The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-30

The anti-Roberts crusade received
severe rebuff when the head Of the
Mormon church yesterday sent a signed
statement to the Evening World of
New York, explaining the position of
the church in reference TO the practice
of polygamy in Utah.
President Snow was emphatic in his
utterances and his statements are con-
else and clear. AS will be seen from
the reading. he has covered every point
at issue and leaves nothing for the
reader to wOrler at, except perhaps,
what the others who have been making
the hue and cry viii say.
This statement was brought about by
the clamCr which has been raised in the
east, principally by the papers, desig-
mated : IS 'yvliow'' and the clergymen
who have rushed into print with state
ments concerning What congress ought
to do.
The Evening World appealed to Mr..
Roberts for an interview, which, when
declined, was supplanted by state
ment, compiled in its office, or by an
enterprising correspondent. The prompt
denial of authority which followed its
publication, prompted the management
TO send fer a statement from the presi-
dent of the church, and the following
Is the answer, Wnlch W2S also given
TO the Associated Press:
In answer to your inquiries l declare
most solemnly and emphatically that
tie statements which are being pub
lished to the effect that the Norman
church is encouraging and teaching po-
lygamy are utterly untrue. Ever since
the issuance of the manifesto on this
subject by President Wilford Wood
ruff, my predecessor in office, polySa-
nous or plural marriages have entirely
ceased in Utah. Since my accession to
the presidency OF the Church of Jesus
Christ Of Latter-day Saints 1 have re-
peatedly asserted my intention to stand
by that manifesto, and my determine
ton not to permit any marriage to take
place under the sanction of the church
which is contrary to the law of the
state, and l now reaffiIIn that state
ment. Holding the keys of this author
ity in the church over which ] am call
ed TO preside, no such ceremony can be
performed and recognized without my
consent. ! wish this TO be clearly un-
derStOod. | make this declaration un-
equivocaily and without any mental
reservation. Polygamous marriages in
the Mormon church have entirely
ceased. The implied understanding
with the nation when Utah entered the
Union as a state has been sacredly OBJ
served There is no intention or dispo-
late or depart from it in the future.
The enabling act required a provision in
the constitution of the state of Utah
that polygamouS or plural marriages
should be forever prohibited. In accord
ance- with that provision, the state con-
stitution contains this clause: Perfect
tOlera ton Of religious sentiment is
guaranteed. No inhabitants of this
state shall ever be molested in person
or property On account of his or her
mode OF religious worship; but poiyg-
amous o. plural marriages are forever
prohibited Laws have been framed in
support of this constitutional enact
ment. Heavy penalties are provided
for in case of their violation. Thus the
church and tn st t. are aga nst the fur
ther contracting Of pOlygamOuS assOcia-
lions. and there is absolutely no ground
for the position taken by those who are
attempting to infiame public opinion
against the Latter-day Saints.
The election OF Mr.. 3. II. Roberts to
the office Of representative in congress
from Utah was an entirely secular af-
fair. The church had nothing to do with
1t. Church and state in Utah are en-
tirely distinct and separate. Non
? 5dormons participated in his nomina-
ton in the regular convention of his
party. -Mormons also aided in his
election. Many MormOnS. not being OF
his party, voted for his opponent. He
was not a church candidate in any
sense of the word. The church had no
candidate He was elected as an Amer
lean citizen. by American citizens, and
the question of religion did not enter
into the purely political contest The
church has nothing to do with the ac-
ton Of congress in relation to his seat.
If however, notice is to be taken OF the
Wild statements and anti-AIormon full
limitations from the pulpit and the press
to the effect that Mr.. Roberts has vio-
lated the state constitution and the re-
qub'ement OF the enabling act, it is
proper for me to state, as l do most
positively. that the charge which Incl
dentally affects the church of which we
both are members, is entirely without
foundation in fact. And, further, if Mr. /
Roberts takes the seat to which he has
been elected. it viii not in any sense
affect the question of polygamy. If he !
should be unseated, the result as to
polygamy would be no different !
Polygamous marriages having ceased, |
the action of congress in reference to !
the epresentative-elect would have no
bearing upon the matter one way or the
other.
The situation in Utah at present is
this: There have been no polygamous
marriages since 1880. There is no move
ment in the church for the revival of |
such unions. l am personally opposed |
to any such change. My associates in |
the leadership of the church unite with |
me in this determination. But there is |
another question associated Herewith |
When Utah became a state, with the
fun understanding that polygamous
marriages should be forever prohibited |
a number of men found themselves in |
this position: They had two or more |
wives, who had been married To them |
under the most sacred covenants and |
obligations that people could enter into. !
by. consent Of all the parties interested |
What were those men to DO with their |
plural families2 Cast them off? Re- !
pudiate their wives2 BaslaIdize their |
children? Make them a common charge
upon the community2 Or take care of |
them, provide for them, maintain their |
wives and support and educate the
children Is it possible that the Chris |