Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-22
CHANGES IN PRESIDENCY

Tho radical changes in the Summit
staks of Zion will no doubt occasion
n,ucb surprise. At the meeting of the
priesthood Of that Stake on Sunday
morning, which was attended by three
of Inc Apostles, acting under instrue-
tions from the First Presidency, the
stake was disorganized. The action was
endorsed by the people assembled IN the
afternoon. This unusual step was tax
on because It had been determined by
the General Authorities Of the Church
that thorough change in the affairs
of the stake was necessary, and this
was the readiest way to effect 1t thor
oughly
President W. W. Clun has presided
over the summit Stake for twenty -four
years. lie has been identified with Its
interests from the beginning, He has
been is only president He has rem
dered il invaluable service His abili-
ties have been Of the kinds that were
suited TO the position While he Is spir-
Itually minded and ready to discourse
on the doctrines Of the Church, he is
also a practical man, active In tenn
poral labors and anxious to advance the
interests Of the people in every capac-
lty. He has been distinguished for his
numerous talents He has been one
Of Utah's prominent legislators ana
has presided over the Council He has
filed half dozen foreign missions, in
Guiding those to the Hawaiian Islands
and 10 Scandinavia, in both Of which he
presided He has been engaged in nu-
merous enterprises Of benefit to the
community, and Is universally respected
as an honorable and valued citizen.
lie VIII be succeeded in his presi-
dency Of Summit Stake by Elder Moses
W. Taylor, son Of the late President
John Taylor, whose appointment was
accepted on Sunday at the special
meetings held in Coalyille, particulars
Of which are given In another part of
this issue Of the Deseret News, He is
a comparatively young but by no means
inexperienced man, and will take hold
Of the affairs OF the Stake with vigor
and discretion. He has not yet Sc
selected his counselors. The Bishops
and counselors in the respective wards
VIII act as usual. until their successors
are appointed and sustained.
The News has commented on the
necessity for changes in the presi-
denotes Of Stakes and wards, and on
the error Of the notion that these posi-
tons were to be for life or until the
incumbents were held as in transgres-
sion. Men have no permanent claim
upon the right to preside They con-
tlnue until released, that is all 1t does
not follow, because change is con-
sidered wise by those who
have the authority TO direct.
that the officer removed is in any way
under censure. Every Elder in the
Church is expected to hold himself
ready to serve in such capacity as hla
labors may be required, and to step
aside when they are considered sufti-
Client or change is thought advisable.
II is the same with local presidencies
In Zion, as It is with missions abroad.
When release comes It should be ac-
cepted as readily ms the appointment
was, The glory Of man is not to be
sought for; the welfare Of the Church,
the salvation Of mankind, and the glory
OF God are the chief ends in view.
The responsibility of taking the
charge OF men and women whose tenn
peraments. habits and tastes are as
various as their countenances. who
come from different countries and are
thrown together In community, Is no
sineeure and is rarely viewed in its
true value When the time comes to be
relieved Of such care and labor and an
xiety as are necessarily attached to
the Office, there should be no reluctance
to LET go Of the reins and resign them
to other hands. And II the word comes
from those who have the right to de-
elde' "Well done, good and faithful
servant" the rest that follows should
be accepted with JOY, and the plaudit
should be received with satisfaction.
There will doubtless be other changes
In the management OF Stake and ward
affairs, and every presiding officer
should be on the alert, ready " con.
hnue at work or ready 10 step down
and out when the word shall come.
The Injunction may with propriety be
suggested 10 all who are In office. BE
ye also ready" And every man in
such position should remember. that
While presidency is but temporary and
lasts only for little season. the Priest.
hood Is eternal, and viii never die or
be taken from its possessor except by
transgresslon ana judgment The au.
thority that It bears Is enduring in
TINS world ana perpetual in an worlds
TO come.
a QUESTION OF ETYMOLoGY.