**Orderliness.** If each intelligent being placed on this earth, were to lead an independent life and deal independently with his God, relative to all matters concerning him, many of which would of necessity involve others, there would soon be disorder among humanity. It has been found desirable in all earthly affairs to organize so that order may prevail. By the organization known as a church all things may be done in order. Chaos is abhorrent to the intelligent mind. **Test of Attitude.** There is yet another reason for the organization of a church. The plan of salvation is one founded in intelligence. Man must accept and live its laws and ordinances intelligently. The Church, by his adherence to these laws and ordinances, gives a man a means of testing himself as to his attitude towards the whole Plan. Whatever is done in life somehow connects itself with the Church. A Church which separates itself from the actual, daily life of the man does not acknowledge the essential unity of the universe and is not founded on man's intelligent conceptions of the constitution of the universe. The Church, therefore, must possess a system of laws the compliance with which will enable a man or his fellows to test his progress and spiritual condition, which, in turn, will be a guide for his future work. It would be difficult for a man to apply such tests to himself if he stands alone, away from his fellow men and making laws for himself to fit his apparent needs. **Authority.** There is much to be done for man and by man during the earth-career. Every day brings its problems; laws are to be enforced; ordinances to be performed, and God must communicate with his earthly children. Much of this work involves authority, which must be settled somewhere if order is to prevail. The authority to act for God is committed to the Church, as the organized community of believers, and, indeed, authority is a distinguishing characteristic of the Church. Every man has or may receive authority to act in his own behalf in many matters, but to exercise authority in behalf of others, requires the kind of authority which God has delegated to the Church. Some form of authority from God is necessary in all our work, and the earthly source of God's authority is the Church, organized by the supreme, intelligent God. **The Great Purpose of the Church.** Finally, the plan of eternal progress involves every living soul who comes upon earth. To the Church is committed the great task of keeping alive this Plan and of carrying it to all the nations. Those who have accepted the truth must be kept active; those who have not accepted it must be taught; all must hear it; even for the dead must the essential ordinances be performed. The Church, then, is a great missionary organization. This, of itself, justifies, the existence of the Church, for it is improbable that any individual would or could undertake the conversion of all the people to eternal truth. CHAPTER 17.