The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-20

Moses Thatcher is 10 longer a mem
Der of the quorum Of the twelve apos-
ties of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, having been severed
from the council and deprived of his
other offices of the priesthood at d
meeting of his quorum yesterday
All the members of the quorum were
present, excepting Mr.. Thatcher, when
the action took place. 1t will be re-
membered there is one vacancy-that
caused BY the death of Elder Abram
Il. Cannon, which occurred some time
ago.
Of course nothing definite concerning
the proceedings can be obtained, the
meeting having been held in secret.
The Deseret News, the official organ
of the church, prints the decision Of
the quorum, without comment. The
announcement is as follows:
NOTICE.
To the officers and Members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints:
This is to inform you that ar meeting
of the council Of arostles he'd this day
CThursday, Nov. 70. 1861 there being pres
ent Lorenzo Snow, Franklin d. Richards,
Brigham Young, Francis NJ. Lyman, John
Henry Smith. George Teasdale, Heber J.
Grant John ". Taylor Mariner W
Merrill and Anthem Il. Lund. which meet
ing was called for the purpose of con-
sidering and taking action on the case Of
Elder Moses Thatcher-and of which
meeting and its object he had been duly
notifed-after a full consideration Of all
the circumstances of the case, and after
each apostle present had expressed him
self upon the subject, it was unanimously
decided that Moses Thatcher be severed
from the council CT the twelve apostles,
and that he be deprived of his apostle
ship and other offices in the priesthood.
LORENZO SNOW.
President Council Of Twelve Apostles.
1t was announced last evening that
Mr.. Thatcher had nothing to say. con-
corning the action of the apostles. in
asmuch as their work was no more
than was expected among his friends
and by himself.
The statement is made, however, that
ne is glad it is, over and the suspense
ended. While he regrets that the
church, with which he has worked and
he mas expended so much time and en-
ergy in advancing. should deem it wise
to take the step it has, the interval be-
tween the time which has elapsed since
the first notice Of "disciplining" him
and yesterday has been fraught with
a great deal of anxiety.
Mr. Thatcher did not attend the
meeting of the apostles for reasons of
his own, which he may and may not
see fl TO make public at some future
time. AS a matter of course he feels
that his action in the premises has
been right and that his conscience does
not reproach him in the least.
Mr.. Thatchers friends are consider
ably relieved also. They know now
just what 10 do in all matters with
which he is connected. Hitherto they
have been ION the anxious seat" so
to speak. George Thatcher, who is in
the city, heaved a sigh of relief when
he heard the decision. He did not
care to say anything beyond this: that
he believed there had not been Justice
done his brother in the matter; that
the promises made him had not been
kept
Moses Thatcher retired early. last
evening. desiring TO get some rest for
a trip TO Cache county this morning.
where he is going for a couple of days
The strain under which he has been
laboring is stated by his friends to
have been sufficient to make a well
man i'll, to say nothing of affecting
person in his physical condition. But
he is not 50 badly affected as was
imagined would be the case. On the
contrary, he appears quite cheerful,
now thai i is all over.
His absence from the meeting of the
quorum yesterday excited considerable
comment among the members. as it
was expected he would be there. Notice
was sent to him yesterday morning
that the meeting would be held.
The effect OF his deposaI on the peo-
pie Of this state viii be marked in its
effect. III the judgment of his friends.
He is man who is beloved by his
people and a regret amounting to uni
versatility may be expected to prevail.
Especially in the northern counties.
where he has lived, viii the feeling of
regret exist in an intensified form.
1t is announced that this meeting
and action CT the apostles was in con-
tradislinction to what might have beer
expected, after the promises which
have been made. It was stipulated by
those in authority that no action
Should be taken until after Mr.. Thatch-
er had entirely recovered his health.
But just as he has begun to get better
the climax has been reached
The depriving him of his office as an !
apostle and cutting him off from the
priesthood does not deprive him of his
membership IN the church. That was |
the last step and was not taken.
The extent of the offending. as stated