Letter to Lewis Warren Shurtliff, Charles Franklin Middleton, and Nils Chrisitan Flygare, 1 May 1891
President L. W. Shurtliff,
C. H. Middleton and N. C. Flygare.
Dear Brethren:
The case that is now pending either before the High Council or Bishop's
Court in which Elders Job Pingree and Nathan Tanner, jr. are parties, has been brough[t]
to our attention. A copy of the resolution adopted by the High Council, and by which
these parties were suspended from the privileges of the priesthood, and to a certain
extent from membership in the church, has also been submitted to us. By this action
these brethren are practically disfellowshipped; and Brother Nathan Tanner, jr. feels
very deeply the serious consequences which attend the adoption of this resolution,
and has appealed to us for relief. We do not know what reasons you had for taking
this action previous to the hearing of the case, but naturally suppose you must have
had good reasons or you would not have adopted a resolution that is so unusual if no[t]
extraordinary; but whatever reasons may be we think immediate steps should be taken [to]
have the case tried and some decision reached concerning it so that these brethren
may not be kept in a position so exceedingly unpleasant to every one who values his
standing in the church and in the priesthood. It may be that the parties themselves
are to blame for the delay; if they are they should be urged to take immediate action.
If the delay be due to either of the tribunals, then we suggest that no time be lost
in giving the case a hearing, as the passing of the resolution adopted by the council
was three months ago. With kind regasrds,
Your brethren,
W Woodruff
Geo. Q. Cannon
Jos. F. Smith
