The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-05
THE MORMONS WANT WAR.
Reception of President Hayes Message IN
Utah Territory.
POSTLE PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR'S SPEECH
PoIygamy Defended and the Laws Defied
at the Provo Conference.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

SALT LAKE, Dec. 4. 1879.
Since the reception here Of the substance of Presi-
dent Hayes Message there has naturally been free
expression OF opinion on the recommendations
therein contained for the extinction OF polygamy.
but up to last Sunday afternoon. during the Mormon
conference held at Provo. near Lake Utah. some
thirty miles from this city authoritative DECLARE
ton Of the policy of the Mormon Church could DO
heard. One. however. was then proclaimed. and.
that there may be cavil from Mormon sources
about misrepresentation Of it. quote the language
used on that occasion by Apostle John Taylor. The
actual head Of the Mormon Church. from its official
organ, the Deserct NeWs. which reports that che
then touched upon the political rights of the people
in their connection with the government of the
nation the laws Of which should be obeyed and its
officers respected; yet there was principle in con-
nection with social ne-one of the greatest prn-
cpes by the Lord for the good of the human
family-with which one Of the laws of the land was
at variance. We know that the Lord has transmitted
the law of plural marriages through His holy priest
hood know it. and all tho DEGREES and edicts Of
the world cannot change my mind. He contrasted
the course Of . certain King when Daniel was cast
into the den Of lions and that of President Hayes
when asked to pardon of our brethren. but then
that King heather and the latter = Christian.
This question regarding our religious belief has
been decided by the courts, and the laws OF
God are at variance with them. Which shall
we obey' Here the speaker called upon the
congregation to manifest by raising their right
hands if they in favor of obeying the laws Of
God in this respect. which call was unanimously
responded to by the congregation From this ex-
preston Of the APOSTLE President of the Church nd
it certainly wishes the world to believe him. he un-
questionably talks fight. This controversy now IL
simply reduced to the point Which shall prevail.
the laws Of the United States the alleged revea
tions of God to the Mormon priesthood?
1t may be well in this connection to remind the
readers Of the HERALD that in July. 1850. at Bou-
logne. France, John Taylor publicly denied that
polygamy existed among the Mormons. In PAM
phlet printed by Taylor and his associates giving
report Of the discussion at Boulogne. Taylor uses
the following words:-"We are accused here
Of polygamy and actions the most indeli-
cate. obscene and disgusting. These things
are too outrageous to admit of belief. and
therefore I shall content myself by reading
our views of chastity and marriage from work
published by containing some Of the articles OF
our faith" He thereupon read an extract from the
''Book Of Doc trine," olows:-"Inasmuch as this
Church has been reproached with the crime of forni
cation and poygamy. declare that believe that
one man should have one wife and one woman but
one husband" This is the man who now proposes
to fight the United States in defence Of
polyRamy.