| 536 over, regulate, and set in order the same, and that in all the branches of the church, and districts, this presiding authority should be acknowledged and acquiesced in by the presidents of branches and districts. And when one of them is present, at a district conference or branch meeting, it should be left discretionary with him as to whether it would best serve the cause by presiding.
"Resolved That the Quorum of the Twelve, as a judicial body, have the right, collectively or individually, to render decisions involving the law and usages of the church, in their various fields of labor, and when such decisions are made by individual members of the quorum, said decisions are binding upon the church, and should be respected until brought before the quorum and its decision had."
The President of the church discerned at once that in these resolutions were found a proper rendering of the law relating to this question, and called the attention of the church to them in one of the ablest editorials that ever appeared in the Herald, found on page 305, number 20, volume 31, from which the following is an extract:
"But the history of the Reorganization shows that there was a wide rebound from the rule of priestcraft to one of entire disregard of all authority. Nor was it until every representative sent out by the church was made to feel how utterly fallacious his efforts to bring to pass unity and respect for the law of the church were, did those representative men feel the importance of the Master's word, 'He who heareth you heareth me.' There is no meaning attached to the conferring the calling of an apostle upon a man to the office (of an apostle) and sent out by the church, unless that man is so invested with the authority of the church that he may speak for the church, and carry with him the dignity and honor of the body which he represents. And much mischief has resulted in the past, and may result again if there be not somewhere the right of immediate and positive decision. The Twelve are essentially a traveling ministry, a presiding ministry at that; and are so because of their calling to travel, looking after the spread of the gospel and interests of the church. This includes the welfare of both the districts and branches in their respective fields; and while no member of the quorum may wantonly enter in upon the privileges of either district or branch presidents; yet he may, and must by virtue of his calling and appointment by the church, exercise that authority if necessity warrants, and this is because of a two-fold reason. First, because the organic law of the church invests him with such prerogative. Second, because he is by his appointment a part of each and every organized district and branch in his charge, and has his place at the lead by virtue of such appointment."
The decisions made by individuals of the quorum relate to the law, rules, and usages of the church, rather than to cases had before elders' courts, which may be appealed for final settlement. The Quorum of the Twelve acting under the direction of the First Presidency, as the law defines, is the presiding authority in all the world; and this does not in
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