ble to God, as an act of true
religion.

"4. No believing husband, or wife, is allowed, by the principles
of this society, to separate from an unbelieving partner, except
by mutual agreement, unless the conduct of the unbeliever be such
as to warrant a separation by the laws of God and man. Nor can any
husband, or wife, who has otherwise abandoned his or her partner,
be received into communion with the society.

"5. Any person becoming a member, must rectify all his wrongs,
and, as fast and as far as it is in his power, discharge all just
and legal claims, whether of creditors or filial heirs. Nor can
any person, not conforming to this rule, long remain in union with
the society. But the society is not responsible for the debts of
any individual, except by agreement because such responsibility
would involve a principle ruinous to the institution.

"6. No difference is to be made in the distribution of parental
estate among the heirs, whether they belong to the society or not;
but an equal partition must be made, as far as may be practicable,
and consistent with reason and justice.

"7. If an unbelieving wife separate from a believing husband, by
agreement, the husband must give her a just and reasonable share
of the property; and if they have children who have arrived to
years of understanding sufficient to judge for themselves, and who
choose to go with their mother, they are not to be disinherited on
that account. Though the character of this institution has been
much censured on this ground, yet we boldly assert that the rule
above stated has never, to our knowledge, been violated by this
society.

"8. Industry, temperance, and frugality, are prominent features of
this institution. No member who is able to labor, can be permitted
to live idly upon the labors of others. All are required to be
employed in some manual occupation, according to their several
abilities, when not engaged in other necessary duties."

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"The rules of government in the society are adapted to the
different orders of which it is composed. In all (as far as
respects adults) it is spiritual; its powers and authorities
growing out of the _mutual faith, love, and confidence_, of all
the members, and harmoniously concurring in the general form