The following passage is found in the Doctrine and Covenants, page
266, new edition—
"Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations,
and is without beginning of days or end of years. And the Lord
confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all
their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth
forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God. And
this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key
of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is
manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the
priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the
flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the
Father, and live."
There are some ideas associated with these principles which I will
briefly refer to. We have assembled here to more perfectly organize
the Church of God in this place; to establish a Stake; to select,
appoint and set apart the necessary officers there for. Our President
has been moved upon to call upon the Twelve to go through the
Territory and attend to these matters, in accordance with a revelation
which makes it the duty of the Twelve "to ordain and set in order all
the officers of the Church;" to see that the Church is "righted up" in
all its various departments, and in the organization of its various
quorums; where it is necessary that Stakes should be organized
organize them; and to see that all the quorums and officers be placed
in their proper position so that they will work harmoniously and
according to the revelations and order of God. The growth of the
Church and the changes continually taking place render it necessary
that this work to which we have been called be attended to. It is very
desirable and necessary, too, that every man should understand his
true position in the Church; that he may the better magnify his
calling, and attend to every duty devolving upon him. In the
organization of a Stake of Zion, as revealed, there should be a
President with two Counselors, to preside over all the officers,
authorities and people of that Stake. There should also be a High
Council con sisting of Twelve Councilors presided over by the
President of the Stake and his two Counselors. There should also be a
High Priests' Quorum, with a President and two Counselors to preside
over all the High Priests in the Stake.
The Elders' Quorum should be composed of ninety-six Elders, presided
over by a President and two Counselors, and when more than ninety-six,
other quorums should be organized.
The Priests' Quorum should be composed of forty-eight, presided over
by a Bishop. The Teachers' Quorum should be composed of twenty-four,
and the Deacons of twelve, each with their respective Presidents and
Counselors. The Bishop necessarily presides over the whole of the
lesser Priesthood in his Ward, and they are under his special guidance
and direction, while he is presided over by the Presidency of the
Stake, and the Presidents of the Stakes, in their turn are presided
over by the First Presidency and the Twelve; thus all are amenable to
proper authority in their various organizations and there is no schism
in the body. All Bishops should be properly ordained with their
Counselors, in order to be qualified to act efficiently in their
offices, and to be qualified to sit as common judges in Israel.
We have frequently heard that "Order is heaven's first law." In no
earthly government is there so much order evinced as in the Church and
kingdom of God, and for that we are indebted to the revelations of
God. The office of the Priesthood is really to rule and govern in that
government which is recognized as the Lord's, whether it be in heaven
or on the earth. And as the Lord has restored the everlasting Gospel
and the keys of the everlasting Priesthood which administers in time
and eternity, when we elect officers to fill positions in this Church
we choose men whose authority through their faithfulness will hold
good not only on this earth, but in the heavens, and not only now but
hereafter. And when these things are carried out to their fullest
extent, then will "the will of God be done on earth is in heaven," and
the meek will rejoice in the administration of his rule.
If I had time I might refer to accounts given of various men who stood
at the head of the Priesthood in the different ages of the world,
showing how it has been handed down from one to another, agreeably to
the will of God, for the accomplishment of his purposes and the
benefit of the human family. He has given unto us a very good and
perfect organization; quite as perfect I think, and I am prepared to
say, as any organization that ever existed upon the face of the earth.
And it is indeed reasonable that such an organization should now
exist, for we are living in what is called the dispensation of the
fullness of times; and it embraces all other dispensations that ever
did exist on the earth. It embraces also all the powers and
privileges, rights, keys and Priesthoods ever known to man.
In relation to organizations, there has been a great deal of
carelessness exhibited in many instances; we have failed to sense the
importance of the serious responsibilities that attaches itself to
this Priesthood, this delegated power of heaven. We have found more or
less confusion among the churches wherever we have gone; and hence the
wisdom manifested by the President in requesting a more perfect
organization seems the more to be appreciated, because of the
necessity that exists for improvement. Says the Lord, "Without the
ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the
power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh; for without
this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live." The
Lord having given unto us this divine law and revealed certain
principles unto us, he expects us to govern ourselves accordingly;
that every ordinance in connection with the Priesthood may be
administered properly and in accordance with his law. We find many
departures however from this law. In the bishopric we find many
irregularities. In some instances we have found that a Bishop has no
Counselors, in others he has had one Counselor perhaps, and sometimes
we have found the Bishop with two Counselors, but he himself not
ordained to the office, but had only been appointed, and in some
instances we have found that the Counselors have not been properly
authorized and qualified to act in their calling. Whereas there is a
law regulating these things which we hope to comply with. Every Bishop
should be first ordained a High Priest, and then set apart to the
Bishopric by the proper authority; and the Bishop's Counselors, if not
already ordained to the High Priesthood should be, and then set apart
to act in their capacity, as first and second Counselors to the
Bishop. These three then form a quorum, and a court and are qualified
to sit in judgment upon all matters that may come before the Bishop,
as a common judge in Israel which pertains to his Ward. They are then
properly authorized to act in this capacity, and they ought to be
upheld and sustained in the position they occupy, and in all of their
doings, inasmuch as they are characterized by righteousness and sound
judgment, and as the Scriptures say, with humility and faith, and
long-suffering and wisdom, and according to the principles laid down
in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, which the Spirit of God would
dictate to men occupying such a position.
