| 699 would permit; William Potter, in Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties; Priest R. W. McLean, in Sutter and Butte counties; Elder O. Smith, in San Mateo County, as circumstances would permit. The committee on church records for the Pacific slope mission was discharged, and Peter Canavan was sustained as clerk of the mission.
The Welsh conference was held at Aberaman, South Wales, April 28, 1872; J. E. Reese president, and E. Morgan clerk. The business was of a local character.
Some of the authorities of the church held a council at Plano, Illinois, May 6, 1872, to advise on matters connected with finances The council was composed of Joseph Smith, of the Presidency; Bishop I. L. Rogers; and Josiah Ells, E. C. Briggs, and W. W. Blair, of the Twelve. 1
1 The following propositions were considered and adopted:-
1. It is necessary that an equality of sacrifice in the things of this world be taught and established among the saints.
2. That one important and indispensable necessity to the carrying on the work of God entrusted to us as a people, is the gathering together of the temporal means at the disposal of the saints, for the missionary work, the support of the poor, and the official work of the printing, publishing, and other departments of the church.
3. That it is imperative and important that the law of tithing be taught as tithing, by the local and traveling ministry including the bishopric.
4. That the principles of consecration, donations, and free-will offering, should be taught as distinctive and separate from the law of tithing, by the local and traveling ministry.
5. That any member of the church can tithe himself or herself in accordance with the law whatever may be their temporal condition.
6. That every member of the church may, and should comply with the law of consecration, and free-will offering, by setting apart of their substance, or their income from labor, or the increase of their substance, and paying over the same to the proper persons designated from time to time to receive such consecrations and free-will offerings.
7. That this method of sustaining the finances of the church is not in conflict with any law of the church, but is in accordance with the spirit of every known law, both in the Scriptures, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. . . .
9. That a record of finances be kept in each and every branch, and that a monthly report of collections and disbursements be rendered to and read before the branch, to be then audited and received, or otherwise disposed of as the case may be.
10. That the amounts remaining on hand in each branch at the end of each and every three months be paid to the presiding bishop to be placed in the general storehouse of the church.
11. That lands, rents, or articles of personal property, and moneys of
(page 699) |
