Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-10-17
"MoRMoN" TRIBUNALS.

In every organized body Of re-
lglous worshlppers there are rules
and regulations for The conduct
of members which they are eX-
pected to observe and for the Viola
ton Of which they are rendered subject
to church discipline. In the Church OF
Jesus Christ OF Laatter-day Saints
these are made definite and explicit
They are simple and Of general appu-
cation throughout the Church. In cases
of difficulty between members, tand TINS
term covers all It's officials. for they
are members rs well rs ollcersD there
Is course OF procedure, which Is uni
versally taught. First, the aggrleVed
person should seek directly to effect
reconciliation With the OFFENDED. When
this cannot be done. the teachers who
visit the latter. or someone specially
selected, should endeayor 70 bring
about a satisfactory settlement. When
this means fails, charge may b. pre-
ferred before the Blshopric Of the ward
to which the offender belongs. Both
sides are entitled to a fair hearing, In
person and with witnesses who are
Church members.
When a decision is rendered. II II Is
not satisfactory 90 either party an APP
peal can be taken TO the Presidency
and High Council OF the Stake Of Zion
In which that ward s situated. This
body will proceed to investigate the
matter, and after hearing both sides
carefully, will affirm or set aside or
modify, the decision OF the Bishops
court and render justice to the parties
involved,
II IL appears that even then either
party to the suit Il wronged, the First
Presidency Of the Church may be APP
pealed TO- who will inquire into the
case and pass upon the matter and de-
eide whether il Is entitled to n rehear'
ing or otherwise. In case Of improper
and unchristan like conduct ON the
rart Of any member Of the Church.
charge with specifications may be made
20 the Blshopric OF his or her ward, ana
the same procedure be followed
The tribunals mentioned are required
to act in all patience fairness and
equity, without regard to personal feel
ings or ends and with n view TO render
strict justice according to the evidence
presented. There is ample opportunity
given always for the presentation Of
both sides to a charge or q difficulty
and there Is no better, or falrer, or more
satisfactory method for the purpose in
any society community or nation than
that established in this Church by rev.
elatlon from the Most High God.
There is no need for any member OF
the Church to take steps for the settle
ment Of disputes. the correction OF
wrongs and the adjudication Of offcnses
so far as they relate TO membership IN
the Church. outside Of these established
regulations. II they do so, such means
are not recognized by the Church or
any Of its authorities and there is no
necessity for them, unless II may be in
matters that can only be settled in a Sc.
cular civil or criminal court There are
some land affairs, for instance, TO set.
tie the question Of titles and similar
causes, which can only be adiudlcated
in court Of law. Violations Of the
laws Of the land. too, require proceed.
ings before criminal tribunals The
law Of God recognizes them in their
sphere, and the courts Of the Church
do not attempt to invade their prerosa-
tyes or TO interfere with their decis.
ions. The tribunals OF the Church ana
those Of the State are separate ana dis
tinct. and one should not and does not
infringe upon the other
These are simple matters with which
all well-informed Latter-day Saints
are familiar We refer to them now so
that there may be q general under
standing concerning them, as some PEG.
pie do not pay sufficient attention 10
them, and therefore are liable 90 be led
astray by designing persons and thus
take a course which is contrary TO the
law OF the Lord. the discipline OF the
Church and the straight lge Of rect-
tude and common sense We also de-
sire TO lmpart this much ~ informa-
ton concerning the subject for the en-
lightenment OF people outside the
Church who are not acquainted with
It's manner Of conducting Church trials
and the settlement Of disputes between
Church memhars.