212

Wilford Woodruff and the First Presidency.

Letter reining in the salaries of Stake officials.

Salt Lake City, UT, 18 March 1898
Typed Letter Signed by Wilford Woodruff as President, George Q. Cannon as First Counselor, and Joseph F. Smith as Second Councilor, to President James E. Steele and his counselors of Bingham Stake, ID. 3 pages, 10¾ x 8¼ inches, on 3 sheets, one on First Presidency letterhead; folds, minimal wear.

  • Notes: A circular letter addressing "the financial condition of the church" and the need for "a more business like way of disbursing church funds." This copy has been personalized for Bingham Stake to note that $1,100 has been budgeted for the Stake Presidency. 

    "We regard it as our duty before the Lord to do all possibly can during our lifetime to break down and do away with the idea that to certain officers in the church belong certain privileges in the form of salaries or compensation, as we regard this an error that has crept in among us, an error the tendencies of which are dangerous and might lead to great evils." A postscript divides the $1100 among the three members of Bingham's First Presidency. 

    Provenance: collection of Larry Faria.
  • Condition:
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