Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-19
IMPROPER ADJUSTMENTS.


tho Deseret News 10 express the views
and explain the attitude Of the Latter
day Saints in regard to public masquer-
ades. The reason for the request Is the
participation Of some members OF the
church in those amusements, In miSea
COMPANY where DISCUSSES are worn Ny
nersons of doubtful character ana
where great freedom is INDUCED H.
causing much comment from religious
and sedate people.
we can state, without fear Of contra
d,ctlon from recognized authority, that
public masquerades, in which all kinds
Of people associate, should not De par
uclpated In by Latter-day SAINTS
There are many reasons Tor TINS
Among them are these; Such enter
talnments give license to conduct tha'
,s contrary to the spirit OF religion
They render possible the minsllns TO-
gether OF innocent and corrupt persons
whereby the weak are badly influenced
by the strong. Vice often covers itse't
with a mask and preys upon virtue
Evil is disguised so that 1t may be ms
taken for good The most abandoned
find an opportunity to come into close
companlonshlp with the pure ana uh-
sophisticated, and the restraints that
are usual in ordinary and well con-
Quoted dancing parties, are frequently
cast aside and trampled upon In the
liberty that prevails. The presence OK
Church members IN such company Is
Incongruous, and is likely to bring re-
proach upon the cause they represent
The eprit OF such gatherings Is usual
w foreign TO that OF the Gospel, and It's
influence and tendency arc In the very
opnoslte direction from that indicated by
the teachings and spirit Of the work OF
God They ted to recklessness and
abandon, and have frequently shown
their effects in utter ruin and misery
In all the world such amusements are
recognized as opportunities for the IN
diligence of frivolty and passion, ana
for the accomplishment Of base ends
and desires
Dancing, properly conducted, has been
permitted among the Latter-day Saints
because recreation Of some kind Is a
natural necessity, and this exercise IN
reason and without excess Is enjoyable
and healthful. II Is placed under the
direction OF competent persons, who are
supposed 60 keep careful watch that
decorum and order are observed, and
that no unseemly conduct Is permitted
That IS very different to the promiscu-
GUS mlngling OF different classes OF per-
sons. whose features are disguised, ana
some Of whom avail themselves OF such
opportunities to mix with the respecta-
BE and honorable who would not other-
wise be seen in their society.
There may be nothing Objectionable IN
n private party, where none but friends
and relatives associate, personatins an
ferent historic characters for innocent
amusement. Such masquerade might
have nothing In 1t OF evil in spirit or
results. But frequent indulgence In that
may lead the young and unthlnking to
run into the drift of public masquer-
AIDES wherein lurk all the dangers we
hnye mentioned and many more
Therefore great caution ought TO De
had In regard even to private amuse-
ments OF that character.
II is right TO provide Innocent recrea'
ton. When 1t is possible, this should
be combined with improvement. That
is not always practicable. There Is no
harm IN fun OF Itself. when not carried
10 extremes II Is beneficial sometimes tc
cast off all care and thought and ankle
~. and this cannot be done when
amusement requires Study or any grea'
mental exertien. So long as the amuso-
ment is not injurious ~ mind body OF
morality. there is no law. human or d.
vine, against IT, But there must b'
no excess Too much laughter Is sin
Temperance in all things Is the right
guide Immodorate dancing, reckless
behavior. anything that violates deeen'
cy or shocks modesty is wrong ant
should be avoided
True religion does not forbid ans
kind Of rational enjoyment In modera'
lion. II promotes pleasure, 1t inspires
happiness. it leads 10 perfect Joy II
suggests self-restraint from wrongdo
ing. It regulates human conduct fol
the general welfare II forblds all tina
Is sinful and leads TO real temperance
For in RETAINING from that which u
evil and unseemly, greater happiness
results than from yielding TO evil o.
from over-lndulgence in anything
Members OF the Church should neve
FORGET. under any circumstances on u
any society. that they are called 70 b
saints and Hight and a pattern e
the world. They have a special mis-
sion 10 perform. Any conduct on thai
part which justiGes unlavorablc com
ment from outsldcrs reflects upon th
faith they have embraced ANA hinder
the progress il ought TO make omoni
mankind Il Is true that What pcopl
do does not really affect a principle
Dut the human mind in as impcriec
development frequently IL thus i'm
pressed. and people viii judge a caus
by the conduct of its representative
Therefore Latter-day Saints shoul
avoid even the appearance u evil an
never take a course which Will brla
reproach upon themselves or their rc