Danger in Division

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children to cry for something to eat on fast day. In such cases^ going without food will do them no good. Instead, they dread the day to come, and in place of hailing it, dislike it; while the com- pulsion engenders a spirit of rebellion in them, rather than a love for the Lord and their fellows. Better to teach them the princi- ple, and let them observe it when they are old enough to choose intelligently, than to so compel them. But those should fast who can, and all classes among us should be taught to save the meals which they would eat, or their equiva- lent, for the poor. None are exempt from this; it is required of the Saints, old and young, in every part of the Church. It is no excuse that in some places there are no poor. In such cases the fast donation should be forwarded to the proper authorities for transmission to such stakes of Zion as may stand in need. So shall we gain favor in the sight of God, and learn the acceptable fast before him. So shall it be declared to us as to Israel of old: "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Hear I am. And if thou draw out thy soul to the hun- gry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light lise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places. Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The re- pairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." Joseph F. Smith.

DANGER IN DIVISION. There great danger in division. is The Savior declared, concerning his church: "There shall be onefold and one shepherd/' a declaration implying the absolute need of union. Union has

150.                      IMPROVEMENT ERA.
     

been a powerful feature in the establishment of the Church in these times; the same spirit has actuated all who have yielded obedience to the initiating ordinances of the gospel. It has been

possible to establish the Church and unify the people, because of the spirit and testimony enjoyed by all who have received the Holy Ghost. Different peoples, speaking different tongues, have yet enjoyed the same spirit and testimony to such an extent that what has been accomplished seems marvelous in the eyes of men and women who do not understand the force that has bound the Saints together, and assimilated their thoughts and actions. The chosen of Israel from many nations have been gathered into one, at the gathering place of the saints, the Zion of our God, and thenceforth all were one in Christ with the Church in all things. Organizations for Church services, for training of children and young people, and for edification in the word of God, have been established, that all might be blest and built up in their faith un- der the leadership and tuition of the priesthood. Even amuse- ments have been and are being so conducted. Whatever of old traditions and false notions remained with the converts, the gos- pel largely assisted them in overcoming, and they became a people of one language and one spirit, enthusiastically bent upon accom- plishing their part in the great work of the latter-days, of which they had received a strong testimony of the Father. >

There is no selfishness in his work. Neither is there policy. No class, nor party, nor faction, nor family, is recognized. It is contrary to the spirit of the gospel for any man to seek power, and strength, and advantage, and prestige, by separating any num- ber of people into a faction, and then use such factional organiza- tion or number as a whip over the whole body to command his personal wishes. These things may be common in politics, much to the detriment of the people and state or nation, but can never obtain in the Church. The Church is provided with so many priesthood organizations that only these can be recognized therein. No outside organiza- tion is necessary. There is no call for individuals to organize clubs, or special gatherings in social, educational, or national capacity, in order to express wishes or desires for reforms that can always be expressed in the organizations that already exist in the

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Church. There is enough to do in the general ward organizations, under Church control, to fill all requirements, to satisfy all right- eous ambitions, and to develop the latent talent of the people. It

is neither proper nor necessary to establish further public organ- izations under individual leadership, unsanctioned by the Church authorities. If further public organizations are required, they will be founded by proper authority, when it can be proved that there is indeed any need for them. Such separate action leads to clannishness, conflict and disunion, and is not pleasing in the sight of God. Where men are ambitious to show their ability and fitness as leaders, teachers, organizers, champions of a righteous cause, or saviors of men, let them develop these qualities in the many suit- able organizations now existing in the Church, which are waiting yea, often crying aloud —for men with just such superior ability.

This course, pursued with the right spirit, will do good, and meet the blessings of the Lord; while the other, by playing upon their pride of nationality, their natural desire to conquer, and their sectional clannishness, will lead to schisms among the people that will finally cause them to lose the spirit of the gospel. No member of the Church should be led away by men who under any pretext seek to induce them to become members of any organization, secret, social, or otherwise, outside of the control of the Church. When solicited to so join, ask yourselves if such action leads to peace and union, or to strife and dissensions. When you have thought the request over, ask yourselves if consent leaves you with a peaceful, good spirit, and love for your brethren, or with hatred and contention rankling in your breast. Then, don't hurry about action, till you have asked the Lord, or sought the counsel of your

brethren in authority. No man's selfish aims should become your standard of right and wrong. It is easy for selfish men to find plausible excuses for their grievances, and to erect them as cri-

terions of justice. There is a proper way to settle all grievances, and it is not by taking the law in one's own hands; neither is it by abusing the brethren, and laying before the world their sins, faults and failings, of which, for aught you know, they may have re- pented sincerely, and obtained forgiveness of God— even as all hope, who repent.