Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-10-25
CLASS DISTINCTION.


The following pertinent and timely
editorial appears in the latest issue OF
the Juvenile Instructor, form the pen
Of President Joseph F. Smith. We
recommend It to the attention of every
I.atter.day Saint and especially to
those who desire 10 make separate Or
Plantations or national distinctions
among their brethren and sisters
President Smith says:
The brotherhood and common inter-
ests In the Church OF Jesus Christ OF
Latter-day Saints are among the great
characteristics Of our faith, and what
ever, therefore, tends 10 establish class
distinctions either in society or nation
alitles should be discouraged In every
way possible. God Is no Tespecter Of
persons, neither does He glorlfy one
class TO the disadvantage OF another.
A striking popularity Of the Saints
gathered from ali parts Of the earth is
that they are almost universally of the
blood of Ephralm. II they have received
the Holy Ghost they are or one spirit,
10 that whatever creates a discord In
the spirit and unity OF the Saints Is Of
evil origin. The Spirit Of God never be-
gets strife, nor does 1t set UP and insist
on distinctions among those who have
been its recipients.
There has been In some peoples minds
the thought that this or that ma
tonality was entitled TO certain recognl-
ton because OF its large numbers or
prominence in certain respects. The
affairs Of the Church are not carried on
with respect TO what Ia good or bad
polcy-there is no policy In the Church.
but that OF wisdom and truth, and ev-
eryone Of It's members should thorough
" understand that distinctions both in
classes and natonalltles are odious and
out Of harmony with the discipline and
spirit Of Church government. II man
OF one or another nationality Is honored
by any important call 1t is because OF
the spirit In the man, and not because
OF his nationality. and the Saints may
be certain that when any man makes a
demand for recognition 1t Is an assump-
ton on his part and is not in harmony
with the life and spirit Of our Master.
In the affairs Of state where there are
numerous classes and natlonalitles, II
has become q common policy to appeal
TO the selfish interests OF classes and
natlonalities But even In the state
this tendency and practice IL not con-
ducive OF the best results. We need not
be surprised II members Of the Church.
whose political enthusiasm has carried
them TO extremes, IN their demand for
political recognition sometimes carry
the same spirit into the affairs Of the
Church. The tendency Is nevertheless
an evil that the Saints should resist be-
fore II carries them beyond reason and
beyond the limits Of Church discipline
The good OF all and the fullest recog-
milton Of equality among the Saints are
fundamental In our faith, A selfish class
Is not better than selfish individual,
they are both striving to do always their
own will instead OF the will OF the
Father in heaven.
II Is very easy for those who are inn
bued with spirit OF class distinction to
find grievances with which TO excite
prejudices. Their own selfish individual
aims become their highest standard
of what Is right and what IS wrong. The
very tendency to ngItate class dlstinc-
tlons Is dangerous and should be looked
upon by the Saints everywhere with
dstrust. II spirit which demands
recognition for somebody or some class
once obtains foothold In the Church,
II would be menaced by agitators and
dlssenters everywhere. and the people
are solemnly warned against those who
crave and insist upon distinctions that
are contrary TO the genius OF tho Cos
pei, The purpose Of organizations In
the Church by which those Of different
nationalitles may meet and conduct SER
Vices in their native tongues Is TO aid
and encourage those who cannot un-
derstand the English or take part in
the exercises conducted In the language
Of their adopted country. 1t is to be
feared that some have taken advantage
OF this Circumstance TO emphasize the
importance OF their nationality
Where social clubs are gotten up for
the purpose OF promoting class dlstlnc-
tlon, or In which such distinction must
be the inevitable result, they should be
discouraged, and young people should
be warned against such organizations.
They soon lead our youth away from
the faith to worldly ideas not In har-
mony with the mission OF the Latter
day Saints.
Let us all rather rejoice in our COM
mon brotherhood, and In the oneness OF
spirit that has wrought such wonders
through the power and blessing OF God.
our happiness. our welfare. our saliva
tion all depend upon our unity. made
possible by one common spirit with
which, by the Gospel Of God, We have
been endowed.
We have the warnings Of history In
the dispensations OF Gods providence
to His children The creation Of class
dis,ihe,ions has been among the gravest
sins committed by His people and has
resulted only too often In ruin. Let the
Saints beware.
JOSEPH +. SMITH.