Questions and Answers

232 IMPROVEMENT ERA. aged, but that caution should be exercised, and care taken that the bounds of the possible are not overstepped. Nationally and locally, business is whirling at a fearful speed, and much is being done on credit, without solid backing. Railroads, and combinations of all kinds, are reaching out with what appears heedless recklessness, and speculation is rife in everything and everywhere. Some day the money kings will wake up alarmed, and begin to pull the reins on the steeds of speculation; it is then the borrower will first feel the check. We owe it to ourselves, to be so situated that the bit shall not injure us too much. Let us abide where we can safely "get out from inunder." Our safety lies in having the money to uphold our projects; and in being out of debt as far as possible. May the new year bring peace, blessings, and prosperity to the Saints, and to the honest in heart, the world over. Joseph F. Smith. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. A Member's First Duty. What is the first duty a man should attend to, where his duties in the Church conflict? For example, where a general quorum meeting conflicts with one called by the president of a stake, or bishop of a ward. There should be no need of conflict. It is well known that a president of a stake has jurisdiction over every member of his stake; as a bishop, under the president, has over his ward. Mem- bers of general quorums must take other days and hours for special quorum meetings than such hours as are already set aside for regu- lar or special stake or ward meetings. The first duty of Seventies, as well as members of all other quorums, and of auxiliary organi- zations, is to honor their membership in the Church, as they can not magnify their priesthood unless they are good members. On the other hand, presidents of stakes and ward bishops will find it to their advantage, and to the advancement of their work, to encourage the workers of every organization and quorum, and the work of each should be so distributed among members that one man shall not have too many duties. The best results accrue where many men are called, and where each man has his given duty to perform. The harmful practice of loading one man with too much

EDITOR'S TABLE. 233 to do, with too many offices, is thus avoided. In this connection, a word of caution is not amiss to those who have the selection of officers, or men for position. It is very important that men fitted for the place should be chosen. It is not best, for instance, to select a young man whose sole desire 13 to work in the Sunday school, to preside over the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Asso- ciation; nor to select a good leader to be a follower, nor a follower to be a leader. Good judgment should be exercised and a knowl- edge of men displayed, if the best results are to be attained. Calling in the Priesthood. Does an elder, by virtue of his priesthood have the authority to baptize whenever and whomsoever he may wish, or must he act under the direction of some presiding authority? He must act under presiding authority. While he has author- ity to baptize, always, it would be improper for him to exercise such authority, in an organized ward or branch of the Church, without being called by proper presiding authority to act in his office and priesthood. If he is abroad, the presiding authority of the Church has called him; but even then, he is subject to the pre- siding authority of the mission in which he labors. There is quite as much need to properly recognize one's calling in the Church, as one's authority, for without the calling, the authority to baptize and perform many other labors, lies dormant. Men may have different callings, but the same priesthood and authority. A member of a quorum has just as much priesthood or authority as his president, but his calling is different, and it would not be right for him to act in quorum capacity without a call from his presiding brother. How to Decide Doctrinal Questions. Where two writers, in as many Church works, hold to different opinions on a question, as is sometimes the case, how am I to know which is correct, or which is the view held by the Church? The revelations of God are the standards of correctness. When a difference appears in writers, the enquirer must reach the truth by examination from that standpoint. If it can not be reached by the word of the Lord in the standard Church works: the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, the enquirer must wait until it shall please the Father to give more light on the subject by revelation.