Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-03-17
RIGHTS OF RELIEF SOCIETIES.

This is the slxtieth anniversary of the
organization Of the Relief society OF
the Church by the Prophet Joseph
Smith. II Is being celebrated by the Ia
dies Of the society IN this stake, with
appropriate services and rejoielngs, and
the wisdom OF It's establishment Is uni
yersaly recognized by the Latter-day
Saints. It's branch societies extend
throughout the land Of Zion and into
many foreign nations and the work II
Ia accomplishing Is beneficial and of
untold value We congratulate the sis
ters on the progress made by this ex-
cellent organization
II appears that Notwithstanding the
pointed Instructions that have been
given out By the Church authorities,
IN reference 20 wheat stored BY Relief
Societies IN accordance with counsel
given many years ago on that subject,
some Of the local authorities will dis
pose Of the wheat against the wishes
Of those societies. This occasions much
ill-feellng and the practice ought to be
stopped The wheat thus laid by
through the care OF the ladies' belong
ing to the Relief Societies, is not the
property OF the ward nor Of It's Bishop.
II belongs TO the society that has stor-
ed II. No disposition Of it Without the
consent and goodwill of that%ociety
is proper but Is in violation Of repeated
instructions from the Presidency of the
Church
The Deseret News will not undertake
70 decide any question Of dispute be-
tween members Of ward and it's Bish-
op. The Presidency OF the Stake
wherein that ward exists should be APP
pealed TO, In any case Of that kind. II
satisfaction cannot then be had the
matter can be laid before the Presden-
cy of the Church, who viii see that
justice IL done and that right prevails.
The First Presidency, however. should
not be pestered with original com
plants. Local matters should be dis
posed Of locally whenever that is posi-
bic. Members should not jump over the
heads OF their Bishops to the First
Presidency, or to the Presidency of The
Stake, hut settle such affairs as belong
to the Bishopric with the Bishop and
his counselors first, There is pro-
per order to be observed In the Church
and 1t should be strictly adhered to.
Individual cases ought not to be pre-
scented TO the Deseret News for a de-
clsion or an opinion. Each ease has
some difference to that Of others.
There are also two sides, at least, 10
every question and both must be heard
before a just Judgment can be rem
dered II Is not the province Of this
paper to settle such disputes. We can
give information and explanation on
general principles, when they are Of
sufficient Importance to engage public
attention But the Bishops courts and
the High Councils are organized for
the purpose Of settling difficulties. and
they must be respected In the positions
to which they have been appointed.
We have given a general answer. to
the question of the disposal OF wheat
belonging to Relief Societies but do
net attempt to decide any special dis
pute between Il society and the Bishop
Of the ward wherein It Is organized
Circumstances sometimes arise which
render necessary action that may not
be strictly within the lines Of rigid
ruler II o Bishop steps outside those
limits improperly the Presidency Of the
stake "a the proper body TO settle any
conflict that may thus be caused. on
general principles, however. the great
,st care should be exercised to preyen
ruch disputes. and the rights OF in
iiyiduals. OF associations, and Of al
persons and bodies should be respeetei
Ind never inffinged upon.