History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

296 IN THE VALLEY OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE.
or excommunicated was allowed to go forth to the
dance. Those who had sold liquor for gain, thereby
corrupting the morals of society, were also disqualified.
All friends and well-wishers to society, all who
remembered the poor and needy, 23 were invited to
participate, though not members of the church. But
declares the council : "Woe unto them that dance with
guile and malice in their hearts toward their neigh-
bor! Woe unto them that have secretly injured their
neighbor or his or her property! Woe unto them
that are ministers of disorder and of evil ! If these
shall go forth in the dance without confessing and
forsaking their guilt, the faith of the council is that
they seal their doom by it."
After their festivities the people returned, each to
his calling, with renewed zest. It was an article of
faith among them that labor was honorable, and all
who were not missionaries were expected to do their
part. By revelation, Joseph Smith was released from
this obligation, but Brigham Young worked as a carpenter
in his own mills. Labor was regarded as a
duty no less than prayer or temple service, each one
working with his hands at whatsoever he found to
do, and cheerfully contributing his tithes toward the
church revenues, which were expended for public improvements,
for the support of missions, and the re-
lief of the sick and destitute. 27
26 ' Bring all your tithes and offerings to the proper place for the poor,
that there be none hungry among us, and let the poor rejoice; and then you
may rejoice in the dance to your heart's content.' Regulations of the High
Council, in Frontier Guardian, Nov. 28, 1849. Brigham, in an address at the
state-house in 1852, at a party given to the legislature, said: 'I want it
distinctly understood that fiddling and dancing are no part of our worship.
My mind labors like a man logging. This is the reason why I am fond of
these pastimes; they give me a privilege to throw everything off and shake
myself, that my body may exercise and my mind rest.' And again: 'This
company is controlled like the ship by the rudder in a gentle breeze, that can
be turned hither and thither at the will and pleasure of him who commands.'
Hist. B. Young, MS., 1852, 22.
'r' Olshausen's Mormonen, 164-5. On July 28, 1S50, the president writes to
Orson Hyde, then at Kanesville. 'Our celebration was well attended. It is
a general time of health with the saints, and peace and plenty of hard work,
as every one has been so busy that they can hardly get time to eat or sleep.
You speak about hurry and bustle at Kanesville; but if you were here, to see,
feel, and realize the burdens, labors, and responsibilities, which are daily,