Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-12-18

choice and then be true to that party"
While doing that I have constantly
endeavored to show, upon every proper
occasion, that respect and honor due my
ecclesiastical superiors. had thought
that there was room in Utah, as else
where, for citizen to do his whole duty
to the state without interfering in the
least degree, with his obligations to the
church of which he might be'a member.
These views respecting non .union of
church are those have held and openly
advocated for more than a quarter of a
century. Recent occurrences have in
tensified rather than modified them, and
now comprehend, better than heretofore
the wisdom expressed in that part of our
state constitution relating to the absolute
separation of civil and religious matters,
while the state is bound to protect the
church in the fullest possible religious
freedom, the church must not attempt
directly or indirectly to dominate in
civil or political affairs.
AS Latter-day Saints we are doubly
bound to take cognizance of this, 10y
atty to the government protecting us
demands 1t; and the law of the Lord re-
quires it. quote from section s., para
graph II, page zIo Book of Doctrine
and Covenants: "Let no man break the
law of the land, for he that keepeth the
laws of God hath no need to break the
laws of the land. " Again, from section
So, paragraphs 4 to 9 inclusive, page
342: "And now, varily I say unto you
concerning the laws of the land, it is my
will that my people should observe to
do all things whatsoever I command
them and that the law of the land is
constitutional, supporting that principle
of freedom in maintaining rights and
privileges, belongs to all mankind, and
is justihable before me; therefore, l. the
Lord, justify you, and your brethren of
my church, in befriending that law
which is the constitutional law of the
land. and as pertaining to the law of
man whatsoever is more or less than
these cometh of evil, I, the Lord God,
make you free, therefore are you free
indeed and the law also maketh you
free, nevertheless, when the wicked rule
the eople mourn,
There is no room here for comment.
It holds me in the silken warp and wool
of liberty and love woven in the AL
mighty's loom of truth and justice.
Planting my feet upon that divinely in
spired platform and laying upon its altar
honor, fortune and if necessary, life
itself, I look anxiously but hopefully
forward to the day when petty jealous
les, envious hatred and malicious accu-
sations shall be deeply buried beneath
of peace, prosperity and hap
piness resting permanently, in Utah,
upon the wide federation and good will
Of her inhabitants towards all creeds
and classes throughout the world. |
Should l live to witness one such day
he beginning of a series that should |
not end, the memory of pains, Attic
ions, tears and signs shall pass even as
| dream at the dawn of a new day.
Utah's pioneer's-the aged and veneer
Lble, Utah's brave sons and daughters
lescrve such a happy contamination.
And, what is there in human require
nent or divine injunction to prevent
ne from humbly trying to devote the
emainder of my days to the cause in
which I have spent nearly forty years'
t is true there are some of the stakes
/ Zion whose good people, as you state,
have never visited at their homes.
Tut it is equally true that nearly half a
~ time since | became a member of e
lie church has been spent upon mis- /
ous of various kinds. During a period s
six years l crossed the line into Mex a
20 some twenty three times and for a
ute long period my annual travels o
,vered from $1,000 to 10000 miles a
ear. There are, believe, some of the Il
embers of the quorum to which l once al
Id the honor of belonging, who have IL
ever, to my knowledge, been on a mis- CT
On at all. But l would not infer from pi
at that they have neglected the duties er
their calling. tn
AS 1 have already stated, l under &C
pod the manifesto at the time it was
nded me for approval, just as I un- or
rstand it now. While it ostensibly co
peared not to restrict the liberties of be
e people, yet there vas no limitation it
its application, and in view of the he
t that nearly every male member of CHI
= church holds some Office, and, as D,
ere has, as yet, been no public decision cir
as to the officers to be con- I
lied by it, there have arisen disputes cit
i differences of opinion as to its in ito
It. This being true, and the danger thu