| 525 not binding, etc. This was believed by us as a step in the right direction, but to our great surprise, this was followed by elaborate articles in the official organ of the church tending to nullify that resolution et al, and when the president of the Twelve sought to give a reason in accord with said resolution, the church organ aforesaid was denied him.
The action of the last General Conference relating to us personally refusing its support to us as ministers, and for which act the said conference declined to give a reason, and still declines so far as we are informed, can only mean one of two things, viz.-acquiesce in silence, in what we do not believe (as stated above) or leave the church,-reason, self-respect and conscience compel the latter, preferring the gospel of Christ to these things. We therefore do hereby withdraw from the said church our membership and fellowship impugning the motives of none we appeal to the judge of all for the rectitude of ours for this act.
JASON W. BRIGGS.
ZENAS H. GURLEY.
This March 28, 1886.
To the foregoing may be added the revelation of 1841, section 107, Doctrine and Covenants, which enjoins upon the church the building of a hotel, called the "Lord's boarding-house" for Joseph Smith and posterity to dwell in from generation to generation, as also the promise contained therein, viz., "And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I say unto my servant Joseph, in thee and in thy seed shall the kindred of the earth be blessed." This coupled with the provision in section 43, that "none else" should or could receive revelation for the church, and the provision in section 19, that the church shall receive Joseph's words and commands the same as if from God's own mouth,-established in our judgment a lineal descent of authority, equivalent to an imperial dynasty, which is foreign to the Spirit and genius of the gospel of Christ.
J. W. B.
Z. H. G.
Added by consent of Elder Briggs.-Z. H. GURLEY.
Also another paper was read, as follows:
We the undersigned members of said church indorsing [endorsing] the views set forth by Elders J. W. Briggs and Z. H. Gurley, in their paper of withdrawal from the church, and feeling that we can not conscientiously accept and indorse [endorse] the doctrines contained in Joseph Smith's revelations as a rule of faith and practice, and desiring to act and live in all good conscience before God, avoiding all hypocrisy in the profession of our faith, recognizing the responsibility which we owe to the race and to God, and knowing that the church expects and requires belief or toleration of the doctrines contained in the revelations, as seen by the act of Decatur District of said church, feel it our bounden duty to withdraw from said church, we therefore do hereby withdraw our membership and fellowship from said church, appealing to the Omnipotent for the uprightness of our intention and this act.
GRACIE GURLEY. MARGARET GURLEY.
EDWIN H. GURLEY. MIDA GURLEY.
April 7, 1886.
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