| 134 in the Herald for October 1, 1876, an article entitled, "Views of the Bishopric." 2
district authorities, and with their advice; and seek to open new fields, and not to follow continually in the tracks of others.
The contracting debts, borrowing money and failing to repay, or doing so without reasonable grounds for promising to repay, creates suspicion, does violence to a rule of conference touching the indebtedness of elders taking missions, and gives just grounds of grievance to creditors. Such must not be tolerated.
In the discharge of the various duties enjoined upon us let us seek to do so without ostentation or arrogance; but in humility, as becometh the servants of Him who, though invested with "all power in heaven and in earth," condescended to the lowly; that our ministrations may be ratified in the heavens and the gospel vindicated upon earth, as the power of God unto salvation.
And may the peace of God be with you and all Saints through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your brethren and fellow laborers,
JASON W. BRIGGS. JAMES CAFFALL.
JOSIAH ELLS. JOHN H. LAKE.
EDMUND C. BRIGGS. ALEX. H. SMITH.
WM. H. KELLEY. ZENAS H. GURLEY.
THOS. W. SMITH. JOS. R. LAMBERT.
PLANO, Illinois April 15,1876.
2 To all the Saints; Greeting: We feel that the proper time has come for us to make response to questions that have been asked of us concerning our position as a quorum in relation to certain theories that have been advanced about the temporal interests of the church, and the management thereof; also to reply to the claims presented to us at the close of the last April General Conference, by the Quorum of the Twelve, in their "Statement of Principles," as we did not have time then to reply, during the few hours allotted to us by them.
We now, therefore, feel to give our views on those matters which so fully concern our official relations to the church, knowing as we do that the whole church is interested in this subject; also, that it is exceedingly anxious to see a solution of the differences that exist, not only in this matter, but also in the line of conduct and course of teaching to be adopted by the authorities of the church, both in things temporal and in things spiritual; in faith, in doctrine, and in all that appertains to it and its well-being, as the organization of God's kingdom on earth.
And we state our views in all kindliness of feeling and spirit, and we feel also that it is with just motives and pure intentions, and that we are earnestly seeking for the best and highest interests of the cause we love, when we herein write our understanding of what the word and law of God proclaims to be the rights, privileges, and line of duty contemplated therein for the Bishopric, as pertaining to the matters immediately under consideration.
First, we will quote some of the words directly bearing upon this matter, and those so often quoted and upon which so much stress is laid by some. They are found in the Concordance of the Book of Covenants, and were written by the President of the church, October 7, 1861, and are as follows:
"And, as a means of fulfilling the law, the Twelve will take measures, in connection with the Bishop to execute the law of tithing; and let them before God see to it, that the means so obtained are truly used for the purposes of the church."
In the "statement" before referred to, it is claimed that "the Twelve and the Bishopric are conjointly charged with executing the law of tithing; and that executing the law of tithing means collecting and disbursing the means so obtained. That each individual of this conjoint body should act by a rule, affirmed by the body."
Now we do not have this view, namely, that "executing" the law of tithing means both "collecting and disbursing" the funds of the church; neither that the Twelve with the Bishopric (twelve men to three) are conjointly charged with and have an equal right,
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