Answers to Questions

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Ordination of Otf in P. Rockwell. When was Orrin P. Rockwell confirmed a member of the Church,and what priesthood did he hold in 1842? The question is answered by Historian Andrew Jenson: "Or- rin Porter Rockwell was a member of the Church as early as 1838, [it is believed that he became a member of the Church in the latter part of 1830] and a conference held at Far West, Missouri, July 6, 1838, voted that he 'should receive a license as Deacon.' (See Old Far West Council Record, p. 152). I am unable to find the record of any further ordination of Orrin P. Rockwell, in Church history." The Priesthood of Sidney Rigdon. Was Sidney Rigdon ever an Apostle? If so, when was he ordained? This is also answered by Historian Andrew Jenson: "Sidney Rigdon was ordained an Elder in -the latter part of the year 1830; and a High Priest, under the hands of Lyman Wight, June 3, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. In a revelation given March 8, 1833, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were accounted as equal with Joseph Smith in holding the keys of this last kingdom. (Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 90: 6.) Ten days later, under date of March 18, 1833, Joseph the Prophet records in his history: 1 laid my hands on Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, and ordained them to take part with me in holding the keys of this last kingdom, and to assist in the presidency of the High Priest- hood as my counselors.' {Millennial Star, Vol. 14, p. 387.) These are all the ordinations of Sidney Rigdon recorded in Church his- tory. He never was ordained or numbered among the Twelve Apostles." [This incident, it may be added, is valuable as going to prove that High Priests called to the First Presidency, are "accounted

310 IMPROVEMENT ERA. as equal" with the president of the Church in holding the keys of the Presidency. Jedediah M. Grant and Daniel H. Wells, both of whom acted in the First Presidency, were High Priests, and this is also the case with the present First Counselor therein, Elder John R. Winder. None of these were ever ordained Apostles.] Questions on Tithing. What constitutes surplus property? Should the wages of hired help, taxes, interest on land under mortage, grain, or seed sown upon the land be taken out of the increase of a farm before tithing is paid? In reply to these, and many other questions upon the subject of tithing, which have been received by the Era, we can only re- fer the questioners to the revelation of the Lord, contained in sec- tion 119 in the Doctrine and Covenants. The word of the Lord is very plain, and should be easily comprehended by those who can understand the words "surplus" and "interest." It is required that surplus property, as well as one-tenth of all interests should be turned over to the bishop for certain uses in the Church. Nbw, every person is the best judge of what his interest is, of what his surplus is. In figuring them, a man should be as liberal with the Lord as he expects, and hopes, and trusts, that the Lord will be with him. This is the key to the whole situation. It is difficult for another party to answer all the questions that arise in the mind of each individual on the subject. But this idea of dealing honestly and liberally with the Lord, should enable each person to decide justly in his own case as to what his surplus and interest actually are. Every man must be his own judge, just as he must be the architect of his own salvation. People who ask, would do well to devote some time to study and thought that would enable them to find answers for their own questions. Should Church Associations Pay Tithing? Are Improvement Associations, and other Church organizations, re- quired to pay tithing? No; auxiliary and Church organizations are not individuals or persons, and hence are not required to pay tithing. In such case it would simply be taking money out of one hand and placing it in