The Brigham Young Center

President's Office
Gt. Salt Lake City
June 15, 1867.

To the Officers and members of Rockville Ward,
Kane county:

Dear Brethren:

At the late conference held at Saint George, May 4th and 5th, Bishop Winsor's name was submitted to the Conference to be sustained, and after some remarks by President Erastus Snow, received the unanimous vote of the people present.

We understand that there is still a lack of confidence and love on the part of the Saints towards him, and that Union and Harmony do not exist in your midst as they should between the people of a ward and their presiding officer. This is a condition of things not pleasant, and unless remedied evil consequences may ensue. Zion cannot be built in Spirit and power unless there is a concert of action on the part of the priesthood and people. If the Spirit of God be checked by disunion, the people or settlement where this is the case cannot prosper. A bishop should strive to secure the love of the people over whom he presides, and the people should do all in their power to encourage and cherish a feeling of confidence in him.

In some instances, where there has been dissatisfaction existing in settlements towards the
Bishops, we have yielded to the wishes of the people and removed their Bishops, and appointed others in their places; but we have invariably found that, there we have done so, the change has not been for the better, disunion has still reigned and the people's feelings have not been reconciled. Factions are apt to grow up in such places; one party sympathizing with the Bishop who has been removed, and another party being opposed to him and rejoicing at his removal. Where such a condition of things exists the Spirit of God cannot reign and the work of God is retarded.

If a people see that their Bishop has faults, they should unite their faith before the Lord, and seek earnestly for the necessary gifts and qualifications to be bestowed upon him to enable him to magnify his calling. If they do this unitedly, their Bishop will be able to give them the needed counsel and also take a course that will be acceptable before the Lord. For the benefit of your Ward my counsel is let the people say their prayers, pay their tithing, do their duty and let the Bishop alone, and, by and by, they will see things differently, and in so doing will be blessed.

Your Brother

Brigham Young