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

q ith him day after day for weeks before
he consented to accept the principles OF
. absolutism It contains. How many OF
e the brethren deemed It necessary to
+. waste their time on me, though | was
sick and near the portals of DEATH Not
one Yet they expected me TO sign
II when It was presented, although you
say was considered "contumacious and
obstinate II that was my disposition
Why was not labored1wit for weeks7
Or why was | expected to answer 1t
without such attention. Did you really
believe me "contumacious and obsti-
nate'"
/ do not desire to be understood as
complaining of the short time given me
for the consideration Of the manifesto
the hour and a half at noon on the
day my name was dropped from the list
of church officials understood II then
as | understand 1t now. But when
heard its claims had been discussed for
weeks by the other members of the
quorom of apostles, thst a systematic
presentation of its grounds had been
devoted to Brother Roberts, was led
to wonder If the brief time allotted me
was the result of design or accident.
You say that "out of mercy and COM
passion" the reasons for degrading me
we're not given at the April conference.
| fail to see wherein / was benefited by
compassion which gave rise to so
many rumors, mysterious hints, dark in
situations, ISLANDERS and attacks, unjust |
illusions and unfair comparisons which
have been studiously created and dis
seminated since that time Nor can |
appreciate the manner in which my case
was left, Gin statu quo" by the remarks
of the brethren at the October confer
ence. I had received assurances and
reassurances that nothing would be
done or said affecting my case until |
should report myself ready for trial,
You say: "rhe assurance to which he
refers were faithfully fulfilled. He was
left In statu quo" The average man
might be hard to convince that his in
terests would not be affected by creating
adverse public opinion, by concerted
and preconcerted action on the part of '
the juors entrusted with his tate in pre-
udicing the people against him. When I
tribunal pronounces man guilty and c
announces to the world its judgement, S
las he been left in statu quo1 S
You complain because | did not for P
ime attend my quorum meetings as
egularly as others had done The time
0 which you call attention covers the a
eriod of lingering illness from which "
have now almost entirely recovered. p
,ut do not offer my sickness as an ex- B
use for my absence. as you had ex- h
used me from all official duties during d.
great portion of that time, advising me t.
} travel, to seek enjoyment and health. Pl
The charge that l have "treated the -
ouncil with contempt" needs no answer lie
ut reference to the letters Which OF
assed between us. l endeayored per- D
silently patiently, AID, as Thought. re- ~
lSCCIttlAi WlitAt OANhh7 =
m he'd agaidst me-what differences 49,
iere were between us-in order that
e might arrive at a" understanding 49,
I'd finally what their requirements d,
ere When | went to the meeting
lace of the quorum of apostles after ;.
,ine assured by the brethren that |
ould be welcomed and no objection III
ould be made, found the door closed nc
my face. From that time until my re
,posal plead for statement of the Sc
-ievances against me, but dared not in pr
ude on my quorum again without an no
vitation as had no desire to give Of II
nse. was never aware that had no mi
CHIT to speak In public meetings until TO-
ibllcly reprimanded for so doing;
d not think | was barred from the tn,
mple until its door was closed in my tn,
ce. And now you say that | "pre- me
me to attempt an entrance to the tui
mple" What could l have done3 be-
very move | made was criticised and In
ndemned and seemed to invite new de-
rms of censure and humiliation ISIS
have no desire to bubble, but here is 90
passage In your open letter to which l '''
sire to call your attention; at was
/ few days after the October confer say
ce, even If It had entirely closed, be- ha'
re he appeared and spoke at public my
lettings as though he still held the Bro
thority In which he had not been sus- his
ned at conference. This necessitated sin,
-. Al.