The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-10-08
A REACTIoNARY CONFERENCE.

The Mormon conference, which
closed in this city on Sunday. was de-
! cidelly OF 4 rcactiouary character. Ii
appears that the church leaders are
not vet ready to give up their control
in temporal affairs; and the last day
Of the conference was given up alto
gcther to the enforcement Of the doc
trinc that the members must obey the
counsel of the priesthood in temporal
as well as spiritual things
The occasion for this cbullition of re-
dictionary assertions of control which
is really impracticabIe, and which is
also offensive and dangerous when sp-
piled in republic, appears to have
been the remarks Of Elder Brigham
II. Roberts on Saturday, which Presi-
dent Smith took occasion to supplement
and controvert Immediately upon their
utterance, and from thenceforward the
tone of the conference was reactionary,
and every speaker was required to give
in his adherence TO the vicious doctrine
that the priesthood has the right Of di-
!
dangerous for an individual TO act
upon his own Judgment in any matter
OF consequence, temporal or spiritual.
When any question Of that kind arises.
IT is his duty, 1T appears, to apply him
self TO prayer and to ask counsel of his
supcriors in the church. and having
asked this counsel, he is in danger of
being relegated to utter darkness, as
one speaker expressed it, or as being
lifted up in pride. as Apostle Joseph
Smith. IT., expressed it, a condition
which is, Of course. utterly reprehen-
sblc aud much to he censurcd by those
who wish to reserve to themselves the
right of counsel and direction to all of
their followers in every concern of life
ii he disregards that counsel.
1t is interesting to note that at the
very time that this injunction of sur
rendering personal opinion and liberty
OF judgment and action to the guidance
of the priesthood is inculcated as the
chief duty of the Saints, there is run
ming right along with it an apparent
admission that every individual in the
church is absolutely free to take his
own course according TO his own iudg-
mcnt. The impossibility of doing both
of these things appears 10 be lost sight
of in the turmoil Of the contention
But upon cooling off and looking tho
matter squarelv in the face. the i'm.
possibility of recouciling this complete
freedom of personal Judgment and of
action IN the Individual. with the claim
that every individual must submit to
the guidance OF his superior in tenn.
poral as well as civil affairs, must bc
plainly evident to every one. Or: is il
meant that in tue language of the
older time. teveyyoue eau 60 10 hell
II he wants 10. and will surely 20 to
hell if he sets up ms independent iudg
ment against the counsel of the priest
hood,
The claim Of the president OF the
church that his counsel is God : coun.
sci l. not sufficient 70 reconcile the
coutrariety OF terms involved in the
two propositions that an individual is
absolutely free 10 take his own course
and also that every individual in the
church must submit TO the counsel and
guidance Of his ecclesiastical superiors.
~ IS matter OF curious interest TO
see that the most radical claim. OF the
: past with regard 10 the power of tho
j priesthood over the individual mem bers
I OF the church Is reasserted in quite the
\ old form and with quite the old posi-.
uEeness and insIstence We NAV be
allowed 10 nope however, that this is
the expiring gasp OF the truculeut AN.
tocrscv OF the priesthood. for il is A
position Impossible 70 be maintained
along with the position which tho Nor
mons constantly assert of their invi.
I yidual freedom and il is also impos.