Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-02-05
AS TO SECRET socIE TIES

President Joseph f. Smith In a
signed editorial In the current number
OF the Improvement l,ra, states that
questions are frequently received con-
corning secret societies and the stand
the Church ought to take IN
regard to them. How strict
shan we be with young men
who have joined?r Is there any
harm in Joining secret society whose
aims are only fraternal and charlta-
ble?p ''Why is II wrong TO join pro-
tective society with view only OF pro-
tecting ones family?" Such are the
Questions asksd. The reply given by
the President of the Church Is direct
and to the point 1t should be read and
carefully considered by every member
Of the Church. We reproduce 1t. for
the benefit OF the readers OF the
News"
1T is a well known truth that the
counsel OF the First Presidency OF the
Church, in all cases. has been and Is
against our brethren Joining secret or
CARNATIONS for any purpose whatso-
ever, and that wherever any Of them
fLys already Joined, they have been
end are counseled TO withdraw them
selves from such organizations, as soon
as circumstances permit and wisdom
dictates. in taking this position, there
has not been, neither is II intended
that there shall be, any controversy
with the societies, and with their aims
and objects. The merits Of the various
orders are not considered at all their
aims may be ever so worthy and their
objects ever SO commendable. That
matter does not enter into the Discus
sion, 80 far as q member OF our Chureh
Is concerned.
.srhe gospel OF Jesus Christ Is true,
ana is a power unto salvation. temporal
and spiritual, A man who complies In
every respect herewith has everything
that any society can Offer with count
less truths and consultations added
But seek ye first the kingdom OF
God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto YOU
The Church is diyinely organized, and
In that organization there is provision
for the development and practice OF
every virtue known, every charity re-
vealed. For this reason and for It's
promises of eternal life and glory the
gospel and the Church diyinely estab-
llshed for It's PRONUNCIATION, should be
nearer and dearer to a follower OF
Christ than all other things. No man
can serve two masters; for either he
Will hate the one, and love the other;
or else he viii hold to the one and des-
pse the other. Ye cannot serve God and
Mammon.'
1T Is true that many OF our people
have been led to join these various So
cleties on the ground that their aims
and objects are purely charitable and
social In their character and, besides,
Inducements are held out procuring life
Insurance at greatly reduced rates.
Nov, however worthy their aims and
objects-and there Is no controversy on
this polnt-they are outside the pale
OF the Church, and by joining them,
young men divide with handmade or
carnations their allegiance 10 the
Church, which, for the love Of Christ
and the glorious and eternal promises
OF His Gospel demands their all. In
joining other societies than the Church,
young men render themselves liable to
have their feelings, in whole or In part,
aiienated from the Church, for where
their treasures arc--social, fratefnal,
charitable. financial--there also VIII
their hearts be found. Gradually, too
OF first imperceptibly, perhaps, the So
ciety win exert an influence that viii
have a tendency 10 withdraw the mar
from the Church, on the principle thai
every organization, like every creature
with life. looks to its self-preseryatior
first He that is not with me d
against me- and he that gathereth moi
with me soatiereih'
"Then come the plausible iinaneia
excuses IN the way of insurance and W.
have young men pleading for them
selves OF their families at death-pro
yldlng FOR the future. That is a natura
feeling, but II II cannot be sailsile'
without the risk Of our losing the spiri
Of the Gospel. OF what benefit is it
For what Is man prohted, u he shal
gain the whole world and lose his owl
soui?'
Ambition to be rich, says Paul
browns mems souls. We have man
examples In the Church OF brethren VIII
have made shlpwreck OF their faith be
cause OF their inordina,e desire to gath
er weaith-to provide for their children
and families. In some cases they eaine'
the wealth: in others they died poor
but. in either event. they lost the faith
and often their children, whom the.
provided or sought to provide for. hav
squandered their inheritance. or ar
Without hope in Christ Jesus. dealt
finding them bankrupt for eternity
They accen,rate the present and TEN
poral. forgetting the kingdom OF Go
and their inheritance therein, which ar
the great essentials. on the contrary
there are hundreds Of Saints who hav
died poor in this worlds goods. bu
with q faith surprising understanding
: Their children have struggled with tn
World. buoyed up BY the rich treasure