"Office of
The First Presidency
of the
Church of Jesus Christ
of
Latter day Saints

Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec 18, 1895.

Prest. Angus M Cannon,
Salt Lake Stake

Dear Brother:

At a meeting of the First Presidency and Council of Apostles, held on
Thursday, October 31st, 1895, the following decisions were reached, and are now presented for the
guidance of Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and their associate officers, and all whom they
may concern.

There has been a practice, in at least one of the Stakes of Zion, of High Priests,
Seventies, Elders and Priests, who may have been called to act in the capacity of Teachers,
having an organization, distinct from that of the Teachers Quorum, and being presided
over by a president and two counselors. The tendency of such organizations has been to
assume functions belonging to the legitimate councils or quorums of the priesthood.
The question submitted was, Is it proper for such organizations to exist, or to be presid-
ed over in this manner? The Council felt that it was not proper, as no provision
is made for them in any of the revelations of the Lord relating to church govern-
ment; neither is there any necessity for them. And the Council decided that
the brethren who bear the Melchisedek Priesthood, acting as Teachers, should
not have a separate president and counselors, but that they should, when acting
in this capacity, be presided over directly by the Bishopric, whose aids they are
in all things connected with the well-being of the ward.

The second question was: At which of the meetings of the Saints should persons
guilty of unchastity be required to make confession—at the general meeting of the

"Office of The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints

Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec 18, 1895.

Prest. Angus M Cannon, Salt Lake Stake

Dear Brother:

At a meeting of the First Presidency and Council of Apostles, held on Thursday, October 31st, 1895, the following decisions were reached, and are now presented for the guidance of Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and their associate officers, and all whom they may concern.

There has been a practice, in at least one of the Stakes of Zion, of High Priests, Seventies, Elders and Priests, who may have been called to act in the capacity of Teachers, having an organization, distinct from that of the Teachers Quorum, and being presided over by a president and two counselors. The tendency of such organizations has been to assume functions belonging to the legitimate councils or quorums of the priesthood. The question submitted was, Is it proper for such organizations to exist, or to be presided over in this manner? The Council felt that it was not proper, as no provision is made for them in any of the revelations of the Lord relating to church government; neither is there any necessity for them. And the Council decided that the brethren who bear the Melchisedek Priesthood, acting as Teachers, should not have a separate president and counselors, but that they should, when acting in this capacity, be presided over directly by the Bishopric, whose aids they are in all things connected with the well-being of the ward.

The second question was: At which of the meetings of the Saints should persons guilty of unchastity be required to make confession—at the general meeting of the