Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-12-18

the council OF the apostles. We direct
general attention to 1t because there has
been great deal of comment over
some remarks attributed to him. which
have been copied and circulated, and
lately have been printed and distributed
among the saints. 1t is very unfair 10
take this course unauthorized, a, d. we
consider such proceedings worthy OF
severe consure. Those who have print
ed and distributed the alleged extracts
from sermon delivered by Elder That
cher in Cache county some time ago
have, In our opinion, exceeded their
right, and those who rely upon the
purported remarks as authentic and to
be discussed as prophecy or doctrine
may be led into error, as the report
thus disseminated is without authority
Of the speaker. We are pleased to re-
ceive the notice from Elder Thatcher
ado cheeefulIy give it "a place in our
columns.
Subsequent to the year 1886 no further
complaint was made until the appear
ance of your open letter ten years latter,
and as no additional requirements were
made of me, had right to believe the
matter long since adjudlcated. No one
at any time ever intimated to me in any
way that this was cherished secretly
against me by any of my brethren.
Candidly, President Snow, what is
there In all this that, in any way, can be
construed as justification for the I'M
kind comments you have made upon
the circumstances2 Your statements
are calculated to injure me in the esti-
nation of many people who have read
your letter and condemned me without
remembering or having read the Des-
eret News of December 1, 1886. Surely
you would not Intentionally do me an
injury. You say further:
"He disputed with President Taylor
as to the appointment of president of the
Logan temple and contended for m an
of his own selection, even after the pres
ident announced the appointment by
revelation"
The truth of this matter is made plat n
by the action of President Taylor set
ting me apart on the same day as one of
the counselors of the president of the
Logan temple. Pre- sident Taylor would
not have introduced discord in the tenn
pie, and had I contended against him.
that would have been the effect. 1
would not have been made third officer
In that sacred place If l had been in
such open reballion as you depict. Pres
ident Taylor was my guest in Logan at
the time the president of Logan temple
was named. On the morning of the
day the appointment was made Presi-
dent Taylor came down stairs and be-
fore breakfast he stated in the presence
of witnesses that he felt impressed to
appoint M. w. Merrill president of the
Logan temple, and asked me what I
thought of 1t. replied that 1t was
good selection; that he might search
the stake over and not find man better
adapted to the position. And gave as
my reasons that Brother Merrill was
financially wellto do, and could afford
to give to the work his time and attention
that he was secretive and methodical
in his habits. President Taylor said he
was pleased to hear me say so. never,
at any time, or in any place opposed the
appointment, but was continued third
officer In that temple till, by the action
of my quorum / was deprived of all
priestly offices.
Now, although on this point you make
a very positive charge against me, you
selection of president for Cache stake.
In my absence from conference in Salt
Lake. from which I was excused by
President Taylor on account of illness
In my family, Elder C. o. Card was
chosen stake president to succeed Bishop
Preston, who had been called to the office
he now holds. A few days later was
informed by a member Of my quorum as
to the action taken In the matter of the
Cache stake presidency, and my opinion
was asked about It. l stated that since
Elder Card had been unanimously cho-
sen world acquiesce. Later on, an eff
fort was made to remove President
Card, which | opposed. took the
ground that, while Brother Merrill was
the stronger character, would oppose
the removaI of President Gard as his ap-
pointment was generally known among
the people and his summary dismissal
was sure to result in his irreparable in
jury. only mention this matter be
cause there is no foundation for COM
plant In the other incident, and you
may have confused .he two. cite this
as possible reason for your charge be-
cause have no desire to bubble.
Here is another of your specific
charges;
aaWhen MILFORD Woodruff's accession
to the presidency was under consider
alton, as the proper successor, he
expressed opinions which showed that
he regarded human smartness and
business ability as above that simplicity
of character and susceptibility to divine
impressions which are notable in that