Editor's Table: Where and How Counsel Should be Sought; Joseph Smith, the Prophet; Book Mention

WHERE AND HOW COUNSEL SHOULD BE SOUGHT. The attention of the young men in the Church is called to the need of conforming to the order of the Church in matters of diffi- culty that may arise between brethren, and members and officers, and also in other things where counsel is sought. It is often said that the organization of our people is very perfect. Many men of the world, who regard us little for our religion, have admired our organization, instituted as we declare by the inspiration 'of the Father to his servants who were instrumental under his direction in founding this work. The youth of Zion should remember that the foundation prin- ciple in settling difficulties lies in the persons themselves who are in difficulty making the adjustments and settlements. If those who vary cannot adjust their differences, it is infinitely more diffi- cult, if not impossible, for a third or fourth party to create har- mony between them. In any event, such outside parties can only aid the contending persons to come to an understanding. But, in case it is necessary to call in the Priesthood as a third party, there is a proper order in which this should be done. If no conclusion can be arrived at, in a difficulty or difference be- tween two members of the Church, the ward teachers should be called to assist; failing then, appeal may be had to the bishop, then to the high council of the stake,and only after the difficulty has been tried before that body should the matter ever come be- fore the general presiding quorum of the Church. It is wrong to disregard any of these authorized steps, or authorities. It is

EDITORS TABLE. 231 wrong, generally, to bring a matter before the bishop before it has been passed upon by the teachers; so, also, before the high coun- cil, before it has been heard by the bishop, and to the Presidency of the Church, apart from rare and exceptional cases, before it has been a subject for consideration by the high council. This matter is generally understood in cases of difficulty, but does not seem to be so well understood in what may be termed smaller, but nevertheless quite as weighty, subjects. We often find instances where the counsel, advice and judgment of the priesthood next in order is entirely overlooked or completely dis- regarded. Men go to the president of the stake for counsel when, in reality, they should consult their teachers or bishop; and often come to the First Presidency, apostles, or seventies when the presi- dent of their stake has never been spoken to. This is wrong, and not at all in compliance with the order of the Church. The priest- hood of the ward should never be overlooked in any case where the stake authorities are consulted; nor should the stake authorities be disregarded that the counsel of the general authorities may be ob- tained. Such a course of disregarding the proper local officers is neither in conformity with the Church instructions and organizer tion, nor conducive to good order. It creates confusion. Every officer in the Church has been placed in his position to magnify the same, to be a guardian and counselor of the people. All should be consulted and respected in their positions, and never overlooked in their places. That the labors of the general authorities might the more be spent in the promulgation of the Gospel to the nations. President Snow was inspired, just before his death, to call attention to and emphasize this order of government and to show that the respon- sibility, especially of the government of the stakes, should be and is placed on the stake authorities who, of necessity, must look to their ward authorities for aid. That this order may be the more effectual, the people must learn that the ward and stake author- ities must be respected in their places, must be looked to for the settlement of difficulties, for counsel, for advice in business, for religious instruction, and the settlement of doctrinal questions in conformity with the revealed' word, and for all other matters where counsel is sought, always bearing in mind the order of appeal from

232 IMPROVEMENT ERA. one to another, from the lowest to the highest. The counsel of the priesthood should be diligently sought, and the authorities, all along the line, should be faithfully upheld; no officer, under the influence of his calling, will fail to seek the Spirit of God that he may perform his duties efficiently; and, if he is in doubt, he should seek the counsel and advice of his suporior, in all things, just as the presidency and apostles ever seek the Father for light and knowledge. In this way only can prevail that harmony and unity which are characteristic of the Church of Christ. The responsibility also of this great work is thus placed upon the laboring priesthood, who share it with the general authorities; and, thus likewise, the perfection, strength and power of Church organization shine forth with clearer lustre. Joseph F. Smith. JOSEPH SMITH, THE PROPHET. In accordance with the very timely and appropriate sugges- tion of the First Presidency of the Church, the ninety-sixth anni- versary of the birthday of the Prophet Joseph, was fittingly remem- bered in all the cities and settlements of Zion, this year, by special commemorative services, held in all the wards on Sunday, December 22nd. It is specially proper to hold in sacred remembrance, and to teach the youth to honor, his name, owing to the great mission which he was permitted to perform in the establishment of the Church of Christ upon the earth, which he did notwithstanding the persecution which he was compelled to undergo. He taught men the gospel, after it had been taken away from the earth, and was instrumental in sustaining and reestablishing the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ as no other man has done in the Christian era. He stands next to the Savior as the leader of the Dispensa- tion of the Fullness of Times, the revealer of truth and the way of life. Hence it is most fitting that his name should be held in

EDITOR'S TABLE. 233 sacred remembrance by the Saints, and that the children of Zion should be taught to honor his memory. This people in the past have been involved in the building and formation of a new and undeveloped country, in which labor they have spent their energies to lay the foundation for the present prosperous material conditions. They have scarcely had time to dwell upon birth or death, or the glorious mission of the prophets of God; and it is true that Joseph Smith and his mission have not always received that recognition that his labor, and its importance and magnitude should demand. It is, therefore, pleasing and appropri- ate, and will result in good, that his name and mission should be held in remembrance as on the occasion referred to; and it is to be hoped that now, when the people have more time for thought, and leisure to devote to their spiritual welfare, that the Prophet's an- niversary will be held, from this time forth, in sacred remembrance, and his glorious mission in daily sacred reverence. Time admonishes us that his centennial natal day is close at hand; and, at that time, nothing could be more fitting than, its universal celebration by the Saints of God, in some appropriate man- ner that would tend to build his monument, not only in perishable stone and marble, but more particularly in the hearts and lives, the everlasting memory, of the Saints, and the youth of Israel. BOOK MENTION. Rhymelets in Many Moods. "Rhymelets in Many Moods" is the title of the first volume of the Home Circle Series, and is a book of poems by Henry W. Naisbitt. It contains four hundred pages of selected poems from the volum- inous writings of this well-known, home author, who justly contends that his poems have been inspired by the faith, associations, and experiences of a long and active life in Utah. In his exordium to