Discourse 1884-12-13
President Wilford Woodruff read
from and commented upon the 112th
Section of the Doctrine and Covenants.
Portrayed the inevitable destruction
that would fall upon the world if they
did not turn from the error of their
ways, and seek to God for His grace.
Defined the duties of the Teachers;
said that when the Teachers' came to
our houses it was our duty to call our
families together and to listen to what
they have to say to us. Apostles are
subject to the Teachers in their calling
as much as members. All mem [men] should
be honored in their Priesthood. A
Teacher is a very important position
in the Church and Kingdom of our God.
It is the Bishops' prerogative to act in
a Ward capacity, and see that the lesser
priesthood perform all their duties.
The Presidents of Stakes have exclu-
sive jurisdiction in that capacity. An
Apostle would not interfere with that
or any other calling of the Holy Priest-
hood where men are appointed to pre-
side. The First Presidency and the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would
not infringe upon or ignore any office
in the Church. Apostle Franklin D.
Richards and myself were appealed to
in a certain case. This case had come
before the Teachers, and the Teachers
cited the offender to appear before the
Bishops' court, where the case was in-
vestigated. The Bishops' court ren-
dered a decision against the accused,
who appealed it to the High Council,
and that body sustained the decision
of the Bishops' court. The accused
came to us. All that we could do was
to act as Teachers. We listened to the
evidence adduced, and could not, as
Teachers, do anything but advise that
the decision of the Bishops' court be
complied with, and urge the offender to
humble himself and obey. He prom-
ised to do so. President Woodruff ex-
horted all to act in their callings and
honor the authority of God.
