Show VIEWING THE DEAD it has baa been a prevailing custom among the latter day faints cinto as aa in the world horld to make the exposure to public gaze of the remains of the dead a feature at a funeral ata at a ilven juncture in the services or pro for the purpose of signal mug the last laet tokens of respect reaped tu to the departed the multitude Is ie invited to in file 1116 around the bier and gaze upon the mortal remains ot of the one who has hae departed of the gospel and of the etiquette of the hout houte e of the lord Is a spirit of del delicacy leacy refinement and propriety i of the loftiest loft iest kind and the exposure to public gaze of the remains to of this thia spirit no doubt anost persons who take lake advantage of t abe opportunity to look upon the face of the departed do so BO with emotions emot ioni of affection or at least of respect rei but it that motives of idle not nol toi to may aay morbid curiosity move abe gazer ul 14 have occurred in soine borne of the warda of the church in which the be exposure of the dead was peculiarly objectionable and it la is stated that not only have the people present at t a funeral been permitted to see bee the re main clothing etc etoi but have even handled bandied the corpse prompted by a notion that to touch a dead body would bring good luck lack it is if needless ne ediest to may bay to any latell igent latter day saint that oil all this is repugnant to that spirit and decorum boorum which ought to characterize abe be wida lay log away of the earthly tabernacles of those whom we have loved or of respected and aad the general authora aes tt of the church have felt called upon i to exert an influence to check this hie evil and have advised the saints not to ex imse their dead to public view in the editorial columns of the similar sentiments Benti menta have hither to been expressed and a prominent occasion has bae arleen arisen in connection with which they may properly be b repeated and will be exemplified at the funeral ot apostle abraham H cannon the be will not dot lie in state mate the casket containing them will not us ue opened me rule of propriety which should pro pre tall on aoh much an occasion will be observed such buob is ie the decision of the quorum of apostle Apo etlee of which the deceased wits wa a member and which has haa charge of the funeral arrangements on the day of the funeral but be fore the opening of the services vicea the members of we the family of the deceased his hia near relatives and intimate iati onate mate associates will in private be given a at 11 opportunity to look upon his hia feature but such a privilege will not be sir er tended to the public it to la not designed by this procedure to wound or disappoint anyone and it la Is hoped that no person will view it to in such a light the wish la is only to conform to an order and help to establish a custom that ought to prevail among the saints it la Is believed that this innovation upon prevailing usage will meet with the general and immediate approval of the saints arguments menta to favor of it not here expressed will readily occur on reflection when we have arrayed ourselves oura elvea suitably euit ably for a night of rest reat and awret ew et repose it would not conform to our ideas of to become in that state an object of public view we may however give kindly parting to those near and dear to ar ae the cladge which is called death brings bringe no change to our sensibilities to 10 this regard and those who love us ue and who wish when they lay us away for our long sleep to show abow their love for us ue cannot do so eo more effectually or fitting ly than by conforming to the senti refinement and propriety imparted to us by the gospel in our lifetime |