From this _resumé_ of the church organization, it will be seen that it is sufficient for the purpose. All these officers are but mediums for the transmission of the will of the President. Nor is it confined to spiritual affairs. Under the form of a church organization, this system absorbs not only the religious, but all the civil and political liberty of the individual member. The High Council forms an apparent check on the power of the President; but when it is considered that this body is composed of persons nearest the President, and under his immediate influence and control, in other relations in the same organization,--as High-Priests, etc.,--it will be seen that the check is only nominal, and forms no real protection to the rights of the people. The orders of the Priesthood, to which these officers are respectively attached, are thus distinguished:-- The Melchisedec Priesthood hold the right of Presidency, receive revelations from Heaven, for the guidance of the church, and hold the keys of all its spiritual blessings. The Aaronic Priesthood hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and have the right to administer in outward ordinances. This Priesthood must be filled by lineal descendants of Aaron. It will be seen that the mission of all the officers of the Melchisedec Priesthood--the Apostles, High-Priests, Seventies, and Elders--is to propagate the gospel, and make converts; while the government of the church and of the people is committed to the Aaronic Priesthood. Of these the chief is the Bishop, who is accordingly the civil and religious magistrate of the ward in which he resides. There are other civil magistrates, whose duties are but little more than nominal, except in Salt Lake City, where the occasional large influx of "gentiles" who will not submit to this spiritual government, renders necessary an approximation to the forms of civil proceedings to which they have been accustomed. The "saints" themselves are not expected to go before other than the ecclesiastical magistrates. When brought unwillingly before a civil magistrate, the same being a Mormon, the case receives a favorable consideration. Rare exceptions may be cited where, from motives of policy, this rule is relaxed or departed from. For instance, in the winter of 1863-64, Jason Luce, a Mormon, was tried, convicted, and shot, for the murder of a gentile in Salt Lake City. But the murder was of the most cruel and unprovoked character, the crime was perpetrated on the street, and the evidence was open and abundant. Much indignation existed among the miners, many of whom were congregated in Salt Lake City at the time.