aged, but that caution should be exercised, and care taken that the bounds of the possible are not overstepped. Nationally and locally, business is whirling at a fearful speed, and much is being done on credit, without solid backing. Railroads, and combinations of all kinds, are reaching out with what appears heedless recklessness, and speculation is rife in everything and everywhere. Some day the money kings will wake up alarmed, and begin to pull the reins on the steeds of speculation; it is then the borrower will first feel the check. We owe it to ourselves, to be so situated that the bit shall not injure us too much. Let us abide where we can safely "get out from inunder." Our safety lies in having the money to uphold our projects; and in being out of debt as far as possible. May the new year bring peace, blessings, and prosperity to the Saints, and to the honest in heart, the world over. Joseph F. Smith. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. A Member's First Duty. What is the first duty a man should attend to, where his duties in the Church conflict? For example, where a general quorum meeting conflicts with one called by the president of a stake, or bishop of a ward. There should be no need of conflict. It is well known that a president of a stake has jurisdiction over every member of his stake; as a bishop, under the president, has over his ward. Members of general quorums must take other days and hours for special quorum meetings than such hours as are already set aside for regular or special stake or ward meetings. The first duty of Seventies, as well as members of all other quorums, and of auxiliary organizations, is to honor their membership in the Church, as they can not magnify their priesthood unless they are good members. On the other hand, presidents of stakes and ward bishops will find it to their advantage, and to the advancement of their work, to encourage the workers of every organization and quorum, and the work of each should be so distributed among members that one man shall not have too many duties. The best results accrue where many men are called, and where each man has his given duty to perform. The harmful practice of loading one man with too much to do, with too many offices, is thus avoided. In this connection, a word of caution is not amiss to those who have the selection of officers, or men for position. It is very important that men fitted for the place should be chosen. It is not best, for instance, to select a young man whose sole desire is to work in the Sunday school, to preside over the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association; nor to select a good leader to be a follower, nor a follower to be a leader. Good judgment should be exercised and a knowledge of men displayed, if the best results are to be attained. Calling in the Priesthood. Does an elder, by virtue of his priesthood have the authority to baptize whenever and whomsoever he may wish, or must he act under the direction of some presiding authority? He must act under presiding authority. While he has authority to baptize, always, it would be improper for him to exercise such authority, in an organized ward or branch of the Church, without being called by proper presiding authority to act in his office and priesthood. If he is abroad, the presiding authority of the Church has called him; but even then, he is subject to the presiding authority of the mission in which he labors. There is quite as much need to properly recognize one's calling in the Church, as one's authority, for without the calling, the authority to baptize and perform many other labors, lies dormant. Men may have different callings, but the same priesthood and authority. A member of a quorum has just as much priesthood or authority as his president, but his calling is different, and it would not be right for him to act in quorum capacity without a call from his presiding brother. How to Decide Doctrinal Questions. Where two writers, in as many Church works, hold to different opinions on a question, as is sometimes the case, how am I to know which is correct, or which is the view held by the Church? The revelations of God are the standards of correctness. When a difference appears in writers, the enquirer must reach the truth by examination from that standpoint. If it can not be reached by the word of the Lord in the standard Church works: the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, the enquirer must wait until it shall please the Father to give more light on the subject by revelation. OUR WORK. CONJOINT MEETING OF GENERAL BOARDS. New Offices. At a conjoint meeting of the General Boards of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, held on Wednesday, December 10, 1902, a committee was appointed to secure adjoining quarters for the offices of the ERA and Young Woman's Journal, with an idea to obtain more commodious and convenient rooms to serve the purposes of the growing business of the associations. It was also considered that by having the offices in adjoining quarters, more attention could be paid, and more accommodation be given, to visiting members of the mutual improvement associations. The committee consists of Ann M Cannon, Adella W. Eardley, Edward H. Anderson and Thomas Hull. Use of Preliminary Programs. At this same meeting, a resolution was passed as follows, which the officers of the Young Men are specially requested to note: Resolved, that the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations emphasize the fact that the preliminary programs, as outlined in the manual 1902-3, are merely suggestive, and they are in no wise binding upon the Young Ladies' Associations, but the young ladies are merely invited to adopt the same, if they are agreeable thereto. Annual Conventions. It was decided by the General Boards of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, in this conjoint session: "That, beginning with next year, conventions of the officers of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations be held in the fall, at the same time and place, according to appointment; and that annual conjoint conferences be held at the most opportune season." This resolution in no way changes arrangements heretofore in vogue among the Young Men, but merely gives notice that hereafter, when the Young Men's conventions are held, the Young Ladies will also call conventions of their officers. The meetings will be held separately, and separate lines of study and action will be considered, unless it shall develop that some matters shall require the attention of a conjoint meeting of the officers, in which case such meeting may be held: or, the two associations may join in a general public meeting on the evening of the day of the convention. MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION IN CHICAGO. Apostle Abram O. Woodruff has recently returned from a fruitful mission in the Southwestern and Northern States Missions. He reports the work of the Lord progressing favorably, and an earnest spirit among the missionaries. Speaking of Mutual Improvement affairs, he says that the ERA is doing a splendid work in those districts, and that there is a very successful mutual improvement association in Chicago. THE GENERAL MISSIONARIES. The Mutual Improvement General Missionaries, called to labor this season in the various stakes, met in Salt Lake City, Thursday, November 20, 1902, and were set apart and received instructions for their missions. Three meetings were held in the Fourteenth Ward assembly rooms, morning, afternoon and evening. Forty-two of the brethren responded to the call and were in attendance. Elder J. W. McMurrin, of the General Board Missionary Committee, was in charge, and was assisted at the morning meeting, devoted to instructions, by Elders B. F. Grant and Thomas Hull of the committee, and Elders Henry S. Tanner and Nephi L. Morris of the General Board. At the afternoon session Elders George Teasdale, John W. Taylor, and Matthias F. Cowley, were present and set the brethren apart, assisted by Elders Frank Y. Taylor, Willard Done and members of the Missionary Committee. The missionaries were bright, intelligent and earnest young men, many of them experienced mutual improvement association workers, with knowledge of missionary work in the world. A good spirit was manifested at all the meetings. After the evening session, refreshments were served, and an entertaining social communion was enjoyed until about 10 o'clock. The elders left in fine spirits, on the following day, for their fields of labor, as follows: Alvin Stewart George A. Black Morgan San Juan North Sanpete Morgan Utah Snowflake Sevier Snowflake South Sanpete We believe these brethren will do a good work, and we bespeak for them the kind treatment and consideration of Church authorities and members in all parts of Zion. May the Spirit of God be abundantly manifest in their mission, that our Father in Heaven may be glorified, and his children blest and benefitted. |