All of the Lord's people that are properly taught believe that God is a sovereign over all worlds; that He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and immutable, and upholds all things by the word of His power; that He predestinated His people to be conformed to the image of His Son, and unto the adoption of children; chose them in Christ, gave them to Christ and all of them are redeemed by Christ, and perfect satisfaction was made for all of their sins; that all the redeemed shall be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, preserved, resurrected, and glorified in Heaven independent of means or instrumentalities.

All believe that life must precede action. In regeneration we are passive, and in obedience we are active; and we all need the grace of God continually. We all believe that we should stand aloof from the world with all of its institutions, religious or secret oath-bound orders. We all believe that sin is man's act. God's relation to holiness is causative, and His attitude to sin is overruling and permissive. God is not the efficient cause, author or approver of sin. Sin is of the devil. The experience of the Lord's children teaches them that when they do wrong it is their fault. When we experience the chastening of the Lord, God dealeth with us as with sons.

How many will labor in love to unify our people and leave off all offensive unscriptural expressions? We need each other. Let us be tender, kind, forbearing and forgiving, and love the fellowship of each other better than any hobby or worldly practice. May we all in love strive for the things that make for peace.  —Elder Lee Hanks The Gospel Messenger, 1913.