| Show THE HOME GOSPEL department RECENTLY we drew the attention of the priesthood and saints to the A important in por tant character of their duties in relation to tithes offerings and certain matters pertaining to ladies relief societies there are many other practical ficai matters that are largel yand some of them almost totally neglected As they are at the root of spiritual lite life they cannot be ignored with impunity the lord when he organ organized zed the church instituted a complete system which la has attracted the wonder 0 01 I 1 those even who are opposed to it it is to be presumed gist mat lie he instituted no superfluity in connection with the religious body it is not only absurd but sacrilegious i to 10 suppose such a thing yet as a chuich we largely denote by our ac aci i ions stat we eu certain bertain such a conce conception P iou of his doings he has provided tor for every branch of labor laber necessary to darry carry the work of establishing the truth on the earth to a successful issue through the active operation ol of the higher priesthood the gospel is car ried ned to the nations star alar and the people who accept the divine iner kage are arc gathered to the place appointed as the present resent central location of the chinch equal provision has been made anade by iame vine wisdom and appointment to convey the gospel to the people after they come here not only through ane agency of public meetings but auito to take it tu lu letter and spirit to their fi resides if one hall half the zeal were manifested in the latter department ol of the isdor that is exhibited in the former tile the general condition of the people would be in comparably in advance of what it is not only is the home department of censurably neglected adl but yonae of the means by which it 11 can be successfully prosecuted acu ecu ed are practically set aside the ibe right figlia to thus ignore an taluy which has been divinely instituted as 1 s to put it mildly decidedly questionable la in connection with this subject it may be consistently asked where is t he JL riest has he so lar as his practical duties are concerned neon been sh shelved ived as effectively as s some ome people of tile the books con tile the revelations of the lord to the people in 1 this laba dispensation if lie he P has 8 been thus laid away wa afi will lift him from the obscure corner into which he has hafl been thrust and see whether the dust marks can b e wiped from his garments which have certainly not been worn threadbare by hard aard work if he is left to rust ar or be ip over with cobwebs cob webs how evered ach better is the situation of his su an nors in office than that of the anti le revelation sectarian preacher who exclaims in relation to the glorious gifts of the gospel enjoyed anciently these things are all done away being no needed not much better it if any ady so far fai adibe as the setting aside of any one thing which the lord li establish ed foy for a purpose is concerned an application to the book of doctrine and covenants Covena tits page pae 15 shows that the priests duty is to preach teach expound exhort and baptize baptie 0 and adm administer inkster the sacrament an and d visit the hous of each baca member and exhort ho re them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to ail family duties dulies 1 he 48 46 empowered by virtue of his calling gd and by appointment which latter however 0 wever in these days he a seldom receives to carry the gospel into the ho uses of saints it play may be urged that there are so few priests pure and simple that to use them for a labor so extensive is scarcely practicable this scarcity is caused by so many of the brethren been ordained to the higher of the priesthood B but lit this is no practical reason at all otherwise it would apply with equal force to the teacher it ic to is safe to 10 say that comparatively parati ively tely few of those who officiate in the latter capacity hold the office being merely authorized to act in it by appointment on the rule that the higher officer can legally perform the functions ot of the lesser lesse r if this rule is good in reference t to 0 the teacher it has equal weight with regard to the priest this carrying of the gospel with its benign benian spirit and blessings into the homes of the saints must be attended to if it is not there will continue to be as there is to a large extent a spiritual sickness that needs dispelling it is necessary to meet every claas of cases none node should be denied the bread of life not une one li it is 13 necessary to keep spiritual life glowing in the bosoms of those who are situated so they can attend the public gatherings of the saints how much more powerfully does this have application with regard to those who cannot there are hundreds and we might not be far on out of the way in saying thousands of people more especially our sisters people who are sick and those whose circumstances detain them who do not have 0 opportunities port unities of meeting in ia public pubic gatherings and they are therefore denied tile the privilege of pai partaking taking of the sacrament ol of the lords supper and other refreshing to the soul and they are thus permitted vermit tied ted to languish in spiritual obscurity this is all wrong especially as the lord has provided for these blessings to be conveyed to those who are unable to go to the places where they are ordinarily dispensed sed why y cannot the priest be employed in this legitimate channel of his duty an empty echo comes back asian as ian unsatisfactory re reply ly let each bishop look about him and see whether the necessity for adopting these suggestions exists in his bis jurisdiction the investigation will render him more familiar with the condition of his flock with whose status individually vidu alY and collectively be should be thoroughly acquainted lie he will find as a rule that there is ample work for the priest as a well as the teacher he holds the keys by virtue of his office of presidency over the lesser priesthood and it is his duty to point out and direct the labors of those who officiate in its capacities in the language of revelation on the subject let every man learn his duty and to act in the office in which he is appointed appoint edin in all diligence diligence he that Is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy worth y to stand |