And then if there is an appeal from this court it goes to the High
Council which is also composed of High Priests, set apart to this
office, by the First Presidency or the Twelve, to be presided over by
the Presidency of the Stake. For the lack of this more perfect
organization all kinds of confusion has prevailed among the brethren
in many instances; all kinds of little differences are taken to the
High Council, which ought to be taken to the Bishop's court. People
sometimes quarrel about little things, very trivial affairs that do
not represent more than ten or twenty dollars in monetary matters, and
they are not satisfied unless the High Council try such cases. And
what is the result? Instead of having these little matters settled by
the Teachers or Bishops in their own Wards, they occupy the time of
the fifteen men composing the Council, besides their own and that of
the witnesses, who generally number from five to fifteen. But these
men work for nothing and board themselves, and therefore it costs the
disputants nothing for the adjudication of their differences, whereas
in such cases the High Council would prefer to put their hands in
their pockets and pay the amount in dispute rather than listen to
their nonsense. And it would seem that some men are so inconsiderate,
that they would impose upon them, because they are willing to give
their time.
Such cases should not come before the High Council; they more properly
belong to the lesser Priesthood, to the Priests and Teachers and to
the Bishop's court.
Such men do not realize their position before God and their brethren.
If men have differences they should try to settle them amicably
among themselves. But if they cannot do this, let them take the first
steps as directed in the Church Covenants, let them then come together
as brethren having a claim upon the Spirit and power of God which
would attend them if they lived their religion, and then, provided the
Priests and Teachers did their duty and were filled with wisdom and
the spirit of their office and calling, ninety-nine cases out of every
hundred might be satisfactorily settled without either troubling the
Bishop's court or the High Council. But because these duties of the
lesser Priesthood are not faithfully performed or sufficiently
estimated, they are not carried out according to the laws laid down
for our government and thus many of these differences and difficulties
exist in our midst.
When the Church is organized in all its various departments with the
President at the head, the Twelve in their place, the High Priests,
Seventies and Elders in theirs, together with the Bishops and lesser
Priesthood, the local aids and governments each acting in their
appointed sphere and calling, and all operated upon and influenced by
the Holy Spirit, then the whole becomes as the body of a man, sound
and complete in all its members, and everything moves harmoniously and
pleasantly along. For the body, we are told, has not one member but
many: "And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee;
nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you;" but every man
in his place acting in his office and calling. And there is as much
devolving upon the Priests, the Teachers and Deacons and those of the
lesser Priesthood as there is upon any other members of the Church.
When they do not fulfill their duties, what is the result? People go
to the Twelve, or to the First Presidency, they pass the more
immediate authorities, and confusion and disorder exist, and valuable
time is occupied almost needlessly, and those who will work may work
until they are broken down ready to cease their earthly labors, and
all this for the want of men's knowing their duties and doing them.
But while we are contending over little things what becomes of us? We
are losing sight of our callings, we forget that this kingdom was
established upon the earth for the purpose of introducing
righteousness and the laws and principles of truth, the laws of heaven
upon the earth, and of blessing mankind and of saving the living and
the dead. We forget what we are here for, and what the kingdom of God
is established for. It is not for you or for me or anybody else alone;
it is the interests of the world and the salvation of mankind. We are
expected, every one of us, to perform the various duties and
responsibilities devolving upon us. If we neglect them are we not
guilty before God? Whence come the difficulties that we have in our
midst? Because as I have said in many instances the Priesthood do not
perform their duties, are not vigilant and faithful. The Teachers
sometimes come to visit us and sometimes they do not. I do not know
how it is with you, but they rarely visit me. When they do come, am I
pleased to see them? Yes. I call my family together, and then
addressing the Teachers I say to them; "Brethren, we are all very glad
to see you, we are ready to listen to you and if you have any
instructions for us we shall be happy to hear you." These are my
feelings with regard to men who act as Teachers. And are they prepared
to teach me? Yes. If I have been negligent or careless, they will
inquire into it; and the same with the members of my family. Or
are there ill feelings existing among any of the members of the
household; or between them and our neighbors. If so, they should find
out. It is their business to know whether I and my family are living
our religion or not; and the same with everybody else's family in the
Church. But how is it now? They come perhaps once in three months, or
nine months as the case may be. And when they do come they have a few
words and questions which, to say the least, are very formal. Is that
the spirit and calling of a Teacher? No! They should be full of the
light and revelation of God, quick to discover everything and know
everybody and their standing in their jurisdiction. And they would too
if they performed their duties and were faithful to the welfare of the
people. What is the result? The wards are not attended to. What
follows? We have drinking in our midst. Yes, Elders and High Priests
and Seventies are tempted to drink and humiliate themselves before God
and the people. We have others that break the Sabbath, and others that
swear and blaspheme the name of God. We have others that lie and
cheat. And who pays any attention to it? Some think it would not be
polite to attend to some of these matters; but I tell you God will
take hold of them by and by, and they will know whether he will be
polite or not. If a man does wrong, let him be held accountable for
that wrong, no matter who he may be. If he cheats, bring him up; if he
lies, let him be treated as a liar; if he breaks the Sabbath bring him
to an account for it; let the proper officers of the Church see that
they do their duty, or God will not hold them guiltless. Let all the
Elders, the Priests, Teachers and Deacons and other officers
thoroughly and faithfully perform their duties, and then we will see
whether there is any power in the Priesthood or not; then we will know
whether the blessings of the Lord attend the ordinances or not; then
we will know that God rules in Israel, and that the honest in heart,
the truthful and those who love righteousness are in reality his
people, and that they will maintain the right and purge the Church
from evil of every kind. We do not want to become partakers of other
men's sins; the First Presidency will not, neither will the Twelve;
the Bishops should not, for God will require it at their hands.
