| 286 In regard to charge No. 1, that, "He has denied the pre-existence of man, and in doing so, has denied the pre-existence of Christ as a personal entity;"
We find that the accused holds the following positions: First, That he questions man's pre-existence as a conscious, personal agent, or entity; but he holds a sort of pre-existence of man. Second, he claims that Christ, as being more than man, existed as the "Logos" or "word" of God, which dwelt in the "bosom of God." But to him it is a "mystery," as he claims it was to Paul, who said, "Great is the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh," etc. We find him guilty; not of denying, but of questioning the pre-existence of man, as an intelligent, conscious entity, possessing agency, and also the pre-existence of Christ, as a personal being, or entity.
In regard to charge No. 2; we present the following:
Resolved, That the second charge is not sustained; because evidence shows no intention to assail the utterances of the Holy Spirit, but to discriminate between true and false inspiration; and also, shows the wide channel inspiration takes. The article referred to was not finished, hence the readers could not fully judge the matter on its merits. The comparison made by the brother between Mother Shipton's prophecy and that of Ezekiel, was unwise.
As pertains to the third charge, That he has denied the gathering, and the law of tithing, as taught in the books, we present that:
We find that the brother does not believe there is any place of gathering as pertains to this church, and holds that there is no command now in force, requiring a gathering, either into what is called the "regions round about," or a "local Zion," or to a "stake." He refers to the revelation of 1841, page 306, paragraph 15, as defining his position.
As to the law of tithing the prosecution did not urge an accusation on that subject. Therefore, be it Resolved, That the charge as pertains to a gathering, is sustained.
Signed by the following brethren of the Twelve:
A. H. SMITH, President pro tem. JAMES CAFFALL.
T. W. SMITH, Secretary. JOHN H. LAKE.
JOSIAH ELLS. WM. KELLEY
E. C. BRIGGS. J. R. LAMBERT.
-The Saints' Herald, vol. 26, pp. 332, 333.
The report was adopted. The following resolution was adopted concerning Elder Briggs:
Whereas, Bro. J. W. Briggs has been found guilty by the Quorum of the Twelve, of teaching that which is not accepted by the church, therefore, be it
Resolved, That he stand rejected from the Quorum of the Twelve, and that he be forbidden to act in any of the offices of the church.
And that he be so suspended until he make restitution to the church.
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