Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-30

CnufCn consented 10 THESE marriages.
II does not see how II can restrict ac.
ton OF individuals In regard to them
now"
THE MORMON REVELATION AS TO
PLURAL WIVES.
/ here asked President Smith II he
could give me statement Of the exact
belief Of the Mormons as TO a man hav-
Ing more than one wife. In reply he
gave me one OF the Church books con-
taining the revelations alleged TO have
been given by God TO Joseph Smith
From this / see that the revelation was
given to Joseph Smith July ~, 1913. II
Is to be found In section 1872, which Is
too long to quote in full here. In brief,
however the book states that Joseph
Smith having asked the Lord how he
justified the fact that Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob and also Moses, David and
Solomon had many wives and concu-
blres. the Lord replied;
Behold and 10, ! am the Lord thy
God. and viii answer thee as touching
this matter.
For behold, | reveal to you a new
and everlasting covenant; and II ye
abide not in that covenant then are We
damned for no one can reject the cove
nant and be permitted 10 enter into my
glory"
In the next few verses the Lord goes
on to relate that marriages properly
made In the Cnurch are for eternity ana
that no marriage not In the Church Is
valid He proceeds TO state that the
end OF marriage Is to increase the race
Of the faithful, and that therefore Abra.
ham. David and Moses We're permitted
10 have many wives and concublnes.
and imposes the duty OF taking plural
wives unon the Mormons. He warns
Emma Smith, the Prophets wife. that
she will be destroyed II she does not
accede to this new commandment, but
promises that II she does "hls servant
Joseph Smith will do all things for
her, and that He will bless him Goseph)
and multiply him and give unto him an
hundred fold in this world Of fathers
and mothers, brothers and sisters
houses and lands. wives and children
and crowns Of eternal life in The eternal
world"
Further on in the revelation II Is
stated that man may marry ten vlr-
gins II 1t be properly done under the
Church without doing wrong, and il
urges upon both men and women the
duty Of such marriage.
WHAT ONE OF THE PRESENT
APOSTLES SAYS.
During my stay here have also had
a chat with one Of the Twelve
Apostles Of the Church, Mr.. ]. II.
Smith. Mr., Smith. while not a
direct descendant Of Joseph Smith,
the Prophet, is OF the same elect fam
lily, He has long been q man OF influ-
ence among the "Mormons" and is
now one OF their leaders, Said he:
THE status Of polygamy In Utah Is
that plural marriages have ceased.
There may have been slips here and
there, but the Church is now opposed
TO any such marriages on the ground
that although they may be permitted
by the revelations, they are contrary
to the law and to the Constitution Of
the State"
Suppose a man contracts polygam-
Gus marriage, Mr. Smith; what can the
law do TO him."
1T can put him in the penitentiary
for FIVE years or impose a heavy fine.
or both. at the discretion OF the court"
WHAT ONE PoLYGAMIST THINKS.
You have married two wives, have
you not?"
Eyes, / was married to both OF them
many years ago, and | have never had
any reason TO regret either marriage,
Each Of my wives has been good and
true wife to me and my family has
been happy one. believed II my
duty 10 take second wife, and my
good wife here referring to the first
Mrs. Smith. who was present at the