The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-22

in public, / desire to meet the charges
IN public Although the judges before
wren l am to be arraigned have nearly
al expressed opinion as TO the merits
OF my case; although my accuseTs are 10
SIT IN judgment over me; although YER
ulCe has already been delivered against
me without a hearing, and in the most
I pubic manner stiI VIII l be willing 10
submit my case 10 them, TO place IN their
Keeping, not only my life, but that which
Is oearer TO me than lfe--only aSs.ing lor
the defense the same publicity which has
been given the prosecution
II has been written: If any shall Of
fera in secret. he shall be rebuked in
secret but have been rebuked N pub
lie, and therefore ask a hearing in public.
am moved TO make this request, not
only because my brethren nave one after
anotner, accused me before congregations
OF Saints, nor because the door of the
temple has been closed in my face. nor
because Brother Joseph +. Smith, in the
last Logan conference claSSSd me as one
OF the enemies of the church. and pub
Ilciy reprimanded my former bishop for
mentioning me III his prayers; but also
because, IN a conversation with Presi-
dent Lorenzo Snow, on the train between
Salt Lake and Brigham City last Satur-
day. November Z, | was gwen the i'm
preston that l have absolutely nothing
10 hope for III any other than a public
hearing such as l. now request. l shall
not trouble my brethren therefore, to
convene in special meeting named for
thursday at o'clock p. m, in the his
toriaE's office.
In conclusion. brethren. 1 desire to say
that nothing could shake my faith in the
everlasting gospel. All the trials and
aff1ictions through which / have passed
leaVe me firm in my belief. L am devoted
70 my church, my people and my God.
1 have willingly made every sacrifice re-
CURED OF me. l have given freely of
my time and means to the upbuilding OF
the Kingdom of God have never shirked
: responsibility placed upon me. If l
nave done. wrong it is because / am NOR
tai, put bear no consciousness of wrong
ful intent. If l have not been in har-
nlony with my brethren of the quorum
OF the twelve on religious matters L was
not aware of it till their public declara-
tons to that effect. Have not frequent
authoritative declarations been made in
public during the last few years as to
the perfect harmony existing between all
members of the quorum and the first
presidency? With those made so often
In sacred places you are familiar. 1t is
very hard TO understand why, in the face
Of these, the public should now be in
FORMED that we have not been in har
mony for years.
Brethren, this matter may seem trivial
TO you, for in your hands is placed the
Judgment, while l stand in the position
of victim. Misrepresentation as to the
motives prompting my action during all
the years OF my official life may be the
result of transformation; and prejudice,
once aroused, increases, as you know.
like an avalanche. If there is aught in
word or act of mine since 1 have been
member Of the church that 1 would
not have published upon the housetops
L do not know it; and yet / am aware
that any man is liable to become dark
ened in his mind, who, nevertheless, may
still desire to do right and be just in all
things. Therefore, / beseech you, that
mercy have Its claims, that award to
justice, under the Jaws OF God, all it's
demands; remembering always that it is
serious matter to judge even in small
concerns, but it becomes of great mag
nftude when involving that which is More
precious than life. Your brother and fell
low laborer, MOSES THATCHER
Salt Lake CITY IItah Nov 10 1906