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 disquali-
fied. All friends and well-wishers to society, all who
remembered the poor and needy,'^^ 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 car- penter 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 im- provements, for the support of missions, and the re- lief of the sick and destitute.^^
^* ' 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 com- mands.' Hist. B. Young, MS., 1852, 22.
^' Olshauseii's Mormonen, 164-5. On July 28, 1850, 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,
