The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-24
MISS OLIVER AND THE CHURCH
REORGANIZATION OF THE
POPULAR SINGER.
Joined the Congregational Church
and Has Been Cut Off By the Bish-
opyic-Objected to Teacher.

Miss Lillian G. Oliver, young lady
given her 3. prominent stand in the
profession, was communicated from
the Mormon church Tuesday night by
the bishopric of the Twenty ward,
NJ. s. Woolley presiding. She was &C
cused of apostacy, and failed to answer
the summons of the bishops court to
stand trial. She was thereupon de-
clared no longer a member of the or
ganization.
Miss Oliver, it is stated by her fam
lily, has been a member of the Congre-
gational church for four years, and has
never had any active connection with
the Mormon church, though she was
baptized when years of age. Her
father fulfilled a mission to England
three years ago, and is apparently yet
in the church, while Mrs. Oliver says
she has not had anything to do with it
for fifteen years, and declares very en-
phatically that the communication of
her daughter is a spiteful attempt to
damage Miss Oliver because of her sue
cess in the musical world. .5
But the events leading up to the
bishops courts decision, as related by
Mrs. Oliver, tell a second story that
may explain what brought the action
" d just dl lilfS tliilc- II
was no surprise to the Oliver family,
who believed Miss Lillian's excommu-
nication imminent, from an apparent
falling out with the ward officials. Her
mother, who lives at 1876 street, says
the trouble originated over an objec-
tionable block teacher, Elder Soren-
son.
Lillian has been a Congregationalist
for four years." said Mrs. Oliver, land
hn rrin fn hal
mind back to the Mormon church. She
always refused to talk to him when he
called. One night he came when she
had a caller, and she wouldn't see him
at all. l afterward told the bishop that
if he wanted to send q teacher, he
would have to get another one besides
Sorenson. and l guess it angered him.
Last Friday" continued Mrs. Oliver,
Lillian was ordered to come before the
bishops court, and she said she would
not.
Saw the Bishop.
Il went to Bishop Woolley and told
him 1 wouldn't make her go before a
lot of men, especially like Sorenson,
and he said all right. 1 told him, too,
that if he communicated Lillian, the
whole family might as well go. don't
know what they did about it. and 1
don't think Lillian cares much, any
way"
Bishop Woolley's Statement.
Bishop Woolley was very much sur
prised to think the matter had leaked
out before public announcement should
be made next Sunday night He adj
mitted that Miss Oliver had been cut
off the church. and was in doubt as to
what action, if any, would be taken re-
garding the rest of the family. Bishop
Woolley was reticent on the subject,
declining TO disclose the identity of the
complaining witness, whose existence
he admitted.
Il do not know the young lady my
SELF said the bishop. but charges
were preferred and we cited her to APP
pear"
Bishop Woolley said that contempt
of court was sufficient ground for eX
communication, and when Miss Oliver
failed to appear, her name was ordered
dropped from the rolls.
divers Are Members.
From the way Mrs. Oliver talked TO
me Sunday night" he continued, the
rest of the family claim membership in
the church. Mrs. Oliver said she want
ed to remain a member, and her hus-
band returned from a mission to Eng
land about three years ago. l am I'M
able to say what will follow this. ="
Miss Oliver has been teaching music
for some time and is very popular. She
was given a testimonial benefit at the
Congregational church few evenings