Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-07
Mormonism Discussed by the Chi
cago Society Of AuthrOpology'
MANY FAVORABLE OPINIONS.
several Member. OF the Organization
Declare rbem.eise. Tor Congress-
man. giect Roberts.

Elders George s. ilomney and u. Lee
Boyer. Mormon" missionaries In Chi
cage. write from that city to the
News" as followa;
IT'S not always the experience OF the
Elders Of the Church Of Jesus Christ OF
I.attsr-dny Saints to have the privilege
Of presenting their views In the higher
circles Of American society ana having
them discussed from an unparalleled
point Of view, ID seems that misfepte-
rentntion OF the Mormon doctrines ~
20 general that the minds 81 tho people
are too much poisoned TO allow the u
dera to explain their bfnet rom ths
same platform ~ other mlniHtorsi ana
then consider the question Freely anu on
IL merits.
such a privilege, however. was re-
Gently granted to the Elders OF the
church who are lahoring IN Chicago, py
the Chicago Society Of Anthropology.
1t seems that the Mormon question.
principally on account OF the pfoscnt
agitation about Congrcssnnn-elect Is.
n. Roberta.) had come up before the
society for Investigation, and part OF
the members favored the idea OF Invlt-
Ing some 81 the Elders. who are repre-
scnting the 'Mormons' In Chicago 10
lecture before the society, stating the
This proposition met considerable
opposition, but some Insisted, especially
one lady. Dr. ForbufE that u would
only be justice Go the 'Mormons' % Wen
a. to the society: and II was decided To
invite the Eldera to take part in the
discussion Accordingly Dra. Forhurg
aud Tiiiitson attended the services held
BY the church % Jesus christ OF Latter
day Saints, Mt No. 1919 south, oakley
boulevard, and after the meeting Invited
Elder y. u. bradford. president % the
Chicago branch. to lecture before IN.
society. Elder Bradford accepted and
the lecture was appointed to be given In
the Randall hall. No. 40 liandolf street.
At the appointed time Elder bradford
an daiso number of the other Elders,
appeared at the hall and found II VOL
niicd with an Intelligent audience. anX-
lous to hear from the 'Mornons.
''rhe society II composed Of some one
hundred and nifty or more professional
people, among whom ATE some % chi
Cages most prominent lawyers, doctors.
atc The mcmbcra were not all pros
fossed Christians. but represented the
dcista and the arnostlca ~ well AZ the
different religious sects u the day.
Elder Brndford spoke about nfty
minutes. giving a short history OF the
church: dwelling ut some length on the
Book 81 Mormon, and the expulsion OF
the people from Missouri and Illinois:
explaining the plan OF salvation ana
more In detail some Of the principles
Of the Gospel advocated by the Church.
ana not believed In by the others ex-
ccpt those who accept the Gospel aH
revealed from God through His Pro-
phet Joseph Smith.
The lecture vi a splendid EFFORT and
deserves a high recommendation; and
Il was attended by the Spirit Of the
= Ia. fallnNyta1 aud then
the society took the subject under dis
cunsion.
"The gentleman who lead the discus
llon spoke strongly In favor OF the
Mormon" faith. said he thought their
doctrines the best and broadcast of any
Of the orthodox churches also stated
that II he were a member OF Congress
| he would most decidedly east his vote
In favor Of II. II. Roberts.
| "a lively debate then followed. Many
| questions were asked by the members
| % the society and answered by the Ell
dcrH. one lady delivered speech for
| Roberts and incidentally advocated
| polygamy. referring to the fact that
many Of the best aud nohleat men who
have ever lived. practiced plural mar
rinre.
she was followed by lady who was
bitterly opposed TO "Mormonism" md
especially polygamy. and the people
1 AflAl liANNlIAA' M'A' HNAN'h NHfA Wv wv
hot Goals of her Indignation. until. ex-
hauHtcd. she resumed her seat
| another lady then spoke who
thought the "Aiormonu' aa good ~
other religlonists and thought all would
do well to remove the beam from their
own eye and then run out to Utah and
search for the mote In the Mormon
| eye.
''Thc majority Of the society seemed
In favor OF Congressman elect Roberts
retaining his seat and all thought the
Mormon doctrine very Just and rea-
nonablc.
II was q splendid opportunity to place
the Gospel before some OF Chicago'i
most respected citizens, and certainly
was well Improved. We hope that som,
Of the good seed that was sown vii
take root grow and bring forth fruits
OF righteousness.