The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-15


That wherein the public have been
led to believe through his utterances
that the leaders of the church were
forging chains to bind the members of
the church, an impression was created
which he did not intend and does not
wish to prevail
That wherein he has placed the au-
thorities of the church in a false posi-
ton, however unintentionally, he has
done them an injustice and is ready
to make such amends as lie in his
power.
That he. acknowledge the first
presidency and council of the apostles
as Gods servants, as prophets, seers
and revelators, and their authority as
supreme in the church.
THAT when one man is out of har-
mony with them in the enunciation of
rule for the guidance of the church,
he must submit to the rule or be re-
garded as not in full fellowship.
That no member of the church has
the right to oppose and bring into
contempt any rule of the church
which has been formulated by proper
authority, especially when it has been
adopted by the church as body.
That he was in error in stating in
his published letter to President Lor-
EMO Snow:
During all these weary months,
while friends and physicians believed I
was on the verge Of the grave, was
administered to only once by members
Of our quorum, although day after day
engagements made for that purpose
were for reasons unknown to me not
kept
I'm this connection he may safe that
one such engagement was not kept,
but that this was not an intentional
breach of promise.
That in speeches and published let
tiers he has used expressions which
had been better unsaid, and that he
regrets their utterance.
That he knows of no higher allie
glance or more solemn and binding
obligations than those of a religious
character, between q man and his
God
That in speaking of chains. OPP
PRESTON 'curtailment of liberty
malice anger spite and revenge
he did not intend to reflect upon the
authorities of the church in any way,
and is grieved that his language has
been so construed.
THAT in failing TO attend the meet
ing of the twelve apostles on Nov. II,
and again on Nov. IS, he made a grave
mistake, which he now regrets, though
he did not see it then in that light.
That he believes his brethren of the
apostles have been actuated by a
desire for his salvation, and not his
destruction, and that though their
rebukes have been sharp, they were
intended to bring him to, a sense of
his true position.
THAT wherein he has wronged any
of his brethren by word, deed or
improper understanding of their spirit
and intent, he now asks their forgive
ness.
THAT he has obtained light wherein
he was in the dark, and can sustain in
his faith and feelings the authorities
of the church, its doctrines, rules and
regulations, and desires the fellowship
of the church, and humbly asks for
giveness for all his faults.
ANGUS NJ. CANNON,
JOSEPH E. TAYLOR,
CHARLES w. PENROSE.'
Attached to this is the following from
Mr.. Thatcher:
THATCHER'S ENDORSEMENT.
Without qualification or mental
l accept this decision in
full. MOSES THATCHER.
Mr. Thatcher's letter accepting the
decision and all the conditions imposed
is as follows:
THE EX-APOSTLE' LETTER.
Salt Lake City, Utah, Aug. Is, 1897.
Presidents Angus NJ. Cannon, Joseph Z.
Taylor and Charles W. Penrose:
Dear Brethren have before me your
decision, as approved by the high council
of the Salt Lake stake of Zion, specifying
the conditions by which | may retain my
standing and fellowship in the church.
In connection Herewith it is, believe,
we'll understood that all arguments, de-
auctions and conclusions based upon er
roneouS prem -Ses Dartake of the nature
of the premises themselves.
My case has proven no exception TO this
general rule. When it came before the
council for a hearing, l informed you that
was seeking light and believed that me
Lord would manifest it in the findings of
that tribunal having we'll defined powers
and complete jurisdiction.
So when it determined and definitely
decided that there existed no disagree |
ment or conflict as btween the former au-
taoritative public announcements respect |
ng the individual liberty and personal po- |
itical freedom of the members of the I
church and the announcements contained /
n the Declaration of Principles on the 1
same subject Except as defined in the (
after document wherein certain DrOmi- I
lent church officials are required to seek 1
counsel before accepting political Office or
entering into other engagements that /
would interfere with obligations already
nade). there appeared 10 my mind the .
light earnestly prayed for, and under the
guidance of which l can accept the Dec
aratton of Principles" without SIMPLIFYING |
Myself III accepting II as 0e1lneQ by the |
council, need violate none of the engage
nents heretofore entered into under the
qurements of party pledges respecting
he political independence of the citizen
Who remains untrammeled as contem-
dated in the guarantees of the state con-
titution.
Having repeatedly affirmed willingness
o make amends where l have wronged
ny brethren in public utterances or other
wise while under iSapprehensions as TO
he true situation; and as you have in
orfned me that | may do this by accept
ng your decision, and as that course
would prevent arguments and disputes as
q whether or not | had complied in full
with all requirements, l make the deci-
ion, just as YOU rendered it, a part of
his communication, accept il by attach
ng my signature. affix it hereto and au-
horize you to make it public in any man
er you may deem proper.
Here attach the decision.
Very respectfully
Your brother in the gosnel,
MOSES THATCHER.
HE IS RESTORED.
The final document in the case is from
he stake presidency, the effect of
Which is to restore Mr.. Thatcher - full
membership in the church:
Salt Lake City. Utah. Aug. "A, 1897.
We hereby accept the foregoing letter i