Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-12
REMOVALS AND CHANGES.

There have been number OF changes
recently in the officers Of several Stakes
OF Zion. New Presidents and
Counselors, High Councillors, Blsh-
ops and Counselors and other local
authorities, have been appointed, or
dalned and set apart to their respective
callings. This has very naturally
evoked some comment and remarks are
made that indicate a misunderstanding
Of the causes leading to those results.
It does not follow because brethren
are removed, or permitted TO resign
from positions In Church government,
that II Is IN consequence OF any derelic-
ton Of duty, or any blame attaching to
them or any misconduct In oiilce, or
any desire on the part Of the members
under their direction that there should
be a change. 1t is the welfare Of the
whole body that Is sought, and fire.
quently the necessity Of giving a rest to
veterans who have for a long time
borne the burden and heat Of the day
The position OF presidency over
Ward or Stake OF Zion is not necessar-
lily Of life tenure. II Is not limited or
extended to good behavior" 1t is to
last only as long as II Is considered
wise TO continue II. A change may be
made by the general authorities of the
Church whenever the spirit suggests 1t,
or circumstances require II. The PRIEST
hood held by any man ordained to II
abides forever, unless It Is taken from
him for transgression or misconduct.
Presiding authority In that Priesthood
is another thing 1t continues only so
long as he Is sustained in his position.
by those who preside over him and by
the people over whom he presides.
When he retires, by accepted resigna-
ton or removal, he retains his Priest
hood just the same, and will have 1t not
only while he lives in the flesh but ever
afterward. II he is faithful.
Every servant Of God should be will
ing to serve in any position to which he
may be called by proper authority. He
should be just as willing to step out of
II when the same authority so directs,
He did not seek the place; he should be
ready to surrender 1t when required
There is no application. or solicitation,
or schemlng to obtain authority In the
Holy Priesthood. 1t does not come by
such means, There is no oifice-seeking
IN this Church. Any evidence Of such
ambition or aspiration would most like
ly be fatal TO success. The will OF the
Lord Is supreme In these matters,
whether It be In accepting or In retir-
inr from positions OF trust and respon-
sibility.
II will be seen In looking at the ac-
counts given Of the changes that have
been made. that the retiring officers
are usually released with the confidence
and blessing Of the Church authorities,
and Of the people over whom they have
presided. Their faithful labors are APP
preoiated, They have served the peo-
pie and the cause long and diligently,
and they are honored while they are
given a little rest In most localities
they are feasted and congratulated, and
expressions Of love and esteem assure
them OF the appreciation Of the people,
and Of the servants of the Lord who
have the oversight OF Church affairs.
We make these explanations that
there may be no misunderstanding
about these changes. And that our
brethren who have for 80 many years
labored Tor the benefit OF the Saints,
and for the glory of God, not seeking
personal advantage but striving for the
salvation Of mankind and the building
up Of Zion, may feel that in being re-
lieved Of arduous duties, they are not
demeaned, or thrust aside, or deprived
OF any rights or privileges OF the Holy
Priesthood, but simply permitted to
rest, that younger or more vigorous
men may do the work and bear the bur
dens Of office
No one but those who have thus
worked for the public good without pc
cuniary reward, can fully understand
the many cares Of office and the time
spent gratultously for the public bene-
At. There should be no regrets when
such officials are honorably released
from thesa responsibilities, but all
should join In a hearty God bless
them" with wishes for their happiness
and peace in time and eternity The
Deseret News unites with the Saints IN
these sentiments towards all the veter-
ans who have retired from presiding
places. and at the same time hopes that
the new incumbents may prove as
worthy and successful as their prede-
cessors.