| 535 The Quorum of Twelve issued a general epistle to the church, April 19:
To the Saints in all the World; Greeting: The annual General Conference, for the year 1886, has just closed, which was fruitful in accomplished results that portend good to the Reorganized Church of Christ. The church has awakened to the realization that, in order to succeed, she must work in harmony with the text-books-not only in profession, but in fact, giving credence and recognition to the authority upon which rest the watchcare and supervision of the work abroad. For the want of this recognition, and a proper unity so clearly set forth in the law (concerning which a special admonition was given in the revelation of 1882) the work of the Reorganization has been greatly retarded. The proper recognition of each quorum in its place, with the rights, duties, and privileges of the members belonging thereto, should long since have been conceded by all; but unfortunately, this has not been the case. Each one has held his or her private construction of the law and its meaning, to please an aspiring mind, flatter a vain disposition, or gratify an envious and jealous feeling, which has worked as sour leaven for years, neutralizing, in some respects, the efforts of the best workers in the cause. It is cheering, however, to know that light has dawned upon the majority, and a better course is being pursued. Judging from the spirit, temper, and accomplished results of the conference, it is the settled purpose of the workers to eliminate this unsavory leaven from the body, discourage and discontinue the sowing of the seeds of discord, jealousy, envy, and mistrust, that have done their work so effectually, in some respects, in the past, and move straight forward in the right, and as the law directs. Reform is certainly needed in order to place us where we belong.
We deprecate any policy that makes the innocent bear half of the blame of the guilty in order to conciliate and effect a temporary reconciliation and peace; but believe that the wrong-doer should be made to take the consequence of his act; and we are united in the purpose, as we have ever been, that neither flattery, nor fear shall divert us from this course. Some rigid discipline is needed in order to raise our moral tone as a people.
The reaffirming of the declaration of rules passed at Stewartsville in 1884, bodes good to the work. Though containing only that which may be read in the law of the church, they have been received, by some, with suspicion and distrust; mainly from the fear, as expressed, of an abuse of power by those to whom they relate; but abuses are liable to arise in any department, and none can be more easily corrected than this one.
In order to bring them to mind anew, we quote as follows, second paragraph:
"Resolved, That by virtue of their office and calling, as declared by the organic law of the church, the members of the Quorum of the Twelve are the lawful presidents of the church, abroad in all the world, to preside
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