The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-12-18
MORMON CONFERENCE.
Meeting at the Opera House Addressed
By Elders Of the Church.
Joe Smith. Book Of Mormon, Polygamy
Brigham Young, Bingham n. Rob
erts and Wives Left Out.

Those who went to the opera house
Sunday afternoon with the expectation
Of hearing anything like full expla-
nation Of the doctrines Of Mormonism
we're disappointed.
The speakers confined themselves
mainly 10 pleading for a fair hearing,
and TO assertions that their doctrine en-
bodied the one true faith.
There was some good singing by the
elders, some Of whom have excellent
voices. Probably two hundred people
including many ladies we're present,
who listened to what was said with the
utmost decorum.
The Elders seem TO be all young men
and are fairly intelligent looking lot
The speakers were, Oscar A. Johnan-
nensen, Of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and f. s.
Bromwell, Of Parker, Idaho.
The first speaker recognized the fact
there is a strong feeling against Nor
monism, and claimed that IL il because
the people do not investigate the doc
trine, 20 have misconceptions in regard
~ IL. Said that the Mormons do not go
outside OF the King James version OF the
Bible for their doctrine; that IL is a
mistake TO suppose that Mormons have
Bible Of their own different from the
accepted version. They we're seeking
only the truth and claimed to be teach
ing the gospel Of Christ, pure and
simple
This speaker confined himself mainly
10 generalities, but did advance one Of
the ideas which seem TO distinguish
Momonism from all other doctrines
claiming the name OF Christianity, and
which seems 10 sustain the charge Of
grossness and beastiality. That is the
doctrine that God is a material be-
ing like man, with all Of mans pas
sons, a being, in fact, greatly resemb-
ling the gods Of the old Grecian myth
ology. lie quoted from the Bible in
support OF this theory, claiming that
God must have body, parts and pas
sion like man, or lie could not feel
love, and il would not be true that lie
created man in his own image.
The Mormon system OF theology
should not De judged by individuals.
The net gathers all kinds Of fish.
The second speaker, +. s. Bramwell,
covered much Of the ground gone over
by the first, claiming that people are
prejudiced against the Mormon faith
because they do not get their informa.
tion from headquarters.
He enlarged upon the idea already
advanced, OF the materiality Of Gods
person. The Bible accounts of Gods
seeing and hearing proved that He must
have natural eyes and ears. His speak.
ing proved that lie had mouth. lie
wrote the ten commandments ON the
tablets OF stone with His finger, and the
accounts OF His love and His frowning
proved that lie had passions.
Mormons believe that God is natural
being with body like mans; Christ
is the same; and the Holy Spirit is the
mediator, between the world and the
God-head, keeping the head god in
formed as TO what is going on down
here. Didn't even believe that angels
have wings, but that they are exactly
like men.
Then the speaker advanced another
idea throwing some light upon his clam
that the Mormon belief is drawn from
the Bible. That Is, that il is impossible
10 understand the doctrine OF Jesus
Christ, except il DO revealed 10 us
through revelation by the Hely Spirit.
This gives an opening for Joe Smith and
the Book Of Mormon, though neither
was mentioned by name.
Upon this rock the Mormon belief is
built--the doctrine Of revelation. II
time permitted, il would be easy TO
prove this TO be true, by the Bible itself.
The Bible taught that the true gospel
would be brought by an angel. This
was true. The angel has come. The
gospel has been brought, Mormonism
is "it."