Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-27
SALT LAKE CITY DEC. a. 1900
LocAL AND GENERAL RULES.

LOCAL AND GENERAL RULES.
We have received communication
from an Elder IN an adjoining county
in which We are requested 70 republish
the minutes OF a Priesthood meeting
held In this city on Saturday. January
49, 1895. and also 70 answer a number Of
questions in reference to ordinations
and certificates thereof We do not
think It necessary to comply with the
first request. but viii make some gem
eral answers TO the queries OF our cor
respondent.
In the first place. We wish to say that
the instructions given TO the Elders in
the Salt Lake Stake Of Zion, by the
Stake Presidency are always intended
for them, and not presumed TO be given
TO govern quorums or individuals in
other Stakes. OF course remarks are
made. frequently which In their nature
apply to every person holding the holy
Priesthood. But the Presidency Of a
Stake Of Zion have Jurisdiction in
Church government, only within the
boundaries Of that Stake. Each Stake
is an entity. II is under the superyls-
ion Of its own Presidency, and questions
relating to It's organizations and policy
should be submitted 10 It's own author
tiles. II the answers are not satisfac-
tory. the First Presidency Of the Church
may be appealed to. but not the Presl-
dency OF another Stake The Twelve
are appointed by the First Presidency
TO visit and set In order the several
Stakes. and they can settle such contro-
versies when acting in that capacity
Inthis Stake uf Zion It is the ulewhen
person Is ordained TO mention the Of
fee in the Priesthood TO which he has
been appointed. II he is to be an Elder
10 ordain him an Elder with all the au-
thority etc, pertaining to that Office in
the Melchlsedec Priesthood. II a Dea-
con. TO ordain him a Deacon with all
the authority, etc. belonging to that
office in the Aaronic Priesthood.
When 1t comes to his admission into a
quorum d vote is taken by that quorum
by uplifted hands When he is ordained
he should receive a certificate Of his or.
dlnatlon, signed by the President or
secretary thereof, or both, which he
should keep as his own This he can
show to the authorities Of any quorum
or ward where he may remove 10, and
that will be HIS evidence OF ordination.
When q member OF the Church-and
every Elder or other person holding the
Priesthood Is a member-removes from /
one ward to another. he takes from the |
Bishop a certificate. This gives him a |
standing In the ward which he Joins. |
and his Elders or other certificate of .
Priesthood, is evidence to the quorum /
there. which IS sufficient. This is the /
rule In this Stake Of Zion. and no other
recommend Is required.
The Issuance OF general counsel or
rules for the observance Of the Church. /
rests with It's general authorities and .
does not deyolye upon any local au- |
thority The minutes OF the Priesthood .
meetings Of the Salt Lake Stake are
printed in the Deseret News, because
this paper is published In that Stake Of
Zion But no one connected with II
presumes TO give directions as 10 an
other Stake, or to try to regulate the
Affairs Of the Church as a whole.
one thing more. The rules adopted
and followed here were sanctioned by
former Presidents Of the Church when
submitted 10 them But the same au-
thority vested In the Prophet Joseph
smith and In President Brigham Young
belongs to the office and is held 10 thu
fullest extent by the present earthly
head Of the Church. and anything he
may decide TO be the rule or regulation
Tor today viii be and ought to be read
NY accepted and carried out as ifithad
come direct from the Prophet Joseph or
any Of his successors now departed
Uniformity In an ordinances. cere.
monies methods and procedures in the
Priesthood. Is eminently desirable. It
mas been attained 20 a remarkable ok.
tent. II there are any differences In
minor matters, they have grown out of
The personal Views OF local officers All
such things can be put right and win
be In good time but they must BE- raatI.
led and made uniform under the action
~ the general authorities OF On.
Church, with the First Presidency a,
the head. We hope this explanation
viii prove satisfactory and OF general
benefit.