Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-05-11
the tenroral mower of the church ?

the temporal power of the church?
Brigham Young-lt extends only as far as
membership is concerned. may, however,
advise a man how to build or improve his
garden or field, and if he chooses to he may
either receive it or reject it without inyolv-
ing his fellowship.
Correspondent-Does not the temporal
government of the church in extreme cases.
assume the functions of the courts?
Brigham Youns-Wc have what We call
bishops courts, which amount to referees IN
ordinary cases of business, and in cases oil
disagreement between members or immoral
conduct From these courts eases may be
appea!ed to our High Council, which CON
sistS of president, two councillors anu
twelve members. Their power extends no
further than membership IN the church Is
concerned.
We are different from all other Christian
sects. We are believers in the Bible, as
well as all the revelations the Lord has gwen
to the children of men, as contained IN the
Old and New Testament, Book of Mormon
and Book of Doctrine of Covenants, and also
what he reveals through his authorized ser
want when speaking or preaching under the
| influence of the Holy Ghost. When man
speaks by that spirit it is revelation. and II
| his hearers are possessed OF the same they
are able to Judge of the correctness OF what
he saws. job says, There is n spirit in
man and the inspiration of the Almighty
giving him understanding. This is what
| / refer to. The object OF my labors among
the people is to get them the truth, and
the whole truth, as it has been revealed.
And they must live so that this good spirit
can near witness to them. Were 1t other
wise might deceive them but as long as
they have this spirit no man can deceive
| them.
Correspondent-YOu like the old proph-
cts. received direct revelation from God ?
| Brigham Young-Ies; and not only me,
but my brethren also.
| Correspondent-Does that extend to all
the church without reserve or rank
Brigham Young-Yes; and it is Just as
necessary Tor the mother to possess this
spirit in training and rearing her children
as for any one else.
Correspondent-Mr President, don't
think need inquire particularly at this
late hour shout your present system oil
polygamy.
Young do not believe in polygamy-
| the definition of which means 4 plurality oil
wives and husbands but | do believe in
polygamy, which means plurality OF wives
Look at one practical effect of it-sce how
it assists child-bearing women. woman
in chid-bearing should not cohabit with her
husband, and neither should she exhaust her
strength in any other way. This order OF
marriage. when carried out according tots
laws, is the very highest order of marriage
Scientific men who have visited US say that
if we adhere faithfully to our order OF
marriage there can be no question that we
can have the finest race OF people on the
earth
We believe that the plural order OF mar
rage is true, and the truth Is Just as appli-
cable for woman as man. | dare say there
are mer to-day who wish they had another
wife and there are single women who wish
thew were married to such and such man.
This is without regard to divinity. And if
the law Of the land did not prevent men
from marrying more than one wife, there
would not be to-day so many thousand old
maids in the State of Massachusetts. Plural
marriages appeal to our noblest feelings be-
cause we regard it as divine principle. 1t
is not for any carnal qualification if it were
we need not go to the expense of keeping
and educating several families, for we might
adopt the cheaper and more popular way.
1t is the highest state of social moral so
cietv. and will sooner or later he recognized
| aS surh