72 BOOK OF A HUNDRED BEARS 



'^stakes," each presided over by an Elder of the 

 Order of Melchizedek, or Superior Priesthood. Of 

 this order, there are the three members of the 

 First Presidency, who are over all; then the 

 Twelve Apostles, two hundred Patriarchs, 6,800 

 High Priests, 9,780 Seventies, and 20,000 Elders. 

 Below them in rank are more than 25,000 of the 

 Lesser Priesthood. In the whole Church govern- 

 ment there are more than 60,000, of all ranks. 



The priesthood is something more than relig- 

 ious. It is secular, advisory in business affairs, 

 regulating charity and the assistance of the poor; 

 assisting in every way the material concerns of 

 the members. From a system of tithes, the 

 Church has built up great possessions. In spite 

 of the vast confiscation enforced by the Govern- 

 ment, under the Edmunds Law, the Church is still 

 enormously rich, its credit of the highest; and its 

 funds are systematically and wisely used to pro- 

 mote education, relieve distress from poverty and 

 sickness, and to extend its missionary work in 

 every country on the globe. 



