| 196 associates, in consequence of which they suffered and do yet suffer in reputation; when, in fact, if they had not been brave and true they would not have invited this undesirable condition of things in order to seek, and if possible to find, the truth. The Reorganization has always appreciated the fact that many of these men, though often deceived, have finally found satisfaction and peace in its communion.
As an instance of many men of this character we quote the experience of Elder Jason W. Briggs, given in testimony in the Temple Lot suit:-
"I united with the church in 1841, and I remained with it. I have accounted myself a member of that church from that time on, from 1841 to 1885, but I have been in different organizations at different times, as I have already stated; but when in each of these organizations I supposed I was under the church.
"When I found out that they were teaching anything that was not authorized by the church before 1844, as the law is set forth in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, why, I left it at once.
"I always supposed when I belonged to these different organizations that they were the true and direct descendants of the original church, and as soon as my error was revealed to me, I left them,-left them as soon as I found out they were not under the church. These parties whom I have mentioned as having been members of the original church, under my administration in Wisconsin, and afterwards united with me under the banner of some of these other men, was not the true church, did not pretend to be the true church; but it was their belief and faith in joining these various organizations that they were representing the original church.
"When I joined the organization as led by James J. Strang I accepted him as head of the church; that is, I accepted him as the leader and President of the Church, as the successor of Joseph Smith in the Presidency of the Church; and in accepting James J. Strang as head of the church we accepted him as being the regular, genuine successor to Joseph Smith; that is my understanding of it.
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