Outlines of Ecclesiastical History

by B. H. Roberts

18. Helps in Government.—In addition to these regular and direct means of ecclesiastical government in the church, there are also "helps in government," or appendages to the church organization. The chief of these are:

I. Female Relief Societies.—A woman's association organized in each ward to relieve the poor in their distress, and visit the sick and afflicted.

II. Sunday Schools.—In every ward also is a Sunday School, in which the young are taught in the gospel and educated in church discipline.

III. Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A.—In nearly all wards also are Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations for the instruction of the young in theology, science, history and literature; and, in fact, in all things that tend to the development and refinement of the mind of man; but the main object of these organizations is to establish the young of both sexes in a knowledge of the truth of the gospel.

IV. Primary Associations.—Primary Associations are ward organizations for juveniles too young to be connected with the Improvement Associations, and were established to train the young in such moral precepts and conduct as are suitable to their years.

19. The Church Judiciary System.—So long as men are imperfect just so long will difficulties and misunderstandings arise among them. And these things will beget bitterness of feeling, enmities and animosities unbecoming those striving to be saints; and hence the church must be purged of these things. Moreover, although man by nature is a religious creature, he is prone to be forgetful of religious duty; and unless a wholesome church discipline be enforced he is liable to become neglectful of his religious obligations. To settle difficulties, then, which may arise between members on the one hand, and to enforce church discipline on the other, there exists in the church an ecclesiastical judiciary system, that is most admirably adapted to answer the purposes for which it exists.

20. First, as to the settlement of difficulties arising between members of the church. The law of the Lord requires that if a brother or sister offend another, the one offended should go alone to the one who gave offense and tell him his fault; if he repents and seeks forgiveness, and makes restitution, then the one offended must forgive his brother and become reconciled. In the event of the offender being stubborn and impenitent; or maintaining that he has done no wrong, then the one aggrieved should take others with him, one or more,^[[138]] and in their presence, and with whatever assistance they can render, seek justice of and reconciliation with his brother. If the offender refuse to make restitution and reconciliation, then the matter may be taken to the bishop's court for settlement.^[[139]] Here the matter is put on trial, the statements of the respective parties received, and the testimony of witnesses admitted and a decision rendered by the bishop according to his understanding of the case.

21. In the event of either party being dissatisfied with the bishop's decision, they may appeal to the high council of the stake. But if dissatisfied parties neither take an appeal to the high council nor comply with the bishop's decision, then they stand in danger of losing their fellowship in the church, for if men will not respect the decisions of the ecclesiastical courts, then the officers thereof must vindicate their decrees and make the courts respected by punishing those who would treat them with contempt.

22. If the case be appealed to the high council of the stake, it is heard on its merits in the manner already described in section four of this part, under the caption HIGH COUNCILS, which see. The parties or either of them may appeal to the first presidency of the church, who will direct in what manner the case shall be disposed of; but the parties must abide that decision or lose their standing in the church.

23. Now as to those who neglect their duties; who do not so much offend against individuals as against the church, by failing to live up to the regulations it prescribes for its members. It is especially the duty of the teachers, priests and bishopric to labor very assiduously to preserve their people in the faith, and by patient watchfulness; by teaching and admonition; by warning and reproof, when necessary, keep alive the spirit of the gospel in the hearts of the saints. If, however, in spite of all these efforts to preserve the church members in an active performance of their duties men will grow careless and transgress the law of the Lord, they are amenable to the church courts and may be tried for their fellowship. In that case they would have the same rights in the courts and the same rights to appeal as in the case of difficulty between members.