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Source: Church History Vol. 4 Chapter 27 Page: 477 (~1885)

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477 the discussions through the columns of the Herald on "items of doctrine," prominent among which was the controversy before referred to between Elders Blair and Gurley, the Pottawattamie District through its delegates protested against "such abuse" of the columns of the church organ. This gave rise to much discussion, and to the appointment of a committee composed of E. L. Kelley, J. T. Kinneman, J. W. Gillen, Columbus Scott, and G. T. Griffiths.

This committee subsequently reported as follows:

The committee to which was referred the resolution presented by the Pottawattamie District conference, relative to the adoption of certain measures which shall govern in the publication of articles through the Saints' Herald, submit the following:

1. That in its opinion, the enforcement of iron-clad rules and arbitrary decisions by persons who are not governed in their work by broad and liberal principles of toleration, as is shown by the history of societies in the past, has had such a tendency to subvert the liberties and retard the progress of the race, as to make the enactment of any set rules to be followed under all circumstances of doubtful propriety and final good.

2. That in our opinion there is a just and proper line to be drawn between the positions of permitting a fair hearing of the views of any and all through the church paper, and the abuse of the sacred principle of toleration and freedom adhered to by the church by using to excess the columns of the church paper, in making a series of attacks upon the life of the body, or an undue effort to enforce personal views upon the people, when they are clearly in parts antagonistic to the accepted faith of the body; and that the responsibility is upon the editor and Board of Publication to see that this line is truly made in their discrimination, the improper exercise or abuse of such discretion, or agency, to be remedied by the selection of such persons for these positions as will fill them in wisdom and fairness to all.

3. That where radical differences of opinion occur between leading representatives of the body, the discussion of them should take place in quorum capacity, and not through the columns of the Herald.

4. That in our opinion in the acceptance of articles for publication through the Herald, the parties doing the same should exclude all such as make special attack upon the supposed private views and character of the dead, or that impugn motives and question the integrity of the living; there being neither sound argument nor wisdom attained by such methods.

5. The committee has not deemed it within its duty to pass judgment upon the right or abuse of the exercise of privileges in the extended controversy

(page 477)

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