The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-11-22

testimony in which he stated that the church did
not dictate in temporal affairs.
Mr. Thurman-Do understand that Mr.. Pen
roses evidence is still before the court?
Mr.. Dickson-It will be before we are through.
Mr.. Thurman-f that is the purport OF the
document have no objection.
| Mr.. Dickson-ThiS case started out and is con
fined to three propositions. The firstis whether
there is anything in the endowment ceremonies
that is Incompatible with good citizenship:
Second is blood atonement doctrine OF the
church? Third. is control in temporal affairs
claimed by the priesthood? The defense has
denied these propositions by evidence, and the
document is to rebuff that evidence.
Thurman-From what have witnessed in this
case, the testimony Of the directors went to
prove q general tendency Of the teachings of the
| church leaders against the government; and ser
mons from himball and others were cited for
| that purpose. This is claimed to be in the same
| line and on the statement of counsel should be
/ excluded. We should not drift too far from the
rules of evidence.
The Court-The court is exceedingly anxious
! TO know what the feeling of the Mormon people
| is on governmental affairs, and whether it is a
| hostile or friendly feeling.
| Mr.. Baskin-When we opened our position
was that no member of the Mormon church was
eligible to naturalization: and that the oaths OF
! the Endowment house were such as no citizen
could take. The defense had claimed this posi-
| sion was incorrect and had introduced evidence
/ TO sustain their claim.
The Court-We will hear the evidence subject
TO objection. 1t is difficult matter to follow
| the ordinary rules of evidence in the case. In
| this investigation the responsibility rested on
the court. The question is whether persons,
otherwise qualified, are to be excluded from
| citizenship because Of membership in the
! Mormon church, and 1 wish to hear all the
evidence that can be brought up. This question
has been raised a number of times in politics
but decision has never yet been given in the
matter and it is very important question. The
evidence will proceed.
The epistle was then read. 1t is dated May
26, 1885, and is signed by Presidents John Taylor
and George g. Cannon,
MRS. SARAH GILIMoR.
am thirty eight years old Have been q mem
Der of the Mormon church and seventeen years
ago first went through the Endowment house
Mrs. Eliza Snow, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Hyde
were there at the time.
Mr.. Young objected TO this being rebutted, but
simply going over the same ground. On the soil
citation Of Dir Dickson the court ruled that it was
proper to go back and open the gates for new
evidence when the witness resumed.
Witness-There was an oath administered TO
avenge the blood Of the prophets Joseph and
Hyrum Smith on the nation, and that should be
taught TO our children. The priesthood had the
right to dictate in temporal and spiritual affairs
II we revealed any OF the secrets OF the Endow-
ment house we were to be dissected. To impress
this on our minds long knife was shown US
through the door. We were TO be disemboweled
il we revealed anything We saw that day. 1 did
not take the oath. There were so many in the room
that they could not tell who took the oath and
and who did not. My husband went through
with me, but we never talked it over together
after. II was not necessary.
HENRY W. LAWRENCE.
am fifty four years old and have resided in
Utah thirty nine years. My parents joined the
Mormon church when 1 was about three years
old and was brought up in the faith. My IA
Their died IN illinois and my mother moved to
Utah. held the position OF counselor TO the
bishop of the Fourth ward. l Otlicated in the
temple from 1860 to 1863, when left the church.
Was perfectly familiar with the ceremonies OF
the Endowment house. There were obligations
and covenants. Oaths were taken to avenge the
blood of the prophets. reference was made to
Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The covenants are
made in presence of God, the angels and the
witness there usually several, who 20 through
at the same time). There is covenant TO obey
the priesthood implicitly in everything. There
is also another one referring TO adultery which
must be atoned for. tits not considered ADULTERY
TO have more than one wife The covenant says
Keep yourselves true to the wives that may be
given to you by the priesthood Reference is
made 10 the chapter of revelation concerning
the aVenglng the blood OF the prophets. The
penalty for revealing the secrets are death
The witness then went into the entire details
concerning the founding of the Utah Magazine,
the forerunner of the Tribune, the excOmmuni-
cation Of himself, Mr. Godbe and Mr.. Harrison,
which he stated was on account Of their daring
to oppose the ideas OF the priesthood in advo-
eating new ideas and for openings of the mines
of Utah. These charges were preferred by
George q. Cannon who acted as attorney in the
church trial which occurred in the same room
now occupied by the court, twenty years ago.
LIE Grand YOung-Although / do not wish te
interrupt the witness i'll his lecture, yet think
the matter is entirely prevalent and should not
be permitted TO cucumber the records. l re
Spect the gentleman very much and would like
TO hear him lecture on the early times in the tel
ritory at any other time.
Mr. Dickson then delivered an eloquent poll
teal speech and number OF Liberals in the
audience began TO cheer, but were promptly
checked by the court.
Mr. Baskin-We wish TO show that the Nor
mon church is simply a theocratic government
X. w. Young-The witness has been giving hiS
opinion on mining. At that time it appears
that he held different views from Brigham
Young on the question. 1 claim that Brigham
Young had as much right to hold views opposed
to the witness as the witness had to his views.
LIE Grand Young then called the attention of
the court TO Mr.. GladstOnes action in his at
tempt to prevent Roman Catholics from being
citizens OF Great Britain because of their belief
in the infalability Of the Pope. He closed by
stating that this territory was as peaceful as
any other had been.
The Court-It is the object to learn whether
being member of the Mormon church is com
patible with citizenship, and if not we want TO
know it. think il is proper for the witness to
proceed
The witness, after a lengthy explanation.
stated that the church claimed 10 be j literal
kingdom. and had the right to govern. He then
spoke of the organization Of the state of Deseret
and his business affairs saying that after he
withdrew from the church he was socially ostra-
ciZed and his business fell off from $4,000 q
month TO less than One-third of that amount.
To LeGrand Young the witness stated that he
knew John Taylor and Anthony IvenS al that
time They were engaged in mining then. At
the time of the trial George \. Smith
said in speaking of Godbe and Harrison, Their
hearts are 5lacker than any one else's in the
whole world They want to open the mines an.
bring in the devil and all he'll" 1t was u put
OF the doctrine that to have spirit OF apostacy
one must have committed either open or secret
sin.
The time for adjourning had now arrived and
court was adjourned until this morning, Mr..
YOnng ASKING The right to further cross-eXarnine