The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

Laodicean Message

When considering the magnitude of existing evils, we may realize the need of continued reproofs and the importance of the counsel of the “true witness” in the “Laodicean” message, hence we quote the following, given Nov. 3, 1890: “Let none of the workers exalt themselves, and seek to carry through their ideas without the sanction and co-operation of the people of God. They will not succeed, for God will not permit it. The foundations of the institutions among us were laid in sacrifice. They belong to the people, and all who have denied self, and made sacrifices great or small according to their ability, to bring these instrumentalities into existence, should feel that they have a special interest in them. They should not loose their interest, or become despondent in regard to the success of the work. As the perils of the last days thicken about us, they should pray more earnestly that work may prosper. Those who have lifted burdens when the work went hard should have a part in important councils; for they acted a part when counseling together was considered a far more solemn and sacred matter than it is now. No confederacy should be formed with unbelievers, neither should you call together a certain chosen number who think as you do, and who will say amen to all that you propose, while others are excluded, who you think will not be in harmony. I was shown that there was great danger of doing this. COOD 151.3