| 317 is less probability of collusion and wrong-doing as a body, from either of which a check may come, and before the one supposed to be seeking to subvert could make a successful beginning, either one or the other of these larger bodies must agree, thus forming a majority of two-thirds of three holding concurrent deciding authority.
If these bodies, the Twelve and Seventy, understand the law, and comprehend the value of the guarantee given by this three-fold concurrence of deciding power, they would need to be weak as men, if any serious falling away, because of ambition to command by new laws and doctrines, could occur.
But are these quorums composed of weak men, in the sense implied that of submission to dogmatic assumption, the domination of authority? Those who know the men composing the leading quorum of spiritual authorities in the church, know full well that a body of men more unlikely to yield in tame submission to what they deemed radically wrong, it would be difficult to find. Ten more fearless, independent thinkers, are not found grouped together in one body than the apostolic quorum. While, perhaps, not loud nor boisterous, each one in methods of thought and power of decision, stands alone, rules of law and right their guides, and acknowledging but one Master-the Christ. In dealing with their fellows, revering worth, integrity, merit; but worshiping [worshipping] none-fearing none. From our knowledge of these men, and fortunately for the church we know all of them, we can not conceive it possible that they could be made tools for some ambitious, aspiring man; or dupes to a gross deception; or even silent, passive, stolid lookers-on when vaulting, craving minds might essay to mislead. All of them know how to speak, and that effectively, when it is necessary to speak. They are impervious to bribery where place and power are likely to be offered; not sufficiently covetous to be open to the allurements of wealth; not fearful enough to be afraid of man's wrath, and not weak enough to be cajoled and flattered; and from these considerations we can see no likelihood that the Twelve can be made a party to the enslaving the Saints, should such a thing be attempted. . . .
What we have said of this body of spiritual laborers and advisers, is true of the second-the Seventy; though not to the same marked degree, except in individual instances. Therefore, before such a doctrine as polygamy could become rooted and grounded as a dogma of the church, or any other equally at variance with the good sense of the church, and the law already given to govern it, there would need to be collusion between two of these three bodies, in which the entire number would have to acquiesce; and not till then would there be grounds to apprehend danger. Such a contingency is so remote a possibility, that we deem the liberties of the Saints tolerably safe. The reasoning is equally good if it be supposed that the questionable and dangerous philosophy of doctrine or practice originate in either one of the three bodies referred to.
It is said that in the lifetime of Joseph and Hyrum, an additional
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