God intends to build up a Church here after the pattern of the one
that exists in heaven; and to come down and associate himself with man
upon the earth. Are we prepared? No. Shall we be by the course we are
going? Never, while the world stands. Therefore we are going forth and
wherever we find things disorganized, we organize them, and then call
upon the various organizations to perform their duties in fidelity,
honesty and faithfulness, that every man may be felt after to the
utmost extremity of the Territory, that it may be known what they are
doing, whether they are for God and the principles of truth or not. We
do not want any more "Good Lord and good devil;" the line will be
drawn and we will know who is for the kingdom and who is not. If we do
not those things which are required at our hands, what is the use of
our profession? Why should men who do not want to do right, who break
the Sabbath, who steal, defraud and impose upon their neighbors, why
should they court the fellowship of the Saints? Do you think they will
get into the kingdom of God? No. We read of ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five were foolish; and I think both the wise and
the foolish ones got into rather a bad condition—they went to sleep.
By and by, at midnight, the cry was heard, "Behold, the bridegroom
cometh; go ye out to meet him." Then they all awakened, rubbed their
eyes a little, I suppose, looked around for their lamps, some of which
contained oil and some were empty. Those who had no oil in their lamps
went to those who had, requesting them to give them of their oil, for
their lamps had gone out. But those who had oil had none to spare, and
the foolish were told to go to those who sold oil and buy. When the
bridegroom came those who were ready went in with him to the marriage,
and the others did not, and—that's all. We might as well look at these
things squarely and see how we stand, and what our position is before
the Lord. "Be not deceived. God is not mocked; that which a man sows
he will reap; if we sow to the flesh, we shall of the flesh reap
corruption; if we sow to the spirit, we shall reap life everlasting."
Why should men who do not want to do right stop in our midst? If I did
not want to be a Latter-day Saint, I would say, "Gentlemen, I will
leave you, success to you." But then I do not know what I might do or
might not do were I in such a condition. At any rate, why do men palm
themselves upon the community as Latter-day Saints, when they are not?
And we hear of them grumbling and growling about the Priesthood. If
the Priesthood are such rascals, why do they not leave them, and seek
more congenial society?
When these organizations are completed there will be a President with
two Counselors, and they will preside over all other Councils in the
Stake. And it will be expected that all the others under their
presidency will listen to their counsels; and it will be expected that
they will listen to the instructions of President Young and the
Twelve. And it is then expected that the Priests, Teachers and Deacons
will hearken to and obey the counsel of their Bishop; and it will be
expected that the people will listen to the voice of their Priests
and Teachers and those whose business it is to look after their
interest and welfare. We are now approaching a very important stage
in the history of this latter-day work; we may try to dig around our
duties and responsibilities, but we have to meet them. We have got to
walk according to the laws of God, or abide by the result for not
doing it. God expects these things at our hands, and they are things
which we have a right to expect from one another; it is expected that
we all will do our duty, and God the Father of Jesus, and all the
eternal Priesthood in the heavens expect the Presidency, the Twelve,
the Presidents of Stakes, the High Priests, High Councils, the
Seventies and Elders, the Bishops, Priests, Teachers and Deacons and
all the Priesthood and all the people to be governed by the law of
God, and to help faithfully to build Zion and establish the kingdom of
God that we may be one in all things temporal and spiritual; that we
may be welded and united together on earth and not only on the earth
but in the heavens also. This is what the whole thing points to, that
the Priesthood on the earth should operate and cooperate with the
Priesthood of heaven in the accomplishment of the purposes of God. We
are building Temples that we may labor therein for ourselves and also
become saviors on Mount Zion. How can we operate with the Priesthood
of heaven unless we are governed by the Priesthood God has
given us on the earth? We cannot do it; we must be governed by the
laws and principles he has revealed top our guidance, and for our
salva tion. And that God may help us to do his will and perform the
work given us to do, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.