The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-05

EHE SALT LAKE ]
The editorial remarks that have accom-
panied them follow the line and lead to the
end they have in view. They credit the
"Mormons" with lives which are models
OF decorum.' Yet they assert that the
"Mormons' massacred men, women and
children at Mountain Meadows. The same
people who are held up to admiration for
their honesty. truth and fidelity to their re-
ligion, are accused of "a policy of decep-
tion, and while yielding to the demands
made upon them at great sacrifice OF feel
ing, they are charged with defying the
government, "fiinging down the gauntlet"
and wanting and preparing to fight.
ALL THIS Is LIBEL
upon the Latter-day Saints They have no
such beligerent feelings or intentions.
They are not deserving of the imputations
cast upon their veracity. They intend to
obey the law and sustain good government.
They revere the constitution OF our country
and desire to promote republican institu-
lions. They are under no church oblga-
lions or restrictions which interfere with
their perfect freedom, whether in politics
or business. Their faith is different from
that of the orthodox sets and they claim the
right to worship as they choose without
hlndrance from any earthly power while
conceding that right to all who differ with
them. If any one of their number violates
the law he is amenable to the law. But a
community should not be condemned for
the unapproved wrongful acts of lnd1vid-
uals. That our views on the subject Of
civil government as 1t relates to religion
may be understood, l quote from the Doc
trlne and Covenants of the Church, which
with the Bible and Book of Mormon forms
OUR STANDARD OF RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLE.
we believe that religion is instituted of God
and that men are amenable TO him, and to him
only, for the exercise Of it, unless their relig-
ions opinions prompt them to infringe upon the
rights and liberties of others; but we do not be-
lieve that human law has right to interfere in
prescribing rules of worship to bind the con-
sciences OF men, nor dictate forms for public or
private devotion; that the civil magistrate
should restrain crime, but never control con-
science; should punish guilt, but never suppress
the freedom Of the soul.
I'VE believe that all men are bound to sus-
tain and uphold the respective governments in
which they reside, while protected in their in
herent and inalienable rights by the laws of
such governments; and that Sedition and re
bellion are unbecomng to every citizen thuspro,
tected, and should be punished accordingly; and
that all governments have right to enact such
laws as IN their own judgment are best calcu-
lated to secure the public interest, at the same
time, however, holding sacred the freedom Of
conscience
we believe that every man should be hon.
ored in his station; rulers and magistrates as
such, being placed for the protection of the In
nocent, and the punishment of the guilty; and
that to the laws all men owe respect and defer
ence. as without them peace and harmony
would be supplanted by anarchy and terror;
human laws being instituted for the express
purpose Of regulating our interests as indivi-
duals and nations, between man and man, and
divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules
on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship,
both to be answered by man to his Maker.
I'VE do not believe it just to mingls religious
influence with civil government, whereby one
religious society is fostered and another pre-
scrlbed in its spiritual privileges and the indi
vldual rights of its members as citizens, de-
MED.
I'VE believe that all religious societies have
right to deal with their members for disorderly
conduct according to the rules and regulations
OF such societies, provided that such dealings
be for fellowship and good standing; but we do
not believe that any religious society has any
authority to try men on the right of property or
life, to take from them this worlds goods or to
put them in jeopardy Of either life or limb,
neither TO 1nt1lct any physical punishment upon
them; they can only excommunicate them from
their society and withdraw from them their fell
lowship.'
The following are the Articles of Faith
OF the Church as published for many years,
and re-affirmed and adopted at the last
general conference:
I've believe in God, the Eternal Father,
and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy
Ghost.
give believe that men will be punished for
their own SINS and not for Adams transgres-
sion.
S-We believe that through the atonement of
Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience
TO the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
I've believe that these ordinances are
FIRST. Faith In the Lord Jesus Christ; second,
Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for
the remission OF sins; fourth, Laying on of
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost
5-We believe that man must be called of
God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of
hands," by those who are in authority. to
preach the gospel and administer in the ordi-
nances thereof
Eve believe in the same organization that
existed IN the primitive church, viz: apostles,
prophets, pastors teachers, -evangeliSts, etc.
I've believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy,
revelation visions, healing, Interpretation Of
tongues, ETC.
S-We believe the Bible to be the word of God.
as far as it is translated correctly; we also be-
lieve the Book OF Mormon to be the word of
God.
9-We believe all that God has revealed all
that he Goes now reveal and that He will yet
reveal many great and important things per-
tanning to the kingdom of God.
love believe in the literal gathering of
Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes {;
that Zion Will be built upon this continent !;
that Christ will reign personally upon the earth
and that the earth will be renewed and receive
its paradise glory.
live claim the privilege of worsbininp
Almighty God according to the dictates of our
conscience and allow all men the same priv
llege, let them worship how, where or what they
may.
Eve believe in being subject to kings,
presidents, rulers and magistrates in obeying
honorng and sustaining the law.
l3-We believe in being honest, true. chaste
benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to ali
indeed, he
admenition of Paul, We believe all things, we
hope all things we have endured many things
and hope to be able to endure all things. If
there is anything virtuouS, lovely or of good re-
port or pralseworthy, we seek after these
thingS.-J0Sert Smith.
before long to meet my Maker and give
account for my earthly acts and words. In
view of this
TESTIFY BEFORE GOD AND ALL MANKIND
that the foregoing articles of faith and
discipline are the true doctrines of our
church, that God has established that
church by revelation and has given
authority to His servants to administer its
ordinances; and that will it prevail against
the errors and FOL ces which are used for it's
destruction. But its weapons are not
carnal, 1t claims no civil authority. it
yields no political domination, and it seeks
no quarrel with any earthly government.
All men and all nations are responsible to
the Almighty for their acts, and with Him
L am willing to leave the issue between us
and our enemies and defamers.
Wu.FoRD WooDRUFF.
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter day Saints.
IMPORTANT TESTIMONY.