Page "Moses Thatcher" Paragraph 5

At the April 1896 General Conference of the church, Thatcher was dropped from the Quorum of the Twelve in consequence of his not being " in harmony " with the other leaders of the church in regards to a proposed policy called " The Political Rule of the Church " and commonly referred to as " the political Manifesto.

" This policy would have required LDS Church officials to obtain approval from their priesthood superiors in the church prior to taking on " any position, political or otherwise.

" This statement was signed by all the apostles at the time except Thatcher, who refused on grounds of conscience, citing the church's long-standing position on neutrality in political matters.

( Apostle Anthon Lund also did not sign the document due to his absence while presiding over the church's European Mission.