Milford chronicle., 1891-07-17
M0RMONS.
re- JOSEPH SMITH WHO
Re NOT peLYcAMlsTs.


Description 81 the Magnificent Mormon
Temple Buus ~ she Founder Of me
Es,iiii AZ Kirsland--A building That Has
stood for Many Years.
There has recently been heldat Kirkland,
twenty-five miles from Cleveland, con-
ference Of much Interest," The mention Of
the nams Mormon is usually sufficient TO
give shs People the horrors, yet in attend
ing this convention found as interesting
and as devout q class Of people as any do
nomination can show.
It was at Kirkland that Joseph smith
first established the Mormon church. In
1890 be BEGAN his preaching, and in 1--WE
years be had gathered about 5000 people
about him and built a temple that IS
most remarkable specimen Of architecture.
What added particular interest to tins CON
ference was the fact that it WAS held ar the
original temple, and delegates were present
from all over the country from Massachu-
sets to California. The several religious
meetings "a no way differed from the SINH
lar conferences Of the Baptist Methodist
or PRESBYTERIAN churches SO far as doctrine
Is concerned
THESE MOrmons, however, are the 20
sephites. +" not the s'Brighamites, or polyg-
arnous Mormons. The Josephites claim
10 be the true followers Of Joseph Smith.
and their leader is Joseph Smith, Jr., son
of the prophet Joseph. Their belief differs
materially from that Of the Brighamites,
for they do not believe 10 polygamy OF In
the blood atoneinent So certain are these
Josephites Of their faith being the true one
that they send and keep several mission
aries in Utah to convert their wayward
brethren there who have brought odium
on the faith by their polygamous prae'
tees.
The temple shows that Joseph Smith
must have been most remarkable man.
Two years after he began his preaching he
laid the foundations, and three years were
required to complete it. Evidently it was
built on honor, for IN spite of all its vicis-
STUDIES there is not crack in the walls,
and the plastering is as solid and as firm
as the walls, there being only one crack ~
it In the whole building The walls are
like a fortress, being three feet thick, and
solid stone and mortar from the founda-
tion to the roof. The timbers and 1oists g
seen in the cellar are in keeping with the
walls, being huge hewn pieces Of hickory
and oak.
Kirkland is pretty little village situated
in the broad valley OF the Cbagrin river
The temple is on the top Of a bluff over
hanging the village, and Is conspicuous IN
the landscape for miles and miles on &C
count Of its commanding position. Only
about sixty members Of the church remain
out Of a large SETTLEMENT, and except the
temple but few LEAD sof the carly Mormon
days remain county. 'stigefof the house
where JosepAlt Goverrso91 isl goRa d 9nt- re
Oh store gse,.-.,,;a.. q -sUs.Ace-soa Aalns
81 tie Inter of the village. In this build
ing the present Joseph Smith was born.
The temple, as have said, is a remark
able specimen Of architecture. On the first
floor IS the main audience room. At each
end are the rising seats for the different
grades Of the church dignitaries-priest
elders. bishops, etc. On the ceiling is o
peculiar arrangement Of hooks, from which
draperies are hung. and the main audience
room is sub-divided into half a dozen or
more divisions Within the last few years
the entire building has been renovated, as
relic hunters had despoiled and pretty
nearly wrecked it.
THE TEMPLE TODAY.
Thousands Of dollars have been expend-
ed, not in undermining the structure, but
in restoring it TO its original condition.
even in the smallest detail This arrange
ment of hangings is an effort to approach
as nearly as possible to the temple con
structed in the time Of Solomon.
The second story is practically like the
first, and is used for overflow meetings at |
such times as a conference, and as sun
day school room. Instead, however, Of |
having hooks to hang draperies from, there /
Is q device for using curtain shades which |
can be wound up and unwound. The third |
story is fitted up into several small rooms I
for the use Of the several ''quorums" and /
other bodies of church officials. From the I
top Of the tower is a grand view Of the sur |
rounding country, and off northward 1
stretches Lake Erie for miles
The sole aim Of the Josephites is to live /
as closely as possible in the way that the /
early primitive Christians did, and their |
church organization and life is based upon |
their Interpretation Of the Bible In all 1
the preaching that I heard not a word was 4
said about Joseph Smith, the prophet. or
of Mormonism.
i was simply an expounding OF the 1
Scriptures, particularly the New Testa-
meut, and a literal Interpretation Of them. K
No sect could more conscientiously and 4
closely cling 70 the words Of the Bible than
do these Josephite Aormons. The preach
ing is intensely docrinal, but based solely
on strict Interpretation Of the Scriptures.
FUTURE or TIE SECT.
It is believed that the days Of revelation
and miracles are still with us and several
preachers cited some very surprising in
stances Of modern inspiration. The older
members believe implicitly in these things,
but the younger ones are rather doubling,
and say little or nothing on the subject
Most Of the older MorlnOns believe that
the Lord viii yet restore Kirkland to its
former prominence in tho Mormon world,
and that it viii be the center Of a great
and fourishing settlement. The younger
ones have nothing TO say on this subject,
though some are inclined to believe that
the Lord has withdrawn his favor from
Kirkland and bestowed it on Independence,
NO., as there are several thousand Nor
mons in that vicinity.
Joseph Smith, the leader Of the Joseph
ties, is remarkable man. Every induce
ment was brought to bear to induce him to
go to Utah and be the head Of the church.
But owing to what he believed to be their
false doctrine, particularly that Of polyg
amy, be refused to have anything to do
with them and for many years remained in
retirement.
Mr.. Smith believed the time had come
for him to arouse to action. As be says, he
was diyinely instructed TO come to the
rescue of his people. In 1850 the few
Jossphites met at Amboy, Ills, by dele
gates, perfected an organization, with Mr..
Smith at the helm, and entered upon vigor-
Gus aggressive work. They have sent mis-
sionaries TO all parts of the country and
established many churches.
A large portion Of their strength has been
expended upon Utah. For years no beings
were 50 despised and abused BY the Brig
hamites as these courageous Josephite mis-
aionaries. OF late however they have Sc
cnred a good foothold 10 Utah and are
greatly extending their work.--COr. Chi
cago News.