Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-04-10

I
church and state A fair investigation
of the conditions will abundantly dis
prove the charge and show its utter
falsi.y.
On behalf of the church of which we
are leading officials, we desire again to
state to the members and also to the
public generally, that there has not been,
nor is there the remotest desire on our
part OF on the part of our co-religionists
to do anything looking TO a union of
church and state.
We declare that there has never been
any attempt to curtail idnividual liberty
the personal liberty of any of the Off.
GERS or members of the church. The
first presidency did make certain sug-
gestions to the people when the division
on party lines took place. That move
ment was an entirely new departure,
and it was necessary in order that the
full benefit should not be lost which was
hoped to result from this new political
division, that people who were inexpe-
rienced should be warned against hasty
and ill-considered action. In some cases
they were counci.led to be wise and
prud mt in the political steps they were
about to take, and this with no idea of
winning them against their will to eth
CT side. To this extent and no further,
question and at no time and under no
circumstances was any attempt made to
say to voters how they shall cast their
ballots. Any change that has been made
to the contrary is utterly false
Concerning officers of the church
themselves, the feeling was generally
expressed in the beginning of the po-
lititical division spoken of that it would
be prudent for leading men not to ac-
cept of office at the hands of the politi-
cal party to which they might belong.
This counsel was given to men of both
parties alike-not because it was thought
that there was any propriety in religious
men holding civil Office, nor to deprive
them of any of the rights of citizenship,
but because of the feeling that it would
be better under all the circumstances
which had arisen to avoid any action
that would be likely to create jealousy
and ill feeling An era of peace and
good will seemed to be dawning upon
the people, and it was deemed good to
shun everything that could have the
least tendency to prevent the consumma-
ton of this happy prospect. In many
cases, however, the pressure brought
to bear upon efficient and popular men by
the members of the party to which they
belonged was of such a character that
they had to yield to the solicitations to
accept nomination to Office or subject
themselves to the suspicion of bad faith
in their party affiliations. In some cases
they did this without consulting the au
thorities of the church; but where inn
portant positions were hell, and where
the duties were of 4 responsible char
acter, some did seek the counsel and ad-
vice of the church authorities before ac-
cepting the political honors rendered
them. Because some others did not
seek this counsel and advice, ill-feeling
was engendered and undue and painful
sensitiyeness was stimulated; misun6er
standing readily followed, and as re-
suit the authorities of the church
wereaccuzed of bad faith and made
the subject of hitter reproach. We
have maintained that in the case
of men who hold high positions
in the church, whose duties are
well defined, and whose ecclesiastical
labors are understood to be contin lous
and necessary, it would be an improper
thing to accept political Office or enter
into any vocation that would distract or
remove them from the religious duties
resting upon them, without first con
suIting and obtaining the approval of
their associates and those who preside
over them. 1t has been understood from
the very beginning ofthe church that no
officer whose duties are of the character
referred to, has the right to engage in
any pursuit, political or otherwise, that
will divide his time and remove his at
tention from the calling already accept
ed 1t has been the constant practice
with officers of the church to consult
rr to use our language, "counsel"-with
their brethren concerning all questions
of this kind. They have not felt that
they were sacrificing their manhood in
so doing, nor that they were submitting