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

/ At the April conference this year the
name of Moses Thatcher was dropped
from the list of church officials pre-
scented to the Latter-day Saints for
their approval The cause of this ac-
ton, as stated at the time by the au-
thorities of the church, was his refusal
to sign declaration on political mat
ters referred TO him on the day this
action was taken.
Mr. Thatcher was then a very sick
man, unable TO walk across the room,
and neither ne nor his friends had any
hone o. hts rec~--a~-- - 60 -~---
however. he began to recover. and
made up his mind to spend a few weeks
N Logan canyon. Before leaving the
city he was assured by the presidency
of the church and members of his
quorum that nothing would be done in
reference 10 his matter till his return
and recovery. This assurance was re-
peated to him while he was in the
mountains, but for some unknown
reason the first presidency and mem
bers of his quorum did take up his
case and made public charges against
him in the last general conference held
in October.
Since then Mr.. Thatcher has tried in
vain TO ascertain what charges if any
had been regularly made against him
in manner that he could answer. The
official organ of the authorities of the
church now intimates that great pa
tience and forbearance was shown to-
wards Mr.. Thatcher. but that his heart
was hard and his spirit rebellious; that
he refused to appear and counsel with
his brethren and that his official head
was accordingly cut off
In view of this, and in order that the
people NAV have an understanding of
the case we publish the correspondence
which passed between Mr.. Thatcher
and his quorum. showing plainly the
real spirit on either side of the con-
troversy.
The first is the letter written by Mr..
Thatcher af-er the temple doors had
been closed in his face when he went
to meet with his quorum, after hav-
ing been assured by members thereof
that he would be welcomed to the
meeting:
101 West North Temple Street,
Salt Lake City, Oct. Is. 1896
Elder Lorenzo Snow. President Of the
Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus
CHRIST OF Latter-day Saints:
Dear Brethren.-Having in mind the Ut
terances of my fle-leaders and others at
the late semi-annuai conference, respect
ing myself and the attitude in which 1
was placed toward the church of Christ.
and those in authority over me in the
holy priesthood. and desiring if possible
to be in harmony with the quorum over
which you preside, and with that of the
first presidency of the church, I en-
deavored to meet with you and the
brethren at their weekly gathering on
Thursday, the 10Th inst, but upon APP
pearing at the door Of the temple, was
denied admittance.
Later in the day 1 was furnished by
the secretary, George E. Gibbs, a copy
day Saints. as published in the Deseret
Evening News of October 18th. That was
the first notification received of the in
tended suspension of the functions of the
priesthood held by me. 1 was aware that
my name had not been presented and sus-
tanned by the vote Of the Saints assembled
"A OAOC I'll y ctLlN OCtODCI ldSl, Out
no intimation had been given that such
action deprived me of the priesthood, or
n any way suspended its functions Had
received an authoritative intimatio
that such was the intention. or was in
any sense thought to be desirable,
would have if possible avoided occasion
'or complaint on that point.
Now, since 1 am denied the privilege
If meeting your quorum for the purpose
explained herein, 1 humbly and respect
FULLY ask you to furnish me in writing.
conveying in specific detail. the items
If all charges of wrong doing which my
brethren may thing proper. or feel con-
strained to bring against me as objec-
ions to my further continuance as an
apostle and fellow laborer with them in
he cause and church of the master-our
savious-to whom /, Also have dedicated
Ill l have. or may hereafter be.
Until the remarks of the brethren. de-
ivered at the last general conference, as
ney appeared published in the daily
,ress of this city appraised me of it, 1 did
lot knox that they held aught against
ne, or premeditated the planting Of
harges against me on any matter what
ver, other than that of my failure to
ndorse the declaration issued last
April. relating to political affairs past
nd present and future; and possibly COM