Every person on becoming
member thereof voluntarily surren-
ders certain features of his individu-
ality for the realization of contem-
plated blessings and prerogatives
predlcated upon his membership. 1t is
in the nature Of a contract relation
by which the candidate for enrolment
deliberately and Intentionally defers
to the action Of the authorities, with
the reservation of discretionary
agency on his part. This is equally
applicable to members born in the
church, bona fide and continued mem
bership being based upon the COM
pliance with the rules. Free agency
is one of the glories of its constitution
al freedom. There is no compulsory
process 10 enforce its DEGREES.
Each official, from the president
down through all the degrees of sub
ordination to the humblest, is at full
liberty al all times to maintain his
calling or resign. By the very nature
of the organization most all members
are officers, having their superiors,
eliminating Il the first presidency;
and when an incumbent, especially
among the higher dignitaries, under
takes to appropriate a portion of the
time Of his employment for different
and other ends than his spiritual
duties, it is the absolute and unquali-
ned Tlgnt ard duty OF the eccleSiaS-
teal authorities to intercede and draw
the line. The manifesto is only an
exercise of this function
These ars ''perilous times" times
that try mems souls;' ''the spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits
and doctrines Of DEVILS" chose who
are not for me are against me-" Those
who are not for the church are
against it.
There are many manifesto tons of
unrest and discomfort; some unmis-
takably pronounced, others murmur-
ing and muttering, speaking in hushed
tones, without the courage of out
spoken convictions. Many have fallen
by the wayside; organized secessions
have occurred, and though threaten
ing clouds are again gathering in the
ecclesiastical horizon, the firm, I'M
swerving, steadfast and rational will
continue mistaken to triumphant
end. The development of personal and
practical piety in the church and ad-
herence to its DEGREES will not antag-
onize the pacific and onward move
ment of the political destiny of the
state. ELIJAH FAIR.
FOREIGN FINANCES.