| 133 Some things in this epistle were objected to by the Bishopric and after some months consideration they published
degree of satisfaction to us or to the church at large, or to the localities whence the cry is heard, "Come over and help." And this implies: 1. That the proper "measures" have not been taken to execute that law; or; 2. That there is a lack in understanding those measures and the law itself, or both; 3. Or there is an unwillingness to comply on the part of the church.
We think the defect is in the two former, and not in the latter.
Now the first step in the execution of a law is to define it, and the second to then carry it out. In our communication to the Saints, dated November, 1861, a compliance with that law in defined to be "a systematic free-will offering."
This definition is based upon the fact, that all means set apart to the proper uses of the church, is recognized as a tithing. And in that same communication, the presidents of branches are charged with the duty of teaching this principle, and receiving means under it; and in the communication of the quorum of "the Twelve and the Bishop," is the following: "It is the duty of presidents of branches to present this duty, with others, in its time and place, equal with any other requirement of the gospel." And in the absence of a resident bishop, or special agent, it is their duty to act as agents of the Bishop in this matter. The question has been asked, How shall the needy in the several branches be relieved? We would say, let such be relieved first, when needed, out of the tithing, and send the residue to the Bishop, or to the treasury of the whole church. Tithing and (or) offerings, it is evidently contemplated, shall supply every want of the poor and needy; and therefore it is improper for any to solicit means of the members of branches, Individually, in the name of the church, or as an elder." (See Herald, no. 10, vol. 11.)
These were the measures adopted to carry out, or execute the law as thus defined; which places the responsibilities and duties relating to this matter upon many, acting in unison, and not therefore liable to become "a weapon of power in the hands of one man." If but a small part of the contributions made for the work is credited upon the book of the treasurer of the church, it is owing to the neglect of the contributors, and branch officers or agents to report in proper form for such credits; and for lack of credits, the contributions have been withheld, to the serious detriment of the work. Missions are not appointed, because it is understood that there is no means to prosecute them; others are appointed and then postponed, or but feebly sustained for the same reason. The bad effect of this are wide-spread, and the responsibility for such a state of things is equally wide-spread.
Let every branch, district, and mission manage its own finances; but withal, remember that "the propagation of the gospel" is the first object in the law of offerings; and the general mission fund should be in the general treasury, kept by the Bishop. We earnestly appeal to the judgments and consciences of the Saints, to strengthen our hands, by means necessary to prosecute the missionary fields in force, and to prosecute them effectually. It should be remembered that at the first conference held in June, 1852, and at the April conference of 1863, it was declared that "In the opinion of this conference there is no stake to which the Saints on this continent are commanded to gather, at the present time;" therefore this is the rule that should govern us in our teaching upon that subject, inasmuch as no later commandment has been given or recognized by the church. Evidently the quorums will assemble before "the pure in heart shall gather," and the latter take place as counseled by the former.
In view of the baneful influence of the great apostasy from the faith, and the concentration of that power in Utah, whence the wicked perversions of the gospel are propagated, and morals corrupted; and that the General Conferences have authorized the building a house of worship in Salt Lake City, for the maintenance of the true faith of the Latter Day Saints; we trust the Saints will help the same liberally, and speedily "as God shall bless you with the things of this world."
To the elders in their several missions, we suggest that they seek to better systematize their labors; and to do this, we advise that each labor in their own fields, in union with the
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