TO THE CHURCHES
MR. EDITOR,--After traveling through various Welsh counties and conferences, I discovered that some very unhealthy doctrine is being expounded, and I wish to make this known through means of the TRUMPET, so that all the faithful saints may be safeguarded against it. In every age bad men have been in the Church of God, and so it is with this age. Some have taught regarding the books which have been published that all of them are subject to their presidency and that each book which has come out is to be controlled by them entirely, and that if the book of Doctrine and Covenants (which contains the revelations of God) says that thus and so is the behavior toward this and that transgression or the other; "Oh," say those who are puffed up and full of wind and who build their houses on the sand, "we attach no importance to what the Doctrine and Covenants says or any other book; we are the Presidents. We shall do as we please, and whatever we ourselves wish, that we shall do. Do not talk to us about books, since it is we who sit in judgment." Indeed, it does not surprise me how little obedience has been given to the Star and to the Trumpet, for as soon as they come to the hands of these puffed-up men": "Oh," they say, "the authorities must write such and such; but the things which we say will stand." If the Church authorities say to these men not to use the money from the books:
"Oh," they would say, "they do not mean what they say." Because of such men the Districts have gone into debt; there is no need to name them, as you know them, together with many other sins; for they give no heed to those things which were written to them. I could mention many sins, but that would not be wisdom at the present time; and may those repent before God and keep all the commandments from now on, lest they find themselves outside the kingdom of God and die in that state. What could I say, is there a better place than hell for such people to stay? For that reason, fear and tremble, "Hearken, O ye people, and open your hearts and give ear from afar; and listen, you that call yourselves the people of the Lord, and hear the word of the Lord and his will concerning you. Yea, verily, I say, hear the word of him whose anger is kindled against the wicked and rebellious; who willeth to take even them whom he will take, and preserveth in life them whom he will preserve; who buildeth up at his own will and pleasure; and destroyeth when he pleases, and is able to cast the soul down to hell. Behold, I, the Lord, utter my voice, and it shall be obeyed. Wherefore, verily I say, let the wicked take heed, and let the rebellious fear and tremble; and let the unbelieving hold their lips, for the day of wrath shall come upon them as whirlwind, and all flesh shall know that I am God. And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation."
(See Doctrine and Covenants, Section 63). The responsibilities of the Elders is to carry forth with the meetings as they are guided by the Holy Ghost in accordance with the commandments and revelations of God in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and nothing else is to be carried out differently. It is a responsibility to all who hold offices in this Church to do everything according to the revelations of God, that is preaching, teaching, reproving and counseling, before they can do the will of God. I counsel all the presidents to teach with emphasis and sobriety the commandments of God, so that the fear of God will go to the hearts of all the Saints; for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; and whoever is destitute of wisdom is without the Holy Ghost. Therefore, refrain from all vain speech and disputes, and from all ungodly laughter, and from all your lusts, and from all your pride, and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings; always when you gather together in your houses, let not more than one speak at once, but let one speak at a time, and let the others listen to him, and let that which is spoken by you be for the benefit and edification of those who are present.
Another teaching which is entirely heretical is that which has come to my knowledge and which is being taught secretly among the Saints, that is to hide sins instead of confessing them, something which is completely contrary to the Doctrine and Covenants together with the scriptures. Many have tried to stay in this Church by hiding their sins, but they all come to light; this Church is a most inconvenient place to try to hide sins; where sins are hidden, there is darkness. And those men see many things as heretical; and if they do not bring themselves to light, God will bring them, either through driving them out of the church or by making their sins obvious to the Church. I warn you presidents and traveling elders to be watchful, to take care that false doctrine is not taught in the churches or anything contrary to the commandments of God; I call you responsible for the Saints, and you shall give an accounting in the time in which you come before the authorities in Zion. And, Oh, brethren, strive with me to build the kingdom of God and to save the thousands who lie in darkness; and may your vineyards be clean. And may God bless you to do the work which he has entrusted to you. I wish for this letter to be read in every branch. May the blessing of God be on all those who are desirous of serving him faithfully to the end is my prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
14, Castle St., Merthyr Tydfil.
WM. PHILLIPS.
[Translated from the Welsh original in Udgorn Seion, 1851, p. 320-22, by Ronald D. Dennis, 1529 W. 1170 North, Provo, Utah]
