| 256 The prospects in the general field are good, so far as open doors and opportunities for the preaching of the word are concerned. In some districts there has been a marked increase in membership, and a corresponding increase in spiritual growth. In other districts a series of continued disputes have weakened the influence of the working elders, and injured the spiritual growth of all. These disputes have grown out of several disturbing causes, chief among which is the absolute failure of differing brethren to submit to the decisions of the councils to which they have appealed, some invariably charging injustice and corruption either in the composition of the council, or in the processes of conducting inquiries by the officers of the church, in case they are found in fault. In some others, offenses are seriously aggravated by constant bickering over causes that have been adjudicated, but which are revived at successive periods of time, settlement not being followed by forgiveness from the offended. These difficulties reflect discredit upon the parties to them, and many have employed the best wisdom of the church, to little avail; and it is with great regret that we see them occur again and again in the same branches and districts, and are compelled to hear over and over again the tales of injury which inquiry upon our part has failed to confirm in many cases. We are of the opinion that the attention of officers and people in the church should be more constantly and actively engaged in the acquirement of personal gospel graces than in bringing real or supposed offenders against the law to judgment. We believe there has been quite too much factious "cutting off" of members where kindly forbearance and ministerial counsel would have saved them; we therefore advise as of the utmost importance that the ministry do not lend their influence to this spirit of disintegration any longer, we protest against it as beneath the dignity of their calling.
We cheerfully commend the brethren of the organized districts to the conference for their indorsement [endorsement] and support, and trust that the reports will bear out our statement of fair increase both in numbers and spirituality.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH SMITH.
PLANO, Illinois, April 6, 1879. W. W. BLAIR.
The following document was presented by the President by request of Elder Jason W. Briggs:
To the Elders and Church in General Conference Assembled; Brethren: At the session of the late semiannual conference, it was voted to "Request the First Presidency to appoint a court to try the case of J. W. Briggs, on the charges made against him at this session of conference." Said charges being a revision of what purports to be reasons for not sustaining at the preceding semiannual conference, which "reasons" were by committee presented to J. W. Briggs, and his answer furnished them, which, with their own report, were submitted to the late annual conference, when the whole case was referred to another committee, composed of the Quorum of the Twelve, and by them reported upon, after which,
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